2021 Year in Review!

For our year-in-review, we provide the date of the edition that each story ran in as well as it’s headline, followed by a brief synopsis of what the story is about. For full stories you can visit shoshonenewspress.com and search each headline.

• January

1/5 – Small fire at Snake Pit stopped in its tracks.

A chimney fire was luckily caught in the walls early, preventing the destruction of Idaho’s oldest restaurant.

1/8 – Hardy motion denied.

A motion for leniency was denied in the case of David Hardy, who had been convicted of injuring a child.

1/12 – Galena Mine doubles annual production

The Galena Mine reported a 100% year-over-year increase in production during their fourth quarter.

1/15 – 2021 huffs and puffs

A windstorm rips through the region, falling hundreds of trees, leaving thousands without heat and power, and causing hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage.

1/15 – Patient miners hoisted

The windstorm that took out the power to most of North Idaho also left the Galena Mine without power to their hoist – trapping roughly 60 miners underground for over 24 hours.

1/22 – Admitted rapist gets 20 years

Cory Tipton was sentenced to 20 years after pleading guilty to rape. The charges stemmed from a 2018 incident.

1/26 – Dr. Larsen to step down

Former Kellogg School District superintendent Dr. Nancy Larsen announced her plans to step down from her post with the district at the close of the 2020 school year.

1/29 – Health district extends mask mandate

The Panhandle Health District voted to extend their region’s mask mandate for an additional 90 days prompting outrage from protestors.

1/29 – Silver Valley enjoying new Domino’s Pizza

We got a Domino’s… and we love it!

• February

2/5 – KSD welcomes new transportation director

Cory North takes the helm as the transportation director of Shoshone County’s biggest school district.

2/5 – SMC adds some help in the fight against mental illness

Shoshone Medical Center added a new therapist to their mental health center in Pinehurst.

2/9 – PHD offering COVID vaccination scheduling online

The first wave of scheduled vaccinations hits Shoshone County as the COVID-19 Pandemic continues to spread.

2/12 – ISP, KCSO wrap I-90 interdiction operation

15 arrests, five significant methamphetamine busts, all during a specialized emphasis that took place over a 10-mile stretch of I-90.

2/12 – On to state!

The Mullan Lady Tiger basketball team clinched their first berth to a state tournament since 1986.

2/23 – Vaccination efforts moving right along at Heritage Health

Heritage Health’s Kellogg-based office administered 500 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in the first month that they were available.

2/26 – Kellogg submits flood map proposal

The City of Kellogg officially submitted their plan to have FEMA adjust their flood mapping for the area. (results still pending)

• March

3/2 – Snowmobiler killed in Tiger Peak avalanche

A local man perished in an avalanche while snowmobiling in the Tiger Peak area of Dobson Pass.

3/2 – After a short wait, the Tall Pine is open once more

Pinehurst restaurant reopens nearly two months after a windstorm knocked over the eponymous pine tree.

3/12 – COVID-19: One year later

The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. One year later, the world is vastly more divided and confused concerning the virus.

3/12 – Man hospitalized after cougar attack

A 21-year old man was attacked by a big cat while hunting in the Moon Pass area.

3/16 – Stars shine bright at District I game

Both East all star teams won their respective games at the District I All Star game at the Mullan Pavilion. Sandpoint’s Hattie Larson and Lakeland’s Noah Haaland were the respective game’s MVPs.

3/19 – Silver Valley man arrested for meth possession

Jamie Rowe, already being tried for drug charges, is once again caught in possession of methamphetamine after a witness watches him throw a bindle of meth from his vehicle during a traffic stop. This happened just hours after Rowe appeared before Judge Scott Wayman.

3/26 – Mask mandate yanked

Panhandle Health Board votes 5-2 to rescind the controversial mask mandate.

• April

4/2 – Hecla donates $100K to pool project

The Hecla Charitable Foundation gave Wallace’s Pool Project a massive donation, helping them get the work going on their city swimming pool – which has been closed for four years.

4/2 – “It’s probably a good thing that he is gone”

Convicted serial killer Joseph Edward Duncan died from terminal brain cancer while incarcerated.

4/2 – SMC once again in the top 100

Shoshone Medical Center is named a top 100 critical access hospital.

4/9 – Weaser gets 30 years following sexual assault

Admitted rapist Zachariey Weaser was handed down a unified 30-year prison sentence for a crime committed in 2020.

4/16 – Kellogg doesn’t renew mask law

After nearly a year of regularly renewing a 30-day law requiring masks to be worn in public places, the City of Kellogg quietly allows their regulation to lapse.

4/20 – Wildfires get out-of-control over weekend

Several controlled burns suddenly became a wildfire near the Cataldo Mission.

4/23 – KWAL radio tower comes down

Work crews brought down the final radio tower from the Silver Valley’s former KWAL 620 AM radio station.

4/27 – Visionary developer Hagadone remembered

Coeur d’Alene titan of industry and media giant Duane B. Hagadone, passed away at the age of 88.

4/30 – KSD drops masks requirement

The Kellogg School District changed their district-wide mask policy from required to recommended during a contentiously protested board meeting.

4/30 – MHS meets trio of possible leaders

Mullan High School hosts a series of interviews and meetings for their new principal.

4/30 – BOCC OKs Comp. Plan changes

The Board of County Commissioners approved changes to the County’s comprehensive plan at the behest of Shoshone County’s Planning and Zoning Commission.

• May

5/4 – Two becomes one

Carousel Gas and Tire reopens in their new location, formerly Shipletts, and now offers a full-service gas station, convenience store, and tire and lube shop.

5/7 – KSD welcomes Lance Pearson (again)

Following the resignation of Dr. Nancy Larsen, the Kellogg School District hired Lance Pearson to take the reins as superintendent of the district.

5/7 – Almquist takes the reins at MHS

English teacher Jackie Almquist beats out two other applicants for the principal job at Mullan High School.

5/18 – “Help Wanted”

Employee shortage hits crisis levels across Shoshone County.

5/21 – THE CHAMPS ARE HERE!

Kellogg High School’s men’s golf team captures another state title on the back of individual medalist and champion Stephen Paul.

5/21 – BOCC visits site amid complaint

Local complaint prompts in-depth site visit by Shoshone County’s commissioners and public works department. The complaint ended up being acknowledged, but dismissed as the encroachments being complained about were not hurting anyone or anything in the region.

5/25 – One killed in UTV crash into St. Joe River

A Post Falls man was killed after crashing his UTV into the St. Joe River

5/25 – Isenberg gets life in prison

Cd’A woman who stole from a nonprofit also killed her husband on Coeur d’Alene Lake gets a three-decade sentence.

• June

6/4 – Arrests made in Pinehurst burglary spree

Quentin Mendy, along with five juveniles, are arrested following an alarming crime spree during Memorial Day weekend.

6/11 – Rowe gets prison time at Law Day

Repeat drug offender Jamie Rowe was sentenced to seven years in prison.

6/18 – 85 dogs rescued from hoarder’s home

Kellogg Police recovered 85 dogs and nine cats during what became Kootenai Humane Society’s biggest rescue ever.

6/29 – One dead in vehicle vs. sign collision

A Smelterville woman died in a late-night accident where she ran her car into a roadside sign column.

6/29 – Giddings drops by

Rep. Priscilla Giddings made a campaign stop in Wallace as part of her tour of Idaho. Giddings hopes to win the seat of Lt. Governor during the upcoming election cycle.

• July

7/2 – Vehicles vandalized at Dave Smith Motors

KPD seeks info on malicious injury to property case

7/9 – Mission Flats wildfire contained

Fire crews contain the 102-acre fire, preventing it from jumping across I-90.

7/13 – Kellogg man missing on CDA River

Kootenai County Sheriff's Office investigates the possible drowning of a missing Kellogg man.

7/16 – Character Complex fires continue to grow

The Deceitful and Prichard fires remain 0% contained, burning a combined total of 2,300 acres following the July 7 lightning storm.

7/20 – Man arrested for shooting in airport firefighter camp

A Washington man was arrested after firing multiple rounds from a handgun at the Shoshone County Airport.

7/23 – One suspect shot in Wallace standoff

Esten Smykal was shot by law enforcement after deputies responded to a shots fired call in the King Street area of Wallace.

7/27 – New Show playing at Sixth Street

Wallace’s Sixth Street Melodrama and Theater premieres its first show of 2021 with “Pertie Gertie Gets Plugged, While Wallace Welcomes the Wireless”

• August

8/6 – Shoshone remains in ‘substantial’ COVID risk level

New COVID-19 variant-related cases keep Shoshone County in the highest COVID-19 risk category.

8/10 – Back-to-back king of the hardrock

Matt Karst wins the title of best “All Around Miner” for the second year in a row

8/17 – Deceitful Fire jumps Beaver and Prichard creeks, evacuations ordered

Residents of the Coeur d’Alene River North Fork area were asked to evacuate following the recent growth of the Deceitful Wildfire.

8/27 – Mullan Mayor steps down

Don Kotschevar steps away from his position as Mayor during a special meeting of the Mullan City Council.

8/31 – Manslaughter suspect’s home goes up in flames

Rickhard Elbert Rogers Jr.’s home burned to the ground as he sat in the Shoshone County Jail for vehicular manslaughter.

8/31 – Gate reignites old controversy in Pine Creek

A makeshift blockade reappears at the southern end of Pine Creek Road.

• September

9/7 – Drunk driver pleads guilty at Law Day

Wallace Pratt was arrested on Eagle Creek Road where he registered a blood alcohol level of .298, nearly four times the legal limit.

9/10 – Slow-speed pursuit ends with an arrest

A California resident leads law enforcement on a slow-speed chase in a stolen UTV.

9/17 – Austrian man dies in landslide near Murray

An unidentified man was killed after being buried approximately 3 feet under rock and debris.

9/24 – Area schools report high absenteeism

Mullan School District sent its elementary school students home due to staff shortages and positive COVID-19 tests.

• October

10/1 – Andrews gets upgrades

Kellogg High School’s gymnasium receives brand new, fully ADA-compliant purple bleachers to replace the 50-year-old aluminum bleachers.

10/5 – What a Bunch of Jackasses

The Jackass half marathon and 5k event sees a successful second year as it nearly doubles in participation.

10/15 – Arrest made in Calder arson case

Jamie L. Jones was taken into custody and was named the primary suspect of burning down the home of Calder man Richard Rogers Jr.

10/22 – Kellogg, Wallace volleyball are district champs!

The Kellogg and Wallace volleyball teams repeated as both league and district champs

10/26 – Wallace’s last bank set to close

The Wallace branch of the US Bank announces its intent to close its doors shortly following the beginning of the New Year.

10/29 – Ullom gets 15 years during law day

Terry Ullom, who was found guilty in August on charges of domestic battery and attempted strangulation, gets sentenced to the 15-year maximum sentence, including eight years fixed and seven indeterminate.

• November

11/2 – High-speed pursuit leads to arrest

Frankie Hyatt of Wallace was arrested and booked for charges of eluding an officer and driving recklessly, with the possibility of more charges to come

11/5 – Shoshone County Election 2021 recap

Results roll in for several Shoshone County races including Wallace Mayor and several city council positions across the Silver Valley

11/5 – Bump in the Road for Meals on Wheels

The Silver Valley Meals on Wheels program reaches out to the community as it struggles to make ends meet

11/5 – Canyon Elementary School Shuts down due to E.Coli

Canyon Elementary School closed the doors to students as it attempted to repair the school’s reservoir tank after the discovery of E.Coli

11/9 – SNP welcomes newbie Newby

Chelsea Newby joins the Shoshone News Press team as their newest staff reporter

11/19 – Christmas comes early for Meals on Wheels

The Silver Valley Meals on Wheels program received substantial community support, raising over 30k dollars to go toward feeding elders in the Silver Valley

• December

12/3 – Arrest made following death threat to district judge

Robin Lee Gutierrez was arrested following alleged threats he made to District One Magistrate Judge Barbara Duggan

12/3 – Shoshone County welcomes new pediatrician

Dr. Nicole Odom joined the staff at Kellogg’s Heritage Health as the Silver Valley’s first pediatrician in more than 26 years

12/10 – Admitted thief gets rider

Quentin Mendy was sentenced to 10 years, for his part in a crime spree in Pinehurst

12/10 – Clean Water at Canyon

Canyon Elementary School received the go-ahead from Panhandle Health District to end the school’s boil order following two clean water samples

12/14 – Another fundraiser in the books

Shoshone News Press and Dave Smith GMC raised twenty thousand dollars for local holiday meals.

12/28 – Poacher gets suspended sentence

Paul D. Coward was sentenced to five years after being charged in February 2021 with unlawful killing of an animal, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, four counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.