100 Years Ago — 1918

The war is over!

The first official news that an armistice with Germany had been signed ending the war was received at 12:40 a.m. Monday when a flash was sent over the GN wire and was received by Harold Tremblay at the depot. He immediately rang the fire bell, apprising local people of the good news. When Spokane papers confirmed it Monday morning, there was general rejoicing, ringing of bells and blowing of whistles. A huge bonfire was built Monday night in the street near the fire hall, and many people turned out to talk over the victory of the Allies.

90 Years Ago — 1928

Hoover, Curtis elected

By one of the biggest landslides in the history of the country, Herbert Hoover and Charles Curtis were borne into office by overwhelming majorities in Tuesday’s election. The entire Republican ticket in the county was elected by substantial majorities.

80 Years Ago — 1938

Beavers demolishing trees

Chris Butler from the East Side reports that beaver are doing considerable damage at his place. Beaver are becoming so numerous they have now come into his front yard and cut down his shade trees. They have also cleaned up a berry patch, nothing whatever being left. He contacted Game Warden Long, who will take steps to help Mr. Butler with catching and transferring the beaver.

70 Years Ago — 1948

Corps wants dams authorized

Immediate authorization of seven major dams in the Columbia River system is proposed in the Army Corps of engineers 308 report, reviewed in Portland at a meeting of the Columbia Basin Interagency Committee. Recommended are the Libby project on the Kootenai, Albeni Falls on the Pend Oreille, Priest Rapids on the Columbia north of Hanford, Hells Canyon on the Snake, and John Day and The Dalles on the Columbia between Bonneville and McNary dams.

60 Years Ago — 1958

Old-timers pass

Bruno Bombino died Nov. 11 at the Newport Hospital. He was born Sept.4, 1883 in Grimaldi, Italy, and came to the United States as a young man, and to Priest River in 1902, working in various capacities.

Mrs. Helene Herr died in Salem, Ore., after a long illness. She was born in Grant Park, Ill. Dec. 29, 1875 and married Clarence W. Herr in December 1894. They moved to Priest River in 1908, where they lived on a ranch for a time and then operated a dry goods store.

Mrs. Dora Pingel, 78, died Nov. 6 at a Sandpoint rest home. A long-time resident of Priest River, Mrs. Pingel came to Bonner County in 1908 from Appleton, Wisc.

50 Years Ago — 1968

First snow noted

Edith Peterson reported that the first snow fell on the West Side Friday, followed by another inch or so of wet, sloppy snow Monday, and then a pouring down rain.

40 Years Ago — 1978

First athletic auction held

Although the turnout was not what had been hoped for, the first annual athletic department auction nevertheless cleared over $1,000 for the general athletic fund, athletic director Tom Moreland said.

30 Years Ago — 1988

Bridge dedicated

Dedication ceremonies for the Oldtown Bridge were held Nov. 16 at the west end of the bridge. Newport-Oldtown Chamber of Commerce president Mike Manus was master of ceremonies, and Leo Crysler cut the ribbon.

20 Years Ago — 1998

Highway proposed as scenic byway

The Priest River Chamber of Commerce is hoping to use U.S. Highway 2 as a tool in marketing west Bonner County by having part of it designated a scenic byway. The Idaho Transportation Department’s Scenic Byways Advisory Board will consider the proposal at its Nov. 19 meeting.

10 Years Ago — 2008

Record nearly broken

Bonner County nearly broke its record for voter participation in a general election on Tuesday. Bonner County set its turnout record in 1992 when 81 percent of the registered voters cast ballots. On Tuesday, 2,214 voters registered at the polls, which lowered the turnout total to 78 percent.