Emma C. Miller, 96

Emma C. Miller passed away March 18, 2014, in Spokane Valley, Wash. Emma was born December 18, 1917, in Carlin Bay, ID. Her parents, Gus and Hattie Higgelke, came over from Germany and became farmers of alfalfa, wheat and various livestock. She was the middle child, having an older brother and a younger sister. Emma attended a one room school house with 40 students. She had fond memories of her mother teaching her sewing, needlecrafts, and cooking. Her mother had her own spinning wheel and everything was handmade. All of their stockings, hats and gloves were made with love by her mother. That was the main reason Emma always enjoyed knitting, sewing and crocheting in her spare time. One specialty that Emma loved was cooking delicious meals. After graduating from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1936, she left her family and went to New York City where she attended Culinary School. After graduating, Emma returned to Idaho and attended a community college for more cooking instruction.

Rachel M. Sigars, 93

Rachel M. Sigars passed away Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, at Hospice house with her daughter by her side. She was 93.

For the kids

Windermere associates clean up at Children's Village

Helping Children's Village

Risch: Presidential election is ‘anybody’s ball game’

U.S. Senator Jim Risch, R-Idaho, has seen his share of political races play out.

Dean Knudson, 83

Dean Knudson, formerly from Hayden Lake, Id.

Oil and wine

Right now most of our loyal readers are questioning that headline, what could the two possibly have to do with each other? It turns out that the rapid drop in oil prices - a holiday gift for many of us, resulting in lower fuel costs - will likely moderate wine pricing as well. While supply and demand move the oil markets, a lesser-known cause of falling commodity prices will likely help what consumers pay for wine. All commodity trades around the globe are settled and paid for in U.S. dollars. Right now the dollar is strong versus other major currencies, and when the dollar is strong, the prices of commodities like oil and gold will drop if all else is held constant.

Tourism: Canada a big question mark

The North Idaho tourism industry has long had a love affair with Canadians and their vacation funds. The Canadian dollar has been hurting for several years, but as the pandemic continues, the loonie has dropped even further, earning only 71 cents on the dollar across the border in the U.S.

'Annoyed': Austria's national lockdown dampens holiday mood

Political analysts say the Austrian government did not effectively communicate the importance of vaccines early enough

Time for a holiday

Travel increase predicted; study shows Idaho fuel use is up

For the past two Fourth of July holidays, Jessica Jackson and her family have cut travel costs, settling on backyard barbecues.

My turn: Gas, what's on everyone's mind

Recently, a story was published that higher gas prices should be blamed on the consumer. What narrow-minded thinking and certainly not understanding what really controls world gas pricing. Yes, 42 percent did vote blaming President Obama, because he certainly has helped fuel the recent escalating gas pricing with his vetoing the Canadian Shale Sands Oil pipeline to Texas, not allowing drilling in the Gulf, not allowing drilling on

The families of the Appellation Wine Company

Niven, Graff, Smith, Rosenthal - some of the families that are part of the Appellation Wine Company, a grouping of third and fourth generation grape growing families from the central coast of California that produce a wide ranging and delicious assortment of wines. Scott Woodward from AWC was in town this past weekend for a winemaker dinner at Scratch in Spokane, and a tasting here at the shop and it was a treat.

Sharing stories of dad

My dad buys a hat. He doesn’t need a hat and as long as I’ve known him, has never worn a hat. When I ask, “Dad, what are you doing?”, he replies, “I think I need a hat.” My wife and I snicker and laugh, wondering why a man with little money might spend $150 on an item of clothing that he doesn’t need nor will ever wear again.

An effortless New Year's Eve party? No problem!

It probably was a moment of weakness. You offered to host a New Year's Eve gathering, but - as usual - you lack the time and energy to pull together anything company-worthy.

CONSUMER GAL: Homographic hacking makes clicking on links dangerous

In our fast paced lives, hackers count on us not paying close attention when clicking on links.

Digital divide challenges Washington districts seeking equity in at-home learning

The coronavirus pandemic is posing some tough questions for school districts in Spokane and the rest of the nation.

Watch out for Amazon bogus charges

After last week’s report to readers about Amazon customers being targeted by scammers, I received a few more calls from local readers this week with communications they have received supposedly from Amazon.

Give great teachers a little boost

EXCEL Foundation fundraiser coming July 29 to the Hagadone home on Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Power Play

Tom and Patricia Power, owners of The Cellar, Sunshine Minting, purchase downtown Wiggett's Building

Kootenai County housing numbers getting better

Home sales increase 5 percent from previous year

COEUR d'ALENE - The numbers say it's better.

Sharp drop in U.S. homes lost to foreclosure