Kootenai County home prices fall

$472,275 is lowest in more than two years.

The median price of a single-family home in Kootenai County in January and December of 2023 was $525,000.

Hayden Public Safety Commission analyzes policing services

Looking at historic and current data

The Hayden Public Safety Commission looked at the history of policing services in town, and they are using that data along with current statistics to create a plan moving forward.

Post Falls youth treatment home closed down

Cornerstone Cottage exposed in InvestigateWest investigation

Owner Jim Smidt notified the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare on Jan. 25 that Cornerstone was closing the Post Falls facility and discharging the five remaining residents by Jan. 31.

EDITORIAL: He left N. Idaho far better than he found it

Tribute to former NIC president who died in Iowa at age 86

MY TURN: 'Warming many hearts'

“Civilized societies take care of the less advantaged." An oft mentioned quote, cited by a local elected official.

OPINION: Property taxpayers will have to foot the bill for the 'school choice' scheme

Every legislative session brings some new “school choice” scheme that is touted as a way to improve elementary and secondary education in Idaho by offering more choices to families. Sometimes the plan is called a voucher, sometimes a stipend, sometimes a grant, sometimes a savings account. This year the scheme is called a “refundable tax credit.” What every plan has in common is the use of taxpayer money to subsidize private schooling, including religious and home schools. Because of the chronic failure of our legislatures in the last several decades to adequately fund public schools, the cost of such schemes will ultimately end up being forced upon local property taxpayers.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — A journey through Spanish wine: The history, grapes, regions and pairings

Spain has a long and storied history of winemaking, with archaeological evidence showing grape cultivation and wine production dating back to the Phoenicians in 1100 B.C. The Romans expanded Spanish viticulture substantially, establishing vineyards across the Iberian Peninsula. While Muslim rule in medieval Spain restricted wine production for a time, Spanish wine flourished again in the centuries that followed. Today, Spain is the third largest wine producing country in the world after Italy and France.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Crucial keys to unlock restful sleep

Sleep is critical for health. You need good, quality sleep for restoration and healing, for optimal cognitive function (memory, problem-solving ability, mental clarity, learning and retaining what you learned), for mood regulation, for physical performance, weight management, cardiovascular health, immune system support, reduction of inflammation, and in general, for a long, healthy life.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — 5 steps to resolving back pain

We offer the latest cutting edge technology in the non-surgical treatment of serious lower back pain and sciatica. Our commitment to offering the highest quality of care resulted in the addition of the FDA cleared Spinal Decompression technology for the treatment of back pain due to: Herniated Discs, Bulging Discs, Pinched Nerve, Sciatica, and Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD).

Sons of Norway fair Saturday

The free event will feature cultural groups from the region, vendors, craft demonstrations, music and Norwegian food.

Charles W. Tatter, 75

Charles W. Tatter, Jr., 75, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, passed away on January 13th from heart-related issues.

OPINION: Blue or red? You have a choice Feb. 17

While Republicans will once again host their annual Presidents Day Weekend fundraiser, Democrats will offer an alternative. On Saturday, Feb. 17 at 5:30 p.m., Democrats will host our largest annual fundraiser - The Blue Wave Democracy Dinner.

FOOD BANK MANAGER: Grateful for community support

I am writing to express my deep gratitude to the incredible Kootenai County community for their immense generosity and support over the past year.

EXERCISE EXPLORER, MD: Good work, Dr. Emry

I look forward to and enjoy Dr. Emry’s chronicles of his exercise life. Motion is the great elixir of life and perhaps one of the single greatest tools in his little black bag.

Bill to reduce powers of Idaho’s public health districts sent for amendments

Idaho lawmakers on Tuesday sent a bill for amendments that attempts to curtail the power of regional public health districts in the state after some pursued COVID-19 related restrictions during the pandemic.

Get a jump on your spring garden with winter sowing

January and February are difficult months for gardeners living in northern climes. There’s just not much you can do when the ground is frozen and covered with snow. Plus, it’s still too early to do much indoor seed starting.

Man again arrested on trespass charge

The Bonner County commissioners’ regular meeting was delayed Tuesday by almost half an hour after Dave Bowman — who was trespassed from the building Jan. 26 for disruption and perceived threats — arrived at the meeting despite the ban.

Bill to protect public land, water access clears Senate panel

Legislation inspired by Camp Bay Road controversy

State lawmakers advanced a bill Tuesday that seeks to protect public access to Idaho’s lands and waters if a local government decides to vacate a roadway. If a public right-of-way provides access to state lands or waters, Senate Bill 1258 would require counties and highway districts to obtain equivalent replacement access for the public before deciding to vacate it.

NTSB says bolts on Boeing jetliner were missing before a panel blew out in midflight last month

The investigators said that the lack of certain damage around the panel indicates that all four bolts were missing before the plane took off from Portland, Oregon.

THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Kind of a 'nae well’ time in the sports world

It’s not the end of the world — and it’s damn sure no cause to begin heaving cups, bottles and everything else on the floor because of one bad call. This kind of hooligan stuff is NOT what I’d expect at Gonzaga. Honestly, it seemed like the kind of thing that would come from a spoiled fan base that’s used to non-stop winning — and suddenly has a team that is just ho-hum.