Make no little plans

Museum of North Idaho wants, waits for new facility

They have the construction designs. They have storage space filled with artifacts.

Leaking Siberian ice raises a 'tricky' climate issue

Weather Gems

This past week, David Clark sent me this interesting Yahoo news story entitled, "Leaking Siberian Ice Raises a 'Tricky' Climate Issue."

St. Maries ousted from tourney

MERIDIAN — St. Maries rallied late in the fourth quarter, but could not overcome a 33-19 deficit in a 43-37 loss to end its run in the 3A state tournament Friday at Meridian High.

California drought has no end in sight

Weather Gems

While water-starved residents of California did certainly appreciate this past week's early April rains, I'm afraid that it was the case of "far too little" moisture, "far too late" in the rainy season to alleviate the worst drought in the Golden State in modern times.

Today is Groundhog Day; will we see an early spring?

Weather Gems

Many people in the blizzard-wracked areas of New England are asking, "when does spring get here?" Well, today is Ground-hog Day. The world's most famous groundhog of all time, Punxsutawney Phil, the Pennsylvania woodchuck, will be making his annual appearance. Each year, he is hauled out of his fake tree stump on Gobbler's Knob, about 2 miles east of town, every Feb. 2 at precisely 7:25 a.m. to see if he can see his shadow. The town celebrates this event with a festive atmosphere of music, food and a lot of 'spirits.'

The inspiring story of an Idaho school district

The New Plymouth School District has all the reasons for having low reading scores, with a high poverty rate and limited resources.

More extreme weather seen across the country

Weather Gems

Our pattern of Wide Weather 'Extremes' continues across the globe. Here in the Inland Northwest, the first 12 days of May were the driest in recorded history at many stations. We finally received some much-needed rain showers on Wednes-day, but most precipitation totals were less than .30 inches.

The write idea

Authors urge students to take up the pen

I'LL DO IT TOMORROW …

"Never do tomorrow what you can do today. Procrastination is the thief of time. Collar him!"

It’s five – er, 11 – o’clock somewhere

The three-day booze fest that marked last weekend (shout-out to ER staff and first responders, who just hate working the Fourth) is as good an excuse as any to consider our drinking habits.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Idaho Wine: An emerging region making its mark

Idaho may not be the first state that springs to mind for vino fans. But with modern winemaking dating back to the 19th century long before powerhouses like Washington and Oregon, Idaho is rapidly emerging from its neighbors’ shadows as a rising western region to watch. Though prohibition nearly eradicated the state’s early industry, it wasn’t long before pioneering producers reopened their doors and vineyards in the 1970s, paving the way for a reinvigorated proliferation of wineries over the last 20 years.

Words with Wasden

Idaho attorney general follows law, not political winds

Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden stopped by The Press on Friday

Canyon Elementary celebrates legacy of hands-on education

While it may be a surprise to many that a school as small as Canyon Elementary School would be at the forefront of technology, it’s not surprising why Idaho Gov. Brad Little would be supportive of their efforts.

Are geo-engineers 'playing God' with our weather (Part II)?

Weather Gems

I've had a tremendous response to last week's column on 'CHEMTRAILS,' the probably toxic spraying in the upper-level stratosphere done in recent years in a combined effort by geo-engineers and the governments of Canada, the U.S. and many NATO countries to supposedly halt "runaway global warming that's killing our planet." (Their opinion, not mine. I'm merely quoting various sources.)

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Aquamarine

Aquamarine healing properties are some of the most cherished benefits brought to us from the crystal kingdom.

Are global climate changes caused by cycles of cosmic rays?

Weather Gems

Ever since Henrik Svensmark explained his theory concerning the connection between cosmic rays and the formation of clouds in 1996 in Copen-hagen, Denmark, I've received at least 100 emails and letters on the possible 'dawn of the cosmic ray era' in climate science.

Wilderness lakes offer escapes from the masses

BEND, Ore. (AP) - With so many recreation-minded visitors descending on Central Oregon this summer, I'm almost hesitant to point this out: Besides Sparks, Elk, Cultus and other popular, crowded, bustling lakes, there are hundreds of named and unnamed wilderness lakes for the taking.

Honor original Easton purpose

There has been a great deal of discourse over the proposed sale of Camp Easton in exchange for replacement property located at Windy Bay on the opposite shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene. Much of the discussion has been focused on the relative benefits of each of the two properties, and the risks inherent in relying on Discovery Land (i.e. Gozzer Ranch) to fund the endowment and to fully perform their obligation to build a state of the art Boys Scout camp with exceptional swimming and water sports areas, shooting ranges, nature preserves, and all of the other features currently enjoyed at Camp Easton. I am currently a Scoutmaster for a local troop, and have attended summer camps at Camp Easton numerous times. While I don't believe the proposed property can even come close to matching the attributes of Camp Easton, and I have serious reservations about Gozzer Ranch's ability to deliver on all of its promises, the focus of this discussion should be centered instead on the governing principles of integrity, honor and trust.

Month-by-month, March-September spring and summer of 2012 North Idaho weather outlooks

Weather Gems

‘It’s a mess’

Years of low jobless rates left Idaho Department of Labor unprepared