SHS advanced welders toured local shops

Sandpoint High School students got the chance to explore the future of welding in person recently, thanks to two local businesses which invited them over for a visit.

Daniel Rex Thomas

Daniel Rex Thomas, 60, of Ronan, passed away in Missoula at St. Patrick’s Hospital on Jan. 20, following hip surgery. He was born in Rexburg, Idaho, Dec. 20, 1952, the son of Daniel and Betty Thomas. Rex attended school in various states finishing at Ronan High School. During his childhood and adolescence, he had an exceptional opportunity to commercial fish in Alaska with his family, which created cherished memories. He also worked at the Ronan Theater as janitor for many years and for MME at the folk shop. Rex brought great joy and contagious laughter into the lives of family and friends. He had such passion for life and adventure, sharing his dreams and plans to listening ears. He would often tell his sister, Coral, “There’s nothing wrong with dreaming.” He saw no limitations to these notable ventures. Like his father, he loved to visit people. Gleefully, he would pass along the current news and stories to the next recipient. Hence, he was known as the “walking newspaper”. He was very crafty and generous with his many creations, embellishing his unique pieces with outstanding color and character. Rex is survived by three sisters; Cinda Barnes, Sharon Barnes, and Coral (David) Lockwood, all of Ronan; and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins. We will greatly miss Rex and his unique laugh, anticipated phone calls, enthusiastic notions, and delightful merriment he brought to our family.

Plains TOPS leader appointed area captain

Plains TOPS, MT #202 is honored to announce, our leader Jane Christiansen has been appointed area captain of Sanders, Lake, Flathead, Lincoln and Glacier Counties. She will be visiting 16 chapters in this area.

Toys for Tots program needs storage space

The Flathead Valley Toys for Tots program is looking for someone to donate some warehouse or other storage space for its program this Christmas.

Flathead County Sheriff's

The suspicious person spotted on U.S. 2 East Tuesday morning said he was waiting for a church to open. Flathead County Sheriff's deputies asked him to move along.

Briefly

- The Blessing of the St. Francis of Assisi Statue and Blessing of the Animals will be held in Coeur d’Alene at 6 tonight at Pope St. Pius X Church, 625 E. Haycraft Ave. More blessings will be given on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Kootenai Humane Society Thrift Store, 916 N. Third St. All furry, feathered and other animal friends welcome. For info, call Cathy Goodwin at 208-818-1546.

THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: WSU vs. Oregon State on Saturday — and then what?

Washington State and Oregon State will survive. And do well. Meantime, they can butt heads and have some fun on Saturday.

Europe steps up China virus fight, aims to repatriate 600

PARIS (AP) — Europe stepped up efforts Wednesday to counter a spreading virus from China that has killed more than 130 people.

Europe steps up China virus fight, aims to repatriate 600

PARIS (AP) — Europe stepped up efforts Wednesday to counter a spreading virus from China that has killed more than 130 people.

Charter school gauging community interest

North Idaho Classical Academy is gauging community interest in a new charter school to serve both Bonner and Boundary counties.

Legals for May, 4 2026

Wolf to ease restrictions on construction, vehicle sales

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania will ease some restrictions on building construction and vehicle sales, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday as hundreds of protesters defied a ban on mass gatherings to stage an anti-shutdown rally at the Capitol.

In the Amazon, Brazilian ecologists try new approach against deforestation and poverty

The goal, Campos-Silva said, is to promote high-quality science, grounded in working together with the region's people

R. Romer Brown, 79

World-record holder for the most Smith River floats in the over-70 age category, R. Romer Brown has left his corporeal form for the next adventure down the river Styx.

Santa visits Shopko!

Santa Claus hasn’t finished his annual Boundary County visit!

Ephrata boys win non-league CWAC golf match by 23 strokes

SOAP LAKE — The challenge was twofold for the field of 2A golfers trying to find the groove Thursday afternoon at the CWAC non-league match at Lakeview Golf & Country Club in Soap Lake.

Panhandle Health District's first director passes away

Colleagues share his legacy

A healthy populace was Larry Belmont's top priority. Not pleasing politicians. Not bending to economic development. Public health. "He was at the cutting edge of the implementation of public health at the local level," Ken Lustig, who worked for Belmont for 27 years, said Tuesday. Belmont, the first and longtime director of the Panhandle Health District, died Friday following a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was 89. "I can honestly say, I’m 82, I would rank him among the top 10 men I've ever had the privilege of working with or serving with," said Lustig, of Boundary County. "He was a top-notch individual, intelligent, articulate, dedicated to public health. "He was just a dynamite man, just dynamite."

AP Lifestyles Digest

Here is the AP Lifestyles digest for the week of Jan. 4.

Toxicity covers three states

Experts see long-term risks from Colorado mine spill

DURANGO, Colo. - Toxic waste that gushed from a Colorado mine and threatened downstream water supplies in at least three states will continue to be dangerous when contaminated sediment gets stirred up from the river bottom, authorities said Wednesday, suggesting there is no easy fix to what could be a long-term public health risk.

Report uncovers 6,000 unpermitted septic systems

A recently released report on sewage treatment in the Flathead Valley uncovered about 6,000 unpermitted septic systems. That brings the total number of septic systems in the valley not connected to treatment plants to more than 20,000. That translates into about 4.1 million gallons of wastewater every day.