JACK FREEMAN

Sandpoint Rodeo moseys into town this weekend

There will be no shortage of heart-pounding action at the Bonner County Fairgrounds this weekend as the Sandpoint PRCA Rodeo returns to town.

31ST ANNUAL LONG BRIDGE SWIM: A battle of the Bennetts ... Lake City's Owen, younger brother Trace, top two swimmers among 700 competitors in annual race in Sandpoint

Attendees lined Dog Beach and the Long Bridge to once again watch over 700 swimmers complete the 31st annual, 1.76-mile Long Bridge swim.

AUG NIBJ: CREC building collaborative environment to overcome rural challenges

Whether it is requiring a long drive to the nearest grocery store or medical facility, living in a rural area presents challenges every day.

AMERICAN LEGION 16U STATE TOURNAMENT: North Idaho Lakers walk off Prairie, then get ousted by Orofino

The North Idaho Lakers 16U experienced the entire range of emotions that baseball has to offer, first staving off the Prairie Cardinals before their season came to an end against the Orofino Merchants on Saturday afternoon.

Recreation zone change in Hope to come before county commission

A zoning change that would reclassify 15.6 acres on the Hope Peninsula on Lake Pend Oreille as a recreation area is set to come before the Bonner County Zoning Commission next week.

JULY NIBJ: Seasonal employees battle instability while driving tourism

Whether you’re enjoying a bike trail on Schweitzer Mountain or one of the region’s restaurants, there’s a good chance you’re enjoying the handywork of a seasonal employee, like Sandpoint resident Sam Chin.

‘Maybe I’m not through with big adventures’

89-year-old completes border to border dirt bike trip

Chilly White and his 89-year-old father, Gordon, stood just a stone's throw from the Mexico/American border in Yuma, Arizona, on May 25.

LPOSD sets annual budget

The Lake Pend Oreille School Board unanimously approved the $74.2 million general fund budget for the upcoming fiscal year on Tuesday evening.

Sandpoint to launch paid parking July 1

Permits will be for sale online starting June 8

Sandpoint is set to launch its paid parking program on July 1, according to a press release sent out Tuesday.

ITD to close pedestrian bridge indefinitely

Safety concerns over the pedestrian Long Bridge are prompting its closure at 5 p.m. today, Idaho Transportation Department officials said Friday.

BCRCC declares Clark Fork seat vacant

The Bonner County Republican Central Committee removed Jensen Heisel from his seat as the Clark Fork precinct committeeman in executive session on Friday.

USACE predicts increased lake levels after storms

Melting snowpack and spring storms will increase flows in Lake Pend Oreille and the Pend Oreille River, according to a prediction by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

GoFundMe pages launched to support crash victims

The community has created GoFundMe pages for the community residents who were killed and injured in a car accident on Monday.

Sandpoint officials rail against, prolong adoption of STR bill

The City Council and Mayor Jeremy Grimm made speeches against House Bill 583 before unanimously prolonging the process of repealing the city’s current short-term rental ordinance.

JUNE NIBJ: Facing unique workforce housing crisis, region realizes unique solutions

What was once the world’s best-kept secret has been discovered. At least, that’s how long-time residents of North Idaho feel.

Council tables kratom ban indefinitely

The City Council unanimously voted to table Mayor Jeremy Grimm’s proposed prohibition on the sale of kratom products on Wednesday evening.

Ponderay council approves Avista SUP

The Ponderay City Council unanimously approved a special use permit for Avista on Monday, which will allow the company to build a new substation.

DEQ awards Sandpoint $40.5 million in wastewater funding

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality has awarded $40.5 million to Sandpoint for work on its wastewater treatment plant, DEQ announced on Friday.

Safety measures vandalization could force closure of pedestrian Long Bridge

Safety measures on the Long Bridge are repeatedly being vandalized, Idaho Transportation Department officials said. If it continues, ITD officials said they could be forced to shut down pedestrian access until repairs are complete.

Northside’s third graders use grant to pay it forward

Equipped with a calculator, pen and paper, third graders from Northside Elementary headed into Super 1 Foods on a mission to make a difference.

USACE officials provide Albeni Falls Dam updates

While Albeni Falls Dam gates and local recreation saw positive updates, the level of Lake Pend Oreille drew a number of questions as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers held a long-awaited town hall meeting Thursday.

Council moves parking fee maximums, fee schedule forward

Public hearing on the fees is scheduled for May 20

A healthy discussion helped the City Council set the city’s maximum fees for parking as part of its annual fee schedule review on Wednesday.

Sagle Elementary kitchen manager named top in state for 2026

May becomes third LPOSD winner in three years

Dawna May was celebrating her birthday when her phone buzzed with a text message from Lake Pend Oreille School District’s Child Nutrition director, Bobbie Coleman.

Ponderay P&Z approves new Avista substation, facility

The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a special use permit for Avista to build a new public complex facility, which includes a new substation.

Community shows out for sixth annual LillyBrooke Kids Fair

The sound of children's laughter echoed in the halls of the Bonner County Fairgrounds building during LillyBrooke Family Justice Center’s sixth annual Kids Fair on Saturday.

MAY NIBJ: Planning for the next generation: Sandpoint tackles downtown quandary

Over 200 acres of the city, stretching from the southern entrance to the downtown to nearly the eastern exit, were zoned with the same regulations, which presented challenges for the city’s historic downtown.

VFW, SHS welding to bring three new benches to Long Bridge

With materials supplied by the VFW Stark’s students have put together three benches that will find a new home on the Long Bridge in May.

City asks residents to stop driving on park fields

The city is reminding residents to keep their motor vehicles off park fields after numerous instances have caused damage this year.

Creator-Tater celebrates America 250 at library

Revolutionary Spuds made their way across North Idaho to collect signatures

So, Julie Ellsworth grabbed her spuddy buddy, the mascot of the Idaho Potato commission, and got to work on a life changing moment.

Spuds head north for Idaho’s America 250 celebration

APRIL NIBJ: Nonprofits help people follow their life’s compass

Kanning’s story isn’t unique, ask any worker at one of the 500 nonprofits in Bonner County are you’ll likely hear the same reason for working: it feels right.

Residents set priorities for next downtown revitalization phase at open house

Over 50 people attended an open house to provide feedback on potential design and guide priorities on the third phase of the city’s downtown revitalization project on Tuesday evening.

City to host downtown revitalization open house

City staff will be holding an open house in Sandpoint Community Hall next week to provide an updated design and gather public input on the Downtown Revitalization Phase No. 3 project.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to spend $20 million to replace Albeni Falls Dam spillway gates

The United States Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a $20 million contract to Knight Construction and Supply that will see all 11 spillway gates at thee Albeni Falls Dam replaced, according to a Wednesday press release.

'This is my second home’: LPOHS students, alumni express frustration at decision to move school

School set to move to portables by Pine Street Field in 2027

Students, alumni and supporters of Lake Pend Oreille High School packed the district’s meeting room Tuesday to express frustration about the decision to move the school to portables behind Sandpoint Middle School in 2027.

Sandpoint approves parking management system

Hourly rates and implementation still up for debate

In a narrow 3-2 vote, the Sandpoint City Council approved a parking management system from IPS Group on Wednesday evening.

Inconsistent lake levels shrink region’s economy, study says

Lakes Commission’s final study finds losses total $43 million yearly

A study released by the Lake Commission found the current management of Lake Pend Oreille has left the region’s economy 10% to 11% smaller than it could be.

MARCH NIBJ: Dual credit gives students an upper hand before graduation

It’s not often that you meet a high school senior with a detailed plan for the future, let alone two. Yet, that is the case for Brent Campbell, a senior at Sandpoint High School, thanks to the school’s dual credit programs.

SHS student to throw out first pitch at Mariners game

La Riviera Construction, a Kootenai County company, funds wish

The Seattle Mariners' showdown with the Cleveland Guardians on March 28 will be far from the first Mariners game Chase Miller has attended, but it might be the most special.

Sandpoint local option tax delayed to fall election

In a unanimous decision, the City Council voted to delay any potential local option tax until the November election citing concerns of a rushed process.

Local brothers bring mental health driven sci-fi thriller to Panida

‘Is it bad to delete your memories?’

In the back of a Coeur d’Alene coffee shop, Caden and Rylan Butera were discussing ideas to build their first feature film around when one caught both of their attention.

Sandpoint turns down Averill Hospitality proposal for City Beach park

The City Council voted 6-0 to move forward with prior announced plans to renovate the City Beach RV Park on Wednesday.

‘There’s a story to each car’

Local hot rod builder inducted into regional hall of fame

Chet Jackman sat down at the Washington State and Greater Northwest Hot Rod Hall of Fame banquet in Spokane last year surrounded by his friends and family, and he was frustrated.

Bridge Street sidewalk expansion to begin 'immediately'

The city is moving forward with its plan to expand the Bridge Street sidewalk after reaching an agreement with Bridge Street LLC.

USACE seeking public feedback on master plan

Officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced the agency is seeking public comment on its Natural Resource Master Plan for the Albeni Falls Dam on Thursday.

'Academic integrity' key to district policy

Students urged to credit use of ChatGPT, other AI sources

West Bonner County School District’s trustees approved the first reading of an amended academic integrity policy at last Wednesday’s board meeting.

FEB NIBJ: Cognito Brands’ unique clothing draws on owner’s love of nature

Cognito Brands is made up of an ever-expanding product line of active wear decorated in artwork.

Sandpoint to begin enforcement of dark sky ordinance in spring

The city announced it will begin enforcement of its outdoor lighting code in the spring following a period of outreach and engagement with business owners.

City unveils engagement plan for Downtown Revitalization Phase No. 3

City staff revealed their public engagement plan for the Downtown Revitalization Phase No. 3 at last Wednesday’s City Council meeting.

Mayor Jeremy Grimm lays out priorities for 2026

From continuing work on the city’s wastewater treatment plant to handling an ever-shrinking revenue stream, Mayor Jeremy Grimm sat down with The Daily Bee to discuss his priorities for the new year.