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The traffic — and the traffic jams, often caused by accidents — at the south end of the Long Bridge have a topic of conversation for decades.

In 2021, a major step forward was taken to solve the safety concerns posed by the intersection of Lakeshore Drive with U.S. 95

The project, first suggested by Bonner County Road & Bridge officials, includes a combination of acceleration lanes and U-turns. Lakeshore motorists would be routed into southbound traffic but would be able to reverse course safely and in fairly short order via the U-turns.

The plan, which was approved by the Idaho Transportation Board in early March, was determined to be one of 2021's top stories.

Funding for the project came in mid-May as part of House Bill 362, which directed $80 million in ongoing funding for transportation infrastructure projects statewide, allowing the state to bond for up to $1.6 billion. 

At the time, Idaho Gov. Brad Little called it the single largest state investment in transportation infrastructure in the state's history. Instead of increased fees or taxes, the funding is a result of redirecting a larger share of the existing sales tax to the funds that support transportation projects.

The plan, first suggested by Bonner County Road & Bridge officials, calls for a combination of acceleration lanes and U-turns. Lakeshore motorists would be routed into southbound traffic but would be able to reverse course safely and in fairly short order via the U-turns.

Construction is expect to take place over a two-year period, beginning this summer. The first phase, which is in design, could include northbound and southbound acceleration lanes. The second phase, set for the summer of 2022, would include U-turns at Lakeshore Drive and Bottle Bay Road, similar to those already in use in Ponderay.

Also included in the second phase of the project is a light at Sagle Road, which has been referred to as the "only seven-lane roadway" in North Idaho, with two turn lanes, four traffic lanes and a center lane.

Also named as top stories in 2021, in no particular order, are:

Education initiative signature drive approved

Idaho Secretary of State Lawerence Denney approved a signature drive in June for a ballot initiative that aims to increase K-12 funding by over $200 million

The ballot initiative, dubbed the Quality Education Act, would be paid for by a tax increase to corporations and Idahoans making over $250,000 per year, Reclaim Idaho officials said.

For individuals, the tax would apply to income above the $250,000 mark. Married couples would pay the new tax for income over $500,000.

Luke Mayville, co-founder of Reclaim Idaho, said the ballot initiative would give children better access to qualified teachers and help them develop the skills they’ll need to make a living.

In late August, Reclaim Idaho announced plans for a statewide tour to promote the Quality Education Act, a ballot initiative to increase K-12 funding by over $300 million annually. 

The petition follows an unanimous Idaho Supreme Court ruing rejecting a new law designed to make it harder for voters to get initiatives on the ballot. In ruling to overturn the legislation, the court ruled the bill was so restrictive that it violated a fundamental right under the state's constitution.

The ruling issued Aug. 23 was a win for Reclaim Idaho, a group that successfully sponsored a Medicaid expansion initiative three years ago and that is now working to qualify an initiative for the ballot that aims to increase public education funding. 

The case pitted the rights of voters to enact and repeal laws against the power of the state Legislature to shape how ballot initiative efforts are carried out. The new law, which passed earlier this year, required signature-gatherers to get 6% of registered voters in each of Idaho's 35 legislative districts within a short time span. Opponents said it made Idaho's initiative process the toughest in the nation, rendering such efforts virtually impossible to achieve. But supporters said the law would protect people with less popular political opinions from being overrun by the majority. 

City bell found, returns home

The original Sandpoint City Hall bell's journey home is a tale 70 years in the making.

Sold in 1951 when Sandpoint city fathers felt the bell was no longer needed, it was purchased by a bell collector and carted out of town. Its existence faded from the memory of most and it wasn't until Music Conservatory of Sandpoint board members and staff asked Heather Upton, executive director of the Bonner County History Museum, to help them research their new home's history.

The conservatory had purchased the one-time Sandpoint City Hall and wanted to honor its history as they worked to restore the 109-year-old building. The museum, which is partnering with MCS by providing historical research as the conservatory embarks on renovations, began extensive research on the structure.

For decades, the only clues that the bell was still around were found in rumors.

While some said the bell had been sold for scrap, others were certain the bell had found a new home in the Spokane area. But prior to its rediscovery at an Spokane Valley antiques shop, however, the bell's location was a mystery.

The bell was eventually located at Way Out West Antiques in Spokane Valley where it was the prized possession of owner Mike Ferguson. After conversations with MCS and museum officials, Ferguson agreed to sell the bell to the conservatory and it returned home in early June where it was welcomed with a community celebration and concert.

Coolin boundary line adjustment raise concerns

The Selkirk Conservation Alliance raised questions over potential legality of boundary line adjustments connected to a possible development owned by Tricore Investments LLC. in the Coolin Wetlands, otherwise known as Chase Lake.

The area was previously in a property dispute between John Stockton and a business partner against Tricore. The land was awarded to Tricore in April after the Idaho Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling that the company held a valid and enforceable contract. The court also affirmed the district court’s rulings that the property owners Dan and Chris Warren violated the Idaho Consumer Protection Act and that NBA Hall of Fame John Stockton and a business partner, Mark Brinkmeyer, unlawfully interfered with Tricore’s contract.

The questions were prompted by Bonner County Planner Milton Ollerton’s decision to administratively approve 27 boundary line adjustments, which created 54 parcels in order to create a 20-acre-plus exempt parcel.

Also of note in 2021:

• Bonner County midwife sentenced in infant's death

Denice E. Midstokke, 64, was sentenced to 30 days in jail in early December as part of a plea deal on a charge of practicing medicine without a license in connection to the death of a newborn baby in January.

Originally facing charges of involuntary manslaughter and destruction of evidence, Midstokke will spend five years on supervised probation upon release from the Bonner County Jail.

In exchange for the withheld judgment, Midstokke will not be able to appeal the sentence. She was ordered to divest from Pend Oreille Midwifery. Further, she will not be able to provide medical services or advice of any kind. 

Midstokke surrendered her midwifery license on Oct. 6, and will not be able to apply for licensure in the future. Midstokke will also have to pay restitution to the child’s family, although the exact amount remains undisclosed.

• Title IX complaint filed 

A complaint filed in mid-July alleged the Lake Pend Oreille School District failed to adequately address Title IX concerns for female student athletes, which prohibits discrimination based on sex in education and federally-funded programs, dating back to 2002.

However, the complaint alleges, those requirements were not met in the specified timeframe and the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights continued monitoring the district until 2006 when the case was closed as a result of “interest surveys” showing female students were not interested in sports, and the district was thus not required to expand participation.

However, the complaint alleged the district failed to work to resolve inequities between girls and boys sports, or were not fully investigated and monitored to proper resolution.

A letter sent to the Lake Pend Oreille School Board following the complaint against the district in July requested numerous additions for access to girls interscholastic sports, facilities, transportation, competitive schedules and other accommodations.

• Sandpoint hosts first Pride event

Two decades after Sandpoint adopted the state’s first human dignity resolution, it celebrated another milestone — the first Pride celebration in the city's history.

The inaugural event celebrated LGBTQ+ social and self-acceptance, legal rights, and pride. It drew hundreds of people of all ages, genders, and sexual identities, with some driving from as far away as Missoula and Spokane to attend.

The protest also attracted a small band of protesters, who held signs urging LBGTQ+ people to repent, and offering to pray with them. Each time members attempted to speak, several youth in the crowd quickly stood on a plastic milk crate, spoke over the group and made the occasional ribald comments until the protesters stopped speaking.

The event featured advocacy booths, music, speeches and Pride swag. There were plenty of smiles, hugs and a positive vibe as the crowd ebbed and flowed throughout the afternoon.

• County residents seek governor's seat

In early November, Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad announced his bid for governor, saying he will stop the extremism and divisiveness facing the state and advocate for more funding to education. In announcing his candidacy, Rognstad said he will stand up for Idaho values, families, communities and Idaho’s future.

Rognstad would be the second county resident to seek the office after Bonner County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw announced in late July his plans to seek the office. Bradshaw said he was called to seek the seat to protect the state's sovereignty, freedoms, and independence.

• NIC accreditation

A complaint by four regional human rights task force boards has brought the institution's accreditation eligibility into question. The complaint, dated March 12, was sent to the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Justice Department, demands a full investigation of the institution's leadership. 

The document was signed by the Kootenai, Bonner, Boundary, and Spokane County human rights task forces. It says NIC, more specifically, members of the NIC board of trustees, are violating the civil rights and liberties of employees and students. 

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities said in a December letter to the college in that based on the analysis of alleged facts, “NIC’s ability to maintain compliance with the United States Department of Education’s regulations, and Accreditation Procedures is of concern.”

• Rescue crews locate teen, father

A 16-year-old and her father are back home safe after becoming separated in the Cabinet Mountains in Montana thanks to search and rescue volunteers from the Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry area.

Ed and Kelly Moellmer were on a father-daughter ski trip in the mountains in early February at Engle Peak, a roughly 90-mile drive from Bonners Ferry. Ed Moellmer ended up falling from a cornice and Kelly Moellmer became lost after calling 911, prompting a massive response from volunteers in both Bonner and Boundary counties. After a massive response with more than 100 rescuers, the pair were rescued and taken in for medical care.

• Moore charges dismissed

A second-degree murder case against Daniel Lee Moore was dismissed in mid-May after First District Court Judge Barbara Buchanan upheld suppression of the Bonners Ferry chiropractor's confession that he fatally shot fellow chiropractor Brian Drake.

Moore, 63, was was initially charged on Thursday, Aug. 27, with second-degree murder and the use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony in connection with Drake's fatal shooting on March 12, 2020.

However, the court ruled Moore's confession was coerced, setting the stage for dismissal of the charges.

Moore is involved in civil lawsuits connected to the case.

• Victor A. Claus will stand trial for murder in April 2022, a little more than a year after he allegedly shot his girlfriend in the head while she was driving.

Claus pled not guilty in June to a first-degree murder charge following a multi-vehicle crash on U.S 95 near Athol. Police said Melyssa L. Schloe, 45, was traveling northbound in a Toyota Tundra when she crossed the center line and sideswiped a motorcycle and another vehicle.

Before the crash, another motorist called 911 to report a possible “rolling” domestic dispute between Claus, a passenger in the car, and Schloe. Schloe was pronounced dead at the scene, while Claus was transported to the hospital.

• Boundary County Planning and Zoning issued a formal complaint against Owen Benjamin in early June, detailing potential land use violations for his Moyie River property.

The June 3 letter warned that construction on the property known to Owen and his followers as Ursa Rio violates county ordinances, in part because no applications submitted to the planning department or permits issued for work on the site.

The warning follows complaints by nearby residents who claimed Owen Benjamin and Struggle Bear Corporation have violated applicable zoning provisions for the neighborhood.

On the Great Bear Trail website, Benjamin details his vision for the site as part of a request for donations to his compound he called BearTaria.