Old Timer's Column

From Bonners Ferry Herald

Larson seeks state representative seat

Kathryn Larson is seeking a seat in the Idaho House of Representatives in District 1B.

Community Calendar

Coming Events:

Legals for October, 5 2023

Public debates Riverside Road Project options

BONNERS FERRY — People gathered at the Boundary County Fairgrounds Memorial Hall on Tuesday, July 23, to learn about and contribute to the Riverside Road project. This was the second meeting that was held regarding this project, in which the public had a chance to make suggestions and ask questions. The first meeting was held on Aug. 8, 2018, at the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge.

City feeling pinch from economy

Bonners Ferry City coffers are  starting to feel the pinch of the ailing economy.

Paradise valley tax numbers questioned

As a taxpayer living in the Paradise Valley fire District, I would like to voice some concerns I have about the way our finances are being handled. First, the article in the Bonners Ferry Herald dated August 27, 2009 Commissioner Fred Marek quoted the amount a homeowner with a net property value of $155,000 would pay would be $64 per year. This seemed off, so I figured the rate of the new budget to be 0.00127 and came up with a very different amount. The taxes paid on a property of that value and rate $196.85 per year, more than three times what Mr. Marek had stated they would be. Since this was such a big difference, I contacted Glenda Poston, Boundary County Auditor, and she came up with the same figures I was using. This is a pretty big discrepancy.

We need to support our state's charitable organizations

In Idaho, charitable organizations stepped up to serve Idahoans when they needed it the most during the darkest days of the pandemic

Keep Bertling as county commissioner

The only criticism that has been brought against current commissioner, Tim Bertling, is that he voted to accept money from the federal government. Boundary County has utilized federal funds for many projects from river dikes to currently, a new ambulance. Examples are PILT (payment in lieu of taxes) for federal land in the county, Secure Rural Schools (roads and schools) federal highway funds for roads and bridges, federal funds for our airport and many others.

Second Bonner County COVID-19 case confirmed

The Panhandle Health District has announced North Idaho now has 39 total COVID-19 cases, including a second case in Bonner County.

North Idaho COVID-19 cases stand at 45

Panhandle Health District officials are reporting the total number of cases of COVID-19 is 45 in the Panhandle area. Forty-two of the cases are in Kootenai County and three in Bonner County. Details on new cases will be posted on the PHD website page in real time at

Sheriff investigates complaint against Reinbold's absences

The West Bonner County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a criminal complaint against West Bonner School District trustee Troy Reinbold for nonfeasance as a public official. The West Bonner school board has been unable to have a meeting because Reinbold has been absent, and therefore, school business has ground to a halt. The five-member board was reduced to three following the August recall of two board members. The board needs three for a quorum to meet.

Ensuring Idaho Medicare beneficiaries receive coverage for cancer detection

Under current law, Medicare only covers preventive services Congress has explicitly authorized or the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has recommended.

Legals for July, 14 2022

Rep. Simpson proposes dramatic environmental proposal

House Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) released a major environmental plan to restore Idaho Salmon and Steelhead populations. The plan aims to address some of the factors leading to Salmon’s projected extinction in the Snake and Columbia River Basin.

Lewis E. Mace

Lewis E. Mace

Badgers start with three wins

By TOM TURPIN

There are many reasons for animals to band together

Sneaking through the trees and trying to avoid the noisy Oregon grape leaves, I’m trying to be very quiet as I attempt to get closer to a herd of elk in the field. My first glance over a small rise brings relief that they are still there but the next time I look over, they are all standing and alert. They slowly moved to the far corner of the field.

Aphids: 'They're baaaaack'

The smokey-winged ash aphids are back by the thousands and they are driving us to distraction. A friend of mine asked me to report on the bothersome aphids that had shown up in clouds recently and were becoming more than a nuisance. I became more curious about these tiny bugs when I was out at the grill cooking dinner.

Badgers sweep Maniacs to start season

The Bonners Ferry Badgers baseball team started its 2018 season 3-0 by sweeping the Orofino Maniacs last weekend. The Badgers scored 10 or more runs in each game, and also had a combined 5-hit shutout from seniors Mason Eby and Shayne Walker.