Reader_April23_2026

2 / R / April 23, 2026

DEAR READERS, The week in random review

By Soncirey Mitchell Reader Staff

‘Got the morbs’

The Victorian-era slang term “got the morbs” was used to describe someone experiencing an odd bout of melancholy or sadness, playing off the word “morbid.” It’s been a beautiful, sunny week in Sandpoint, and I will soon celebrate my birthday, which means that, naturally, I’m thinking about death. My particular brand of obsessive-compulsive disorder comes with a pervasive preoccupation with death most days, and has since I was 3 years old and asking, “Where’d Grandpa go?” Since I’ve had to deal with this for more than two decades, I thought it only fitting to make it your problem, dear readers. Want to learn a few interesting facts about death? No? Too bad, here they come: 1. When bodies decay under wet, anaerobic (oxygen-free) conditions, they secrete what’s called adipocere — or corpse wax. Essentially, anaerobic bacteria break down the body’s fat, preserving the remains in a soap-like cast.

2. The gases putrescine and cadaverine, which form from the breakdown of the amino acids ornithine and lysine, give death its unique smell.

3. It’s legal to compost human bodies in California, Colorado, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Washington. The organization Recompose specializes in this process, placing bodies into stainless steel containers with wood chips, alfalfa and straw for five to seven weeks to convert them into roughly one cubic yard of compost. The compost is then used for land conservation and is even safe to use in the garden.

4. In Estes Park, Colo., residents host Frozen Dead Guy Days, a festival featuring coffin racing and various ice-themed activities, such as polar plunges and frozen salmon-throwing competitions. The eponymous “dead guy” is Bredo Morstøl — a.k.a. “Grandpa Bredo” — a 120-year-old Norwegian man who died in the late ’80s. His grandson, Trygve Bauge, preserved his body with dry ice and transported him to a cryonics facility in California, where he stayed for a few years. Bauge and his mother then took Morstøl to Nederland, Colo., where they planned to found a new cryonic facility — that is, until Bauge was deported for overstaying his visa. His mother continued to care for the cryogenically frozen body of her father by keeping him on dry ice in a Tuff Shed behind her house until she was evicted. The strange incident forced the city to update its code, forbidding the storage of dead — or frozen-maybe-to-be-reanimated — bodies within its borders; however, they grandfathered old Morstøl in, and the local Tuff Shed supplier even gave him a brand-new, specially-made shed, and the community made a festival to celebrate him. He and the festival later moved to the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. You know, the famously haunted inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining.

The primary election is coming up Tuesday, May 19, and there are candidate forums scheduled all across the district.

The Sandpoint Reader will join the Bonner County Daily Bee, SandpointOnline.com, 88.5 KRFY Panhandle Community Radio and Selkirk Association of Realtors for two forums on May 4-5.

The first forum held from 5:307:30 p.m. on Monday, May 4 will be hosted by the Daily Bee and will feature Dist. 1 legislative candidates from contested races.

The Reader will host candidates from contested county offices on Tuesday, May 5 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Both forums will take place at the Sandpoint High School auditorium (410 S. Division Ave.) and will also be broadcast live and streamed by 88.5 KRFY. We’ll also cover the forums in the May 7 edition of the Reader and I’m sure the Bee will publish their coverage shortly after the forums as well.

– Ben Olson, publisher

READER 111 Cedar Street, Suite 9 Sandpoint, ID 83864 208-946-4368 sandpointreader.com

Publisher: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com Editorial: Zach Hagadone (Editor) zach@sandpointreader.com Soncirey Mitchell (Senior Writer) soncirey@sandpointreader.com Editors Emeriti: Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey Cameron Rasmusson John Reuter Advertising: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com Contributing Artists: Perky Smith-Hagadone (cover), Ben Olson, Mary Jo Godec, Don Helander, Jeanette Eder, Karley Coleman, Kirsten Thompson, Bill Borders Contributing Writers: Zach Hagadone, Ben Olson, Soncirey Mitchell, Lorraine H. Marie, Brenden Bobby, Laura Guido, Emily Erickson, Stan Norman, Savannah Willison, Jennifer Ekstrom, Dave Britton Submit Stories To: stories@sandpointreader.com Printed Weekly At: Tribune Publishing Co. Lewiston, ID Subscription Price: $200 per year The Sandpoint Reader is a weekly publication owned by Ben Olson, Zach Hagadone and Soncirey Mitchell. It is devoted to the arts, entertainment, bluster, politics and lifestyle in and around Sandpoint, Idaho.

We hope to provide a quality alternative by offering honest, in-depth reporting that reflects the intelligence and interests of our diverse and growing community.

The Reader is printed on recycled paper using soy-based ink. Leftover copies are collected and recycled weekly, or burned in bonfires to appease the gods of journalism. For back issues, contact the publisher. Free to all, limit two per person, please.

Letter to the Editor Policy: We welcome letters to the editor on all relevant topics. Please, no more than 200 words, no excessive profanity or libelous statements and no trolls. Please elevate the discussion and stay on topic.

Letters will be edited to comply with the above requirements. Opinons expressed in these pages are those of the writers, not necessarily the publisher. Send to: letters@sandpointreader.com About the Cover: This week’s cover photo by Perky Smith-Hagadone from Mineral Point at Green Bay.

April 23, 2026 / R / 3

NEWS

Court sides with county, developers in RICO case

By Soncirey Mitchell Reader Staff

U.S. District Court Judge Amanda Brailsford ruled April 16 against residents of the Mountain Homestead development in the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act lawsuit brought against more than 30 entities, including Bonner County and Panhandle Health District.

Despite the ruling, the defendants still face seven allegations at the state level regarding the creation, construction and sale of the subdivision.

Developers Joshua Pilch and Jacob Marble of J&J Development, LLC, used Bonner County’s controversial minor land division process to create Mountain Homestead — a process that the Bonner County Board of Commissioners eliminated in November 2025 due to public safety concerns. According to then-Bonner County Planning Director Jake Gabell, loopholes in the code governing MLDs allowed developers to create de facto subdivisions lacking proper infrastructure, including failing to meet regulations on road width, surfacing and accessibility measures for first responders and fire and stormwater management requirements..

Seven homeowners, led by David and Linda Wittwer, filed a lawsuit in July 2025 against Bonner County; former-County Commissioners Jeff Connolly, Steven Bradshaw and Dan McDonald; former-Planning Director Milton Ollerton; Panhandle Health District; and the real estate agencies, contractors, title agencies and developers involved with Mountain Homestead, alleging similar issues.

The complaint attests to “significant problems with essentially every aspect” of the development, including the “septic system, water wells, drainage, utilities and access road.” Homeowners further 4 / R / April 23, 2026

argued that developers “failed to obtain permits and final approval for the septic tanks, and belatedly attempted to obtain the permits and approval.”

In addition, issues with the community septic systems contaminated their drinking water with “coliform bacteria, E. Coli, arsenic, nitrates and other harmful materials,” reportedly making residents sick.

The plaintiffs also claimed that Pilch and Marble violated the MLD process by applying to split the original two parcels into four, five-acre lots each, but actually divided them into 4.83-acre lots, using the leftover space to create a 60-foot “illegal fifth lot.”

Under Bonner County Code, MLDs could only divide parcels into four or fewer lots — five or more necessitated a subdivision application. Developers used the leftover land to create an access easement for Logan Road; however, the finished road “encroached [on] a third party’s property,” ran over utility lines and was eventually sold to another developer, according to the complaint.

Plaintiffs argued that parties involved knew of these issues and defrauded homebuyers, violating — or conspiring to violate — U.S. Code 18-1962(c), which prohibits

Aerial view of the Mountain Homestead development north of Ponderay. Bonner County GIS screenshot individuals linked to “any enterprise engaged in, or the activities of which affect, interstate or foreign commerce, to conduct or participate, directly or indirectly, in the conduct of such enterprise’s affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity or collection of unlawful debt.”

They further claimed violations of U.S.C 18-1341 and 18-1343, for the alleged use of mail and wire fraud during the creation and selling of the “defective properties.”

The plaintiffs made approximately 80 allegations in the 70-page complaint, which they stated were based “upon information and belief.” They did not validate the claims with specific evidence, though later applied to amend the complaint to remove 39 of the

82 references to “information and belief” and add “random alleged facts,” according to the ruling.

The amendment further failed “to state a claim upon which relief can be granted,” violating 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and so the court ruled the amendment “futile.”

“Despite such references, however, none of [the paragraphs] identifies the specific time, place or content of an allegedly fraudulent communication; the parties to that communication; or the means of its transmission either by mail or electronically,” stated Brailsford in the April 16 ruling.

The court ruled that the plaintiffs did “not provide any facts specific to this case about how various Defendants

functioned as a continuing unit to defraud Plaintiffs,” which is necessary to argue a RICO case.

Brailsford subsequently dismissed the RICO lawsuit with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled.

The court did not “exercise supplemental jurisdiction” by making a definitive ruling on allegations of state law violations, instead dismissing them without prejudice at the federal level.

Plaintiffs have a minimum of 30 days from April 16 to bring the lawsuit to the state courts, which will judge allegations of “fraud; breach of the warrant of habitability; negligence; gross negligence; unjust enrichment; and violation of the Idaho Consumer Protection Act.”

Farm Bureau, local media to host state and local candidate forums

By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff In the runup to the Tuesday, May 19 primary, voters in Idaho Legislative Districts 1 and 2 will have ample opportunity to get to know the candidates for state and local office, with a handful of forums scheduled through the end of April and early May. First, the Bonner County Farm Bureau will host House and Senate candidates of all

parties in both Dist. 1 and 2 on Friday, April 24 at 6 p.m. at the Blanchard Community Center (685 Rusho Lane), followed by another forum featuring only Dist. 1 candidates on Wednesday, April 29 at 6 p.m. at the Clark Fork Community Center (1001 N. Cedar St.).

The Farm Bureau will then host a forum with Bonner County commissioner, clerk, assessor, district judge and coroner candidates on Thursday, April 30, also at 6 p.m. at the

Clark Fork Community Center.

Following the Farm Bureau forums, 88.5 KRFY Panhandle Community Radio, the Bonner County Daily Bee, Sandpoint Reader, SandpointOnline.com and Selkirk Association of Realtors will present two forums on Monday, May 4 and Tuesday, May 5, both from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Sandpoint High School auditorium (410 S. Division Ave.).

The Bee will host the May 4 forum with Dist. 1 legislative

candidates, while the Reader will host candidates for the contested county offices on May 5, with Publisher Ben Olson as moderator.

Both forums will be broadcast live and streamed by 88.5 KRFY, and later covered by both newspapers.

Look for completed questionnaires with candidates for contested Dist. 1 legislative and Bonner County positions published in the Thursday, April 30 edition of the Reader.

NEWS

LPOSD board elects Rachelle Hutchens as Zone 2 trustee

By Soncirey Mitchell Reader Staff The Lake Pend Oreille School District board met for its regular meeting on April 14, voting unanimously to elect Rachelle Hutchens to the Zone 2 trustee position vacated by Jalon Peters in early March. Hutchens interviewed for the seat during the meeting alongside the only other candidate, Panhandle Health District Board of Health Chair Thomas Fletcher.

Peters resigned his position after moving out of Zone 2, which encompasses the area south of the Pend Oreille Riv-

Rachelle Hutchens. Courtesy photo er, west of Highway 95 and south of Sagle. All trustees are required to live within the zone they represent.

Huchens is the vice president of Sigma Design, a product development, engineering

and manufacturing company based in Camas, Wash., where she manages a budget of “similar-size” to LPOSD. “I’m the person that people call when things are going sideways,” said Hutchens.

“I’ve had the FBI call because we’ve had a security breach internationally. I’ve had flooding in our building too, graffiti, people showing up that are getting stopped [or] stopping our employees. ... I get the right people in the room, have the discussion, ask the hard questions, making sure that we’re making data-driven decisions and I see [this position] being very similar.”

According to her interview

with district officials, she and her family moved to Bonner County several years ago to be a part of LPOSD. Her three children now attend Southside Elementary.

When asked to describe the position, Huchens said that board members enable “the educators and the staff to meet the mission, which is making sure that we are taking care of all the students.”

Fletcher’s interview answers emphasized the future of artificial intelligence, which he hoped to help integrate into the “educational process” through the board of trustees.

“It’s my hunch that AI is more than a fad,” said Fletch-

er. “I think it’s here, and I think the possibility of integrating AI into the educational process, if dealt with appropriately [and] understood, can have a profound impact.”

Of the two candidates, Hutchens received the only nomination from the board, which then voted unanimously to elect her. She will assume her seat following a swearing-in ceremony at the Tuesday, May 12 board meeting at 5 p.m. at the LPOSD headquarters (365 Triangle Drive, in Ponderay).

BoCo Dems host state school superintendent candidate Becky Sundin in Sandpoint

By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff Though most Idaho voters’ eyes are on the Tuesday, May 19 primary elections, candidates for uncontested offices are still out campaigning — including Becky Sundin, the Democrat who is challenging Republican incumbent Debbie Critchfield for the office of Idaho superintendent of public instruction in November.

Sundin, who holds a doctorate and was 2018 Idaho Teacher of the Year, will be in Sandpoint on Saturday, April 25 for a meet-and-greet and teacher appreciation event from 1:30-3:30 p.m. in the Sandpoint Center community room (414 Church St.).

With an education career spanning more than 25 years, Sundin has been a Nampa resident and teacher in Idaho since 2009.

“Idaho families want public schools that work, and they want a leader who will fight for them,” she stated. “I’m running to be that leader, fo-

Becky Sundin. Courtesy photo cused on results like stronger reading outcomes and making sure every student gets the support they need, including fully funded special education.”

A 1998 graduate of Northwest Nazarene University, Sundin earned a master’s degree in science education from Montana State University-Bozeman in 2005 and an Ed.D. in curriculum, instruction and assessment from Walden University in 2022.

Her Teacher of the Year award came from a field of more than 18,000 educators

statewide, and in that role she represented Idaho teachers at the White House, including meeting with then-U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, and in Idaho has served on commissions and spoke before the Idaho Senate Education Committee and the State Board of Education.

“Dr. Sundin is a career classroom teacher who has done the work, day in and day out, for Idaho kids,” stated Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea. “That’s a clear contrast with the current superintendent, who has never been a full-time classroom teacher. Idaho students and educators deserve leadership from someone who understands what it takes from the front of the room.”

In December, prior to Sundin’s announcement that she would seek the office, Necochea said the Idaho Democrats would put extra emphasis on the superintendent’s race, telling Boise-based IdahoEdNews that, “It’s the statewide office we’ve held most recently as a party. It’s the race

that we’ve come the closest to winning statewide in recent cycles.”

Critchfield was elected as state superintendent in 2023 and previously served as president of the State Board of Education. Critchfield, Sundin and Constitution Party candidate Teresa Roundy will appear on the November general election ballot.

Specific issues addressed

by Democrats include “growing pressure from voucher schemes” in Idaho, “and renewed political attacks on the federal resources that help students succeed.”

“I’ve seen the best of what

Idaho public education can offer, and I’ve seen what happens when politics gets in the way of serving students,” Sundin stated. “Instead of distractions and rapid rule changes, we should be using data to improve instruction, funding schools responsibly and building schools where every student is prepared for college, careers and the future.”

For more info, go to becky4idaho.com.

To learn more about the Bonner County Democrats, or to get involved, contact bonnerdemocrats@gmail.com or visit bonnercountydemocrats.org.

April 23, 2026 / R / 5

NEWS

Idaho Forest Service employees may be affected by federal restructure Union is concerned about impact to workers and forest health amid uncertainty

By Laura Guido Idaho Capital Sun The recently announced major restructure of the U.S. Forest Service may disrupt a number of forestry positions in Idaho. But the details as to how those positions will be affected and what work will continue or be eliminated under the plan remain unclear.

Anna Webb, a Boise-based entomologist and federal employee union representative, received a notice about two weeks ago that her position in the agency would be affected. The letter said affected employees may have to move, find another position within the agency or resign.

There was no expected timeline to the changes.

“It makes things difficult to plan,” Webb said, speaking to the Idaho Capital Sun in her capacity as a union representative. “It causes unprecedented amounts of stress.”

Leaders of the union that represents Forest Service employees for the Boise, Payette, Salmon-Challis and Sawtooth national forests are concerned about the disruption to local employees as well as the potential long-term consequences to forest health.

“Their positions are very important to our overall forest health and fire resiliency, and if they go away ... we’re not sure where that expertise will come from right now,” Bradley Laplante, an Idaho-based Forest Service employee and vice president of a local arm of the National Federation of Federal Employees, or NFFE, said on behalf of the union.

Although Idaho’s forests are overseen by two out-of-state regional offices, many regional and some national positions are based in Idaho — all of these may be affected by the proposed restructure.

Laplante said 60 union-represented employees in Idaho have recently received the same notice that their positions in the agency will be affected. He said there’s an estimated total of more than 100 employees in the area who might be affected by the changes.

Webb’s position has been a critical resource in Idaho’s national forests, Laplante said.

Webb works in the Forest Service’s 6 / R / April 23, 2026

State and Private Forestry organization, which includes resources to help identify diseases or pest infestations across the intermountain region that are killing off trees, and assist local private and public foresters treat the problem, according to the agency’s website. The federal program reported spending more than $13 million in Idaho on projects related to fire assistance, forest health, restoration and more.

Forests with too many dead trees pose a greater wildfire risk, Laplante said. He said the union is concerned about the lack of clarity as to whether work done by regional office employees, such as insect infestation mitigation, will continue.

Additionally, if these positions move out of state, union leaders worry the work they do on-the-ground in Idaho forests will be more difficult to accomplish.

What is the Forest Service reorganization, and why is it happening?

The proposed restructure would move much of the agency’s leaders from Washington, D.C. to Salt Lake City; close and consolidate a number of research facilities; and open new, smaller state-based offices.

Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz, an Idahoan, recently told a U.S. House budget subcommittee that the reorganization is intended to balance the budget and address a shortfall while also “driving decision making down to the most appropriate level.”

“We’re supposed to be serving the public, and we think this will better serve the people on the ground where they live and work,” Schultz said.

Idaho Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, who serves as chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, asked Schultz if he believed he had the authority to do the reorganization without approval from Congress. Simpson also said he supported the move.

Schultz said that his agency and head of the United States Department of Agriculture — which oversees the Forest Service — consulted with the department’s legal office and determined that USDA Secretary Brooke

< see USFS, Page 7 >

Bits ’n’ Pieces From east, west and beyond

According to a post on X by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., “If you paid even a penny in federal tax income last year, you paid more than: Tesla, Southwest, Disney, Live Nation, HP, United, Pay Pal, CVS Health, Palantir, Citigroups, PG&E, 3M.” Meanwhile, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., has proposed a tax plan of no federal income taxes for filers making under $46,000, with the foregone revenue to be paid for “by a surtax on millionaires.”

President Donald Trump said an Iran deal would be signed April 20, which did not happen. The Associated Press reported that Iran does not plan to partake as long as Trump fails to dial back his demands. Axios noted that Trump is “over” Iran and wants the war to end “now” and on his terms. However, the agreement for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic was derailed when the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — responding to Trump’s blockade — fired on tankers. The U.S. Navy has turned back ships trying to enter or leave Iranian ports, U.S. military officials said.

Also in recent developments, the U.S. attacked and captured an Iranian ship, which Iran called “maritime piracy” and a ceasefire violation. In addition, the Pentagon approached U.S. automakers for help with the Iran war; and, on 60 Minutes, a nuclear expert said it would take thousands of troops to claim Iran’s highly enriched uranium, which Trump wants. The U.S. president has claimed his goal in Iran is to stop that nation’s path to nuclear weapons; but, in 2018, he walked away from just such a deal brokered by former-President Barack Obama, leading to Iran enriching more uranium. Foreign leaders predict a peace deal could take six months to achieve.

Reopening the Strait of Hormuz may not ease the oil crisis, since normal traffic likely will wait until hostilities have clearly ended, international media reported. Plus, the war on Iran has damaged $58 billion in energy infrastructure, according to CNBC. Auto firm Hyundai reported that gas-conscious consumers have boosted their electric vehicle sales by 40%.

Congressional Democrats filed six articles of impeachment against U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for attacking Iran without Congress’ authorization and for strikes on alleged drug boats that have killed at least 177 peo-

By Lorraine H. Marie Reader Contributor

ple. As war opposition grows, the U.S. House rejected a war powers resolution on a 214-215 vote.

Police arrested about 62 veterans peacefully protesting the Iran war on Capitol Hill, where they were demanding a meeting with Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, according to The Hill. Tech company Palantir, which holds a $10 billion contract with the U.S. military, wants to bring back the draft, sources ranging from Fortune to Mother Jones reported.

John Eastman, who was an architect of Trump’s attempted 2020 election coup has been disbarred while the Department of Justice moved to toss conspiracy convictions for Jan. 6 insurrectionists, various media reported.

Longtime right-wing pundit and former pro-Trump partisan Tucker Carlson recently said he’s “sorry for misleading people” into supporting the president.

Carlson lost his job at Fox News, where he promoted Trump’s claim that the 2020 election was “stolen,” which resulted in Fox paying nearly $800 million in damages. He states that he is now disillusioned with Trump’s Iran war and the Epstein scandal.

Brutal conditions in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities have been reported by numerous media sources, including the story of a toddler who nearly died from medical neglect at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas. The 18-month-old was healthy when imprisoned, but quickly sickened due to bad water, fouled food and the presence of disease — finally being admitted to an area hospital, but then being forced back into ICE detention after stabilizing.

ProPublica reported that while Trump’s Memphis Crime Task Force arrested more than 800 immigrants, only 2% were for violent crimes.

According to The New York Times, health influencers — many of them aligned with the “Make America Healthy Again” movement — are promoting nicotine as a health hack.

In Earth Day news, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported that Chinook salmon have been found naturally hatching in the Upper Klamath River for the first time in a century, following dam removal.

Blast from the (recent) past: Trump claimed his tariffs would create a giant tax cut. “We’re going to be so rich,” he said, “you’re not going to know where to spend all that money.”

< USFS, con’t from Page 6 > Rollins has the authority.

The ranking Democrat on the subcommittee, Maine Rep. Chellie Pingree, said she disagreed with the interpretation of the secretary’s role in executing the reorganization without federal lawmakers.

“I don’t believe you have all this authority,” she told Schultz.

Pingree expressed frustration that the federal budget writers hadn’t seen an organization chart to assess the impact of the reorganization and how the money would be spent on it.

Schultz said work on the organizational charts was still being done.

President’s proposed budget would make more changes, cuts to USFS Schultz told congressional lawmakers on the committee that although research centers will close under the reorganization, the plan itself does not call for the reduction of any scientists.

However, President Donald Trump’s proposed budget would eliminate funding for all Forest Service research and development, he said. That budget would need to be approved by Congress to be enacted.

“The president’s budget is look-

ing to shift research from where it is today to more of a model that would be done either in the private sector or with universities,” Schultz told the subcommittee.

The president’s proposal would also eliminate funding for State and Private Forestry — the umbrella under which Webb and other affected Idaho employees work. The branch of the USDA assists state, local, private and tribal authorities through training, technical assistance and funding.

Schultz in a hearing on April 16 said states such as Idaho have invested more into helping manage federal lands in recent years, and it would be expected for those investments to continue.

“That’s what I think this budget is proposing, is that we will continue to work with states,” Schultz said.

“We will continue to have a liaison role through state directors, but that ultimately, we would expect more of the funding for those state and private programs to shift from the federal government to the states themselves.”

John Robison, public lands and wildlife director at the Idaho Conservation League, noted in an email to the Sun that the president made similar budget proposals last year.

“Congress has previously rejected or modified the president’s budget and restored funding for natural resource agencies,” Robison wrote.“Complying with the president’s zeroed-out budget in advance of Congress having a say is a surefire way to further dismantle our public lands agencies.”

Uncertainty around reorganization may impede forest management, critics say The reorganization has generated concern that the disruption will cause more employees to get lost and hamper work to manage forest lands.

Bill Avey, chairman of the National Association of Forest Services Retirees, told the Idaho Capital Sun in an interview for a previous story that the agency must recognize the losses the Forest Service is already dealing with after mass layoffs last year resulting from an effort by the now-defunct Department of Government Efficiency.

“Not only did they lose employees, they lost a lot of their most highly skilled, most highly knowledgeable employees as well,” Avey said. “[T]hey need to acknowledge the losses they’ve had and the impacts that those losses and things like this reorganization have on productivity, because

the current employees that they have are truly working their butts off, and they’re going to lose more people if they keep putting more pressure on them to do more and more work that’s just not capable of being done with fewer people,” Avey added.

Both Idaho-based federal union representatives said that Forest Service workers tend to get into the job because of their love for public lands.

Laplante said he grew up in Idaho, went to the University of Idaho and, after living and working in Stanley for some time, joined the Forest Service in his 30s.

“I got to really love the land and the Idaho public land, so that motivated me to actually go work for the Forest Service and do my best to make sure that our forests remain healthy,” he said. “[A] lot of us are in it just for those purposes. We really love the Forest Service, we really love our jobs and we love our public lands.”

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.

April 23, 2026 / R / 7

‘Don’t be duped’ — Asia Williams is the best choice for Dist. 2…

Bouquets: • Every year around this time, the city of Sandpoint offers free curbside branch pickup service, and every year I try to remember to give them a Bouquet for this. After pruning trees and spring cleanup in the yard, it’s so helpful to put everything in a pile at the curb and never think about it again.

• It’s official: We have some of the coolest readers on Earth.

This week, we received two very generous donations from contributors who wished to remain anonymous. Thank you all for the ongoing support you give our newspaper. I was also pleased to see Tyke and Linda Van Dellen stop by our office to drop off a couple of adorable hand-typed letters from Luke, 11, and Anna, 7. I gave Tyke and Linda a vintage Royal typewriter in exchange for an Olympia typer they brought in for me (now my favorite machine in the growing collection), and they gifted it to young Luke and Anna. I hope it brings them many years of enjoyment.

Barbs: • I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Election time often brings out the worst in people. The six weeks before every primary and general election are usually my least favorite times to be a journalist. Our mailboxes are flooded with negative campaign mailers, our inboxes are filled with gripes and complaints from all sides, and everyone seems to walk around punch-drunk and pissed off about everything. It’s our civic duty to pay attention to what’s happening around us, but it’s imperative to maintain a certain level of humanity. Remember, after the dust settles and the election is over, we all have to continue living together in this little town in North Idaho. Keep your head on straight, even if everyone else is losing theirs.

8 / R / April 23, 2026

Dear editor, As a citizen of Bonner County, I encourage you to get involved with local politics so you can understand and participate in the evolution of our area. I urge you to attend or Zoom our county commissioner meetings on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. It’s been a pleasure to see the board allow the public to participate throughout the meetings, thanks to Asia Williams. She strongly advocates to preserve our tax dollars while cutting costs. Asia also strives to retain our heritage as we struggle through growing pains and adversity.

So why is the Republican Central Committee posting negative information on their website and publications that are completely untrue? In all of my years of following county business, Asia has always followed statute. It appears there might be a different agenda — which may include massive development — as seen by the unnecessary and vile attacks after thoughtful debate regarding a moratorium on MLDs, which have been severely abused over the years.

Note: The advice given to the board on the MLD moratorium was advised by our county attorney, as all legal matters are.

Don’t be duped by the “Republican” Committee. Vote for Asia Williams: the most qualified commissioner for District 2.

Theresa Flanigan Priest River

Vote for Jane Sauter’s common-sense approach…

Dear editor, It seems to me that non-emergency care for non-citizens (such as illegal immigrants) should not be paid for by the citizens of our state. There was a bill, H.B. 135 introduced in 2025 that was voted on, passed and signed into law this month. Having traveled extensively, I have always had to foot the bill if I’m traveling to other countries, should I need non-emergency medical assistance. The bill, and now law, makes total sense to me.

I heard Mark Sauter say he opposed this common-sense bill.

In fact, in looking at his records, he frequently opposes bills that are supported by a majority of the Republican representatives. This doesn’t seem to be an issue that would need much debate. You don’t get services paid for by others.

Jane Sauter indicated she would

have voted for this bill and understands that the people of Idaho support this type of approach to rein in government spending.

Jane keeps showing her common sense regarding things needing to be fixed. I like her positive way of offering a clear solution to issues.

I’ll be voting for Jane Sauter on May 19!

Sincerely, Trent Oyler Naples

Woodward votes for constituents, not grades from IFF… Dear editor, May matters in Idaho, because the Republican who wins in the May 19 primary is typically the winner in the general election. We are so fortunate to have Jim Woodward as our current senator. He carefully considers each bill on its own merits and how it will affect his constituents and his stated goals of governance, rather than being swayed by getting a “good grade” from the Idaho Freedom Foundation, like his opponent does.

I have listened to Jim at his regularly scheduled town halls and been impressed with his long-range outlook, investing in education, health care and infrastructure improvements. At the same time, he is fiscally responsible, opposing cuts to our income or property taxes that might sound appealing but will require cuts to important programs and services that have been mandated. Reducing taxes for popularity votes while causing a budget shortfall is just not responsible government.

Woodward is vice-chair of the Finance and Appropriations Committee and serves on the Education and Transportation committees. He has many other important committee assignments as well, as he is a hard-working and highly respected member of the Legislature.

I urge you to vote for our current senator, Jim Woodward, on May 19.

Kate Painter Bonners Ferry

Woodward is the type of Republican who made Idaho great…

Dear editor, Some reasons why I support Jim Woodward and will be voting for him May 19: Jim listens to his constituents, represents their interests well, is a lifelong Idahoan who knows and understands Idaho values. He’s the type of Republican that built the Idaho that makes

everyone want to live here.

He has made decisions that we expect our senator to focus on. He opposed the 2025 tax cut because he had the foresight to see what was coming. He said out loud that we were getting out in front of our skis. He was right; and, even with the difficult budget balancing he faced this year, he fought for essential services like trooper pay and wildland firefighting.

He voted against the 2025 $50 million school choice tax credit because the governor himself admitted it lacked accountability. That vote was not against school choice, but about accountability for taxpayers’ money, which is one of Jim’s core values.

Jim is an involved community member and a true citizen-legislator. He spends three months in Boise representing us, then comes home to run his business and still takes time to listen to the people of Bonner and Boundary counties. Vote Jim Woodward May 19.

Bob Boeh Sagle

U.S. voters need to take a lesson from Orbán ouster…

Dear editor, Victor Orbán was elected for a two-year term as prime minister of Hungary in 2010 as an opposition candidate. Pledging to end corruption and improve the lives of the people, he quickly changed the courts, constitution and voting regulations so only he could win reelection. Aligning himself with Vladimir Putin, he soon became very rich, corrupt and supremely powerful. Sound familiar?

Péter Magyar overwhelmingly defeated Orbán on April 6, was confirmed immediately and will assume office in mid-May, maybe sooner. He hopes sooner, so that Orbán can be arrested, convicted and jailed before he can leave the country with all the money he has stolen from the now impoverished and politically dispossessed citizens after 16 years of corruption!

Voters in the U.S. must take a lesson now! Everyone, regardless of party affiliation, should register and vote in Republican primaries to replace existing Congress members, and vote “blue” on all national and state midterms. Relax, it will only take two years to remove Trump, stop the insane destruction of our democratic republic, begin trying to make repairs and send a clear message to the Republican Party

that they need to change their ways if they ever want to get reelected!

Jay Omundson Cocolalla

‘Protect Idaho and Idahoans’...

Dear editor, It seems that evil — the likes of which I have not experienced in my lifetime — is the new normal. It feels like a weight that pulls us down with a cloud of hopelessness. Trust, truth and kindness are disappearing to be replaced by name calling, labeling and lying.

A good example of this propaganda is the so-called “Official Republican Voter Guide” that arrived in everyone’s mail. Written by outsiders or recent MAGA transplants, they promote a world vision of volatility and hatred. They and their candidates broadcast bombings in the name of Jesus; the splitting up of families; and reduction of services that benefit our children, our women, our veterans and our sick. How can that feel right?

We, the people, have the power to set things right in May and November with our vote. Let’s take back our rights. Let’s turn the tide of hatred and corruption to something more positive. Let’s protect our communities from outside money and influence.

Vote out the Idaho Freedom Foundation and the BCRCC. They do not serve Idahoans. True Idahoans care about our lands, our state and each other. A vote for Jim Woodward is a vote for a better Idaho.

Jane Hoover Priest River

‘Reelect Mark Sauter’...

Dear editor, We worked with Rep. Mark Sauter this recent legislative session on a bill to clarify the Idaho Defense of Life Act. We found him to be honest, sincere and easy to work with. Mark was always ready to listen to our concerns. He will continue to work hard for his constituents.

Get out and cast your vote for Mark Sauter in the Republican primaries.

Stephen Schmid, M.D. and Robert Davis, M.D. Twin Falls and Boise

< see LTE, Page 9 >

< LTE, con’t from Page 8 > Steve Smith is the practical, responsible choice for commissioner…

Dear editor, If you are like me, you want a county commissioner who is steady, practical and knows how to manage money wisely. This is not just a name on a ballot. It is a decision about who will guide our roads, growth and use of taxpayer dollars.

Steve Smith stands out for his proven efficiency and his experience managing both nonprofit and business finances. Running a county requires more than ideas. It demands discipline, execution and consistent financial judgment.

One major concern is avoiding unnecessary legal battles that drain public funds. Lawsuits are costly, and that burden falls on taxpayers.

Strong financial leadership helps reduce that risk and keeps focus on what truly matters.

When waste is minimized, more resources can go toward infrastructure, road maintenance and responsible growth. That is the kind of practical leadership our county needs.

If you value experience and a grounded approach to decision making, Steve Smith brings those qualities forward.

At the end of the day, the goal is simple: protect resources, make sound decisions and keep the county moving forward responsibly.

Jeff Mason Bonner County

‘Asia’s Dedicated Leadership’...

Dear editor, Commissioner Asia Williams, Bonner County commissioner since January 2023, has greatly contributed to our county and responded to the many questions from constituents, including: • Instituted commissioner chats with department heads.

• Held Saturday workshops to inform citizens of issues from our county departments.

• Completed course work as an accredited internal auditor.

• Completed course work in grant writing, advanced grant proposal writing and grant writing consulting.

• Improved the efficiency of county department budgets, encouraging them to maximize details of their expenditures and thereby enhancing its history and evaluation.

• Shared her extensive previous

risk management skills.

• Sits on many mental health boards to include Idaho State Suicide Prevention and Policy and Advocacy Mental Health Board.

Through networking and advocacy, she worked to bring ASIST training to Bonner County residents at no cost to the county or participants ($60,000 price tag).

• Sits on a Regional Behavioral Health Board aiming to enhance mental health counseling rooted in the Bible and faith counseling.

Thank you commissioner, for running for another term! To continue strengthening our Bonner County with this powerful leadership, please vote for Commissioner Asia Williams on May 19!

Doug Paterson Priest River

‘Our oil’…

As I see train after train carrying tanks of oil that is shipped overseas, I wonder at what point will the contracts be stopped?

Sue Koller Cocolalla

‘Election confusion’…

Dear editor, Thinking about my candidate choices in the May Republican primary I am confused.

Jeff Roberts isn’t the only one, but with his flyer in front of me, I read, “Bring Christian values to decision making …,” and, “Uphold property rights … .” It is not an exceptional pairing these days.

Jesus had no property. He chose poverty. He fed people, counseled them, and was kind and inclusive above all. He often broke with the teachings of what we call the Old Testament, offering a vision grounded in care, community and mutual support.

The Bible is a collection of stories and viewpoints that mean one can find a quote for almost any viewpoint. It confuses me, though, that Christ and property rights are so closely linked today.

Molly O’Reilly Sandpoint

‘Don’t sit this one out’…

Dear editor, On the May 19 primary election, choose freedom over oppression, fiscal responsibility over recklessness, health care over suffering, local

control over top-down mandates, education instead of ignorance and respect over disdain.

Please vote for Jim Woodward in the District 1 Senate race for Idaho Legislature. The choice is clear. Sen. Woodward has served our district well, with dignity and respect for his constituents. Sen. Woodward is the picture of a public servant, whereas his opponent serves his out-of-state political action committees and wants to dictate what’s right and wrong for us.

If you are not a registered voter, register as a Republican so you can vote in the restrictive May 19 Republican primary and vote for Woodward, who will listen and work hard on our behalf. We need practical and responsible leadership, not self-righteous ideology that chases our children away from Idaho.

The May 19 election matters more than ever. Don’t sit this one out. Vote for Woodward and a brighter future for Idaho.

Visit voteidaho.gov to register and for information on where to vote.

Susan Drumheller Sagle

Bonner Homeless Transitions to host Little Black Dress fundraiser

By Reader Staff Bonner Homeless Transitions invites the community to its second annual Little Black Dress: Cocktails and Conversation event on Thursday, April 30 at The Idaho Club (151 Clubhouse Way, off U.S. 200 northeast of Sandpoint).

The organization’s signature annual evening event brings together community leaders, business partners and supporters to work toward ending the cycle of homelessness for area women, children and families.

Kicking off at 5 p.m. and limited to 125 guests, tickets are $80 per person, with sponsorships ranging from $200 to $2,000 available at bit.ly/LittleBlackDress2026.

This year’s event will be especially significant, as BHT will make two major announcements

SOLE to host 2026 outdoor gear exchange

‘Seriously’…

By Reader Staff

Dear editor, The Dumpster has gone beyond narcissism directly into full-blown megalomania. The fact that our GOP-controlled Congress still is more afraid of him than their constituents is scarier still. That JD Vance, a recently converted Catholic, tells the pope to stay in his lane is incredible.

I fear for our children’s children as to what they will inherit. My heart aches for our country.

Selkirk Outdoor Leadership and Education is teaming up with Matchwood Brewing Company to host a spring gear exchange from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, April 25 at Matchwood Brewery ( 513 Oak St.).

The event is billed as a perfect time for community members to scoop up and/or sell used outdoor gear, with all proceeds supporting SOLE’s

Gil Beyer Sandpoint

Vote for Woodward…

Dear editor, I’m an old geezer and I won’t become a RINO just because, as a hardcore Democrat, I’d hate to take my last breath as a registered Republican. What would my descendants think?

But I urge you to vote for Jim Woodward — a reasonable, thoughtful man, as opposed to his off-thewall opponent: the purveyor of church basement schools.

Ted Wert Sagle

that will shape the future of the organization and expand its ability to serve families in need.

“We are at a pivotal moment,” stated BHT Executive Director Rebekah Little. “The work we are doing is growing and these announcements reflect both where we’ve been and where we are going. ” The evening will feature cocktails and heavy appetizers, along with an opportunity to engage directly with the mission and impact of the organization.

Guests will hear firsthand how BHT is helping women and children build housing stability, independence and hope for the future through a structured, two-year program focused on life skills, employment and long-term housing.

For more info, visit bonnerhomelesstransitions.org.

‘Jim Woodward truly cares for our community’...

Dear editor, Now retired, I was privileged to serve the city of Sandpoint in the Parks and Rec. Department for over 35 years. It was in this capacity that I met and became friends with Jim Woodward and his awesome wife, Brenda.

When the city was rebuilding the Memorial Field grandstands project, Jim volunteered his resources to completely demolish and remove the old structure, saving the project thousands of dollars.

When I ordered the new scoreboard for Memorial Field and learned that installation was way more than I bargained for, I called

mission to empower youth to explore, achieve and lead outdoors. This specific sale will benefit an all-girls leadership and adventure camp to be held this summer.

“From canoes and kayaks to snowshoes, clothing, backpacks and more, this will be an awesome opportunity to buy/sell upcycled outdoor gear and make a difference while doing so,” organizers stated.

For more info on SOLE, visit soleexperiences.org.

Jim in a panic and he dropped everything to make it happen.

When the 13 old and rotting wooden pilings marking the shallows of Dog Beach (and critical to the Long Bridge Swim) became a safety hazard, Jim offered to remove and replace them with steel pilings that will outlast us all — again saving taxpayers thousands of dollars.

All these projects took place prior to Jim’s political service. He had nothing to gain but helping the community. As our senator, he is consistent in keeping us informed through community meetings and informative articles in the media. I hope that someday Jim considers throwing his hat in the race for governor.

Kim Woodruff Sandpoint April 23, 2026 / R / 9

Mad about Science:

By Brenden Bobby Reader Columnist LEGO bricks are an intergenerational phenomenon.

They have been used by kids and adults alike for decades, and are such a powerful indicator of creativity and intelligence that they’re used as part of applications for certain engineering jobs.

It may surprise you to know that I was never a LEGO kid. I personally found them to be tedious and frustrating to assemble; but, regardless of my personal feelings toward LEGO, they’re a fascinating collision of science and culture and certainly worth exploring.

LEGO began as a company in 1932, founded by Ole Kirk Christiansen, a Danish carpenter and woodworker. Applying his trade, Christiansen built wooden toys in the wake of the Great Depression. By the mid 1940s, their focus had shifted to interlocking plastic bricks that would define the brand to this day.

These bricks are made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or ABS. LEGO bricks are one of the prime examples of ABS, though it can also be used in 3-D printing, so long as the user is taking proper precautions and ventilating the area well, as the polymer produces toxic fumes when heated.

ABS is used by LEGO because of its permanence. It is a thermoplastic that isn’t prone to warping, even after years of use and exposure to a wide range of temperatures and environmental conditions.

LEGO bricks made during the 1980s are still circulating in near-pristine condition among collectors today, and ABS is to thank for that.

10 / R / April 23, 2026

Brought to you by:

lego

LEGO bricks begin their journey as ABS pellets trucked into the LEGO factory in shipping containers that can transport up to 28 tons of plastic in a single load. The plastic pellets are deposited into massive silos that feed into the rest of the factory.

One of the first steps is to mix color pigments with the raw plastic. LEGO has very strict parameters and guidelines for what the color of each brick should be. These pigments are very thoroughly mixed with the plastic to create uniformity in color once they enter the injection molding machine.

Plastic is heated to 230 degrees Celsius inside of the machine and then injected into steel molds. Twenty-nine thousand pounds per square inch of pressure presses the molten plastic into its desired shape, and then the bricks are cooled over about 10 seconds before being released.

This forming creates a high level of precision and uniformity, allowing for each brick to fit exactly as it should to within 0.005 millimeters. Malformed or defective LEGO bricks are extremely rare.

Plastic injection molding like this is used at an industrial scale for almost any molded plastic. It works exceptionally well for detailed and exact parts, like Warhammer miniatures. An inexpensive quantity of plastic can be injected into a mold upward of 200,000 times before the mold needs to be replaced and recycled — at least for aluminum molds used in polystyrene injection molding.

LEGO uses steel molds, which can be used up to 15 million times before they are replaced. They carry a

cost of between $20,000 and $150,000, depending on the complexity of the part. This certainly explains why LEGO sets are so darn expensive.

LEGO bricks undergo an intense quality assurance process. Optical sensors analyze each brick from every angle, scanning for everything from minute scratches to misalignments in the brick that would throw off the ability for the bricks to connect even slightly. Bricks that fail these tests are collected and ground back down into plastic pellets to begin the process all over again.

Bricks that pass are collected in bins. Once these bins are full, sensors are triggered to summon an AGV, or automated guided vehicle. This is a robot that collects full bins and replaces them with empty bins before transporting the finished LEGO bricks to a conveyor where the bin is scanned and added to a tracking database, allowing the staff to record exact quantities and locations of individual batches through the entire process.

LEGO Minifigs go through an extra stage of production than bricks. The faces and clothing details aren’t painted on, nor are they decals.

Instead, they are fed through a machine that automatically picks up ink from an inkpad and stamps each piece. It’s a lot like your local librarian stamping due dates on your books, except these machines are capable of stamping thousands of Minifigs per minute.

The pieces are binned again and sent to a sorting facility within the factory — a massive warehouse with storage bins that reach up to 121 vertical feet. The batches are cross-referenced within the database for a specific

production run, such as a Star Destroyer from Star Wars, and then those bins are automatically sorted by precise counting machines to batch the pieces together and fit them into bags. Up until this point, the entire process has been completely automated.

During final sorting, humans package the bagged parts and instructions and prepare them for distribution. This is the final stage of quality control, ensuring that every-

thing that needs to end up in the consumer’s hands shows up in the box. During peak production, the factory can complete up to 50,000 boxes in a 24-hour window.

Distribution from that point onward is a massive endeavor and worthy of its own article, provided that article’s writer could sum up global logistical chains in fewer than 900 words.

Stay curious, 7B.

Random Corner Don’t know much about tea?

We can help!

• All tea — whether black, green, oolong, white or yellow — comes from the same plant, the camellia sinensis. This excludes herbal teas and tisanes, which aren’t technically “true” teas. The magic of making different teas is about how they are processed, from which leaves they are picked and when, whether the leaves are oxidized or not and for how long.

For example, black tea leaves are oxidized, which darkens their color and deepens flavor, while green teas are immediately heated to halt oxidation, keeping the leaves green and grassy tasting.

• Other than water, tea is the most consumed beverage in the world. More than 2 billion cups of tea are consumed every day and the global tea industry was estimated to be worth more than $250 billion in 2025.

• Thomas Sullivan’s 1908 tea samples came in silk bags, which customers put in hot water to brew.

This led to the accidental invention of the tea bag.

• Like dark chocolate, tea contains catechins, a type of antioxidant that helps reduce risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

• Panda dung tea is made using panda feces as an eco-friendly fertilizer. When the tea first came to market, about 16 cups cost roughly $3,500.

• An estimated 80% of the tea consumed in the U.S. is iced.

• Tea plants are actually trees.

Their stalks are kept short and small so the top leaves can be plucked by hand. Most are harvested at about three to five feet tall; but, if left to grow, tea plants can rise to more than 50 feet tall.

• It takes 2,000 tea leaves to make one pound of tea.

• When British aristocrat and Prime Minister Charles Grey was given tea that was infused with bergamot oil, he asked merchants to recreate it. They did and named it “Earl Grey” after him.

PERSPECTIVES

Emily Articulated Foundation

By Emily Erickson Reader Columnist

My partner and I are building a house. Or rather, he (and many other skilled people) are building a house, and I’m slotting in where I can: moving dirt from one side of the property to the other, cutting insulation strips like puzzle pieces, pulling stiff red tubing from one end of our flattened rectangle to the other.

I grew up in a construction family. My dad did everything from fine woodcraft finishing to laboring on large construction crews, so the process of homebuilding carries certain associations for me, if not true familiarity. The tickle of sawdust as it flutters past my nose, gathering in soft piles like snow on the floor and countertops. I used to scoop it up and toss it like confetti. The bright whine of a table saw, pitching up an octave as it bites into wood. The mingled smell of dirt and sunscreen and sweat — today without the added punch of cigarette smoke — and plaster- and paint-flecked clothes.

But actual understanding is where that familiarity stops.

My partner, the architect, is skilled with both Gantt charts and the ability to see things that aren’t there yet. He has the entire process mapped out in his mind. For months, we’ve been making progress on things I couldn’t quite see — all of it culminating yesterday in the concrete pour: our foundation.

When I pictured our “first steps,” this was the stage I could imagine: the concrete truck churning in the driveway, cement sliding down in heavy globs to be smoothed into something solid and walkable, the base on which we’ll

Emily Erickson. build everything else.

What I couldn’t picture was all the work that had to happen before the step I could imagine.

Before the pour, the earth had to be leveled. Fill had to be brought in. Drainage and electrical conduit had to be placed just so. Insulation had to be laid, tubing run, details handled so that someday we can pad barefoot across warm kitchen floors and plug a kettle into the island without ever wondering where the cord should go.

So much planning, thought and labor went into our foundation before it looked like progress — before it became concrete, something visible, something we could finally point to and say: Here, this is where it begins.

And it’s made me think about how often we use the word “foundation” to describe the beginning of things — the base of things, the platform on which we build whatever comes next — so often that the word has almost lost the complexity of its meaning, a metaphoric semantic satiation.

We’ve come to think of it as the obvious beginning, the poured concrete, instead of all the invisible work required to make it functional and capable of bearing weight.

We say things like, “My relationship is built on a foundation of honesty and trust,” and picture the visible life that

grows from it: mutual respect, care, transparency, open communication. The finished structure of partnership. But even that foundation has groundwork beneath it. Before trust can exist between two people, there is the quieter work of becoming someone capable of trusting — a person who can be honest with themselves before they can be honest with someone else. A self that has learned boundaries, repair and vulnerability, even through discomfort. What looks like a strong foundation in a relationship is often built long before the relationship itself begins.

“My childhood was foundational to my worldview,” we say, and usually what comes to mind are the visible things: dinners around the table, values repeated until they become instinct, work ethic modeled in small daily ways, and the inherited patterns of conflict and care we absorb without noticing.

We point to these as the foundation, reflected back in the adults we become and the way we move through the world. But beneath that is a longer line of inheritance: family histories, passed-down stories of identity and survival, the way our parents were parented, the things they carried forward and the things they tried to change.

We explain, “This community, or this country, was built on a foundation of ...” and fill in the blank with values we want to claim: hard work, resilience, freedom, neighborliness, opportunity. We point to the visible things — the bustling downtown, the successful fundraiser, the ribbon-cutting, the first hundred days — as proof of that foundation.

But communities, like homes and relationships, require intention long before anything visible can be built.

The groundwork is creating

a sense of belonging: removing barriers to participation, making people feel welcome enough to show up before there is proof it will matter.

Real community is built on repeated presence, ordinary reliability and enough small acts of care that eventually something sturdy exists where there was once only open ground.

The same is true of countries. We praise quick wins and visible progress while ignoring the slower work beneath: policies that take decades to bear fruit, injustices left unaddressed and systems reinforced quietly until they become load-bear-

ing. Strong communities (and strong countries) are built by people willing to do the work no one applauds, and that most people can’t see.

Now, as the rest of our house becomes more visible, I’ll be thinking about everything that went into making it possible and all the life that will eventually be layered on top of our foundation. And I’ll find myself choosing my words with a little more care, remembering that most beginnings are already works in progress, but now just a little sturdier, ready to hold whatever comes next.

Retroactive

By BO

April 23, 2026 / R / 11

PERSPECTIVES

The three ‘C’s’ Focusing on cooperation, collaboration and conservation

By Stan Norman Reader Contributor

normalized relations with the United States in 1996 and opened its borders to investors and diversificaTwo years ago, this tion. child of the ’60s and Then he mused that, ’70s traveled to Vietnam “Pure communism is with my partner. We good in theory but not in felt a need to visit the practice.” place and people that I thought for a mohad dominated the news ment and replied, “Pure while we were in high capitalism is the same school and college. way.” We shook hands One sunny day we on that. were touring Ho Chi It’s amazing how Stan Norman. Courtesy photo Minh City (Saigon in many important words our youth) with our guide and the start with “C”: capitalism, commudiscussion turned political. He said nism, community. I recently dusted that when the Americans left in 1976 off a blog that I wrote after the 2016 Vietnam entered into a period of 20 election about capitalism unencumyears when the country attempted bered by compassion (another “C” to apply “pure” communism to its word). Perhaps it’s time to transform economy and politics and outlawed our own culture from the three “C’s” religion. It didn’t go well. He said that of capitalism to the three “C’s” of things didn’t improve until Vietnam community.

The three C’s of capitalism have dominated our culture as a nation for nearly its entire 250-year existence.

Competition, comparison and consumerism have become a way of life for most of us. We compete with one another in every aspect of our personal and professional lives. We compete at work, at play and at home. We compare ourselves and our lifestyles constantly, without even thinking. We consume resources that sustain life on this small planet without regard for the consequences to future generations, to other species and to the environment.

The good news is that we can still compete, compare and consume if we do so with compassion for our neighbors. The three C’s of community are cooperation, collaboration and conservation.

We can compete without demonizing our opponents, focusing on improving ourselves instead of on winning. We can compare without

belittling others, humbly recalling our own shortfalls. We can work with others for the common good. We can consume without taking more resources than we need just because we can.

Everyone can have what they need if no one has all that they want.

As he was signing the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago, Benjamin Franklin said, “We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.” On this important anniversary for the United States, we should heed the advice of one of our wisest forefathers and vote for community and neighbor, over one particular ideology or theology. Capitalism has brought us great wealth at the cost of our collective soul. Let’s hang together in 2026 and renew our community spirit.

Stan Norman is a Sandpoint resident.

Christian nationalist upset at BCRCC

By Dave Britton Reader Contributor The Bonner County Republican Central Committee met April 21 for its final meeting of the current legislative season. The main topic was a discussion of differing opinions about the voter guide mailed out with the committee’s endorsements of specific candidates for the Republican primary.

The public comments, as well as comments by precinct committeemen, included both that community members found the voter guide very offensive, and others thought it was very helpful.

12 / R / April 23, 2026

What I think is that the voter guide contained a lot of rhetoric signaling that these endorsements indicated that the candidates agreed with the committee’s majority ideology, which was expressed explicitly in a resolution passed after Turning Point USA leader Charlie Kirk was assassinated. (Available at bonnergop.org/resolution-honoring-charlie-kirk-as-a-martyr).

The resolution states: “[T]he BCRCC commits to follow Charlie Kirk’s example by boldly, courageously and respectfully contending for a conservative, Republican and biblical worldview in politics and civic engagement.”

The word “biblical” was an amendment to the original version, after I protested the initial phrasing of “Christian worldview” as a violation of the First Amendment’s injunction that, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

This overtly political context of an action taken by elected political representatives to assert political allegiance to an explicitly Christian religious ideology is characteristic of the political position contemporary analysts refer to as “Christian nationalism.”

I used the agenda item of “P.C. reports” to report that I had publicly appeared in a recent Bonner County

Human Rights Task Force presentation by local church pastors about Christian nationalism; and, as a P.C. as well as a Quaker, I spoke against the BCRCC’s adoption of Christian nationalist rhetoric. I attributed the considerable negative community reaction to the voting guide publication due to its Christian nationalist orientation.

My sense is that many Republicans do not agree with Christian nationalism and actually find it offensive when the Christian nationalists claim this makes them “not real Republicans.” The voting guide triggered that negativity, I asserted. I noted that the First Amendment establishes formal separation of church and state, so actual “real” Republicans would not like dog whistles to Christian nationalism in the voting guide.

Then all hell broke loose (metaphorically, not Biblically), and even pro tem Chairman Scott Herndon could or would not rescue me from the outpouring of outrage. Several precinct committeemen called out that the Constitution did not call for separation of church and state, and that “churches need to be involved,” as P.C. and Bonner County Commissioner Ron Korn put it.

I had not, prior to this, experienced or realized the intensity or

depth of emotional engagement this issue created.

Fellow P.C. Tom “Butch” Horton enlightened me, and I thank him for the insight. For these angry committee members he said, “Christian nationalist” is an epithet — a derogatory insult like “racist” or “antisemite.”

I was unaware, or ignorant, of the “othering” effect I caused by using the term. I thought it was a technical term for a category of political and religious orientation — one among many, not an insult, just a label for a collection of beliefs (and actually a vague one with many varieties), as we had discussed in the pastors’ human rights presentation. Now I have been schooled, and I find I need to think carefully about how to talk about mixing religion and politics.

For more detailed information about my views on this topic (and others) you can read my analysis of the current Republican Party platform at bonnergop.org/wp-content/ uploads/2025/02/Britton_platform_response.pdf.

Dave Britton serves as Beach Precinct committeeman for the Bonner County Republican Central Committee.

To submit a photo for a future edition, please send to ben@sandpointreader.com.

Top left: Forrest Schuck brought the Reader to Oatman, Ariz. “99° is a nice change,” Schuck wrote. Photo

by Mary Jo Godec.

Top right: The entire Helander family (team name “Table for 10”) enjoyed Spring break in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. “We read the Reader wherever we go!” wrote Don Helander. (Publisher’s note: That ain’t our Reader, Don. Nice try. There can be only one!)

Middle left: “Little League is upon us!” wrote photographer Jeanette Eder.

Middle right: “Grabbed a shot of the Reader and the Coleman Family while we were sailing around Puerto Rico/SVI this past week,” wrote Karley Coleman. “The photo was taken from our anchorage at Culebrita, with the old Spanish lighthouse behind us. What an awesome trip.”

Bottom left: “I traveled to Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China recently,” wrote Kirsten Thompson, seen here at a restaurant an hour from Chengdu closer to Mount Qingcheng. “My son has lived in China for 13 years and this was my fourth visit to see him, and also his wife and their son Leo, grandchild No. 4 for me.”

Bottom right: Behind the scenes from our cover photo this week: “The Undaunted Hiking Group finished a wildflower hunt: glacier lilies, shooting stars, arrowhead balsam root, nineleaf biscuitroot, blue bells, spring violets,” wrote photographer Perky Smith-Hagadone. “What we need to protect with all our might.”

April 23, 2026 / R / 13

PERSPECTIVES

Dear Earth

By Savannah Willison Reader Contributor Dear Earth, I’m writing to you today to express my gratitude toward you. How you’re always changing, adapting, demanding.

Thank you for the sunshine, it’s been needed. Thank you for the breeze and rain and mud. You’ve brought the birds and fresh air back, too.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the snow and the cold and cozy we create to combat the ice, but what comes after is your most beautiful creation.

There’s still snow in the hills but there are flowers and dirt and grass in the valleys. Your nights are cold but you always warm us back up in the mid-morning sun.

You always know right when to change, too. Right as we start to feel tired and worn down, we feel you shift. Now we can eat, gather and dance in the daylight.

Just as you change, we also must change. We go from bundling our-

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selves in layers to shedding; we cut our hair, clean our homes, swap our skis for bikes and our knee-high boots for trail shoes.

Thank you for teaching us change.

You bloom and breath and flow. Your change signifies life. We watch as fish move up from lakes to streams, as bugs hatch and fly, as your plants bud and grow and bloom. This season marks a season of abundance. Thank you for providing everything we need, I know we take too much from you, but I promise we’ll try harder to give back.

I grew up loving you, like most other people do. To be honest you raised me in your wild lands. I hiked your trails, climbed your rocks, floated your streams, explored deep into the untouched wilderness of your mountains, looked across your vast deserts, canoed your lakes, and played in the mud and the water and in the rain — sometimes cursing you and your temperamental changes, but always grateful for the adventure and classroom you provided.

Thank you for being our solace, excitement and reverie. We still have so much more of you to see and explore, and love. Hopefully we can take care of you the way you take care of us.

Happy Earth Day, — Savannah

Savannah Willison. Courtesy photo Savannah Willison is the programs manager for Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness in Sandpoint. Join her on a hike up Scotchman Peak or at a trail work party this summer to share her passion of connecting to our wild backyard.

PERSPECTIVES

Protecting the Kootenai River from mountaintop removal coal mining

By Jennifer Ekstrom Reader Contributor Pollution from five mountaintop removal coal mines in the Canadian Rockies is flowing downstream through British Columbia, and into the Kootenai River of Idaho, Montana and beyond. Selenium and other contaminants threaten drinking water, fisheries and tribal cultural resources.

The crisis has been escalating since mining began in the 1960s.

Glencore, a multinational mining corporation with a troubling human rights and environmental record, owns the mines and exports coal primarily to India, China, Japan and elsewhere in Asia. Glencore pockets the profits while leaving downstream tribes, First Nations and communities like Bonners Ferry to bear the consequences.

A recent study by the U.S. Geological Survey found that over the past 38 years, selenium concentrations in the Kootenai watershed have more than quadrupled. This increase is likely the largest ever recorded in a peer-reviewed study anywhere in the world.

By the end of 2022, selenium concentrations jumped 551%.

Despite the scale of the problem, this is a hopeful moment — marked by international diplomacy and rising demands for accountability.

The historic referral of the Elk-Kootenai watershed crisis to the International Joint Commission under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 marks the first time in history that this formal diplomacy effort includes Indigenous peoples. The Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, as part of the larger transboundary Ktunaxa Nation, has their rightful seats at the negotiation table, as they work to defend their sustenance fisheries, culture and way of life.

As a member of the IJC Public Advisory Group, the Idaho Conservation League is advocating for strong regulatory recommendations that are ultimately implemented by the regulators overseeing the mines. Without sustained public pressure, even the most robust recommendations risk becoming little more than reports on a shelf.

The IJC is expected to release its recommendations in early 2027. The period surrounding the release will be pivotal: decision makers will either

The Kootenai River, near Bonners Ferry. Courtesy photo enact those recommendations to protect water quality and communities, or continue to defer to polluters.

Meanwhile, Glencore is advancing plans for a massive expansion of the Fording River Mine, which would entirely obliterate Castle Mountain and lock in mining into the 2060s.

The expansion would destroy a rare high-elevation grassland that is critical for bighorn sheep.

Permits for this expansion should not even be considered until the IJC process is complete, its recommendations are implemented and selenium levels are adequately reduced.

Because there is so much at stake, we have joined with partners on both sides of the international border to ask the Canadian government to assign an independent review panel, which would ensure a transparent and thorough review of the proposed expansion. Castle Mountain will go down in history as a symbol of whether regulators are willing to draw a line.

In hopeful news, a Montana District Court recently ruled to uphold the protective selenium water quality standard for Lake Koocanusa, after the mining corporation attempted to undermine it. That decision affirmed the science-based selenium limits necessary to protect fish and other aquatic life, and underscored the ability of communities to successfully push back against major polluters.

To bring these issues into focus,

ICL is producing Shared Waters, a documentary film telling the story of a watershed under pressure and the people working to protect it. It centers on the leadership of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho and the broader Ktunaxa Nation, while also highlighting lived realities in places like Fernie, B.C., and Bonners Ferry.

As the foundation of a broader campaign, ICL and its partners will launch a coordinated film screening effort to create accountability when the IJC releases its recommendations.

Screenings will take place in key communities, creating opportunities to engage directly with decision-makers, with public officials invited to participate.

The goal is simple but powerful: Ensure that decisions about the future of the watershed are made in full view of the communities they affect.

The Elk-Kootenai watershed is at a crossroads. The combination of multinational diplomacy and a massive proposed mine expansion has created a rare convergence of risk and possibility. Through Shared Waters, ICL and others aim to make meaningful, lasting change inevitable — and to offer real hope for the future of the Kootenai watershed.

Jennifer Ekstrom is North Idaho director of the Idaho Conservation League.

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COMMUNITY The Pro-Voice Project presents ‘Women’s Healthcare on the Line’ in Bonners Ferry

By Reader Staff The Pro-Voice Project will host a presentation titled “Women’s Healthcare on the Line: Idaho Providers Speak” — a documentary-style stage production — on Friday, April 24 at The Pearl Theater (7160 Ash St., in Bonners Ferry).

Built from interviews with Idaho reproductive health care providers about practicing — and deciding whether to stay — amid Idaho’s current legal climate, local performers will share physicians’ words and experiences, illuminating how policy meets the exam room and how those decisions ripple through families and communities in Idaho.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the performance begins at 7 p.m.; and, while tickets are free, reservations

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are required at bit.ly/BonnersPVP. The script is informed by research published last year finding that between August 2022 and December 2024, Idaho lost 35% of its OB-GYNs, leaving just 23 obstetricians to serve 569,000 Idahoans across 37 largely rural counties, including Bonner and Boundary.

A panel discussion will follow the stage production, centering on legal expertise, medical knowledge and patient experiences. Audience participation is welcome.

“Right now, Idaho’s obstetricians are practicing under extraordinary pressure. This physician-story stage production invites us to bear witness to their experiences of hesitation and heartbreak,” stated ProVoice founder Jen Jackson Quintano.

“When we start to see our health care system as something shaped by human beings with hearts, empathy necessarily follows. And empathy opens the door to better understanding, better policy, and better care,” she added.

The Pro-Voice Project is a North Idaho-based nonprofit dedicated to reducing abortion stigma through storytelling and creating spaces for honest community dialogue. “Women’s Healthcare on the Line” is part of a series of physician-focused performances traveling to communities around the state this year, including Boise, Meridian, Salmon and Hailey.

For more information, to get involved or to donate, contact jen@theprovoiceproject.com or visit theprovoiceproject.com.

Two dozen students earn Workforce Readiness and Career Technical Education diplomas

By Reader Staff Twenty-four students from the Sandpoint High School class of 2026 have earned the Workforce Readiness and Career and Technical Education diploma, recognizing their commitment to developing real-world skills and preparing for success beyond high school.

The Workforce Readiness and CTE diploma was established by the Idaho Legislature in 2021 to acknowledge how career and technical education enhances students’ high-school experience and prepares them for the demands of today’s workforce.

Students who earn the distinction go above and beyond standard graduation requirements by completing a CTE pathway, passing both a technical skills assessment and a workplace readiness assessment, and demonstrating mastery through SkillStack microcredentials or industry-recognized certifications.

“I’m proud of the dedication our students have shown in pursuing meaningful, career-focused learning,” stated Alex Gray, who serves as CTE director for the Lake Pend Oreille School District. “They’re graduating with more than a diploma — they’ve built

the skills and confidence to succeed in whatever comes next.”

Students who earned the Workforce Readiness and CTE diploma this year include: Rachel Aylward, Maverick Broehl, Brooke Brown, Adrian Burleson, Evangeline Carroll, Jasper Caslund, Cecilia Dignan-Omodt, Lily Evans, Johnathan Gaulrapp, Lane Gavin, Esther Grant, Addison Ketchum, Conner Kluender, Matthew Kunde, Logan Lindley, Annie Miller, Lanie Padilla, Morganne Perry-Scepan, Kayden Price, Holly Rainey, Bria Rocke, Brooklynn Spring Thompson, Chloe Subers and Sierra Vest.

“Through their participation in CTE programs, these students have gained valuable technical knowledge, employability skills and hands-on experience aligned with high-skill, in-demand careers,” LPOSD officials stated. “The diploma also signals to employers that these graduates are workforce-ready, helping reduce training time and ensuring they are prepared to contribute on Day 1.”

The district congratulates these students on this outstanding achievement and looks forward to seeing the impact they will make in their chosen career paths.

Identifying native spring flowers Berberis repens: creeping Oregon grape

By Soncirey Mitchell Reader Staff Tulips, daffodils and crocuses may get all the attention in spring for their early, colorful blooms, but they’re nowhere near as sweet-smelling, beneficial or long-lasting as Idaho’s native flowers. April and May are great months to get out and explore the local early bloomers, so here’s a guide to some of the blossoms you can find in the woods today.

Amelanchier alnifolia: western serviceberry, Saskatoon

Viola adunca. Courtesy photo Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. Courtesy photo are simple — meaning they have a single blade — and are generally one inch long, growing in an alternate arrangement. Clusters of five to 10 small, bell-shaped, pink and white flowers bloom from March through June in North Idaho. These eventually transform into bright-red berries that last well into winter.

Philadelphus lewisii: syringa, Lewis’ mock-orange

Amelanchier alnifolia. Courtesy photo This three- to 16-foot shrub grows throughout central and North Idaho, producing white blooms in April and May. These grow in clusters — or racemes — of three to 20 flowers, and each flower contains five oblong petals. These blossoms will turn into ripe, berry-like fruit in June and early July, starting off red and then turning a dark purple. The serviceberry has an alternate leaf arrangement, meaning the leaves alternate directions around the stem rather than growing in opposite pairs or groups. Each leaf is oblong, rounded at the tip and serrated along the edges. Young branches are red but fade to gray as they age.

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi: kinnikinick, bearberry This trailing, evergreen shrub sprouts yellow-green, leathery, paddle-shaped leaves in the spring. These

Philadelphus lewisii. Courtesy photo The syringa is Idaho’s state flower and grows everywhere from British Columbia to California and east to Montana. It can reach three to 10 feet tall, with long, red stems that eventually fade to gray and oval, smooth or slightly serrated leaves arranged in pairs, opposite one another. This deciduous shrub produces clusters of three to 15 fragrant, white flowers beginning in May and lasting through July. Each flower is one to two inches in size, with four waxy petals resembling an orange blossom, which gives it the common name “mock-orange.”

Berberis repens. Courtesy photo You’ll often find this evergreen, holly-like shrub growing low on sunny hillsides. The opposite leaf arrangement means each branch features pairs of serrated simple leaves that start dull green and gradually transition to a dusky pink. Creeping Oregon grape generally stays under two feet tall, growing in a mound out from the primary stem. This shrub produces densely packed clusters of bright yellow flowers, each with six petals encased in six sepals. Sepals are generally the green, outermost layer at the base of the flower; but, in the case of the Oregon grape, the sepals are yellow and look nearly identical to petals. The blooms last from April to June and eventually become blue, waxy berries in the summer.

Viola orbiculata. Courtesy photo which have five petals each: two upper and three lower. The upper two petals have small “hooks” at the tips, giving them the alternative name hookedspur violets. The round-leaf violet has a similar growth and petal configuration; however, as the name suggests, they have large, rounded leaves with lightly scalloped edges. Unlike the dog violet, each petal is rounded on the end.

Viola adunca and orbiculata: dog violet and western roundleaf violet Yards in Sandpoint are full of the Viola genus, which has approximately 600 species, including true violets, pansies and violas. Two varieties native to North Idaho are Viola adunca (dog violet) and Viola orbiculata (western roundleaf violet), which come in shades of blue and violet or bright yellow, respectively. These violets are synonymous with spring, popping up shortly after the snow melts. Perennial dog violets have teardrop-shaped, simple leaves that sprout from a central crown alongside the flowers, April 23, 2026 / R / 17

COMMUNITY Celebrate Earth Day with 8K run/walk and shoreline cleanup at City Beach

By Reader Staff Though Earth Day was technically observed on April 22, local events geared around the celebration of the natural world will continue through the following weekend.

First, on Saturday, April 25, lace up your running shoes for the Earth Day in Sandpoint “One With Nature” 8K run/ walk, which starts at 9 a.m. at City Beach.

Registration closes Thursday, April 24 at noon and costs $35 for adults and $25 for youth, available at bit.ly/EarthDay8K. Funds raised from registrations help support the Sandpoint Parks and Recreation Department and wildlife conservation efforts.

In addition to the scenic run, participants are invited to a local vendor fair featuring community groups and businesses focused on sustainability and outdoor living.

Next, on Sunday, April 26, the Idaho Conservation League will once again partner with the city of Sandpoint to host its annual Earth Day shoreline cleanup at City Beach, Lower Sand Creek and the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail.

From 9-11 a.m., community members are invited to remove garbage and debris

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from local shorelines. The annual family-friendly event offers residents, local businesses and community organizations the opportunity to care for the lake ahead of the busy summer season.

“We’re excited to be partnering with the city again for this event,” stated ICL North Idaho Community Engagement Specialist Caitlyn Embree. “It’s a great way for people to get outside, celebrate Earth Day and take care of the places that make our community so special — while preparing our shorelines for the months ahead.”

Volunteers will meet at the City Beach Pavilion at 9 a.m. — located just past the end of the parking lot at 58 Bridge St. Participants are encouraged to bring their own reusable buckets or bags, work gloves and a trash grabber, if available.

Extra supplies will be provided.

As conditions may be muddy, waterproof boots or shoes are recommended.

Evans Brothers Coffee will provide warm beverages, along with pastries courtesy of Winter Ridge Natural Foods.

The event is free to attend and open to all ages.

“Rain or shine, join us to take care of our shorelines and protect our waterways,” organizers stated.

Sandpoint library celebrates Earth Day

By Reader Staff The Sandpoint branch of the East Bonner County Library is combining Earth Day and Arbor Day into one community celebration on Saturday, April 25. The party runs 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the library’s garden (1407 Cedar St.), or inside if the weather turns.

The day begins at 10 a.m. with an Earth Day-themed storytime for young listeners, followed by a 10:30 a.m. class on composting and vermiculture (the cultivation of worms to produce fertilizer). Next, the tree-planting workshop at 11:30 a.m. will teach proper planting techniques — such as how to choose a site — through a demonstration by arborist Paige Belfry, who will be planting a new tree on the library’s grounds.

Throughout the day, the library will also host hands-on activities, tree seedling giveaways, e-waste recycling and educational booths run by experts and local organizations.

Ask area arborists and gardeners for personalized advice and get inspired to enter the Celebrating Trees Through Photography Capture con-

test, which runs until Friday, May 1. Snap a photo of a tree in Sandpoint that you think the city should recognize as a “Heritage Tree” because it’s historical, unique, ecologically important or somehow special to the community.

Email submissions to oohlalatrees@gmail.com and include your email, phone number, an explanation of why you selected the tree (in 200 words or fewer) and the tree’s location. Sandpoint’s Urban Forestry Commission will consider each submission for official recognition, and the winners of the photo contest will receive a gift card and have their photos published in the Sandpoint Reader.

The event is sponsored by Ooh La La Arboriculture, the Bonner County Gardeners Association, Idaho Conservation League, Idaho Department of Lands Forest Stewardship Program, Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society, city of Sandpoint, Sandpoint Urban Forestry Commission, Bonner Community Food Bank and DarkSky International.

For more info, visit ebonnerlibrary. org/events/earth-day-celebration.

COMMUNITY Spring Fling downtown shopping event features promotions and prizes

By Reader Staff The Sandpoint Shopping District is celebrating the season with a Spring Fling event Saturday, April 25 in downtown Sandpoint.

Participants are invited to kick off the day at Tomlinson Sotheby’s at 503 Cedar St. for giveaways and win pairings with Pend d’Oreille Winery from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. before heading out to explore local businesses for exclusive promotions until 6 p.m.

More than 40 local businesses are participating, and shoppers who turn

in their completed Spring Fling passport — available at bit.ly/DowntownShopping — will have the chance to win $500 in local business gift cards or an eight-day, seven-night vacation stay valued at $2,500.

Drawings will be held at 6 p.m. at Connie’s Cafe and Lounge (323 Cedar St.) and 6:30 p.m. at Barrel 33 (100 N. First Ave.), and winners must be present to claim their prizes.

For more details, visit sandpointdowntownshopping.com, email info@ sandpointdowntownshopping.com or call 808-780-2079.

LillyBrooke to host annual Kids Fair

By Reader Staff The LillyBrooke Family Justice Center announced it would host the annual Kids Fair on Saturday, April 25 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Bonner County Fairgrounds (4203 N. Boyer Ave.).

This annual event raises funds to support child victims, increases awareness about child abuse and neglect, and celebrates the kids and families in the community.

Since opening its doors in 2017, LillyBrooke has served hundreds of crime victims, facilitated dozens of forensic interviews and provided courthouse support services to help guide vulnerable victims through the legal process.

Meanwhile, LillyBrooke is seeking the following contributions for the 2026 event:

• Monetary donations; • Raffle items (e.g., kids’ bikes/helmets, toys, kayaks, etc.); • Gift certificates; • Gift baskets; • Candy and small prizes; • Bottled water, drinks or other prepackaged food items.

“Our annual fair is made possible thanks to the generous contributions of local businesses and organizations whose donations help us keep this a free community event and allow us to continue providing vital services to victims of violent crime,” organizers stated.

For more information about LillyBrooke or to donate, visit lillybrookefjc.org.

KNPS to begin tree trunk art installation at Arboretum

By Reader Staff The Kinnickinnick Native Plant Society is delving into the world of art.

The local organization plans to install a six-foot sculpted Douglas fir trunk at 8:30-9 a.m. on Monday, April 27 at the Arboretum at Lakeview Park. The new art installation will feature natural themes, according to the society.

“Inspired by Ken Thacker, longtime member, former KNPS president and member of the Arboretum Leadership team, the sculpture was commissioned by his family,” the society wrote in a news release.

The tree stump was created several years ago, after a diseased Douglas

fir near the KNPS tool cabin was removed by the city of Sandpoint, leaving a tall stump.

The artwork for the sculpture was created by Bonnie Jakobus, Thacker’s widow, and approved by the KNPS board and the city of Sandpoint.

Coeur d’Alene artist Jeff May was selected to create the sculpture featuring a native clematis vine and local wildlife. May cut the tree trunk and moved it to his studio in fall 2025, where it was carved and finished.

Learn more about May’s art at jeffmayart.com. For more info about KNPS, contact Preston Andrews at 208-301-1249.

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COMMUNITY Following commissioning, USS Idaho submarine will join U.S. Navy fleet

By Reader Staff After a yearslong process, the U.S. Navy’s newest Virginia-class submarine, the future USS Idaho (SSN 799), will be formally commissioned and entered into active service on Saturday, April 25 at the Naval Submarine Base New London, in Groton, Conn.

The commissioning, which will take place at 8 a.m. (PST), is the last of five major milestones undergone by U.S. warships before they join the fleet and are deemed ready for combat.

First, the vessel was named, then its keel-laying ceremony in August 2020 in Rhode Island officially marked the beginning of construction.

The USS Idaho was christened in March 2024, followed by sea trials to ensure that the performance of the ship was in accordance with its plans and specifications. After those tests, the submarine was accepted by the

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U.S. Navy in December 2025.

When it joins the fleet on April 25, USS Idaho will be the fifth Navy ship to be named for the Gem State. The first was a wooden-hulled storeship commissioned in 1866. The last was battleship BB 42, which was commissioned in 1919 and received seven battle stars for service in World War II. According to the Navy, the USS Idaho will feature enhanced stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements.

The USS Idaho Commissioning Committee will host online watch parties for the commissioning, with the nearest to Sandpoint taking place at Coeur d’Alene VFW Post No. 889 and the Hayden Lake Country Club.

Get more info and watch a live stream of the ceremony at ussidahocommittee.org.

SASi hosts monthly breakfast fundraiser

By Reader Staff It’s time once more for the Sandpoint Senior Center’s monthly breakfast fundraiser, set for Friday, April 24 at 820 Main St. Taking place on the last Friday of each month, the cost to attend is a $10 donation at the door, benefiting SASi’s mission and operations. Doors open at 8 a.m. and food service begins at 8:30 a.m.

Wendy Franck, of The Hoot Owl, will be the guest chef, providing a buffet for attendees.

Reservations are required and will not be accepted after 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 23. Call 208-263-6860 to reserve a spot.

COMMUNITY

Sandpoint Chamber names April Business and Volunteer of the Month

By Reader Staff The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce recently honored Wood’s Meat Processing and Michele Murphree as its April business and volunteer of the month, respectively, celebrating their various commitments to the local community.

Established in 1973 by Steve and Louise Wood on the V-X Ranch north of Sandpoint, Wood’s Meat Processing started as a small processing facility serving area ranchers, but grew in 1978 with its current facility and the decision to become a USDA meat processing plant with a full-time USDA meat inspector.

The Woods’ daughter Jody Russell and son-in-law Todd Russell are both part owners today, keeping with the tradition of a small family-owned operation.

Offering all-natural beef that has been born and raised on the ranch, Wood’s also gives local producers a place to bring their animals for processing, as well as hunters, whose harvests can be turned into products including burger, breakfast sausage, smokies and other smoked items.

According to the chamber, Wood’s has continually helped the community through contributions to local events, such as the fair and rodeo, fairgrounds, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Food Bank and many individual organizations.

“We are proud to support our community as much as possible to ensure a bright future for everyone in the community that we love so much,” stated Jody Russell.

The April Volunteer of the Month, Murphree, was highlighted for her efforts to support local families, beginning with the creation of school and community gardens. What started with a single garden at Northside Elementary has grown into a community-wide project, with Murphree currently developing her 16th garden.

In addition, she serves as a board member of Food For Our Children, which helps address food insecurity for local youth. Alongside Katie Cox and Debbie Love, Murphree helped provide 7,425 meals to children in the school district and, last year, that program expanded to include fresh produce, further strengthening its impact.

She also recently celebrated the 10th

anniversary of her woodcutting project with the VFW, ensuring veterans and community members have access to firewood during the colder months.

Through Cedar Hills Church and Serve Sandpoint, Murphree developed 18 service projects for nearly 400 volunteers in 2024 alone, and is already organizing this year’s efforts.

One of her favorite projects is walking Better Together Animal Alliance dogs in Pine Street Woods, as part of Hounds on the Town. The photos she sends of their walks have been helpful in getting more than a few dogs adopted.

“Michele leads with consistency, care and a deep commitment to her community,” the chamber stated in an announcement. “We are grateful for the many ways she shows up and makes Sandpoint stronger.”

Top left: Ilene Rainey and Jody Russell of Wood’s Meat Processing Inc., with Chamber Executive Director Joan Urbaniak. Top right: Chamber Executive Director Joan Urbaniak with Michele Murphree. Courtesy photos.

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events

Send event listings to calendar@sandpointreader.com THURSDAY, April 23 Open Bluegrass jam night 5:30pm @ Connie’s Lounge Hosted by Jim Rosauer

BCA 8-ball pool tournament 6pm @ Roxy’s Lounge

Live Music w/ Madeline Hawthorne 7pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Ticketed show for this Bozeman, Mont.-based singer-songwriter Live Music w/ Suspicious PKG 5-7pm @ Connie’s Lounge Live Music w/ Waterhouse 5-7:30pm @ Matchwood Brewing Co. Live Music w/ KOSH 5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Live Music w/ Benny Baker and Sheldon Packwood 8-11pm @ 219 Lounge Live Music w/ TJ Hoops 5:30-8:30pm @ Barrel 33

FriDAY, April 24

Live Music w/ Justin Lantrip 6-8pm @ Baxters on Cedar Film: Mary Poppins Returns 6pm @ Panida Theater High Noon at Deadman’s Saloon: Murder Mystery Night 5:30-8pm @ Barrel 33 Learn more: barrel33sandpoint.com Live Music w/ Frytz Mor 6:30-9:30pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Live Music w/ Mobius Riff 6-8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Live Music w/ Quincy Robbins 5:30-8:30pm @ Barrel 33

SATURDAY, April 25

Live Music w/ Zach Simms 5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery

Live Music w/ Chris Paradis 6-9pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Live Music w/ Carli Osika 6-8pm @ Connie’s Lounge Live Music w/ The Plastic Owls 8-11pm @ 219 Lounge Live Music w/ Brian Jacobs 6-8pm @ Baxters on Cedar Live Music w/ Truck Mills 6-8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Live Music w/ Ian Newbill 5:30-8:30pm @ Icehouse Pizzeria (Hope) Sandpoint Chess Club 9am @ Evans Brothers Coffee

April 23 - 30, 2026

SOLE Spring Gear Exchange 10am-6pm @ Matchwood Brewing Co. Discounted spring gear! Proceeds support youth outdoor education LillyBrooke 6th annual Kids Fair (FREE) 11am-4pm @ Bonner County Fairgrounds Kids activities/crafts, emergency vehicle displays, giveaways, prizes, games Back to 1978! live/silent auction night 5-9pm @ The Heartwood Center Wear your 1970s attire for this fundraising night benefiting Selkirk School Earth Day at the Library (see Page 18) 10am-1pm @ Sandpoint Library garden

Trees and Seas Film Festival 7pm @ The Heartwood Center Inspiring ocean films documenting how coastal communities come together to restore reefs and mangrove forests. Fundraiser for Sandpoint students traveling to Dominican Republic to work on marine restoration projects SASi monthly breakfast fundraiser 8am @ Sandpoint Senior Center Fundraiser, with a breakfast buffet made by Wendy Franck (Hoot Owl) Bingo 4:30pm @ Elks Lodge, 30196 Hwy. 200 4th annual Earth Day ArtWalk 11am-3pm @ TJ Kelly Park (Newport, Wash.)

Artwork for sale by local artists and artisans, kids’ activities booths, community art project, music, dancing and more Spring Fling downtown shopping event 11am-5pm @ Downtown retailers Explore local businesses for sales and prizes. sandpointdowntownshopping.com Blue Ribbon Tea Company and Laddie Ray Melvin in concert 6-8pm @ Create Arts Center (Newport) Drop-in swing dancing class 6-8pm @ Barrel 33

SunDAY, April 26

Earth Day Shoreline Cleanup BCA weekly pool tournament 9-11am @ Sandpoint City Beach 6pm @ Roxy’s Lounge See story on Page 18

Monday Night Blues Jam w/ John Firshi 7pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Bridge 12:30pm @ Sandpoint Senior Center

monDAY, April 27

Outdoor Experience group run 6pm @ Outdoor Experience 3-5 miles, all levels welcome

tuesDAY, April 28

Grad-Night Powder Hound Takeover Live Music w/ Bella Noté Studio 4-8pm @ Powder Hound Pizza 5-7pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Percentage of profits support grad night A musical journey through the centuries Beginner tango class • 6-8pm @ Barrel 33 Karaoke $20 drop-in class. All are welcome 9pm @ Roxy’s

Magic with Star Alexander 5-8pm @ Jalapeño’s

Cribbage tournament 6pm @ Connie’s Lounge Trivia w/ Davey 6-8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Open mic and open jam 5-8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Open mic 5-7pm, open jam 7-8pm

wednesDAY, April 29

Legislative Farm Bureau Beginner Argentine tango class Live Music w/ Andrew Martinssen Trivia with Toshi candidate forum 7pm @ Embody Center, 823 Main St. 5-7pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery 7pm @ Connie’s 6pm @ Clark Fork Community Center No partner needed. $15 Family Night and live music w/ John Firshi Pinochle District 1 and 2 candidates 9:30pm @ Sandpoint Senior Center 5-7:30pm @ Matchwood Brewing Co. Live Music w/ Hot Damn Scandal 7pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Cabaret Americana band from Bellingham, Wash. Free show Live Music w/ Cafe Gas Boys 5:30pm @ Connie’s Lounge 22 / R / April 23, 2026

ThursDAY, April 30

Brews for the Brave pint night 5-8pm @ Matchwood Brewing Co. Proceeds will go to Thin Line Community Support

Bonner Co. Farm Bureau candidate forum 6pm @ Clark Fork Community Center With commissioner, clerk, assessor and coronor candidates to attend Little Black Dress fundraiser 5pm @ The Idaho Club clubhouse

MUSIC

Rick Springfield to take the Festival stage on Aug. 8

By Reader Staff Tickets are on sale now for the most recently announced performance at the 2026 Festival at Sandpoint Summer Series: Rick Springfield, who will take the stage Saturday, Aug. 8 at War Memorial Field.

Presale tickets will be available until 10 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, then go on sale to the public Friday, April 24 at 10 a.m. — both with a price of $78.82 and available at festivalatsandpoint.com.

Springfield has worn many hats as an entertainer and performer over the course of his 40-year career. As the creator of some of the finest power-pop of the ’80s, Springfield is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and artist with 25 million albums sold, including 17 U.S. Top 40 hits.

Some of his iconic songs include “Jessie’s Girl,” “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” “An Affair of the Heart,” “I’ve Done Everything for You,” “Love Somebody” and “Human Touch,” while he’s also an accomplished actor who starred opposite Meryl Streep in Ricki and the Flash. Springfield’s other on-screen credits include his portrayal of Dr. Irving Pitlor in HBO’s prestige drama True Detective, a turn as Lucifer on the CW hit Supernatural and the in-

sane Pastor Charles on FX’s worldwide hit series American Horror Story.

As if chart-topping music and acclaimed acting chops weren’t enough, Springfield is also an author, with his candid 2010 memoir Late, Late at Night named as one of the 25 greatest rock memoirs of all time by Rolling Stone and his 2014 comedic novel Magnificent Vibration earning spots on the New York Times Best Seller list.

The same year as Magnificent Vibration hit the shelves, Springfield’s star hit the streets on the Hollywood Walk of Fame — coincidentally located around the corner from the first apartment he lived in when he arrived in the U.S. from Australia in 1971.

Never slowing down, Springfield’s popular SiriusXM radio show, Working Class DJ, airs weekly on the 80s on 8 channel. Finally, his new album, Automatic, is out now, representing his first album of all new original material in five years.

The Aug. 8 performance in Sandpoint will be a standard show, meaning that the area in front of the stage is a general admission dancing and standing area.

Right: Rick Springfield will play the Festival at Sandpoint Saturday, Aug. 8. Courtesy photo

‘Back to 1978’ auction at Heartwood Center to benefit Selkirk School

By Reader Staff Selkirk School and the Heartwood Center are teaming up to host a live and silent auction on Saturday, April 25 with the theme “Back to 1978.”

From 5-9 p.m., attendees are invited to don their most far-out bell bottoms or other ’70s threads and say “right on” to a night of partying and gourmet tapas from The Bank as they bid on a variety of auction items, with proceeds benefiting the nonprofit Selkirk School as it works toward a fundraising goal of $32,000.

The event takes place at the Heartwood Center (615 Oak St., in Sandpoint). Dinner tickets are $80 and there are also multiple sponsorship options as well as merch available for purchase.

Auction items include deals at area dining establishments; experiences like a holiday cruise, dinner and stay at the Coeur d’Alene Resort, gift bundles, tickets to the Spokane Indians,

swag bags, art works and home items, admission tickets to Silverwood, a Schweitzer season pass, a range of services, an e-bike and more.

Get more info and buy tickets at BackTo1978.auctria.events.

April 23, 2026 / R / 23

STAGE & SCREEN

Local student adventure club hosts film fest fundraiser for conservation trip

By Reader Staff The Sandpoint Area Students Outdoor Adventure Club will host a screening of the Trees & Seas Film Festival on Friday, April 24, bringing conservation-themed stories from around the world to the Heartwood Center (615 Oak St., in Sandpoint).

The festival highlights ocean-focused films that showcase how coastal communities around the globe work together to restore coral reefs and mangrove forests, in addition to addressing how tourism and other environmental pressures impact these delicate natural ecosystems.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the screening starts at 7 p.m. Admission to the event is a suggested donation of $20 and serves as a major fundraiser for the group’s upcoming trip to the Dominican Republic, where members will take part in marine restoration

projects.

The 2026 trip will mark the seventh year that local students have traveled on conservation trips, which have included projects in the Dominican Republic as well as Belize.

In addition to the film showing, attendees can take part in a silent auction and raffles, with proceeds also going toward supporting the students’ efforts and travel costs.

Get more info on the club’s Facebook page. Find more details on the film festival at treesandseasfilmfestival.com.

The whimsical, historical fantasy Mary Poppins Returns will come to the big screen Friday, April 24 with a 6 p.m. showing at the Panida Theater (300 N. First Ave.). The 2018 sequel to the 1964 classic Mary Poppins was 54 years in the making and boasts a star-studded cast, including Dick Van Dyke returning at 93 years old for an astounding dance number.

Emily Blunt takes on the role of Poppins, who floats into 1930s London to help the now grown-up Michael

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

30 The number of U.S. states the Department of Justice has sued, along with the District of Columbia, to obtain sensitive voter data from millions of Americans. The federal government claims the data is needed to help identify noncitizen voters, but critics argue that the DOJ is building a dangerous centralized national voter list ahead of the midterm elections in November.

Twelve states have voluntarily provided, or will turn over, the data. Idaho is one of the 30 states being sued for refusing to do so.

33% Sandpoint High School students explore coral reefs in the Domincan Republican in 2025. Courtesy photo

Mary Poppins Returns brings magic to the Panida

By Reader Staff

BY THE NUMBERS

(Ben Whishaw) and Jane Banks (Emily Mortimer) raise Michael’s three children and navigate the dark times following the death of his wife. With the help of Poppins, Jack the Lamplighter (Lin-Manuel Miranda) and plenty of magical characters, the family learns to find joy and love after loss.

The talents of Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Angela Lansbury, David Warner and Chris O’Dowd further bring the story to life.

Tickets are $9.50 for adults and $6.50 for students and seniors at the door or panida.org.

President Donald Trump’s latest approval rating, according to the Associated Press National Opinion Research Center. Other polls by Reuters-Ipsos and Strength in Numbers-Verasight are at 36% and 35%, respectively. The polls show that Trump’s handling of the economy has fallen to 30%, down from 38% in March. Just 23% approve of how Trump is handling the cost of living.

1.23 million The number of eviction filings recorded in 2025 across cities and states tracked by Princeton University’s Eviction Lab. Filings declined slightly for the second straight year, but still remain high, averaging about one eviction in every 13 renter households.

$104.7 billion The total U.S. state lottery ticket sales in 2024, nearly double the amount from 2008.

9.8% The uninsured rate for Americans under age 65 in 2024, rising from 9.5% the year before — the first increase since 2019. The number of uninsured people grew to 26.7 million, driven largely by declines in Medicaid coverage.

24 / R / April 23, 2026

MUSIC

A musical week for Eichardt’s 32nd anniversary

By Ben Olson Reader Staff It’s been 32 years since Eichardt’s Pub first flipped on the open sign and poured its first pint. A lot of good times — and great beer — has flowed since.

Eichardt’s will throw a weeklong celebration to mark its 32nd anniversary, with owner and publican Jeff Nizzoli inviting a handful of regional bands to play on the iconic little stage at 212 Cedar St., in downtown Sandpoint.

The fun kicks off Friday, April 24 with a ticketed show with Bozeman, Mont. singer-songwriter Madeline Hawthorne. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show begins at 9:30 p.m.

The multi-instrumentalist writes and performs the kind of music that instantly makes you want to hit the road for a cross-country trek. She mixes elements from Americana, roots, folk and rock to serve an entertaining live show.

Hawthorne has shared the stage with notable names such as Jason Isbell, John Craigie and Nathaniel Rateliff, and played festivals all across the West, including Treefort, Americanafest, WinterWonderGrass and Park City Song Summit, among others.

Her most recent studio album, Tales From Late Nights & Long Drives, was produced by

the pub, when Bellingham, Wash.-based cabaret Americana band Hot Damn Scandal will perform a free show starting at 8 p.m.

This group of wild songwriters mixes elements of jazz and roots folk, performing songs born from a life of travel and living on the streets.

The troupe features a variety of instrumentation, including guitar, upright bass, violin, tenor saxophone, trombone, percussion and more.

Hot Damn Scandal will get you dancing, trust us.

There is no cover, so be sure to bring a few bucks to throw in the tip jar.

LISTEN

Finally, the anniversary week wraps up at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 1 with a rousing performance by Sandpoint’s own Nights of Neon.

This high-energy five-piece plays funk and soul covers that speak to your funky soul.

We’re willing to bet this is one of those nights that Nizzoli pulls all the dining chairs out into the alley to make room for dancing.

Cheers to Eichardt’s for 32 years. Check out the pub on Instagram for more info on the upcoming festivities, or check out eichardtspub.com for all pub-related queries.

A snapshot of notable live music coming up in Sandpoint The Plastic Owls, 219 Lounge, April 25

Waterhouse, Matchwood Brewing, April 24

Homeowners sometimes hang plastic owls to scare away other birds or varmints, but the effigies rarely do an adequate job. What does that have to do with the Sandpoint band The Plastic Owls? Not a damn thing, really. The fourpiece band with Grant Kimball, Nick Kostenborder, Lou Kohley and Chet Szwejkowski are bringing their modern take on 1970s psychedelic rock

Performing under the name Waterhouse, Chris Paradis is a longtime local performer known for a sound that’s as easygoing as it is accomplished, bringing together styles ranging from jazz, blues and folk to funk, bluegrass, ragtime, Brazilian and beyond.

On top of that, he’s a deft multi-instrumentalist, moving with ease between guitar, banjo, mandolin, bass, percus-

sprinkled with folky lyrics to the Niner. While plastic owls aim to deter varmints, The Plastic Owls the band draws them in, hands them a beer and plays them good tunes.

What a country.

— Ben Olson 8-11 p.m., FREE, 219 Lounge, 219 N. First Ave., 208-263-5673, 219lounge.com. Learn more at plasticowls.com.

READ

Every time I visit a new bookstore, I head over to the gardening section to see if they have a copy of All That the Rain Promises and More by David Arora, just because it puts a smile on my face. The mushroom identification field guide contains facts, recipes and folklore on more than 200 species, interspersed with wacky photos of people, mushrooms and... trombones. It’s the perfect combination of practical information, wit and whimsy. Find it at the library.

Above: Bozeman, Mont.-based singer-songwriter Madeline Hawthorne.

Top right: Cabaret Americana band Hot Damn Scandal from Bellingham, Wash. Right: Nights of Neon, from right here in Sandpoint.

Courtesy images

Ryan Hadlock, who has cut records for the likes of Zach Bryan and The Lumineers.

Tickets are $15 for this unique, intimate show, presented by Mattox Farm Productions. Get tickets at mattoxfarm.com. To learn more and listen to Hawthorne’s sound, go to madelinehawthorne.com.

Next on the itinerary is the pub’s actual anniversary on Wednesday, April 29. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., so come by and wish the crew another successful trip around the sun.

Then, mark your calendars for Thursday, April 30 for another unique experience at

This week’s RLW by Soncirey Mitchell

sion, ukulele and “whatever else is lying around,” as he puts it. Check out his 2025 album Wavelengths and take in the Waterhouse vibe in person when Paradis takes the stage at Matchwood.

— Zach Hagadone

After the resounding success of 2022’s Stick Season, Noah Kahan will release his next, long-awaited album, The Great Divide, on Friday, April 24.

From the two pre-released tracks, the album promises to be another aching look at mental health, religious trauma and introspection, all delivered with his traditional indie-folk pop sound. Listen online at noahkahan.com, since he’s sold out the 37,000 seats at Fenway Park multiple times, and so seeing him live is a pipe dream.

WATCH

I’m not saying the 2004 The Phantom of the Opera is the perfect movie, but it does have incredible music, costume design, set design and a plot that’s remained popular for 115 years. A disfigured musical genius (Gerard Butler), shut off from the world, teaches and falls in love with a young opera singer (Emmy Rossum) — until a new suitor and a few murders get in the way. Find it at the library.

5-7:30 p.m., FREE. Matchwood Brewing Co., 513 Oak St., 208-718-2739. Listen on Bandcamp and YouTube.

April 23, 2026 / R / 25

BACK OF THE BOOK

North Idaho nomenclature

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

From Northern Idaho News, April 20, 1906

COUNCIL GRANTS THE HUMBIRD FRANCHISE At the regular meeting of the city council Tuesday evening the Humbird electric light franchise passed the third and final reading by the usual vote of three to two and was adopted. This gives to Mr. Humbird the right to establish and operate an electric light plant in Sandpoint.

The council also passed the $100 saloon license ordinance, by suspending the rules and reading it three times. There were no dissenting votes. Attorney Bennett was present and addressed the council in opposition to the adoption of the ordinance, saying that with a county license to be secured as well as a city license the saloon men were not in a position to know which license to get first. If he paid for a county license and then applied to the city for one and was refused he would be out $500. The ordinance was passed however, and is now a law.

The petition of the school board for permission to lay a sewer from the school building to Sand creek was granted. It may be so arranged that the city will connect with the pipes in the district through which it passes.

Only one bid was received for building the new bridge. It was for $955 being submitted by Wm. Scheber. The plans it seems were not clear as to what was really wanted, and they were referred back to Mr. Ashley, who will prepare new plans and it is possible that new bids will be asked for.

Trustee Stonestreet brought up the fact that Sandpoint should have a house cleaning day. The members of the council acquiesced and it was agreed that Saturday, April 28, shall be the day when every resident in Sandpoint is expected to do their share towards cleaning up their premises. The city has agreed to furnish wagons for hauling away the debris and there will be no charge made property owners for the same.

26 / R / April 23, 2026

After wrapping up endless home and work chores last weekend, I strapped the canoe to the roof of the car and set out for a midday adventure to paddle the watery world with my boo.

We stopped at a gas station before leaving town to buy one of those enormous cans of beer they sell by the single. I asked the clerk at the counter if I could have a paper bag to wrap around the can.

“You mean a North Idaho cooler?” she asked, a wry smile on her face.

“You want it tug or loose?”

I had to think about that for a moment, ultimately choosing the “tug” option, which fit tighter around the can. The “loose” option would feature some extra paper one could fold to really protect their valuable liquid asset, but that can of beer wasn’t to be long for this world.

While we paddled, I thought of all the North Idaho expressions I’ve heard throughout my life and how funny some of them are. We say them here in the panhandle and people won’t bat an eye, but use them outside this region and you’ll surely draw some funny looks.

When I lived in Colorado, I asked a friend to pick me up a “half rack” of beer before going camping. They returned and handed me a six-pack.

I protested and explained to them that a half rack is 12 beers, but they just shook their heads like I was speaking in tongues.

“So a rack of beer is 24?” they asked.

“Nope, that’s a case,” I said, sending them further down the rabbit hole of North Idaho nomenclature.

That was the first time I realized

not everyone used “half rack” like we learned growing up in Sandpoint.

One winter, while I had a few friends visiting from out of town, we turned into an empty parking lot covered in snow and I announced that I was going to “spin some brodies.” “‘Spin some brodies’?” my friends chortled. “You mean donuts? What the hell is a ‘brodie’?”

(Fun fact: This term originated from Steve Brodie, a man who claimed to have leapt from the Brooklyn Bridge in 1886, but there weren’t any credible witnesses to verify his claim. Brodie became a sensation in newspapers, and the term “brodie” began to be used to describe falling or jumping from a significant height.

Over time, the term “brodie” became synonymous with doing any type of stunt, and now here we are.)

Other denizens of North Idaho have pointed out that they always called the maneuver “cutting cookies,” but the award goes to Midwesterners for their perfectly nonsensical term, “whipping shitties.”

While the rest of the country might refer to a U-turn as “pulling a U-ey,” here in North Idaho we’ll often say, “flip a bitch.” Making a left turn is “hanging a Louie” and to “take a Roger” means to turn right.

When I was a kid, my neighbors would often say “warsh” instead of “wash.” You’ll still hear “crick” more than “creek” and “onry” is more prevalent than “ornery.” Then there are the ones who say “beg” for “bag.”

Also, don’t get me started on how many thousands of times I said the word “hella” when I was growing up.

Southern Idahoans often call the

STR8TS Solution

Sudoku Solution

glove compartment the “jockey box,” but that one never made it north of Lewiston. We do refer to our vehicles as “rigs,” though.

In the South they’ll use “y’all” for almost every occasion, but in North Idaho, we like to say, “you guys,” for a group of men and women.

Potato wedges are referred to as “JoJos,” and if we gather before an event, it’s known as a “prefunk.”

The term “North Idaho” itself also falls into this category, because the technically correct terminology for this region is “northern Idaho,” but the moment someone uses that, it immediately outs them as a newcomer or tourist — a fate worse than death.

North Idaho locals and old-timers: What are some of your own favorite expressions we use in the panhandle that aren’t popular elsewhere? Share them with me by sending an email to ben@sandpointreader.com.

Crossword Solution

I think a good gift for the President would be a chocolate revolver. And since he’s so busy, you’d probably have to run up to him real quick and hand it to him.

Solution on page 26

Solution on page 26

By Bill Borders

coterminous /koh-TUR-muh-nuhs/

Woorf tdhe Week

[adjective] 1. having the same border or covering the same area.

“Idaho and Oregon are coterminous states, with the Snake River forming a portion of the southeastern border between them.”

Corrections: No, non, nein, nee, hindi, não hayir, ei, nyet, không, nej, nei, nee, ez, tidak and nie.

Copyright www.mirroreyes.com

Laughing Matters

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Burp 6. Flatfoot’s lack 10. Camp beds 14. Deadly virus 15. The central part 16. Iridescent gem 17. Grain disease 18. Scent 19. Nothing more than 20. Foot side predominance 22. Goad 23. Harnesses 24. Chairs 25. Crumbling earthy deposit 29. Try 31. Friendly 33. Think likely 37. Shy 38. Annul 39. Entangle 41. Childcare 42. Wanted 44. Ancient Dead Sea kingdom 45. Makes indistinct 48. Meat on a stick 50. Ascend 51. Street urchin 56. Module 57. Death notice 58. A clearing 59. Canvas dwelling 60. Blackthorn 61. Rubber

Solution on page 26

62. Border 63. Cravings 64. Cast out

DOWN 1. Meat from cows 2. River in Spain 3. Corporate image 4. Coagulate 5. Bigot 6. Monkshood 7. Rat or mouse 8. Traversed

9. Not his 10. Ability 11. Drama set to classical music 12. Fortuneteller’s card 13. Sleighs 21. Merchants 24. Aerosol 25. Constructed 26. Ends a prayer 27. Edges 28. A self-service laundry 30. Paving material 32. Scottish hillsides

34. Cigarfish 35. Pertaining to flight 36. Anagram of “Lyme” 40. Endearing 41. Argues 43. Area 45. Thug 46. Delineated 47. Utilizing 49. Army brass instrument 51. Reflecting optimism 52. National symbol 53. Destiny 54. Mid-month days 55. Succeeding April 23, 2026 / R / 27

LIBRARY MAY 2026

2 e 2

e

CLARK FORK CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOP 11 - 12pm, Clark Fork Library, Please Register

KOOTENAI GROOVE MARIMBA CONCERT 3:30 - 4:30pm, Sandpoint Library

5-16 • 10 - 5pm, Clark Fork Library

CLARK FORK PLANT SWAP

SANDEMONIUM - 7B'S NERDY CONVENTION 10 - 4pm, Sandpoint Library

30 • 1 - 3pm, Clark Fork Library

CLARK FORK INTRO TO SMALL LIVESTOCK: CHICKENS