It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

With apologies to Charles Dickens, this is the tale of two markets, the buyer's market and the seller's market, for it is both.

Markets balance

Buoyed by continued strong growth in Post Falls and the Rathdrum area housing markets — where new construction of single family homes is booming — the Coeur d’Alene Multiple Listing Service reports Kootenai County is 7 percent above the housing sales achieved in 2015 as of the end of August. Overall the average price in our North Idaho market is 5 percent higher than last year while in Kootenai County that number is 4 percent.

Online credits are now required

State Board of Education votes to add requirement

Margason moving on after 30 years

Long time Stein's employee says goodbye

KELLOGG - Although it was the last day of his over 30-year career in the grocery business, Stein's employee Joe Margason was busier than usual on Thursday.

Beans: They're not a fruit, but they are magical

As the weather has cooled off over the past few weeks, it is nice to take comfort in warm, savory foods that heat you to the core. Those cool, crisp salads that refreshed us in the summer are no more - it's time for warm, hardy dishes! The most humble of all foods, the lowly bean, not only adds flavor and texture to this season's soups and casseroles, but provides a plethora of health benefits. With literally thousands of types of beans found across the globe, the options for eating beans are limitless.

VETERANS PRESS: Talking memory loss with your doctor

When do memory issues become a problem?

Everyone forgets things at times. How often have you misplaced your car keys or forgotten the name of someone you just met? While it can be normal to forget some things as you get older, it can become troubling if you can’t hold a conversation or even lose track of what year it is. If this starts to happen, it’s time to talk to your doctor about what to do next.

About the aquifer

Commissioners, BNSF officials debate safety regulations

HAUSER - Seeing it up close didn't make talking easier.

County, this is no time for a meltdown

Well, it’s that time of year again here in Kootenai County. City and county governments have had the mold cast for their respective budgets and are now just waiting for public hearings before another year of government starts to take life again on Oct. 1. Not surprisingly, many people like me are not happy that taxes are going to go up. Many, if not most, public officials are straining under the weight of public pressure concerning their budget decisions while continuing to provide the services that the public demands. Kootenai County officials feel that pressure as well.

Wishing upon a Star

Idaho contemplates computer devices for students

Buyers have inventory on their side

Mortgage rates creep higher as median home prices decline

A slowdown in the local real estate market is being credited with creating home-ownership opportunities that have not been available for years.

HOUSING: More ‘right-size’ options needed

I prefer progress over regression but as I age I recognize the limits of my current home. I foresee a time soon when I will need to return to apartment living instead of the single family ranch-style home I currently enjoy. I call this a regression only because I will be returning to a living arrangement I had during my younger years just starting out. While I am too healthy for assisted living, I am too feeble for routine home maintenance like climbing ladders… and herein lays the problem: There are virtually no new 3 to 4 bedroom apartments in Kootenai County. While I applaud the construction of “starter homes” and 1 to 2 bedroom apartments, I lament there are few options for established families wanting larger apartments or condominiums (without luxury pricing).

Fact check: Stumbles in presidential debate

Archie McGregor: Grocer at heart

IN PERSON

COEUR d'ALENE - Archie McGregor knows groceries. He's spent the last five decades working in grocery stores, owning grocery stores and being involved in operating grocery stores.

Shut-out by virus, gamblers turning to online betting

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Some gamblers who suddenly can't go to a casino to play slot machines, cards or roulette are migrating to internet casinos as the coronavirus shuts down most things involving large gatherings.

Biden angers France, EU with new Australia, UK

President has alienated numerous allies with a go-it-alone approach on key issues

Too clean for your own good?

Decades-old question: Is antibacterial soap safe?

WASHINGTON - It's a chemical that has been in U.S. households for more than 40 years, from the body wash in your bathroom shower to the knives on your kitchen counter to the bedding in your baby's basinet.

Big screen comedy ‘The Lovebirds’ gifted to Netflix viewers

By TYLER WILSON

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — GEORGE BALLING: Updates

It is that time of year when much is happening and changes are rapidly occurring in the wine industry. The growing year is in full swing, restaurants in many parts of the country and some here at home are still closed or are reclosing, and wine supplies are still facing challenges. With so much up in the air it seemed a good time to bring wine consumers up to date on all that is going on.

SHOLEH PATRICK — Hope in lean times: Recession-born giants

With good reason, economists and analysts almost universally expect this post-pandemic recession to last longer than usual.

Firm hopes to sell $1.5 billion moon trips

WASHINGTON - Attention wealthy nations and billionaires: A team of former NASA executives will fly you to the moon in an out-of-this-world commercial venture combining the wizardry of Apollo and the marketing of Apple.