FAST FIVE Briana Francis is piecing together the perfect Fourth of July Parade

Introducing Briana Francis, a dynamic 26-year-old who is rapidly advancing in her role as program coordinator at the Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber.

MY TURN: Kootenai County Public Service Announcement special attention: Washington criminals

Reservation Confirmation: Kootenai Sheriff Bed and Breakfast

Fourth of July is upon us and it is no surprise that many of our arrestees will come from the state of Washington. I have a responsibility to advise Washington criminals that Idaho laws are much different than those in Washington. Here are the top 10 things a criminal should know before bringing unlawful behavior into Kootenai County.

Movers & Shakers

Movers & Shakers

First Idaho Lemonade Day coming to Kootenai County

Our goal is to register 100 youth who will launch new businesses across Kootenai County on a single day.

Supreme Court allows cities to enforce bans on homeless people sleeping outside

The 9th Circuit decision had governed nine states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

Local karate team wins in Las Vegas

“I cannot tell you how proud I am of these young ladies," Siegfried said. "Saydie is a 14-year-old orange belt and Taylor is a 13-year-old yellow belt. These belts are beginner belts and not yet intermediate ranks. Black belts are considered experts. In a strange turn of events, the girls competed against two adult female black belts. Saydie and Taylor won first place with a synchronized sword form called 'Katana.' It is a stunning accomplishment for such young martial artists to have achieved. One of the mottos on the wall at our studio is, 'Amateurs practice until they get it right, professionals practice until they can’t get it wrong.' Saydie and Taylor definitely gave a professional performance."

THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Rivalries are still a big deal — even after rivals run away

Schulz is right. Rivalries ARE a big deal.

Coeur d'Alene combats 'hate crimes'

New proposed ordinance 'will enable city to prosecute racially motivated crimes'

A city report said, "The criminalization of this behavior will enable the city to prosecute racially motivated crimes, leading to separate charges and enhanced penalties in appropriate cases."

CLN board appoints new trustee

Karen Campbell selected over Ron Hartman

The Community Library Network board appointed and swore in a new trustee during Thursday's special meeting. Karen Campbell of Hayden was selected in a 3-1 vote to fill the board vacancy left by longtime board member Katie Blank, who resigned June 16. Campbell was chosen over one other nominee, Ron Hartman of Kootenai County.

Supreme Court allows emergency abortions in Idaho, for now

After the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling Thursday allowing Idaho hospitals to provide emergency abortions — for now, under narrow constraints — the debate over abortion access in Idaho reached downtown Coeur d’Alene.

First application deadline for 'Miracle on Britton' homes closes July 15

Homeownership opportunities to benefit local middle-income workers; final deadline Oct. 1

The vision to provide homeownership opportunities for local middle-income workers is beginning to take shape. The first application window for "Miracle on Britton" homes closes July 15. Construction on 28 homes, which will be built on Britton Road off Greensferry Road in Post Falls and priced from $290,000-$399,000, is expected to begin early this fall.

MY TURN: Ten Commandments should be displayed in schools

Wow! Every time Jim Jones has a column in The Press, I have to decide if I want to read it or not. Like his name likeness, Jim Jones tries to feed us his Kool-Aid of poison negative far-left messages like his latest attack on the Louisianna Governor signing into law requiring the “Ten Commandments” must be displayed in every public-school classroom in his state. Jones fears the Idaho Legislators will choose to pass a similar bill in 2025; I sure hope they do!

Free Movies under the Stars series returns July 5

Films to be shown on Christ the King lawn

Christ the King Lutheran Church has announced the lineup for its 2024 First Fridays: Movies Under the Stars free summer movie series.

OPINION: Unity

“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.” — Antoine de Saint Exupery

FUTURE OF THE FAIR: Please attend town hall

There is nothing more important to me right now than making sure our fairgrounds remain in their current location and we, as a community, can plan for its future. Our fairgrounds are a North Idaho Gem for sure, and the events held each week throughout the year are extremely important to our economy and community.

CLOCKS: Who’s got the time?

Did every business and bank in Kootenai County resent the few pennies it takes to run a battery-operated clock that they had to remove all of them? It is insane.

LIBRARIES: Democracy shelved at CLN board meeting

At the June 24 special meeting of the Community Library Network board, trustees debated filling the vacancy left by Trustee Katie Blank — as if her depth of knowledge and commitment to the community could ever be replaced. With 100% of the board endorsed by the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, they’ve forgotten that a quality board thrives on diverse perspectives. Instead, their purity tests ensure we’re stuck with carbon copies of their nationalist principles.

ELECTION: Vote for this country’s future

For many years, it was so subtle and was only seen as a far in the future threat to this country’s future. Over the last few years, it has become more prevalent. I will try to give an account of the Modus Operandi taking place over the past few years.

Favorite things about the Silver Valley: A sense of community

Sometimes our favorite things aren’t things at all, they might be intangible concepts like ideas or feelings. In the Silver Valley, the most prevalent intangible is its sense of community.

OPINION: Data expert debunks Trump’s election claims

So, you still think that the 2020 presidential election was “rigged” and that former President Trump should have been in the White House all along. Perhaps you believe Trump when he continues to insist that he won the election by a wide margin.