Rescue vehicles double

Sheriff's BearCat similar to Post Falls' MaxxPro Plus

COEUR d'ALENE - This week's delivery of the Ballistic Engineered Armored Response Counter Attack Truck, or BearCat, to the sheriff's office, makes it the second such vehicle now owned by Kootenai County law enforcement agencies.

FDA: Pregnant women should eat low-mercury seafood

Government advises women to eat more fish, but there won't be any labels or signs to show which is safest

WASHINGTON - Pregnant women are being advised by the government to eat more fish, but there won't be any labels or signs to let them know which fish have low mercury levels and are safest for dinner.

Bergdahl to takethe stand today

Officers stress dangers involved in search for soldier

SAN ANTONIO - The commanders of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl's platoon, company and battalion testified Thursday that his disappearance from his post in Afghanistan six years ago put a strain on their forces and put his fellow soldiers in danger.

Todd Hudson 1963-2017

Todd Hudson, 53

White supremacist group eyes Hayden Lake

Plans gathering in March

Aryan Freedom Network eyes Hayden Lake gathering

Trump hesitates on shutdown as Congress pursues aid

Trump hesitates on shutdown as Congress pursues aid

Trump hesitates on shutdown as Congress pursues aid

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump expressed qualms Monday about extending the current 15-day shutdown recommended by the federal government, even as his officials warned that the coronavirus crisis is deepening and Congress and the White House struggle to complete a nearly $2 trillion economic rescue package.

Mega-health deals bloom in July

Anthem bids $48B for Cigna

Fall arrivals

For us and for most consumers (judging by buying patterns), wine consumption has a seasonal element: more rose and white with bracing acidity in the spring and summer, full-bodied whites and bubbly as the leaves start to turn. Similarly with reds: lighter-bodied reds with lower oak profiles during the warm summer months but when there is a chill in the air, tastes shift to embrace fuller-bodied reds and, of course, Pinot Noir for those holiday meals.

Fed action not panacea for real estate

While it is true that the announcement of the Fed's intent to buy $40 billion of Mortgage Backed Securities was received well by Wall Street and interest rates pierced previous historic lows, consumers may not see much impact beyond this point. With several months of already low rates, lenders have been very busy. It is unlikely then, that they will be compelled to drastically lower these already low rates to entice more borrowers, especially with new fees for banks on the horizon.

What do new investors really need to know?

If you're starting out as an investor, you might be feeling overwhelmed. After all, it seems like there's just so much to know. How can you get enough of a handle on basic investment concepts so that you're comfortable in making well-informed choices?

Strong demand = no price cuts

Housing reports cause confusion

It is no wonder that people have such a hard time getting a grasp on the housing market. Reports this week, like many others, are mixed. On Tuesday the Associated Press issued a headline stating that. "U.S. home price gains slow in June." Aside from the fact that tomorrow is the first day of September and the article was created in late August this article caused concern for some.

Cheap money

Interest rates remain at record lows

COEUR d'ALENE - Times may be tough, but money is cheap. With interest rates remaining at record low levels, and expected to stay that way into 2012, consumers have one of their best opportunities in some time to buy a car or refinance a mortgage, thanks in part to super-low inflation.

Stores try to create shopping surge in final days

Discounts, gimmicks abound for consumers willing to spend

NEW YORK (AP) - You won't find uncommonly deep discounts, but you won't have to worry about finding something to buy, either. For the first time in three years, the Christmas season is looking brighter for stores and shoppers alike.

Yellen sworn in as Fed chair, succeeding Bernanke

First woman to lead Federal Reserve in its 100 years

Enduring gifts

It is the time of year when we all head out to find the best gift for our favorite clients, friends, family and all those who help us throughout the year — from personal trainers to hair stylists. Many times our thoughts and ideas turn to alcohol or other consumables as a gift. It would be odd for us to advise against buying wine, but one of the keys for any of us is to find a gift that endures. Wine and other consumables, for lack of a better description, get consumed! There are many gifts for the wine enthusiasts on our gift list that last beyond the bottle and will keep you in the forefront of your recipients thoughts throughout the year.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Natural talent

Many of you have met one of our most talented and hard-working distributor sales people, Kevin Olsonberg. We work with him a lot so naturally he is at many of our winemaker dinners and tastings with the wineries he represents. Many of you also know that he is a talented musician, a rock and roll and country music drummer. Kevin was nominated for a regional Grammy Award not long ago. With his passion and background, we often talk music, all kinds of music. Kevin “grew up” if you will, emulating many of the great jazz drummers, and given the choice I suspect would love to be drumming with a jazz group.

Safe haven

Fixing up seniors' homes to help them age in place

Smile! That teeth-whitening offer might be a scam

An employee of a local grocery store called me with a story I found hard to believe. It seems that a woman wearing scrubs, the clothing that staffs of doctors and dentists sometimes wear, was wandering around the food store, selling teeth whitening services. The reported offer was to sell an individual a coupon for $60 that would entitle the buyer to a discount of hundreds of dollars on their teeth whitening. The person peddling these coupons, by wearing medical attire, was clearly attempting to give the impression that they themselves were employed in the medical arts. I don’t know that they weren’t, but I have my doubts.