Two months ago, I wrote about how the University of Idaho had lent support to the Marxist Black Lives Matter, devoting a full webpage of “resources,” which includes mostly leftist propaganda. Since then, more of the university’s colleges have launched their own websites and issued their own …
So, Grangeville Border Days, Stites Day and Elk City Days were held, as usual, in early July. The Idaho County Fair was held in late August, as usual. Common sense precautions were taken but the events were not cancelled. Weeks later and we have had no huge Covid outbreak here and not a peep…
We are like you. We are mothers and fathers, daughters and sons, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews. We, just like you, are family. Some of us have fought and died for our country, and like you we see ourselves as patriots. We are Democrats.
Huge numbers of people will be evicted and small businesses will close because they cannot pay their rent or their mortgage. It’s time for the banks to step up.
I didn’t read too much into the billboard on East Main, other than the obvious political joke concerning the sponsoring organization. The more I thought about it though, the more the underlying message annoyed me. In this new world of vitriolic politics, I thought that maybe the local Republ…
To Linda Jackson, Payette Forest supervisor; subject: Midas Gold Stibnite - Idaho
A friend in Tennessee sent me a question. He asked," I've never voted by mail before. Do I mail all seven ballots in at once or do I mail them in separately?"
My name is Brandy and I’m here to inform you about a non-profit organization called The Humane League. This organization supports the humane treatment of all factory farm and slaughterhouse animals. We spread the word of the importance of eating organic, local and USDA-approved meat and dairy.
I wanted to take a moment – and with permission of the Boise Police Department and the Secret Service -- to let folks know about a counterfeit scheme going on.
A hundred years ago, in 1920, the United States came out of the First World War and celebrated a new decade and a changing world. The world was recovering from the Spanish flu pandemic, the automobile industry was beginning to take off, and Americans wrestled with Prohibition. The country wa…
Most of the inaccurate, partisan narrative regarding allegedly new changes at the United States Postal Service (USPS) are part of long-term efforts from multiple administrations to improve its solvency. The Postal Service is not being disassembled and no efforts are under way to hinder the e…
I agree completely with Mr. Bolden's letter [Aug. 26 issue] supporting teachers. Adversarial teacher association-school board relationships are counterproductive, divisive and harmful to education.
State Representative from North Idaho (Dist. 1), Heather Scott, held a public meeting in Kooskia Thursday (Aug. 27). Reporting on the Special Legislative Session, she gave us the good news that Priscilla Giddings (Dist. 7) was able to get a bill passed guaranteeing all Idahoans the right to …
We struggle on! Our 2020 nemesis, Corona, continues its toll, in some areas bad enough that mandatory restrictions have gone back to previous levels. Our local Vandal and Cougar football leagues have thrown in the towel, are hoping to play football next spring! Prediction!
This is to thank Debbie and Mary Ann at the Idaho County Recorder's Office, the passport division, for all of their help in getting my passport papers filled out correctly, and the different items I needed to enclose with it.
The U.S Postal service is the lifeblood of countless rural communities around the country. The recently- appointed Trump postmaster general has removed more than 500 mail sorting machines and has removed hundreds of dropoff mail boxes around the country.
The angst many educators and parents have surrounding whether students should return to the classroom or learn on-line is not surprising given the news we receive every day about the coronavirus’ spread in our state. In fact, the same debate is raging across the country.
“Never say ‘Never!’” That’s what Don Kissinger told graduating seniors at Grangeville High School decades ago. An alumnus of GHS, Don understood urges to grab diplomas, pack suitcases, and race off to—well—any place other than their hometown.
I am still trying to understand today's racism. Apparently, it is racist to not consider a person for a job or office because they are black or a woman, but not racist to hire or elect them because they are black and/or a woman? (I realize I am mixing racism and sexism here, but both are par…
As we watch our local schools struggle to make ends meet and provide a quality educational experience for our communities, children, and young adults, Senator Risch’s latest proposal does nothing to meet the challenges of rural Idahoans and our other rural western communities.
In a letter published in the Idaho County Free Press on Aug. 19, a reader states that “to avoid confusion or conflicting history at some point in the future, one should always spend the time to verify what one puts into print.” This comment was in regard to our history notes published earl…
I was wondering how many past year levies went to support the dependent health insurance premiums? Since the levy did not pass, the school district had no choice but to end this expense. How many other jobs in town provide paid insurance for dependents? Wouldn’t it be nice for all employers …
This is in response to a letter in last week’s Free Press calling for all Grangeville parents and concerned citizens to unite and protect our teachers and insist that this school board be replaced. You left out the parents and citizens of Kooskia and Elk City, or do they not count? There was…
Due to the MVSD 244 budget shortfall, cuts were made across the board with everyone feeling the pinch, no more so than our teachers with regard to health insurance. Increased revenue is the key to resolving this issue and a good place to start would be with the Central Idaho Land Exchange.
While the world has been rightly focused on containing the COVID-19 pandemic that originated in Wuhan, China, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has taken the opportunity to become increasingly belligerent on the international stage.
The Mountain View School Board trustees have received numerous e-mails from staff and patrons regarding our current budget dilemma. I appreciate those who are taking the time to both make suggestions as to cuts, and to tell us how proposed cuts would affect them, whether financially or in re…
Every morning of the school year, Americans turn over our most precious natural resource, our children, to the classroom teachers of our nation. We ask the teachers to develop this resource to its maximum level of competence. We don't turn these young people over to a school board or a distr…
The Idaho legislature will be considering a proposal during the upcoming special session that could create chaos and distrust in our state. At a minimum, it sends a message that is the exact opposite of what we should be communicating to our parents, educators, school districts, and communities.
Summers are beautiful in the Gem State. Idaho’s mountains, rivers, lakes and trails are beloved by the people who live here as well as the millions who visit every year. From attending forestry camp in McCall as a student at the University of Idaho, to summers spent hiking through the Cabine…
“A nation divided cannot stand” is a proven maxim of war. In this digital age, controlling the information works better than bombs and bullets to transform a nation. Our concept of freedom and individual choice is a problem for those who want global control. A global government requires that…
After reading “Know the Answer” in the Aug. 12 edition, and being something of a historian myself, I must point out a few things about your latest attempt to put forth historic fact.
It feels like we are living in a time warp nearly six months after our lives were turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. At Idaho’s higher education institutions, the public health crisis forced administrators to furlough employees, eliminate positions and cut programs, while simultane…
We must remember and never forget the sons, brothers, fathers, husbands, all the men who died for us to live in a free country, a country free in every aspect of our lives. Yes, at times, we forget what these men died for and the price they paid so we could destroy cities, businesses, homes,…
I think Governor Little’s continued order(s) this spring and early summer implemented taxation without representation by not deferring to duly elected representatives of the legislature, which is their duty. Given that by definition, a tax is the lowering of earned income due to policy/law, …
‘On June 12th 2011, I’m turning 9. I found out that millions of people don't live to see their 5th birthday. And why? Because they didn’t have access to clean, safe water …”—Rachel Beckwith
The period of time allotted for us to conduct recall efforts to unseat Idaho Governor Brad Little ended last week. We indeed fell far short of the number of voter signatures required to further the goal, but this letter is meant as a hardy thank you to everyone throughout our area who, under…
So, the MVSD 244 is 30 percent short on their annual budget in an amount of $4,037,992.
In case you missed it, Governor DeWine of Ohio tested positive for COVID last week just before meeting with President Trump. So, he had another test "considered more accurate" and tested negative. Is this how it works? Test until you get the desired result? Waste effort and dollars with a "l…
Yesterday I gave notice at work because I refuse to follow a new mask mandate the USPS is now instituting. I have worked this job for five and a half years and never took a sick day. However, when the world has gone topsy turvy and you are told to either wear the mask or else...this is no lo…
As positivity rates of the dangerous COVID-19 virus continue to increase in many Idaho communities, the course of action for public schools in those areas is clear—school buildings in communities considered “hot spots” should remain closed and districts should shift to online instruction.
The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on June 30, 2020, to discuss the Judicial Conference of the United States’ most recent recommendations for more federal judgeships. The Judicial Conference has recommended a third judgeship for Idaho consistently since 2003. As a memb…
Dear parents, students and staff, thanks to many of you for the warm welcome!
“Pulled into Nazareth / —I was feelin’ ‘bout half-past dead— / Just need some place: / where I can lay my head. / ‘Hey, mister, can you tell me / Where a man might find a bed?’ / He just grinned and shook my hand: / ‘No,’ was all he said”—Robbie Robertson of The Band: “The Weight”
What is up with Idaho’s public officials? They’re taking cues from the frenzied neighboring states instead of their legal mandates. They act like they have some privileged, secret society information, like they know better than their constituency. They act like they’re in collusion with the …
Here in Idaho County we had Grangeville Border Days over the July 4th weekend and Stites Day the following Saturday. By now (according to media hysteria) we should have hundreds of resulting Covid cases and deaths. We do not. I congratulate those in charge who made the difficult decision to …
Well, we are hearing it all again! Continued spikes in the number of confirmed Corona patients are triggering a new impetus to another trillion dollar stimulus package, with individual checks to taxpayers again, with the only hang-up in Congress today relating to demands for more aid to nume…
Idaho just ended its fiscal year with a surplus nearly three times what was expected before COVID-19.
Support Public Education: Sign Initiative Petition
To everyone in the community who is wondering about the approaching deadline for signing the petition to Recall Governor Little, the answer is Aug. 4th (preferably before). The very last day for all of our awesome signature gatherers to hand their notarized signature sheets to Elizabeth Manl…
As a nation of laws, just what is it that makes America unique or special in the world? One thing and one thing only, I believe!
“You don’t want to ever be frightened in the woods, Nick. There is nothing that can hurt you.” — “Three Shots,” Ernest Hemingway: The Nick Adams Stories
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