2011 a busy year for Boundary County residents
JANUARY
In January 2011, Liberty gas on the South Hill held to the promise of donating 5 percent of gas profits to the Badger Boosters.
Badger Boosters president Pam Moe received a significant donation from Young in January 2011. Liberty owner Dave Young preferred not to disclose the amount of the donation. The gas station continues to support the Badger Boosters.
Martha and new baby Caiden Covington.
Boundary County’s first baby of 2011 was born to Martha Convington of Bonners Ferry.
Caiden Matthew Covington, was born Jan. 4, 2011 at Bonner General Hospital. He weighed 6 pounds, 3 ounces and measured 20 inches.
Martha has lived in Bonners Ferry for 16 years and is a student. Martha is a single mom and gets a lot of help from the new baby’s grandmother, Michelle Stafford also of Bonners Ferry.
“I am so happy, and he sleeps pretty well,” said Martha. “It is hard but I am already getting used to taking care of him.”
FEBRUARY
Patti Branson
In February 2011, Mountain West Bank of Bonners Ferry named Patti Branson the new branch manager.
She has moved into her new office which used to be occupied by recently retired Skip O’Fallon.
Branson started with Zions Bank in 2002. She stayed when Mountain West took over and was the residential loan officer for the branch since 2005.
Branson was born and raised in Bonners Ferry and has two adult children and two children still at home.
Bonners Ferry URD
Bonners Ferry City Council asked city staff to proceed with a full urban renewal district proposal for the property where the Lantern once stood.
The restaurant was located across from the Conoco station and Subway.
The renewal district would include nearby properties as well, said assistant city administrator David Sims.
During the January city council meeting, veterinarian Jerry Lewis of Pend Oreille Veterinary Service in Ponderay told city council he has bought the property located at 6438 Main Street.
Lewis told council members an urban renewal district would help the infrastructure in the area. He asked the city to consider a URD.
Mike Winger of URM Food Service also was present at the council meeting with Lewis.
Winger said a grocery store with strong local ties to the community is interested in the property. He said the grocer would add price competition and about 80 to 90 jobs.
He could not supply the grocer’s name, but is hopeful as the time draws near the company will reveal itself.
MARCH
In March 2011, The two inches of fresh snow didn’t stop the 2011 Penguin Plunge plungers from jumping into Deep Creek Saturday.
The event raised more than $5,400.
Forty plungers and one K-9 jumped, dove and flipped off the dock at the mouth of Deep Creek into 35.3 degree water as part of Freezin for a Reason.
The annual event is a fundraiser for Special Olympics Idaho.
Local Special Olympic athletes were present to show support for the plungers and proudly wore medals from past Special Olympic games.
Pearl Theater
Involved with the renovation owner of the New Pearl Theater Carolyn Testa takes a moment to have a photo taken.
In March the votes were in, and the little community theater on Ash Street will have a name. And the winner is: The Pearl Theater
The contest posted in the Bonners Ferry Herald two weeks ago garnered over 30 entries for possible names for the theater. The prize was not only the earned notoriety from having named the theater, but also a year’s free pass for two to every show performed.
“There were some amazingly creative suggestions,” said Carolyn Testa. “It was exactly what I was hoping for– lots of great possibilities.”
David and Jill Jurgensen, owners of The Log Inn of Bonners Ferry submitted their suggestion.
APRIL
Disaster declaration
In April 2011, Boundary County was among six Idaho counties Governor “Butch” Otter added to the State Disaster Declaration.
The county has seen a significant amount of rainfall and snow melt that has caused damage to roads.
Boundary County Commissioner Ron Smith credits Bob Graham with the local Idaho Department of Homeland Security with doing the leg work to get the costly damage in Boundary County recognized by the state.
Rod Benders
In April the fog and the wet roads didn’t stop the Rod Benders Car Club of Bonners Ferry and the Libby Igniters from having their Ice Breakers Cruise on Saturday.
With Bonners Ferry Police Chief Rick Alonzo leading the way in his BFPD Charger, the parade of more than 18 classic cars cruised to the Chic n’ Chop for a breakfast that the clubs take turns hosting each year.
“It was a great day for a cruise, even though it was foggy and the weather wasn’t perfect, the camaraderie of the gathering was memorable and a lot of fun,” said cruise director Don James.
MAY
In May 2011 the controversial two-year $2.8 million supplemental levy passed after a second vote.
The measure passed by 371 votes.
The supplemental levy is for $1.4 million a year. It will pay for curriculum and technology needs and extracurricular activities. In addition, it will give teachers $200 each for classroom supplies.
Boundary County School District made a number of cuts to its budget in recent years, including reducing its school week to four days and freezing all salaries for the past two years.
Elks student
Taylor Dinning of Bonners Ferry High School is the senior class president and president of the Foreign Language Society.
She has been involved with Junior Miss Scholarship Program, Idaho Drug Free Youth, Family, Community and Career Leaders of America, the Pep Club and Art Club.
Dinning was also involved with a food drive for the local food bank, the young miss program, the Penguin Plunge fundraiser for the Special Olympics and Silverwood’s Night of Stars.
Dinning’s proudest achievement was being selected as a People to People Student Ambassador to the British Isles, spending 20 days in the UK learning about English, Irish and Scottish culture. Congratulations to Dinning and her parents, Rick and Chris Dinning.
JUNE
Bartling retires
Supt. Don Bartling’s final day with Boundary County School District No. 101 is officially Thursday, June 16, 2011.
He will bid a farewell to the school district but not to Bonners Ferry.
Bartling moved to Bonners Ferry with his wife Debbie in 2001. They immediately fell in love with the community.
Bartling went on to say that other schools give many compliments on Boundary County students who go away to compete with various activities.
“I have been fortunate in my career that I have been able to do what I have wanted to do.”
Rock slide
In June a rockslide about 15 miles east of Bonners Ferry has shut down rail traffic on the Burlington Northern Sante Fe line since Sunday afternoon.
Crews worked Sunday through the night and by 11:10 p.m. Monday were able to open the line and get trains moving through.
BNSF spokesman Gus Melonas said sensors detected the avalanche in time to safely stop a train shortly after the slide before it reached the canyon where the slide occurred.
The slide, which is about 30 feet wide and 30 feet deep, was caused by the recent heavy rains, snow melt and the changing spring temperatures. Amtrak and about 30 freight trains typically pass the site daily.
JULY
Amy Trice dies
Amelia “Amy” Trice former chairwoman of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho passed away on July 2, 2011.
Born in 1936 in Bonners Ferry, Trice grew up in Bonners Ferry.
As a young woman she became of member of the Kootenai Tribal Council.
Perhaps, Trice is most known for her courageous efforts in gaining justice for the Kootenai Tribe when she and members of the tribe declared a nonviolent war on the United States in 1974.
On Sept. 20, 1974, tribal members set up informational pickets and asked for 10-cent tolls on U.S. Highway 95 at Bonners Ferry.
A standoff followed for several days before Trice led a delegation to Washington, D.C., for talks.
It was the last declaration of war against the United States made by a Native American Tribe, and one of few won by Native Americans.
No fireworks show
Bonners Ferry will not host fireworks or a Fourth of July event in 2011.
In February, Skip O’Fallon retired from Mountain West Banks as president. When he announced his retirement he also announced he wanted to pass the torch, literally, to someone interested in taking the lead on the fireworks for the fourth.
“It was a family thing, I had my kids and their spouses to help out and now they have their own families and it is harder to travel,” O’Fallon said.
O’Fallon said anyone who is interested has to be licensed and permitted through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
Roger Fraser, publisher of the Flatlander, was going to take on the event but could not get the pledges to raise money in time for O’Fallon to purchase the fireworks. Licensing and permits were also needed and time was lost.
AUGUST
Vet clinic opens
In August 2011 Pend Oreille Veterinary Service founder Dr. Jerry Lewis is always happy to serve the animals of Boundary County, but now he can do it right in Bonners Ferry.
Lewis established Pend Oreille Veterinary Service in Ponderay in 1964. He served as president of the Idaho Veterinary Medical Association in 1983, and received Idaho Practitioner of the Year in 1986.
He also received the George Oakshott Award in 2009. This award recognizes outstanding service to the veterinary profession in North Idaho. It is given to a practitioner, who through his/her personality and competence as a veterinarian, reflects credit on the profession.
Lewis said he came to the area because the people of Bonners Ferry asked him to.
Run for the Fallen
Organized by Bernadette Kirk-Bonner and her daughters, who's son and brother, Sergeant Joshua Kirk, laid down his life in Afghanistan, Idaho’s first “Run for the Fallen” is almost here.
The eventtook place on Saturday, Aug. 20, at Veteran’s Memorial Park in downtown Bonners Ferry with a reading of the names and a seven man rifle volley. There are 150 registered participants including Gold Star families traveling from Boise, Coeur d’ Alene, Twin Falls and Seattle Wash.
Fairchild Air Force Base Color Guard will presented the colors, and General Gayhartspoke in a closing ceremony.
SEPTEMBER
Soldiers return
In Spetember, after their year long mobilization and deployment to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn, the deployed members of the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team returned to the U.S.
Deployed Army National Guardsmen of the 116th CBCT include about 2,700 Citizen Soldiers from Idaho, Montana and Oregon, with about 1,500 from Idaho, 600 from Montana and 600 from Oregon.
The men and women returned in groups of 200 to 300. Troops from Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint and Post Falls returned in September.
Adam Hall to coach at Columbia
In September after stellar academic and athletic careers at Bonners Ferry High School, Adam Hall has been named assistant head wrestling coach at historic Columbia University in New York City.
Hall graduated with academic honors from Bonners Ferry High School.
He is one of the most decorated high school wrestlers in state history, earning three state championship titles.
While attending Boise State University, he was ranked second all-time highest ranked wrestler in school history. He also was named the 2011 PAC-10 Scholar/Athlete of the Year.
He is the son of Roland and Linda Hall,.
OCTOBER
Cast of “No Cure For Love.”
The Pearl Theater will had a gala grand opening with the presentation of “No Cure for Love” which premiered in October 2011.
Carolyn Testa, owner of the newly renovated Pearl Theater, said to come an hour early for champagne and a red carpet photo opportunity.
“Champagne will be served to ticket holders an hour before every presentation, however the red carpet event only for the grand opening this Friday,” Testa said.
There is not a dress requirement but Testa said wear your pearls to The Pearl should you wish to dress up. There will definitely be people dressed for the event.
Super One shapes up
Excitement, smiles and handshakes warmed up the frosty air at the Super 1 Foods ground breaking ceremony in Bonners Ferry in November 2011.
About 50 people including city officials, Super 1 Foods owners and representatives, Bonners Ferry Urban renewal Agency Idaho Department of Labor, Chamber of Commerce, URM Food distributors, general contractor and community members attended.
The 49,000 square foot full service supermarket will sit on five acres at 6452 Main St. across from the Conoco.
The store will have a bakery, deli, seafood and a large natural/organic foods department.
Idaho Department of Labor manager, Dave Darrow said they will be taking applications to fill 90 positions at the store in January 2012.
City elections
In November 2011 Bonners Ferry Mayor Dave Anderson found out he will be sworn in to resume his office in January along with new councilman Bonners Ferry Chief of Police, Rick Alonzo and council woman, incumbent Connie Wells.
Bonners Ferry voters gave 243 votes for Anderson and 170 for his is opponent Stephen Galbraith.
In the Bonners Ferry City Council race Alonzo who had 235 votes. Alonzo will remain chief of police until January when he takes his councilman seat.
City council incumbent Connie Wells kept her seat with 218 votes. Dave Gray received 164 votes and Chris Clark 146.
There was a 30.9 percent voter turnout in the Bonners Ferry race.
Turnout in Moyie Springs was 26.6 percent of registered voters to fill two seats on the city council.
Also to be sworn into office in January are incumbent Terry Johnson who kept his seat with 54 votes, and Bart Klaus had 53 votes. Klaus is will fill the vacated seat of Geoff Hollenbeck.
Doug Reoch had n 34 votes and Rosanne Smith had 19 votes.
DECEMBER
Christmas season
More than 200 children visited Santa and downtown merchants in Bonners Ferry for fun and festivities Friday evening.
Event organizer Lillie Blackwell is absolutely elated at the event’s success, marked by the number of people who turned out
She hopes more people will attend the rest of the events later in the month.
“I just had faith and new whatever came up it was for a reason and that everything would work out the way it was meant to,” Blackwell said.
Naples Festival
The Naples Holiday Festival, Saturday, had a great turnout for the second year in a row, according to Theresa Wardle, president of the Naples Community Group.
Proceeds from this event helped to raise money for Naples community projects and the Naples Community Food Cupboard.
“We had a great time, and we would love to say how much we appreciate all those who attended,” Wardle said
Kids made crafts, there was ice skating, food, hula hooping to warm up on a brisk but beautiful sunny day and community fun.