ADVERTISING: Advertorial — GEORGE BALLING: Reaching up, dipping down

We just recently received an order from a client of ours to reload their wine cellar. “Cellar” may be overstating it. He basically just wanted to fill in the gaps in his collection that have evolved over the last year or so. This customer has one of the most sophisticated palates we know. He has lived and traveled all over the world. While he most always defers to us on wine choices, my sense is he knows far more than we and most of our wine professional friends know on the subject.

Marty and Max: Shadow demand

Home Buyers are ready to pounce at any opportunity. One mortgage lender’s perspective is there is so much pent-up demand that is simply waiting for any break in the market.

Idaho's medical marijuana border war

ON THE OREGON-IDAHO BORDER (AP) — Hurtling down I-84 with a bag of medical marijuana and no legal right to possess it, the 23-year-old Idaho man with the crooked grin drove out of Oregon, making a break for home.

Extended vehicle warranties might (or might not) be OK

If you’re considering a new vehicle purchase or made a recent purchase, here’s advice on extended warranties.

Apple's earnings fall despite rising iPhone sales

Consumer prices rise after 3 straight declines

WASHINGTON - A rise in the cost of gas drove consumer prices up last month by the most in nearly a year, but overall inflation remained tame.

TARIFFS: Hold on, folks

If you think Trump’s tariffs aren’t going to affect you, think again. The price of a new car could increase $5,800. The cost of washers, dryers and dishwashers already have increased 17 percent and televisions 25 percent. His tariffs on aluminum will even increase the cost of a Coke and a beer.

So far, most of tax cut is going down the gas tank

WASHINGTON - Americans are earning and spending more, but a lot of the extra money is going down their gas tanks. Gas prices have drained more than half the extra cash Americans are getting this year from a cut in Social Security taxes.

Average price up - inventory still down

It will come as no surprise to regular readers that our prediction a couple months ago has come to be.

'I love this job'

Del Simchuk adds personal touch to prices at St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho

Officially, his title is supervisor of furniture. But unofficially, the 65-year-old is the greeter. The negotiator. The jokester. The wise guy.

New Estuary Forest development set for release near Lake Pend Oreille

The signs of summer are already showing at the Dover Bay Waterfront Community on Lake Pend Oreille, including the upcoming release of the brand-new Estuary Forest neighborhood.

Why you need a Realtor

Often maligned and generally misunderstood, your Realtor should be an asset to you, be you buyer or seller. Many buyers and sellers choose to go it alone. Driving through neighborhoods, looking for signs and hoping to learn the fair price to pay, or to ask, for their property, some believe they will save money by eliminating the "middle man." Even more think that if they can work directly with the brokerage that has listed the property for sale, they can keep half the brokerage fee for themselves since, from their perspective, there is only one agent to pay for the transaction.

Keeping it local

Shoppers who visit Finan McDonald Clothing Company in The Coeur d'Alene Resort Plaza Shops know they're going to get quality items, fair prices and exceptional service.

A secondhand market takes off

Auto sales boom spawns a used car pool in China

GUANGZHOU, China - As car enthusiasts converge on the annual Guangzhou auto show, few have anything except a shiny new set of wheels in mind. But explosive growth that transformed China into the world's largest auto market is also giving life to a new industry here: used cars.

Education Briefs

Storm adds uncertainty to strong holiday travel demand

The heaviest snow is expected in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, according to the National Weather Service, and frigid wind will be fierce across the country’s mid-section

Commissioners debate Justice Center expansion

After a tense Monday night meeting where Kootenai County commissioners sparred over the cost of the ongoing Justice Building expansion, the board will decide today how to fund the capital project — or whether to halt it entirely.

Hunters can get hunter education certification online

And be eligible to buy a hunting license

Hunter ed online

Grower wines

One of the many recent trends in the wine industry has been the appeal of "Grower Champagne." This is champagne produced by the same folks that grow the grapes. We have tasted many great ones from LaSalle, Copinet and others. Non-grower champagnes are typically the larger producers like Veuve Clicquot where the grapes are purchased from other vineyards and the winery only makes the "bubbly."

Uruguay approves first national market for legal pot