NEW THIS MORNING: Thursday, September 19

1. Orchard Ridge to add 31 units

Orchard Ridge Senior Living in Coeur d'Alene will be adding more than 25 units to its campus.

The nonprofit is having a groundbreaking for its independent living apartments at 4 p.m. Tuesday at 624 W. Harrison Ave. 

“The Arbor will be an extension of the work we already do for the 230-plus seniors currently living at Orchard Ridge," said Executive Director Ann Johnson. "The new project will create more jobs, more housing for seniors and more options for our community as the demand for housing continues.”

2. East Side Fire earns Idaho Transportation Department award

East Side Fire District in Harrison has been honored as the District 1 Outstanding Group of the Year for 2023 by the Idaho Transportation Department’s Adopt-A-Highway program.

The award was presented July 23 at ITD's District 1 department headquarters. This is a district award that is presented to six different groups throughout the state each year, one per district. District 1 encompasses Idaho's five northern counties.

East Side Fire has provided biannual roadside cleanup for 26 miles of State Highway 97 and 5 miles of Burma Road for over 20 years. During that time, over 50,000 pounds of trash have been collected by East Side volunteers, their families and other community members. Over 3,500 pounds of trash were collected last year alone.

3. Deputy fatally shoots two dogs in Post Falls

A Kootenai County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed two dogs that allegedly attacked him Wednesday, according to the sheriff’s office.

The deputy was reportedly attempting to serve paperwork to Post Falls resident Jerald Burgess around 8 a.m. Wednesday. Burgess owned two pit bulls, named Noble and Hammer. Police were aware of the dogs from prior contacts at the home, according to the sheriff’s office.

Police said the deputy backed away from the front door after knocking in order to “avoid a confrontation with the dogs.”

4. Cd'A man sent to prison for battery

Chad A. Jensen, 46, of Coeur d'Alene was sentenced Tuesday to a 10-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after five years after being found guilty of felony domestic battery. 

The charges stemmed from an incident June 10 that was witnessed by several members of the general public at a local gas station, according to a press release from the Kootenai County Prosecutor's Office.

"After observing Jensen aggressively drive his vehicle into the gas station parking lot, several customers witnessed Jensen punch his female passenger in the face several times before spraying her in the face with window cleaner," the release said. 

5. Financial leaders: Rate cut a positive economic sign

Economist John Mitchell expected the Federal Reserve to cut its benchmark interest rate by .25% on Wednesday. Instead, it went big, with .50. 

Mitchell said that’s a good sign. 

“The economy continues to grow, employment continues to rise and inflation numbers continue to come down,” the former chief economist for US Bank said.

It’s an indicator that the economy is “fundamentally sound,” Mitchell said, and the Federal Reserve hopes to keep it going in the right direction.