Bonners Ferry Herald: 2017 year in review

The following is a quick look back at the top stories in each issue of the Bonners Ferry Herald during the year 2017.

JANUARY 5

Lt. Governor Little awards Alta, Naples Mill

Idaho Lieutenant Governor Brad Little recognized Alta Forest Products, Naples Mill, as one of five statewide recipients of the 2016 Idaho Awards for Leadership in Energy Efficiency.

Bittersweet Goodbyes

Boundary County Sheriff-Elect David Kramer stepped down from the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho Police, and was making preparations to be sworn in as the Boundary County Sheriff.

JANUARY 12

Tribal, city officers cross deputized

Kootenai Tribal Police Chief Joel Minor and newly appointed Tribal Police Officer Heiko Arshat were cross-deputized by Boundary County Sheriff David Kramer, allowing local law enforcement agencies to work together to enhance public safety.

Elected county officials sworn in

More than 50 Boundary County residents attended the official swearing in of the county’s newly elected officials.

JANUARY 19

BNSF, Tribe hosts hazmat training

In a collaborative effort to protect the Kootenai River from potential hazmat spills, Burlington Northern Santa fe, BNSF contractors Whitewater Rescue Institute and Kennedy-Jenks partnered with the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho to provide training for Boundary County first responders.

JANUARY 26

Sculpture honors Tyler Tajan

The Bonners Ferry International Snow Sculpting Team were sponsored by local businesses to create a wildlife themed snow sculpture.

Three fugitives in custody

After a multi-agency pursuit, fugitives Shawn Edward Williams and Gregory Brandon Krenv, who were wanted for escaping from Washington State Department of Corrections Community Custody, were taken into custody, with a passenger, Lola Lyn Savidge was later taken into custody.

FEBRUARY 2

Emmet Melior wins BCMS National Geographic Bee

Eighth grade student Emmet Melior from Boundary County Middle School won the school competition and a chance to move one step closer to a $50,000 scholarship.

Lady Badgers shine on senior night, defeat CDA Charter

In their second game of the season played against Coeur d’Alene Charter, the Lady Badgers won 57-37.

see REVIEW, A8

REVIEW

from A1

FEBRUARY 9

County’s heaviest snowfall since ‘96:

Boundary County commissioners declared a state of emergency due to an estimated 36 inches of snowfall.

Gov. declares state of emergency:

Gov. Butch Otter declared Boundary County a state of emergency and approved the request for two 12-men crews from the Idaho Department of Corrections to be sent to the area to shovel snow off of city and county structures.

FEBRUARY 16

Akins Harvest Foods to close:

Employees of Akins Harvest Foods, located on First Street in downtown Bonners Ferry, notified customers that the store would officially close on Feb. 22.

FEBRUARY 23

Curley Creek home destroyed by fire:

Curley Creek Fire Chief Brad Stalcup said that by the time he arrived on scene, the house was beyond saving. The homeowner was transported to Harborview medical Center in Seattle to be treated for severe burns.

Rucker pleads not guilty to arson charges:

Shane Ryan rucker pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court on Feb. 17 for the arson of the St. Ann’s Catholic Church.

MARCH 2

Theatre Troupe to perform Aida tonight:

Boundary County School District Theater Troupe performed ‘Aida’ at the BFHS Becker Auditorium.

Three Badgers place at State:

The Bonners Ferry Badgers wrestling squadron had three Badgers place at state: Jesse Sandelin, Matt Vareleman, and Tyler Beazer.

MARCH 9

Bushnell Law opens downtown:

Thomas A. Bushnell, Attorney-at-Law, P.A. opened a new law firm in downtown Bonners Ferry.

MARCH 16

Mudslide derails Union Pacific:

A Union Pacific grain train derailed near a 100 foot embankment just above the Moyie Dam.

Penguin Plungers raise $4K for Special Olympics:

Close to 140 Boundary County residents came to show their support to the 64 plungers that raised over $4,000 in pledges.

MARCH 23

And then the rains came:

Following the snow and ice storms, Boundary County and the City of Bonners Ferry declared a state of emergency for the second time in 2017 due to flooding and mudslides.

Chief Pat Warkentin to retire from BFFD:

It was announced that Bonners ferry City Fire Chief pat Warkentin would retire on April 19, after nearly nine years of dedicated service to the department.

MARCH 30

Lengthy mudslide covers Westside Road:

A mudslide lasting 2-3 minutes covered Westside Road just inside the north border of the Kootenai National Wildlife refuge.

Mr. BFH Crowned:

Bonners Ferry High School student Isaac Lavala earned the title Mr. Bonners Ferry High School, a spoof of the Distinguished Young Women competition.

APRIL 6

BFFD memorial chosen for Tour of Honor:

The Firefighter Memorial, in front of the Bonners Ferry Fire Department Station No. 1, was chosen as one of seven Idaho memorials to be included in the American Motorcycle Association Grand Tour, Tour of Honor- A Ride to Remember.

Mel’s Kitchen celebrates grand re-opening:

Selva and Haley Kumar planned their Grand Re-Opening of Mel’s Kitchen in Naples, offering home style meals in a family-friendly atmosphere.

APRIL 13

Mudslide uncovers vintage dynamite:

Repeated heavy rains caused two mudslides, one shutting down Highway 95 at mile marker 498 and the other exposing two cases of vintage dynamite near Myrtle Creek Road.

APRIL 20

Post No. 190 set to explore D.C.:

Eight Explorers and two advisors of Explorer Post No. 190 exceeded their fundraising goals and plan to attend the Law Enforcement Memorial Week in Washington D.C.

Fire agencies respond to barn fire:

Three explosions in a barn on Nighthawk Road prompted numerous 911 calls.

APRIL 27

Olaf Lethrud takes an Honor Flight:

Olaf Lethrud, an Air Force Military Police veteran and a resident of Bonners Ferry since he was six years old, was chosen to take an Honor Flight, a two day trip to Washington D.C.

BFHS Robotics team competes at Western Canada Regionals:

The Bonners Ferry high School FIRST Robotics Team 2130 Alpha+ returned from Calgary, Alberta after competing in the Western canada regional, receiving the Entrepreneurship Award.

MAY 4

Dante charged with murder:

Eric Dante was arrested and charged with the murder of Jessika Musson.

Distinguished and Delightful:

The participants of the Distinguished Young Women of Bonners Ferry 2017 took to the stage, putting on stellar performances to the theme, “A Night at the Oscars”, where Hannah Sims became the 2017-2018 Distinguished Young Woman of Bonners Ferry.

MAY 11

Spokane rafter drowns in Moyie River:

James Harston drowned after falling from his raft on the Moyie River near the Meadow Creek Campgrounds.

Crash reenactment hits home:

Bonners Ferry High School Principal Kevin Dinning joined forces with local law enforcement and first responders to put on a crash reenactment scene to help educate the students about the impacts of distracted or impaired driving.

MAY 18

Bonners Ferry says farewell to Far North Deli:

Far North Deli, the beloved sandwich shop owned and managed by Alison Henslee closed its door for the last time on April 29.

Chamber of Commerce honors “favorite” businesses:

The Bonners Ferry Chamber of Commerce held its second annual Meeting and Awards Dinner, with awards going to LuLaRoe by Amanda Merrifield, Vinyl Expressions, Mandy’s Gift Gallery, and Auburn Crest Hospice.

MAY 25

Badgers make history:

The Bonners Ferry softball team won all four games at the 3A state tournament in Buhl to bring home the program’s first state championship.

Record setting day for Lavala:

Isaac Lavala broke the state record for pole vaulting, earning a gold medal, by clearing 15 feet, two inches.

JUNE 1

Rotary Club hosts picnic for first responders:

Around 125 people attended the inaugural Bonners Ferry Rotary First Responders Picnic that was held at the fairgrounds on May 20, as a thank you for their service.

JUNE 8

Classic cars attract crowd:

The Border 3 Jamboree Car Show, put on by the Rod Benders Car Club, returned to Bonners Ferry for the eighteenth year, with classic cars lining Main Street.

JUNE 15

‘Read all about it!’:

The Boundary County Library was nominated by Gretchen Casserotti for top small library in the United States.

Holdin’ on to a western tradition:

The Selkirk Saddle Club put on the Bull Bash, a sanctioned event by Elite Professional Bullriders on June 9, at the fairgrounds.

JUNE 22

Under the big tops:

Bonners Ferry got lots of circus action when two different circuses, the Jordan World Circus and the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, came to town three days apart.

JUNE 29

Super 1 fun helps fund Fourth of July:

The parking lot of Super 1 Foods was filled with emergency vehicles, games, and food, all for the enjoyment of the community and to help raise funds for the Fourth of July celebration.

JULY 6

Kootenai River Run brings the fun, raises funds for scholarships:

Matthais Merrill, Taylor Merrill, Jesse Gondek, and Darce Claus won their divisions in the 5K and 10K annual marathon run.

JULY 13

The heart of Independence Day:

The annual Fourth of July celebration, including a parade, games, firefighter hose races, and a brilliant fireworks display, brought the community out to enjoy the summer fun.

Competition heats up during Swish:

With soaring temperatures, the teams battled heat and their competition during the annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament.

JULY 20

North Bench: 40 years of service:

North Bench Fire District celebrated their 40th anniversary with a community picnic and games for children.

Jail attains standards:

On July 7, Boundary County Jail, thanks to creative thinking by Boundary County Sheriff Dave Kramer, received the official news that it was being recommended for certification after meeting the mandatory Idaho Jail Standards.

JULY 27

‘Hasty Search’ a success:

Boundary County Search and Dive Rescue team rescues an injured hiker from a skree field above Ball Lake.

AUGUST 3

It seems like only yesterday…:

The Bonners Ferry High School All Class Reunion took place on Main Street on July 29, bringing together old friends.

AUGUST 10

Smoke on the horizon:

According to the Air Quality Index, on August 4, the smoke filled air from wildfires brought the air quality to the worst it had been all year, reaching the “unhealthy” level.

Live burn to save lives:

The old pink house on Bonner Street was used by Bonners Ferry Fire Department as a live burn for fire training, after being donated to them by Bill Hiatt.

AUGUST 17

A strong showing:

Mike Davis, owner of Iron Mike’s Family Fitness Gym, took first place in the masters Over 40 Welterweight class at the 2017 Teen, Collegiate, & Masters National Championship.

AUGUST 24

Fair celebrates traditions of the past, community of the today:

The annual Boundary County Fair returned for days of summer fun for the community.

AUGUST 31

Couple charged in Montana slaying:

Ezra and Sarah Carpenter Skinner were arrested in the connection with the killing of a Bonner County man in Montana’s Yaak River Valley.

SEPTEMBER 7

A moving procession:

People in the community came out to support The Wall That Heals, a half scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., as it rolled through Bonners Ferry on September 4, despite the thick smoke from wildfires.

A new life for Little White Church:

The 114 year old Little White Church of Paradise Valley got a complete overhaul thanks to the Paradise Valley Cemetery Association, Larry Hall, and many local volunteers, who offered time or funds to the project.

SEPTEMBER 14

Boundary County pulls together for Montana:

The community pulled together, donating supplies, money, or time, to come to the aid of firefighters who were risking their lives battling wildfires in Montana.

SEPTEMBER 21

North Idaho rocks:

The painted rock craze that has been sweeping across the country has found a hold on the creative people in Boundary County.

Multiple agencies work to contain a boat fire:

A boat caught fire just south of Moose Valley Farms, off of Highway 95, and fire crews working to get it safely extinguished.

SEPTEMBER 28

Neglected horses rescued:

Multiple horses were rescued from a stable where they were being neglected, and one was found starved and killed.

Our library: Simply the best:

The Boundary County Library was named Best Small Library in America for 2017.

OCTOBER 5

Are we prepared?

Local, state, and federal agencies worked together on emergency management training that started at the border and traveled down to the airport and hospital, including hazmat training.

BFHS Homecoming:

Plenty of Badger spirit despite the loss of the football game. Edie Callison was the Homecoming Queen and Seamus Ryan was the Homecoming King.

OCTOBER 12

New dentist office to open up in Bonners Ferry:

North Idaho Family Dentistry, Taylor Geyman D.D.S announced the new business would be opening soon next to Napa Auto Parts.

OCTOBER 19

Standing tall for the new flag:

A new flag was welcomed by a ceremony in front of the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office with great turnout, despite the chilly fall day.

Jordan Young tops BFHS record:

Jordan Young beat the Bonners ferry High School record for the 5 kilometer with a time of 19:30.

OCTOBER 26

Drugs from Washington intercepted:

Four suspects from Washington were arrested for drug charges after their vehicles were stopped.

NOVEMBER 2

Our favorite haunts:

Local businesses throw Halloween parties and costume contests for the community.

NOVEMBER 9

BFHS swimmer brings home state title!

Julia Cummings, the first student to represent Bonners Ferry High School in swimming, competes at state and brings home title from state competition.

NOVEMBER 16

Ceremony honors veterans:

Veterans and supporters gathered at Veterans Memorial Park for a ceremony to honor veterans.

NOVEMBER 23

Red Kettles return to Bonners Ferry:

The signature red kettles of the Salvation Army announce their return for the month of December.

A welcome surprise at the Vintage Christmas Market:

The 10th Annual Vintage Christmas Market returned to the Boundary County Fairgrounds.

NOVEMBER 30

Santa visits Bonners Ferry:

Santa Claus drew a long line of children awaiting their time to sit on his lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas.

DECEMBER 7

Near miss illustrates need for gun caution:

Mark and Raquel Gundert were awaked when a bullet came through their bedroom wall and lodged in their mattress where they were sleeping, just inches from them.

DECEMBER 14

Naples Holiday Festival exceeds expectations:

Naples was filled with people enjoying the holiday festivities, including Santa, games, bake sale, and firetruck and wagon rides.

DECEMBER 21

Hall Mountain Fire adds licensed EMTs:

Five Hall Mountain Volunteer Firefighters are now licensed EMTs, helping keep our communities in the north safer.

DECEMBER 28

Icy roadways cause Wednesday accidents:

Multiple accidents occurred, including a car the went over the guardrail and rolled down the embankment on Peterson Hill, Highway 95.