Open primaries will strengthen, heal political parties

Here’s a hot take: the open primary initiative will actually strengthen and heal our political parties, not destroy them (regardless of what Scott and Dorothy say).

Are you sure you can vote?

A lot of voters in Boundary County are unaware that they actually are not registered to vote, according to Boundary County Clerk Glenda Poston. Sometimes they learn they are unable to vote only when they show up at the polls on election night and their names are not in the official poll book.

IRS must better protect Idaho taxpayers

Taxpayers have certain fundamental rights when it comes to dealing with the Internal Revenue Service, including the right to privacy and the right to confidentiality. From serious breaches of confidential taxpayer data and document mismanagement to poor cybersecurity training and infrastructure vulnerabilities, the IRS has a decades-long and troubled history with adequately protecting American taxpayers’ information. One particularly egregious event in recent history was the unauthorized disclosure of private, legally-protected IRS data to online news source ProPublica — an incident of which little has been revealed, despite an ongoing, years-long investigation by multiple agencies.

DYW of Idaho program set for Oct. 6-7

High school senior girls from across Idaho, including Bonners Ferry's Ana Chase, will join in Idaho Falls for the Distinguished Young Women of Idaho program Oct. 6-7.

Legals for October, 5 2023

IPUC approves Avista applications

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has approved four applications from Avista Utilities that will increase customer monthly rates by an average of $1.14 beginning Oct. 1.

This Week in History - Sept. 28, 2023

Local history in Boundary County, from Naples to Porthill and From Bonners Ferry to Moyie Springs.

OCT NIBJ: What it takes to get your name out there

A tried and tested way to find customers is word of mouth, but what if they can’t find your business due to Google business listing issues? Off Grid Unlimited, a veteran-owned one-stop business for all things off grid, alternative energy and consulting had this very issue in Boundary County, where business can be difficult to find for newcomers and navigational systems.

Annual United Women of Faith Fall Rummage Sale

The annual United Women in Faith’s fall rummage, book, bake sale is scheduled for Oc. 6 from 9-4 p.m. and Oct. 7 from 9a.m.- noon at the Fellowship Hall in the United Methodist Church, corner of Lincoln and Denver Streets.

Local boy places 3rd in Seattle Spartan Kids 2 Mile Competitive Race

A Bonners Ferry youth had a busy weekend competing in two Spartan Kids races and earning his Spartan Trifecta Kids Medal on Sept. 16-17.

Barton earns Road Master and Scholar certifications

Boundary County’s Road & Bridge road foreman Bradley Barton received both his Road Scholar and Road Master certifications on Monday, Sept. 25.

Boundary County Calendar - Sept. 28-Oct. 5, 2023

The events, activities and meetings taking place in Boundary County over the coming week.

Evelyn Marie Dinning, 93

Evelyn Marie Huff Dinning passed away on September 10, 2023, at Boundary Community Hospital at the age of 93.

From the Archives - Sept. 28, 2023

"An exclusive undertaking establishment will be opened in the Kinnear building, formerly occupied by the Hende Furniture store about the first of next week, according to A.M. Peterson, of Newport, who is here this week."

Kootenai Valley Junior Rifle Club places fifth in the nation

After months of waiting the results are in — and the Kootenai Valley Rifle Club team is fifth in the nation. In spring 2023, Kootenai Valley Rifle Club members shot in the NRA sectional rifle match at their home range, joined by teams from Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene. They competed with .22 caliber rifles, single shot, at a distance of 50 feet indoors. A sectional match is one in which a shooter obtains their national ranking. Matches are held across the United States, the scores are sent into the NRA then combined with others to see how everyone did.

Strengthening community pharmacy access for Idahoans

When Medicare’s prescription drug benefit, Part D, was created 20 years ago, the program was intended to protect Idaho seniors’ ability to access the pharmacy of their choice. Oversight and enforcement of these protections, however, have fallen short of that promise, forcing far too many independent pharmacies to close up shop.

West Bonner OKs vacancies in truncated meeting

Shortly before it was scheduled to start, the West Bonner school board meeting was paused for a phone call. Superintendent Branden Durst and trustees Margy Hall and Carlyn Barton then broke from a huddle near the front of the almost-full room and left the cafeteria.

Legals for September, 28 2023

Bear Fair coming to fairgrounds

The first-ever Boundary County Bear Fair is coming out of hibernation on Saturday, Sept. 30.

Grizzly recovery efforts looking up in Panhandle

Grizzly bear recovery is in full swing in the Idaho Panhandle and northwestern Montana and officials are looking for ways to mitigate negative interactions between humans and bears as the populations of both continue to rise in the area.