Get Sandpoint and northern Idaho news and information from our town’s leading sources. Featuring news links from the Bonner County Daily Bee, The River Journal, other media and the Sandpoint Online Newsroom. Check the archives of Sandpoint Magazine, read features from local columnists, and more.

Current news from local sources, including the Bonner County Daily Bee, The River Journal and the Sandpoint Online Newsroom

February 22
County designates road right-of-way
 Land located south of sheriff's office
Northland brings fiber optic downtown
 Network increases bandwidth speed
Sandpoint firefighters prep for event
 Trio returning to Seattle Stair Climb

February 21
FAA to restore funding for airport
 Sandpoint facility in 'tentative compliance'
Sovereign citizen sought by defense
 Campbell, family dodge subpoenas
Teachers voice frustrations with reform
 Forums discuss impact of Luna's bills

February 19
Suspect in shooting case sold SUV
 Vehicle apparently used in crime
Sen. Keough introduces brewery bill
 Allows second breweries, bar ownership
Sarabeth films music video at Panida
 Residents asked to show up as 'extras'

February 18
Racing to find a cure for cystinosis
 24 Hours for Hank set for March 30-31
Man files tort claim against county
 Sagle resident injured in accident
Caucus dates announced in county
 March 6 for GOP; April 14 Democrats

February 17
Event looks to draw new businesses
 Sandpoint stages 'Chairlift Pitch' contest
'Charlie' moved to helicopter hangar
 Veterans to bring the H-34 to events
Deputy cited for crisis intervention
 Scholten named team's officer of the year
Fish & Game eyes Priest Lake fishery
 May change management for lake trout

February 16
City upholds right-of-way requirement
 But road likely won't impact fairgrounds
Crash kills two Priest River residents
 Driver injured in Highway 2 rollover
Prison ordered in vehicular assault
 Ponderay man hit bouncer with car
PAS awarded native plant group grant
 Kinnikinnick Society funds landscaping

February 15
Hearings set for Bonner County trio
 Implicated in slaying of 19-year-old
City examines S. Boyer parking woes
 Residential, business interests clash
Expiration date looms for energy grant
 City needs to spend money by March

February 14
Trio charged in 19-year-old's murder
 Remains found in Rapid Lightning area
Romney, Santorum visiting Idaho
 State's caucus set for March 6
Shelter: Older pets need homes, too
 Seniors for Seniors program launched

February 12
Community Meal celebrates 20 years
 Methodist Church serves dinner to all
Ponderay glimpses traffic options
 Public offers feedback on project
Holland wins national championship
 Sandpoint native awarded green jacket

February 11
City may ease snow removal rule
 Code mandates cleared sidewalks
City takes up contentious road issue
 County seeks waiver on right-of-way
Reuter to lead Conservation Voters
 Previously served on Sandpoint council

February 10
Robinson named battalion commander
 Did two National Guard tours in Iraq
City ponders local buying policy
 Amendment may economize purchasing
Capurso seeks Anderson's house seat
 Chairs Boundary Republican Committee

February 9
Broadsword running for commissioner
 Seeks GOP nomination for District 1
Curve project taking step forward
 City plans to approve memorandum
County weighs in on Cocolalla Lake
 Objects to setting minimum level

February 8
Evaluation sought in CWC theft
 Hopkins' mental health examined
County mulls Cocolalla Lake issue
 Resolution seeks minimum lake level
Vacation rental advisory board on tap
 Logan targets resort tax non-payers

February 7
Sandpoint tries out 'pop-up retail'
 Downtown marketplace opens in March
Embezzlement suspect avoids prison
 Former employer speaks at hearing
Murdock appointed deputy prosecutor
 Graduated from Sandpoint High in '01

February 5
ITD responds to byway rumor
 Plowing concerns are not an issue
KRFY seeks community support
 Radio station aims to stay on air
Sandpoint Onstage looks forward
 2012 includes musical, plays, more

February 4
Courthouse sculpture to be removed
 Citizen interested in taking artwork
Concerns rise over coal train proposal
 Export plan puts Idaho in the middle
Green pavers eyed for town square
 City's other option is natural grass
Highway 95 upgrade slated to begin
 $57 million project at Athol, Granite Hill

February 3
Finman aggravated assault trial nears
 Accused of tearing down occupied house
Pawn shop burglary arraignments set
 BATF investigating trio in gun heist
Registration opens for ski relay
 24 Hours of Schweitzer benefits cystinosis

February 2
SPOT weekly ridership tops 1,000
 Schweitzer stop, new routes credited
GOP primary actually pretty open
 Anyone can declare affiliation
Puailoa takes back reigns at SHS
 Led Bulldogs to championship in '97

February 1
Legislative map draws criticism
 District 7 includes part of county
Family feud lands on national TV
 Jarzabek brothers appear on 'Mobbed'
Jury convicts man in road rage case
 Found guilty of second-degree murder

January 31
Priority Planning Project launched
 Area leaders to identify problems
Appeals Court orders estate review
 Inmate challenges inheritance deal
Kinderhaven establishes ICF fund
 Provides long-term income for shelter

January 29
Input sought on Ponderay traffic
 Widening project on tap for April
Nate Holland wins sixth Winter gold
 Watch Sandpoint native's big run>>
Angels over Sandpoint keep giving
 Starts new fund, gears up for Follies
Otter opposes legalized marijuana
 Moscow legislator introduced bill

January 28
Another mistrial for attorney Jacquot
 Accused of molesting underage girl Lake
Panel picks Puailoa as football coach
 Now awaits school board's approval
Clark Fork may hike water rates
 Average bill would go up $8/month

January 27
Wildlife corridor project gets funding
 Will improve safety around McArthur Lake
Suspect's preliminary hearing set
 Will decide if Gilley is tried for murder
Grant sought for Coolin boat launch
 County wants to improve public access
Senate to vote on lake level
 Measure would protect Cocolalla Lake

January 26
Appeals Court rejects killer's petition
 Kuehl murdered retired teacher in '94
Justices nix GOP redistricting lawsuit
 Party leaders wanted commissioners fired
Youths' lack of exercise raises concern
 PE not required for Idaho high schoolers

January 25
POB Trail group has raised $40k
 Aims to pay for fourth parcel
Residents blast caribou habitat plan
 Forum over F&W proposal draws 200
Consultants chosen for street plan
 SERA to develop downtown concepts

January 24
ISP probing deadly highway crash
 Chain-reaction collision killed driver
IMCB inks deal to raise $47 million
 Reaches agreement with investors
Oldtown mayor's wife avoids jail
 Beverly Orr pleads guilty to DUI

January 22
One killed in Highway 95 crash
 Two other drivers are hospitalized
IMCB inks deal to raise $47 million
 Reaches agreement with investors
County's economy slowly improving
 Unemployment drops to 11.6 percent

January 21
Sandpoint named top ski town
 Wins another Rand McNally vote
Bail reduction denied in shooting case
 Flanigan faces five-day trial in March
Nate Holland wins World Cup event
 Sandpoint native leads snowboardcross

January 20
Solution sought for city access road
 County finds options limited around jail
Artist urges removal of sculpture
 Kraisler asks county to retain plaques
Task force seeks accused molester
 Offering reward for tips about Howell

January 19
Mother, daughter killed in house fire
 Husband escaped Blanchard blaze
Life Flight to open Sandpoint base
 Payroll to exceed $1 million annually
Council members, mayor welcomed
 New reign takes over at City Hall

January 18
Kelly resigns from Marine Patrol job
 Candidacy could conflict with law
County hosts forum on right of way
 Seek waiver on fairgrounds road
Health expert: Prevention is key
 Annual wellness exams recommended

January 17
Family escapes from apartment fire
 Blaze broke out in outdoor stairwell
Coin, jewelry sale legislation debated
 Local businesses mixed on its effect
Food stamp growth reveals struggle
 Indigent fund shows Idaho under stress

January 15
Ahrens, Stout declare candidacies
 Plan to challenge Eskridge, Keough
Pot grower faces sentencing
 Starks pled guilty to trafficking
Will this be a year without winter?
 Not all La Ninas are created equal

January 14
Meeting set on caribou habitat
 County seeks coordination authority
Teen faces felony trial in March
 Flanigan pled not guilty in shooting
Health care experts predict changes
 But mandate still remains uncertain

January 13
Ponderay forms parks committee
 Seeking volunteers to do master plan
Sandpiper petition dismissal sought
 Group asserts project would harm fen
Becker retires from Dover council
 Spent 33 years in public service

January 12
Officials seek $24,000 for legal advice
 Funds denied for Scott, Piehl, Clemons
Bird's company names new CEO
 Percussionaire leader from Belgium
FEMA: No funding available for home
 County may bring litigation on issue

Link up to local bloggers:

• Talus Rock. Sandpoint's Pedersen family writes of people, happenings and revelations at their donation-based, Tuscan styled retreat overlooking town.
• Hyperbole and a Half. With 93,000+ Twitter followers and 288,000+ Facebook fans, Sandpoint homegirl and humorist Allie Brosh has gone viral.
• Slight Detour. Sandpoint native and former SHS English teacher Marianne Love writes daily about life around here.
• Thudbits. Sandpoint's John Corn moderates political news and commentary from a conservative perspective.
• Alternative Horsemanship. Philosophies, training theories and humor with Samantha Harvey.
• Brian's Bike Buzz. He rides bikes, dreams about bikes, and blogs about biking in Sandpoint and afield.
• Eye on Boise. Betsy Z. Russell covers Idaho news from The Spokesman-Review's bureau in Boise.
• North Idaho Realty. Ralph's interactive blog offers photography, commentary, maps and more.
• Writing North Idaho. A web retreat for writers in the North Idaho Panhandle.
• Seasons at Sandpoint. A snapshot of life in and around Sandpoint.
• Skookum Photography. Ralph Bartholdt's award-winning writing and snapshots of eclectic personalities.
• Curly Haired Vision. Photographer Matt Mills McKnight captures Sandpoint, and the world, in a whole new light.
• Nelson Boren Art Blog. The artist for Sandpoint's downtown arch project blogs about art, fishing, life.
• Mountain Architect. John Hendricks blogs about projects, trends and more.
• North Idaho Dog Fun. Your resource for "all things dog" in North Idaho.
• Sandpoint Wellness Council. Alternative practitioners blog on natural health care.
• Corporate Whoracle. "Single in Sandpoint" columnist riffs on company life.
• The Word on Schweitzer. Wanna talk skiing, riding, snow? This blog's for you.
• From a Simple Mind. Local great-grandma tosses loose thoughts.
• Huckleberries. Spokesman-Review's David Oliveria puts his finger on pulse of current regional news and happenings.
• Slight Detour. Sandpoint native and former SHS English teacher Marianne Love writes daily about life around here.
• Chamber Chatter. Sandpoint chamber keeps readers in the know on Chamber and business happenings.
• As The Lake Churns. All about Priest Lake, the land and the people and happenings.

Get an eyeful of Sandpoint at this photo diary, updated a few times weekly. If you're a shutterbug, enter your own shots for fame and prizes. Click to see the digital album.

'No. 1 Ski Town in USA'
That's what Rand McNally called Sandpoint when it named the country's "Top Seven Ski Towns" in a January 17, 2012 roundup of the best mountain towns. Sandpoint won the top rating over the likes of Lake Tahoe, Park City, Mammoth and Jackson. Go read the Rand McNally story.

'Most Beautiful Town in USA'
So say USA Today and Rand McNally, who sent traveling teams to towns around the nation to determine the five best small towns in America. Sandpoint grabbed "Most Beautiful Town" honors from among an initial 600+ nominees. Read the July 21, 2011 USA Today story or check the Best of the Road page.

A memorable travel destination
Canadian lifestyle website SweetMama.com ranks Sandpoint as one of their 15 Destinations for Memorable Family Travel in their June 13, 2011 posting.

Under the radar ski town
Sandpoint's small-town charm and great skiing win it accolades as "most under the radar ski town" in Sunset Magazine's "Top 10 Best Ski Destinations in the West."

A subtle beauty all its own
Sandpoint's autumn color defies the idea that fall foliage is something you only find in the eastern United States, written up in the Detroit Free Press on Oct. 10, 2010, "Colors of the West - Subtle Idaho mountain foliage has a beauty all its own."

We're a railroading attraction
Sandpoint's famous as "The Funnel" for railroads in the northern tier states, as USA Today writes in its Aug. 4, 2010 story "Idaho town draws railfans from around world."

Seven reasons to visit Sandpoint
County Living Magazine says Sandpoint is a "small town we love," and counts out seven reasons why in the June 2010 issue. Click to view a pdf (1.32 MB).

Who says you can't have it all?
Sandpoint's a good destination for second home buyers, says USA Today in its April 16, 2010 story, "Having it all in Sandpoint."

Sandpoint's got some sparkle
"A true gem in this Gem State," declares American Cowboy Magazine in a March 2010 ranking of "The greatest places to live in the West.".

Add to your winter bucket list
"Sandpoint, Idaho, may not be on your winter bucket list - but it should be," says Big Sky Journal in their December 2009 article "Sandpoint Winter Carnival provides perfect haven".

Leading the transition movement
N.Y. Times writes in-depth article on the Sandpoint Transition Initiative in their story "The End is Near! (Yay!)" (registration required) published in April 2009.

An abundance of trout
Fly Rod + Reel named Sandpoint a Top 10 Trout Town in March 2009.

A 'Top 10 Dream Town'
Sunset Magazine calls Sandpoint a "four-season outdoorsy resort that's also a real town with a strong community spirit." Click to see the September 2008 Top 10 Dream Towns list.

We're a 'market to watch'
Mountain Living Magazine says Sandpoint is one of 5 "mountain markets to watch." Click to see its September 2008 market appraisal, What Market Slump? (pdf format)

An 'idyllic adventure haven'
National Geographic Adventure Magazine touts the local character of "quiet Sandpoint," while newcomers rave about the town's strong sense of community. Click to read the August 2008 story Idaho's Last Stand.

Now we're top 10 for retirement
U.S. News & World Report names Sandpoint one of the nation's top 10 retirement spots "that offer delightful surroundings and amenities but still are easy on the wallet." Click to read the June 3, 2007 cover story, or check the Sandpoint profile titled "Lakeside living that's far from the crowds."

A top-15 travel destination
"I was smitten with this lakefront town from the moment I saw it," says USA Today travel writer Laura Bly in naming Sandpoint a top U.S. destination. Read the entire May 25, 2007 story: Summer Vacations: 15 unforgettable trips.

We've got the goods in fall
The New York Times features Sandpoint and Lake Pend Oreille in a guide for "leaf lovers" published Oct. 6, 2006. Click to read the full story: Fall Foliage; Bright Leaves, Big Country.

Click for more National Press

Be an informed voter. The Election Central page provides a voter’s handbook for upcoming elections, with links to information about the candidates and issues voters will see on the ballot come election day.

Sand Creek Bypass

Construction is nearly finished for the Sand Creek Bypass.
Resource links:
• ITD Sand Creek Bypass – Weekly updates
• Aerial Photos – Photographer Jerry Luther captures monthly snapshots of progress on the Sand Creek Bypass; photos are posted on CallJerry.biz/SandCreek 
• NICAN – Opponents of Sand Creek Bypass
News links:

• Daily Bee: NICAN ends challenge to bypass (June 27, 2009)
• Daily Bee: Judge denies motion filed by NICAN (April 22, 2009)
• Daily Bee: Sletager seeks damages from ITD, others (Jan. 16, 2009)
• Daily Bee: Marina owner files new court papers against ITD (Nov. 21, 2008)
• Daily Bee: First shovelfuls of dirt moved at groundbreaking (Oct. 30, 2008)
• Daily Bee: ITD to celebrate bypass groundbreaking with ceremony (Oct. 22, 2008)
• Daily Bee: ITD outlines complexities involved with project (Sept. 19, 2008)
• Daily Bee: ITD confirms total bypass cost tops $144 million (Sept. 18, 2008)
• Daily Bee: Appeals court lifts bypass injunction; ITD moving forward (August 28, 2008)
• Daily Bee: Marina owner plans to take fight to state supreme court (August 16, 2008)
• Daily Bee: Injunction sets stage for August court hearing (July 11, 2008)
• Daily Bee: 9th Circuit issues stay against Sand Creek Bypass (July 10, 2008)
• Daily Bee: ITD board rapped bypass proposal during June meeting (July 9, 2008)
• Daily Bee: NICAN seeks delay in injunction from appeals court (July 9, 2008)
• Daily Bee: Judge rejects Sletager's attempt to halt bypass permit (July 5, 2008)
• Daily Bee: ITD board approves bid for bypass (June 20, 2008)
• Daily Bee: ITD ponders $98.5 million bid for bypass (June 4, 2008)
• Daily Bee: Bypass lawsuit venue moved to Idaho (Apr. 24, 2008)
• Daily Bee: ITD will put out request for bypass bids on April 22 (Apr. 9, 2008)
• Daily Bee: Bypass permit rekindles litigation by developer (Apr. 8, 2008)
• Daily Bee: State seeks change of venue in bypass lawsuit (Apr. 5, 2008)
• Daily Bee: Bypass right-of-way deal pending with railroad (Feb. 28, 2008)
• Daily Bee: NICAN suing Corps for insufficient bypass review (Jan. 16, 2008)
• Daily Bee: ITD accepts BNSF Railway's right-of-way offer (Dec. 13, 2007)

Milfoil herbicides
Bonner County has used herbicides to fight Eurasian milfoil infestations in some 3,000 acres of Lake Pend Oreille. The herbicides, Sonar PR, Renovate and Navigate (and a similar chemical DMA 4), contain Fluridone, Triclopyr and 2,4-D, respectively. Although the county contends all the herbicides are safe, opponents contend nonchemical methods would be safer. Bonner County subsequently formed the Bonner County Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force; members continue to consider how to fight the noxious weed without herbicides. Links:

• Daily Bee: Commissioners accept $652,000 to fight milfoil (March 21, 2009) 
• Daily Bee: County sets schedule for area milfoil treatments (June 17, 2008)
• Daily Bee: Herbicide applications anchor 2008 milfoil plan (Mar. 23, 2008)
• Daily Bee: More herbicides planned for 2008 lake treatment (Jan. 16, 2008)
• Daily Bee: Off-season herbicide testing nears approval (Oct. 31, 2007) 
• Daily Bee: Winter herbicide testing proposed on lake (Oct. 28, 2007)
• Daily Bee: State proposes 2,4-D reprise to treat milfoil (Oct. 24, 2007)
• Daily Bee: Final application of restricted herbicide Renovate to begin (Aug. 3, 2007) 
• Daily Bee: More than 200 PEL protesters march on herbicides (July 24, 2007)
• Daily Bee: Clean Lakes to start next round of herbicides with Renovate (July 20, 2007)
• Daily Bee: Clean Lakes finishes first round of Sonar and moves to Renovate (July 11, 2007)
• Daily Bee: County announces lake herbicide treatment schedule (July 7, 2007) 
• Daily Bee: Herbicide applications set to begin in several areas around lake (July 4, 2007) 
• Daily Bee: Fabric barriers installed at Windbag Marina to to suffocate milfoil (July 1, 2007)
• Daily Bee: Cocolalla Lake readied for application of 2,4-D herbicides (July 1, 2007)
• Daily Bee: County to seek more funding after survey finds more milfoil (June 27, 2007) 
• Daily Bee: County announces lake herbicide application schedule (June 21, 2007)
• Daily Bee: Lake herbicide contract awarded to Clean Lakes Inc. of CDA (June 13, 2007) 
• Daily Bee: Lake milfoil surveying to happen before and after treatment (June 3, 2007) 
• Daily Bee: County to use majority of state funding for herbicides (May 10, 2007)  
• See all Task Force e-mail archive
• Join the List Serve for Task Force e-mail
• See info on Sonar, Renovate or 2,4-D
• See AquaTechnex project page
• Learn about Eurasian milfoil in Idaho
• Join the Fray: Check the Community Issues Forum to read or post opinions