As they say, “the convenience you demanded is now mandatory.” That’s a riff on Jello Biafra’s lyric about “happiness,” not “convenience,” but the latter is more evocative — at least in my experience. Take the saga of my dishwasher, which crapped out sometime in mid-January and has still not been replaced, though not for lack of trying. I never had a dishwasher growing up, but once I finally did have one, the act of hand-washing dishes became anathema. So as a responsible homeowner, I immediately called someone to see if they could fix it. After rescheduling, a guy did finally come out to look at it for all of 15 minutes, telling me exactly what I’d gathered from my own research (the control panel is kaput) and that I’d need to buy a new one. He charged me about $130 for the pleasure while trying to sell me on cryptocurrency. I then purchased a new one from Home Depot, and was stoked to see they’d deliver, install and take away the old one for a nominal fee. Score. I scheduled the delivery for a Thursday, when I’d be home all day except for the 20 minutes it would take to pick up my kids from school, and waited another week or two. The big day finally arrived and, being given the amorphous window of “sometime between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.,” I figured I’d be safe to leave for that short span of time. I was wrong. The minute I got into the car, my phone rang with the delivery guy telling me he was one minute away from arriving. I begged him to wait 20 minutes; I even asked if I could leave the door open and he could get started in my absence. No go. They rescheduled for the next day “before 1 p.m.,” and I hand-washed the dishes again. The next day rolled around and I got another call from the warehouse: the guy — or guys — from the day before had accidentally installed my dishwasher in someone else’s house. I have no idea how that happened, but whatever. That was two weeks ago. I was given another delivery date of Feb. 18 — for which I stayed home — but, alas, was told that the driver “got stuck in the snow or mud, or something.” And so the Dishwasher Doom Loop continues, with a new arrival scheduled for “sometime” on Tuesday, Feb. 25. Mandatory convenience never made me more unhappy.
Civilized diversion
Aside from being much more diligent about household chores and taking up watercoloring, one of my other big distractions amid the ongoing Trump-Musk coup has been the long wait to purchase the video game Civilization VII, paying the “founder’s price” of $129 for early access and actually playing it over the past week or so. As a Civ player of 30 years, I must say it does not rank all that high in the series — kind of clunky, hard to navigate and strangely devoid of soul. In many ways, it’s the Civilization our current civilization deserves.
quotable
“Everything has been said before. But since nobody listens we have to keep going back and beginning all over again.” — André Gide, Nobel Prize-winning French novelist and critic (1869-1951), in Treatise on Narcissus (1892)
DEAR READERS,
As this week’s edition hits the racks, I’ll be driving north from Boise after a quick jaunt down to the Capitol to give testimony before the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee in support of House Bill 158, otherwise known as the Idaho Shield Law. This bill would add to existing law to establish provisions regarding media source confidentiality, which means no journalist could be compelled to disclose information, notes or other communications from sources in court.
Everyone should have the right to speak freely to reporters with the confidence that whatever information they provide isn’t abused by people who might use that information to bring harm to them. Amid the maelstrom of nonsense bills coming from Idaho lawmakers, this one actually has our best interests in mind. Crossing my fingers that common sense still exists in Boise.
– Ben Olson, publisher
111 Cedar Street, Suite 9 Sandpoint, ID 83864 208-946-4368 sandpointreader.com
Editors Emeriti: Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey Cameron Rasmusson John Reuter
Advertising: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com
Contributing Artists: Chelsea Mowery (cover), Ben Olson, Charlie Litchfield, Albert De Armas, Tere Porcarelli, Lori Getts, Paige Belfry, Ezy Dog, Llanydd Lloyd
Contributing Writers:
Zach Hagadone, Ben Olson, Soncirey Mitchell, Lorraine H. Marie, Emily Erickson, Kyle Pfannenstiel, Mia Maldonado, Bonner County Republican Women, Kelly McGrath, Lauren Necochea, Diane Wheeler, Justin Hayes, Pat Meyers, Bonner County History Museum, Marcia Pilgeram
Submit Stories To: stories@sandpointreader.com
Printed Weekly At: Tribune Publishing Co. Lewiston, ID
Subscription Price: $185 per year
Website Designed By: Keokee
The Sandpoint Reader is a weekly publication owned by Ben Olson and Keokee. 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 relavant topics. Please, no more than 300 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 amazing cover photo is another by Chelsea Mowery.
House committee recommends passing journalist ‘shield law’
Bill would
protect reporters from legal action forcing them to reveal confidential source info
By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff
Members of the Idaho House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee voted unanimously Feb. 19 to advance House Bill 158 with a “do-pass” recommendation, putting it to the full body to determine whether journalists in the state should be shielded from legal action forcing them to divulge confidential information about their sources.
Sponsored by Idaho Falls Republican Reps. Barbara Ehardt and Marco Erickson, the bill would amend Idaho Code to add a new section that states, “No person engaged in journalistic activities shall be compelled to disclose in any legal proceeding, trial before any court, or before any jury the source of any information procured or obtained and published in a newspaper, print publication, digital news outlet, or by a radio or television broadcasting station with which the person is connected.”
Exceptions would be for information that affects national security or is related to “imminent physical harm.”
If approved by the Legislature, the law would go into effect July 1.
Introducing the bill on Feb. 19, Ehardt noted that Idaho is among only 10 states in the country that do not have a shield law in effect to protect the confidentiality of journalists’ sources, which she said “is incredibly important.”
“We’re literally talking about sources, and not being forced to reveal sources, which is often us,” she said toward the end of the hearing.
Erickson told the committee that the First Amendment does not extend to protecting journalists from giving up information on their sources, which is why shield laws have been enacted in other states. Meanwhile, he noted that the use of subpoenas to acquire source information in lawsuits is “very cost burdensome to some of these small news organizations.”
Idaho Press Club President Melissa Davlin, who
City hosts open houses on wastewater treatment project
By Reader Staff
As City Hall continues to move forward with the effort to reconstruct Sandpoint’s ailing wastewater treatment plant, the public is invited to a series of open houses, which will take place every other Thursday through March.
The next installment in the series is happening Thursday, Feb. 20 from noon-1 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall (1123 W. Lake St.), and focus on inflow and infiltration.
Following that, open
houses are scheduled for the same time and place on Thursdays, March 6 and March 20, focused on the first and second parts of the facility plan, respectively.
“This is an opportunity for residents, businesses and stakeholders to gain insight into the project’s progress, goals and impact on the community,” city officials stated. “City staff will be available to provide updates and answer questions.”
For more info, visit. sandpointidaho.gov/public-works-utilities/page/ wastewater.
also serves as lead producer and host of the Idaho Public Television program Idaho Reports, represented the state’s press corps before the meeting, stating that she’d seen more requests to quash subpoenas seeking journalists’ source material in the past year than in her entire 12 years with the Press Club and two years as president.
“This is really concerning, not just for us but for our sources who turn to us for help exposing issues in their community,” she said.
Rep. Joe Alfieri, R-Coeur d’Alene, asked about the definition of “national security,” to which Davlin responded that a judge would make the consideration regarding what constitutes a national security risk, and including that exemption in the bill showed that, “We as the press are willing to recognize that there is a balance” between the social interest of certain information and safety.
Rep. Clint Hostetler, R-Twin Falls, asked whether the bill would enable reporters to “make up sources,” then protect them from revealing that they had fabricated statements.
Davlin said that’s the reason for the establishment of journalistic ethics and libel and defamation laws.
“I still can’t make things up without backing,” she said, later adding, “A good, ethical journalist would use [confidential or anonymous] information to verify what she or he can confirm.”
Rep. Dale Hawkins, R-Fernwood, asked how H.B. 158 would address information acquired through illegal means, such as breaking into a legislative office and absconding with documents.
Davlin said that breaking and entering, as well as theft, would be criminal charges liable to the individual who
obtained the materials. However, if such information made it into the hands of a reporter, professional ethics and other legal guardrails would require further confirmation and — per the proposed bill language — those exemptions related to national security and physical harm would apply.
“Most of what we deal with is with information that is obtained legally,” she said, later referring to the breaking-and-entering scenario described by Hawkins, when she added, “That’s not something that happens often, I would say.”
Nate Sunderland, who works as the editor of East Idaho News, testified that his organization was hit with subpoenas to reveal source information in a lawsuit between a local business and attorney. While his outlet “fought them tooth and nail,” a confidential recording made by one of his reporters did feature in the trial.
“That’s a horrible reality,” he said, noting that such actions represent a “chilling impact” on whistleblowers who seek to reveal corruption in government and business.
South Idaho journalist Don Day also testified to being served with legal filings to reveal source information, and attorney Ken Burgess — who represents the Idaho Press Club — reminded the committee that it had the week before endorsed an anti-SLAAP bill from member Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, that sought to protect free speech by shielding individuals from frivolous lawsuits.
“This is anti-SLAAP legislation Part B,” he said.
Finally, Reader Publisher Ben Olson testified at the hearing in Boise, recounting the yearslong campaign of harassment by racist robocaller Scott Rhodes, who targeted the paper and Olson after re-
porting revealed his identity as the distributor of hate speech at Sandpoint High School in late 2017.
The Reader’s investigation into his activities in early 2018 uncovered that Rhodes had been spreading similar material and engaging in harassing phone calls to public and private individuals around the country, resulting in a $9.8 million dollar fine levied by the Federal Communications Commission in 2020 under the Truth in Caller ID Act.
When the U.S. Department of Justice took him to federal court, Rhodes represented himself, and sought to subpoena Olson’s notes, emails, and audio and visual recordings of anyone with whom he spoke during his reporting.
“It was clearly an attempt to further harass me and potentially harass sources who spoke with me,” Olson testified.
The subpoena was ultimately quashed, thanks to the pro bono representation of retired U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho Wendy Olson, but not until after several years of sustained harassment.
“The potential that this individual might have been able to access my confidential sources’ information means that they, too, might have been subject to the same harassment. We need a shield law that prevents this from happening,” Olson said.
“I encourage you to move this bill forward. Our sources — and readers — are your constituents, and they deserve protection from baseless and frivolous subpoenas used as a tool of harassment,” he added. “They also have the right to speak freely to reporters — either on or off the record — with the confidence that whatever information they provide is safe from people who would use that information to cause them harm or embarrassment.”
Bill limiting types of flags state and local governments can display passes House
Some Republicans opposed the measure, citing worries about local control
By Kyle Pfannenstiel Idaho Capital Sun
The Idaho House passed a bill to limit the types of flags state and local governments can display on their property.
House Bill 96, sponsored by Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, would apply to state and local government entities in Idaho — restricting them to only display official domestic government and military flags. Schools, colleges and universities are exempted from the flag bill’s restrictions.
“We need to get back to unity in this country, and unity in this state. This is about uniting,” Scott told House lawmakers. “Government should not be putting out ideologies. They should not — it should be a place where we can go and not be lobbied for a political agenda, and that is what this bill will do.”
The Idaho House passed the bill Feb. 18 on a 53-17 vote. Eight Republican lawmakers joined all nine House Democrats in voting against the measure.
Rep. Lori McCann, R-Lewiston, voted against the bill.
“I agree that we should have the American flag,” she said. But, McCann said it seemed like “there’s just one flag that is objectionable, and this is the rainbow flag that we’re seeing,” apparently referencing the LGBTQ+ pride flag.
“My concern is that we are, again, overreaching our ability here to tell our local cities or our counties what they can and can’t do in their own city. And that’s where I say that we have a problem,” McCann said. “Our platform clearly defines that we believe in local control.”
Debating in favor of the bill, Rep. Joe Alfieri, R-Coeur d’Alene, said the issue boils
down to a simple question.
“We’re overthinking this — as we often tend to do. This isn’t about local control. This is about government entities making political statements,” Alfieri said. “The government should be free from politics, and that’s all this is about.
… Any government entity should not display a flag which takes a political issue. And that may be the rainbow flag or it may be a MAGA flag.”
I think we all need to really think about that.”
Scott refuted that, saying, “This is about uniting our citizens of our state.”
The bill now heads to the Idaho Senate, where it could be scheduled for a full committee hearing with public testimony and a vote before a possible vote by the full body.
Mark Sauter, R-Sandpoint
While House lawmakers didn’t specifically mention it in floor debate, Boise City Hall has displayed the LGBTQ+ pride flag.
Rep. Monica Church, D-Boise, said it’s clear the bill “discriminates against one city, and one district. And
The bill would apply to government entities in Idaho, defined as including the state of Idaho, counties, municipalities, special districts and political subdivisions.
The only flags allowed to be displayed by those government entities are:
• The U.S. flag;
• Government entities’ own official flags;
• Officials flags of any U.S. state;
• Official flags of military branches and units of the U.S.;
• The POW/MIA flag;
• Official flags of Indigenous tribes.
If passed into law, the bill would take effect immediately through an emergency clause. The bill must pass the Idaho Senate and avoid the governor’s veto to become law.
The bill would also authorize the Idaho Division of Veteran Services to develop rules “directing the proper protocol for the location and display of flags flown on state property.”
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.
Idaho legislator wants to amend indecent exposure law after pride celebration in Nampa
By Mia Maldonado Idaho Capital Sun
A Nampa legislator wants to amend Idaho’s indecent exposure law after receiving complaints about Canyon County Pride.
Idaho law currently defines indecent exposure as the exposure of someone’s genitals in any public place. It’s a misdemeanor on the first offense, and a felony on the second offense within five years.
Rep. Jeff Cornilles, R-Nampa, introduced a bill to the House State Affairs Committee on Feb. 18 to add to that law, also making it a misdemeanor to show the following in public spaces:
• Developed female breasts, not including those of someone breastfeeding a child;
• Adult male breasts that have been medically or hormonally altered to appear like developing or developed female breasts;
• Artificial breasts;
• Toys or products intended to resemble male or female genitals.
The committee voted on party lines to introduce the bill for a hearing at a later date, with both of its Democrats voting against moving the bill forward.
Rep. Todd Achilles, D-Boise, explained his vote, saying it targets four different groups of people.
“This explicitly targets trans Idahoans in terms of the
language,” he said. “Two, anyone with breast surgery is going to be targeted on this. Three, plastic surgeons are also targeted because they counsel people that get surgery. And fourth, anyone with a set of truck nuts hanging off of their rig is also going to be caught up in this thing for indecent exposure.”
Canyon County Pride included drag performers, musicians
In June 2024, LGBTQ+ event organizers hosted an inaugural Canyon County Pride at Lakeview Park in Nampa, which included musicians and drag performers.
“There were a few individuals who attended last
year who wore nipple pasties (which is legal within the Nampa City Code),” Canyon County Pride President Tom Wheeler told the Sun. “This year, we will require everyone to wear a shirt.”
The event was quick to become controversial within the Canyon County community, attracting protesters the day of the event. Nampa Mayor Mayor Debbie Kling even issued a press release, saying the event went against her and the Nampa City Council’s beliefs, but the city’s lawyer said they had to respect the organizers’ First Amendment rights, The Washington Post reported.
Cornilles said Nampa City Councilor Sebastian Griffin would testify in support of the bill.
Wheeler said this year’s festival has already been approved, and his team is hoping to have an even more successful year, tripling security measures, attendance and fundraising efforts. Canyon County Pride received official nonprofit status this year, and the event will showcase more than 50 local art and resource booths, Wheeler said.
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.
How Dist. 1 lawmakers voted:
AYE — Dist. 1B Rep. Cornel Rasor, R-Sagle
NAY — Dist. 1A Rep.
‘Not My President’s Day’ protest in Sandpoint
By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff
Thousands of people gathered in all 50 states Feb. 17 to demonstrate against President Donald Trump in a series of “Not My President’s Day” protests. That included about 60 people in Bonner County, who stood on both sides of First Avenue between the courthouse and community hall to rally specifically against Trump and Elon Musk — the latter who has been operating as the White House’s appointed efficiency czar, cutting thousands of federal jobs and shuttering entire agencies and programs since the Jan. 20 presidential
inauguration. The ongoing result has been chaos within the bureaucracy and uncertainty across the nation.
Participants in the Bonner County “Not My President’s Day” protest were upbeat, with several telling the Reader that they’d received as many or more honks from passing motorists as they had seen signs of disapproval, which came mostly in the form of middle fingers and a few shouts of “go back to California” and “Trump forever.” No incidents were reported and the demonstration ended peacefully.
Panhandle Health District board discusses children’s vaccines
By Soncirey Mitchell Reader Staff
The Panhandle Health District will host a public meeting Thursday, Feb. 20 at 2 p.m. in the Kootenai Room of the PDH Headquarters (8500 N. Atlas Road, in Hayden) to discuss current informed consent practices for childhood vaccines, among other topics.
PDH Board Chair Dr. Thomas Fletcher announced the meeting at the Bonner County board of commissioners meeting Feb. 18, briefly outlining his proposal to add greater “transparency” to PDH.
“If nothing else, this COVID pandemic experience has taught us one lesson, and it is that public health institutions are capable of deception. The deception goes from the global scale — the World Health Organization — all the way down to your local public health district,” said Fletcher.
“In the spirit of exercising sovereignty, and as chairman of the
Bits ’n’ Pieces
From east, west and beyond
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order integrating the role of the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency into the federal government. DOGE was previously labeled “independent.” The Associated Press reported the order could allow more DOGE work to occur behind closed doors. Depending on his DOGE role, Musk risks violating conflict-of-interest laws if he fails to divest himself from his businesses, or fails to recuse himself from government matters involving them. Trump said Musk has found “billions and billions of dollars in waste, fraud and abuse.” Various media reported there’s no evidence for that claim. Trump’s press secretary indicated the fraud consists of what is “against the president’s policies.” Musk, the world’s richest man, donated $288 million to Trump’s 2024 campaign.
The Lever reported that the DOGE team is seeking access to IRS data systems, which includes personal ID numbers and bank information.
Panhandle Health board, we seek to improve honesty in the arena of the CDC childhood vaccine schedule.”
If passed by the PHD Board of Health, the proposal would require that medical providers give patients or guardians supplemental information regarding childhood vaccines, in addition to the literature provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This material would be chosen and approved by the PHD board.
“A robust literature exists to support the hypothesis that elements of the CDC childhood vaccine schedule are detrimonius [sic] to children’s health. I’m not saying the entire schedule is toxic, but certainly elements of it are,” said Fletcher.
He later clarified that while he used “we” in his statement, he had not consulted the other five board members and had “no control” over their votes.
To attend the meeting online, visit PDH’s YouTube page.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Inspector General is launching an audit of the security controls for the government’s payment system. Democratic lawmakers have focused attention on concerns about Musk accessing Treasury Department records via DOGE. The audit will explore Musk’s unsubstantiated claims of “fraudulent payments.” The AP reported that Musk has pushed for access to the government’s computer systems and “sought” to remove thousands of federal workers. One concern: DOGE’s “aggressive efforts” could cause failure of computer systems and allow Musk and others to profit from private information held by the government.
Lawyers suing on behalf of state attorneys general say there’s no evidence the DOGE staff is properly trained to handle sensitive data at the Treasury Department. Treasury first said the DOGE team was only reading payment system info, but then said there was an accidental ability “briefly” to edit code.
The U.S. Department of Justice has been ordered by Trump not to enforce the Foreign Corrupt Practices Law, which bans foreign bribery, for six months.
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., said she and two dozen members of the House Oversight Committee were denied entry into the Treasury Department when “we tried
By Lorraine H. Marie Reader Columnist
to investigate what Elon Musk and his operatives were doing accessing the private data of hundreds of millions of Americans. Musk is an unelected, unvetted and unqualified citizen who is actively dismantling federal agencies and government programs he has no jurisdiction over.” When oversight committee members wanted to subpoena Musk to testify, Stansbury said “Republicans blocked our efforts.”
According to News Nation, 74 lawsuits have been filed against Trump to stop his executive actions.
Recent headlines: “14 States Sue DOGE, Trump and ‘Agent of Chaos’ Elon Musk for Violating Constitution”; “Trump Fired then Un-Fired National Nuclear Security Administration Employees”; “Judge Blocks Trump from Firing Head of U.S. Agency that Investigates Corruption”; “Retail Sales Slumped 0.9% in January, Down Much More Than Expected”; “‘No to ethnic cleansing’: Over 350 Rabbis Sign U.S. Ad Assailing Trump’s Gaza Plan”; “Trump’s Gaza Plan Unites Jihadist and Far-Right Circles, Experts Warn”; “Trump Begins Firings of FAA Air Traffic Control Staff Just Weeks After Fatal D.C. Plane Crash”; “Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Confirmed as Health Secretary”; “Musk Falsely Claims Millions on U.S. Social Security Are Over 100”; and “Attorneys Resign Over Order to Dismiss Corruption Charges Against New York City Mayor.”
Correction: Last week’s column incorrectly stated the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recovered $17 million for consumers from fraudulent or predatory practices since 2011. The figure was actually over $17 billion. The Trump administration has opted to shut down the consumer protection service via the DOGE mechanism, and staff were vacated. The Washington Post reported that the CFPB shutdown coincides with Musk proposing a new method of payment that CFPB would have scrutinized. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said CFPB can’t be shut down.
Blast from the past: “An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.” — Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965), British statesman who helped to gain victory in WWII. He served as the nation’s prime minister twice. Initially, his nation tried to appease Hitler. That did not work.
Photo by Ben Olson
Divided Idaho House passes bill critics say will repeal Medicaid expansion
Supporters focus on Medicaid’s rising budget; opponents say it will repeal voter-passed expansion
By Kyle Pfannenstiel Idaho Capital Sun
A bill that could repeal voter-approved Medicaid expansion narrowly cleared its first chamber of the Idaho Legislature.
After an hour and a half of debate Feb. 19, the Idaho House on a 38-32 vote passed a Medicaid expansion reform-or-repeal bill.
House Bill 138, by Rep. Jordan Redman, R-Coeur d’Alene, requires Idaho to enact 11 Medicaid policy changes or repeal Medicaid expansion — a policy that lets more low-income Idahoans be eligible for the health insurance assistance program.
Many critics and legislators who opposed the bill said it would likely repeal Medicaid expansion. Two-thirds of the 24 lawmakers who debated the bill on the House floor debated against it.
Many of the eight lawmakers who debated in favor of the bill called its reforms needed to tamp down the rising budget of Idaho Medicaid, which they said could leave less funds for other state budget areas like education and transportation.
“This bill is to put safeguards in place so that we can keep Medicaid expansion, but keep it on our terms and keep it so that it’s containable and sustainable,” Redman said.
About 89,300 Idahoans are enrolled in Medicaid expansion, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
“This bill is designed to repeal Medicaid expansion — no matter the intentions,” Rep. Ben Fuhriman, R-Shelley, told lawmakers. “And I just don’t know how we can do that right now with all of these unknowns.”
The bill now heads to the Idaho Senate, where it could receive another full commit-
tee hearing before a possible floor vote. To become law, Idaho bills must pass the House and Senate and avoid the governor’s veto.
Critics think the bill will repeal Medicaid expansion Idaho needs approval from the federal government to implement many of the policy changes — like work requirements, capping expansion enrollment and kicking people off Medicaid expansion after three years — that Redman’s bill would require.
But several of the bill’s proposed policy changes have never been attempted or have even been rejected, even during President Donald Trump’s first term, an analysis by Idaho Voices for Children found.
Idaho House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, urged lawmakers to respect the will of the voters, and reminded lawmakers how Idahoans suffered before Medicaid expansion.
“We had tens of thousands of people in the gap. No matter what they did, they couldn’t get coverage. People were dying of preventable illnesses,” Rubel said.
If Idaho passed the bill, she said it would cost taxpayers $30 million to $40 million more than keeping Medicaid expansion as is.
How Dist. 1 lawmakers voted:
Republican lawmaker says she’s never seen so much faith in the federal government
AYE — Dist. 1B Rep. Cornel Rasor, R-Sagle
NAY — Dist. 1A Rep. Mark Sauter, R-Sandpoint
If the bill passes, and if any of its policy mandates aren’t in effect by July 2026, the bill would repeal Medicaid expansion.
“This is exactly state sovereignty,” Redman said. “This is Idaho taking the lead, putting guardrails in and telling the federal government what we want to do. And that’s the reason that we have that timeline in there, because we’re forcing the federal government.”
Redman has repeatedly defended his bill against critiques that call it an attempt to repeal Medicaid expansion with more steps. The bill, Redman says, is intended to reform Medicaid and keep expansion in place to save money in Idaho’s rising Medicaid budget.
In 2018, nearly 61% of Idaho voters approved Medicaid expansion. The successful ballot initiative came after years of legislative inaction to address a health insurance assistance gap for a population commonly called the “working poor.”
bill “steps us in the right direction to give us a lot better solutions.”
And he told House lawmakers that people he talks to widely believe the new Trump administration is different.
“I believe that the federal administration is looking for solutions, looking for — not cutting and getting rid of it — but looking for better solutions,” Vander Woude said.
And Redman noted that the Legislature would return in January, when the 2026 legislative session would start.
proposed budget calls for $1.36 billion next fiscal year for Idaho Medicaid expansion.
Co-chair of the Idaho Legislature’s powerful budget setting committee, Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls, said the program has a “runaway budget” that isn’t sustainable.
Rep. Dori Healey, R-Boise, told the House she had never seen so much faith in the federal government. She said she believed many of the policies in the bill would provide needed financial responsibility. But she said she thought this was a “really bad way to do it.”
“I’ve heard in this body so many times ‘state sovereignty.’ But here we are just handing it back to our federal government — only when it’s convenient for us,” Healey said. “So that when they don’t approve those 11 waivers, we can say, ‘We tried. But, you know what, the federal government didn’t approve it. Sorry.’”
Redman has said the Trump administration is likely to approve his bill’s policy changes. But Idaho Voices for Children Senior Policy Associate Hillarie Hagen told the Sun in an interview Feb. 18 there’s no chance all 11 policy changes would be approved.
Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Nampa, sponsored a separate bill to flat out repeal Medicaid expansion that hasn’t received a committee hearing. He said Redman’s
“That would be a great time to evaluate how many waivers have been granted. My hope and my goal, and what I believe, is that we’re going to have all of them granted,” he said. “But if we don’t, that is totally the prerogative of this body to take those things up.”
Supporters critique rising cost of Idaho Medicaid, but analyses find steady growth and savings
The federal government pays 90% of the costs of Idaho Medicaid expansion, higher than the federal government’s typical Medicaid contributions to states, which is usually around 70% of program costs.
For years since nearly 61% of Idaho voters approved a law expanding Medicaid through a ballot initiative, many Idaho Republican lawmakers have said Medicaid’s rising costs must be controlled.
But a recent fiscal analysis found Idaho Medicaid’s costs grew slower than other Idaho state government programs. And extra federal funds Idaho gets for Medicaid expansion generates $1.5 billion in economic impact and more than 9,300 jobs, another analysis found.
Redman said Idaho’s initial projection for Medicaid expansion’s costs was almost $1 billion short of what the program’s costs could be in Idaho’s fiscal year 2026, which starts in June.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s
“Nothing we have tried so far has worked. So, I’m willing to take the risk. Because I think the risk of not acting leaves us in a very vulnerable position to provide essential services to our state, including those most vulnerable, who do need medical attention and have no capacity to obtain it for themselves,” she said.
Rep. Cornel Rasor, R-Sagle, said the bill would bring needed sideboards. And, responding to another lawmaker who noted hospitals pay taxes that support Medicaid, Rasor told lawmakers “we need to remember the forgotten man.”
“The one we came here to champion; the one we came here to defend. The man who’s pulling the 300 million-bottom plow; the woman that’s pulling that plow with him. That’s paying the bills, that’s paying those state hospitals and paying for this Medicaid,” he said.
Several lawmakers who debated in favor of the bill said it wouldn’t affect children, who usually make up about half of the more than 300,000 Idahoans on Medicaid. But Rep. Dan Garner, R-Clifton, said it would — even if kids aren’t on expansion.
“Because families, the working poor, the poor families in my district have to make choices. And the choices they might make is whether or not to take their — their kid in or get food,” Garner said.
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.
Bouquets:
• A Bouquet goes to Panhandle Special Needs, Inc., or PSNI, as we all know them. They are in the midst of a fundraising campaign to build a new campus across North Boyer Avenue from their current location. This is the kind of development I never mind seeing in Sandpoint because it actually provides a worthy service to the community, and the PSNI community is a great one. Keep an eye out in an upcoming Reader for an article showcasing their efforts.
Barbs:
• Sometimes I get a little frustrated that grown adults have forgotten simple things we all learned as children — like standing in line. Nobody likes to do it. We all have a better place to be. But, lately, I keep noticing people straight-up cutting in line and I usually see it happening up on the ski hill. There will be a line of 30 people waiting to get on the bus — some who have been standing there for 15-20 minutes — and two or three people will just casually walk up and stand off to the side; and, when the bus pulls up, they’re right there at the front of the line. What’s really annoying is when you call them out for cutting you have to be “that guy,” and nobody wants to be “that guy.” My job isn’t to police the rules of a civilized society, but I can’t just stand there when I see an entitled jerk who doesn’t play by the same rules. Unfortunately, we have become a society that rewards those who skip the line. We elevate the ones who take advantage of others — just look at who we elect to represent us. We all learned how to stand in a line in kindergarten, and many of our own actions (big and small) are now instilling terrible values in our kids. Maybe some of us need to take a remedial course on how to behave among fellow members of society.
Misogyny and the pulpit…
Dear editor,
Donald Trump won for only one reason: cultural misogyny. This doesn’t mean that everyone who voted for him is a jerk or white supremacist, but that the culture they were raised in has ingrained in them a basic belief that a woman is always inferior.
Conservative religious leaders are guilty of promoting misogyny. They believe and preach that God doesn’t love women like he loves men. They refer to God as a “He” even though that is clearly absurd. God is too big to have a gender. Religious leaders pull on a tiny loincloth of a few scriptures and Jesus’ sex to dish out poison to the women in their congregations.
Trump promotes this hatred, like when he immediately blamed the woman pilot in the D.C. crash as a DEI hire. Assuming she could never have earned her spot, the military just handed her the keys to a black hawk helicopter.
And we women have lapped up the poison. Women, do you place looks and femininity over smarts and hard work? Is a man a leader and a woman aggressive for doing the same thing? Are other women competitors or sisters? Until we women reject this poison, our daughters face a bleak future of powerlessness and abuse.
So, what can we do? Stop having sex with jerks. Seriously, girl, he will never have your back. Stand up to your religious leaders and point out their hypocrisy. Stand together sisters, not apart, for the future of our daughters.
Mary Haley Sandpoint
Not ‘for’ Trump, but against ‘policies of the left’…
Dear editor,
My father was a very positive role model in my life. One of his favorite sayings was, “Things are not always what they appear to be.”
Trump is not the evil doer that you portray [Perspectives, “Kakistrophe,” Feb. 6, 2025]. He has already been president for four years. Job numbers were off the charts across all segments of society until COVID. Meaningful work for many solves a lot of issues.
I have a history degree in college. Freedom of speech is what this
country is founded on.
But I am totally clueless where you get your sources. This election was about the Lecturers vs. Those Who are Tired of Being Lectured To. Sound familiar?
The latest poll has 57% of Americans with a very negative viewpoint of the Democratic Party. Half of America voted not for Trump, but against the policies of the left. In short, they blew it — could not beat a felon.
For the record, I did not vote for The Donald in two out of the last three elections, but support what he is trying to do.
I am always interested in reading what other people have say. Keep up the good work!
Kent Stadum Sandpoint
‘What the heck is going on in this state?’…
Dear editor, OK people, is this what you really voted for? Or maybe you voted for Cornel Rasor only because he’s a Republican. Now it’s past time that you pay attention. Are you willing to take health care away from 90,000 working Idahoans, which might be you?
Medicaid expansion is on the line and Rep. Rasor voted to move H.B. 138 out of committee to be voted on in the House. This bill will deny health care to working folks who live at 133% below the poverty line and who work too many hours or make just a little too much money to qualify for regular Medicaid. Does this feel right to you? Or maybe you just don’t care.
Medicaid expansion was passed by the people of Idaho with a 61% margin; 90% of the cost is picked up by the federal government.
What the heck is going on in this state? It definitely is not the same place I moved to 50 years ago.
Contact Rep. Rasor and tell him we care about each other in Idaho and insist he vote no on H.B. 138 to continue health care for the working poor in Idaho.
Sylvia Humes Sandpoint
flags and banners, and I’ve finally figured out what they stand for: Tyranny Reigns Under My Pronouncements.
Ted Wert Sagle
Remembering the Sandpoint of yore…
Dear editor,
There is a huge brick bank where Harold’s IGA and Diner used to be — a donut and a cup of coffee for a quarter. Across the street was Sandpoint Ice and Fuel. When we first got married and were living in our little log honeymoon cabin, we heated with a wood cook stove and we bought a gunny sack of anthracite coal once a week so the little firebox would hold fire overnight.
The next block over was the Co-op granary, where we would pick up the 100-pound sack of dairy molasses for Beauty, our Guernsey milk cow. Fill up the gas tank at the Co-op pumps where the antique store was and where someday soon The Carousel of Smiles will be located.
Drive downtown and stop for a few minutes at the Pastime Cafe and Sport Shop, where Pend Oreille Pete stood on the sidewalk with that huge Kamloops on his back (he’s been moved inside U.S. Bank now). Then over to the old Safeway close to the hospital. Groceries and most likely some visiting.
Finally, on the way out of town, before we cross the Long Bridge, stop at Don‘s Drive-In for ice cream cones.
That’s all been a while ago. I can see that bit of ice cream on the tip of your nose, and I hear the crunch of the cone.
Steve Johnson Sagle
Putting
Trump out of mind on the slopes…
Dear editor, I related hard to last week’s Back of the Book entry by Ben Olson, “On a powder day.” Just a few weeks ago, on a sunny day at Schweitzer, I jumped into K-Mac’s. It was icy, and missing a turn would get ugly.
decency and the U.S. Constitution that now haunt my every thought... I couldn’t do it, and for those moments my soul was at peace.
Take care,
Jim Imholte Sandpoint
‘Let me see if I have this straight’…
Dear editor,
Donnie Diapers promised to bring down prices and inflation “on Day 1.“ Within two weeks of inauguration day, gas prices rose over 10%. Inflation is up. Interest rates are up. Five plane crashes and counting. The price of groceries has not come down.
In the meantime, we have Elon Musk running around with barely pubescent, unqualified young men — with no security clearances — rummaging through all sorts of personal information, including our Social Security numbers, medical records, any interaction we’ve had with government agencies, etc., as well as firing air traffic controllers, inspectors general and engineers, scientists and watchdogs of all of America’s nuclear facilities.
He’s let go many other people who make our lives easier and keep an eye on the actual graft and corruption that happens every day in this country, and has been put on steroids by this administration. All with zero accountability and transparency.
Are there any fools left out there that still think Musk isn’t doing this to line his own pockets and get rid of the numerous investigations and lawsuits against him and his companies? The fact that our government has granted his various entities over $10 billion in contracts since the election should be proof enough that he’s in it for himself, much like the emotional adolescent now installed in the White House who’s cosplaying as an actual adult.
My main question to all you Trump voters is, are you tired of winning yet? Maybe when you begin feeling the effects of all these things on your own life and wallet… maybe when you realize that you have no democracy left…
Unfortunately, at that point, it will be too late.
Dear editor, For years now I’ve seen these letters on caps, shirts, stickers,
In those 30 seconds, I tried to conjure the visions of “him” and his handlers laying waste to common
John Hansen Dover
City Hall reduces parking fees for a developer, but wants to put fees on the community
By Bonner County Republican Women, Inc. Reader Contributors
The city of Sandpoint plans to charge community members to park in the city. Their reasons seem valid: parking is a nightmare and available parking lots need repair. So why should we be upset?
Despite an initial assessment that 244 parking spaces are needed to support a planned resort hotel at City Beach, Averill Hospitality was allowed to reduce the required parking to 144 spaces for a fee of $400,000.
Per city code: 9-5-18(D): “The parking requirements set forth in the Parking Code may be satisfied in whole or in part by the payment of a nonrefundable parking improvement
fee of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per space.”
This means Averill Hospitality should pay about $1 million versus $400,000 if its request to reduce parking should be accepted.
We questioned Mayor Jeremy Grimm about this discrepancy during a recent City Council meeting. He stated that we’d misinterpreted the code. We subsequently submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to the city to learn how the $400,000 fee was assessed and who approved it.
The response included a copy of an email from Jason Welker (Sandpoint Community Planning and Development director) to individuals working on behalf of the resort. In it, Welker indicated that, per City Code, the resort
was initially assessed to pay $950,000 in fees. He also stated that the money, “would have allowed the City to undertake improvements to the adjacent public parking facilities at City Beach, including repaving and restriping (has been more than 30 years since this has been done), implementation of a paid parking solution, and improvements to the 17,000 square foot parking area at the north end of the RV park across Bridge Street from the Hotel.”
He later states in the letter:
“I understand Dan [Averill] communicated to the Mayor that your team is prepared to pay in lieu for 40 parking spaces ($400,000) and is thus asking for administrative relief from the additional 55 spaces. ... We’ll approve
the reduction.”
Bottom Line: Mayor Grimm and Welker agreed to reduce the number of parking spaces to be created by the resort for $550,000 less than the code suggests. Two months later, Welker announced City Hall plans to charge the local community to fix the parking problem in Sandpoint.
Yes. We should be upset. The good news is that it’s not too late to change these bad decisions. Per the Sandpoint deputy city clerk:
“Staff further reports and notes that fees are paid at the time of building permit application, and there has been no application for building permits to date for this project, thus no invoicing for or payment of in-lieu fees; no further steps towards develop-
ment have been taken place to date, and no fees have been assessed at this point.”
Before a building permit is granted, let Mayor Grimm and the City Council know the resort should create the parking needed per the original parking assessment, and that $400,000 in lieu of the appropriate parking fee is unacceptable.
For contact information and a meeting calendar, go to sandpointidaho.gov/our-government.
Medicaid expansion saves lives, boosts economies in rural Idaho
By Kelly McGrath Reader Contributor
As a family medicine physician in rural Idaho, I have had the privilege of caring for Idaho families for more than three decades. I have celebrated their milestones and stood by them during some of the most difficult days of their lives, helping them navigate challenging times. Many of these hardships have been directly tied to health issues, often triggered or worsened by poverty.
In 2018, Idaho voters approved expanding Medicaid coverage; and, since its implementation, I have witnessed improved health and prosperity in our rural communities. With the current proposals in the Idaho Legislature to take this coverage away from our most vulnerable citizens, our rural communities are at risk to become sicker and poorer. We cannot let this happen. Idahoans in rural areas par-
ticipate in Medicaid at higher rates than those in metro areas. They also tend to be sicker, older and poorer than our urban neighbors heightening the need for healthcare coverage.
Many of the patients I see with coverage through Medicaid are working, caring Idaho citizens who have experienced difficult medical conditions or are just living through chal-
lenging financial experiences. For these patients, Medicaid expansion is a literal lifeline. Medicaid expansion allows patients to receive preventive care and screenings. These tests detect conditions early when treatments are most effective and less expensive. When patients need life-saving interventions like chemotherapy or surgery, Medicaid enables them to receive that necessary care.
Recently I had a patient tell me, “Without Medicaid, I would be dead.” She was right. Last year she had a critical illness. She spent several days in an intensive care unit and underwent surgery. Fortunately, she survived and is now thriving. If she had put off going to the emergency room, as so many people like her do when they don’t have insurance, her story could have had a different ending. Medicaid expansion also strengthens the economic health of rural communities. When people who are injured
or sick need access to medical care and do not have sufficient resources, they often incur medical debts. Even modest debt can put rural Idaho families into a financial tailspin. This makes entire rural communities poorer by stifling economic growth.
Families struggling with medical debt are less likely to invest in businesses, make purchases or participate in the local economy — key drivers of rural prosperity. Worse yet, those in debt often delay further medical care, leading to more severe health issues and an even deeper financial spiral. Medicaid expansion keeps both individuals and their communities healthier and more financially stable.
Taking Medicaid expansion away means returning to a harmful reality where tens of thousands of Idahoans live in the coverage gap. They won’t have health insurance through an employer. Their wages will be too low for them to qualify for tax credits to buy cover-
Bonner County Republican Women, Inc. (BCRWI) includes Victoria Quinn, president; Anita Aurit, vice president; Thea Few, treasurer; and Sandra Rutherford, Dianne Houts, Debbie Keeley and Jennifer Cox, all board members. age. They also will earn too much to qualify for traditional Medicaid. Without an affordable coverage option, they will be forced to delay or forego medical screenings and necessary care. If an emergency medical need comes up, they may have to choose between their health and financial ruin for their family. That outcome impacts all of us.
I dream of a future where all Idaho citizens are financially prosperous and healthy. Until that time, we are wise to protect our Idaho neighbors, friends and families when they fall on hard times. The Idaho voters recognized this when they approved Medicaid expansion. The Idaho Legislature should honor the will of the voters and protect Medicaid expansion.
Dr. Kelly McGrath is a family medicine physician practicing in Orofino, Idaho.
Kelly McGrath. Courtesy photo
PERSPECTIVES
Emily Articulated
Raw Milk
By Emily Erickson Reader Columnist
Something people might not understand about what it’s like to grow up in America’s dairy state is just how deeply Milk is ingrained into everyday life. Milk is capitalized here because of the sheer volume consumed in my childhood home (gallons per day), the billboards I sped past on Wisconsin highways that simply read “Cheese” and the countless cow-themed trinkets nearly as omnipresent as Green Bay Packers gear (a fan base known for what other than their “Cheese Heads”).
This immersion in dairy culture wasn’t coincidental — it was cultivated. The seeds of the dairy industry’s influence were planted with me at a young age and tended to throughout my education. I was baffled to learn that kids in other states took school field trips unrelated to milk, its source, or its many fermented forms. Consider my shock at hearing about visits to train museums, Civil War reenactments, aquariums and high-ropes courses, when the majority of my out-of-school excursions were to dairy farms and cheese factories (with the occasional outlier, like a cranberry bog).
This education, coincidentally, makes me a dab hand at obscure and very specific trivia. I can’t rattle off the dates of most major historical events, but I can tell you what makes a New Holstein cow a top contender in a dairy judging competition (yes, that’s a real thing, and yes, “udder size” is a category).
Given my disproportionate exposure to milk, perhaps I should have been less surprised when dairy — and, more specifically, pasteurization — became a focal point for anti-regulatory conservatives. What was once a staple of public health initiatives has now been swept into the broader “health freedom movement,” a cause championed by none other than Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Before his appointment as head of the Department of Health and Human Services, RFK Jr. took to X to proclaim, “The FDA’s war on public health is about to end,” citing the agency’s “aggressive suppression” of raw milk as one example.
In a twist that nobody saw coming (or particularly asked for), raw milk — once the domain of yogis and the Amish — has become a cause célèbre for the MAGA movement, despite federal regulators’ repeated warnings.
Stephanie Armour, reporter for Kaiser Health News, writes “Federal regulators conclude [raw milk] is risky business. Samples of raw milk can contain bird flu virus and other pathogens linked to kidney disease, miscarriages
and death.”
Marion Nestle, a molecular biologist, nutritionist and professor emeritus at New York University, underscores the importance of pasteurization: “Pasteurization was one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. The simple process of heating up milk for a brief period kills dangerous bacteria, such as salmonella, listeria and E. coli.”
Public health experts warn that if a future administration weakens restrictions on raw milk sales or endorses its consumption, we could see a rise in foodborne illnesses. Even more concerning, they caution that it could increase the risk of highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu virus evolving to spread more efficiently — possibly even between people — raising the specter of another pandemic.
This debate over raw milk is emblematic of a larger shift in how information spreads and how public opinion is shaped. Once fringe ideas — whether about dairy, vaccines or public health regulations — can, under the right circumstances, become mainstream. The way people are convinced to care (or not care) about certain issues often depends less on the facts and more on the narratives that gain traction in their social and political spheres.
And these narratives have real, often sweeping, implications on public health. In the wake of COVID-19, public attitudes toward vaccines have shifted dramatically, with declining trust in institutions like the FDA and CDC fueling vaccine
hesitancy. The consequences are tangible: Once-eradicated diseases like measles are making a comeback in communities where vaccine rates have plummeted. When skepticism of public health measures goes mainstream, the ripple effects extend far beyond raw milk and into the stability of our entire health care system.
It’s a stark reminder that critical thinking is more important than ever. Just be-
cause an idea gains popularity doesn’t mean it’s grounded in reason — or in science. And, as our leadership continues to shift in favor of figureheads who seem to have forgotten that (or never learned it in the first place), challenging the whims of public perception is paramount. After all, if I hadn’t taken the time to interrogate the narratives I grew up with, I might have ended up as a dairy cow judge.
Random Corner
Don’t know much about spider webs? We can help!
• The golden orb-weaver spider produces the strongest silk in the natural world. These silks are stronger than steel or even Kevlar.
• Gossamer is the term for a thin strand of spider web that you might see floating in the air in calm weather.
• Darwin’s bark spider is known for shooting its web and letting the wind carry it over rivers and lakes, sometimes up to 80 feet at a stretch. When they anchor the other side, these spiders will create a web that can grow as large as 4,000 square inches. The spider will usually occupy the orb-shaped center of the web and catch insects flying around the water.
• Arachnologists claim that spiders can fly dozens of miles by using a method they call ballooning or kiting. This behavior is most often used by spiderlings to disperse after hatching, but some adult spiders have been observed using it as well. They climb to a high place like the top of a tree and release a fine thread of gossamer. Wind then pulls the spiders up, up and away.
• Some orb spiders in Costa Rica have been seen catching entire bats in their large webs, which they then consume.
• During the 16th century, monks in the Tyrolean Alps of Austria would stretch cobwebs over a frame and create a canvas for painting. Fewer than 100 of these spiderweb paintings are still in existence, and the monks haven’t made any new ones since 1920.
• In 1973, NASA sent two lucky spiders into orbit to the SkyLab space station to see if they could spin webs in low- or zero-gravity conditions. The spiders struggled at first, but eventually adapted and managed to spin unusually shaped webs, which were also not as strong as those they spun on Earth.
• In the Carpathian Mountains, peasants used to cut up the web of a purseweb spider and use it to bandage wounds. The University of Nottingham studied why in 2017, and found that some spider silk has antibacterial properties and high levels of vitamin K, which helps clot blood.
Emily Erickson.
To submit a photo for a future edition, please send to ben@sandpointreader.com.
A
Bottom left: “Cedar (age 3) has been on the ice for the last four days. Today we had a great time on the chair until we hit a large crack. We recovered quickly,” wrote Paige Belfry.
(DOORS 1 HR PRIOR)
Top left: “Beautiful day to ring the bell on the mountain!” said skier Karen Hempstead. Photo by Tere Porcarelli.
Top right: The view from a flight from Spokane to California. Photo by Albert De Armas.
Middle:
winter wonderland up Rapid Lightning. Photo by Lori Getts.
Panida Theater Presents
Idaho Democrats Fight for Families. Republicans Fight for Control
By Lauren Necochea Reader Contributor
Idaho Democrats are clear underdogs in the Legislature, but that doesn’t stop them from bringing forward real solutions. They are working to strengthen public schools through investments in facilities, mental health resources, and career and technical education. They’ve introduced legislation to expand coverage for advanced breast cancer screenings. They are fighting for renter protections and long-term solutions for home affordability. And they continue working to restore reproductive freedoms, protect doctors from persecution, and ensure no woman has to risk her health or future fertility for a political agenda.
Republican politicians stand in stark contrast and have made one thing clear this session: They don’t work for you.
Their push for voucher schemes would strip millions of dollars from public schools, funneling tax money to private and religious schools without accountability. Every state that has tried vouchers has seen worse student outcomes while ballooning costs drain the state budget.
They would rather let women suffer than take responsibility for the harm they’ve caused. Idaho’s abortion ban is forcing women to flee for emergency care. Instead of fixing it, Republicans introduced a bill to charge women with murder for seeking an abortion, even in cases of rape or incest. A rape victim seeking care could face more severe punishment than her rapist, potentially even execution by firing squad.
They would rather rip away health care than expand access. Medicaid expansion provides health care for nearly
90,000 Idahoans and pumps $1.5 billion into our economy. Their latest proposal is a blatant attempt to take health care away and send our tax dollars elsewhere.
They would rather protect wealthy donors than help working families. Instead of repealing the grocery tax, Republicans are starving essential services and blocking tax reforms that would help working people, all while giving another massive tax handout to millionaires.
They would rather rig the system than face voters. Republicans know their policies are unpopular, so they are attacking the citizen-led ballot initiative, one of the last tools Idahoans have to hold them accountable. Democrats stopped their attempt to let the governor veto initiatives, but now the GOP wants to change the Constitution to make future initiatives nearly impossible. When the Idaho Supreme Court already called
their efforts “tyranny of the minority,” you know they’ve gone too far.
While Idaho families struggle, Republicans waste time on nonsense: banning certain flags in classrooms, making firing squads the primary death penalty method and mandating Bible readings in public schools — a clear violation of the separation of church and state.
Republicans in the Idaho Legislature are not like us. They prioritize the wealthy over working families, control over freedom and power over common sense. Idaho Democrats know which side we’re on. The question is: Do you?
Lauren Necochea is chair of the Idaho Democratic Party and a former District 19 legislator. Necochea spent a decade leading nonprofit programs dedicated to research and advocacy in tax policy, health care and children’s issues.
The ultimate bait and switch
By Diane Wheeler Reader Contributor
My dad explained the practice when I was a child, and I have never forgotten it. Advertise a product for a great deal, then, when the customer arrives at the store, claim it isn’t available and offer another product that costs more.
We were told by candidate Donald Trump that he would be downsizing the federal government when he got
into office. One of the most notable deals he wanted to do was to scuttle the Department of Education. Those of us who want to see the federal government downsized into its legitimate role put on our party hats and celebrated.
The Constitution does not mention education as one of its enumerated duties. Education belongs to the states, but former-President Jimmy Carter pushed it through in 1979. Since then, it has continued to evolve into a gift for the constituency favored by whoever hap-
pens to be in the White House.
Today I learned that President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Education to divvy out seed money to fund “school choice.”
For those who have lived on Mars for the past few decades, “school choice” is a euphemism for funding private education with tax dollars. The Department of Education announced the release of $33 million to start the ball rolling.
“School choice” is the brainchild of several “Eastern-Bloc” Washington based think tanks. They have been masquerading as friends of private education for decades. They endorse universal education at taxpayer expense. This concept is not new — just read the 10th plank of the 1848 Communist Manifesto.
These think tanks targeted the religious and political leaders in each state. They offered these leaders “fellowships” in their organizations or took them on paid junkets to their headquarters. The key to their successful strategy was the demonization of all public schools and the shaming of those who pay for their own private education — the old divide-and-conquer technique.
And regardless of whether all their claims are true, dissatisfaction with public education remains their biggest selling
point. But underneath all the propaganda is a great big pot of money — government money — that is waiting to be transferred into other people’s pockets.
“School choice” would make Stalin and Lennin very happy, but it shouldn’t be marketed by conservatives that claim they follow the Constitution.
Will the federal government get smaller if all students in America get a check in the mail? What other programs will need to be cut in order to fund this bait-and-switch program? Will we need to borrow more money from China so that our children’s children can pay it back?
No. It’s time to stop rearranging the deck chairs on a sinking ship. It’s time to stop using any federal dollars for education, no matter what you call it. It’s time to substantially increase the Dependent Tax Exemption, so each family can retain more of their own hard-earned income to spend on their children as they see fit. Finally, it is time for Republicans and Democrats, the president and Congress to work together to scuttle the ship we call the Department of Education.
Diane Wheeler has been a private school advocate for the past 40 years. She teaches a class entitled “Liberty and Law.”
The reckless firing of federal resource workers is a crisis for Idaho
By Justin Hayes Reader Contributor
Idahoans cherish the great outdoors. Whether it’s visiting our national forests, fishing in pristine rivers or depending on a thriving agricultural sector, our way of life is deeply intertwined with responsible natural resource management. That is why the recent mass firing of employees from federal agencies responsible for managing these resources is deeply troubling.
The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management play an essential role in ensuring Idaho’s forests and rangelands are available for recreational use; timber harvest; livestock grazing; and, importantly, protecting our communities from the ever-growing threat of wildfires. The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides crucial support to Idaho farmers and ranchers, helping them implement practices that protect soil health and prevent runoff from contaminating our rivers.
There is no doubt that agencies should strive for efficiency, cost savings and improvements. However, the administration under Elon Musk’s direction has taken a reckless and deeply damaging approach in the name of “government efficiency.” The abrupt, widespread firings demonstrate a “go fast and break things” mentality — one that prioritizes speed over the well-being of Idahoans, Americans and the health of our natural resources.
Worse yet, the callous and chaotic way this has been carried out has inflicted unnecessary pain on dedicated public servants — Idaho neighbors, friends, and community members.
These are not faceless beltway bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. These are Idahoans who work on behalf of the American people, safeguarding our public lands, farms and waters. These are skilled professionals, many who returned to the communities they grew up in to start careers as public servants. They have families, expertise and an unwavering commitment to our state’s future.
The mass dismissals seem to revel in disruption rather than to pursue thoughtful reform. Musk and his team appear to take pleasure in upending the lives of public servants — some of whom have spent decades ensuring our
shared natural heritage remains healthy and accessible.
Such an impulsive purge will have lasting negative consequences for Idaho. Wildfire management will suffer as experienced personnel are removed from their posts; and, despite reports to the contrary, ICL recently learned not all fire positions are exempt from the cuts.
Idaho communities are just as vulnerable to wildfires as Los Angeles.
Farmers and ranchers will lose access to critical conservation grants and assistance. Water quality monitoring and protection will be weakened. Our trails, campgrounds, restrooms and countless projects that benefit local communities will suffer as funds are withdrawn and staff are simply not there. The economic ripple effects will be felt as these agencies provide jobs and stability to rural communities across the state. Idaho’s public lands, amazing recreational opportunities and healthy environment are huge economic engines for Idaho.
Idahoans have long opposed topdown, disconnected federal overreach from unelected bureaucrats, but we have never seen such disconnect or disdain before. If the goal is to reshape federal agencies, it must be done with a more measured, thoughtful approach. Wholesale gutting of these key organizations without a clear gameplan only creates instability, confusion and harm to Idaho families.
Idaho’s congressional delegation — Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, and Reps. Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher — must step forward and ensure that any changes to these vital agencies be immediately reconsidered. Idahoans deserve policies that are well thought out, not dictated by a billionaire’s impulsive whims. Our state’s natural resources and the livelihoods of those who protect them are too important to be treated as pawns in a reckless experiment.
Idaho depends on its lands, its rivers and its people. We must stand up now to protect all three.
Justin Hayes is the executive director of the Idaho Conservation League, which has as its mission to “create a conservation community and pragmatic, enduring solutions that protect and restore the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the land and wildlife you love.”
Justin Hayes. File photo
Public invited to open house for Sand Creek Connections Draft Action Plan
By Reader Staff
Area residents are invited to an open house on Monday, Feb. 24, from 3-6 p.m. at the Community Room of the James E. Russell Sports Center (2016 Pine St.), to review and provide input on the Sand Creek Connections Draft Action Plan.
The plan includes recommendations gathered from dozens of local voices — immediate neighbors, landowners and technical experts — to shape a community-inspired vision for the Sand Creek Corridor, particularly the stretch between Popsicle Bridge and Schweitzer Cutoff Road.
The collaborative effort has been spearheaded by Kaniksu Land Trust, Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society, the Kalispel Tribe, Trust for Public Land, and the cities of Sandpoint and Ponderay, with support from the National Park Service River Trails and Conservation Assistance Program.
“The open house offers an opportu-
nity for residents to learn more, share feedback and help guide the future of this vital space,” KLT stated in a news release.
For more information, contact Kaniksu Land Trust at 208-263-9471 or info@kaniksu.org.
Angels Over Sandpoint spring cycle community grants available
By Reader Staff
Citing generous donations from the community, the Angels Over Sandpoint announced it will continue the Community Grant program for the spring cycle, with applications accepted until Saturday, March 15.
Angels Over Sandpoint grants of up to $2,500 are open to charitable
and education organizations located in Bonner County and which benefit Bonner County residents.
Applications are available at angelsoversandpoint.org under the “Need Help/Grants” tab. Instructions and a complete description of the grant are under “Community Grants.” All requests must be received or postmarked by March 15.
Organizations eligible to apply must meet one of the following criteria:
• An organization holding a current tax-exempt status under Section 501(c) (3), (4), (6) or (19) of the Internal Revenue Code;
• A recognized government entity: state, county or city agency, including law enforcement or fire departments, that are requesting funds exclusively for charitable purposes;
• A pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 public or private school, charter school, community/junior college, state/private college or university;
• A church or other faith-based organization with a proposed project that benefits the community at large;
• A children and/or youth program.
“The Angels Over Sandpoint looks forward to your wonderful ideas on how to enhance the life of our children, seniors, veterans and all Bonner County citizens,” the organizations stated. “Each request will get careful consideration.”
A still frame from a YouTube video by Kaniksu Land Trust highlighting the Sand Creek Corridor between the Popsicle Bridge and Schweitzer Cutoff Road. Courtesy photo
Eichardt’s K-9 Keg Pull returns to send off Winter Carnival
By Reader Staff
Grab Fido and head down to one of Sandpoint’s most endearing events of the year — the annual Eichardt’s K-9 Keg Pull. This year, the pooches will take over a stretch of Cedar Street in front of Eichardt’s Pub (212 Cedar St.) from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23.
After a 10:15 a.m. registration, local dogs will pull various-sized kegs through the snow while community members cheer them on. The kegs vary in size from beer cans to fullsize kegs, depending on the pup’s size.
Cost to enter is $10 for the first two races, and $5 for each additional race, with proceeds benefiting Better Together Animal Alliance. Registration closes at noon.
BGH holds masquerade Heart Ball to fund swing bed program
By Reader Staff
The Bonner General Health Foundation will host its annual Heart Ball on Saturday, Feb. 22 from 5-11 p.m. to raise funds for its swing bed transitional care program. The masquerade will take place at the Bonner County Fairgrounds (4203 N. Boyer Road).
The swing bed program is common among rural hospitals and helps accommodate patients recovering from major illnesses or injuries by giving them time and space to heal in the same hospital where they originally received treatment. Patients transition from acute care — shortterm, urgent treatment — to skilled nursing facility care, under which they receive rehabilitation treatments that restore independence. Without the swing bed program, patients have to go to an alternative skilled nursing facility farther from home to receive
Masquerades have been popular in Europe since at least the 13th century.
the necessary care.
Tickets are sold out, but members of the community can still donate at BonnerGeneral.org/17thannual-heart-ball-event. All donations and proceeds from the Feb. 22 event will go toward BGH’s swing bed program.
The event is one of the last of the 2025 Sandpoint Winter Carnival, so don’t miss it.
The beloved Eichardt’s K-9 Keg Pull. Photo courtesy of Ezy Dog.
Photo by Llanydd Lloyd
FEATURE
The memory maker
Local woman honors deceased loved ones with Memory Bears
By Ben Olson Reader Staff
Of all the human emotions, grief is perhaps the most complicated — and the most universal. Most of us have lost someone we loved, and there’s not one single method to overcome loss. Thankfully, there are talented people in the community who have dedicated their time to helping others in their time of need.
Michelle Sebern is no stranger to death. She worked at the top of her field as a nurse before retiring during the pandemic. Then she obtained end-of-life doula certification, which enabled her to provide companionship, comfort and guidance to those planning for death, diagnosed with a terminal illness or facing imminent death.
“During my training, I learned how isolating grief can be,” Sebern told the Reader. “I like art with purpose, and I’ve been a longtime fiber artist, so I began exploring how to use my fiber art with this end-oflife space I’ve been in.”
The culmination of those experiences and talents is Sebern’s new venture, the Memory Bear Maker, in which she uses a cherished item of clothing from a deceased loved one and creates a teddy bear out of the fabric. She charges nothing for the service, preferring instead to give those suffering from grief a free, accessible way to connect with their dearly departed.
Memory bears are popular in the U.K. and Australia, Sebern said, and there are some who make them in the U.S. She made her first bear in October 2024 and posted it to Facebook, where she was met with a lot of interest.
“I’m not charging anything for them, so that makes it popular,” she said. “It’s popular also because sometimes people don’t want to
talk about grief so much. This is a tangible way for them to hold something. It starts the grieving process.”
Sebern said memory bears might also appeal to those experiencing grief but might not be interested in a “touchyfeely” group setting.
“This offers them a chance to deal with grief in their own space,” she said.
Sebern has been buoyed by the support she’s received ever since launching Memory Bear Maker.
“Both hospices in town have been really supportive,” she said. “Not only that, but I hear from people who want to learn how to make their own memory bears, too.”
In addition to making bears, Sebern has begun to train others in the art, which has created another community she appreciates being a part of.
For Lisa Bond, the entire process of receiving a memory bear in honor of her brother, who passed away in 2003, has been a healing experience.
“When he died, my sisterin-law said I could take one of his shirts out of the closet,” Bond said. “I just walked over and took one out of the dirty clothes basket because it had his smell.”
Bond took the shirt and hung it in her closet at her then-home in Colorado for 20 years before coming to the realization that she had to do something with his shirt. It was around that time when Bond saw Sebern’s Memory Bear Maker pop up on Facebook.
“After talking with her, I realized it was absolutely the perfect thing to do,” Bond told the Reader. “I got to know Michelle and we had such a soul connection. The whole process — not just making the bear, but also the spontaneous sharing back and forth, because she actually shared some similarities with
my brother.”
When Sebern called Bond to let her know the bear was ready to take home, Bond drove to Hope with her new memory bear in the front seat. The bear’s head was looking down at the sushi Bond had picked up for dinner.
“As I pulled into the driveway, I’m not sure how his head got jostled, but I looked over and saw the bear’s head was turned and he was looking out at the lake. The lake was always very special to my brother ... it’s always been
very special to me, too.
Sebern is lifted up by the many positive stories she’s heard from her clients. One, a man in hospice care, contacted Sebern to make a bear from his clothing for his wife. After he passed away, the bear was given to his wife to help her with his loss.
For those interested in commissioning their own memory bear from Sebern, she accepts submissions via Facebook by looking up Memory Bear Maker, or sending an email to memorybearmaker@gmail.com.
“That gave him so much peace,” Sebern said. So far, Sebern has made about 34 bears, which each take about
six hours over the course of three days to make. While she doesn’t charge for the service,
she does acknowledge the bears are costly to produce. She currently sells stuffing and thread for others to make bears on an Amazon site to help defray the costs, but she’s adamant that the endeavor is not about money. She’s also received thoughtful donations for her efforts, including a $5,000 sewing machine by a generous donor.
“I retired from nursing with intention,” she said. “I was driven by the almighty dollar and by my ego in nursing. When you decide to stop that, it’s nice to do things you want to do with intention, rather than ego or money driving you. I don’t need the money, I want the community more than anything.”
Michelle Sebern, above, poses with a few of her recent memory bears, which she makes for the community for no charge. The bears, right, are made using a deceased loved one’s articles of clothing. Courtesy photos
COMMUNITY
Register now for local Master Naturalist intro classes
Program gives opportunities to learn and volunteer for stewardship of region’s environment
By Pat Meyers Reader Contributor
The Pend Oreille Chapter of the Idaho Master Naturalists is a non-profit volunteer organization concerned with nature-related conservation events in the Idaho panhandle. Our chapter is headquartered at the WaterLife Discovery Center in Sagle (the “old fish hatchery,” located at 1591 Lakeshore Drive) and the closest other chapter is in Moscow. Each year, we look forward to having new members join our organization, get educated in a wide variety of natural-world subjects and to participate in conservation projects in our area.
This year’s introductory classes will be Friday, March 21 and Saturday, March 22 at the WaterLife Discovery Center, where participants will learn about our beautiful region and its native wildlife and plants, waterways, mountains and geology. To sign up, email imn.sandpoint@gmail. com and you’ll receive information about the program and the necessary forms to join.
The Master Naturalist program is an Idaho Fish and Game-sponsored organization with members who love nature and are nature and wildlife enthusiasts. In this program, attendees will be able to become a well-informed volunteer to actively work toward stewardship of Idaho’s natural environment. They will develop into welltrained volunteers who can knowledgably assist IDFG biologists and other conservation professionals.
The local Master Naturalist chapter provides leadership and assistance in various youth education programs and will be present at the WaterLife Discovery Center throughout the summer
< BEARS, con’t from Page 16 >
For Bond, the bear remains a tangible reminder of her brother and a touching tribute made by a new friend.
“You know you’re never going to get your loved one back,” Bond said, “but to have a physical thing made out of his clothing means everything to me. He’s sitting here on my hearth now.
“People sometimes have a hard time asking you about when you’ve had a specific loss because they don’t want to make you sad, but the nice thing about having this bear is they’ll
to show the public its indoor displays and outdoor grounds. The Idaho Master Naturalists also provide opportunities for local conservationists to meet, socialize, work together and continue conservation education.
New members will take 40 hours of educational classes, which will include several field trips and online classes that can be viewed at their leisure, plus volunteer for 40 hours to become “certified” for their first year. In subsequent years, eight hours of continuing education and 40 hours of volunteering will result in “re-certification.”
Forty volunteer hours may seem like a lot, but our chapter had 15 people who each volunteered more than 100 hours in 2024. It is a lot of fun and participants achieve a great deal of camaraderie with your fellow members.
Examples of the educational classes and field trips include ornithology, tree and plant identification, river restoration projects, ice age floods and geology, mushroom foraging, large mammal classes, local fisheries, pollinator classes and more.
A major volunteer activity last year included development of educational trunks for local elementary schools — trunk themes are Fish, Bears, Pollinators and Small Mammals
say, ‘Where did you get that?’ and I get to launch not into the deep, dark secrets, but just tell them it’s a bear made out of an article of clothing from my brother who is deceased,” she added. “It’s important to talk about difficult subjects; and, at the end of the day, it’s a gentle reminder of having loved.”
Learn more by searching for Memory Bear Maker on Facebook or contact Michelle Sebern at thememorybearmaker@ gmail.com.
of North Idaho. Other key volunteer activities were making bat houses and birdhouses, and planting a milkweed and pollinator garden at the WaterLife Discovery Center.
We also helped with loon surveys, milkweed surveys, invasive snapping turtle collection, planting saplings in a nearby wildlife management area and along a local river.
Many of our members also help out each May at the Pend Oreille Water Festival at Riley Creek Recreation Area, which is offered to all Bonner County fifth-graders.
The Master Naturalists host field trips for elementary students at the WaterLife Discovery Center and conduct a youth fly fishing clinic annually. We assist IDFG with its ”Take Me Fishing” field trips to local lakes. Several Master Naturalists help the Idaho Conservation League with water quality monitoring in Lake Pend Oreille and the river. Members assist Idaho Trails Association and Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness with trail maintenance and other volunteer activities.
Check out the podcast from the Feb. 18 interview on krfy.org, in which we presented our program to the public, and join us again on KRFY 88.5 FM on Tuesday, March 18, when we will join IDFG representatives as they discuss their priority projects for the year and the volunteer help from the Master Naturalists.
Pat Meyers is communications chair for the Pend Oreille Chapter of the Idaho Master Naturalists. Get more info at the local chapters Facebook page. For more on the statewide Master Naturalist program, go to idfg.idaho.gov/master-naturalist.
Education Trunk team presenting the trunks to Outdoor Educators for LPOSD Elementary Schools in January. From left to right: Perky Smith-Hagadone, Debbie Crain, Christine Sandahl, Mary Haley and Pat Meyers. Courtesy photo
Send event listings to calendar@sandpointreader.com
THURSDAY, february 20
Paint and Sip
5:30-8:30pm @ Barrel 33
Learn how to paint a masterpiece
Live Music w/ Comin’ Home the Band
5:30-8pm @ Matchwood Brewing Co.
Live Music w/ Truck Mills
6-8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority
Live Music w/ Son of Brad
5:30-8:30pm @ Barrel 33
Live Music w/ Triage
6:30-9:30pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall
Live Music w/ Headwaters
6-8pm @ Smokesmith BBQ
Live Music w/ Mike and Sadie Trio
5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery
Live Music w/ Harold’s IGA
6-8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority
Indie rock originals and covers
Live Music w/ Dario Ré
5:30-8:30pm @ Barrel 33
Live Music w/ Big Phatty & the Inhalers
9pm-midnight @ 219 Lounge
Live Music w/ Mason Van Stone
6-8pm @ Baxter’s on Cedar
Live Music w/ Ian Newbill
5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery
Live Music w/ Heat Speak
5:30-8:30pm @ Barrel 33
Live Music w/ Billy Bensing
6-9pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall
Live Music w/ Truck Mills & Carl Rey
6pm @ CREATE Center (Newport, Wash.) Blues, country, ragtime and more. $15
Sandpoint Chess Club 9am @ Evans Brothers Coffee
Live Music w/ Fiddlin’ Red 1-4pm @ Barrel 33
The Sled Hill short film and more 6pm @ Panida Theater
Premiere of film The Sled Hill, mixer, Patagonia film and raffle. $10/person Cribbage double elminination tourney $5 6pm @ Connie’s Lounge
FriDAY, february 21
Live Music w/ Nu Jack City 8pm @ The Hive Authentic Motown, soul and R&B from this Spokane group. $10/$15. 21+
Live Music w/ Mason Van Stone
6-8pm @ Baxter’s on Cedar
Live Music w/ Jordan Pitts
5pm @ Connie’s Lounge
Live Music w/ Ian Newbill
5pm @ St. Bernard
Country and classic rock
SATURDAY, february 22
Live Music w/ Just Plain Darrin
8-11pm @ Connie’s Lounge
Live Music w/ Devon Wade Band 8pm @ The Hive
Line dancing lessons at 7:30pm ($10) Country main act starts at 8:45pm
Low Bar Chorale at the Panida 7pm @ Panida Theater
Become a choir for the night and sing along with an amazing live band from Portland. Show is music, comedy and more. $15. panida.org
Annual Heart Ball
5-11pm @ Bonner Co. Fairgrounds
Support Transitional Care, Swing Beds. Read more at bonnergeneral.org
Live Music w/ Corn Mash 8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub
SunDAY, february 23
Live Music w/ Celtic Folk Jam 3-6pm @ Idaho Pour Authority
Magic with Star Alexander 5-8pm @ Jalapeño’s
Monday Night Blues Jam w/ John Firshi
7pm @ Eichardt’s Pub
tuesDAY, february 25
Live Jazz Piano w/ Rich and Jenny
5-7pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery
Live Music w/ John Firshi
8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub
Live Music w/ Ellie’s Open Irish Jam
5pm @ Connie’s Lounge
Cribbage (double elimination tourney)
6pm @ Connie’s Lounge
February 20-27, 2024
Cedar Street Bridge 1-year anniversary 11am-5pm @ Cedar St. Bridge
Celebrating one year of new ownership. Games, face painting, specials, photo booth, hot cocoa bar and more
Live Music w/ Spokane is Dead 7:30pm @ Panida Theater Authentic recreations of Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia Band tunes. $20
Brim, Band and Sip
5:30-8:30pm @ Barrel 33
Customize a wide brim hat. $95
Live Music w/ Ken Mayginnes 6-9pm @ 1908 Saloon
Toasty Fest
10am-3pm @ Matchwood Brewing Co.
Matchwood, Evans Bros. and Toasty Mobile Saunas feature a run/walk, DJ Lady Oda, dancing, toasting and more
Family Day at Cedar Street Bridge 11am-5pm @ Cedar St. Bridge Games, face painting, specials, photo booth, hot cocoa and more
Natural Connections
10am-2pm @ Sandpoint Library
10am: A Journey of Healing & Chi-Lel Qigong; 11:30am: Upgrade your Style, Upgrade your Life; 1pm: Your Road Map to Financial Freedom; 2pm: Kicking it with Kimchi. ebonnerlibrary.org
Cribbage tournament 12pm @ Sandpoint Eagles
Eichardt’s K-9 Keg Pull 11am @ Eichardt’s Pub Local dogs pull kegs of various sizes to support BTAA
monDAY, february 24
Outdoor Experience Group Run
6pm @ Outdoor Experience 3-5 miles, all levels welcome
Film: Sandpoint at the North End of the Long Bridge 1 & 2:45pm @ Panida
Film by Erik Daarstad telling the story of Sandpoint
Trivia night
6-8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority
Pool Tournament ($10 entry) 6pm @ Connie’s Lounge
wednesDAY, february 26
Family Hour w/ music by John Firshi
5-7pm @ Matchwood Brewing Co.
Live Piano w/ Jack Purdie
5-7pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery
Live Trivia ($5)
7pm @ Connie’s Lounge
ThursDAY, february 27
Retirement Mixer hosted by CREC 3-5pm @ The Hive
An event for retirees to connect, explore volunteer opportunities and help enhance their quality of life
Sip & Shop: Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness
All day @ Pend d’Oreille Winery
Support FSPW with a percentage of proceeds. John Firshi plays live 5-7pm
By Reader Staff
As part of Sandpoint’s annual Winter Carnival, the Kaniksu Land Trust will host the premiere of the short film The Sled Hill at the Panida Theater (300 N. First Ave.) on Thursday, Feb. 20, beginning at 6 p.m. The event will include a pre-premiere mixer at 5 p.m. and a showing of Patagonia’s Fire Lines.
Created by Tanner French Films, The Sled Hill chronicles the history of the 1940s ski slope, which went on to become a beloved sledding spot for children and the recent subject of the “Save The Sled Hill” campaign. Through community action, KLT raised more than $2.1 million
Sandpoint’s Winter Carnival celebrates the Sled Hill Bringing Sandpoint’s history to life
By Reader Staff
The Bonner County Historical Society will host a special screening of Sandpoint at the North End of the Long Bridge in conjunction with the Panida Theater (300 N. First Ave), bringing the 2025 Winter Carnival celebrations to a close Sunday, Feb. 23, beginning at 1 p.m.
The film explores the history of Sandpoint from its prehistoric days until the movie’s release in 2001.
Academy Award-winning cinematographer and longtime local resident Erik Daarstad created the documentary in honor of Sandpoint’s centennial, capturing many beloved locals’ stories and opinions as he explored the heart of this small town.
Daarstad made a name for himself as a documentarian, earning his Oscar win in 1968 for the film Why Man Creates He passed away in 2023 at the age of 87.
The screening on Feb. 23 will include an intermission
to purchase the property in 2023, saving the 48-acre parcel for conservation in perpetuity. It remains free for all.
Thursday’s mixer will celebrate the community that rallied to save Sled Hill, including members of KLT who worked on the project. After The Sled Hill, organizers will show Fire Lines, a short film about the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship organization in Northern California. Following a devastating megafire in Northern California, the community came together to reimagine how hiking and biking trails could be used to restart the economy and provide better fire management in the future. The film also features Pend Oreille Pedalers Strate-
gic Adviser Greg Williams.
Tickets are $10 per person at kaniksu.org/events/the-sled-
hill-movie-premiere or at the door, and raffles will be drawn throughout the program.
BCHS screens Sandpoint at the North End of the Long Bridge
dividing Sandpoint’s ancient and recent history. During that time, the filmmakers will take the stage for a brief
question-and-answer session featuring screenwriter, author and Reader columnist Sandy Compton. The film resumes
at 2:45 p.m., and audiences are welcome to attend one or both parts.
Tickets are $10 at panida. org. Children 12 and under get in for free.
Community members play at the Pine Street Sled Hill. Courtesy photo
Jack Hickey (interviewed for the film) and his siblings on the family farm in 1925. Photo courtesy of the Bonner County History Museum
Filmmaker Erik Daarstad at the Bonner County History Museum during the making of the film. Photo courtesy of the Bonner County History Museum
By Marcia Pilgeram Reader Columnist
Last week, I made sourdough loaves that were photo-worthy. My daughter, Ryanne, is an expert baker and her loaves are always picture-perfect, while I have struggled to achieve comparable results.
My current sourdough starter was a Christmas gift from my younger daughter, Casey. It was a new starter for me, but not a “new” one. The Etsy cottage-shop bakery from which she purchased it claims the Egyptian starter is more than 4,000 years old. The same multi-starter gift package included a 2,000-year-old French starter and an Italian starter purported to be just as old.
Those claims left me pondering the provenance of these ancient, living cultures.
Through my due diligence, I learned that the Esty shopkeeper “thoroughly researched and sourced their authentic historical sourdough starters, ensuring that well-documented oral histories from reputable experts and communities support each one.”
Knowing about oral histories from my own (embellishing Irish) clan, I still couldn’t be sure of the provenance. With continued curiosity, I did more research.
I learned that researchers and scientists discovered yeast in Egypt, which was recovered from ancient clay pots used to hold beer and bread 4,500 to 5,000 years ago. A team of scientific collaborators harvested the
The Sandpoint Eater Thanks, Frank
yeast, brought it back to life and baked a loaf of bread (how it found its way to an Etsy shop will require additional research on my part).
Now, if only they could break bread with scientists in Ireland who have discovered butter buried beneath peat bogs that is every bit as old as the starter.
Some foods are easier to trace to their origins, thanks to the works of agricultural explorers like Frank Meyer, who traveled to China on four separate expeditions (1905-1918) and introduced more than 2,500 plants to the U.S., including wild and cultivated forage crops, such as alfalfa, drought-hardy small grains, like sorghum, and many varieties of citrus, stone fruits and nuts.
After years of roaming the wilds of China, Meyer became despondent over politics, felt isolated and alone, and questioned his life’s work.
Back home in the U.S., his boss, David Fairchild, dangled a carrot (in the form of a lemon) to the downhearted explorer, promising Meyer the small, sweet, bright yellow lemon he discovered would be named in his honor.
Meyer sent cuttings back home, and gardeners began planting the trees in Chico, Calif., and later in other citrus hubs like Florida and Texas. The lemons were sweet and delicious, but the thin skins were often damaged in shipping.
Once discerning chefs
discovered these backyard, mostly ornamental lemons were sweet and delicious — with edible rinds — green grocers began filling the produce aisles at Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and local markets.
Sadly, Frank never returned home to see his namesake lemons take root.
In June 1918, Meyer boarded a steamer on the Yangtze River in central China bound for Shanghai, his exit point from the country, eager to return to the U.S. Late in the night, Meyer wandered over to the ship’s railing. There were no signs of a struggle or foul play. Some speculate it was suicide, but his death remains a mystery.
Meyer was the first plant hunter/explorer to look for
useful plants rather than ornamental ones, and I was reminded how grateful I was for his discovery when, last week, a large parcel package filled with fragrant Meyer lemons (from my good friend and Tucson snowbird, Mary), showed up on my doorstep.
These lemons are so versatile and as soon as I can source some Irish bog butter, I’ll be making lemon marmalade to schmear on my Egyptian sourdough toast. Meanwhile, I’ll be saut é ing some thin lemon slices up until they’re nice and crispy — the perfect topping for lemon shrimp linguine. You can make some, too. Meyer lemons are in season and are in stock in most of our local markets. Thanks, Frank.
Meyer lemon and shrimp linguine
The crispy lemons slices add an extra layer of flavor — for vegetarians, substitute the shrimp with petite peas — delicious paired with the lemon. Serve with French bread and a chilled pinot gris. Serves 4-6.
INGREDIENTS: DIRECTIONS:
For sautéed lemon:
• 1 Meyer lemon
• 2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
• sea salt
For linguine:
• 1 (16-ounce) package linguine pasta
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 shallots, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 pinch sea salt and freshly ground pepper
• ½ cup dry white wine
• 1 Meyer lemon, zested and juiced
• ¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
Wash and dry the lemon. Trim off the ends and slice as thin as possible, and remove seeds.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Slide the lemon slices into the oil. Cook, turning a time or two until the lemon peels crisp, about 4 minutes (careful not to overcook).
Transfer the lemons to a paper towel and season with a sprinkle of sea salt and let the skillet cool a bit (to be used again).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook linguine in boiling water until nearly tender, 6-8 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter with 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Cook and stir shallots, garlic and red pepper flakes in the butter/oil until shallots are soft, 3-4 minutes.
Add shrimp to the skillet and cook until pink, stirring occasionally, 2-3 minutes. Remove shrimp from skillet and keep warm.
Pour white wine and lemon juice into skillet and bring to a boil, deglazing the browned bits of food off of the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. Add the linguine, shrimp and parsley in skillet, and toss mixture until coated — adding some pasta water if needed. Season with salt and black pepper, and top with lemon zest and crispy lemon slices. Serve hot.
MUSIC
Spokane is Dead, Panida Theater, Feb. 21
Sometimes you just have to let your hair down and let the music take you. For these moments, the music of the Grateful Dead usually does the trick. Known for songs that put improvisation and range at the forefront, the Dead have captivated their audience — known as Deadheads — for generations.
Spokane is Dead is one of the Inland Northwest’s most
dedicated tribute bands playing the music of the late-Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead. The six-piece band features well-known musicians from the Spokane scene, including Jerry Lee Raines, Lucas Brookbank Brown, members of The Night Mayors, Fat Lady, Aspen Kye Band and more.
Prepare yourself for a recreation of Grateful Dead and
Jerry Garcia Band material in this homage to the jam band ways of yore.
— Ben Olson
Nu Jack City, The Hive, Feb. 21
There’s nothing quite like that Motown sound.
The talented Spokane band Nu Jack City plays a mix of Motown, soul, funk and R&B, bringing the greatest hits from legendary artists like The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and more. They also play classic rock, blues, country and anything
else that will get the audience to boogie down on the dance floor. They’ve covered Bruno Mars, AC/DC and even Chris Stapleton.
Led by the charismatic Max Daniels, Nu Jack City puts on a high-energy show, along with lead female vocalist Miss Monee, backed by a team of professional musicians
Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m., $20. Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., 208263-9191, tickets at panida.org. bringing Motown back to life.
— Ben Olson
This week’s RLW by Zach Hagadone
Facebook is good for almost nothing these days, and one of the few reasons for that qualifier is the page Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail 2024. As the name suggests, Hunter S. Thompson’s influence looms large; and, while certainly no replacement for HST, the homage hits home more often than not with brutally honest, acerbic and hilarious summaries of the “state-sponsored head injury” we’re suffering at the tiny hands of the White House.
Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m., $10/$15. The Hive, 207 N. First Ave., 208-920-9039, tickets at livefromthehive.com. Listen reverbnation.com/nujackcity.
Low Bar Chorale, Panida Theater, Feb. 22
For those seeking a more participatory evening of music, we have the show for you.
The Low Bar Chorale puts on a unique performance that puts the audience right on the same page as the band, as they lead three-part harmonies to your favorite songs.
The shows combine music, comedy and good ol’ rock’n’-roll magic to transform the audience from a group of
strangers into an epic chorus. No experience or talent is necessary — just show up with your love of music and an open mind, and they guarantee you’ll sound great.
With an incredible backing band, Low Bar Chorale has performed with some amazing artists, including Built to Spill, Guster, Portugal. The Man, Storm Large and others. Based in Portland, Ore.,
and touring all over the Pacific Northwest, Australia, Alaska and California, Low Bar Chorale is just something you have to experience yourself.
— Ben Olson
Doors at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m., $15. Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., 208-263-9191, tickets at panida.org. Learn more at lowbarchorale.com.
A snapshot of notable live music coming up in Sandpoint
DJ Lady Oda, Granary District, Feb. 22 Corn Mash, Eichardt’s Pub, Feb. 22
Head over to Matchwood Brewing Co. for Toasty Fest, an event presented by Matchwood, Evans Brothers Coffee, Embody and Toasty Mobile Saunas, which will be on site for your soaking pleasure.
This Winter Carnival event promotes family-friendly wellness and community gathering. There will be a run/ walk, movement, recovery, hydration, nutrition, comfort, mindfulness, dancing, toasting
To keep the vibe flowing, DJ Lady Oda will spin a thoughtful set from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., during which guests can submit toasts and shoutouts all day. Get toasty, Sandpoint.
— Ben Olson
10 a.m.-3 p.m., FREE. Granary District (Oak St. and Sixth Ave.). Learn more at matchwoodbrewing. com. Listen at soundcloud.com/ aria-katriel-horowitz.
Moscow-based singer-songwriter Bill LaVoie — a.k.a. Corn Mash — will bring his retro original music to Eichardt’s on Saturday, Feb. 22. The band Corn Mash has gone through plenty of iterations since LaVoie founded it in Seattle more than 20 years ago — back before he jumped around from Washington to Montana to Idaho. Recently, LaVoie has been performing his country-rock, and more.
swing and funk music at solo, acoustic gigs in watering holes across the Inland Northwest. His multi-genre stylings combine a folksy guitar with classic rock vocals that sound like they’re straight out of the ’50s.
— Soncirey Mitchell
8-9:30 p.m., FREE. Eichardt’s Pub, 212 Cedar St., 208-2634005, eichardtspub.com. Listen at reverbnation.com/cornmash.
LISTEN WATCH
Despite being a somewhat more-than-average fan of English actor/ comedian Matt Berry for 18-ish years, it was only until a recent Monday that I was made aware that he’s an unironically talented singer-songwriter. Perhaps best known to Americans for his roles on The IT Crowd and What We Do in the Shadows, Berry’s ’60s-inspired infusion of pop-prog-pyschedelic folkrock is just as inimitable as his many small screen personae — especially Witchazel (2011) and Heard Noises (2025). Stream on Spotify or YouTube.
It’s ironic that Saturday Night Live should be considered such a TV institution, considering it was conceived 50 years ago as a send-up of the kinds of smug, schmaltzy, self-congratulatory variety shows of the ’50s, ’60s and mid-’70s. Despite that, SNL has indeed evolved into a cultural juggernaut, celebrating its 50th anniversary on Feb. 22 with a very self-congratulatory three-hour special featuring just about every A-list celebrity you can name. Stream the whole thing on Peacock, or watch the YouTube clips.
Spokane is Dead playing live. Courtesy photo
Nu Jack City. Courtesy photo
Low Bar Chorale working that crowd magic . Courtesy photo
From Northern Idaho News, February 23, 1909
MCAULEY CAUSES A SCARE
Last Wednesday when Norman McAuley found himself face to face with Officer Wm. Alcorn he decided to change his attitude from that of a revengeful lover to a very docile man.
A call was received at the headquarters on the morning mentioned and Officer Alcorn being the only one present made a hurried trip to the cribs in the rear of the Riverside bar where he was told to go. Arriving there he found McAuley creating a regular rough house and Martha Brown, one of the inmates, in a terrible scare. Investigation proved that the trouble had arisen over the loss of some jewelry and money from the person of Brown recently and he seemed to be of the opinion that the girl had taken it. McAuley came from Taft, Mont. with the girl and claims to have recently been at Seattle where he has considerable property.
He was placed in the county jail in spite of his pleading, more to be given an opportunity to sober up than anything else. He seemed to have plenty of money and offered to give a cash bond to avoid being locked up, but owing to the fact that he was so badly intoxicated it was deemed best to keep him overnight. Next morning he was liberated without a hearing and he lost no time in getting a train for Seattle.
BACK OF THE BOOK In praise of nuanced disagreement
By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff
Among the many casualties of our present calamitous day is the quality of nuance. Power has a way of flattening the variability of ideas, regardless of whether that power is real or perceived. The “perceived” form is more common, put on as a costume by everyday (mostly powerless) people who happily enlist in the armies of strongmen who would as soon stiff them on a tip or send them to a trench to die as give them a thought beyond what their bodies and/or wallet could do for them.
It doesn’t matter to those kinds of people that they’re lining up to shill for a sham; they’re just glad to be “part of the team.” Compounding their lack of intellectual honesty and moral character is the temerity to claim their obedience is somehow in the interest of “freedom” or “liberty.”
The emptiness of most people’s evocation of those concepts is as tedious as it is dangerous. However, defining such terms has been the work of ages, and the essential task bequeathed to us by our 18th-century philosophe founders. Sadly, rather than standing on those founders’ shoulders, we’ve foundered on the shoals.
So I was especially grateful for two pieces of opinion writing in this week’s paper, and certainly not because I especially agreed with them. In fact, I appreciated them all the more because I didn’t agree with them, but I admired the nuance with which their arguments were made — and that, really, is where “freedom” and “liberty” lie.
Those ideas aren’t kneejerk totalist reactions that seek to carve out limitations in pursuit of a freedom “from” things, but creative, active and con-
STR8TS Solution
structive impulses that seek opportunities for finding freedom “to” achieve certain outcomes.
In this week’s letters to the editor, Keith Stadum took issue with my Perspectives piece “Kakistrophe,” of Feb. 6, writing in part: “‘Things are not always what they appear to be.’
“Trump is not the evil doer that you portray. He has already been president for four years. Job numbers were off the charts across all segments of society until COVID. Meaningful work for many solves a lot of issues.”
He went on to state that while he had not voted for “The Donald in two out of the last three elections,” he supported “what he is trying to do.”
I was particularly taken by his point that Trump voters didn’t necessarily vote for the man, but against the Democratic Party, which, Stadum wrote, “blew it — could not beat a felon.”
My mind flies to a few quibbles with that statement; but, on the surface, I tend to agree. The Democrats have since at least the 1990s steadily abandoned the working people of this country and ceded those interests to neoliberal, corporatist actors who do not have the best interests of their fellow citizens at heart.
Not that Republicans have done any better — and have with increasing fervor since at least the ’80s been far more corrosive on the socio-political and economic life of the nation — but point taken.
Stadum’s other key phrase was that the 2024 election was “about the Lecturers vs. Those Who are Tired of Being Lectured To.” I get that, too. No one likes to be lectured or hectored at, but I suppose that has more to do with who’s doing the lecturing/hectoring and whether one agrees with the substance of the lecture/hector.
Sudoku Solution
Also in this week’s paper is Diane Wheeler’s piece on Page 12, in which she opines on the “bait and switch” of “school choice,” which is being so forcefully championed by the right both at the state and national levels. She wrote, “We were told by candidate Donald Trump that he would be downsizing the federal government when he got into office. One of the most notable deals he wanted to do was to scuttle the Department of Education. Those of us who want to see the federal government downsized into its legitimate role put on our party hats and celebrated.”
However, she added, the “school choice” argument is more of a Trojan horse for siphoning off public money for private gain. I agree with that, too, but not with her ultimate argument that we should just obliterate public funding for education altogether.
What I like about both those pieces is their ability to be nuanced, thoughtful, respectful and offered in good faith. Let them be an example of how free-thinking people can be constructive even — and especially — in disagreement.
Crossword Solution
I think that a hat that has a little cannon that fires and then goes back inside the hat is at least a decade away.
Solution on page 22
Laughing Matter
By Bill Borders
CROSSWORD
ACROSS
1. Costa Rican monetary unit 6. Walking stick 10. Adjusts 14. Give a speech 15. Affirm
16. Acid related to gout 17. Female demon
18. Asphalt 19. Chomp
20. Instances of briskness 22. Glance over
Tiny 24. Colossal
Restrict
Lost 31. Not consumed
Unfavorable
Column 38. Superficiality 39. Hairdresser 41. Ballroom activity 42. To make bleak
Solution on page 22
Solution on page 22
Week of the
[adjective] 1. lost in infatuation
“His moonstruck heart skipped a beat whenever his crush spoke to him.”
Corrections: If we messed anything up last week, we’re still blissfully unaware of it. Stay tuned next week to see if our illusions of perfection are punctured by reality.
44. Prefix meaning “Within” 45. Anklebone 48. Fragment 50. Creative work 51. Clinic 56. Diplomacy 57. Thorny flower 58. Cowboy sport 59. Anagram of “Care” 60. Cards with one symbol 61. Command
Shopping place
Fine thread
Soft drink
By mouth
Holy man
Ear-related
Approaches
10. A gradual sinking 11. Genus of heath
Moon of Saturn 13. Smell
Dispatch
Therefore
Starchy food
Most profound
Mouth
Ill-gotten gains 49. Enlist 51. Small amount 52. Fern clusters 53. Combines 54. Bobbin 55. Bygone era 62. Lascivious look
Master of a ship
Services
Short novel
Flock members DOWN
Dunk 24. Assumed as fact
25. Small containers
Module
Depend upon 28. A demanding task 30. Go ahead 32. Dogs wag these
