Ellington

Keough encouraged by legislative session

The Idaho Legislative Session is in full swing, and Shawn Keough, Idaho State Senator for Legislative District One covering Bonner and Boundary County, said, despite what some may believe, work is is getting done.

Ray Olson

Ray Olson died peacefully Jan. 23, 2016 at the Boundary County Restorium after a year long battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held for Ray, January 30, 2016 at 11:00 a.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, Bonners Ferry, ID. Ray was born September 13, 1920 to Rubin and Selma Olson in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Early in his life the family moved back to Iowa. When he was seven years old his father died. He and his older brother Lake were raised by a strong and loving single mom through the depression years. After high school Ray joined the Navy in 1938. He was nearing the end of his enlistment when WWII broke out and ended up serving until the war's end. He served as a Navy medic at Naval hospitals and on board ships and submarines throughout the Pacific. While home on leave in 1942 Ray married Hazel Buchanan, the love of his life for 68 years. After the war they moved from San Diego, California to Farragut Navel Base in Idaho. When discharged they returned to Indianola, Iowa where Ray attended Simpson College on the G.I Bill. After college, Ray went to work for Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Co. in Des Moines. Over the next 30 years he served as personnel manager, assistant secretary and vice-president of the company, retiring in 1982. In retirement Ray and Hazel gardened, traveled and spent winters in Destin, Florida, where they made many good friends. With Hazel's health failing they decided to move to Bonner's Ferry Idaho in 2008 to be closer to their son Steve Olson. At the Bonner's Ferry Restorium they found a new home filled with loving and caring people. Ray said that Bonner's Ferry was the friendliest place he'd ever been and was quickly involved in activities at the Restorium, the Episcopal Church and the local Rotary Club. He developed a large garden behind the Restorium, growing fruits and vegetables for the kitchen and flowers to enjoy. He also initiated a monthly “We Care” award to recognize the incredible staff members there. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, two brothers and wife Hazel.

Badgers crush CDA Charter, 68-26

The Badgers basketball team put on a dominating performance Saturday at home, beating the Coeurd’Alene Charter Academy 68-26.

Chelsea Lemley 

Chelsea Erin Lemley passed away on Saturday, January 23, 2016 in Sandpoint, Idaho. She was born in Seattle, Washington on February 20, 1973. She was 42 years old.

Lane Dirks

Lane Dirks (4) passed away at Community Hospital on January 24, 2016 due to injuries that he received in an accident. Services will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 10:30 am in the Mountain View Mennonite Church in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. 

Badgers wrestlers take a dual meet from Libby

The Badgers wrestling team hosted the Libby Loggers Tuesday night, coming away with a 46-31 dual meet win.

Boundary County Sheriffs refute dog claims

There has recently been media reports of a large number of dogs being shot and killed in Boundary County. KHQ News released a story on Jan. 12 stating that as many as 90 dogs had been found dead at a dump site north of Bonners Ferry near the Canadian Border. Since then, several other news outlets have picked up the story. However, according to a press release from the Boundary County Sheriff's Office, these stories are not factual. Based on reported information that the BCSO has received, the number of dogs is significantly inaccurate. While there have been a few isolated reports of dogs being killed over the past year, these reported incidents have not been found to be related. So far, there have been only four confirmed dog shootings. The BCSO is investigating a few other recent reports as well. In order for a crime, such as a dog being unlawfully killed, to be investigated, persons with knowledge of this crime need to contact the law enforcement agency who has jurisdiction in that area. Some reports brought in of a dog being killed have led to charges brought against the person(s) responsible for the deaths. Anyone with any firsthand knowledge of dogs being unlawfully killed or disposed in Boundary County are asked to contact the Boundary County Sheriff's Office at 267-3151.

Kathleen Patricia Robinson

Kathleen Patricia Robinson (76) passed away on January 3, 2016 at Life Care of Sandpoint, Sandpoint, Idaho.  Services to be announced later in the spring.

Mae Vanette Casey

Mae Vanette Casey passed away on Jan. 15, 2016 at Riverview Care Center in Spokane WA at the age of 90. Mae was born on Dec. 25, 1925 to Charles and Cora Secrist in Bonners Ferry, ID. She joined a brother, Wesley. Her mother passed away in 1930 and her father remarried Margaret Fortier. She gained a step-brother, Harry, and later two half-brothers, Chuck and Joe, and a half-sister, Karen. Mae was raised in Bonners Ferry, spending some of her youth in Troy and near Yaak, MT with her maternal grandparents, aunts and uncles. She graduated from BFHS. In 1944 she met her husband Harold “Dean” Casey. They had two children, Marjorie Mae and Gary Dean. Mae began working for the J.C. Penney Co. while still in high school and eventually became the store bookkeeper. She retired in 1984 as catalog manager after 33 years of employment. One of her favorite stories was of meeting “Mr. J.C. Penney himself” who she described as a very nice gentleman. After retiring, Mae became active in volunteer work at the Community Hospital and with the local senior assist tax program. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Penney’s Bowling League. She enjoyed her friends, family trips to Priest Lake and outings to the family property on the Moyie River. She was always up for an adventure especially if it involved her children or grandchildren. Love and support of her family was always her top priority. Mae was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and three of her siblings. She is survived by a daughter, Marjorie, Libby, MT; a son, Gary (Beverly), Spokane, WA; and her grandchildren, Deanna Purdy (Craig), Shannon Hughes (Jeff), Matthew Mercer, Robert Casey (Dianna), Debra Olson, (Tim), & Kevin Casey; a step-grandson, Brian Kratofil (Misty); her great-grandchildren, Justin Purdy, Megan Purdy, Elijah Olson, Sofie Olson, and Nathan Mercer; step-great-grandchildren, Dylan and Kendall Kratofil; her half-sister, Karen Hanly; and her sister-in-law, Carole Skeen. A Graveside Service will be held on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 1:45 pm at Grandview Cemetery in Bonners Ferry, ID. Memorial donations can be made to Riverview Care Center. Contact 509-483-6483 if interested.

Jimmy Eugene Merrifield

Jimmy Eugene Merrifield was born March 16, 1957 in Bonners Ferry, Idaho to Raymond Willard Merrifield and Irma Artice (George) Merrifield.  Jim was the youngest of the four Merrifield children. 

Ingraham charged with first-degree murder

The 20-year-old nephew of a Post Falls man found dead in Boundary County in September has been charged with first-degree murder of his uncle.

Marjorie Virginia Rees

Marjorie Virginia Rees was born on January 2, 1922. She passed away at Boundary Community Hospital on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at the age of 94.

Reid Greenwood

Reid  Greenwood, age 57, of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on December 25, 2015 at Hospice House, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, surrounded by his wife and children.   Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 11:00am in the Bonners Ferry Baptist Church in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.  Interment will follow in the Grandview Cemetery, Bonners Ferry, Idaho

BCSO continuing search for missing man

The Boundary County Sheriff's Office is continuing their search into missing resident Aram Wade Dowell. Dowell, 36, was last seen Dec. 16. Candy Colvin, Dowell's mother, is very concerned for her son. "Three weeks, no one's seen him," said Colvin, "He hasn't called. It's like he fell off the face off the earth." According to Colvin, Dowell vanished shortly after a domestic dispute with his father-in-law, who fired several shots in his direction.The Sheriff's Office confirmed that there was a physical altercation between Dowell and his father-in-law, who was armed with a pistol. No one was injured. According to Chief Deputy Rich Stephens, however, there is no indication of foul play in Dowell's disappearance. As of now, the Sheriff's Office is checking in with Dowell's contacts for information. Dowell sold his truck before disappearing, therefore making it more difficult for deputies. "We don't have a vehicle or anything to trace," said Stephens. Colvin finds his disappearance abnormal, though. "It's not like him not to call anyone," said Colvin. Colvin asks Boundary County residents to "please keep your eyes open and please call the Sheriff's Office if you have any information." 

Terry Michael Guthrie

The Lady Badgers look to rebound heading into a busy January

After getting off to a hot start to begin the 2015-2016 season, the Lady Badgers basketball team has cooled off a bit, losing four games in a row, including its first league game against Priest River Tuesday night at home. 

Commissioners' vote was disappointing

I have always felt pride

Oil trains a concern for Boundary County

Concerned about the dangers posed by yet more oil trains running through our communities? The proposed Tesoro-Savage terminal at Vancouver, Wash., would mean an extra four trains passing through each day.

Della Lorraine Huggins Mercer

Harlan H. Brown

School district mandate the right thing

Much has changed over the many decades of my life, which is to be expected. I never dreamed, however, that students who have the freedom America offers would not cherish those liberties and refuse to stand and Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, the symbol of those freedoms. 

Concerned citizens of Boundary County group gather Jan. 9

There are moments in life when silence is consent, and something within us demands that we speak our truth. This is a gathering for any who desire an opportunity to stand in solidarity with the many other concerned citizens of Boundary County who choose hospitality, compassion, and a willingness to help those in need regardless of race, creed, or nationality. The gathering begins at 1 p.m. on Sat. Jan. 9 at the Georgia Mae Plaza in downtown Bonners Ferry.

Badgers fall to Libby, 62-47, face No. 1 St. Maries Thursday

The Badgers basketball team was able to keep it close, but were unable to stave off late run By the Libby Loggers, losing 62-47 Saturday at Libby.

Mary Elizabeth Pitts Thornbrug

Mary Elizabeth Pitts Thornbrug was taken home to heaven on Dec. 24, 2015. 

Why do some animals delay pregnancy?

Spring is birthing time for many animals in order for the young to have adequate time to grow and develop before the onset of winter. For many animals, that means mating in mid- to late winter. Raccoons begin mating in February and March and give birth in April.

Commissioners should be appreciated for stand on refugees

Contrary to Mrs. Hollenbeck’s politically correct generalities, our commissioners should be appreciated for their intelligent stand against Islamic “refugees” in our community.