NEW THIS MORNING: Saturday, Nov. 16

1. Coeur d'Alene animal control seizes four dogs from home

Four dogs living in horrific conditions were recently seized from a Coeur d’Alene apartment. 

One of the dogs was described in the police report as “by far the most emaciated dog I have ever dealt with in my career as an animal control officer.  

“I could visually see its ribs, hip bones, vertebrae, and the bones in its leg. The dog was shaking and could hardly stand, it had mucus like discharge coming from its eyes and nose,” wrote Coeur d'Alene Animal Control Officer Kennedy Main. “Because of the obvious distress I immediately transported the dog to Prairie Animal Hospital to be treated.” 

She wrote that when she entered the Cheshire Lane apartment Nov. 8, there was “an overwhelming smell of ammonia, feces, and urine coming from the unit” and the main living area and kitchen were in disarray. 

“As I was walking through my eyes and my throat began to burn from the horrid smell. There were feces scattered all throughout the carpet, rotten and spoiled food, and fly traps hanging from the ceiling,” Main wrote. 

There were four more dogs, several cats and a few sugar gliders in the home. Two flea-covered kittens were also seized. A family member took the remaining animals. 

Two people in the home were cited on several counts involving animal abandonment, failure to care for animals, lack of vaccinations and too many dogs in a household.

2. Idaho Youth in Philanthropy Project to empower rural students

The Idaho Community Foundation announced Tuesday it has launched the Idaho Youth in Philanthropy Project, a program empowering rural high school students to become future leaders in philanthropy.

This hands-on leadership program aims to prepare students in smaller communities to become future leaders in philanthropy by engaging them in the grantmaking process and supporting nonprofits that address critical local needs.

High schools in rural Idaho are invited to apply, with priority given to communities with populations under 30,000 to ensure support reaches areas with limited access to nonprofit resources.

Six high school groups will be selected to participate, with each group given the opportunity to distribute $5,000 to local nonprofits. Through the Youth in Philanthropy Project, students will learn about nonprofit operations, the role of philanthropy in their communities and how to evaluate grant applications — all while experiencing the power of giving back.

3. Classical Christian Academy relocates to new Coeur d'Alene campus

Classical Christian Academy announced Monday it has opened its doors at a new campus at 4810 N. Ramsey Road in Coeur d'Alene.

Previously located in Rathdrum, Classical Christian Academy serves pre-K through 12th-grade students. The Coeur d'Alene campus will offer a stable, purpose-built environment that will position the school for greater long-term stability, the announcement said.

For nearly 30 years, Classical Christian Academy has pursued its mission of providing students with a classical education that equips students to love God, pursue wisdom, embody virtue and delight in truth, goodness and beauty for the glory of God. From its early days in Post Falls, the school has grown from a few families with a vision to a community of 170 students and 98 families.  

“Our move to this beautiful campus is a testament to God’s provision and the faithfulness of the CCA community over the years,” said Mel Korsmo, Classical Christian Academy's head of school, said in the news release. “Already, this dedicated space has not only strengthened fellowship among students and teachers but also fostered a great sense of community and belonging. We look forward to serving many more families, continuing the legacy established nearly three decades ago.”