PREP BASEBALL: Badgers extend win streak at home opener
The Bonners Ferry Badgers baseball team (3-1) rallied late with four runs in the sixth inning to take down the Lincoln County Lions (1-2) in the Badgers’ home opener on March 29.
Naples man freezes near Troy
BCSO urges caution traveling forest roads
Montana law officials recovered a Boundary County man March 23 who likely died of hypothermia after becoming stranded in the Kootenai National Forest.
Local officials discuss new dam license
Hydroelectric project among topics discussed in meeting of the ‘three families’
On March 26, a joint meeting between the Bonners Ferry and Moyie Springs city councils and the Boundary County Board of Commissioners was held to address matters affecting all three agencies, including the relicensing of the Moyie River Hydroelectric Project and a proposed new courthouse building.
PREP TRACK & FIELD: Girls finish ninth at Lewiston Invitational
The Badgers Track and Field girls team had a handful of competitors to the 22-school Lewiston Invitational on March 28, with athletes placing in a few events, despite competing against larger schools.
BCRCC to hold annual dinner at fairgrounds
The Boundary County Republican Central Committee is having its annual Lincoln Day Dinner April 12.
Boundary County braces for financial fallout of U.S.-Canada trade war
Canadian traffic takes first dip since COVID
As the peak tourism season approaches, Boundary County businesses are already feeling the impact of Canadian shoppers staying home in recent months.
City maintains electric rates after court dismisses IFG lawsuit
Last month, the Boundary County district court dismissed a years-long lawsuit filed by Idaho Forest Group against the city of Bonners Ferry, ruling that IFG failed to prove its claim that the city's electric rates for the Moyie Springs Mill were "unjust, unreasonable, and discriminatory,” according to court records.
PREP BASEBALL: Badgers off to strong 2-1 start
The Bonners Ferry Badgers baseball team opened the season with a sweep at St. Maries last weekend and a 2-1 record overall.
PREP TRACK & FIELD: Bonners Ferry boys win home-opening invitational; Badgers score plenty of top finishes
The Badgers hosted a 13-time track and field invite on March 22, with dominant showings from the boys’ sprinters, throwers and jumpers and the girls’ shot put and long jump.
APRIL NIBJ: Boundary County blends luxury camping with small-town spirit
Tourism in Boundary County has grown in recent years, but Munro Murdock, co-owner of North Haven Campground near Bonners Ferry, says the area’s small-town charm remains strong.
Victims take the stand against Cowells
During the March 17 joint preliminary hearing for Richard and Katherine Cowell, a Boundary County couple facing multiple sex crime charges, the alleged victims testified they were coerced into sexual relationships as minors.
'We're turning one spigot on and another off'
North Idaho legislators warn of quick-fix decisions in Boise
At a Saturday town hall, North Idaho lawmakers voiced their concerns over state lawmakers’ rush to secure short-term political wins through tax cuts, funding shifts, and program overhauls — moves they say lack a long-term strategy for Idaho’s future stability and growth.
SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW: BFHS softball mostly underclass but solid foundation, leadership
The Bonners Ferry High School Badgers Softball team is focused on fundamentals and team building this season with a roster of mostly underclassmen, but head coach Cynthia Sumpter said the goal is the same as always, to beat Timberlake.
SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW: Both new and familiar faces on the BFHS golf team
Fresh off a state tournament bid a season ago, but with some new faces, the Bonners Ferry High School Boys’ and Girls’ Golf teams will have competitive leaders at the top and lots of development from underclassmen.
SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW: BFHS baseball has solid core, state tournament aspirations
The Bonners Ferry High School Badgers Baseball team has championship aspirations this season, with a chance to host superregionals as part of a new state tournament format.
SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW: BFHS track and field expects to be competitive in all events
This season, 64 athletes will suit up for the Bonners Ferry High School Track and Field team, including a few record-breakers, district champions and state competitors from last season.
New firetruck in North Bench
The North Bench Fire District purchased a 1999 firetruck that arrived in town Feb. 27.
Former IFG official named Forest Service chief
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Feb. 27 that Tom Schultz, former Idaho Forest Group vice-president of resources and government affairs, will be the 21st U.S. Forest Service chief.
Badgers advance to state tournament
The Bonners Ferry Badgers boys' basketball team is headed to Eagle for the 3A state tournament with hopes to defend its title after a Feb. 24 district championship win.
USDA changes felt in North Idaho
Outdoor recreation, logging, farming face uncertain path forward
North Idaho’s outdoor recreation and agrarian industries will take new form as federal efforts, initiated earlier this month, aim to reduce bureaucratic fraud and waste through layoffs and paused funding.
Cowells' charges mount in child abuse investigation
The updated criminal complaint charges Richard Cowell with raping a female child between 2013 and 2016. Katherine Cowell has been charged with conspiring in the act.
Near-fatal accident sparks safety reform
The Moyie Springs toxic manhole incident did not violate OSHA regulations, officials say
The recent confined space accident at the Moyie Springs sewer plant has prompted local officials and contractors to reconsider and reinstate construction safety protocols.
Bonners Ferry Rotary inducts five new members
New members inducted at the Feb. 11 Bonners Ferry Rotary meeting signal growth of a service organization that, like many others across the nation, once faced challenges in attracting new participants.
PREP BBALL: Boys finish regular season 20-1, gear up for playoffs
The Bonners Ferry Badgers boys (20-1) wrapped up their regular season in dominant fashion behind a near triple-double from Brody Rice in a 43-point Feb. 14 victory against the Timberlake Tigers (9-10).
Daycare shut down after alleged child abuse
Police arrested a married couple Feb. 5 at their Naples home, which doubled as an unlicensed child daycare, over charges of lewd conduct with a minor.
School board kickstarts voter education, discusses program expansion
The Boundary County School District board presented student awards and discussed both the upcoming levy and school expansion at its Feb. 10 meeting.
PREP BBALL: Boys' first loss, girls' season ends
The Bonners Ferry Badgers boys (19-1) had their 36-game win streak snapped in their final road game of the regular season against the Lake City Timberwolves (16-4).
Donkey Basketball raises money for BC Victim Services
The annual Donkey Basketball games at Bonners Ferry High School Feb. 6 were competitive, entertaining and raised money for Boundary County Victim Services.
Boundary County celebrates 32nd gun and horn show
The Kootenai Valley Sportsman Association hosted the first gun and horn show of the year in North Idaho, marking the 32nd annual event in Boundary County at the fairgrounds last weekend.
Idaho lawmakers return to Bonners Ferry
Sauter and Woodward share legislative progress, challenges after five weeks in session.
The state budget, judicial system, and education were among the topics discussed by Idaho District 1A House Rep. Mark Sauter and District 1 Sen. Jim Woodward Saturday at the Bonners Ferry Visitors Center.
City Council talks road safety, energy spending and police fleet
City officials covered a wide range of issues at Tuesday’s meeting, addressing safety concerns with city roads, spending for energy-efficient projects and leasing new police vehicles.
PREP BASKETBALL: Girls win a thriller and prep for districts, boys beat Coeur d’Alene to remain undefeated
The Bonners Ferry Badgers girls (12-8) won a thriller on Senior Night at the Badger Den Jan. 30 against the Lakeside Knights (11-7).
Local firefighters aid in L.A. wildfire battle
Paradise Valley firefighters returned safely to Boundary County Jan. 28 after two weeks in California fighting the most destructive wildfires to ever hit Los Angeles County.
Boundary Consignments owners to sell
Luke and Nancy Croll are selling Boundary Consignments after eight years of owning the family department store.
Legislators push for public education funding amid school choice debate
Boundary County School District officials traveled to Boise last week to voice opposition to state-funded private school tuition and to meet with North Idaho lawmakers.
PREP BASKETBALL: Boys pull away after close first half, girls dominate
The Bonners Ferry Badgers (17-0) defeated the Lakeland Hawks (8-8) to extend their winning streak to 34 games.
Construction workers rescued from Moyie Springs sewer lagoon
Public works officials and first responders rescued a local pair Thursday, Jan. 23, from a Moyie Mill sewer lagoon filled with toxic gas.
PREP BASKETBALL: Bonners Ferry boys remain undefeated; girls look to bounce back
The Bonners Ferry Badgers (15-0) defeated the Logos Knights (8-6) for the second time this season in a Jan. 20 home game.
Mistrial declared in murder case
The jury in the Shannon Dabbs murder and arson trial was unable to reach a unanimous verdict, with 10 jurors favoring conviction and two undecideds.
Downtown Bonners Ferry revitalization effort set to begin
The Bonners Ferry City Council voted at its Jan. 21 meeting to participate in a regional non-profit initiative to revitalize downtown Bonners Ferry.
Asher Williams breaks 35-year scoring record at the Backwoods Brawl
Boundary County students raised over 2,300 pounds of food donations for the Backwoods Brawl, and Bonners Ferry High School senior guard Asher Williams scored a school-record 50 points in the boys’ basketball 73-28 win at Timberlake.
Jury nears verdict in Dabbs trial
The jury in the Shannon Dabbs’ murder and arson trial has been deliberating a verdict since Jan. 14 after more than eight days of witness testimony and photo, video and audio evidence exhibited by state and defense lawyers.
School district to rerun levy, battle state’s school choice initiative
Boundary County School District trustees approved rerunning the failed November levy again in the upcoming May election, along with over $2 million in budget cuts if it does not pass.
New sheriff in town
Kramer, Stephens out, Stolley, Zimmerman in
Travis Stolley was sworn in as Boundary County sheriff Monday on Jan. 13 to fill the position formerly held for two terms by Dave Kramer, who is retiring after 50 years of local service.
Bonners Ferry expands rental market with new duplexes
As the nation’s housing costs continue rising, Boundary County remains relatively stable.
Affordable new duplexes have hit the market in Bonners Ferry, adding to the area’s growing list of renter-friendly developments, as much of Idaho faces inflated housing costs.
PREP BASKETBALL: Badgers' historic run continues with Williams' record-breaking game
Boys extend winning streak to 29 games, Girls win two in a row
Asher Williams broke the Badgers single-game scoring record with 45 points, playing only three quarters in a Jan. 7 home win over Libby.
Dabbs murder trial underway
The two-week jury trial of Shannon Dabbs, accused of killing his wife and setting their house on fire in 2020, began on Jan. 6 at the Boundary County Courthouse.
PREP BASKETBALL: Bonners Ferry Boys make history with 10-0 start, but Girls are upended with injuries
The Badgers cruised to another tournament victory with a 47-point win in the Championship game of the Avista Holiday Tournament. They are the first Badgers basketball team to open the season 10-0 in school history.
PREP BASKETBALL: Bonners Ferry boys win Reardan Tournament, girls fall just short
The visiting Badgers faced their toughest test of the season, but Asher Williams scored 32 points and came up with some key steals as Bonners Ferry defeated the tourney host Screaming Eagles in the championship game of the Reardan Christmas Tournament.
Retail chains come to town
The newly opened O’Reilly Auto Parts and Tractor Supply Co. bring product overlap with existing businesses, but owners agree that the corporate chains will enhance the local economy.