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Boundary County Archives ~ January 2014
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News
January 30
New CNAs graduate BCH: Boundary Community Hospital's most recent CNA graduates are Mariah Rae, Kasandra Lecrenski, Kami Kramer, Joslyn Invernon, Savannah Mendenhall, Natalie Shelton, Preston Johnson, Christian Trocke and Wesley Hubbard. A new class begins March 25.
Two bomb threats evacuate schools: Hopes that the rash of school bomb hoaxes in Boundary County public schools had ended were dashed this morning when yet another threat was discovered, this one written in a stall in a girl's restroom. Another threat was discovered written on the wall of a restroom stall at Naples Elementary shortly before 12:30 p.m.
January 28
Winter weather advisory now a warning: The winter storm advisory issued this morning has been cancelled, and a winter storm warning calling for three to six inches of valley snow, effective from 1 a.m. Wednesday through 4 p.m. Thursday has been put in its place.
Relay for Life coming to Bonners Ferry: For the first time, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life is being held in Bonners Ferry this summer on August 22.
House fire claims one: On January 27, at about 2:22 p.m., the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a house fire off of Maas Loop Road. Sheriff’s Deputies and the North Bench Fire Department responded to 546 Baldy Mountain Road.
Winter weather advisory issued: A winter weather advisory was issued for much of the North Idaho Panhandle calling for a mix of snow and freezing rain in effect from 10 p.m. today through 10 p.m. Thursday.
January 27
Spelling bee winners named: The Middle School spelling bees were held on Tuesday, January 14, at the Middle School Library and the district elementary spelling bee was held on Saturday, January 1. The results are as follows ...
BCMS notes: Conferences to discuss first semester will be January 28 and 30 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. All students are expected to participate with a parent. This is a great opportunity to connect with your child about their academic progress. Activities for younger children will be provided by BCMS Student Council. By Principal David Miles II
Labrador bill aimed at limiting EPA: Representative Raúl Labrador (R-ID) announced today that he is cosponsoring H.R. 3377, the Defense of Environment and Property Act.  This bill would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from aggressively expanding its regulatory authority over local bodies of waters and surrounding property.
Court records and sheriff's log
January 24
Fry Foundation near buying new van: The all-volunteer organization Fry Healthcare Foundation is well on its way to purchasing a 15 passenger, wheelchair accessible van. Working through the Festival of Trees, its major fund-raiser, Fry Healthcare Foundation raised $41,000.
Robotics team gearing up for tough game: On Saturday, January 4, 2014, FIRST Team 2130 met in Mr. Katz’s room at Bonners Ferry High School. Approximately 28 students, 10 mentors and several alumni joined us to learn about the FIRST competition this year, Aerial Assist.
Inmate found unresponsive: A 48-year-old inmate was found unresponsive in his cell this morning, and despite their best efforts, sheriff's personnel and EMTs were unable to revive him.
Classes on Constitution to be held: The Idaho Committee for the Preservation of the Constitution will be hosting a new series, "The Constitution is the Solution for America," a six part class to be held in the Boundary County Extension Office.
Hearing on comp plan set: The Boundary County Planning and Zoning Commission signed an application for Comprehensive Plan Amendment Thursday January 16. Commission members have been working for a year updating and refining changes to Chapters 13 and 14 of the plan, covering Land Use and Implementation.
Jobless rate best in 20 years: More Idahoans found jobs in December than in any other month in 20 years, pushing total employment to a record 728,600 and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate down to 5.7 percent, its lowest level in over five years, but the news isn't all good.
January 22
Rotary donates to Memorial Park: The Bonners Ferry Rotary Club has donated $10,000 to the Parks and Recreation Department’s Memorial Park Project for new playground equipment under Phase 1 of a 3-phase overall project.
Young lady found on McCall Street: This young female was picked up as a stray on McCall Street on Tuesday. She is very friendly and appears to be about seven months of age. If you recognize her please let her owners know that she is visiting Second Chance Animal Shelter, or give the shelter a call at (208) 267-7504.
Court records and sheriff's log
January 19
Polite young male found north of Three Mile: This big young boy was found by a family Saturday about six miles north of Three Mile, and he's staying with that family as they try to find his owner.
Libby man killed in training accident: A 47-year-old search and rescue team member was killed Saturday in a snowmobile crash during a training exercise southwest of Troy, the Lincoln County undersheriff reported Sunday.
January 18
Flu brings hospital restriction: With the coming of the flu season, Boundary Community Hospital, in a proactive move, announces a temporary restriction of visitors under the age of 18 to the hospital and the Extended Care Facility.
Bob Bosworth passes: News Bonners Ferry is saddened to report the passing of a Boundary County legend. Bob Bosworth, a lifelong forester who reached the pinnacle of his profession, died in Bonners Ferry on the evening of January 17.
Theft investigation turns up drugs: The Bonners Ferry Police Department obtained a search warrant for a South Hill residence in Bonners Ferry following a theft investigation from the Kootenai River Inn. By Mike Meier
VVES Student Council stays busy: January 16 minutes.
January 17
FBI captures Bonners Ferry man: Nathan Paul Davenport, 34, Bonners Ferry, was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury in Boise for bank larceny by use of a dangerous weapon and use of a deadly weapon during a felony offense, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced.
Runway clear and dry: It has not been a busy year for the airport plow truck, so the runway is clear and dry. On the days when the sky is blue and the wind isn’t blowing too hard you will probably see a few new pilots out and about.
January 16
Valley View students show geography prowess: Josh Beazer, a fifth grader at Valley View Elementary, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on December 18 and a chance at a $50,000 college scholarship.
BCMS spelling bee winners named: Students at Boundary County Middle School were treated to a marathon of Spelling Bees on Tuesday, January 14. The contests went for many rounds as great spellers competed!
Boundary County looking for more than a janitor: Boundary County Commissioners are looking to replace a man who is nigh irreplaceable. Jim Thompson, who has kept the courthouse and county offices clean and shiny since 2005 after years at Mt. Hall Elementary, is set to join his wife, Lila, in retirement February 25.
Weland tenders school board resignation: Boundary County School District 101 trustee Mike Weland on Wednesday submitted his resignation, effective March 31, so as to give time to both solicit requests from those who live in Zone 1 interested in serving and for the board to select the person to fill the seat.
Videos help nail mail theft suspect: Anyone in the Moyie Springs area who suspects they might be missing mail from rural mail boxes recently are being asked to call both the Boundary County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Postal inspectors after a 42 year old Sandpoint woman confessed to robbing mail from the Moyie Bridge to Troy, Montana.
Senators work to fund PILT: On Wednesday, U.S. Senators Mike Crapo, Michael Bennet, Jim Risch and Mark Udall sent a bipartisan letter signed by a coalition of senators to the leadership of the Farm Bill conference committee requesting that funding for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Program be included in the final Farm Bill conference report.
Liberty is missing: A Moyie Springs area mail carrier lost her puppy, Liberty, yesterday afternoon on Old Highway 2 Loop, and she's asking for help in finding her.
Scammers posing as bill collectors: Northern Lights is getting reports from members who have received phone calls from someone saying they are with the power company and the caller states that bill is delinquent and it must be paid in the next few minutes to avoid having their power disconnected.
January 15
School board to charge certain students: The Boundary County School Board on Tuesday made a decision they didn't like, based on a state school funding law passed in October that they not only disagree with but question its legality, and in so doing hurt a select few who they agree are good neighbors who are a benefit to our county.
Police called for dogs being dogs: Bonners Ferry Police were summoned to a Northside home shortly before midnight yesterday in response to a complaint ... of dogs ... barking. Assistant police chief Foster Mayo responded, chastised the animals and reported that they didn't seem to be listening well to his orders.
January 14
BCMS students rock! Students at Bonners Ferry Middle School are doing some great things; a recent "Penny Drive Challenge" earned a very nice letter and four exemplary student, three of whom serve on the student council, are already hard at work to raise money for a summertime trip to a young leaders conference in Washington, D.C.
Flu claims Bonner County man: Flu-related complications led to the death of a Bonner County man in his 50s last weekend. The death was the first reported in the five northern counties this season related to the flu. His name has not been released.
Scammers duping local residents: Scammers have struck Boundary County posing as the Publisher Clearing House seeking local winners, and several residents within our County have been taken in by this latest ploy to remove you of your money.
School board to meet in new old office: The Boundary County School Board will meet tonight at 6 p.m. for its first meeting of the year, and they'll be meeting once again in the old school district office at 7188 Oak Street, in newly refurbished offices in a building that has seen several uses over the past few years.
Court records and sheriff's log
January 12
Mail theft suspect caught: A woman who was arrested by Bonners Ferry Police Friday night has confessed to stealing mail from rural mail boxes in the Moyie Springs area, according to the sheriff's office.
January 11
-- Power Outage --
Around 676 homes are without power in the Paradise Valley area; Northern Lights was notified at 10:21 a.m. and crews will be out to find the problem and restore electricity. High winds are reported in the Hayden area and are expected here, which could lead to additional power outages.
Area choirs forming: Auditions for a new area men's choir will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, January 14, and auditions for the women's choir will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, January 20 both at Trinity Lutheran Church, 6784 Cody Street in Bonners Ferry.
Scrabble on in to Mugsy's! On December 9, a group of people met at the Boundary County Library to discuss the beginning of a loosely organized Scrabble game. The result of the meeting was that they decided to play Scrabble twice each month on the second and fourth Tuesday evenings at Mugsy's, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Their first game will be held on Tuesday, January 14.
BCMS notes: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) tutoring is available now at the Boundary County Middle School. Thanks to a grant for Gear-Up, we will offer tutoring two nights a week on Tuesday and Wednesday. By Principal David Miles II
Common Core here to stay: Welcome to VVES 2014! This year we will “raise the bar” in terms of academic expectations. The new Idaho Common Core Standards are here to stay — and this is good! By Principal Gary Pfleuger
-- Avalanche warning --
The Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center has issued an avalanche warning in effect until midnight tonight for the five North Idaho counties, including Boundary County.
January 10
Weekend weather could be ugly: A flood watch was issued this morning, and this afternoon, the Weather Service issued high wind and winter storm warnings on top of it. If predictions hold true, it could be an ugly weekend, weather-wise.
Flood watch in effect Saturday: A flood watch for North Idaho and much of eastern Washington has been issued, effective from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, January 11. Warm winds and rain are expected to arrive this afternoon, which may cause storm water flooding throughout the area.
January 9
Newsbf falls victim to scam: News Bonners Ferry fell victim of a scam yesterday, and extends sincere apologies to Luke Inman for a false report saying he was being sought by law enforcement; he is not.
Bonner County crash claims Post Falls man: A head on crash this morning on Highway 95 near Sagle claimed the life of a Post Falls man, sent an elderly Thompson Falls woman to the hospital and shut down traffic for about two and a half hours.
Mail thieves at it again: I've just been advised of thefts from mail boxes on rural routes in the Silver Spring area, where thieves are targeting checks and W2 forms; thefts were reported both Saturday and Monday. Area residents are urged to keep an eye out for suspicious activity around mailboxes and report it to the Boundary County Sheriff's Office (208) 267-3151, extension 0. To protect your mail, and the personal information it contains, check your mail boxes as soon after the carrier delivers as possible.
January 8
Second Bonner County airman lost: The Air Force has identified the four airmen killed in Tuesday’s Pave Hawk crash near RAF Lakenheath, England, and one, KREM 2 News, Spokane, reports, attended high school in Priest River.
Captain Lyon laid to rest: Captain David I. Lyon, 21st Logistics Readiness Squadron, returned home to Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, for the final time January 6. Funeral service for the fallen airman were held today in Colorado Springs.
Storm watch upgraded to warning: A winter storm watch issued yesterday by the National Weather Service, Spokane, was upgraded early this morning in a winter storm warning that described the approaching winter storm as "vigorous."
County commission minutes, December 16-17
January 7
Academy remembers Air Force officer: When the sad news that Air Force Captain David Lyon, who grew up in Sandpoint, had died in the line of duty in Afghanistan, many more than the members of one family in a small North Idaho town grieved. A region, a nation, felt his loss.
Mountain snow watch issued: A winter storm watch for the Idaho Panhandle mountains has been issued by the National Weather Service, to be in effect above 3,500 feet from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning.
Worker's rights topic of program: “Workers’ Rights, a Human Rights Issue” is the featured topic for the program that will be presented by the Boundary County Human Rights Task Force at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 19, in the basement of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Can't keep a good mining buddy down: Well, he’s back. I don’t know if this should be in Bonners Ferry Back When or not, but since it’s about my mining buddy, I’ll post it here. In case nobody noticed he hasn’t been going with me for the last three or four months. By Gary Regehr
Thanks to tips, suspects identified: Thank you from the Bonners Ferry Police Department for all those citizens and residents who assisted in the identification and pending arrest of individuals believed responsible for theft from a Bonners Ferry Business on December 27.
Forest Service not shuttering campgrounds: Yesterday, a warning was posted on a local Facebook page reporting that the U.S Forest Service had plans underway to close all but two Boundary County campgrounds as a way to better their budget. The USFS budget is shrinking and campers might see changes, but the rumor of closures is not true.
Forest roads coated with ice: Despite the lack of snow at lower elevations, many forest roads throughout north Idaho are coated in a thick layer of ice, resulting in multiple slide-offs and accidents. Forest Service officials are urging members of the public to avoid traveling on icy forest roads, but if travel cannot be avoided, tire chains and low speeds are strongly advised.
County commission minutes, December 23-24
Court records and sheriff's log
January 5
Loud noises scare away toddler's friends: Several people reported hearing a loud explosion in Bonners Ferry Saturday evening, and while no one was able to pinpoint the source, people weren't the only ones who heard it; at a home on Cody Street, two family dogs were so frightened, they jumped the fence at about 9 p.m. and ran off, and have yet to come home.
January 4
Search ends sadly for missing man: A number of volunteers gathered this morning at the Naples General Store to continue the search for 20 year old James Sanborn, Bonners Ferry, who went missing January 1 after walking away from a friend’s house on Sandy Ridge Road near Naples. The search ended at 1:00 p.m. with the discovery of his body near Deep Creek, well away from the area he was initially assumed to have gone.
Two sought in theft of donations: The Bonners Ferry Police Department is seeking information and requesting help in identifying a man and women wanted for questioning in connection with the theft of money stolen from a Bonners Ferry business.
'Water year' off to slow start: The bad news is that the Pacific Northwest and its Columbia River basin have only received about 50 percent of average precipitation over the first three months of the “water year” – October 1 through December 30. The good news is that there is a big chunk of the winter of 2013-14 to come.
INWCF accepting scholarship applications: Inland Northwest Community Foundation (INWCF) is currently accepting applications from high school seniors and college students seeking academic scholarships for higher education for the 2014-2015 school year.
Idaho 511 system enhanced: Idaho continues to improve its 511 Traveler Services system at 511.idaho.gov by automating road-condition alerts.
January 2
Bonners Ferry man missing: A 20 year old Bonners Ferry man celebrating the ringing in of the New Year with friends in Naples reportedly set out walking back to Bonners Ferry early Wednesday morning and he hasn't been seen or heard from by his family since.
Obituaries
William "Bill" Kahn, April 6, 1939 ~ January 27, 2014
Doris Juanita Cantrell, September 14, 1922 ~ January 23, 2014
Gretchen Norene Brittin (Anderson), June 23, 1924 ~ January 23, 2014
Genevieve "Jean" Mettler, September 30, 1932 ~ January 12, 2014
Robert Walter "Bob" Bosworth, June 19, 1940 ~ January 17, 2014
Maxine M. Cassal, January 31, 1934 ~ January 7, 2014
Marjorie Dale Day, March 3, 1950 ~ January 11, 2014
James Jay Sanborn, September 28, 1993 ~ January 1, 2014
Roger H. Halverson, May 25, 1940 ~ December 22, 2013
Social
Barradale named Student of the Month: A junior who loves to sing and act, Samantha Barradale is Upsilon Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International Women Educators’ student of the month for January.
Orr nominated for Air Force Academy: Representative Raúl Labrador (R-ID) announced his office’s nominations to the U.S. service academies today, including Alan Orr, Bonners Ferry, who is being nominated for the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Shattuck, Flower engaged: Gavin Flower, the son of Heather and Allen Gemmrig, Bonners Ferry, and Jason Flower, Plummer, and Kirstina Shattuck, the daughter of Dale and Becky Shattuck, St. Maries, have announced their engagement.
Sports
Bateman tops in Elks Hoop Shoot: Trey Bateman, 8, won the Elks Hoop Shoot Northern Competition in Kellogg last Saturday. Trey hit 23 out of 25 free throws to win the 8 and 9 year old division. Trey also earned top shot honors by hitting the most free throws in all age groups. The district competition hosted the best free throw shooters in North Idaho.
Gun and horn show coming: The 21st annual Kootenai Valley Sportsman Association Gun and Horn Show is coming to the Boundary County Fairgrounds February 7-9.
Steelhead season open! For some anglers, the best thing about New Year’s is the start of the spring steelhead season, which opened January 1. Anglers are reminded that they will need a 2014 fishing license and steelhead permit.
Letters
Dawn Evans: While hunting public land, there are many unspoken rules we all need to respect and follow. The main rule I would like to touch on is, if you see a rig parked on a particular gated road, find another road to hunt.
Idaho Senator Shawn Keough: It was “education week” for the budget committee and in the statehouse during this third week of the Legislative session. There may not be a more important task for the Legislature than funding our state’s education system.
Senator Mike Crapo: The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reports that as of November 7, 2013 there were 1,456 wildland fires in Idaho that burned 714,057 acres last year. As more resources go toward fire suppression, resources that could be used to implement projects that improve forest health, benefit forest communities and enhance public safety are squeezed.
Gary Blanchard: I was saddened to here of Bob’s passing. Even though I never had the privilege of working with Bob as a forester, I knew him well as a fellow member of the Society of American Foresters.
Idaho Senator Shawn Keough: As the Vice Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, I have been faced with many tough decisions over the last few years. Idaho continues to manage our budget in a fiscally responsible manner. Because of this, we are often criticized by groups who want more money spent on programs that they deem important.
Notes from Boise by Shawn Keough: As is the tradition, on Monday Governor Otter laid out his agenda for the 2014 session of the Idaho Legislature.
Senator Mike Crapo: The U.S. Trade Representative reported that, in 2012 alone, the U.S. sold $235 million worth of potatoes, $42 million worth of beans, $1.1 billion worth of apples and $53.3 billion worth of corn products to consumers around the world. These are just a few examples of how American farmers and ranchers are helping to meet the challenge of feeding a growing world population.
Allen Gemmrig: It is at this time I would like to pledge my support and my endorsement for Dave Schuman for the office of Sheriff of Boundary County.
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