20 Years Ago — 2000

Astronaut program receives grant

Trent L. Clark of Solutia (formerly Monsanto), an applied chemicals company of Soda Springs, Idaho, presented a $10,000 grant to Priest River Elementary School to support the Astronaut in the Classroom program of 4th grade teacher Chris Naccarato. This year the class is incorporating the Russian cosmonaut program into its study of the American space program.

30 Years Ago — 1990

Lake marina purchased

A recent purchase of the Priest Lake Marina will soon mean improvements and expansion, according to one of the new owners.

Between $150,000 and $200,000 will be spent on improvements scheduled to begin this week. The marina was purchased from

Roy and Judy Crouch by Craig Hill and his family on Dec. 29, in a joint venture with Seattle investors.

40 Years Ago — 1980

City gets more money

City Grant Administer Bruce Vonada announced that the City of Priest River has received an additional $160,000 in section 312 home improvement loans from the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

50 Years Ago — 1970

Death recalls memories

Nell Shipman, writer, star and producer of “The Grub-Stake,” a movie filmed at Priest Lake in 1922, died at her ranch home in Cabazon, Calif., at age 77. One of the most exciting events ever to take place in Priest River was the March 18,1923 showing of the picture at the opening and dedication of the new Rex Theatre in the Beardmore Building, the event attended by Shipman and her associates.

60 Years Ago — 1960

Lamanna to speak

Mike Lamanna, assistant superintendent of Bonner County Class A School District No. 82 will speak to the Chamber of Commerce on the proposed Youth Counselor program for the county.

70 Years Ago — 1950

Dam proposed

In response to a petition to Gov. Robins, signed by 176 lessees and resort owners, John C. Beebee, representing the State Dept. of Recreation, met with the petitioners to determine what height of dam was desired at Priest Lake. The complaint is that during low water the shoreline recedes to the point it is practically impossible to maintain docks.

80 Years Ago — 1940

Laundry installs new boiler

Due to an increase in business Harry Kondo has found it necessary to install a much larger boiler in his laundry. The new boiler is of a 25-horse capacity. In addition to having plenty of steam for laundry purposes, Mr. Kondo expects to heat his building from the same source; however, not at the present time.

90 Years Ago — 1930

River freezes solid

For the first time in the memory of the old-timers, East River has frozen solid. Fear is expressed that many of its fish will be killed, although possibly some of the deeper holes will provide a refuge.

100 Years Ago — 1920

‘Wobbly’ trial jury selected

The jury that is to pass upon evidence submitted in the trial of the I.W.W., now in progress in Sandpoint, was selected last week. The defendants were arrested last fall in an effort to wipe out the I.W.W. organization.