Introducing the BFH Team: Tanna Yeoumans

BONNERS FERRY — Tanna Yeoumans began her career with the Bonners Ferry Herald as Tanna Larsen in June of 2017. She was the long awaited arrival to the team, as Mandi Bateman, still a reporter at the time, was handling all of the editorial herself.

Yeoumans, known by many in the community for working in the Super 1 Foods Deli department or Conoco, was looking for a career. She had a passion for writing, and had applied with the Herald previously. Bateman believed in her and the new editorial team was born.

“This job has gotten me out of my shell, my comfort zone,” said Yeoumans. “It has allowed me to do things I otherwise would not have known about, or done.”

Yeoumans was born in Reno, Nev., and from there moved to California. After a rough first few years in her life, she was adopted by family members, and they moved to Perrydale, Ore., not far from Salem.

“I spent my grade school and middle school days there, but due to my dad being on active duty in the Army National Guard, and a great career opportunity for my dad, we moved to Moscow, Idaho, where I attended and completed high school,” said Yeoumans.

After a meandering couple of years finding her place in this world, she met her husband, Lee Yeoumans in Bonners Ferry. They had a son, Jace, and then moved to Bonners Ferry nine years ago, where they now live with two dogs, Jax the Jack Russell Terrier, Khuno the Pitbull and Lab cross, black kitty Salem, and albino Oscar fish, Zoe.

“I have always been a good creative writer, but being a creative writer, I never had to be as structured about it,” Yeoumans explained.

Northern Idaho Regional Publisher Larry Riley describes Yeoumans as a steady news assistant and reporter.

“Tanna enjoys reading and writing … and has taken a creative writing style into descriptive,” said Riley.

Yeoumans’ favorite part about her job is meeting community members, and doing her best to represent the community in the light that it deserves.

“There are so many wonderful people in this community, and I am honored to be a part of beautiful Boundary County,” said Yeoumans. “Being able to see the friendships, support, and caring that the community members provide is heartwarming. In this community, all one has to do is ask, and people are eager to help, even go out of their way on a busy day to help even a stranger in need. I couldn’t be more thankful to live in this beautiful place.”

The people in Boundary County have embraced Yeoumans, especially the local businesses as she writes a new business story each week, showcasing her compassion for the community.

“She and Mandi have found balance when it comes to covering Boundary County together,” said Riley, “... and we’re glad she joined the team in 2017.”