Bigger, better, safer

Safety Fest of the Great Northwest is back and even bigger this year, offering about 50 free classes on safety and health in the workforce, community and at home.

Forking it over

Higher gas costs push U.S. consumer spending up

Turkey time treat

Gas prices decrease in time for holiday travel

Why oil's price is down, and what it means for consumers

NEW YORK - The price of oil has fallen by nearly half in just six months, a surprising and steep plunge that has consumers cheering, producers howling and economists wringing their hands over whether this is a good or bad thing.

Land without a use

Cd'A prepares to take possession of former BNSF land near river

COEUR d'ALENE - While the details have shifted, the big picture remains the same.

Fueling farm-state reverberations?

Latest US proposal for ethanol could have political fallout

Nelson a charming getaway

Need a weekend getaway? Already done Seattle, Ellensburg, and Glacier National Park? Then head north.

OPINION: Risch breaks with Trump on Ukraine

Don’t get Idaho Sen. Jim Risch started on Ukraine. On second thought, do. That is, if you want to see energy, passion and a dose of common sense. Risch, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, turned a breakout session of the recent Aspen Security Forum into quite a show, and received some generous applause from global leaders in the audience.

Affordable housing project christened

Habitat for Humanity opens six more home-ownership doors

Using a "land-trust" system, Habitat for Humanity can ensure affordable, entry-level housing for lower-income residents, for generations to come.

Gas pump prices at record high on supply concerns

Americans aren't likely to find much relief from high prices at the gas pump as they go about paying their post-holiday bills.

Alice M. Floyd, 88

Alice M. Floyd was born March 2, 1924, in Butte, Mont., to Erwin and Katherine Cooke.  Alice moved to Spokane and graduated from North Central High School, after which she served in the U.S. Navy as a WAVE during WWII where she met and married her husband, Sam. She lived in Washington D.C. area for 40 years raising four sons before returning to Spokane.  Alice has lived at Heritage Place in Coeur d’Alene for the past 12 years.  Alice passed away Sept. 1, 2012, at Pinewood Nursing Care. She is survived by thre sons; Ronald, Robert and Sam, all of Virginia. She was preceded in death by her son, Richard. She also leaves behind three grandchildren, Jonathon, Anthony and Shannon, and one great grandchild Robert, and niece Joyce Brockhoff and family. She cherished the friendship and kindness of Diantha, Margi and Kathy. No service is planned at this time. Please visit her online memorial at www.belltowerfuneralhome.com.

Ageless buddies

World War II veterans, ages 96 and 100, connected via Friendship Corps — and do they have stories to tell

DALTON GARDENS — At 96, Marty Martell has found the perfect friend to hang with — a fellow World War II veteran. But Martell said he prefers to do the driving.

Let’s get the party started, neighborhoods

Once upon a time, Americans didn’t need corporate sponsorships to pull off a big Independence Day bash.

Mom passed out; car running; toddler in back

POST FALLS — Police are praising an alert passerby who reported an unconscious woman inside a parked, running vehicle with the driver's door open and a 13-month-old in the back seat late Wednesday night.

Drug overdoses skyrocket in Washington state amid COVID

SEATTLE (AP) — More people in Washington state died of drug overdoses

CARE: Only kicks in late

Rationed care is here. Grace Fletcher asked that question, sort of, in her letter Sept. 22.

Movie premiere to benefit youth ski programs tonight

KELLOGG - Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg will celebrate winter with a debut of Warren Miller's Ticket to Ride tonight at 7.

Bernanke: Congress must stimulate hiring and growth

JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. (AP) - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has a message for Congress: Do more to stimulate hiring and growth - or risk delaying the economy's return to full health.

Finding wine on vacation

Mary and I just returned from a bit of time off, we were fortunate enough to be vacationing in some relatively remote islands. We were joined by friends and family and had all gone together on a condominium rental that afforded us the chance to have some of our meals prepared there. Well, as these things go, tough to have a nice dinner at “home” without some wine to go with it. The trick for all wine consumers though is finding wine when away from our “home base” that we will like and fits within our budgets. Even when travelling domestically you can still face challenges when looking for your favorites.

The right wine club for you

Regardless of where you are in your wine consuming journey a wine club can offer many benefits. The biggest question for most consumers is how to pick the right wine club. In fact, the importance and impact of this question can’t be understated and takes on a very personal aspect. Wine clubs come in many “shapes and sizes.” Many differ based on their strategy, and there are big differences between winery wine clubs and those run by retailers. Here are some of the points to consider and pitfalls to avoid when choosing your wine club.