If you get a few North Idaho locals together around a campfire, stories from the “old days” will likely follow. While recently celebrating a friend’s birthday with beers by the lake, the topic of conversation turned to skunks. I licked my lips and waited for a break in the conversation, knowing I had a doozy of a skunk story that was perfect to trot out for this occasion.
In middle school, I moved into Sandpoint and became a “townie” after growing up in the country south of Sagle. Before moving to town, we lived right on the edge of the forest and regularly interacted with wild animals; but, after becoming a townie, I only saw squirrels, raccoons and the occasional moose wander through our yard in south Sandpoint.
All that changed one fateful evening during my last year of high school. I’d returned home late and sat on the back porch, looking up at the stars from the chaise lounger. My cat nuzzled up under my dangling hand and I scratched its head absently, wondering why he was so bristly. I looked down at my “cat” and realized it was definitely not a cat.
A beady-eyed beast suddenly flashed its fangs at me and hissed, and I pulled my hand back and jumped from the chair. That familiar black fur with a white stripe was unmistakable: I was petting a damn skunk like it was my cat.
I bailed over the edge of the deck and rolled down into a pond my mom was digging out of the yard, picked myself up and ran around the house a couple times with the skunk chasing me. Finally, I was able to rush into the back door and slam it behind me, leaving the beast to fume and spray our back porch before disappearing into the night, likely to plot his revenge.
where the river begins
Like many other locals, I was always told Lake Pend Oreille became the Pend Oreille River at the Long Bridge. This might be our geographic understanding of the lake/river boundary, but at a May 1 public meeting held by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, I learned that, hydrologically, the river begins in Dover at a spot known as the “Dover Constriction.” According to the USACE Upper Columbia Senior Water Manager Leon Basdekas, the location is where a series of constrictions create a bottleneck in the waterway. It’s easy to see this transition point when looking at the area on Google Maps, where the constriction occurs right near Dover and the Dover bluff. The more you know.
DEAR READERS,
We’re celebrating Mother’s Day on this week’s cover with a photo of young Liam checking out the spring flowers. Liam is the son of Reader Editor Emeritus Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey, who wrote an excellent article about Helen Thompson, the only Idaho mom to receive the distinction of National Mother of the Year (see Page 13). Wishing Lyndsie and all the rest of the mothers out there a happy Mother’s Day on May 11.
We’re just a week away from the first big event of the tourist season. We’ll include all the info you need to know about Lost in the ’50s weekend in our May 15 edition. Until then, press those poodle skirts and buff your hot rod in preparation for a busy weekend.
Cheers and happy sunny days to you all out there.
– Ben Olson, publisher
111 Cedar Street, Suite 9 Sandpoint, ID 83864 208-946-4368 sandpointreader.com
Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey Cameron Rasmusson John Reuter
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About the Cover:
This week’s cover photo features young Liam, son of Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey, who took the photo of him checking out spring flowers. Happy Mother’s Day!
‘You vote for your district’
Dist. 1 lawmakers Sauter, Woodward talk Statehouse politics, current and future legislation at local forum
By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff
District 1 Idaho lawmakers Jim Woodward and Mark Sauter hosted an end-ofsession wrap-up and town hall May 3 at the Sandpoint Community Hall.
Dubbed the Idaho Fireplace Forum, due to the event being held before the hearth at the community hall, Sen. Woodward, R-Sagle, and Rep. Sauter, R-Sandpoint, invited residents to hear a presentation on Statehouse politics, a rundown of significant bills and preview of upcoming legislation, as well as take questions from the audience.
Both Woodward and Sauter spoke at length about the ideological divisions within the Idaho Republican Caucus, as well as the influence of outof-state money and organizations, and the challenges they pose to passing budgets.
Woodward said the dynamic between lawmakers who are “further to the right on the political spectrum” and “traditional Idaho Republican legislators” leads to the party leadership sometimes “walking on eggshells, because they’re trying to work with two different groups.”
Specifically, the socalled Gang of 8 — composed mostly of lawmakers from the Magic Valley and Treasure Valley in southern Idaho — has aligned with the Texas-based Make Liberty Win organization, vowing to oppose any budget bill that contained growth of 1.2% or greater in the past Legislature.
“Is that realistic?” asked Woodward, who serves on the powerful budget-setting Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.
“That’s what we do here in Idaho, right? We pass a balanced budget every year. But if you’ve committed that you’re not going to vote for any budget greater than 1.2%
and you vote ‘no’ on every budget in committee and you don’t take any budgets to the floor, how are you picking up your share of the load?”
Woodward said, later adding, “Two key components of our success here in Idaho is a balanced budget and citizen Legislature, where we go home and work again and live under the laws that we helped to write. If you go there and just say ‘no,’ you’re not working toward a balanced budget.”
Budget-setting obstructionism in the past 2025 session resulted in reduced state investments in transportation and infrastructure, while higher-than-anticipated income tax cuts have made an approximate $400 million dent in revenue.
Coming into the session, Woodward said lawmakers were looking at $100 million in tax relief, split evenly between income and property taxes. However, the final budget bill contained $253 million in income tax cuts and $100 million for property taxes — “Those numbers are a lot bigger than what the original budget proposal was,” Woodward said.
Meanwhile, those big cuts “forced us into other decisions,” he added, such as putting no money into the wildfire fund, failing to contribute $15 million into workforce housing, forgoing a $50 million allocation to the public education stabilization fund and declining to contribute a proposed $59 million into the general fund rainy day account.
“You can see that cutting taxes does have an impact as to what we can do,” Woodward said. “We moved away from some of our traditional Idaho conservative actions we take, and that was because we forced ourselves into that with that income tax cut.”
Sauter said efforts to increase the homeowners’
exemption “ran aground” in the session, because “this year there wasn’t an appetite for it.” That’s despite constituent feedback that property taxes were among the biggest issues of concern.
often coming “not from people that are at home.”
“Idaho has become somewhat of a petri dish for a political experiment and we need to make sure that we maintain control of our decisions here in Idaho.”
Sauter and Woodward chalked up the emphasis on income tax cuts rather than property tax relief to the direct influence of outof-state groups, as well as the proliferation of bills imported to the Statehouse from socalled bill mills. According to the Idaho Capital Sun, more legislation was introduced in the 2025 Legislature than in the past 30 years.
— Dist. 1 Sen. Jim Woodward
“I’m in the habit of asking people ‘what area of the state do you live in,’ and oftentimes they’ll avoid saying that; sometimes they will, and for me that’s usually the gamechanger — it’s like, OK, I’m not going to spend a lot of time with someone from Pocatello when there’s someone from Sandpoint I need to talk to,” Sauter said, later adding, “That’s the most influential lobby group — it’s home. ... I like to say that you vote for your district, but some people don’t see it that way.”
“Idaho has become somewhat of a petri dish for a political experiment and we need to make sure that we maintain control of our decisions here in Idaho,” Woodward said, pointing to the bill currently making headlines that would ban certain flags from flying on government-owned property.
“That’s an example of a bill that’s coming from a bill mill,” he said. “‘Idaho solutions for Idaho problems,’ that’s my guiding principle and that’s not what we’re seeing in a lot of these. Some people think that the more bills they pass, the more they’re doing; but, if there’s not a problem, then we don’t need to necessarily pass legislation. We can pass a budget and go home. Government is overhead, right?”
Sauter said he started asking bill sponsors in committee who wrote a specific piece of legislation, and, “You get some interesting answers. ... Some are homegrown, some come from 2,000, 3,000 miles away.”
Sauter also said that pressure to vote in conformance with certain lobby groups or political action committees is
Asked whether the private school voucher law — House Bill 93 — would lead to increasing tax allocations beyond the $50 million already approved, Sauter responded, “Yes, yes and yes. In the states that I studied — Arizona, Indiana and others — yes, it’s increased considerably and increased considerably quickly.
“Before we walked out of the Capitol this session there was already talk about, ‘How can we increase the amount of money that’s set aside for H.B. 93 next year?’” he added. “I anticipate we will hear all about it [next session].”
Woodward pointed out that the Legislature has a constitutional obligation to adequately support and maintain its public education system, and multiple Supreme Court opinions have held that the state has failed that obligation.
“Some of this, again, is outside influence,” he said, referring to H.B. 93. “... There are contracts to be had as a result of this tax credit, and that’s where the money starts to flow.”
Sauter and Woodward also touched on a few issues
they’ll be working on over the summer, including the Albeni Falls Dam gate replacement project and the closure of the Springy Point Campground and reduced services at other recreation sites managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, stemming from a federal hiring freeze.
On the Albeni Falls gate project, Sauter said, “we’ll keep poking the bear,” while Woodward expressed frustration that, “I just don’t think there’s a sense of urgency” on getting the new gates fabricated and installed.
From an initial timeline of 20 years for full replacement, “We’re now down to six, which is only one more year than it took to build the entire dam, but we’ll keep working on them,” Woodward said.
“We’ve got to continue to push on this,” Sauter said. “The timeline for repairs is just not acceptable, nor is it understandable.”
Asked whether the state could step in on the Springy Point closure and other service reductions at Corps sites, Sauter said that’s “TBD — to be determined. It’s a work in progress.”
Woodward said he’s leading the Legislative Council on River Governance over the summer, which will have a meeting in Sandpoint in October that will address river issues throughout the Northwest, but include a focus on “what we have going on here,” he said. In addition, Woodward will lead a Land Use and Housing Study Committee looking at models for affordable housing, which will also have a meeting in Sandpoint.
Finally, both Woodward and Sauter said they’ll continue to pursue legislation introduced at the end of the 2025 session to add an exemption to Idaho’s near-total abortion
< see TOWN HALL, Page 7 >
Didn’t get a Real ID/Idaho Star Card? Enforcement began May 7
For airline travelers without a STAR Card, U.S. passport, military ID and federal tribal IDs are still acceptable
By Clark Corbin Idaho Capital Sun
Starting May 7, Transportation Security Administration officials will not accept state-issued driver’s licenses or ID cards that are not REAL ID compliant.
Under the new REAL ID enforcement rules, all airline passengers 18 and older will need REAL ID-compliant identification or another federally accepted ID at airport security checkpoints. The requirement applies to all passengers 18 and over for all flights, including short domestic flights, transportation officials said.
In Idaho, the Idaho Star Card meets the REAL ID enhanced security requirements, Idaho Transportation Department officials said.
Standard Idaho driver’s licenses that are not an Idaho Star Card do not meet the TSA REAL ID requirements, although those are still valid for driving purposes.
What other forms of ID are federally recognized to get on flights?
It is not mandatory for Idahoans to obtain a STAR Card, but Idahoans will need a STAR Card or some other federally accepted form of identification at airport security checkpoints starting May 7.
If Idaho air travelers did not obtain an Idaho Star Card yet, they can present another federally accepted form of identification, including a U.S. passport, military ID or an photo ID issued by a federally recognized Native American Tribe, said Britt Rosenthal, a public information officer for the Idaho Transportation Department.
“Some people are upset because they think it’s a mandate [to obtain a REAL ID], but it’s not a mandate,” Rosen-
thal said in a phone interview. “There are lots of ways to meet the federal ID requirement, including a U.S. passport.”
According to the Idaho Transportation Department, other acceptable forms of ID include:
• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Native American Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs).
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver’s license or First Nation and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation worker identification credential
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
What’s the worst case scenario for air travelers who don’t have a Star Card or other federally accepted form of ID? Transportation officials say travelers could miss their flight or be subjected to a lengthy enhanced screening and identification process.
What is a REAL ID and why would travelers get one?
In 2005, Congress passed the REAL ID act in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the 9/11 Commission report. The REAL ID
Act requires certain enhanced security features for drivers licenses to be accepted at airport security checkpoints and certain federal buildings.
“The Real ID requirement bolsters safety by making fraudulent IDs harder to forge, thwarting criminals and terrorists,” said Adam Stahl, a TSA senior official, in a written statement issued April 11. “TSA will implement REAL ID effectively and efficiently, continuing to ensure the safety and security of passengers while also working to minimize operational disruptions at airports.”
Idaho Star Cards feature enhanced security features, including holograms and ghost images that are difficult to forge.
“Really what it’s about is enhanced security, and there are some really cool security features baked straight into the card,” Rosenthal said. “It’s not about policing people or making things harder for people.”
To obtain an Idaho Star Card, Idahoans need to provide multiple documents to prove their identity, their Social Security number and their Idaho residency. Acceptable documents include a birth certificate, Social Security card and two proofs of Idaho residency, such as a mortgage statement or lease agreement and a utility bill.
Requirements to obtain an Idaho Star Card are very specific, and the Idaho Transportation Department has posted a list online and offers a free online “Add the Star tool” that walks Idahoans through a checklist of documents they need to get a Star Card.
Rosenthal said Idahoans who are obtaining a Star Card can save themselves time and avoid disappointment by reviewing the Star Card required documents before their appointment at the Division of Motor Vehicles. “We acknowledge that getting a Star Card is a more in-depth process than getting a passport and that it
is more difficult for women,” Rosenthal said. “To mitigate that stress we have added tools like the Add the Star tool interactive checklist that shows what documents are needed in or to give as much information to the public and make it as accessible as possible.”
REAL ID enforcement began May 7, but Idaho STAR Cards will remain available
Although TSA officials begin enforcing REAL ID requirements May 7, there is no deadline to obtain a STAR Card.
Idaho Transportation Department officials will continue to offer new Star Cards even after enforcement begins.
“It’s not a deadline, it’s an enforcement date,” Rosenthal said. “Anyone can get a Star Card at any time. So if you are not planning to travel any time soon, you don’t have to sweat it — you can take your time.”
This story was produced by Boise-based nonprofit news outlet the Idaho Capital Sun, which is part of the States Newsroom nationwide reporting project. For more information, visit idahocapitalsun.com.
Sandpoint officials warn of scam email requesting payment of development fees
By Reader Staff
City Hall is cautioning residents to be wary of a scam that purports to collect fees related to development applications.
According to a news release, a local developer received an email message apparently from the Planning and Zoning Commission providing details of the proposed development and requesting payment of fees.
Sandpoint Mayor Jeremy Grimm said the scam is again making the rounds, and advised recipients to “always
double-check the sender’s email address, scrutinize any message requesting payment or sensitive information, and, if in doubt, pick up the phone and call the person who sent it.”
So far no recipient of the scam message has reported losing any funds. However, Grimm added, “The public needs to be aware that these scams are prevalent. These types of email messages can come across as entirely genuine, reflecting an urgency that could compel even the most vigilant among us to act.”
Image courtesy Idaho Transportation Department.
‘You don’t get into public service to not serve the public’
Army Corps shares updates on Albeni Falls Dam gate repair and Springy Point closure
By Ben Olson Reader Staff
About 40 people turned out for a public meeting May 1 in Ponderay, where U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel provided updates on a number of local issues.
Col. Kathryn Sanborn, USACE commander for the Seattle District said that while the Albeni Falls Dam is still under restricted operations due to defects in the steel found on Spillway Gate 3, the weather outlook points to a rising lake level that resembles past seasons.
“It’s going to look a lot more normal and not what we had to go through last year,” she said, referring to the uncertainty in 2024 related to the initiation of restricted operations and the beginning of the ongoing gate replacement project.
Sanborn projected a goal to reach 2,060 feet by late May and full summer pool of 2,062 by June 20. The Corps plans to operate at the half-foot summer range through the season, which fluctuates from 2,062-2,062.5 feet. The lake level was at 2,056.9 feet as of May 7.
“This is all subject to change because weather gets a vote,” Sanborn said. “If something happens that affects spring runoff, if snow is still in the basin and is melting really fast, there could be conditions that would change what we have to do.”
Under restricted operations, spillway gates are fully opened or closed one at a time to minimize risk to the crane operator as well as reduce the chance of a mechanical malfunction that would prohibit the Corps from operating the
Bits ’n’ Pieces
From east, west and beyond
A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration cannot withhold Federal Emergency Management Funds from states, The Week reported. Also, a Trump-appointed judge ruled that the administration cannot use the Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged members of a foreign gang, since the law makes it clear it is intended for use during war time. The White House plans to appeal, various media reported, which contradicts a Bloomberg report that there are plans to dismantle the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.
gates at all. If a gate failed, the lake level would drop well below summer pool, as the Corps would be unable to manage the water level.
“That’s the situation we’re trying to avoid and that’s why we’re still operating under restricted operations,” Sanborn said.
The flaw in Gate 3 was discovered in April 2024 as part of a major gate rehabilitation contract initiated in June 2023. The Corps removed the gate — stripping its paint to uncover a metal defect that likely dates to its manufacture more than 70 years ago — and installed a spare.
A rehabilitation and replacement project is underway for all 11 gates.
“The downside [of this rehab program] is we’ll stay in restricted operations until all the gates are replaced,” Sanborn said. “Because the gates were manufactured with the same steel during the same time period, they presumably all have this defective steel.”
Sanborn said the first stage of the replacement project is ahead of schedule, with a contract anticipated to be advertised later this year and the first gate set to arrive by 2027.
“The first one is always the hardest; but, after that, there would be gates coming every six months,” Sanborn said.
Chief of Natural Resources for Albeni Falls Dam Taylor Johnson also presented updates on changes in services at recreation sites around Lake Pend Oreille. Johnson pointed to several “changes and challenges” the Corps is experiencing due to a federal
Is everyone in the U.S. entitled to due process? When asked on Meet the Press, President Donald Trump responded, “I don’t know ... I’m not a lawyer.” The Constitution states: “no person shall ... be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of the law.”
In 1993, conservative Justice Antonin Scalia wrote that the Fifth Amendment “well established” that aliens are entitled to due process “in deportation proceedings.” Trump suggested to his interviewer that he could ignore due process since it is too slow, and he has “brilliant lawyers” to guide him.
The Washington Post reported that federal judges are not happy with Trump’s Department of Justice lawyers, who have been delivering shallow evidence, insufficient answers, defying court orders and displaying immature behavior while trying to defend more than 200 cases against the administration. A federal judicial appointee of former-President George H.W. Bush, now retired, said DOJ lawyers have “lost a fair measure of their credibility.”
Words now banned for use at the Department of Agriculture’s research science division include “climate,” “greenhouse gas emissions” and “safe drinking water,” according to The New Republic.
Articles of impeachment were filed by Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Mich., against Trump for claims including obstruction of justice, abuse of executive power, abuse of trade powers, violation of First Amendment rights, creation of an unlawful office (DOGE), bribery, corruption, and tyrannical overreach.
Arrested in mid-April, Palestinian-born Columbia University student
By Lorraine H. Marie Reader Contributor
Mohsen Mahdawi was released on bail after Department of Homeland Security agents in Vermont took him into custody amid his naturalization interview, NBC News reported.
U.S. District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford authorized Mahdawi’s release, saying he posed no danger to the public. Crawford also stated this is “not our proudest moment,” referring to the Trump administration’s detention of immigrants and student activists, which he compared to McCarthyism and the Red Scare.
Politico reported that House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is hoping to fast-track a budget vote before Memorial Day. According to Americans for Tax Fairness, the proposed budget is likely to make “catastrophic” cuts to programs like Medicaid and food benefits to enable extending Trump’s first-term tax cuts.
Trump-appointed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Republicans’ new tax bill seeks to “fully expense” new factory builds and lower manufacturers’ corporate tax rate. Critics argue that the tax bill will create a revenue shortfall, to be offset by cuts to social programs. But those cuts won’t be enough to fill the gap. According to the Joint Committee on Taxation, the tax cuts would raise the deficit by at least $5 trillion
Blast from the past: Regarding Trump’s 2017 tax bill, now up for extension, Republican political strategist Rick Wilson said in his 2018 book, Everything Trump Touches Dies: A Republican Strategist Gets Real About the Worst President Ever, that it’s a “phony line” that tax cuts are universally good, central to a booming economy and provide tax relief to struggling middle-class families. Wilson points out that Trump’s first tax bill blew a $1.5 trillion hole in the federal budget, and paycheck savings for most Americans were minimal. He noted that a lobbyist who helped craft Trump’s tax bill said “even I feel dirty.” Wilson said Congress had inadequate time to review the first bill’s 479 pages, which he said mostly allowed lobbyists’ corporate clients to see big benefits that did not trickle down. Wilson, a professed fiscal conservative, says he wants a tax system that’s broad, simple and treats all equally.
Col Kathryn Sanborn, left, leads the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers public meeting May 1. Photo by Ben Olson
Chief Armstrong presents argument in favor of local fire district levies
By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff
At the beginning of the Idaho Fireplace Forum, hosted May 3 by Dist. 1 Rep. Mark Sauter, R-Sandpoint, and Sen. Jim Woodward, R-Sagle, at the Sandpoint Community Hall, Selkirk Fire Chief Jeff Armstrong made a case for why a suite of levies for area fire districts should be approved by voters in the Tuesday, May 20 election.
Armstrong, who serves as the chief for the Northside, Sagle and Westside fire districts, said the levies on the ballot are necessary to keep pace with growth in the county.
< ARMY CORPS, con’t from Page 6 > hiring freeze resulting in staffing shortages, which forced the Corps to announce the closure of Springy Point this summer and reducing services at a number of other sites.
“Resources are extremely scarce,” Johnson said. “This is about as tight as we’ve ever been.”
Johnson said he normally has eight permanent and 10 seasonal staff members, as well as 12 volunteer couples to help manage recreation sites during the summer.
Currently, staff is operating with four permanent and six seasonal members, and seven volunteer couples. Some personnel loss came from resignations and retirements, but replacements can’t be hired due to the Trump administration’s hiring freeze.
“You don’t get into public service to not serve the public,” Johnson said. “My team is really struggling with this. We ask for your patience this summer. ... Hopefully it’s just for this summer.”
Sanborn also hoped the staff shortage would be a temporary one.
“This is something we
“With that has come some growth and some demand on our emergency services,” he said. “Now I look at stats and I see data that says 20%-27% [growth] over the last 10-20 years, depending on what source you looked at. ... Our call volume hasn’t grown 27%, but our call volume is increasing.”
All three fire districts are asking property taxpayers to contribute more toward staffing, equipment and maintenance, and general services: Northside is seeking almost $1.9 million, $2.6 million in Sagle and just shy of $1.4 million in Westside. Levy increases would range from $41 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value in
didn’t want to do, but ... of all of our sister districts in the Pacific Northwest, everybody has, if not one, multiple recreation areas they’re having to close. It’s heartbreaking.”
Johnson said the Corps manages more than 4,300 acres of public land for recreation, which draws 450,000 visitors on average annually.
The economic impact of those visits equates to about $18 million in spending and about 170 jobs within 30 miles of Lake Pend Oreille.
When asked what exactly is causing the hiring freeze, Sanborn told the Reader, “We fall under the Department of Defense and that’s under a hiring freeze.”
During the Q&A session, audience members shared concerns that the Corps didn’t find the gate malfunction sooner and others used the meeting to push for the state of Idaho to “take over” managing sites currently under the purview of the Corps. Still others lambasted the Corps for closing sites due to staffing shortages.
“We are, across the country, seeing impacts to some recreational areas as a result
Northside to $34 per $100,000 in Sagle to $71 per $100,000 in Westside. In Sagle and Westside, levy dollars would go to adding firefighters at several stations, providing a minimum of two firefighters/EMTs at the Careywood and Sagle stations and increasing the number of firefighters/EMTs in Westside from one per day to three on shift per day. Armstrong identified other goals as reinvigorating the volunteer firefighter program, which has all but disappeared over the years, and creating a $150,000-per-year
savings account for a new fire engine, which has risen in cost from about $700,000 a decade ago to about $1 million.
“Just like everybody we’re seeing the cost of doing business is going up,” Armstrong said, estimating that a new engine will be needed in five to seven years.
“One hundred and fifty-thousand dollars in a savings account in five to seven years would give us a good number to buy something that’s in really good shape — decent and used,” he said.
of the evolving federal guidance,” Sanborn said. “That is a fact of where we’re at. We have to make tough choices to maintain safety and those essential operations. ... We have to comply with the personnel guidance that comes from the Army and the secretary of the Army and that’s where we’re at with the hiring freeze.”
Resident Foster Cline asked why the Corps couldn’t “put up a sign that read, ‘The government will not save you here,’ at Springy Point? Try that for a month and if it turns out that ... people aren’t picking up their trash and people are dying right and left, then OK, but ... I long for the old days. I’d say ‘Jeez, if I do something stupid I’ll probably die and no one from the Corps will be there to help me.’”
“We made this decision less than seven days ago,” Johnson replied. “I don’t have the park ranger staff and I don’t have the people to keep our visitors safe. We can rally all the people we want to clean up the trash and put money on it, but if we are in a hiring freeze, we can’t bring these people on site. ...
< TOWN HALL, con’t from Page 4 >
ban allowing for medical intervention to protect the health — not just the life — of the mother.
Citing a number of judicial decisions that have supported health-ofthe-mother exemptions, Sauter said, “What Jim and I are trying to do is we’re saying, ‘Great, memorialize it. Put it down, Write it down so doctors can have some comfort in doing what they’ve been educated, trained and they have the experience to do.’
...
“District 1 has had enough impacts [from the abortion law] that I felt very comfortable just saying, ‘This is hurting our district and it needs to be straightened out,’” he added to applause from the audience.
“We want to make sure we can keep those doctors here and of course we want to be able to take care of women who are in a situation that’s unfortunate,” Woodward said. Dist. 1B Rep. Cornel Rasor, R-Sagle, did not attend the forum.
Listen to a recording of the full Idaho Fireplace Forum at krfy.org.
We simply can’t onboard the seasonal staff that we need to have here and we can’t replace the ones we’ve lost.”
Sen. Jim Woodward, R-Sagle, asked if the Corps had applied for an exception to the hiring freeze.
“We have,” Sanborn responded. “We’ve been putting up for exemptions since the DOD freeze started and we haven’t had any one granted yet.”
Woodward also asked if it was possible to transform Springy Point into a day use area so it could remain open like sites such as Trestle Creek.
“Springy Point is a multi-purpose area with a campground, boat ramp, beach, parking lot,” Johnson said. “While it may seem simple on paper, it’s more complex than just putting up barriers and letting people launch. There would be no spring cleanup, no parking lot maintenance, the swim lines haven’t been installed, there is debris in the boat launch area. ... The parking is a fiasco in the summer, there’s people everywhere. If we have an emergency, I don’t even know if I have the staff to get some-
body out of there.”
Another member of the public asked what type of enforcement would be in place to prevent the public from going to Springy Point while the gates are closed.
“The closure is public land,” Johnson said. “I’m hoping people will respect it, but ... the gate is closed in the winter. I have no problem with people going in there fishing and hunting and ice skating; but, unfortunately, the features that are needed there to keep the public safe, I don’t have the staff to open it and make it safe as I’d like to and need to.”
Sanborn thanked the community for the input during several public meetings since the gate defect was detected. She encouraged members of the public to remain patient with changes to services and continue to reach out with questions and concerns.
To learn more about the spillway gate replacement or how federal guidance is impacting the services offered in public recreational areas, visit nws.usace. army.mil.
Chief Jeff Armstrong. File photo
Elected officials need to take action to protect N. Idaho’s economy…
Dear editor,
Bouquets:
• I’m so proud of our staff — Editor-in-Chief Zach Hagadone and Senior Writer Soncirey Mitchell — for their numerous awards at the Idaho Press Club banquet in Boise this past weekend. I’m fortunate to know and work with two of my favorite people in the world. Special thanks to our regular columnists and contributors for helping us win second for general excellence also.
Barbs:
• I attended the public meeting held by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on May 1, which you can read news coverage of on Page 6. The Corps staff gave updates on the gate replacement project, as well as Springy Point’s closure due to the federal hiring freeze. Now that my “news hat” is off and I’m wearing my “opinion hat” in this section, I’d like to put a few of our community members on blast for their behavior at this — and other — public meetings. Attendees used the Q&A period to grandstand about their pet issues, like Idaho taking over public lands, as well as deliver long diatribes about subjects they knew little about. Instead of asking thoughtful questions, they often just ranted at the Corps personnel with their “anti-fed” fangs out. Frankly, it was embarrassing. I found it fitting that a room full of people — many of whom voted for Donald Trump — were blaming the Corps for closing Springy Point when the real reason is because Trump’s federal hiring freeze precludes the hiring of the necessary staff it takes to run certain recreation sites. It’s a perfect analogy for this broken era: Trump and his handlers tear apart the federal work force while insulating themselves from the consequences and feedback from people. Meanwhile, the Corps (and other federal departments) have to face the public and take the brunt of the abuse that should by rights be directed to Donald Trump, Elon Musk and the DOGE insanity that is ripping our nation to shreds.
This is an open letter to our elected servants of the people including Commissioners Domke, Korn and Williams; Mayor Grimm and our Sandpoint City councilors; state Reps. Rasor and Sauter; state Sen. Woodward; U.S. Rep. Fulcher; and U.S. Sens. Crapo and Risch:
We are beginning to learn how President Trump’s waste-fraudabuse budget cuts will affect North Idaho. Our local economy is likely to face a slowdown during the crucial summer recreation season. Due to the waste-fraud-abuse cuts, Springy Point Campground, including the boat launch, will not open. Other federally funded recreation areas will have reduced services, perhaps leading to closures if they prove difficult to maintain or unsafe.
These disruptions will force chokepoints on Sandpoint, Bonner County and state of Idaho recreation facilities, perhaps costing more local tax funding to maintain them. How many visitors will stay away, and thus reduce spending at local businesses? This comes on top of loss of business income normally generated by Canadian visitors. How many local people will lose income as seasonal and other businesses struggle?
My question to our elected public servants is: Do you plan to take action? Many of you did just that over the past year, when the Albeni Falls Dam gate failure threatened Pend Oreille water levels and vital local income. Have you taken or will you take action now?
Christine Moon Sandpoint
Lack of adequate fire protection is scarier than paying for levy increase…
Dear editor,
I was dismayed to read the letter from the Bonner County Republican Women’s board members urging voters to vote “no” on the upcoming fire district Levies. They claimed that our fear shouldn’t be a driver when making our decision. I think every one of us has a certain amount of fear that she might lose her home in a fire (did I turn off that burner?) or that the entire neighborhood might go up in flames in a brush/forest fire (is my burn pile completely out?).
That fear may increase in knowing that there aren’t enough firefighters to staff the local stations or that the aging equipment may fail. If that’s not enough to make you slightly
scared, then how about having your home insurance canceled because you live in a fire zone and your fire service isn’t up to par. I live in Selle Valley, and that happened to me.
For the past 20 years, I have paid approximately $70 per year for Northside Fire. That’s a good deal in comparison to the home insurance, which is well over $2,000/year. I see the fire district as another form of insurance. With luck, I’ll never need either of those; but, if I do, I want my fire district and EMTs to be well staffed and equipped, I want my home insurance to fully insure my losses and I’m willing to pay for both.
If the levy fails, I’m fairly sure that home insurance will go up... or away, and my fire district will do its best to serve me in spite of deficiencies.
These are the reasons I’m voting yes for the Northside Fire District Levy on May 20.
Sherry Ennis Selle Valley
Veterans Day should be about honoring all who served…
Dear editor,
Renaming Veterans Day as “Victory Day for World War I” is not just historically misguided — it’s a disgrace to all who have worn the uniform, including my husband, my father, my father-in-law, co-workers, friends, current Idaho Legislature members and so many more beyond my world.
Veterans Day is not about celebrating conquest. It’s about honoring service — the quiet, courageous, often painful commitment of Americans who stepped forward at great personal risk. What began as Armistice Day after World War I grew into a national day of recognition for all veterans, from every branch, every war, every role. To narrow its meaning to a single military “victory” erases the full scope of service and the human cost of war.
Let’s be clear: In the military, winners aren’t just those who win battles. Winners are the ones who show up — who train, who serve, who sacrifice time with family, who carry the physical and emotional weight of duty, regardless of their job or whether they ever see a battlefield. From the front lines to the motor pool, from medics to mechanics, from peacetime service to wartime sacrifice — they are all to be honored.
This proposed renaming isn’t about patriotism. It’s about political theater that cheapens a day meant for solemn reflection and national gratitude. Veterans from the Korean, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and
countless other operations didn’t fight for a rebranded holiday — they fought because they believed in something bigger than themselves. Let’s not insult them with a revisionist, one-dimensional definition of “victory.”
To every veteran: you are seen, you are valued and your service matters. We will not let your legacy be reduced to a soundbite. We honor all of you.
Sincerely,
Kari Saccomanno Sandpoint
Donations to the Food Bank are greatly appreciated…
Dear editor, I occasionally drop by the Bonner Community Food Bank with some canned goods, but it was always after hours so I never met the people there. I just put the cans in front of their door and left. But a few weeks ago they were open when I stopped by. I have never seen a more cheerful bunch! They all thanked me profusely for the few cans I gave them — you would have thought I’d brought a truckload! We often donate to charities but never meet the people on the receiving end. If you’re looking for a charity where your donation (no matter what size) will be greatly appreciated, you can’t go wrong with the BCFB.
Dave Mundell Sandpoint
‘No more interviews with Fulcher, please’...
Dear editor, It pained me to see how much space was devoted to U.S. Rep. Russ Fulcher’s monologue in the Reader, the Bee and other publications in our congressional Dist. 1.
No, actually, it was infuriating. Many I know refused to read his one-way dialogue, rightly resenting the fact that he chose to make himself heard through the media rather than hold town halls to hear from his constituents. Isn’t that his job? Isn’t that democracy?
I urge publications throughout our district to refrain from handing Fulcher a bully pulpit and encourage him to do his job.
Karen Matthee Chair, Bonner County Democrats Sandpoint
Editor’s note: It’s not the news media’s job to “encourage” elected lawmakers to do their job — it’s to present what those lawmakers have to say to their constituents. It’s the
constituents’ duty (and the duty of the leaders in the political parties to which they belong) to be informed of those statements, organize and vote accordingly.
Rasor has not given the public ‘consideration and regard’…
Dear editor, Sen. Jim Woodward and Rep. Mark Sauter gave a comprehensive and interesting presentation about the 2025 Idaho legislative session at the Sandpoint Community Hall on May 3. It was well attended. However, Rep. Cornel Rasor was not in attendance. Rep. Rasor gave no reason for not attending the town hall. Likewise, he has not given the public the consideration and regard we deserve. Hopefully, a more honest and respectful candidate will replace him in 2026.
Steve Johnson Sagle
Let’s all learn from Helen Newton’s example…
Dear editor,
Thanks to Zach Hagadone for that great article on a pillar of our community [Perspectives, “Farewell to Helen Newton, the definition of an authentic Sandpoint ‘local,’” May 1, 2025]. How she will be missed, not only by her friends, but the entire community for her knowledge of Sandpoint and her strong opinions. Helen spoke up for causes she believed in and was a strong influence to so many in Sandpoint. We are devastated by our loss — let’s all learn from her and stand up for the causes that are important to us. As Zach said so well, Helen was “a true, authentic local.” She will be sorely missed. Thanks, Zach,
Loris Michael Sandpoint
Dear editor,
My sympathies to Ben and Zach wasting their time with their interview of Russ Fulcher that was in the May 1 edition. They may as well have just printed the MAGA/Trump/ GOP platform on how to change over to a dictatorship.
Lawrence Fury Sandpoint
Send letters 300 words or less to letters@sandpointreader.com. Please no trolling, no libelous statements and no excessive profanity. Please elevate the conversation.
Emily Articulated
Café window
By Emily Erickson Reader Columnist
Author’s note: This article contains descriptions of a mental health crisis. Please take care while reading. If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available — consider reaching out to a mental health professional or local crisis service. The North Idaho Crisis Center can be reached at 208-946-5595, or call or text 988 to access 24-hour crisis assistance statewide.
If I had to guess, the man was dressed for a day of sightseeing. He wore comfortable shoes, burnt-orange pants and a bright yellow rain jacket. A small backpack was slung over his shoulders, and he walked with his head up — the way you do when you don’t actually care how quickly you arrive at your destination. A tourist, with no qualms about trying to blend in. His steps were bouncy as he crested the highest point of the walking bridge.
The woman blended in with everyone around her. She wore black pants and a crisp white shirt, and walked with her eyes down — a purposeful cadence to her dress-shoe-clad feet.
She might have just finished a long night at a hotel front desk or was heading into another day at the office (somewhere, maybe, with a cubicle).
She walked in the opposite direction of the man, their paths poised to cross. Until her stride slowed — and she stopped entirely.
I watched from a Starbucks window on the bank of a shallow river running under the bridge. A poppy Japanese tune played in the sunlit café. My brain felt foggy from an
early morning, but with nothing on our itinerary for the day, I reveled in the sleepiness. I watched the water trickle over rocks, the sunlight glinting off the metal bridge 200 feet away. I saw the man in orange pants and the woman in a white top walking toward each other, and sipped my latte behind the glass.
Maybe the man had always dreamed of coming to Japan — a bucket list trip he was finally crossing off. Maybe he had mapped out the most iconic temples, plotted his route in a small notebook tucked into his pocket. Or maybe he booked the trip on a whim — an Expedia flight deal or an Instagram post filling his screen at the exact moment he felt a little reckless.
Maybe the woman was born in the city, with friends and family close by — people who had known her all her life. Or maybe she moved there, chasing a fresh start, hoping to discover a new version of herself in a new place. Either way, she was alone — painfully so — when she turned toward the bridge’s rail and started to climb.
My brain felt like it had a three-second delay as the scene unfolded — a livestream with bad Wi-Fi, buff-
ering between moments as it tried to catch up. I saw her climb the railing but couldn’t process why. I saw the man notice, and understand, a heartbeat later. His reaction was instantaneous, switching from bouncing tourist to action hero — as though that’s exactly what he’d come to Japan to do.
A bright yellow jacket sleeve connected with a crisp white one, as he pulled her off the ledge. I saw his mouth round into the shape of a shouted, “No!” and watched him wrap his arms around her from the safety of the sidewalk. Her whole body trembled violently enough to be seen from behind the glass of the café in which I sat — my brain skittering to understanding as the man flagged down a passerby to call for help. She crumpled to the ground and he crouched beside her, his body a shield between her and the weight of what she’d just tried to do. The police arrived in a group of four and gently coaxed her toward their car. Eventually, she followed, her hair falling forward as her head bowed.
We think we know how the day will go when we step out the door. We grasp for control, make lists, write itineraries — as though that might shape our experience. But we never know the impact we’ll have, or what will leave a mark on us.
The exact right man — someone who could see and act in an instant — stepped out of his hotel at the exact right time to cross a specific bridge and save a life. This was not what he thought he came to do, but his trip and all of the choices that led to it now had profound meaning. When I planned for this
article, I thought I’d write about the million little things I observed in my travels in Japan — the seamless public transportation, trashless streets, the mountain views, but everything paled in comparison to watching the ways compassion extended across language barriers, across places in life and moments in time. The way two lives can converge on one bridge, forever changing the course of both.
I’ll never know how their stories end. But I saw the man walk off the bridge and
wipe his sleeve over the tears streaming down his cheeks. I saw the woman being escorted to the help she so desperately needed. And I can only hope everything will be OK — taking with me the inspiration to boldly extend a hand, whenever and however I see someone reaching out for one.
Emily Erickson is a writer and business owner with an affinity for black coffee and playing in the mountains. Connect with her online at www.bigbluehat.studio.
Retroactive By BO
Emily Erickson.
Science: Mad about
sinkholes
By Brenden Bobby Reader Columnist
Watch enough of the news and you’re bound to see a report pop up on a massive sinkhole opening in a semi-urban area and swallowing everything above, from roads and vehicles to warehouses and homes. These always seem to be completely random and occur without warning — one moment the ground is there, the next it’s a gaping chasm into the great dark beyond. So what gives?
Soil gives, that’s what. A sinkhole occurs when there is a void created beneath the surface of the ground. Loose soil doesn’t have the structural integrity required to resist the pull of gravity and will spontaneously collapse to fill one void and create another at the surface. This isn’t a completely random process, however, and there are some things that go into causing these voids to emerge in the first place.
Water is a major factor in the creation of subterranean voids. Water moves a lot and follows the path of least resistance as it’s pulled by gravity. Water carries things with it as it travels. The smaller the object, the more likely it is to be swept away by the force of a current. Loose underground soil and light pieces of sand are prime candidates to be moved by water, and will often shift and move to fill gaps little by little.
You may be wondering why it seems as though sinkholes are a relatively modern phenomenon. What has changed to make these happen so frequently in populated areas?
There are several factors at play. The reason this seems to
Brought
be happening in more populated areas has to deal with developmental creep as we expand metropolitan areas into formerly rural spaces. The second major factor is mining, and more specifically coal mining.
Coal mining has often been concentrated in rural areas to minimize impact on higher population centers. Mining is loud and dirty and has a number of pollutant risks that can endanger a large number of people in densely populated areas.
The real issue is old coal mines. Mines that were operated in the early 1900s in the U.S. weren’t particularly well regulated. Mining companies would spring up in a boom and bore out every bit of valuable coal they could until the mine became too dangerous to operate or there weren’t enough rewards to reap. At that point, the company would either go out of business or be acquired by another company.
These companies didn’t do a very good job of mapping out their mines; and, even if they did, it wasn’t a guarantee that their records would be shared. There was no single repository for decommissioned coal mine plans, so they would often disappear once the business was no longer profitable.
This means there are an unknown number of abandoned mines with indeterminate layouts and voids scattered across the continent. Mines are subterranean voids in action; and, as knowledge of the layout of so many are completely lost to time, it’s easy for developers today to build right overtop of them without knowing they’re even there. A century of rainfall and soil shifting beneath the surface leads to unexpected
and cataclysmic results that seem completely random at a surface level.
How do we go about preparing for a disaster that we can’t see or may never happen?
Addressing the issues of companies that no longer exist is a difficult challenge and little can be done to prevent the damage left by bygone entities. Now, property owners in vulnerable states as well as mining companies pay into state insurance funds that can help property owners recoup losses and damage caused by sinkholes. If a catastrophe does happen, property owners can be compensated for what happens in most cases.
Preventing future sinkholes is a different beast. Coal is formed in horizontal layers, which can make open-pit mining inefficient for extracting the resource — stripping an area like a quarry is expensive and can deal immense damage to ecosystems, whereas it might be easier and cleaner to bore out the seam while underground.
Mining companies need to make a compromise when mining this way through “room and pillar” mining. Engineers need to account for the load of overhead rock and soil to leave pillars of coal or rock in a grid-patterned mine. Many times, they will precisely calculate exactly how much material they need to leave behind in the form of pillars to maximize the amount of extracted coal without compromising the structure of the mine.
Room and pillar mining isn’t a panacea for sinkholes or disrupted geology. However, a void underground doesn’t always mean a sinkhole will form. Instead, sometimes the ground will shift and slope
somewhat erratically over time in a process called subsidence. This can still cause damage to rigid structures like foundations, houses and roadways as the soil shifts and redistributes the load of a structure. In some cases, this can alter the flow of surface water to change the flow of rivers and streams. Another modern method of efficient mining is called “longwall” mining, in which hydraulic jacks are rigged to mobile roof supports. A boring machine cuts strips of coal out of the earth until it’s ready
to start a new row, then the structure shifts and allows the roof beside the supports to collapse. This guarantees subsidence, but it generally offers a more controlled method than room and pillar mining and allows for greater amounts of resources to be extracted.
In some cases, to prevent catastrophic subsidence, companies will spray a large amount of expandable polyurethane foam into voids to create structure and reduce the likelihood of sinkholes. Stay curious, 7B.
Random Corner
• Bamboo is one Earth’s most resilient plants. It is the fastest growing plant in the world, with some species increasing 47 inches a day. It can quickly regenerate after damage and harvesting.
• Bamboo isn’t actually a tree, but a type of grass.
• Pandas are known for having a daily diet that is predominantly bamboo. Pandas have to consume up to 80 pounds of bamboo every day because it lacks nutrients.
• Individual stalks of bamboo are called culms and they can reach up to 150 feet in length.
• Bamboo is a crucial element in the Earth’s balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. A bamboo grove releases 35% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees.
• Many countries view bamboo as important symbols. It symbolizes uprightness in China, prosperity in Japan and friendship in India.
• Bamboo leaves have been used by China, Japan and Southeast Asia to treat conditions such as high blood pressure and fevers.
• Bamboo shoots emerge from the ground at full width, and their growing season lasts about three or four months before reaching full height.
• Shoots, also called sprouts, are edible and are used in a lot of Asian dishes.
• Clothing made using bamboo has become popular, as it biodegrades quickly and can be disposed of in an eco-friendly manner.
• Bamboo can also be converted into various forms of biofuel, including solid, liquid and gas.
• Because vegetative growth is its dominant reproductive strategy, most bamboo species only flower and produce seeds once in a lifetime. This happens after anywhere from 12 to 120 years of growth.
An open letter to the fascist regime attempting to take over our country
By Nishelle Gonzales Reader Contributor
I have sat back and watched this new administration the last few months with horror and grief. I had a realization today that brings me hope that things will eventually be OK. Having three kids in the pre-teen, teen and young adult age ranges gives me a tremendous amount of faith that your tyranny will end very soon. This generation coming up does not value the things that you do.
For example, this whole gender identity and obsession with labeling preferences in who they are attracted to is not a thing to them — at all. They do not care if you are straight or gay, non-binary or trans, and, in fact, reject assumed and rigid gender roles from generations past. They are not carrying this obsession into power with them. They are being raised by a generation that witnessed our country evolve into a more understanding, open-minded and empathetic society.
We are not going backward. In fact, what I do know about the youth, is that the surefire way to make them dig in their heels harder, is to take away these freedoms and for-
bid their expansion into more evolved beings.
Shoving your religious beliefs and ideologies down their throats is a great way to ensure they do the opposite. It kills any chance of your beliefs to be adopted. You are actively building an army against you. I look back at my friends in my teenage years, and the pastor’s kids were always the wildest and craziest kids who rebelled — even if secretly — against the strict and stifling ways of organized religion.
Those parents never knew the story about what was really going on with their kids because they did not have the tolerance or understanding to tell if the kids were deviating from the chokehold of organized religion. Look at how much damage and religious trauma that has been done using this tactic. The stricter the rules, the more intense the rebellion.
I think about this concept through the lens of what is happening in our country now: people losing freedoms they once had, assuming we can go backward, and I become giddy when I realize what your attempts to stifle our expansion will do to our youth. Your old, outdated ways of thinking and existing in the world are going to be your downfall. You are
Housing lottery now open to Bonner County families
By Reader Staff
The housing lottery for The Village at River View, a new, permanently affordable homeownership development in Priest River, is now open to all families of three or more people who live or work in Bonner County.
Previously limited to residents of Priest River and surrounding zip codes, the application criteria were expanded on May 5 to include the entire county.
The Village at River View
out of touch with the reality we are all living.
Here are the things that they care about, and they are nowhere in your political campaigns or talking points: They want affordable housing and the option to own a home. They want a living wage and jobs with benefits that actually benefit them. Affordable, quality health care and access to a solid education are top of mind. They are already terrified about the climate change that is undeniably happening. They are tired of the scientific community under fire, tired of gun lobbyists keeping our schools war zones, tired of their attention being commodified and profited upon using addictive social media platforms that knowingly use rage and disgust to fuel the false sense of belonging.
The institution of marriage has become a joke, the takeover of women’s reproductive
rights makes a girl not want to subject herself to the “duty” of motherhood. If our power structure isn’t there for us as children, what on earth makes you think we would be motivated to become parents?
We are actively witnessing the exhaustion burst of the patriarchy. This temper tantrum in the form of power and control over others is the exact thing that will push us all into direct opposition to you, actively building and motivating an army against you. So, please, keep up the foolish and ignorant attempts at stifling our growth and maturity as a culture. You are guaranteeing a revolution will take place, and we now know your outdated, sad plan outlined in Project 2025.
No matter how hard you try, no matter how many of your old cronies think they hold the power, you will not live forever. These amazing
kids are going to take over and make this country theirs. You can watch from your graves as they evolve into a more tolerant and loving society that is healing and patient with one another, creating a world that is free from war, hatred, and a lust for money and power.
The irony of a country created through the escape from forced ideologies now subjecting its citizens to the same persecution hundreds of years later is not lost on any of us. So, pull your coveted Constitution out of your ass and actually read it. It is not for you to kill, it is a living and evolving set of rules that will far outlive you and your black-and-white thinking.
Until then, I congratulate you on creating a fierce opposition to you, made only by you.
Nishelle Gonzales is a Sandpoint resident.
includes six newly built townhomes offered at $260,000 through a community housing trust — also known as a community land trust — through a partnership between LEAP Housing, Kaniksu Land Trust and Bonner Community Housing Agency.
The model ensures longterm affordability while allowing families to build equity and establish roots in their community.
To learn more and apply, visit leaphousing.org/priestriver
Pronatal, anti-children
The far-right wants a baby boom without the commitment of, you know, caring for babies
By Soncirey Mitchell Reader Staff
Far-right leaders who claim to model themselves after America’s Founding Fathers are now taking on the role of the nation’s absent fathers by attempting to engineer a baby boom with no plans to secure the health, safety and welfare of the resulting children. The socalled pronatalist movement is an onslaught of cultural regression that seeks to strip women of their bodily autonomy and commodify children in service of the economy.
Pronatalists like Elon Musk have been spreading an apocalyptic worldview for years, arguing that the declining birth rate in the U.S. is signaling the death of humanity at large. Proponents of the theory believe that there are not enough children to replace the aging workforce or support the elderly — meaning once the older generations have died off, the void left behind will swallow up the economy and take society with it.
At least that’s the drum they’re beating. Never mind that, according to The New York Times, birth rates are holding steady in places like Sub-Saharan Africa. Musk and his would-be eugenecists only care about the white babies.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. fertility rate increased 1% from 2020 to 2021 and from 2023 to 2024. Otherwise, the U.S. has seen a 2-3% annual decrease since 2014. This decline has not adversely affected the economy because the gaps in the workforce have, up until the current Trump administration, been filled by incoming immigrants, according to an NPR interview with sociologist and Director of the Carolina Population Center Dr. Karen Guzzo. NPR links the decrease in U.S. birth rates to the reduction in teenage pregnancy, as well as younger generations’ decision to put off having children until they have a home and steady income. Most will never attain
that goal in Trump’s America of tariffs and budget cuts. Political instability and the current climate crisis further discourage potential parents.
“We have spent years, decades and millions — hundreds of millions — of dollars shaming young women — not young parents, but really, young women — about having births when they’re not ready, when they’re too young, when they’re not in a stable relationship, when they’re too poor [or] when they don’t have a secure income,” said Guzzo, adding, “so, we’ve told people to wait, and now we’re surprised that they’re waiting.”
A report by LendingTree estimated that it costs around $389,000 to raise a child to the age of 18. Coupled with the increasing inaccessibility of child care, education and programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, most young people believe that it would be irresponsible to bring children into this world.
For the pronatalists, however, economic decline is a result of the low birth rate, not the other way around. Proponents generally blame liberal politics and feminism — specifically the support of bodily autonomy, women in the workforce and access to contraceptives — for the death of the nuclear family,
which they view as “traditional” despite the prevalence of multi-generational households sharing childrearing responsibility throughout the past millennia.
Many, including leaders like businessman and far-right blogger Charles Haywood, believe that these ideas have devalued the concepts of family and motherhood, creating an unnatural, effeminate cultural hierarchy.
Haywood, like many in the movement, is a raging white supremacist and sexist who has said that, “The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its progeny are probably the single most destructive set of laws in American history,” and that women “should be socially stigmatized if they have careers,” during his appearance at the 2023 pronatalist convention “NatCon.”
These pronatalist “trads” are largely Evangelical or Catholic and seek to incentivise traditional Christian gender roles and large families, all the while slipping in antisemitic, racist ideas that border on — or just are — tenets of eugenics.
Their belief that life begins at conception puts them at odds with the techno-pronatalists, who also follow in the footsteps of the Nazis eugenicists but, unlike the traditionalists, are determined to use any and all technology to craft their perfect babies — even if that means
destroying embryos through in vitro fertilization.
The techno-pronatalists are less interested in increasing the number of families and stay-athome moms and are more interested in producing a bumper crop of healthy babes by incorporating AI and genetic engineering into their baby mills.
For both extremes, creating perfect, white offspring is the goal. After that, they can starve or contract preventable diseases, so long as they contribute to the economy in the meantime.
In order to encourage this desired mass-insemination, the Trump administration’s pronatalist allies have been concocting ways to incentivize people to have babies and fulfill Trump’s promise to be the “fertilization president.” According to Mother Jones, Vice President JD Vance has proposed a weighted voting system that would essentially give parents the ability to vote on behalf of their minor children.
Other pronatalists have suggested giving out Motherhood Medals — an honorific popularized by the likes of Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin — and $5,000 cash bonuses per baby. Still more have come full circle and suggested classes that teach high schoolers about sex and menstrual cycles; you know, like those sex ed classes conser-
vatives have been protesting for decades. Clearly, it’s sinful to teach women about how their bodies work unless it makes them better babymakers.
The same leaders who suggest shelling out measly allowances and possibly funding studies on endometriosis and other issues that have plagued women for time immemorial are the same leaders who have relentlessly attacked Head Start, SNAP, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Medicaid, all of which allow families to take care of the children the government wants them to have.
Once the baby is born, apparently it doesn’t matter if they’re healthy, happy or fed.
The pronatalist movement is neither pro-family nor pro-children; they’ve simply discovered a new crop to farm. They want to dominate women until they’re reduced to little more than fields growing the next generation of workers to toil on a dying planet.
Pronatalism is just another bid for control by a greedy minority, and when they’ve earned their profit, they will leave the surplus children to suffer in the foster care systems, starve in impoverished homes and stare at the blank walls of crumbling public schools — conditions that they created for their own benefit.
Left: A chart showing the number of live births and general fertility rate in the United States from 2000-2024. Right: A chart showing the birth rate for teenagers by age of the mother. Charts courtesy of the National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System, natality data file.
I can’t in good conscience blame Trump
By Clarice M. McKenney Reader Contributor
For more than 50 years I have voted Democrat, and most of those years I was unable to be an activist, be involved in protests or actively support candidates because of my work in journalism. My favorite journalism teacher at Eastern Washington State College, Sandpoint-born writer Patrick McManus, was among the professors who drilled into us that journalists must remain neutral.
In retirement, though, I write only as an unpaid volunteer so I am free to be active in local, state and national politics. Let me take advantage of that during what I think is our country’s biggest political crisis.
I’m only one of millions of people angry about President Donald Trump’s lawlessness; his preempting of the other two branches of government; defunding of vital services and research; mass firing of federal personnel; deportation of individuals and whole groups without due process; threatening law firms, public broadcasting and radio, public schools and universities; breaking laws enshrined in the U.S. Constitution; and ending protections for our citizens.
Although I did not vote for him, millions of Americans voted him into office knowing exactly who the man is. For more than 50 years — and he’s now my age — he has been breaking laws while I’ve been living within the law. I remember weeping in grief the morning after the first election he won because I knew at that moment that our country was in mortal danger with the election result.
After his first term and the two impeachments did not remove him from office, I was furious at his attorneys who bullied the senators into letting him off, stating that the legal system would remove him from the streets if he were guilty (or words to that effect). I’ve never studied law, but I knew he and the Republicans who backed him were too powerful already to let that happen.
But I cannot, in good conscience, blame Trump for winning the presidency — twice. Here’s who I blame: Congress, businesses that have been too intimidated and frightened to stand up to him, and powerful law firms that are too interested in the bottom line to stand up to him.
Most of all, though, as a former journalist from the ’70s taught to get both sides of controversies but not to overemphasize one side, I blame most of the
media. Through his first campaign, they magnified his every word or gesture. I remember the shock of seeing an empty podium time and again as the media trained their cameras on nothing for up to half an hour in one case because he is chronically late.
Because of that one-sided media coverage of all things Trump over the past decade and, worst of all, not truthfully covering his assaults on democracy, a huge percentage of voters continue to have little information about Trump and his minions’ assault on our democracy.
But I do not let voters off the hook. During years of phone banking, speaking with Republican, Democratic and Independent voters all over the country, countless voters shared with me the biased accounts they read. So many pay attention only to media that “agree with” their own political viewpoint. And they got their political viewpoint from the same media.
Worst of all, I’ve lost track of the many times in this era of Trump that someone has said they “don’t care about politics.” The word “politics” is from the Greek politikos, which means “of a citizen.” As famed Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis stated, “The most import-
ant political office is Private Citizen.”
Yet too many citizens do not do solid research for themselves before voting. Either they vote based on social media posts and biased media or they vote by which names are most familiar to them. With Trump’s name the most prominent every day for 10 years, of course a lot of voting was done by name familiarity. That’s a terrible reason to vote for someone.
Being an eternal optimist by nature, though, I’m hoping that voters wake up and do actual research before voting. Meanwhile, I hope more join the recent millions of protesters in the streets of our country.
But if millions do not, they will have themselves to blame when their health insurance goes up in smoke, someone they love is deported without due cause, their incomes drop significantly, their retirement savings disappear, then their Social Security checks stop coming.
Forget the benefits citizens are entitled to; we’ll all be lucky soon if we can just scrape by.
Clarice M. McKenney is a Bonners Ferry resident.
COMMUNITY
First Presbyterian Church Pastor Kennaly announces retirement
By Reader Staff
After 30 years as an ordained pastor, Andy Kennaly is retiring as the faith leader of the First Presbyterian Church of Sandpoint.
Kennaly served as the solo pastor at First Presbyterian since May 8, 2011, and the community is invited to a celebration of his retirement and send-off party Sunday, May 18 in the church Fellowship Hall (417 N. Fourth Ave.).
Worship service will begin at 10:30 a.m. and the party will go from noon2 p.m.
“We are profoundly grateful for Pastor Andy’s years of creative, dedicated service to this congregation and the community,” stated church Elder Bill Love. “We are blessed to have had his faith-filled guidance and companionship all these years.”
In addition to preaching, leading workshops and retreats, officiating at funerals and weddings, and providing pastoral calls, visits and spiritual direction, he and his wife, Shawna, strove
to model a Christian “care-of-creation lifestyle,” church officials wrote in an announcement.
“I am appreciative of the many places I’ve worked, but especially First Presbyterian Church of Sandpoint, Idaho, where 14 of those 30 years have been based,” Kennaly stated.
“Thank you for your support and encouragement over these years given to me and my family,” he added. “There have been too many ‘once-in-a-lifetime-experiences’ to count. Love’s creativity and the dynamic nature of life have found many ways to express the depths of wisdom that echoes for those with ears to hear it.”
The Kennalys plan to stay in Sandpoint and continue to appreciate the area, grow food and nurture bees, explore new places, and enjoy spending time with family and friends.
“Though my pulpit ministry will conclude on Sunday, May 18, my words will continue to be shared through writing,” he stated.
Kennaly posts spiritual meditations,
journal reflections, poetry and other notes at andykennaly.substack.com.
Contact the church office at 208263-2047 or office@fpcsandpoint.org for more info.
A celebration in honor of Pastor Andy Kennaly’s 30 years in the pulpit will take place Sunday, May 18 at the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. Worship is at 10:30 a.m. and the send-off party from 12-2 p.m. Courtesy photo
FEATURE
‘That’s just Mom’
By Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey Reader Contributor
Many mothers will receive cards and novelty coffee mugs this May dubbing them “#1 Mom,” but only one Sandpoint woman could ever boast the titles of both Idaho Mother of the Year and National Mother of the Year: Helen Thompson.
I heard about Helen in January, when a friend of my grandfather called me. I answered the phone in the early evening, after his second attempt to reach me, sometime between removing sopping wet snow clothes from my toddler and preparing dinner.
Someone needed to write a story about Helen Thompson, Pat Gooby insisted. She was National Mother of the Year in 1982; raised seven children as a widow; sent them all to college; worked for the U.S. Forest Service; really neat lady.
I wrote this down on a pink Post-it note and stuck it to my dormant computer monitor. Mr. Gooby followed up soon after. I did some cursory research. I pitched the story to the Reader. Winter turned to spring and the marvel that is time passing while in charge of a small child marched on. In the time I’ve spent learning about Helen, Liam has grown from a babbling tornado of incoordination to a talking, running child. I combed the library’s newspaper archives while he brought me toy trucks and farm figurines. He helped, in his own way.
I won’t attempt to sum up Helen’s life (whoever wrote her obituary on the Coffelt Funeral Services website did an incredible job), but I’ll hit the main points.
Born and raised in a small North Dakota town named for her rancher father, Helen and her husband, James, moved to Wrenco in 1957. James died in 1960, when their youngest (and seventh) child was only 2 years old. She had a college degree in mathematics and a 30-year career with USFS. All seven of her children went on to earn degrees of their own. She died in January 2012 at the age of 95.
I called Helen’s eldest child, Jim Thompson, a few days before my deadline for this story. I sat at the picnic table in my sunny yard while Liam ran his perimeter with our dog, Mac, collecting dandelion heads in an old mixed nuts container. Jim was kind
Reflecting on the memory of Sandpoint’s own National Mother of the Year, Helen Thompson
enough to talk to me for more than half an hour, fielding my questions about his mother.
He said he was 16 when his father passed and in his 30s when his mother earned Idaho Mother of the Year honors, then national recognition. He is now 82 years old.
“I remember thinking it was no big deal,” he said. “That’s just Mom.”
Jim lived in California in 1982, but now lives back on the family’s Wrenco ranch. He was kind enough to confirm a lot about his mom’s early life — she was one of a dozen children; her brothers were “tougherthan-nails” cowboys, who Jim said were his “heroes” while growing up — and some about her later life, too; like how she could “pinch a penny” better than anyone and managed to travel the world.
Resourceful, Helen was — and
generous with her time. She served on community boards for decades. People were always eager to give back. Jim said Mr. Gooby’s father, the owner of a slaughterhouse at the time of Helen’s widowing, offered to give the family any meat they may need. A villager, Helen was — giving, receiving.
I jotted notes as fast as I could, looking up every so often to see Liam wreaking his casual havoc — scribbling on our barbeque with pink chalk.
Pick your battles, my inner monologue spoke as I continued talking to Jim. Chalk washes off.
Jim said Helen loved young people, and many will remember how she served as an unofficial information officer on Schweitzer Mountain in her later years. But when it came to skiing: “Mom wasn’t very good, but she was tough,” Jim said.
Tough, Helen was.
I continued to write my notes, envisioning for a moment what I would do if my husband died while we had small children at home. Push the thought away. I looked up. Liam was in the hay field, cautiously approaching the squabbling geese, Mac by his side.
Helen loved horses her whole life and she baked “tremendous” pies, her son said.
“Mom’s idea of a good thing was when she’d be in the kitchen, maybe making a pie, and visitors would come by,” Jim said. “She’d insist they go for a ride, and when they got back after an hour, the pie would be ready.”
I never met Helen, but I can imagine sitting at her table, the North Idaho sun-bathed scent of horses on our skin mingled with fresh-baked pie, the clinking of forks and plates being passed around the table. A good thing, indeed.
Helen and several of her children appeared on Good Morning America following her National Mother of the Year win — I read about it in a May 1982 edition of the Sandpoint News Bulletin. She remains the only Idaho woman to earn the national title, bestowed each year since 1935 by the nonprofit American Mothers.
At the time, she expressed shock at earning the award; said she had met many of the other 1982 state honorees at the national convention and thought they were more deserving; had “done more.”
But the judges decided Helen had done enough. I concur.
I’d argue that the feeling of inadequacy experienced by so many mothers has its purpose — we should strive to do our best in raising our children, shouldn’t we? — but there is something to be learned from Helen’s story. Children are not raised by one person, but rather by a community.
“I was very fortunate that if I had to raise them alone, that I could raise them in a community like Sandpoint,” Helen told the Bulletin in ’82. “People were very supportive.”
May we all remember our part in that grand effort this Mother’s Day.
Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey is a mother, writer, volleyball coach and editor emeritus of the Sandpoint Reader. Read more of her current work at lyndsiekiebertcarey. substack.com.
National Mother of the Year Helen Thompson with her horse in Dover on May 7, 1982. Photo courtesy of the Bonner County Historical Society & Museum, donated to the collection by Loren Evenson.
Toast to Pride returns for second year, benefiting Sandpoint Pride Festival
By Reader Staff
The Sandpoint Pride Festival is returning for its fifth year July 1113, but first comes the Toast to Pride fundraiser, hosted by Sandpoint Alliance for Equality on Saturday, May 10 at Matchwood Brewing Company (513 Oak St., in Sandpoint).
Now in its second year, Toast to Pride is hosted by Sandpoint Alliance for Equality and presents an evening of gourmet appetizers from guest chefs, an open and hosted bar, a short speaking program, and entertainment from DJ Lady Oda and a regional drag show featuring queens and kings from Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry, Moscow, Missoula and Spokane.
Doors are at 6 p.m., with the live DJ set and appetizers at 6:30 p.m.
The nine courses of hors d’oeuvres will be passed among attendees, and created and donated by Chef Alana Joy Eckardt, Beet and Basil, Bluebird Bakery, mixologist Nick Nizzoli, Eichardt’s Pub, Marigold Bistro, Matchwood Brewing, Pack River Store and Heartbowls.
Individual tickets cost $125, granting access to all the food, drink and entertainment for the evening, which is limited to attendees 21 and older.
Doors for the drag show are at 8:45 p.m. and the show runs from 9-10 p.m. Tickets to the drag show only are $10 per person, but do not include any of the other Toast to Pride events.
Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit the Pride Festival, which seeks to “affirm the dignity and equality of the LGBTQ+ community, to welcome and celebrate their contributions to society, and support the ongoing movement to secure their rights, freedom and safety.”
The mission of Sandpoint Alliance for Equality is, “To dismantle hostility, increase equality and cultivate inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community throughout Idaho.”
To donate, purchase tickets or get more info about Toast to Pride and Sandpoint Pride, go to safe-idaho.org. or safe-idaho.org/sandpointpride.
Ribbon cutting celebrating Bella Terra as new Chamber member
By Reader Staff
The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce recently joined Bella Terra Boutique owners Taylar Francis and Sherri Presley to celebrate their new membership in the chamber.
Francis and Presley purchased the business on the corner of First Avenue and Main Street in April 2021. The downtown Sandpoint shop offers women’s clothing and accessories, as well as jewelry.
According to Francis and Presley, Bella Terra’s target customers are women of all ages shopping for all types of occasions — from casual, everyday outfits to galas and proms — though the store recently added a menswear section.
Meanwhile, Bella Terra Boutique will host a Mother’s Day event Saturday, May 10 featuring pop-up vendors including chair massages, Sunny Days and Sunny Nights tanning salon, and Sunshine on Cedar, which will provide light refreshments.
Art Works Gallery marks 30th anniversary with raffle, gifts, free reception and sales
By Reader Staff
In honor of its 30th year as Sandpoint’s regional cooperative art gallery, Art Works is hosting a celebration Saturday, May 10 in its downtown location at 214 N. First Ave.
From 4-7 p.m., attendees are invited to enjoy complimentary food and drink, a raffle and free gifts, as well as a 10% discount on all purchases of works by local artists. Meanwhile, those artists and craftspeople who are part of the almost-30-member gallery will be demonstrating their skills during the weekend.
Art Works is open seven days a week from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. For more info, call 208-263-2642, email sandpointartworks@gmail.com or go to facebook.com/sandpointartworks.
Left to right: Chamber Ambassadors Steve Sanchez and Tara Ryan (Miss Sandpoint), Bella Terra owners Taylar Francis and Sherri Presley, Chamber Board Member Danielle Resso and Chamber Ambassador Alisha Kowalski. Courtesy photo.
BY THE NUMBERS
By Ben Olson Reader Staff
41%
The increase in applications from American scientists seeking jobs in Canada from January to March 2025, compared to the same period last year. A survey by the journal Nature found that 75% of U.S. scientific researchers are considering leaving the country due to proposed cuts in funding from the federal government.
1,378
The number of proposed pieces of legislation prepared for Idaho’s 2025 legislative session — the largest number in at least 30 years, according to the Legislature’s sine die report. Of that total number, 790 bills, proclamations, resolutions or memorials were officially introduced in 2025. Of those, 341 became law.
“A lot of this is being driven, frankly, by these out-of-state bill mills,” Idaho House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, told the Idaho Capital Sun.
45%
The number of Americans who have confidence in federal public health agencies’ ability to regulate prescriptions, approve vaccines and respond to outbreaks, according to a poll by the nonpartisan health research organization KFF.
$45
million
The estimated price tag of a military parade President Donald Trump has scheduled for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army on June 14, which also happens to be his birthday. When asked about the high price tag while the federal government is undergoing broad cuts to personnel and services in the name of “efficiency,” Trump replied that the cost is, “Peanuts compared to the value of doing it.” The parade is expected to include 6,600 soldiers, 150 vehicles and 50 helicopters, with individual Army units ultimately bearing the cost of the parade — which could potentially impact funds used for training.
Send event listings to calendar@sandpointreader.com
Fresh produce, artisan goods, live music by Olive Pete
Open Mic w/ Kjetil Lund
5-8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority
Trevor Chambers and the Southpaw Band
7pm @ The Hive
Doors 7pm, line dancing lessons ($10) 7:30pm, great country music 8:45pm
BCGA Spring Plant Sale
9am-5pm @ Ponderay Events Center Lot Get tomato and other veggie plants, herbs, shrubs, trees, annuals and more
Contra Dance
7-10pm @ Sandpoint Community Hall
Live music, all dances taught and called. New dancers welcome. $5/$10
SATURDAY, may 10
BCGA Spring Plant Sale
9am-3pm @ Ponderay Events Center Lot
Long Bridge Half Marathon 8pm @ Sandpoint City Beach priestlakerace.com/long-bridge-half-marathon
Voice Master Class w/ Sandra Marlowe
2-4pm @ Music Conservatory of Sandpoint Register for $25 at sandpointconservatory.org/events or 208-265-4444
Sandpoint Waldorf School Annual Auction 5pm @ Sandpoint Events Center SWS Music Through the Ages
Live Music w/ Mason Van Stone
6-8pm @ Baxter’s on Cedar
Live Music w/ Liam Russell 6pm @ Connie’s Lounge
SunDAY, may 11
Mother’s Day Battle
12-1pm @ Blast Zone, 103 S. 3rd Ave.
Themed games and blaster battles with gear provided. $15/kid. Moms free
monDAY, may 12
Outdoor Experience Group Run 6pm @ Outdoor Experience 3-5 miles, all levels welcome
tuesDAY, may 13
Live trivia ($5 entry) 7pm @ Connie’s Lounge
wednesDAY, may 14
Live Piano w/ Peter Lucht 5-7pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery
Open Mic w/ Biobeat (see Page 21)
6-9pm @ Eichardt’s Pub
May 8 - 15, 2025
Open Mic/Open Jam w/ Kjetil Lund
6-8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority
Panida Moms Red Carpet Gala
6pm @ Panida Theater
A fundraiser to honor the Panida Moms who saved the theater in the 1980s. Variety show in the style of Holly Eve, appetizers, drinks, more!
Bike Rodeo Sandpoint
2-4pm @ Travers Park
Bring your bike or scooter and helmet. Bike safety checks, minor repairs, learn about safety and practice skills
Mother’s Day Brunch/Tea 11am-1pm @ Sandpoint Senior Center
Also a hat show by Mary Faux. RSVP requested. $50/person 208-263-6860
Celebration of Life: John Fuller
5-7pm @Western Pleasure Guest Ranch
Celebration of life for local farrier and longtime resident John Fuller. All who knew John the farrier are invited
Sandpoint Farmers’ Market
9am-1pm @ Farmin Park
Fresh produce, artisan goods, live music by BOCA
Live Jazz w/ Bright Moments 6-8pm @ Arlo’s Ristorante (outside)
Live Music w/ Kerry Leigh 3-5pm @ Idaho Pour Authority
Live Jazz w/ Bright Moments 6-8pm @ Arlo’s Ristorante (outside)
Pool tournament ($10 entry) 6pm @ Connie’s Lounge
Ribbon cutting: New Rotary shelter @ PSW 4pm @ Pine Street Woods
Opening of a new welcome shelter with project highlights and refreshments
ThursDAY, may 15
Lost in the ’50s Welcome Party 5pm @ Connie’s Lounge
Join celebrity guest Dennis Gage and Benny Baker (BTP) live in the beer garden
Lost in the ’50s weekend kicks off!
Car show, parade and dance concerts. Get more info here: sandpoint.org/lostin50s/
Toasting a new tradition
The Panida Theater hosts Moms Red Carpet Gala
By Reader Staff
The Panida Theater will establish a new tradition Friday, May 9, with its first annual Panida Moms Red Carpet Gala. The 6 p.m. fundraiser and variety show takes inspiration from the “Panida moms” of the ’80s who saved the theater at 300 N. First Ave. from demolition and will fund future operations and restorations.
“Moms” Susan Bates-Harbuck, Laurel Wagers and Jane Evans began working to buy the theater in 1985 and eventually paid off the mortgage in 1996 with the support of the community. Going forward, organizers plan to celebrate people like the Panida Moms who have “shown great care and love for this historical place” every year on Mother’s Day weekend, according to the theater’s website.
The May 9 event will feature small bites from local restaurants and a nohost bar. Attendees should wear their best cocktail attire to walk down a red carpet past a group of waiting photographers. Once inside, the variety show will include performances by local illusionist David Davinci, comedian Kaleb Keaton, pianist Matt Goodrich, dancer Julie Wise of Lake Pend Oreille Repertory Theatre and Celtic musical group the Gothard Sisters.
There will also be a live and silent auction with auctioneer Austin Booker. Attendees can bid on a chauffeured lake cruise, an island stay in Turks and Caicos, gift baskets and more. Proceeds will go toward the theater’s current goal of reupholstering the balcony loveseats.
Tickets are $75 at panida.org.
International Fly Fishing Film Festival returns to Panida
By Reader Staff
The House of Fly and Mayfly Project will come together Saturday, May 10, to host a screening of the International Fly Fishing Film Festival beginning at 7 p.m. at the Panida Theater (300 N. First Ave.).
IF4 is billed as the “world’s leading fly fishing film event” and will feature seven short films covering themes of adventure, conservation, loss and perseverance.
Selected films include Fishing Dia-
ries, about catching giant trevally in the Seychelles; Silent Spotter, about a deaf and mute fly-fishing guide; and Above the Clouds, about a conservation group trekking through Colorado mountains to document the first inland cutthroat trout.
Proceeds from the event’s raffle will support the Mayfly Project’s fishing program for local youth in foster care.
Tickets are $22 or $50 with a oneyear subscription to Fly Fusion at panida.org.
BC Gardeners Association puts on annual plant sale in Ponderay
By Reader Staff
Just in time for planting season — and Mother’s Day — the BC Gardeners Association will host its annual spring sale Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10 at the Ponderay Events Center parking lot (401 Bonner Mall Way).
From 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, the sale will feature tomato starts, garden-ready
vegetable plants, berries, perennial ornamentals and house plants — all from members’ gardens. A range of garden art, tools and gifts will also be available.
Proceeds from the annual spring sale support school gardens, community beautification efforts and gardening education.
For more information on the BC Gardeners Association, visit bcgardeners.org.
COMMUNITY
Reader takes home 14 awards from Idaho Press Club
Editor Hagadone named to serve on IPC board, while Daily Bee and Bonners Ferry Herald also earn honors
By Reader Staff
The three full-time staff members of the Sandpoint Reader celebrated a winning night at the annual Idaho Press Club awards banquet May 3 in Boise, bringing home 14 honors, including second place for General Excellence in the weekly publication category.
Senior Writer Soncirey Mitchell earned a total of six awards, including: first place for Light Feature Report with her story “Theory of the Unknown Origin: ‘They’re eating the pets’”; first and second place in Arts/Entertainment Report for “Mother, daughter, temptress, victim: The fate of female characters in pop culture” and “This hobbit kills fascists: JD Vance and the attempted perversion of The Lord of the Rings”; and first place for Political Report with “‘Fleecing the Flock: BCRCC appoints Commissioner-elect Domke to Dist. 1 BOCC seat.”
Mitchell also earned third place in the General News Story category for “‘Nothing more than a narcissist refusing to come back down to reality,’”
and third place for Column writing with her pieces “Sister of Eve,” “No exit: Seeing a male doctor as a woman” and “Still, there is pizza.”
Editor-in-Chief Zach Hagadone gathered a total of five awards, including first place in the Series category for his ongoing reporting on the arson of Army Surplus No. 1 and first place in the Editorial category for “Sundown state: Hypocrisy, cynicism and irony from the Statehouse to the sidewalks of Coeur d’Alene.”
He also won second place honors in Political Report with “Sheriff’s temporary resignation draws ‘concerns’ from local GOP chair,” Election Report for “Out-of-county money trickling into Dist. 3 commissioner race” and Business Report with “Signs point to Amazon as future tenant of new development near Sandpoint Airport.”
Publisher Ben Olson won first place in Health/Medical Report for “Getting a leg up: Bonner General Health’s exoskeleton suit is kind of a big deal” and third place in Light Feature Report with “Hot springs people: An
aquatic bestiary.”
In addition, Hagadone was elected by the statewide membership to serve on the Idaho Press Club’s board, which represents a wide range of media outlets and serves as the professional organization for Idaho journalism and public relations.
The IPC provides training opportunities, lobbies the Legislature on issues of press freedom and access, and assists members with communications related to everything from media law and public records requests to changes within the news and P.R. industries.
“As a longtime member of the Idaho Press Club, I’m honored to have been asked to represent not only the Reader in our statewide organization, but also member media outlets in North Idaho,” Hagadone said. “Awards are nice, but I’m more excited to be given the opportunity to directly support the essential work that Idaho journalists do every day — especially in a time when that work is
more essential than ever.”
The Reader wasn’t the only panhandle newspaper to earn accolades at the IPC banquet. The Bonner County Daily Bee also won second place for General Excellence in the Daily Publication category. Managing Editor Caroline Lobsinger won second place in Light Feature for her story “Historic Mystery” and third place in General News Story for “Fire Destroys Army Surplus.” Meanwhile, Staff Writer Eric Welch took home third place in the Agriculture Report category for “My Own Private Garlic Party” and third place for Rookie of the Year among daily publications.
Finally, the Bonners Ferry Herald won first place awards in the weekly Sports Prep and Education Report categories, and second place for Staff Reporter Ned Newton as Rookie of the Year for weekly publications.
Wednesday morning ladies golf league at the Elks starts soon
By Reader Staff
The Wednesday morning ladies’ golf league at the Sandpoint Elks Golf Course will begin play Wednesday, May 21. Play will start at 8 a.m., so participants are asked to arrive at the course no later than 7:30 a.m. to allow time for signups. Partners are not required to play. The following
Wednesday, May 28, will be the first day of play with a scramble followed by brunch. The meeting will follow the brunch.
All women golfers are invited to join the league. Any level of golfer is welcome. For those looking to join, leave a message with Loris Michael at 208-610-5914 and she will respond with further details.
From left to right: Ben Olson, Soncirey Mitchell and Zach Hagadone with their first place plaques. Courtesy photo
MUSIC
Bart Budwig w/ opener Justin Landis, Idaho
Pour Authority, May 10
Those in the know will already know Bart Budwig is heading to Sandpoint for a show. Perhaps Budwig has some kind of subliminal bat signal that beams to his musical homies.
For the rest of us, let this article serve as your official invitation to come down to Idaho Pour Authority and get weird.
Budwig’s music oscillates somewhere between outlaw country, folk, modern Northwest soul and a pint of cold
beer. With his guitar, trumpet and a pocketful of lyrics that cut to the quick, Budwig has quickly earned a reputation as a talented performer, as well as a highly sought after record producer who has the ability to squeeze the best sounds out of those who enter his studio.
Originally born in Moscow, Idaho and now living in Enterprise, Ore., Budwig has played with some of Sandpoint’s royalty, including numerous stints with Shook Twins, John Craigie and
Justin Landis to name a few. Landis will join Budwig as an opener at IPA and I’d bet a dollar you’ll see him join Budwig for a song or two on stage.
— Ben Olson
7-9 p.m., $10 suggested donation. Idaho Pour Authority, 203 Cedar St., 208-597-7096, idahopourauthority.com. Listen at bartbudwig.com.
Trevor Chambers and the Southpaw Band, The Hive, May 9
Up-and-coming Coeur d’Alene-based trio Trevor Chambers and the Southpaw Band will take the Hive by storm on Friday, May 9, with a 21+ country concert. Doors will open at 7 p.m. for this 8:45 p.m. show, with line dancing taught for an additional $10 by Walk The Line Dancing Events at 7:30 p.m. The classic country band is made up of singer and guitarist Trevor Chambers, bassist Jeff Groat and
drummer Michael Trucker, who come together to create original rockin’ country music that fully embodies the genre. Practice your “yeehaws,” because this hoedown will make you feel like you’re drinking sweet tea at a Texas rodeo. — Soncirey Mitchell
8:45 p.m., $5, 21+. The Hive, 207 North First Ave., 208-9209039, livefromthehive.com. Listen at thesouthpawband.com.
Open Mic Night w/ Biobeat, Eichardt’s Pub, May 14
Eichardt’s Pub is hosting an open mic night with Sandpoint local beatboxer Biobeat, also known as Davey Mullen. Musicians, comics, spoken-word artists and all other performers are welcome. Time slots are 10 minutes maximum per performer.
There are a limited number of pre-sign-up slots for this event. Submit your talent
A snapshot of
to @biobeat on Instagram, Biobeat on Facebook or email biobeatbox@gmail.com.
All other slots are taken on a first come, first serve basis.
— Ben Olson
6-9 p.m., FREE. Eichardt’s Pub, 212 Cedar St., 208-263-4005, eichardtspub.com. Email biobeatbox@gmail.com for more info.
Just Plain Darin, Connie’s Cafe, May 9
Spokane-based artist Darin Hilderbrand spent years earning acclaim throughout the Pacific and Inland Northwest as the frontman for the power metal band Kidd Robin before striking out on his own. Now, the singer-songwriter tours under the name “Just Plain Darin,” performing his original, funky material for thousands of happy listeners. His lyrics range from goofy to spiritual, and his sound could
This week’s RLW by Ben Olson
READ
easily find a home in an early 2000s rom-com soundtrack, even when he’s putting a unique spin on a Led Zeppelin song. Stop by Connie’s Cafe on Friday, May 9, to see why he’s booked for more than 200 gigs a year.
— Soncirey Mitchell
5 p.m., FREE. Connie’s Cafe, 323 Cedar St., 208-255-2227, conniescafe.com. Listen at justplaindarin.com.
LISTEN
It’s rare when I prefer a cover to an original, but that’s the case with Leonard Cohen’s beautiful song, “Hallelujah.” I’m a huge Cohen fan (my grandpa actually sold one of his singers a grand piano back in the 1980s), but my heart always lies with Jeff Buckley’s cover. His haunting, falsetto voice and slightly overdriven guitar sounds gave the song another life after Cohen. Check it out on Buckley’s one and only studio album Grace.
WATCH
A certain style of comedy film emerged in the ’80s that you either loved or hated. Films like Airplane!, Blazing Saddles, Hot Shots! and others featured deadpan deliveries of ridiculous subject matter. Some hit better than others, but the very best of this genre was The Naked Gun trilogy, starring the inimitable Leslie Nielson. If you haven’t caught The Naked Gun or its two sequels in a while, grab some popcorn and get ready to laugh. I gleaned more as a writer from Jack Kerouac during my 20s than any other writer except perhaps Hunter S. Thompson. Kerouac’s freewheeling style and experience-hungry tomes always filled my soul. Published in 1962, well after his entrance to fame and a few years before he died, Big Sur is a novel that doesn’t get as much recognition as his other great ones. It follows Kerouac’s journeys through the titular region and insightful conversations with characters based on Beat poets at the time.
Right: Bart Budwig receiving what for. Courtesy photo
Trevor Chambers and the Southpaw Band play at The Hive. Courtesy photo
From Pend Oreille Review, May 7, 1915
G.N. DEPOT HOLD-UP
The Great Northern depot was the scene of a hold-up last night, in which George W. Bates, the night operator, was forced to yield up what cash he had on hand, amounting to $30.85. The hold-up party consisted of two men, one of whom remained outside the depot on guard while the other entered and compelled Bates to turn over the money.
It is thought the two men arrived on a freight train which pulled out of the station about 9:30 o’clock just before the hold-up occurred. When the robber entered the waiting room of the depot, Bates was toward the far end of his office, but promptly came forward to the ticket window when called, without suspecting anything irregular in the man’s visit. As he came up to the window the robber produced a revolver and ordered Bates to open the door connecting the two rooms. This done, the robber entered the office, all the while covering Bates with his gun, and directed him first to open the ticket case, and then to take out the cash it contained and hand it over. The robber then backed out of the office and waiting room, and Bates heard two persons running away from the depot, westward.
The sheriff’s office was at once notified and Sheriff Remer and deputies were soon scouring the country around the Great Northern tracks. This morning they were joined by the railroad company’s special agent, E.D. Kirk of Spokane. Several doubtful characters have been overhauled by the officers in their search, but were able to give satisfactory accounts of themselves, so that up to the present no tangible trails have been found of the robbers.
BACK OF THE BOOK
About speed limits and why people ignore them
By Sandy Compton Reader Columnist
By some combination of luck and perseverance, I am six weeks into a 60-day drive-and-fly road trip. This is the vacation I planned to take when I retired from working for other people. It was put on hold for five years courtesy COVID-19.
Forty-five days into it, after rambling through Montana, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Oregon and even California, I’ve made my way to Hawaii, specifically the island of Maui. It’s been a good experience, if not always fun. There are too many people on this island, and on the larger one we call Earth, as well. Having said that, I will also say that may or may not be true. I’m the one that doesn’t like crowds. I’m sure there are many others who are more comfortable in close company than I.
There are no speed limits on Maui. There are speed limit signs, which the population ignores, so speed limits themselves seem nonexistent. Even when I force myself to drive 10 miles an hour over in self-defense, others zoom by me as if I am doing only the speed limit.
This phenomenon is not confined to Maui, but the island is small and doesn’t have a lot of highways, but it has lots of cars — some homeless people even have cars — so it seems intensified. The highways it does have sport speed limit signs; never above
STR8TS Solution
55, and often 45 or 35 (which are thought to mean 75, 60 and 50). Some signs have minimum speeds posted. I laugh at the thought, and I wonder what’s the big hurry.
Where frantic drivers everywhere are rushing off to may not be the point at all. It might be an automatic response to the millisecond world in which we live. Maybe it’s an unconscious urge to be always first in line at the grocery store or the gas station or the stoplight (fat chance). Maybe it’s just a high-speed homing instinct pointing the frantic to anywhere but where they are right now.
I don’t like driving among lead-footed, lane-changing, race-cardriver wannabes. I can, and do, and will continue to do so, but it wears on my middle finger — as if anyone ever looks in their rearview mirror — and my sense of order, of which there is not much on HI 380 at 5:30 on any afternoon.
Since beginning this journey, I have spent a lot of time on roads that will definitely kill your car at 70 mph and likely you as well. At the same time, I’ve watched for lakes and rivers and beaches and mountains and trees and other interesting stuff to take too many pictures of; all the while being on the lookout for good camp spots, of which I have found a fair amount, and some not-so-good. But they have all been uncrowded.
For reasons not to be revealed here, I had to go to Costco yesterday. It didn’t quite freak me out, but it tried.
Sudoku Solution
It reminded me again of my propensity to be shy of crowds and crowded places. Thankfully, there are still places to be alone, in whatever manner you define aloneness, even on the buzzing hive of Maui. This is good. It keeps sane people that way, by giving them a chance to get away from the rest of the crazy world.
To get to these places, you have to walk, which I don’t mind doing. But, you can’t walk everywhere; at least not without chancing being run over by those in a frantic hurry.
The question remains: Why are they in such a hurry?
Whatever the reason, I don’t plan to join them.
Crossword Solution
If you’re a horse, and someone gets on you, and falls off, and then gets right back on you, I think you should buck him off right away.
Solution on page 22
Laughing Matter
By Bill Borders
CROSSWORD
ACROSS
1. Edges
5. World
10. Style of hairdo
14. Greek goddess of discord
15. Not inner
16. Goad
17. Female professional singer
19. Fail to win
20. Consumed
21. Thin branch
22. Chops into cubes
23. Roosted
25. Sheeplike
27. Craving
28. Disrespectful laughs
31. Lone Star state 34. Complain
35. Downturn
36. Small songbird
37. Rhinoceros
38. Bristle
39. Hotel
Week of the
“The travelers shook the dust from their cloaks and watched the haboob roared from inside the tent.”
Corrections: We managed to get through another edition without any noticeable errors. We’re patting ourselves on the back (and spilling beer down our shirts in the process).
40. Proceeding
41. Broaden
42. Euclidean topic
44. Canine
45. Committee
46. Cyborg science
50. Earth tone
52. Relinquish
54. Excluding
55. Smooth-talking
56. She wore a glass slipper
58. Small brook
Solution on page 22
Solution on page 22
12. Amount of medication
13. Lyric poems
18. Fire residues 22. Cubes
DOWN
59. Go inside 1. Review
Angered
Mineral excavator 4. Supersonic transport
Received
Sensational
Ear-related
Summoning
51. Fleece 53. Against 56. C 57. Ovum 60. Prison 61. Type of sword 62. Rewrites 63. Circular course
Before, in poetry
Connection to a satellite
Continued
24. Greenish blue
26. Wine
28. Polished
29. Religious ceremony
30. Bridge
31. Offshoot
32. Sea eagle
33. Lover of foreign things
34. Dust devil
37. Memorization method
38. Portent or omen 40. Heredity unit 41. Beau 43. Sculpting material 44. Frogmen
46. Basin for washing anal area 47. Embellish 48. Hue
