FUTURE OF THE FAIR: Please attend town hall

There is nothing more important to me right now than making sure our fairgrounds remain in their current location and we, as a community, can plan for its future. Our fairgrounds are a North Idaho Gem for sure, and the events held each week throughout the year are extremely important to our economy and community.

FREEDOM TO VOTE: Not in presidential primary

Writing to Pat Bethke’s letter regarding freedom to vote rather than appoint people. For some positions appointing qualified, responsible people in non-political positions is better than following the Brent Regan and Associates choices. The KCRCC and the state Republican party have taken away our freedom to choose who can participate in the Primary in May.

TRAFFIC CAMERAS: Red flags spark concerns

TRAFFIC CAMERAS: Red flags spark concerns

Avista reports $71M in net income

The company's revenue for the quarter rose to $594 million from $460 million last year, an increase of nearly 30%.

MY TURN: Kootenai County Public Service Announcement special attention: Washington criminals

Reservation Confirmation: Kootenai Sheriff Bed and Breakfast

Fourth of July is upon us and it is no surprise that many of our arrestees will come from the state of Washington. I have a responsibility to advise Washington criminals that Idaho laws are much different than those in Washington. Here are the top 10 things a criminal should know before bringing unlawful behavior into Kootenai County.

AMERICA: ‘Slipping away’

AMERICA: ‘Slipping away’

Leadership Coeur d'Alene: Visionary leadership for our businesses and community

Leadership Coeur d’Alene is a year-long program at the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber that delivers exclusive access to community leaders from a wide variety of key industries that make our beautiful community unique. Program speakers share history of their respective industries in our region, big goals and challenges, as well as strategic direction for their future. Class participants also benefit from interactive tours, exercises, and case studies from recent real-world scenarios, creating a unique, in-depth immersion into North Idaho’s industry, community and culture.

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Honor for Adams

Kudos to the Greater Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce for selecting my husband and partner for the last 32 years, John Adams, as 2023 Citizen of the Year. We could not be prouder. Together John and I combined our salaries to raise and help through college, all seven of our children in our merged family. It was an interesting and challenging time, but we succeeded.

3Cs: Choir offers a song of gratitude

On behalf of the 3Cs Coeur d’Aleers Choir, a big thank you to all of our friends, families and groupies from the community who came to our free concerts at Trinity Lutheran church on Fifth Street on Tuesday afternoon, April 30 and Friday evening, May 3.

OPINION: Students call for attention to environmental issues

Since 1881, the Coeur d’Alene Public School District has been providing high quality education to members of the larger Kootenai County area. The district has understood that education must be adaptable; when significant events occur, education undergoes changes. We update our curriculum to ensure that students comprehend pertinent current affairs, equipping them for their inevitable entry into the workforce and their lives at large.

FBI: Came through for North Idaho

For all the negative sentiment our government engenders, especially around these parts and including by myself at times, I’m sure glad they had our backs on this one.

LIBRARY NETWORK FRIENDS: Grateful to community

The Friends of the Community Library Network wish to thank the community for the generous support in both donating and purchasing used books for our fundraising. Formed as an Unincorporated Nonprofit Association with the Idaho Secretary of State, we are found online at www.communitylibrary.net/about/#friends. Our mission is simply to advocate “for libraries as places to nurture and enhance lifelong learning.”

OPEN PRIMARIES: Risks becoming a one-party system

Recently there has been much discussion regarding the open primary initiative. There are several things to consider: our country is based on the multiple party system for the exchange of ideas to provide what is best for the people and the country and the realization that no single party, religion or philosophy has the answer to all of society’s needs, rather it stifles dialogue, the exchange of ideas, growth and evolution.

BIDEN: An Unfit Ruler

It states in Exodus 22:28 — “You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.”

CLIMATE CHANGE: Seeking positive solutions for the future

Hottest year ever, what can be done? This is the title of a Jan. 14 article in the Coeur d’Alene Press. This article states that 2023 shattered annual heat records* and suggests things we can do to protect our environment.

HAYDEN: Urban renewal worries

As a longtime resident of Hayden, I’m surprised that more people are not concerned about the accountability and transparency of the Urban Renewal District. It seems that our Hayden City Council representative, Sandy White, is right in asking for a contract stating what Urban Renewal plans to do with our tax dollars.

CONSTITUTION: Time to stand and defend it

You either support the Constitution and our country’s laws, or you don’t. Somehow Trump and his MAGA crew have decided that following the facts and enforcing our laws is “weaponizing” the F.B.I. and the justice department. They have determined that if they don’t win in a free and fair election that it is OK to subvert the Constitution, conduct an illegal scheme to overthrow the duly elected president, and disregard the votes of millions of people.

ELECTION: Support slate of proven leaders

As the May 21 primary election approaches, I urge all citizens to exercise their right to vote and participate in shaping the future of our community. One crucial way to do this is by casting your ballot for your precinct committee person.

OPINION: The courage to lead differently

Good leaders use moral compass, not fear

FAST FIVE: Martha 'Marty' McCain: Growing up Art on the Green

Meet Martha "Marty" McCain, retired office manager, pre-school teacher, nurse and eternal volunteer at Art on the Green. Her parents, Jack and Liz Steve, were Co-founders of this amazing festival 55 years ago, bringing the arts to the forefront of our beautiful, diverse community. Along with art those many years ago, her mom and a couple of friends felt they needed some food options for the patrons, so they started the "Food Court" 54 years ago, cooking 250 hot dogs on the old tennis courts at McEuen. The next year the festival moved to grounds of our quaint North Idaho College where we are today.