Better days here? Economic rebound gains strength

WASHINGTON - Shoppers and businesses are feeling better about the recovery.

Fed sees moderate economic growth around country this spring

WASHINGTON - The U.S. economy was growing at a moderate pace in most regions of the country in April and May, as consumers ramped up spending at retailers and auto dealers, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday.

Solutions for divergent tastes

Wine choices in general and more specifically here in North Idaho continue to expand, notwithstanding some of the current supply disruptions from the implementation of initiative 1183 in neighboring Washington. As our choices expand it is only natural that our palates and desires to have new and different wines does too, resulting in shops like ours stocking more and more varietals, appellations and producers.

It's all about the wine

As the transition to synthetic closures on wine bottles whether they be the twist cap Stelvin, or any number of synthetic and even glass "corks" continues for many the debate still rages over the implications of a bottle sealed with something other than real cork. We have long felt that the lack of a cork closure does steal some of the ambience of opening a wine bottle but as this evolution continues what we have really found is it all comes down to what is in the bottle not what seals it.

Don't fall for this scam

I am extremely concerned that the citizens of this area will be targets, such as I was, for the latest in mail fraud scams. I did the necessary checking to find out how fraudulent this truly was, but have concerns others will not take the time to check out this offering, as right now money is tight for many and this looks like a way to earn some.

OPINION: Idaho Freedom Foundation misinforms about the education initiative

The ill-named Idaho Freedom Foundation, which essentially owns and operates the extremist branch of today’s Republican Party, wants to destroy the Gem State’s public school system. As recent as Aug. 8, IFF President Wayne Hoffman repeated his demand for the state to get out of the “education business.” That seems to be a tall order since the Idaho Constitution requires the Legislature to “maintain a general, uniform and thorough system of public, free common schools.” Hoffman claims our “school system is largely transforming into an indoctrination camp built not to teach students reading, writing, and arithmetic, but rather a center teaching them rioting, resistance, and race war.” It seems like Hoffman desperately needs a crash course on what dedicated teachers across Idaho are doing to educate our kids with the insufficient resources they receive from the Legislature.

Conservationists question Columbia Basin dam plan

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - In what is likely the final major hearing before a federal judge decides what must be done to make Columbia River dams safe for salmon, lawyers argued Monday over just how many salmon have to come back and whether that satisfies the Endangered Species Act.

Stolen plane, chalk-drawn feet: Is teen burglar back?

SEATTLE - A stolen airplane found in the San Juan Islands and chalk-outline feet drawn all over a burgled grocery store suggest that Washington's infamous teenage "barefoot burglar" is back at it.

Mortgage help continues in Idaho

When we reported here that homeowners in jeopardy of losing their homes may find some relief through the Emergency Home Owner's Loan Program (EHLP) we didn't think the money would last. After all, Idaho was one of only a handful of states that received funding and only enough to help around four hundred people.

Basement lots a highlight of Whiskey Flats in Post Falls

A basement for base price.

Housing price gains continue

No doubt you’ve seen the latest housing stats from the Associated Press and other sources. You may also have noticed that recent reports are from August and September. Locally our Coeur d’Alene Multiple Listing Service staff has already boiled down our October activity into digestible portions. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, inventory is still down, putting a damper on activity due to the difficulty of finding suitable housing for a number of folks.

Marty and Max: Discussing housing shortages and potential solutions

Estimates for housing supply shortage range from 4-6 million homes. Other data suggests that only 23% of listings were affordable to households earning a median income of $75k or lower.

You tell that boss to buy his own darn gift cards

A reader called to warn us that scammers are targeting working people, impersonating their bosses.

Economy faces challenges after strong 4Q growth

GDP grew at 3.1 percent in Oct-Dec quarter

WASHINGTON - Consumers helped boost economic growth in the final months of last year, but higher oil prices are threatening to steal some of that momentum this year.

The bigger picture

When we report statistical data as compiled by the Coeur d'Alene Multiple Listing Service, we generally are reporting on single family homes on lots under two acres in size. This is consistent with the national news about real estate most often reported and we want you to be able to see how we stand by comparison. There is far more to our real estate market which exceeded $735 million in sales as of the end of Sep-tember.

Steelworkers to expand strike to 2 BP refineries in Midwest

VOTE BUYING: Simple, effective

Vote buying occurs when a political party or candidate seeks to buy the vote of a voter in an upcoming election.

SCHOOLS: Give the portables to Charter

Coeur d’Alene School District has 50 portables to dispose of with the passage of the August 28th TAX Bond. In order for the district to begin building all the new gymnasiums in their plan, they will need to relocate those portable classrooms. I suggest they take them over to the Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy. I trust they will ensure rooms are safe for students, and not waste tax dollars.

Forest Service's land swap put on hold

LEWISTON (AP) - Officials with the Clearwater National Forest have put a proposed land exchange on hold while they consider whether it would be better to sell the property instead of trading it for public parcels.

Google wins permission to keep website in China

SAN FRANCISCO - Google won permission Friday to maintain its Web site in China and keep its toehold in the world's most populous nation after bowing to pressure to eliminate a virtual detour around the country's online censorship requirements.