Bonner County History - May 12, 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

May 12, 1976 – STORM DAMAGE HEAVY 

One of the worst storms to hit the region in years caused widespread power outages in eastern Washington and northern Idaho last night. Lightning hit the Cabinet Gorge dam, burning out a huge insulator and resulting in a shutdown of the dam’s four generators. Rolling thunder knocked many regions out of power for various time periods. All 6,500 PP&L customers in Bonner County were without power for 20 minutes when the company’s power supply was knocked out. In Sandpoint, winds destroyed a sign at Kentucky Fried Chicken, but no major damage to residences was reported.  

• • •

K & K WEEK SUCCESSFUL 

K & K Week culminated Saturday with a beautiful day greeting anglers setting out for a day of fishing on the lake. More sunburns than fish were caught, but judging by the amount of people on the lake and the enjoyment everyone seemed to be having, the day was a success. Glenn Gillespie of PP & L in Portland won the prize for Friday’s largest catch, a 15 lb. 14 oz. Kamloops. The $1,000 K & K fishing derby was won by Charlene Hutchinson of St. Maries with a 24 lb. 2 oz. Kamloops. At Friday’s banquet for visiting sportswriters and newscasters, Northwest Outdoor sportswriter Fred Geotz was given a special award, a silver fish made by Duke Warren, for his extra effort in helping to promote Lake Pend Oreille. Also at the banquet, Leo Hadley received recognition from his fellow members for 28 years of service to the K & K Committee. 

75 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

May 12, 1951 – ‘RIVER STAY AWAY’ 

Folks driving to the city over the long bridge are watching with interest the nest of a pair of young osprey. The nest was well above water when it was built early this spring on one of the stub pilings that supported a pole in the now abandoned electric line across Lake Pend Oreille between the bridge and the N.P. tracks. Now it’s a different story. As the lake level inches upward to flood stage, the nest has become daily less dry and safe. Recently it was just clearing the water. Surely a stiff breeze will wash waves directly over it. One of the birds can be seen sitting in the nest as its mate perches atop a nearby, much higher pole. It is recalled that the parent birds had a similar experience when they first came to the lake. The old birds then chose the tallest pole in the line as a nesting site; they still use this home located at the channel opposite the bridge’s draw span. 

• • •

BREAKS ARM IN FALL 

Jeffrey Jeffers, 9, the son of Eldon Jeffers, Clark Fork, fell from a tree Saturday, breaking his left arm. The boy was immediately taken to the North Idaho clinic where treatment was given and a cast applied. 

• • •

NEWS FROM KOOTENAI by Mrs. C.L. Hilligoss 

The heavy wind we had here Friday collapsed the roof of Al Russell’s new garage. 

Mrs. Hazel Palmer and children, who go to school at Lewiston, spent the weekend at her home here.

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