DIVIDED COUNTRY: Policy predictions

It’s a new year so let’s start out with old thoughts. I wrote about this a few years back but some dreams never change. Let’s envision we really could divide our nation in half, north to south, with a 40-foot wall separating Republicans from Democrats. Democrats take their pick, east or west, with only one rule — you cannot cross back. You elect your own president, Congress, recruit your own military, etc. I predict Democrats will elect Biden/Harris and Republicans will elect Trump and anyone but Mike Pence for VP — oops, he’ll be on the Democrat side anyway.

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.

KIDS: Have enough challenges

When did our society go over the falls far enough that adults and the editor of the CDA Press feel it’s OK to advocate for libraries to carry materials that bump up against pornography, encourage kids to question their gender, and put family life in a bad light? Our kids have enough challenges brought to their lives courtesy of we moronic adults who think it’s OK to legalize drugs, invent video games aimed at kids that degrade their intellect and debase their values, and push internet content at them that would make a Marine drill sergeant blush.

Be true to yourself

One of the most famous lines in Shakespeare's "Hamlet" consists of Polonius' advice to his son, Laertes. He says: "This above all: To thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man."

HUCKLEBERRIES: Remembering 'a loyal friend and a fine sportswoman'

A fatal misstep on a diving board 81 years ago claimed one of Coeur d’Alene’s great female athletes.

EDITORIAL: Separate voter fact from fiction on Feb. 18

Event will explain primary election initiative, ranked-choice voting

5A REGION 1 GIRLS BASKETBALL: Just like the last five years ... Coeur d'Alene, Lake City girls to meet in regional title game for sixth straight year

On Tuesday, Coeur d’Alene (16-5) will visit Lake City (21-1) in the Region 1 championship game, with the winner advancing to state starting on Feb. 15 at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa. Post Falls (7-14) hosts Lewiston (7-15) in a loser-out game. Both games are at 6:30 p.m.

THE FRONT ROW with JASON ELLIOTT: Ridgewell: Pushing pause for the moment

“I’ve seen so much growth in those players, both inside and outside of high school,” former Coeur d'Alene High boys soccer coach Braden Ridgewell said. “I talk to players that I’ve coached, and some of them are community leaders and sacrifice their time for other people. And a lot of them come back and help the younger kids grow. Some of them are coming back as volunteer coaches.”

PREP BOYS BASKETBALL: Thomas Bateman scores 38 as Bonners Ferry downs Timberlake

“We rattled them a little with our defense, but we didn’t get the rebounds, and we got beat in transition,” Timberlake coach Mike LaFountaine said. “They’re a good team; they’ve played together for a long time and it shows. Their chemistry is incredible.”

Police eye opioid task force

Money would come from settlement with drug companies

In September 2021, the Idaho Attorney General’s Office requested that cities consider participating in a joint settlement agreement with three (3) drug companies to compensate for the impact of opioids on our community

Disconnect

Financial crunch forces nonprofit group dedicated to community engagement to close

The nonprofit formed in 2013 as CDA 2030 announced this week it would be closing this month

North Idaho Spelling Bee returns Feb. 10

Contest to be held at North Idaho College

Word wizards and phonetics fans, rejoice. The North Idaho Spelling Bee will return to North Idaho College's Schuler Performing Arts Center at 10 a.m. Feb. 10.

FAST FIVE: Savor the experience with Sushi Sensei Isaac Cunnington

Meet Isaac Cunnington, an aspiring entrepreneur here in Coeur d'Alene. Born in Spokane and raised in Coeur d'Alene, Isaac graduated from Lake City High School, North Idaho College and the University of Idaho in rapid succession. He moved to Florida then Costa Rica to pursue his dream of being a marine biologist. After a very expensive couple of years, and some minor setbacks — the crowning jewel being a tree branch punching a hole in the hut where he was staying in Drake Bay, Costa Rica — he returned to Coeur d'Alene to pursue teaching.

The Exhausted Dad: Life’s essential knowledge (according to a first grader)

My 6-year-old takes his superhero research very seriously. A connoisseur of Batman, Spider-Man and the less-violent pockets of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, my son continues his education by bringing home the definitive resources from his weekly visits to the school library.

US hits hard at militias in Iraq and Syria, retaliating for fatal drone attack

It was unclear what the impact will be of the strikes

NIC BASKETBALL: A rivalry refreshed ... CSI visits NIC on Saturday for first time since 2016

NIC (15-6, 3-2 SWAC) and 21st-ranked CSI (17-5, 5-0) will face off for the first time as conference rivals since the Cardinals moved to the Northwest Athletic Conference following the 2015-16 season on Saturday at 3 p.m., following the women’s game, which tips at 1.

PREP WRESTLING: Trojans toughen up, down Vikings

Post Falls, Kellogg, Timberlake to compete at Conrad Garner Invitational today and Saturday.

PREP BASKETBALL: Lakeland girls win at Timberlake for first time since 2012-13 season

On Monday, Lakeland plays host to Moscow in the loser-out first round of the 4A Region 1 tournament, and Timberlake plays host to Bonners Ferry in Game 1 of a best-of-3 series for the 3A District 1 title.

Governor meets with local high school students

Idaho LAUNCH program, education priorities among topics discussed

School safety, funding for higher education, improving Idaho's public school facilities. While these are important matters for taxpayers, Gov. Brad Little sat down Thursday morning at Post Falls High School with those who are impacted by these issues on a daily basis — the students.

Bill to arm teachers easily clears House

Rep. Ted Hill faced a barrage of questions Wednesday before the House advanced his bill that would allow school staff to carry guns on the job. Ultimately, the House overwhelmingly supported the bill. Backers argued it would give teachers a chance to protect their classrooms in the minutes before police respond to a school shooting.