SANDPOINT — A Ponderay man was acknowledged Tuesday for disregarding his own safety to help a neighbor in need.  

Northside Fire District’s acting captain Conner Robinson presented a certificate of appreciation to Christopher Steffens for preventing the escalation of a fire April 25. According to Robinson, when Steffens became aware of the fire that was taking place at a neighboring apartment, he entered the third-story residence and discharged a fire extinguisher, putting out a small couch fire.  

“(He) essentially saved this woman and her housemate’s life. There's no doubt in my mind that Christopher's actions prevented serious injury and were potentially lifesaving. Christopher, thank you for being a stand-up member of our community,” said Robinson.  

Robinson shared with the public that a modern couch fire could pose immediate danger in as few as three minutes.  

In other business, Commissioner Asia Williams disclosed the potential to openly gift Bonner Park West to the city of Priest River after parks and waterways director Matt Zoeller requested approval for a camp host contract at the park. Gifting the park, located near downtown Priest River, to the city would allow it to assume maintenance responsibilities over the property.  

Currently, although the park is not a campground, it utilizes a seasonal camp host to keep the park’s bathrooms and surrounding areas clean. The contract would pay the host $400 a week to stay at Bonner Park West and perform light maintenance duties.  

Commissioner Ron Korn suggested an alternative method to keeping the park clean, offering an individual to stay at the park for free if they assumed responsibilities of cleaning the public bathrooms. 

The discussion to move forward with the host contract was put on hold after commissioners agreed to wait to see which direction Priest River would take. If the city is willing to accept the park, county commissioners will then deliberate on the topic to determine the best step forward for the county.  

All commenters who addressed the topic during Tuesday's meeting were opposed to the county offloading the park. Williams told attendees that public sentiment would be considered before a decision is made 

County commissioners also announced and approved a new member to the Bonner County Fair Board, Staci McBrayer.  

“We all were in support of this particular person. A lot of the concerns that the community addressed (about the fair board), this person has experience with, and I think that the community will be happy with this selection,” said Williams.  

McBrayer will serve on the board from May 6 to Jan. 15, 2029.