Shoshone News-Press 2019 Year-in-Review

2019 was a huge year for the Shoshone News-Press.

In addition to making our tried and true print product even more available to the people of the Silver Valley, we also took big steps in growing our digital products as well.

We at the News-Press have received overwhelmingly positive feedback since our decision to bring back newspaper carriers and switch to afternoon print delivery. Not only did this decision allow us to bring you even more timely news, but it also gave us the opportunity to deliver it right to your door.

While this change was happening, we also launched our new podcast — SNP NOW. In less than six months, this young product already has more than 1,000 subscribers and has been listened to by people in more than a dozen different countries.

As we look forward to 2020, we wanted to take you down memory lane one last time — like we do every year around New Year’s Day — and share some of the top headlines of 2019 with you.

As you read through, please keep in mind that the dates accompanying the headlines are not the dates of the events themselves, but rather the dates of the publication that it was in.

All of these articles can be found and read at www.shoshonenewspress.com.

Here’s to a great 2020!

January:

Jan. 12, Drug-trafficker, father of abused child sentenced

59-year-old Jorge Gonzales-Vergel accepted a three-year fixed prison sentence for a felony unlawful possession of a weapon charge and a felony trafficking methamphetamine charge.

Jan. 16, Newly elected county officials sworn in

Commissioner Jay Huber presided over the swearing in of recently elected (and re-elected) officials which included commissioner Mike Fitzgerald, commissioner John Hansen, clerk Tamie Eberhard, treasurer Ellen Masterson, assessor Jerry White and coroner Rick Smith.

Jan. 19, Kellogg police close nearly 40-year-old homicide case

Kellogg Police Chief Dave Wuolle announced that KPD, along with assistance from the Idaho State Police, had finally closed the Aug. 7, 1980, homicide of Panhandle Dry Cleaners owner Donald Folkman. After many twists and turns, it was discovered that it was his then-wife, Fizzy Folkman, who shot him.

Jan. 19, Pinehurst Elementary dealing with hand, foot and mouth disease

The staff at Pinehurst Elementary School were forced to close and deep clean the school after an outbreak of the viral disease spread through the building.

Jan. 30, Man killed in logging accident

Joseph Johnston Jr., 32, of Post Falls, was killed when the processor machine he was operating fell down a hillside near Calder. Johnston was ejected from the vehicle and sustained fatal injuries.

February:

Feb. 6, Wildcat spirit runs wild at Brawl for the Ball

Kellogg High School won the annual spirit competition between them and St. Maries High School, including winning the food drive with an astounding 22,000 pounds of food donated.

Feb. 6, Mullan shooter gets prison time

Kurt Allen Morozko was sentenced to 15 years for unlawfully discharging a weapon at an occupied building in Mullan. Morozko was initially arrested in January 2018, after reports of multiple neighboring homes being shot at from Morozko’s home in Mullan.

Feb. 13, Bump!

The Idaho Transportation Department was forced to lower speed limits on I-90 west of Kellogg due to the sudden appearance of two large dips on the highway. The dips were the result of accumulating water flowing toward the Coeur d’Alene River due to the installation of the new groundwater collection system for Kellogg’s Central Treatment Plant.

Feb. 13, Sixth Street getting temporary bridge

The city of Wallace installed a temporary bridge over the existing one where Sixth Street crosses the South Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River. The city has since decided on a $1.5 million replacement bridge, set to be constructed as soon as the weather permits.

Feb. 20, Superfund delisting request draws response from local officials

Local officials rebuke 13-page report submitted by Jann Higdem entitled “To Request IDEQ To Petition the EPA to Delist the Residential Soils Operable Unit (OU1) From the Bunker Hill Mining and Metallurgical Complex Superfund Site.” The report was presented to the Basin Environmental Improvement Project Commission in hopes they would use it to petition the state Legislature to get the area delisted.

Feb. 20, Osburn woman killed in I-90 crash

Charity Andrews, 43, of Osburn, was killed in an early morning crash when her vehicle rolled off the highway and across Silver Valley Road before coming to stop on its top. Andrews wasn’t wearing her seatbelt at the time of the incident.

Feb. 20, Thirteen local wrestlers headed to state

Kellogg High School had 11 wrestlers qualify for the state tournament, while Wallace High School had two of their own. Carter Stepro, Dakota Eixenberger, Raymond Healy, Ethan Guy, Cody Sverdsten, Judson Hall, Austin Manty, Austin Stepro, Blaine Goodner, Carson Hudson and Tanner Pascoe represented KHS. Austin McKinnon and Myles Hayman represented WHS.

Feb. 23, Butler nabs Baldrige Leadership Award

Mountain Valley of Cascadia’s executive director Maryruth Butler was named as one of 12 national recipients of the Baldrige Foundation’s Leadership Excellence Award for her work at the skilled nursing facility in Kellogg.

Feb. 27, Luna’s 4-point-play sends KHS to state

Kellogg High School basketball player Gavin Luna banked in the tying 3-pointer and then hit the ensuing and — one free throw to give the Wildcats their sixth straight District Championship and propel them to the state tournament.

March:

March 6, Wildcats prove they belong at state tourney

Wildcats fall in State Consolation Championship to rival Parma in thrilling 47-43 ball game. Graden Nearing named to 3A All-Tournament team.

March 9, Zwiers sentenced for manslaughter

Duane Zwiers, 29, was sentenced to five years, including three fixed and two indeterminate for felony vehicular manslaughter, but was suspended and then reduced to 180 days in jail. The accident occurred in July 2017 and resulted in the death of Zwiers’ wife.

March 13, Lucky Friday strike marks two years

March 13, marked the two-year anniversary of the strike between members of the USW 5114 and Hecla Mining Company, making it the longest strike in Silver Valley History.

March 23, KSD seeking multi-million dollar bond

The Kellogg School District first announced that they plan to seek a $7.9 million bond for facilities maintenance.

March 23, Curriculum director resigns after history resurfaces

Ryan Bryson, 38, resigned as Kellogg and Wallace School District’s curriculum director after previously unknown reports surfaced of Bryson’s 2012 guilty plea to strangulation and aggravated battery.

April:

April 3, Bomb threat note found at KHS

A note found in the bathroom of Kellogg High School alluded to a bomb threat for the date of April 8, 2019, thankfully after a police investigation nothing ever came of the threat.

April 3, Is this Real Life? Soon!

Real Life Ministries in Pinehurst announced their purchase and intentions to build a new facility on land in Pinehurst.

April 6, Domestic dispute leads to shooting

Terry Ullom, 50, of Mullan, was shot in the face after a domestic incident where he took a bullet to the jaw that exited right behind his ear. Ullom was shot in self-defense by his wife and the injuries were non-life threatening.

April 13, Newell gets 20 years for sex abuse

William Newell Sr., 63, was sentenced to 20 years for one count of sexual abuse of a minor child under the age of 16.

April 27, Suspected Kellogg arsonist arrested

Daniel Robinson was arrested for reportedly starting close to 20 fires near Kellogg during the summer of 2018.

April 27, Hoch nabs fourth straight Leadman crown

Kellogg resident Francine Hoch won her fourth straight Leadman race with a time of 59:40.

May:

May 1, Meetings discussing Superfund lands draws diverse interests

A series of meetings hosted by IDEQ discussed potential ideas for land development of IDEQ-owned lands in the Kellogg/Smelterville area.

May 4, Back-to-back incidents test firefighters

Shoshone County Fire District No. 2 battled blazes in Kellogg and at Latour Creek in Cataldo. The fire in Kellogg was caused by illegal trash burning outside a home that spread up the hillside behind the house. The Latour Creek fire was caused by faulty electric wires that caused the log-style home to be a total loss. No one was injured in either fire.

May 8, Silver Mountain owners purchase 49º North

CMR Lands LLC purchased Washington ski resort 49º North and makes it a sister mountain to already owned Silver Mountain. Mountain was purchased for an undisclosed amount.

May 18, BOCC hopeful slight changes yield big results on North Fork

The Shoshone County Commissioners devised a solution to keep the garbage situation up the North Fork at bay.

May 18, End of an era

Albert’s Landing bar demolished by new owners.

May 25, Kellogg School District bond fails

Kellogg School District narrowly missed necessary 2/3s supermajority vote needed to pass facility maintenance bond.

May 29, Pinehurst man killed in I-90 crash

Recent Wallace High School graduate Colten Holzheu dies after being ejected from the vehicle that he was a passenger in on I-90. It was later reported that the car’s occupants were playing with fireworks inside the car when the accident occurred.

June:

June 5, KHS student suspended for bomb threat

A Kellogg High School student was suspended for allegedly making a bomb threat at the school. The threat was made in a note written on the stall of a bathroom.

June 8, Jury trial set for Hill rape case

Caleb Hill pleads not guilty to rape charges resulting in a jury trial set for later this year.

June 15, Local lifter becomes World Champion

Local powerlifter Robin Ray won a world championship at the IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championship in Helsingborg, Sweden.

June 15, Hill found guilty of rape

A shorter than expected jury trial resulted in a unanimous guilty verdict in the rape case against Caleb Hill.

June 26, Small fire at Lucky Friday quickly dispatched

A small surface fire that broke out at the Lucky Friday Mine Wednesday morning was put out before any serious damage could be caused.

June 26, Here’s to you, Murph

Local resident Arnold Bircher, along with a few others, constructed a memorial for friend and longtime Silver Valley resident Daniel Murphy along the Sierra Nevada Road heading up toward Silver Mountain.

July:

July 3, Shoshone News-Press launches new podcast SNP Now!

July 10, Fourth of July draws big crowd

More than 1,000 people spent an estimated $11,000 during the Fourth of July celebration/Community Market in the Kellogg City Park.

July 10 Smoldering fireworks spark garage fires

A Pinehurst home nearly went up in flames after smoldering fireworks were left in a garbage can next to the garage. Please spray your spent fireworks before disposing of them.

July 6, Cars only allowed on Silver Bridge

County Commissioners, with the assistance of the Public Works department imposed a weight restriction on the Silver Bridge near the former Albert’s Landing.

July 17, Growth may not be the best for Shoshone County

Idaho Department of Labor economist Sam Wolkenhauer discusses the dangers of population growth in rural areas prompting intense social media debates on the issue.

July 27, Kellogg Labor office to close

As part of statewide cuts, the Idaho Department of Labor’s Kellogg Office announced closure.

July 31, Newport woman killed in I-90 crash

Lorrie Bell, 54, of Newport, Wash., was killed after she was ejected from the truck she was a passenger in as it crashed into Pine Creek near Pinehurst.

July 31, SilverHoops 3-on-3 a slam dunk

Kellogg hosted the biggest edition of its annual basketball tournament. More than 150 teams competed in the two-day streetball tournament.

August:

Aug. 3, Last repercussions

Shoshone County Prosecuting Attorney Keisha Oxendine explained the ramifications of the State vs. Clarke ruling and how it affects local residents and law enforcement officers.

Aug. 7, Smokin’ Success

Pinehurst Days brought back burnouts and makes the event a must-see event once again in Shoshone County.

Aug. 10, Firefighter attack CCC Wildfire

Wildland firefighters continued to battle blaze near Cataldo.

Aug. 10, New information released on Kingston body

New info was released by Idaho State Police in connection to the body that was found near I-90 in Kingston in 2017.

Aug. 14, Weather assists in containing wildfire

Cold, wet August weather helped firefighters get handle on CCC fire near Cataldo.

Aug. 14, Sen. Crapo visits the Silver Valley

Idaho Senator Mike Crapo visited Good Samaritan Center in Silverton as part of his tour of unincorporated towns.

Aug. 17, Magnuson home goes up in flames

The historic Magnuson House in Wallace a total loss after a fire ripped through the attic and spread to the rest of the home. The fire was the result of construction that was going on on the roof of the home.

Aug. 31, Majority says YES, but still not enough

The Kellogg School District tried and failed for the second time to pass their $7.9 million facilities maintenance bond. This time the needed 2/3s supermajority margin wasn’t as close as their first attempt.

September:

Sept. 4, Task force addresses internet issue

Idaho’s Broadband Task Force convened at The Coeur d’Alene Resort to further discuss the growing need for better internet in rural Idaho.

Sept. 11, Mountain Valley has big time promotions

Mountain Valley of Cascadia’s executive director Maryruth Butler was promoted to president of Cascadia’s North Idaho and Montana Region. Emilee Kulin (and resident nicest person in the world) was named as her replacement.

Sept. 11, A rivalry renewed… sort of

Mullan trounced Wallace 74-0 in the first meeting between their football teams in seven years.

Sept. 14, Bond details announced for new jail

Shoshone County Sheriff announces bond details for new public safety building.

Sept. 18, Suspect evades manhunt effort

Local law enforcement officers had a busy day as they hiked the hillsides near Kellogg after a man evades police stemming from traffic stop in Montana.

Sept. 21, Yo Ho, Yo Ho! A Kingston Pirates’ life for me

A detailed look at the life a few students who attended the now defunct Kingston High School.

Sept. 21, Kellogg arsonist gets rider, possible prison time

Daniel Robinson gets unified four-year sentence, but has it suspended after Judge Wayman withholds judgment.

Sept. 25, Lights, camera, Wallace

NBC’s “Today Show” comes to Wallace to feature the Center of the Universe.

Sept. 28, Cue the Bell!

Wallace Jr./Sr. High School brings back the Victory Bell to be rang after Wallace High School sports victories.

October:

Oct. 2, You have spoken, we listened

Shoshone News-Press announces their plans to go back to carrier delivery as well as a complete overhaul of their delivery schedule and design, featuring afternoon delivery and a retro design.

Oct. 5, SCSO takes on Wardner contract

The Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office takes on patrolling Wardner after they dissolve their relationship with KPD.

Oct. 5, SMC looks to purchase county lands for expansion

The Shoshone Medical Center Board of Trustees begins series of meetings discussing land acquisition adjacent to their existing property in Smelterville.

Oct. 26, Speaking out against domestic violence

Shoshone County Prosecuting Attorney Keisha Oxendine and deputy Prosecuting Attorney Ben Allen discuss the troubles surrounding domestic violence in Idaho and Shoshone County.

Oct. 30, On to state!

The Kellogg High School volleyball team completes their magical season with a run through their league, a district championship and trip to the state tournament.

November:

Nov. 1, First edition

of the new Shoshone News-Press

Nov. 1, SCSO asks voters for new jail

Sheriff Mike Gunderson announces the $22,444,685 initiative that he hopes will pass to build a new jail facility.

Nov. 1, Is this Real Life, Breaking Ground?

Real Life Ministries breaks ground on their new property as the project to build a new and improved facility begins.

Nov. 5, Silver Mountain valuation trial begins

Trial between Shoshone County and Silver Mountain regarding the resort’s true property value begins.

Nov. 8, Tigers make quick work of Knights in tiebreaker

Mullan scores quick, then intercepts pass to propel them to the state playoffs.

Nov. 12, All moved in

Shoshone County Fire District No. 1 celebrated the completion of their new firehouse in Osburn with an open house.

Nov. 15, Elk Creek fire scorches several structures, vehicles

Emergency crews responded to a massive blaze in the Elk Creek area of Kellogg. No one was injured in the fire.

Nov. 19, Slow speed pursuit ends peacefully

Jeffrey Zimmer took law enforcement on a very long, and very slow-speed chase. Once he was detained, it became apparent that he was under the influence of several drugs.

Nov. 22, Deputy receives commendation for saving infant

Shoshone County Sheriff’s Deputy Dameon Groves was recognized for his life-saving efforts involving an infant girl back in August of this year.

Nov. 29, Going for Silver

Local boxer Chevy Ward qualified and then announced his intentions to pursue the Idaho Silver Gloves championship

December:

Dec. 4, Fire rips through iconic Cataldo home

A chimney fire led to the total loss of a historic house in Cataldo.

Dec. 10, Will they or won’t they?

Striking miners prepare to vote on offer from Hecla Mining Company.

Dec. 10, A 50-ton problem

A semi-truck pulling a 100,000-pound generator tipped over on I-90 between Wallace and Mullan causing an hours-long traffic jam and gave the Idaho Transportation Department multiple headaches.

Dec. 17, The strike goes on

Union miners vote NO on proposed Hecla contract.

Dec. 24, Jury finds Hardy guilty of injuring a child

David Hardy, 27, was found guilty of felony injury to a child and awaits sentencing.