She has had the same job for more than 32 years, and has worked under six different bosses in that time.
It’s not something you’d normally expect unless, of course, you’re working for the Benewah County Sheriff’s Office.
Sandy Auer has worked for the Benewah County Sheriff’s Office for more than 32 years. She plans to retire March 26. Natasha Moyle, who has worked with the sheriff’s office since 2006, will be taking over Mrs. Auer’s many responsibilities. Even though the job has been challening at times, Mrs. Auer said she has had a rewarding career.
“Every four years, there was a chance you’d end up with a new boss,” Sandy Auer said, who after more than 30 years on the job will retire March 28. “I started when Bob Kirts was sheriff and have worked under a total of six sheriffs. They have all been good to work for.”
The community celebrated her retirement Friday, March 28 at the driver’s licensing office. Members of the community stopped by and shared their stories and memories.
Mrs. Auer started working as a dispatcher and in the jail during the night shift. Her responsibilities included checking prisoners in, doing cell checks and answering calls.
“At the time, I just needed a job,” she said.
She said she can recall one night when a prisoner handed her a note, which stated he needed to talk to her.
“It turned out that some prisoners were going to try to escape and they had planned to take dispatch hostage,” Mrs. Auer said. “I almost walked out at that time.”
But she didn’t.
Despite the challenges and stress of the job, Mrs. Auer said there has also been rewarding moments during her career.
“One of the highlights for me was there was a little girl from Texas who had gotten kidnapped and she was found up here, and I was the one who got to give her back to her mom,” she recalled. “It was very heart-wrenching.”
While she started answering calls in dispatch and working at the jail, Mrs. Auer has most recently been in charge of administrative duties including sex offender registration, driver’s licenses, concealed carry permits, submitting accident reports and helping out in dispatch when needed.
Mrs. Auer said there have been many changes since her duties changed. She recalls hand-writing accident reports onto the appropriate forms before sending them in to the state.
“That’s all electronic now,” she said. “We didn’t have fax machines or copy machines.”
Other advances include the phone system, changes to driver’s licenses and changes at the jail.
“I can remember when there would only be one of us up at the jail during a shift,” she said. “Prisoners were fed a good breakfast, didn’t get lunch and then got a TV meal for dinner. Today, they get three meals a day.”
Mrs. Auer said there have been several humorous calls into the dispatch center throughout the years.
“There’s been a lot. One of the ones, of course, I didn’t take it, but it was when the lady called in and wanted to know if she could put her husband into time out. People ask us all the time if we really get calls like that and yes, we do,” she said.
Mrs. Auer said it will be the people she’s worked with over the years that she will miss the most.
“I really love people and so what I’m going to miss is the people that I’ve worked with throughout the years.”
As a cancer survivor, Mrs. Auer said she is ready to take time for herself to enjoy life to the fullest. She plans to do a little bit of traveling with her husband, Dave, and spend more time with her five grandchildren. She said she may also help out at her daughter’s daycare.
“Pretty much whatever comes around is what I’ll be doing,” she said.
Kaitlyn Bartlett and Lexie Brebner entertained the crowd with a gymnastics routine.
More than 200 people attended the St. Maries Got Talent Show March 22. The show was sponsored by Potlatch Corp and will help benefit local couple Tony and Kelli Spooner. The money raised from the event will help Mr. and Mrs. Spooner pay costs associated with adopting two children from Africa.
Kelsey Craner, one of the organizers, said that close to $3,000 was raised and that the show might be organized next year to benefit another cause that supports children in the community.
Braelie Caldwell performs a routine to the song Let It Go as part of the Stick It Gymnastics team that entertained at the talent show Saturday evening.
Daniel Compton played and sang Just to See You Smile for the crowd.
Dani Shoemaker helps her daughter Rozlynn practice her hand stands backstage before the talent show Saturday.
Members of the crowd check out the snacks available at the concession tables before the beginning of the talent show Saturday. All the money raised from the event went to help the Spooner family with adoption costs.
Taylor Humphrey helps Allie Brebner with her hair backstage before the start of the talent show.
Tara Truscott curls her daughter Addison’s hair before the performance.
Kelsey Craner served as master of ceremonies for the talent show Saturday.
A standout player on the St. Maries football team signed a letter of intent March 13 to play football for the Defenders at Dordt College.
Luke Feasline plans to study pre-med at the private, Christian based college in Sioux Center, Ia. The college has offered him a $7,000 academic scholarship as well as a $12,000 football scholarship for each year he attends.
Luke Feasline (sitting center) signed a letter of intent Friday to play football for Dordt College located in Sioux Center, Iowa. Luke has been a standout player for St. Maries and he was offered a substantial amount in scholarships from the school. Pictured with him include his parents (sitting) Kelly and Mark, (standing) his brother Logan, St. Maries coach Craig Tefft and St. Maries athletics director Cory Newton.
“It’s a really good Christian based school and they have a football program that is up and coming,” Luke said, “and I will have the opportunity to start as a freshman.”
Luke played football for St. Maries High School for four years as a free safety and starting quarterback, a position he’ll play for Dordt College.
“I just really love the game,” Luke said. “I love the brotherhood of football and the competition. And playing football in college just gives you the chance to do more. I’m very excited.”
St. Maries coach Craig Tefft has no doubts Luke will be successful in his pursuits, both on and off the field. Coach Tefft has coached Luke during his high school career the last four years.
“Luke’s best quality is his commitment to becoming better,” he said. “He practices year round; he just doesn’t play in the fall. He works at it in the off season.”
Coach Tefft said Luke has an “infectious attitude” that rubs off on others and makes them want to do better as well.
“He’s has that leadership quality,” he added. “And he’s very coachable. He listens and he applies what he hears. I think he will do very well at the collegiate level. He’s very dedicated and doesn’t do anything halfway.”
Luke is the son of Mark and Kelly Feasline.
A St. Maries freshman will travel abroad this summer as part of the People-to-People Ambassador Program.
Gabrielle Hatley-Lewis was invited to participate in the program after she was recommended by a teacher.
St. Maries High School freshman Gabrielle Hatley-Lewis plans to travel abroad this summer.
“President Eisenhower started it in 1953,” Gabrielle said. “He wanted students to travel the world and learn about different cultures.”
Gabrielle will visit France, Italy and Greece in July and will be gone for three weeks. To raise money for the trip, she is collecting old clothes – including those that are ripped, stained or torn, as well as shoes, single or paired, towels, gloves and hats, sheets, blankets and quilts, drapes, purses and belts.
The items are turned over to Clothes for the Cause, a company that collects a variety of unwanted items and turns them into cash. The company pays 15 to 20 cents per pound. Unusable items are recycled into material for insulation, wiping rags or broken down to reclaim fiber.
To learn about the places she will be visiting, Gabrielle attends regular meetings each month. She is also meeting the other 19 students from Idaho that will be traveling with her.
“I’m really excited,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to go to Paris. I really like art and we get to go to the Louvre in Paris, and see the Sistine Chapel. Both places have beautiful pieces of art.”
Those who would like to donate clothing or other items should contact Gabrielle’s grandmother, Linda Buck, at 582-0401.
Of all the activities we squeeze into our summers, the Rattitude Rod Rumble easily maxes out on the cool factor. And just like with all of our other summer events, planning is well underway for the third annual Rumble.
The Rattitude Rod Rumble is a two-day car event that boasts a collection of activities that include small-town staples such as a cruise and drive-in movie — but the highlight of the weekend is easily the cars themselves. Made using mostly spare parts and tons of imagination, the designs always delight. Though there are many different variations, typically a rat rod is a low-budget traditional vehicle that is built with junkyard parks, and our show creates a different atmosphere than the traditional car show.
Just like in year’s past, there is no entry fee and no admission for this event.
This year’s Rumble is scheduled for Friday, June 20 and Saturday, June 21st. The weekend kicks off with a cruise along Main Avenue Friday from 6 – 7 p.m. The drive-in movie will start later that evening, around 9. And the next day is jam-packed as well with a car show starting at 10 a.m. along the riverfront at Aqua Park. Pinstriping will be available throughout the show, and several vendors will be on-hand for browsing.
New this year is a burnout contest, scheduled to start at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Spectators are welcome, and anyone who is interested to burnout can join. Arrangements are still being made in regards to a location.
Keep checking back here and in the St. Maries Gazette Record for more information as it becomes available because – honestly – this is one event you don’t want to miss.
