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Finest Winners 2020

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Fever for Adventure

Jun 1, 2020
7 min

Fever for Adventure

Idaho residents Julie Kirk and Joshua Freedman have changed their plans for this summer. The scenery will be equally spectacular, the weather a bit warmer, but an entirely new challenge. News that the COVID-19 pandemic had forced the sponsors of the Yukon 1000 across the Canadian wilderness to cancel this year’s event, which compelled the couple to seek out another challenge. So, instead of making their way across the Great North this summer, Joshua and Julie will be paddling

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Get into the Swing of Things

Jun 1, 2020
2 min

Get into the Swing of Things

It can be challenging for parents to keep their kids occupied during the summer months. While it’s easy to let screens and video games do the babysitting, kids need exercise, mental challenges and continued learning. Why not accomplish all three while developing interest in a lifelong hobby; something that can be achieved at Mirror Lake Golf Course. While this North Idaho gem can be a challenge to even the most experienced golfers, it also has everything those new to the spor

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See You at the Market!

May 28, 2020
2 min

See You at the Market!

Life is slowly returning back to normal, and the timing couldn’t be better, as farmers’ market season has returned to the Inland Northwest. Known as one of the oldest farmers markets in the state of Idaho, the Bonners Ferry Farmers’ Market opened for its 2020 season on April 25, with special precautions set in place to keep all in the community—both vendors and shoppers—safe. For the time being, there will be just one entrance to the market, and there will be extra space be

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Graduation 2020

May 27, 2020
2 min

Graduation 2020

While it was a challenging end to the 2020 school year, it is the hope of all educators to return to the classroom for the 2020-2021 school year. “We miss our students and hope we may all return to school in the fall,” said Superintendent Jan Bayer. “We want to thank our students and families for their continued support and efforts during this time. We hope you are all safe and healthy.” While a return to a more normal education is something students can look forward to, it w

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Professional. Experienced. Family Owned.

May 27, 2020
3 min

Professional. Experienced. Family Owned.

Serving North Idaho, Eastern Washington and Western Montana, Idaho Granite Works specializes in a wide variety of natural stone projects, handling all phases of fabrication and installation. Over the years, the family was inspired to get into the granite fabrication business as things changed in the logging and road construction industry, and they were traveling further away from home for work. “Originally incorporated in 1969 as Anderson Logging Co., Inc. by my grandfather,

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Growing as a Community

May 27, 2020
4 min

Growing as a Community

Walk down the streets of Bonners Ferry or stop to shop at places like Yoder’s Market, and you may notice small planter boxes with a variety of veggies and herbs and little green and white signs sporting a watering can that say “Little Free Garden.” Funded by a grant from the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation, High Five! and administered by the City of Bonners Ferry, with assistance from the University of Idaho Master Gardeners and GROW!, the program partners with local businesse

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Fisher House Provides ‘Home Away from Home’ for Veterans During a Time of Need

May 26, 2020
7 min

Fisher House Provides ‘Home Away from Home’ for Veterans During a Time of Need

Like every element of normal life, the shelter-in-place order for residents of Washington state to prevent the spread of COVID-19 impacted the mission of a local nonprofit group that was organized to provide a safe haven for veterans and their families to stay while the soldier receives treatment at the medical facility at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. In compliance with guidance and restrictions ordered by the Department of Defense, the national offices of Fisher House in Rockvi

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A Road Trip through British Columbia’s Okanagan and the International Selkirk Loop

May 18, 2020
5 min

A Road Trip through British Columbia’s Okanagan and the International Selkirk Loop

There is nothing like a good road trip during the summer, especially when the scenery is so lovely. This trip begins at the Oroville-Osoyoos Border Crossing into British Columbia’s Okanagan for part one of this two-part series. The second part of the trip continues onto the International Selkirk Loop through the Kootenay Rockies before crossing the border at the Porthill-Rykerts Border Crossing into Idaho and visiting the towns of Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry. When planning a

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Support Local

May 11, 2020
2 min

Support Local

The last two months have proven that things can change in an instant, and a helping hand can go a long way. The COVID-19 pandemic has left many local businesses and restaurants closed or with limited hours for an unforeseen amount of time. Here are some ways you can help support them through the tough times. Carry Out - Many restaurants are still offering carry-out and curbside pickup. It’s often how they’re keeping the lights on and doors open. Choose a different restaurant

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Athletes of the Month

Apr 24, 2020
1 min

Athletes of the Month

To the class of 2020, we offer our congratulations. No one could have foreseen how your final few months of high school would have played out, and it’s unlike any class that has come before you. You were stripped of precious memories like senior prom, spring break trips, athletics, instrumental and choir concerts, speech, debate, and precious time with friends and classmates. We feel for you but know that while this is a tough ending, it’s also only the beginning for what mos

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A Community Coming Together

Apr 22, 2020
2 min

A Community Coming Together

Life continues on here in Bonners Ferry as we learn ways to manage our new “normal.” Many of us find ourselves trying to work from home while also learning our new roles as teachers, tackling the challenges of remote learning head on. We’re adjusting to living somewhat in isolation, surrounding ourselves with only those whom we live with, in order to do our part to keep ourselves, families, friends and members of our community safe. And as busy as we all are during this chall

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Bonners Ferry’s Local Stump Grinding and Tree Service Specialist

Apr 22, 2020
3 min

Bonners Ferry’s Local Stump Grinding and Tree Service Specialist

Climbing trees is a common thing to do when you’re a boy growing up in North Idaho, but very few young men get to carry that on into adulthood. For Shawn Smith, climbing trees as an adult is part of normal work life for his company, CDA Stump Grinding and Tree Services. With his crew using ropes and climbing gear, taking away some of the childhood thrill of tree climbing, he ensures that safety comes first every single day. Born and raised in Bonners Ferry, Shawn spent a lot

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Your Vote Counts

Apr 22, 2020
4 min

Your Vote Counts

On May 19, Bonners Ferry residents will have the opportunity to vote on a bond that if passed will help keep electric rates at some of the lowest in all the country. According to the U.S. Energy Information Agency, the average American pays 10.29 cents per Kilowatthour (kwh). Idaho and Washington residents pay roughly 8 cents per kwh, while Bonners Ferry residents pay just 6.5 cents per kwh. “I can’t say for a fact we are the lowest, but we are definitely one of the lowest co

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Wrestling: A Story of Hope and Peace

Apr 20, 2020
6 min

Wrestling: A Story of Hope and Peace

It was the late 1970s. Larry Steckman was a wrestler for Bonners Ferry High School, and his to-be wife, Shelly Barton, was a wrestling cheerleader at the same school. Seventy miles away, family friend Conrad Garner was wrestling for rival Lakeland High School in Rathdrum, Idaho. It was the beginning of a lifelong love of wrestling for both men—and also the seed for something bigger. Larry, Shelly and Conrad would all go on to use wrestling as a means to create positive change

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Destination: San Antonio

Apr 13, 2020
5 min

Destination: San Antonio

San Antonio is blooming with spring blossoms as the winter chill dissipates. Enjoy alfresco dining along the San Antonio Riverwalk, bike to historic missions or explore Texas Hill Country in this mild season. Viva is the city’s bus and trolley service which has three distinct routes to take you to the most visited sites and attractions at a very economical rate for a day pass. Where to Stay Make the most of your stay by splitting your visit into two sections. For the first h

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Easter Traditions

Apr 6, 2020
2 min

Easter Traditions

Whether you are 6 years old on a quest for candy, or 60 years old and love a family dinner around a formal table, Easter for many is synonymous with hope, renewal and rebirth. Whether it is passing down holiday traditions to your grandchildren or setting aside traditions in favor of simplifying, many of us look forward to a celebration of some kind. Wake up early! Hide the eggs! Bake the ham! My own favorite Easter memories involve waking before dawn to dress in something fri

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A Memorable Experience Awaits

Mar 30, 2020
2 min

A Memorable Experience Awaits

Dirk and Kim Van Der Kolk have called North Idaho home for more than two decades, during which time they were the proud owners of two restaurants in the Coeur d’Alene/Hayden area, as well as a certified home for the elderly. When Kim’s mother became ill two years ago, the couple decided to sell everything and move to Florida to care for her. Unfortunately, Kim’s mother passed away soon after. After a bit of persuading, her father, known to many as Grandpa Joe, agreed to move

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Hope House

Mar 30, 2020
3 min

Hope House

“One day a mom walked over with her toddler in only a diaper. The mom slipped a dress over her head and the little girl just looked at herself in the mirror and started twirling and squealing with delight,” recalls Aimee Christopherson, the volunteer director for Hope House. It’s moments like these that remind us that a helping hand can transform a person’s life. Hope House started in Boundary County doing private deliveries to schools and anonymous doorstep drops with items

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Athlete of the Month

Mar 30, 2020
2 min

Athlete of the Month

Evan Barajas, Junior. As Evan Barajas begins to wrap up his junior year at Bonners Ferry High School, he will have one more opportunity to see his dreams on the wrestling mat realized. While the competitive wrestling season is relatively short, the training for Evan never stops. He has competed on the varsity team each of his first three years in high school, and the accolades continue to pile up. He’s been district champion and placed in the state tournament all three years,

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Innovation Comes to a Head at Craft Beer Breweries

Mar 23, 2020
6 min

Innovation Comes to a Head at Craft Beer Breweries

With the number of small and boutique breweries rising faster than the head on a stout porter, craft beermakers in Washington have opened the tap to new customers in an increasingly thirsty market. According to the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB), production almost doubled in terms of barrels per year at many breweries on the western side of the mountains over the past decade. For example, demand at Pike Brewing Company in Seattle jumped from 17,401 to almost 43

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