NEW THIS MORNING: Tuesday, Oct. 8

1. Coeur d'Alene closer to finding next councilor

The search for a sixth member of the Coeur d’Alene City Council has been narrowed to three men. 

Retired fire chief Kenny Gabriel, past city finance director John Austin and sign company owner Jeff Connaway were interviewed individually for about 30 minutes by current councilors Monday. 

Mayor Woody McEvers, who will nominate one of the three for the post, said it will be a difficult decision.

He said he would review his notes on each candidate before deciding which one to forward for a council vote at the Oct. 15 meeting. 

“I was pleasantly impressed,” he said afterward.  

2. Kootenai County housing sales rise

The Kootenai County housing market is continuing to see increases in sales and prices, according to the September report from the Coeur d'Alene Regional Realtors.

The median price of a Kootenai County single-family home edged up to $526,750, a slight increase from one year ago, while the number of homes sold through September, 1,830, was up 10% from the same time last year.

More people have put their home on the market. The number of homes for sale, 1,135, was up 7.3% from 1,058 for September 2023, according to Coeur d'Alene Regional Realtors. 

3. Post Falls announces roadwork plans

The city announced an update for the Spokane Street road project Monday. 

Northbound lanes of traffic will reopen today, with reconstruction of the southbound lanes and pedestrian facilities beginning the same day. There will be a detour in place to reroute traffic. 

Asphalt patching on Spokane Street from Interstate 90 to Seltice Way starts Wednesday with traffic being affected for about a week. Drivers should expect temporary lane closures and a brief closure of the I-90 eastbound off-ramp. 

Access to businesses on Spokane Street remains open through the detour routes during construction.  

The city also recently announced rolling road closures scheduled this week.

4. Innovia announces new fund in Silver Valley

The Innovia Foundation recently unveiled plans for the new Silver Valley Forever Fund.  

The Innovia Foundation has undergone several transformations since its founding in 1974, but the goal of serving communities in Eastern Washington and North Idaho remains the same.

Aaron McMurray, a chief strategy officer with Innovia, said the Silver Valley Forever Fund is one of many managed under the Innovia umbrella. Innovia specializes in grant-making and community charities with the goal of improving lives within a specific geographic area.  

“Unlike other nonprofits, a community foundation, like Innovia’s, mission is to ignite generosity and help people who care about their community,” McMurray said. 

5. Idaho Nonprofit Center to merge into Idaho Community Foundation

The Idaho Nonprofit Center is merging into The Idaho Community Foundation “in a bold and strategic move to expand the culture of philanthropy and strengthen Idaho’s nonprofit center,” according to a press release put out by ICF.  

The merger, which is expected to be finalized by late 2024, “was driven by a shared vision to increase charitable giving and deepen the effectiveness of Idaho’s nonprofits,” the press release read. The boards of each organization will combine into one statewide board.  

“The Idaho Nonprofit Center has served as a quality resource for education and training for nonprofit professionals throughout our region," Rayelle B. Anderson, executive director of the North Idaho College Foundation, said. "Idaho Community Foundation has been a strategic and visionary partner for donors and nonprofits alike. I am excited about the future opportunities this merger will bring in service and support of our communities throughout Idaho.”