Bulldozer heist not a joyride

Allen James Funkhouser, 30, was found to have probable cause in the theft of a bulldozer in July.

Tip a Badger fundraiser a success

BONNERS FERRY — The Springs Restaurant in the Kootenai River Inn was particularly packed for a Thursday night on Nov. 9, from 5-9 p.m. Not only were the tables filled with guests enjoying dinner, but the floor was alive with Badger spirit and pride. An old tradition, lost after many years, was resurrected — Tip a Badger night had returned.

The Post Office and Fuzzy Slippers

Narrow brass-faced boxes march in military precision on all the walls of the Bonners Ferry Post Office. The chatter of keys being inserted into locks harmonize with the squeak of athletic shoes, accented by the staccato cadence of boots echoing below high ceilings. The faces of our neighbors, known and unknown, reflect resignation, frustration and boredom.

Weather rhymes and folklore

Before there was a weather channel, weather apps for your smartphone, Doppler radar, or the National Weather Service, our ancestors were busy observing their natural surroundings and noticed that animal behavior, clouds, and other elements of nature gave clues about the weather to come.

Sauter’s actions show dedication, hard work

Most of us want our elected representatives to be hard-working, effective, and responsive to us, their constituents. Our current state representative from District 1A is just that.

A beard isn't all it's whacked up to be

For years now I have been trimming my beard with a 1960’s-vintage electric clipper that sounds like a 500-pound mosquito and has so much torque it tries to jump out of my hand every time I crank it up. It makes up for having twice as much noise and vibration as other clippers by weighing four times more than the heaviest competitor. By the time I have my beard trimmed my hand is trembling and my whole arm is growing weary.

Pet food recall causes worry among residents

By MARY BERRYHILL

BFHS moving to 4A in 2024 due to new classification rules

The Bonners Ferry Badgers will move to 4A classification in 2024 due to a new classification system for Idaho high school athletics based on enrollment voted on by the Idaho High School Activities Association.

Militias and safe communities

On Aug. 23, a policeman in Kenosha, Wisconsin, fired seven bullets into the back of an unarmed man. When community members held street protests, a private militia invited out-of-towners to a Facebook “event” it called “Armed Citizens to Protect Our Lives and Property.”

Bonners Jiu-Jitsu aims high

BONNERS FERRY — Jiu-Jitsu competitors from Bonners Ferry Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) went to Tacoma, Wash., to compete and represent Team Sylvio Behring USA in the Revolution Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament. The Revolution is one of the biggest Jiu-Jitsu competitions in the Pacific Northwest.

Why is the sky blue?

North Idaho air quality expected to reach advisory levels

Impact on air quality "likely continuing as the summer progresses."

Idaho Supreme Court upholds new congressional redistricting plan

Ruling clears up uncertainty and means maps will be in place for 2022 primaries

Spring arrives in the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge

BONNERS FERRY — Spring is a magical time, especially in the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge. Although it’s coming later this year, the first signs are arriving in the form of migratory birds, turtles emerging from hibernation, plants and trees beginning to leaf out, and fresh grass sprouting, turning the landscape a brilliant green.

United Way of North Idaho announces grant recipients

United Way of North Idaho announced recipients of the 2023 Community Care Fund competitive grant awards in a Thursday news release. Sixteen local nonprofits that positively impact lives in Idaho’s five northern counties were selected. Grantees demonstrate alignment with United Way’s education, health and financial stability goals; its focus on reaching the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population; and aiding community collaboration. Counties referenced in the grantee list refer to the agency’s primary office location, though most serve clients throughout the Idaho Panhandle.

McAlister, not the right choice for District A1

Sandpoint’s Kate McAlister wants to be your state representative in Boise. What’s her platform? Boilerplate Chamber of Commerce language, for the most part. As a lifelong businessman, though, I honed in on her claim of being “trusted by businesses and community leaders” and “will work to keep our taxes and government working for all Idahoans by striving for collaborative consensus …” You mean, like the BID? That’s Sandpoint’s Business Improvement District, run for years now by McAlister as Chamber of Commerce CEO. This public/private partnership is financed by quarterly fees charged to certain downtown businesses for such things as seasonal beautification and downtown events. Businesses were supposed to have input into how their money is spent. But there was never transparency, and since many saw no benefit from their monies, they just stopped paying. Particularly when they realized that just since 2013 half a million dollars have been spent by McAlister, with 50-75% going to administrative costs - without much accountability, and with preferable treatment for chosen companies. The program is on its last leg. Business people are angry, distrustful of McAlister and her management style, which certainly doesn’t represent the collaborative consensus she claims. Which is probably why you won’t find any reference to the BID on her website or anywhere in her campaign. She’s running from her failure and now wants to run our District as a Representative. On November 8, re-elect Representative Heather Scott, who has a proven record as a fiscal conservative.

OMEGA: Rising Stars

MOSCOW—Boundary County Middle School Team OMEGA competed at the First Lego League on Jan. 14, and brought home the Judge’s Choice award -- Rising Star trophy.

Boundary County has an abundance of talented, helping, and caring people that call this beautiful place “home.”

Boundary County has an abundance of talented, helping, and caring people that call this beautiful place “home.”

Vote against fire taxing district

The volunteer fire associations are to commended and supported.  Thank you! 

Local law enforcement derail rioters' plans

Police arrested individuals associated with Patriot Front

Police arrested individuals associated with Patriot Front