Sales up 19 percent

Even with all the smoke in the air that subdued traffic the past several weeks, our local real estate market continued its solid growth. With August figures tallied, the Coeur d'Alene Multiple Listing Service reports a service area average increase of 19 percent in the number of single family homes on less than two acres sold. Here is how the communities within our MLS fared:

Classroom commerce

Teachers make money selling materials online

Amazon: 20 bets in 20 years

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Amazon turned 20 on Thursday. Here's a timeline of 20 investment bets Amazon made in the past 20 years:

No interest in interest rates?

Six consecutive weeks of increasing mortgage interest rates may have an impact on the real estate market but you can not see it in our most recent statistics. On Friday staff at the Coeur d’Alene Association of Realtors’ Multiple Listing Service showed a market that is steadily growing. Just take a look at what these cities reported at the end of November:

Cuba: Newest exciting travel destination

Cuba has stunning French colonial architecture. Palm trees swaying in warm, tropical breezes. Classic '50s cars. Distinctive Cuban music. Aromatic cigars. Brightly colored buildings. Friendly, happy people and of course, smooth, flavorful rum. Cuba Libre!

A disconnect between Trump and health officials on virus

WASHINGTON (AP) — Whom to believe on the coronavirus threat — the president saying one thing or the public health officials standing beside him and saying something a little different?

Blockbusted

Hayden rental store closing its doors in April

Report: Musk proposes going ahead with deal to buy Twitter

Musk claimed that Twitter under-counted the number of fake accounts on its platform, and Twitter sued when Musk announced the deal was off

'Demystifying' wine and other silly wine trends

Every year there are wine trends that develop usually coming out of some large marketing group all intended to sell more wine. We get it; most all wineries at the end of the day are businesses as are all the other companies up and down the wine “food chain”. Businesses exist to make a living for employees and owners while providing service or product to their customers. Most of the time though the simpler more conventional means of doing so makes the most sense. When it comes to wine the best way to accomplish selling more wine is to make the best wine you can at a price point that represents value for your customer and is sustainable for the business. For those in the retail segment of the business it means picking great wine and providing exemplary service. No gimmicks needed!

Into the Sunset

“Starter home” can mean a lot of things. Maybe you’re starting with something small. Or it’s an older house in need of some upgrades. Maybe it means you’re starting at the most affordable option on the market. Or it’s simply the first home you ever buy.

Patriotic honor prompts big response

By BRIAN WALKER

GROWTH: Addressing affordable housing

GROWTH: Addressing affordable housing

GROCERY TAXES: Legislature needs to make a change

Idaho Grocery Tax Credits are a farce.

In tooth, it's all about the money

At age 5 1/2, Ozzie Drake already is handling life’s challenges with “brutal efficiency.”

Price controls put Americans' health at stake

Scientists searching for cures to cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and other deadly illnesses may soon lose their funding, due to a misguided proposal from Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar.

Stepping on the gas

GM Cruzes to $3.2B first-quarter profit

DETROIT - GM is on Cruze control.

Honda wins appeal of hybrid judgment

LOS ANGELES - A judge overturned a nearly $10,000 small claims judgment against American Honda Motor Co. that was won by a car owner who said the automaker misrepresented that her hybrid Civic could get 50 miles per gallon, according to a ruling released Wednesday.

Help Every Little Paw Bartenders' Ball event returns March 5

H.E.L.P., or Help Every Little Paw, announced the fourth annual Bartenders’ Ball is March 5 from 6-10 p.m. at the Resort Plaza Shops, 210 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene.

Family makes due with tight living conditions

The Press Christmas for All

It's definitely a tight squeeze for this family of five - a small, two-bedroom trailer that's hard to keep warm in the winter.

Obamacare passes 1 million milestone

December sees surge of signups on rehabilitated government website