SPOILED: Sorry, but we are

As I read the opinions Oct. 17, two items struck me as how spoiled we are. First a cartoon of a boy telling his sister, who was online with Amazon, that dad said when he was a kid, they had to drive to the store to buy things. Second was an opinion/complaint of having to walk to the end of the driveway to get the paper in snow and ice rather than have it placed on the doorstep. I respect her at 70 having fear of falling.

CHINA: Mixed reviews for trip

My husband and I were in the first group of travelers to leave Coeur d'Alene on the China trip. We spent a night in Seattle and the actual trip started the next day when we were bused to the airport to land in Beijing, China many hours later. We arrived quite tired from all the sitting in very uncomfortable seats, which we were grateful to be out of.

Question, Persuade, Refer

Suicide prevention expert suggests ways to keep guns out of the wrong hands

Dr. Paul Quinnett is promoting a method of reducing gun violence that includes no arguments over what constitutes an "assault weapon," nor is there debate about whether to arm teachers.

School meal payments return with higher cost

Cd'A School Board approves prices after federal funding for free lunches ends

After a two-year hiatus from having to pay for school meals, parents in the Coeur d’Alene School District will be paying higher prices for their kids to eat breakfast and lunch at school. The school board approved the price increase Monday during a special meeting. Breakfast for elementary school students will now cost $1.90 and middle and high school students will pay $2.10. The lunch price for elementary school students is now $3.15 and $3.50 for middle and high school students. "If we don't use those prices, we would need to get the difference somehow, but not through our program," Coeur d'Alene School District Director of Nutrition Services Ed Ducar said Wednesday.

FDA cracks down on illegal diabetes remedies

Retail sales up 1% in June, easing fears of a recession

The solid figures bold well for the back-to-school shopping season, the second largest sales period behind the winter holidays

Kohl's will help you return Amazon orders

Beginning July 1, Kohl’s is launching an Amazon returns program nationwide. Why would Kohl’s do this? In May’s investor report, Kohl’s CEO admitted that sales were soft the first part of the year and she believes this initiative is a good way to get people into the brick-and-mortar stores to help reverse the downward trend in sales.

Really BIG Raffle open house set

The public will have the first opportunity to view the $250,000 grand prize home in the North Idaho College Really BIG Raffle at the first open house on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

Fish and Game starts stocking

For a good excuse to enjoy summer weather while soaking a line, look no further than local lakes stocked with over 7,000 10 to 12 inch rainbow trout through July in the Panhandle Region.

Sticky mess triggers new industry for local mom

Kristin Ahmer is riding the wave of being a mom and owning an expanding company.

HREI combats 'disturbing messages'

Says white supremacist group left posters, stickers in area

HREI battles racism

KCTFHR announces activities to counter hate

Following the arrest of 31 members of the white nationalist Patriot Front on June 11 in Coeur d’Alene, the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations has received an outpouring of requests from citizens for plans of action. The KCTFHR announced in a news release several upcoming activities aimed at promoting human rights as a counter to threats from hate groups.

Energy contracts put on hold

Pfizer buying spree continues with $5.4B hematology deal

Pfizer Inc.'s vaccine and treatment brought in more than $16 billion combined just in the recently completed second quarter.

Cure for college sticker shock

Families of college-bound students share a common illness: sticker shock. Sure, in-state tuition isn't bad, but add dorm, books, and other costs and parents are looking at a lifestyle change for four to six years. If junior wants out-of-state or private school options, things really start to look scary. Tuition alone at private schools can range from $26,000 per academic year to about $40,000. With one in college and one soon to follow, I'm shaking in my boots.

Decision time

States to decide whether to run their own health care exchanges

WASHINGTON - Nineteen states have turned down the Obama administration's invitation to run the new health insurance markets that will begin serving millions of uninsured Americans less than a year from now. That puts a huge task on the feds, a defining challenge for President Barack Obama's second term.

Retail sales jump as Americans defy inflation and rate hikes

Some of last month's retail sales gain probably reflected unusually warm weather

Cars: Here's one Gap you don't want to fall into

Next to your home, cars are often the largest purchase a consumer makes (hopefully not THE largest). Because that’s the case, I want to spend some time on this subject. I average at least five calls a week from local consumers with complaints relating to cars and trucks.

Game fee gets a warm reception

COEUR d'ALENE — A legislative proposal to create a new $5 charge to buy an annual adult resident hunting, fishing or trapping license in Idaho is on target with reducing depredation and increasing access.

Pour some sugar ... no!

New York City soda size rule eyed from coffee shops to clubs