NEW THIS MORNING: Tuesday, October 1
An earthquake 14 miles south of Bonners Ferry on Monday morning was registered by the U.S. Geological Survey. The earthquake was recorded as a 2.7 magnitude earthquake.
Courtesy photo
1. Bunker Hill CEO talks reopening historic Silver Valley mine
Ongoing progress at the Bunker Hill Mine was the topic of a recent social event hosted by the Silver Valley Chamber last month at the 1313 Club.
Bunker Hill Mine CEO Sam Ash spoke at the social, where he detailed the current work being completed and what people can expect once the mine is back in production.
According to Ash, Bunker Hill is on pace to reopen in early 2025, and he anticipates anywhere from 220-250 new full-time jobs.
2. Earthquake registered south of Bonners Ferry
A magnitude 2.7 earthquake occurred at 8:15 a.m. Monday about 14 miles south of Bonners Ferry, according to records from the U.S. Geological Survey.
Information from the Geological Survey indicates that earthquakes at 2.5 magnitudes and higher may be felt, but only light damage is likely at this magnitude.
3. Proposed aquifer chemical rules move forward at Kootenai County
Kootenai County moved one step closer this week to authorizing Panhandle Health District to enforce rules about how businesses located over the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer handle chemicals.
Though PHD has administered the aquifer protection rules since 1997, the Idaho Legislature determined that health districts are not state agencies and thus don’t have rulemaking or enforcement authority on their own.
“The state legislature stripped away PHD’s (Idaho Administrative Procedure Act) rule,” Community Development Director David Callahan said.
4. New Post Office plan could add delays to rural North Idaho deliveries
Area members of the American Postal Workers Union are fighting a plan that would delay rural deliveries.
“Every community deserves top-quality postal services,” said Sheri Butler, associate offices director of the Inland Empire Area Local No. 338. “We are ready to take our fight from the bargaining table to the streets if necessary. The fate of the People’s Post Office is at stake.”
Butler lives and works in Coeur d’Alene. She said the most pressing issue faced by postal workers is the Regional Transportation Optimization plan, set to take effect next year.
Under the proposed plan, customers within 50 miles of the Postal Service’s largest processing facilities — the vast majority of mail and packages — would receive faster delivery service. But outlying areas, including places like Bonners Ferry and Sandpoint, could see a day added to delivery timetables.
5. Work begins on Old River Road
A paving project along Old River Road began earlier this week, with crews addressing three key sections of the aging highway.
Last week, Shoshone County Public Works Director Jessica Stutzke and engineer Jim Roletto spoke with the Shoshone County commissioners to update them on the status of the project and get permission to make a few changes.
According to Stutzke, the county’s initial plan for the project was to complete it in-house, but due to some changes with staffing and equipment, that was no longer feasible.