Bonner County History - April 26, 2026

Brought to you by the

Bonner County Historical

Society and Museum

611 S. Ella Ave., Sandpoint, Idaho, 83864

208-263-2344

50 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

and Sandpoint Bee

April  26, 1976 – BIRTHS 

April 23 – To Mr. and Mrs. Brian Bartlett, Samuels, 7 lb. 5¼ oz. girl.  April 25 – To Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Oliver, Sandpoint, 8 lb. 7½ oz. girl. 

•••

SAMUELS OFFERS REWARD 

Bonner County Commissioner Henry Samuels is offering a $250 reward for information on those responsible for two recent purse snatchings in Sandpoint. In separate incidents in the last two weeks, lone assailants snatched purses from Sandpoint women. The second victim received a fractured hip and shoulder when she was knocked down by an assailant who grabbed her purse as she walked down First Avenue. “I personally will put up $250 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction for each of the purse snatching crimes on the streets of Sandpoint,” said Samuels, who asked that any information be given directly to local law enforcement officers. 

•••

BETA SIGMA PHI BRUNCH 

Eight members of Beta Sigma Phi Chapters received the Order of the Rose at the annual Founders Day brunch at the Edgewater Lodge. Lorraine Merrill was mistress of ceremonies. Girl of the year awards were presented to Eileen Spring of Preceptor Omicron; Mary Neuder of Exemplar Xi Eta, Beverly Franson of Idaho Nu and Lynn Evans of Nu Phi Mu. Sponsors and outgoing chapter presidents each received a yellow rose.

75 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

April  26, 1951 – CUTS FINGER ON SAW 

Investigating his father’s wood-saw at close range Friday may cost Gail Rickman, 7, son of Clair Rickman, the little finger of his right hand. The lad’s finger was nearly severed when caught in the saw.  

•••

AWAIT PERMIT FOR DRIVE-IN THEATER 

L.H. Weskil of the Weskil and Son theater chain, returned from Seattle where he conferred with the national production authority regarding the delay of a building permit for their projected drive-in theater three miles north of Sandpoint on highway 95. In anticipation of a favorable reply, the firm has gone ahead with land clearing at the site and with drawing up of blueprints and plans so that work will proceed rapidly once the project is given the go-ahead.  

•••

GRAY REELECTED MAYOR 

Twice as many voters turned out for the city election as voted two years ago, to return Mayor Floyd Gray to office and elect four councilmen. H.E. Nesbitt was reelected councilman of the First ward; Ross A. Hall was returned for a four-year term as councilman of the Second ward; Wells McCurdy was named councilman for the two-year term of the Second ward and Lou Rahskopf will be councilman of the Third ward. This election, voters did not ballot on city clerk and treasurer, as the legislature changed State law to provide that these offices be filled by appointment of the mayor. Present city clerk is Clyde Morse and treasurer is Harvey Bishop.

For more information, visit the museum online at bonnercountyhistory.org.