A rate hike in the future?

WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve cited an improving economy Wednesday as it ended its landmark bond-buying program and pointed to gains in the job market - a key condition for an eventual interest rate hike.

Market still improved

Sales of bank owned and short sale properties continued their decline through the first quarter of the year. Our year to date sales of foreclosed properties as of the end of March in 2013 were 28 percent higher than this year. Short sales - where a seller sells for less than is owed without going to foreclosure - are down 24 percent.

Put years back on your life

I cannot turn on a TV or read a news article without seeing the latest “magic pill” promising to bring me weight loss, increase my energy, and ignite my sex drive. The vast amount of misinformation on healthy aging makes it hard for anyone to know what to believe and who to trust.

Leonard Riggio, who forged a bookselling empire at Barnes & Noble, dead at 83

Leonard Riggio, a brash, self-styled underdog who transformed the publishing industry by building Barnes & Noble into the country’s most powerful bookseller before his company was overtaken by the rise of Amazon.com, has died at age 83.

Appreciation still growing

November sales statistics continue to show stability in North Idaho real state. Our staff has compiled our year to date results as compared to last year and we still are seeing improvement in this, the first year that we have surpassed 2006 figures for number of homes sold.

CEOspeak: Health care woes and ways to get better

Not only are Jon Ness, Mike Baker and Rick Rasmussen the leaders of their local health care organizations, but each represents a different sector of the medical field.

Demand up for Dirne

63 percent of services go toward uninsured clients

COEUR d'ALENE - As Ruby Turner picked up her prescription meds on Thursday afternoon, she fell easily into the usual small talk with Dirne Community Health Center staff.

High energy prices send Europe's businesses, homes reeling

Spiking energy prices are raising utility bills from Poland to the United Kingdom

Medicare pays doctors to coordinate seniors' chronic care

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

A friend of mine is a RN in an emergency room in a busy hospital in a warm, sunny state south of here. He came to visit us this summer and told us of the confusion of so many people upon coming into their ER. When asked upon check-in what their insurance coverage was for the visit, their quick reply was, "Well, of course, Obamacare."

Arts and entertainment happenings

Nightlife and cultural events in and around Kootenai County

"The Baron's Daughter": 7 p.m., Christian Center School, 3639 W. Prairie Ave., Hayden. Adults/$5, $3/students and children 3 and older, available at the door.

Avista, KEC reach short-term power deal

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission is approving a short-term power purchase agreement between Avista Utilities and a landfill gas generating facility south of Coeur d'Alene owned by Kootenai Electric Cooperative.

Park place

Cd'A considers buying 7 acres above area lakes

COEUR d'ALENE - The goal is to create another Tubbs Hill-type recreation area for the public.

Preserving the prairie: County personnel express need for action

Rathdrum Prairie series, part three

Last of three parts

Panel OKs Avista natural gas plan

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has accepted a plan by Avista Utilities to meet customer demand for natural gas over the next 20 years.

Brokers simplify, confuse health exchange shopping

This month's glitch-filled rollout of the health insurance marketplaces created by federal law is a business opportunity for brokers and agents, but regulators warn that it also opened the door for those who would seek to line their pockets by misleading consumers.

August discount on second elk tags through Fish and Game

Throughout August, unsold nonresident elk tags will be discounted to $299 (plus $1.75 vendor fee) when purchased as second tags through the month of August. Starting Sept. 1, these nonresident elk tags will be available as second tags at the regular price while supplies last.

The latest buzz: Coffee saves lives

Lakes to buy defibrillator with drink sales

Shopping apps offer cash back at the grocery store

Arts and entertainment happenings

Nightlife and cultural events in and around Kootenai County

The Diviners: 7 p.m., Coeur d'Alene High School Theatre Department production, CHS Fahringer Auditorium, 5530 N. Fourth St. $8/adults, $6/students and seniors, $5/CHS students with ASB card. Buy tickets online, www.chstheater.org, by phone, (208) 769-2999, or at the door one hour before curtain.