Our climate currently features the wildest weather 'extremes' in at least 1,000 years

Weather Gems

It seems to me that the climate change debate continues to be obscured by manmade hot air and fury. Deeply en-trenched and extremely vociferous positions have been taken on all sides. I'm sort of 'in the middle of things.'

Gems of Coeur d'Alene's history

COEUR d’ALENE — In Coeur d’Alene, in the old days, kids knew it was time to get back home when they heard the mill whistles blow.

Unveiling Day at the Capitol

Freedom of religion exercised by Satanic group

Satanism is practiced across the gem state, a small group of representatives from The Satanic Temple Idaho performed prayer in front of the Boise Statehouse Monday

OPINION: The extremist branch of Idaho’s GOP is producing a moving experience

Many people have literally been moved by the ugly performance of Idaho’s Republican extremists in recent years. That is, significant numbers of teachers, librarians, doctors and others have moved out of the Gem State to escape the false claims and oppressive legislation conjured by the dysfunctional branch of Idaho’s GOP, now presided over by Dorothy Moon. On the other hand, that same wretched conduct has caused like-minded folk from across the country to move to our state, attracted by headlines that portray Idaho as a sanctuary for political zealots of every stripe.

Gas prices nearing 2020 high

COEUR d’ALENE — After the lowest gasoline demand in April since 1968, AAA says continued COVID-19 uncertainty and abundant gasoline stocks throughout the spring and early summer may keep pump prices from returning to where they were at the beginning of the year.

Alberta is Idaho's duck factory other states, provinces contribute

Most of the ducks harvested in Idaho during the autumn duck hunting season are mallards, and most of them hail from Alberta, according to a report from Idaho Fish and Game.

OPINION: Answering the critics

There is a coordinated statewide effort to destroy the Idaho Conservative Grassroots Movement from the inside and turn Idaho blue. A gang of Boise political consultants calling themselves “Gem State Conservatives” brag about having $2 million to accomplish this goal. In truth it’s the “Gem State Heist” because it’s nearly identical to the Rocky Mountain Heist which turned Colorado from deep red to blue. These efforts have the full support, approval and endorsement of the woke Democrat party.

Malek takes one for the team

Former state rep puts personal political ambition aside for benefit of the state.

OPINION: Idaho’s County Clerks are not mere clerks; let’s give them our respect

We sometimes hear Idaho’s County Clerks spoken of dismissively as mere clerks– low-level functionaries just there to carry out the orders of county commissioners. Those dismissive individuals might be surprised to learn that elected clerks are the heart and soul of most counties in the Gem State. Idaho law says they serve as clerk of the courts in their county, as well as ex officio auditor, recorder and county commission clerk.

Honeybees may have lost their 'magnetic compasses' and vanished

Weather Gems

By mere coincidence, Sholeh Patrick wrote a column this past Thursday concerning "the alarming rate of the killing off of our honeybee colonies."

Top snowy winters: January and December 2008 had a combined 154 inches of snow!

Weather Gems

Last week in 'Gems,' we featured the 'Top Ten' snowy winter seasons and the most snowless 'Bottom Ten' winters since 1895. This week, we'll offer the 'Top Ten' snowiest months and the 'Top Ten' snowiest 24-hour days since 1895.

Priano helps keep Lums alive at state

BOISE - Derek Priano pitched 8 1/3 innings, and the Coeur d'Alene Lumbermen remained alive in the state AA American Legion baseball tournament with a 12-7 victory over the Vallivue Titans on Friday at Timberline Park.

It's either 'feast or famine' in Camelot's snowfall records

Weather Gems

Every year at this time, I'm asked to update our local area snowfall records dating back some 117 winter seasons to the inception of such statistics in 1895. Three out of the last four winters have been in the 'TOP TEN,' actually in the 'TOP FOUR'!

Here comes the sun ... and the fair!

Solar cycles drive frequent weather changes

Considering the fact that I'll be visiting my 'Gems' readers once again in the Coeur d'Alene Press booth at the North Idaho Fair this Thursday between 4 and 6 p.m., it's probably a good idea to answer some questions that I've received lately concerning what I really believe weatherwise and otherwise, plus some details requested about my family.

Ladies and gents, meet your weatherMann

Randy Mann taking over for Cliff Harris as Press weather columnist

Just in case some of you haven’t heard the latest news regarding Cliff Harris’s Weather Gems column, he has retired after 25 years. Honestly, I thought I would retire before him, and I’m 52 years old. But beginning today, it will be my job, and pleasure, to provide readers of the Press this weekly weather and science column.

Driving: It's a gem in Idaho

Financial company rates state as No. 1 in U.S. for motorists

COEUR d'ALENE - The best place in the country to be a driver is Idaho, at least according to Bankrate Inc., a publisher of financial information.

Volunteers help prep fairgrounds for North Idaho State Fair

Volunteers of all ages came together Saturday to join North Idaho State Fair staff in readying the Kootenai County Fairgrounds in preparation of the upcoming North Idaho State Fair.

Movers and Shakers

• Ford joins Windermere Real Estate's Hayden office

Michael Norman Meyer, 68

Mike passed away peacefully on Dec. 19, 2020, at home

County to pay $210K for boat launch parking

The previous Kootenai County commissioners knew they had landed a gem three years ago when they purchased property with a boat launch at Carlin Bay.