LATEST NEWS

ATHOL — If you’d seen the big, ceremonial scissors biting into the thick band of red ribbon, you might not have guessed what all the hullabaloo was about. After all, in a lot of places, 1,300 feet of new sidewalk might not merit any notice at all. But in this town of 738, flocked about by all the traffic and pressures of rapid growth, a three-block stretch of new walkway — the first sidewalk in Athol history — was cause for celebration. ...

The Bonners Ferry Special Olympics Basketball team recently finished their season and honed their skills in order to compete next year. BF Special Olympics is always looking for volunteers and mentors for various sports and activities. Join them in promoting inclusion in Sports for people with intellectual disabilities. Contact Coach John Beck at jdbeck555@gmail.com for more information on upcoming events.

BONNER COUNTY, Idaho — A 26-year-old Bonner County man was arrested last week on a pair of battery charges as well as assault after police say he attacked a couple who stopped to give him a ride. On May 24, a couple was driving down Schweitzer Cutoff Road when...

Ten years ago, Ken Larson had a discussion with a female student at Forrest M. Bird Charter Schools about the possibility of creating an aviation class for students. From those humble beginnings, Larson created what is now known as the North Idaho High School Aerospace Program, a nonprofit organization tasked with teaching students everything they want to know about aviation, including learning to fly, building and maintaining airplanes.

SANDPOINT, Idaho — Alterra Mountain Company announced Thursday that they have purchased Schweitzer Mountain as the 18th property in their portfolio. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the year subject to closing conditions. "With an incredible mountain in one of the most beautiful settings in...

BONNERS FERRY — Bonners Ferry little league teams play against Sandpoint teams in the playoffs this week. The Bonners Rockies (6-5) took fourth in conference after defeating the Bonners Giants on June 1. The Rockies will face the Sandpoint Dodgers in round 1 of the playoffs Tuesday June 6 at 5:30 p.m. at Travers Field #3 in Sandpoint. If the Rockies win, they will advance to the Championship Game Thursday at War Memorial Field.

In a time when North Idahoans are more conscious than ever of supporting locals, it’s a perfect moment to be reminded about one of the most local resources of all: community radio. In Sandpoint, that’s 88.5 KRFY Panhandle Community Radio — available on local airwaves at 88.5 FM, or...

The public is invited to rediscover famed wilderness artist Stephen Lyman, when Pend Oreille Arts Council and Lewiston collector Ryan Fiske presents Rediscovered on Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the University of Idaho’s Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center (10881 N. Boyer Road). The exhibition of Lyman’s work contains a large selection of Fiske’s personal collection.

NEWPORT, Wash. — The Kalispel Tribe is collaborating with Washington State University (WSU) archeologists on a 5,000-year-old archeological excavation that will help reveal more about the history of the Kalispel Tribe’s indigenous food systems. WSU researchers said Ancient Tribal earth ovens, which were built long before the Egyptian...

The board of Bonner County commissioners voted May 30 to move forward with soliciting bids for construction of an RV campground on a parcel between the fairgrounds and sheriff’s office, voting along lines that have become familiar as the debate over the property has dominated county business in recent months — Commissioners Steve Bradshaw and Luke Omodt in favor of advertising for bids, and Commissioner Asia Williams against.

The management of our national forest lands isn’t without its controversies, but a cooperative effort of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest (IPNF) and the Panhandle Forest Collaborative (PFC) illustrates that reasonable people are capable of finding common ground on these issues. Formed in 2010, the PFC is a group...

PRIEST RIVER - Just past noon on Saturday, multiple agencies were dispatched to a report of a child hit by a car in Priest River. The Priest River Police Department, Bonner County Sheriff's Office and Idaho State Police responded to a fatal incident on private property in the 300 block of Summit Blvd. in Priest River.

When it came to inspiration for her art, Eileen Klatt simply followed the current of her life, leading her to her most-loved muse: fish. “Fish have been one of my favorite subjects since I began learning to paint,” said Klatt, who grew up in the Columbia River Basin but now resides in Hope. “I focused on local species early in my professional career, but when the Snake River Sockeye were placed on the endangered species list in 1991, my attention began turning to salmon.”

NAPLES — Local representatives and elected officials spoke at the Boundary County Republican Central Committee’s Lincoln Day event on May 6. Sauter said he was thankful for time spent in Boise representing the people in Boundary and Bonner counties. He addressed Bonner General Health closing its birthing ward....

BONNERS FERRY — A local couple received a special thanks from a veteran after opening their property to veterans for turkey hunting. Mike Hill of Florida, who served on active duty during the Vietnam era, said he was touched by the generosity of Paul and Charlene Wells and asked local veterans officials to present them with a commemorable 2023 Wounded Warrior Project coin token medallion.

On May 9, Bonner County Assessor Grant Dorman — who took office in January — issued his resignation effective Friday, June 2 due to health concerns. On May 23, the Bonner County Republican Central Committee submitted its nominations to the county for three candidates to take over the position, per Idaho Code, seeing as Dorman ran in 2022 as a Republican. On May 30, the board of Bonner County commissioners interviewed those three candidates, and it didn’t take long for the elephant in the room to make itself known: Of the three BCRCC nominees, none has experience in the world of property appraisal.

Bonner County commissioners are gearing up for a highly anticipated meeting where the fate of a proposed RV campground project will be deliberated. Set to take place on Tuesday, the gathering will address concerns surrounding the stalled Phase II of the project, triggered by a barrage of negative feedback recently received from the community.

The second annual tea of the Bonners Ferry Civic League will be held at the new City Hall building at 2:30 Friday afternoon, June 8. A musical program is being arranged and it is planned to play cards after the serving of refreshments. A deal is being negotiated today whereby...

Second and third grade students in Noxon recently visited the Bonnner County Museum in Sandpoint, Idaho, and hosted a wax museum presentation with the school, parents and community members. ...

Memorial Day celebrates those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. While it may seem like such a little thing, attending a local ceremony or waving flags at a parade, it is so much more, not to those who are gone, but to their families who are left behind.