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News Bonners Ferry Archives ~ April 2011

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April 30, 2011
Challenging economy reflected in school levy: It is an educational imperative for the children of our school district that they have the educational opportunities that the supplemental levy provides. The Board of Trustees does not want to place any additional economic burden on the taxpayer but also acknowledges financial support is the only way to ensure our students continue to receive a quality education in a safe environment.

Friends of the KNWR now in cyberspace: A group of local people working to show off one of the gems of Boundary County, the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, have gone on-line, showing people around the world all that awaits them just a short drive from downtown Bonners Ferry.
April 28, 2011
Local hero being considered for Medal of Honor: On June 13, 1966, 16 United States Recon Marines and two Navy Corpsmen made their way up a 1,500-foot, bare-topped hill called Nui Vu by the local Vietnamese. On June 15, they were attacked by a brigade of well-trained and determined Vietnamese regulars. One young Recon Marine, now living in Bonners Ferry, might finally be given the recognition he deserves for his actions on that never-ending night, the nation's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor.
April 27, 2011
Sharon Meadows wins a timely basket: North Bench resident Sharon Meadows was pronounced the winner of the Friends of the Restorium Easter basket raffle, held April 23 at Akins Harvest Foods. It couldn't have gone to a better person, or at a better time.

GROW! a garden for the community: Community gardening is growing ... and Bonners Ferry is leading the way. Benefitting local families, teaching great gardening skills and reaping our local food bank a source of garden-fresh produce, it's an organization whose time has come. Oh, and it gives gardenless gardners a chance to get their hands and knees in the soil!

'Roads Closed' list getting smaller: Even though our weather hasn't been quite ideal, more Boundary County roads are now re-opened to hauling.

Forecast suggests rapid increase to Kootenai River flows: Cooler than normal temperatures combined with above normal rain and snow is creating a situation where significantly higher than normal Kootenai River flows are more likely in the coming weeks.

Commissioners minutes, April 18-19
April 25, 2011
Earth Day Fair a great success! The 2011 Earth Day Fair in Bonners Ferry was a great success over the weekend with over 450 people visiting the Fair! They enjoyed a wide variety of displays and information presented by 32 vendors, including gardening tips, solar energy, fair trade products, wilderness and forestry information, and green living products to name a few. By Rhea Verbanic.

Deer causes serious Bonner County accident: A deer is the cause of a serious two vehicle accident this morning in Bonner County, according the the Idaho State Police.

Court records and sheriff's log
April 24, 2011
Governor Bans Obamacare in Idaho: Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter issued an executive order today imposing a State prohibition on receiving federal funding for or otherwise implementing the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act – often called "Obamacare."

Foreclosure reforms to take effect September 1: A new state law to address foreclosure complaints by Idaho homeowners will take effect on September 1. Attorney General Lawrence Wasden and the Idaho Bankers Association sponsored House Bill 331.
April 23, 2011
Busy, beautiful spring day: From a drab, gray Friday that saw morning snow, Saturday broke crystal clear, sunny and considerably warmer than it has been. It was a great day for cruising with the windows down to all the many activities around the county, or, if you were a turtle, for spending the day just basking on a log.
April 22, 2011
Sherrif's Posse formed: Boundary County Sheriff Greg Sprungl recently began recruiting a standing posse, comprised of teams of experts in a diverse array of fields who stand ready to come to the aid of Boundary County residents and visitors in time of need.

Coldest, longest spring on record: Residents in many parts of Boundary County woke up this morning to something you normally don't expect to see just one week from May, snow. And it very well looks like today might be a record breaker. In the 130 years weather records have been kept, the latest date recorded for reaching 60-degrees is April 22.

Idahoan's voices not heard on education: Superintendent of Education Tom Luna’s “Students Come First” proposal represents a loss of local control for school districts, parents and taxpayers. It is based on the false premise that by reducing the number of teachers in our schools we can somehow improve our students’ performance.
April 21, 2011
Burdick dies at work: Vern Burdick, the owner of Accurate Collision service, Bonners Ferry, collapsed in his shop this morning of an apparent heart attack.
No write-ins for school board: The deadline has passed and no write-in candidates have filed, so the school board election May 17 will see contests between Zone 3 incumbent Sulet Hiatt and challenger David Brinkman, and Zone 4 incumbent and board chair Melanie Staples facing Paul Shelton.
April 19, 2011
School district saves $41,000 in transportation costs: In cooperation with a Idaho State Department of Education Transportation specialist last year, Boundary County School District 101 transportation staff took a close look at all the school's bus routes and implemented changes, keeping the buses running on time and maintaining the district's long-standing school bus safety record.

List of closed roads gets shorter: The list of roads closed due to spring break up is getting shorter, with several additional roads opened to hauling earlier today.
April 18, 2011
Snow-bird Smith busy as she waits for the snow to end: "One should not start out learning the art of wood lathe making by making a segmented wood-turned bowl, but we did," said snow bird Sharon Watson Smith, currently in Yuma, Arizona, waiting for the weather up here to turn more clement.

Don Jordan seeks seat on NLI board: I am running for Northern Lights Director, District 6, because of my long-standing interest in energy efficiency and conservation. I see conservation as a prime way of reducing our inevitable increase in electrical costs. My involvement in home design and construction for over 30 years gives me familiarity with all aspects of residential energy use and conservation.
Bonners Ferry native feted for WWII service: On Friday, the French government thanked Bonners Ferry native Jim Stone, 87, for his efforts in winning the European nation back its freedom by awarding him the French Legion of Honor. Created by Napoleon in 1802, the Legion of Honor is France's highest honor. With the pinning, Stone was declared a “chevalier,” or knight of the Legion.

Court record and sheriff's log
April 17, 2011
Running because it's the right thing to do: David Brinkman, 36, knows but two speeds. Stop and go. He doesn't do much of the former, and when he goes, it's at one speed only, all out. His kids, Liliana and Logan, he said, are his life, and they're the best reasons in the world that he's thrown his hat into the ring to seek a position as a Boundary County School District 101 trustee in the May 17 election.

School district to host community meeting on M&O: In an effort to quell rumors and innuendo surround the upcoming Boundary County School District 101 maintenance and operations levy, school board members, school administrators and local elected officials and community leaders will host a community meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday evening, April 21, in the Becker Auditorium. 
 
April 16, 2011
First Chamber social a fine affair: The first Bonners Ferry Chamber of Commerce quarterly social, held Friday evening at Mugsy's, was a fine affair, filling the establishment's meeting room nearly to the rafters, as Vern and Kay Burdick, owners of Accurate Collision Services, arrived to find there was no place else to sit except the tall stools in the back of the room.

Deboer safe after night on the river: The Boundary County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff’s Posse and the Boundary Search and Dive Rescue team, along with assistance from the United States Border Patrol, conducted a search last Friday that ended with the successful location and rescue of a local man.

Rhino Team keeps Iraq moving: Twenty-nine soldiers are force multipliers for thousands to complete their missions in Iraq with the effects of improving the government, setting up a security advisory program and building an enduring partnership between Iraq and the United States.

Boundary County unemployment figures grim: The employment situation in Boundary County is more dire than the state as a whole, with an estimated 680 people unemployed for a March rate of 14.3-percent, the second highest rate of all Idaho counties. Only Valley County, with an unemployment rate of 16-percent, is higher.

Child immunization requirements change: The Idaho Legislature approved four additional immunizations for children receiving care in a child care center: varicella (chicken pox); Hepatitis A; Pneumococcal (Prevnar); and Rotavirus. The immunizations were recommended in the past. As of July, they are required.
April 13, 2011
Defense Secretary visits Idaho troops: On Thursday, April 7, members of Idaho’s 116th Cavalry Brigade stationed in Iraq got the chance to ask questions of Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.

Merchants asked to keep their doors open late for Earth Day: In anticipation of a lot of people visiting Bonners Ferry and participating in the Earth Day Fair May 23, Bonners Ferry merchants are being asked to keep their doors open until 7 p.m. Friday, May 22.

ISP seeking information on missing Kamiah grandmother: The Idaho State Police is investigating the April 1 disappearance of Lavina Irene Hietala, Kamiah, and they’re seeking any information the public may have regarding Lavina or her grandson, Justin Hietala, during the week of March 28 through the day Lavina went missing.

 

Reporting suspected child abuse can save a child's life: Life-threatening and emergency child protection calls are increasing in Idaho, prompting child welfare workers to urge anyone who suspects child abuse or neglect to report it as soon as possible to help keep children safe.
April 12, 2011
Commissioners minutes, April 4-5

April 11, 2011
More county roads reopen to hauling: With the weather the way it has been, today alternating from sunny and 50-degrees one minute to raining, blowing and 42-degrees the next, some areas of the county even getting hail, spring should definitely be upon us and all roads reopened to normal traffic by, oh, maybe August, but a few more county roads were reopened to hauling today.
U of I unveils nation's first doctoral program in athletic training: Movement science is taking a big step forward with the creation of a doctoral program in athletic training at the University of Idaho. The groundbreaking program – the first of its kind in the nation – starts in summer 2011, thanks to approval received from the Idaho State Board of Education.
 
Court records and sheriffs log
April 9, 2011
First 'Robin of Spring Fling' starts Monday: "I thought, why not have the traveling robin show up at different locations and give prizes to the first five (or three, or one) people who guess the store and go there with the question, 'Has the Robin been here?'" said Eileen.

Mt. Hall kindergarten registration set: Registration for the 2011-2012 kindergarten school year at Mt. Hall Elementary will be held at the school from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, April 15.

State legislature adjourns: The Idaho Legislature adjourned Thursday and may best be remembered as a session in which legislators pro-actively engaged stakeholders and citizens in two key areas — education and Medicaid.

Avoid tragedy, don't drive distracted: April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The Idaho State Police want to remind drivers that it only takes a second for something tragic to happen.

Skin cancer spot checks offered: Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and Idaho is among the states with the highest number of skin cancer cases and death rates. Panhandle Health District is part of the North Idaho Cancer Coalition that’s encouraging northern Idaho residents to participate in free skin cancer spot checks this spring in Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint.
April 6, 2011
Naples Community Group News: The Naples Community Group potluck has been moved to July 9 in hopes for better weather. We're still having a meeting Monday, April 18, at the Naples Fire Hall to compile boxes for the Easter Food Drive and to prepare candy-filled eggs for the children's Easter egg hunt. The group is still working with Linda Lee Hunt at Naples School to confirm and finalize the date and time for the hunt, and we'll be inviting all area home schooled kids to attend as well.

News Bonners Ferry proving its reach: In more than 20 years of reporting Boundary County news in some form or another, I have most often differed with the people I worked for. They're in business to sell advertising, and I am, too. All media is. I'm different in that I am an editor and reporter, not a salesman. While I need and would welcome advertising, it's my thought that what makes the advertising work is the breadth and reach of the news published. You have to give your advertisers value. To do that, you have to be read and trusted.
April 5, 2011
Bonners Ferry Swish merges with Rotary: At this morning's Bonners Ferry Rotary board meeting, a merger between Bonners Ferry Swish and the Rotary was formalized, and it will be the Rotary, with secretary Ron Sukenik serving as chair, who will be behind the organization of the region's biggest three-on-three basketball tournament, behind Spokane's Hoop Fest.

County Roads starting to reopen to hauling: After nearly two weeks of closure, Boundary County Road and Bridge this week began opening some of the county's roads to hauling as weather conditions, ahem, improve.

Hsu to speak on child abuse prevention: Attorney Eric Hsu, a speaker, consultant and author of the e-book "Separating Fact from Fiction in Child Sexual Abuse Prevention," will be the guest speaker at a presentation on Child Sexual Abuse Prevention at 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 25, at the Ponderay Events Center in Ponderay.

Monster basket being raffled for children's advocacy: A gift basket so big it had to be wheeled into the back door of the courthouse Monday on a handtruck is being raffled off to raise money for Children's Advocacy in Boundary County.

County Commission minutes, March 28-29

Court records and sheriffs log
April 2, 2011
Tobin, Newhouse March Rotary Students of the Month: Jesse Tobin and Will Newhouse were chosen by the Bonners Ferry High School faculty and administration as the Bonners Ferry Rotary Students of the Month for March, 2011.

Earth Day offers fun, friends and common sense: The second annual Earth Day Fair is coming to the Boundary County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 23, as organizer's had so much fun last year, they're doing it again ... but bigger and better!

IDL announces road closures: Idaho Department of Lands area supervisor Eric Besaw has announced that portions of Trail Creek and Dodge Creek Roads are closed until weather conditions improve.

Valley View kids help PTO with Math-a-thon: Students at Valley View Elementary held their annual Math-a-thon in March, raising pledges before undertaking a 30-question math test to raise $2,416.72 for the school's Parent Teacher Organization.

Historical Society to elect officers: The Boundary County Historical Society and Museum will hold their annual meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, at the Museum Events Center, 7223 Main St., Bonners Ferry, and elections will be held for five positions on the society's board of trustees.

Curves hosting month-long food drive: Curves of Bonners Ferry is hosting their annual food drive for Community Action Partnership throughout the month of April.

April 1, 2011
Christian vs. Muslim ... a chance to learn: The Bonners Ferry Peace Group welcomes Pastor Steven Benson, Christ Lutheran Church, Libby, Montana, to Bonners Ferry at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, for a presentation on "A Window into the World of Islam." Appropriately, it's taking place upstairs at Visitor's Center.

Panhandle Health hosting Shriner's clinic: The Panhandle Health District is teaming up with Shrine Clubs throughout the region to offer a free clinic for kids who might need treatment for orthopedic problems. This one is taking place in Coeur d'Alene and is sponsored by the Coeur d'Alene Shrine Club of Clalam, but in all honesty, it's just as much sponsored by those pillars of our community who don the purple fez.
Obituaries
Vernon Arthur "Vern" Burdick, March 31, 1944 ~ April 21, 2011
Don C. Chandler, December 21, 1934 ~ April 19, 2011
Henry Smuland, April 15, 1917 ~ April 18, 2011
Rena Christine "Chris" Jeffries, December 15, 1931 ~ April 17, 2011
Luis Lorca-Merono, April 15, 1931 - April 16, 2011
Wilfred “Fred” Albano, June 20, 1930 ~ April 10, 2011
Pauline 'Polly' T. Sorensen, July 23, 1930 ~ April 13, 2011
Tod Michael Elliott, April 3, 1959 - April 5, 2011
Janet Lind Posey, July 25, 1955 ~ April 12, 2011
Social
Unruh's welcome daughter Megan: Ryan and Danette Unruh, Greensburg, Kansas, welcomed the birth of their daughter, Megan Glae at 12:17 a.m. Friday, April 22, at Pratt Regional Medical Center.
Boundary County marriage licenses
Golden wedding anniversary: Larry and Judy Dirks, Bonners Ferry, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary March 6 with a reception at United Methodist Church. They were married February 24, 1961, in Prairie Village, Kansas.
Fisher, Ranlett to wed: Kevin and Dawn Fisher, Oakfield, New York, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Erika Fisher, Pembroke, New York, to Jason Ranlett, also of Pembroke, the son of Thomas and Consuelo Martinez-White, Byron, New York, and James and Cora Ranlett, Bonners Ferry.
Cda 5th grader regional spelling champ: Rebekah Pinkerton, a home-schooled fifth grader from Coeur d'Alene, spelled the previously misspelled word "inselberg" and followed it up with the correct spelling of "bezoar" Saturday to out-spell 44 North Idaho fourth through eighth graders to be crowned the champion in the eighth annual North Idaho College Regional Spelling Bee.
Sports
Girls Win a Close One on Senior Night, Drop 2 to Timberlake: Thursday, April 28, was Senior Night for three Bonners Ferry Badgers Softball players. Becca Farrens, Sam Robertson and Chelsea Taggart were honored in a presentation after the third inning during the game against Troy.
Badger girls post first league win, play rare triple header: The Badger softball team, ranked third in the IML, handed league leading Priest River their first loss last week, and on Saturday put a scare into second place St. Maries in a rare triple-header.
Bonners Ferry SWISH reins officially handed over: Brett Brown and Anita Woods made it official at the meeting on April 19 by presenting a check to Rotary in the amount of $6,995.47, representing the proceeds from the first three years of the tournament.
Warriors defeat the Logos Knights for the first time in a nail-biter: For the first time in the six years they've been playing against each other, the Bonners Ferry Warriors lacrosse club beat the Logos Knights, a small Christian school in Moscow, Idaho.
Thank Idaho For Wildlife: The Bonners Ferry Mayor and City Council would once again like to thank Idaho For Wildlife for their efforts last year in installing new signs in the Myrtle Creek Preserve, and if you happen to be hiking there if we ever get a spring and summer here this year, you should thank them, too.
Gearing up for the 35th annual Kootenai River Run: Long-time runner and one of the founders of the Kootenai River Run, Jack Douglas, is putting out a call for volunteers to help make the 35th annual running of the event yet another success. The 2011 Kootenai River Run begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 11, at the Boundary County Fairgrounds.
Adam Hall Pac-10 Athlete-Scholar of the Year: The Pac-10 Conference announced its 2010-11 All Academic Wrestling Team April 6, with six Boise State wrestlers selected, led by Bonners Ferry native Adam Hall, a 2006 graduate of Bonners Ferry High School, who is set to graduate this spring, having maintained a 3.50 grade point average for a degree in Health Science.
Badgers do well at Interstate Rivals meet: The Badger track teams traveled to Rockford, Washington, Saturday for the Interstate Rivals track meet, where the girls finished with a second place team finish and the boys finishing third.
Tennis sign-ups underway: The Boundary County Tennis Association is inviting adults and juniors age 12 and up to sign up for this year's tennis leagues. Membership fee is $20 for regular players and $10 for substitute players, and the deadline to sign up is Sunday, April 24.
Coaching in North Idaho: In 1969, I was hired as head football coach at Bonners Ferry High School in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. The administration asked me to try and do something about the problem with alcohol consumption by the football players especially during the season. I was more concerned with winning games, but I promised to look into the problem.
Warriors drop close season opener: The Bonners Ferry Lacrosse Club Warriors dropped their season opener to the Gonzaga Prep Bulldogs 15-12 under the lights at Gonzaga. While it was the Warriors' first game, the Bulldogs already had four games under their belt.
Adam Hiatt named head coach at Westminster: The Westminster College Department of Athletics announced yesterday that Adam Hiatt has been named the new head coach for the men’s basketball program.
Badger girls top Kellogg, fall to Timberlake: The Badger softball team opened their season at the Timberlake Tournament Saturday, beating Kellogg 6-5 but falling to Timberlake, 14-4.
Moose, Sheep, Goat Applications: April is not just tax month; it's also the month to apply for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat hunts. Applications for these controlled hunts will be accepted from April 1 through April 30.
From The Field: Chinook Season: While most anglers are still focused on steelhead fishing, some are turning their attention to Chinook salmon fishing.
Spring Turkey Hunting Begins April 15: Hunters who have finished with taxes before the deadline can expect to find Idaho's wild turkey populations in good shape. The general season youth turkey hunt runs Thursday, April 8, through Wednesday, April 14. The general spring turkey hunts open April 15 and runs through May 25.
Letters
Colet Allen: Thanks to Doug Kim Brown and Linda Alt for speaking out about education and what it means to our kids. This is not a partisan issue. This is a national issue. Whether we like it or not, the U.S. is competing in world markets.
Melanie Staples: ... Our community loves watching our youth strive to succeed ... not only as graduates, but succeed in striving to do their best in the many different extracurricular activities that fit their talents.
Linda Alt: This letter is in response to Doug Kim-Brown's letter about the chairman of the Republican Central Committee sending out e-mails. For everyone's information, not all precinct committee persons in the Boundary County RCC are opposed to the school levy.
Doug Kim-Brown: Ms. Donna Capurso, head of the Republican Party locally, sent an email out to Republicans urging all to enlist more friends and neighbors in voting NO again, hopefully by a wider margin. Why?
Rhonda Vogl: If any one has any doubt if our school sports programs contribute to successful adults out there in the world, they only have to look at the front page of this week’s Bonners Ferry Herald.
Robert D. Pluid: Having known Paul Shelton as a business associate and friend for the past three years, I would like to offer my support for his bid for a position on the Boundary County School District Board.

Drexel Love: I didn't  realize it, but these coupons are good  for one gallon of gas at most retailers. I have seen them around, but until recently never took  advantage of them, I never realized their actual worth.
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