North Idaho innovators chart next steps

RATHDRUM ­— They’re the Gem State’s first high school students to earn a STEM diploma. Four will end their senior year of high school with an associate’s degree from North Idaho College already in hand. They collectively racked up an impressive half a million dollars in scholarships from 18 universities. They’re the first high school graduating class from North Idaho STEM Charter Academy. On Monday, these seven local students told the world where they’d bring their Idaho drive, work ethic and ingenuity.

In only a few places

Huge wine lists or wine selections can be too much and become just a jumble of information, and without knowledge and guidance to just the right bottle can be overwhelming and of little use to the average wine consumer. In only a few places though when you have the guidance of a truly talented and committed wine professional they can be a wonderful exploration, and in short a blast!

The current 'global weirding' weather will persist

Weather Gems

The Dec. 29 issue of Time magazine, page 46, predicted "CLIMATE STRANGE" ahead in the next several years, a pattern of WIDE WEATHER 'EXTREMES' that I've been forecasting for decades in the Coeur d'Alene Press and other sources.

The recent volcanic eruption in Indonesia did not cool our climate

Weather Gems

Many of our subscribers have asked me lately if the recent huge eruption of Mt. Sangeang Api in Indonesia would cool the planet like the massive eruption 23 years ago in June 1991 of Mt. Pinatubo in the Phil-ippines that sent global temperatures plummeting by more than a full degree Fahrenheit.

Much of the pollution we see is 'natural' in origin

Weather Gems

One of my clients from the Midwest asked me this week how 'natural' pollution affects the climate, particularly in regards to global warming.

Another scientist weighs in: Glaciers are expanding again

Our friend, Robert Felix, author of the popular non-fiction book, "Not by Fire, But by Ice," posted on his Web site this past week, www.iceagenow.com, that:

What the heck is a 'derecho'? Hold onto your hat

I promised several Cd'A Press subscribers, including Ken Royal of Athol, Dennis Williams of Hayden and Betty Larsen of Post Falls, that I would attempt in this article to give an accurate description of the meteorological phenomenon known as a 'derecho' (deh-REY-cho).

LEGION BASEBALL: Lums drop opener at state in extra innings

Coeur d'Alene 17U squad wins state A title

NAMPA — Brandon Gay had struggled in his first two at-bats in Sunday’s state class A American Legion baseball championship game for the Coeur d’Alene Lumberman 17-and-under squad.

At the car wash

Metro Express Car Wash opens Monday

Business bits for March 13

New York City, New Orleans and San Francisco won't 'wash away' anytime soon

Weather Gems

Al Gore and others who lead the anthropogenic global warming (AGW) movement insist that manmade global warming will "significantly raise sea levels around the world later this 21st Century."

We are living in a period of wild weather 'extremes'

Weather Gems

Since 1968, we've been in a global cycle of WIDE WEATHER 'EXTREMES' that's been the strongest such cycle in more than 1,000 years, since the days of Leif Ericsson, the mighty Norse Chieftain.

Idaho: Gem of civility Entire Legislature earns state award

COEUR d’ALENE — The National Institute for Civil Discourse has dubbed Idaho America’s most civil state in the union.

Boise County sheriff's deputy faces drunken driving charge

North Idaho Fair and Rodeo Foundation scholarships available

The North Idaho Fair and Rodeo Foundation will be awarding eight scholarships, totaling $8,500, to area youth at its seventh annual Cowboy Ball on Friday, April 6.

LEGION BASEBALL: Prairie ousted in 2 at state

LEWISTON - The Prairie Cardinals' season ended Thursday in a loser-out game at the Class AA American Legion baseball tournament on Thursday at Harris Field, which saw the Twin Falls Cowboys beat Prairie 11-1.

Lumbermen roll to Area A title

Runner-up Prairie also headed to state

TRAIL, British Columbia - They had already qualified for the state AA American Legion baseball tournament, but winning on Sunday was important to the Coeur d'Alene Lumbermen.

Cyclists pay their share

Survey: Bicyclists more than cover transportation costs

Advocates for non-motorized travel in Idaho say a recently completed survey helps debunk the idea that bicyclists contribute less than motorists to transportation funding.

Prescribed burns in Montana felt in North Idaho

Ash, wildfire smoke experienced throughout region

The ash and wildfire smoke North Idaho experienced the past couple days is from prescribed burns in the Kootenai National Forest.

Aquifer protection approved: Some say it doesn't go far enough to protect water supply

Kootenai County Commissioners approved an ordinance Thursday that aims to protect the county’s drinking water supply. Commissioners Bill Brooks and Leslie Duncan voted to adopt the ordinance that restricts septic density over the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer to one dwelling per 5 acres. Chris Fillios was not present for the meeting. “I don’t think there’s any question that the mass majority of people are in favor of this,” Brooks said.