
Commission OKs townhouse design in Coeur d'Alene
57-unit project would overlook Spokane River
The townhouse project overlooking the Spokane River would go on a three-acre strip of vacant property on the south side of Lacrosse Avenue and west of Northwest Boulevard. It includes the abandoned right-of-way of the Spokane International Railroad. It is being proposed by Blue Fern Development based in Redmond, Wash., which is the same company with townhouse plans for the Roosevelt Inn property.

March heats up in Coeur d'Alene
But temperatures expected to fall to 30s by weekend
Coeur d'Alene sets weather record
Social Security changes raise worries
SSA trying to calm concerns of beneficiaries
In a press release it said it is taking steps to enhance the security of its services by implementing stronger identity verification procedures. It said in-person identity proofing for people unable to use their personal my Social Security account for certain services will be effective April 14.

Roosevelt Inn buyer proposing another Coeur d'Alene townhome project
Hearing with Design Review Commission slated Thursday
The proposed units would be three stories, with some having a livable attic above the third story. The units would range in size from about 1,000 square feet to 2,350 square feet.

Coeur d'Alene HOA hopes to get goats
HOA hoping critters can clear steep slope of fire hazard
Maintaining the property near Fred Meyer has long been a problem due to extreme slopes. A city report said many ideas have been considered, but none were deemed feasible without putting the safety of landscape company employees at risk.

Coeur d'Alene Fire Department's bond campaign heating up
Open houses, presentations, new website offer info on $16.4M initiative going to voters in May
The $16.4 million, 10-year bond will go to voters May 20. Funds will go to repair out-of-date facilities, replace aging fleet and equipment and remodel, expand and upgrade three stations.

Spring shoppers, Coeur d'Alene wants you
Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association offers weekend getaway, prizes
Entry to win the giveaway is simple, all you need to do is shop at any of the participating businesses Downtown Coeur d’Alene, now through April 28 and submit your entry through the QR code near the store checkout counter

Life is better with a few good friends
My wife kids me that I don’t have any friends, to which I respond, “I do, too. I have three.” She seems suspicious of this claim. To prove it, I name them: Don Witulski, Keith Erickson and Mike McLean.

Addicted to news in Coeur d'Alene
Sharon Ostrom has been a Press subscriber for 74 years
Yet, every morning, with the exception of Monday, Ostrom eagerly retrieves The Press from her front porch and retreats to her living room. There, she flips through the pages, reading about the local happenings, checking the sports section and lifestyles, not quite so interested in the national or world events.

Coeur d'Alene saving about $400K from unfilled positions
But openings can strain staff, affect service, says finance director
The reduced payroll spending has also reduced the city’s need to dip into the general fund, Ebner said.
Coeur d'Alene, KEC reach 35-year deal
City received nearly $450K in franchise fees last year
On June 1, 1993, the ciyt adopted Ordinance No. 2519, which amended the agreement to increase the franchise fee to 5 percent (5%) of KEC’s gross operating revenues, with the fee in excess of 3% designated for the maintenance of streets and alleys.

Coeur d'Alene downtown survey to begin
Possible historic district designation would not affect property rights, say officials
“Property rights are pretty much sacred here,” said Walter Burns, chair of the city’s Historic Preservation Commission. “We're recognizing that. We’re not looking to make changes or do anything that would encumber anyone’s property right.”
Hate flyers found in Coeur d'Alene
HREI leader urges people to call police, destroy them
It was sealed in plastic with the statement, “These flyers were distributed randomly without malicious intent.” It contained a sticker that referenced White Lives Matter. It also included references to Bible verses.

Tubbs Hill a major attraction
Nearly 400,000 visited popular hiking trails
David Taylor, president of the Tubbs Hill Foundation, said 2024 was a good year and once again, the numbers bear this out.

Ironman: Old man versus the kids
I am excited, and yet, I also have reservations about swimming 1.2 miles, biking 56 and running 13.1. The primary concern is I don’t do a lot of swimming or biking, which explains why I am slow at both.

Mike Delaney will lead St. Patrick's Day Parade in Coeur d'Alene
Mike Delaney will lead St. Patrick's Day Parade in Coeur d'Alene on Saturday
Delaney’s roots landed him the title of grand marshal for Saturday’s 20th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade presented by the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association in partnership with ICCU.

A taste of spring in Coeur d'Alene
Home and Garden Show begins three-day run at fairgrounds
North Idaho Home and Garden Show presented by the North Idaho Building Contractor’s Association run noon to 6 today, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Coming soon: Prairie Medical Campus
Kootenai Health, MultiCare plan micro-hospital, medical offices in Post Falls
Phase one of the Prairie Medical Campus will include a 25,000-square-foot micro-hospital with an emergency department, imaging services, and rooms for overnight patient stays. It will also include a 65,000-square-foot multi-story medical office building that will initially be home to an ambulatory surgery center, clinic offices and lab services.

Planning and Zoning advances Coeur d'Alene's Coeur Terre development
Kootenai County Land Company was seeking the rezone of about 14 acres from R-17 to C-17 to accommodate a mix of commercial and residential uses within the northwestern portion of Coeur Terre; rezone .8 of an acre from R-3 to C-17L to reflect the relocation of the city well site; and rezone about half an acre from C-17L to R-3 to reflect that a well site is no longer planned at this location (test drilling was unsuccessful), instead allowing for single-family residential use.

Interruptions mark Coeur d'Alene meeting
Man in audience interjects comments as police chief gives presentation
When White finished and returned to his seat, the man walked over and began speaking to White, who invited him to continue the conversation outside, which they did.

Public hearing Tuesday on Coeur Terre requests
Amendment sought by developer worries some residents
A public hearing on the request is scheduled before the Planning and Zoning Commission at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Coeur d’Alene Public Library Community Room.

Kootenai, Shoshone housing prices continue to rise
Median price, sales, listings all up
According to the Coeur d'Alene Regional Realtors, the median single-family home price in Kootenai County was $549,620, a 10% increase over one year ago.

The favorite child debate lives on
Rumor has it that my mom, the youngest of 10 raised in the Highwood Mountains in Montana, was the favored one of her parents. For sure, a relative told me, the most spoiled one. Got whatever she wanted. I’m sure she deserved it.

I-90, U.S. 95 interchange design gets mixed reviews
I-90, U.S. 95 interchange design gets mixed reviews
Schramm was among a steady stream of visitors to the open house at the Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn to get public feedback on its top design for a Single-Point Urban Interchange at the congested area.

Coeur d'Alene City Council greenlights $16.4M bond election for fire department
$16.4 million bond to fund fire department needs will go to voters May 20
Fire apparatus fleet and equipment is pegged at $10.1 million, while facility upgrades and remodels are pegged at $6.3 million.

'A false spring' in Coeur d'Alene
Climatologist says March could go out like a lion
Harris said it hit 58 degrees on Thursday, just 2 degrees of the record for Feb. 28 set in 1941, and climbed to 57 on Friday, again just short of the record high of 60 degrees.

Boris opened the door to the world of chess
Spassky was nearly as brilliant. His was a household name among those who who grew up playing chess. It was a game that received scant attention in the U.S. until Fischer, a defiant, angry man who disappeared not long after his big win, put it in the spotlight. The 1993 movie about chess prodigy, “Searching for Bobby Fischer,” remains a favorite.

KCRCC, Gookin settle lawsuit
Gookin said his insurance will pay $25K
Gookin previously described the lawsuit as “obviously an election stunt.” The central committee’s complaint was filed three weeks before the general election in which Gookin was running to retain his city council seat and required an answer by Election Day.

Free ADU plans aim to boost worker housing in Kootenai County
Can speed up process, reduce costs
Accessory dwelling units are allowed in Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Post Falls, and Kootenai County, but Miller said other municipalities are considering allowing ADUs to address a lack of attainable housing in Kootenai County.

Economists see ups, downs in Idaho's road ahead
Economists see ups, downs for Idaho's road ahead
Wolkenhauer and Dr. John Mitchell, who taught economics at Boise State University, gave their annual economic outlook at The Coeur d’Alene Resort.

Ironman 70.3 Coeur d'Alene run course tops global survey
Ironman 70.3 Coeur d'Alene run course tops global survey
The Ironman 70.3 Coeur d’Alene run course was at the top of the list when Ironman announced Thursday the 2024 Ironman and Ironman 70.3 Athletes’ Choice Awards winners.

Museum of North Idaho comes home
Museum of North Idaho sets grand opening for April 18
It’s been a long road, five years, since the historic J.C. White House was moved from Eighth Street and Sherman Avenue in 2019 so it could house the Museum of North Idaho.

Gymnasts find their footing in Coeur d'Alene
Great West Gymfest attracts 1,500 athletes nationwide
The 24th annual event has 36 teams and about 1,500 athletes, ages 6 to 18, from across the nation. It’s so popular the field was full in September

Coeur d'Alene concert cancelation fallout continues
City may consider new language in vendor contracts after Live After 5 troubles
Several vendors said during a recent meeting in Coeur d’Alene that they paid Tyler Davis of Davis Enterprises Inc. to be vendors at Live After 5 in the summer of 2024 at McEuen Park and didn't receive refunds when the series was canceled.

Bridge proposed over troubled Coeur d'Alene intersection questioned
U.S. 95, I-90 interchange project open house set for March 5
The ITD has scheduled an open house on the I-90 and US-95 interchange project from 4 to 7 p.m. March 5 at the Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn.

As I-90 is set to expand, Coeur d'Alene neighbors worry about noise
Residents express worries about noise from interstate widening
Erika Bowen, ITD manager of the I-90 widening project from Highway 41 to U.S. 95t in Coeur d’Alene, said construction is scheduled to start this summer and take about four years top complete.

Coeur d'Alene councilors like bond survey results
Amount could be set in two weeks, go to voters in May
A home with a taxable value of $426,612 after the $125,000 homeowners’ exemption would have a projected cost of $68.86 a year, or $5.74 a month, according to figures presented to the City Council on Tuesday.

Canopy Village's not-so-sudden 'Impact'
Report highlights successes, challenges in 2024
In its first year of family support services, 184 at-risk children were referred to the center, with “hard behaviors in school” and “risky decisions” cited as reasons why.

Coeur d'Alene food bank sees sharp rise in demand
CAP food bank seeing record numbers of clients
The rising cost of rent and inflation that’s driven up prices at the grocery stores are primarily to blame, he said, as many people are having a tougher time paying and having enough money for food.

Snow much fun
20 inches has fallen in February already
Snow keeps coming down, with more on the way, says Cliff Harris

Coeur d'Alene woman wins pontoon at Hagadone Marine Group's boat expo
Coeur d'Alene woman wins pontoon at Hagadone Marine Group's boat expo
About 2,000 people filled the Hagadone Marine Center for a chance to win the watercraft. Many enjoyed free beer and wine= and admired the boats on display as they chatted with friends.

KCRCC celebrates Trump win, expresses confidence during Lincoln Day Dinner
KCRCC celebrates Trump win, expresses confidence during Lincoln Day Dinner
The annual gathering at The Coeur d’Alene Resort was marked by confidence and satisfaction as Republications reveled in Trump’s victory and return to the country’s highest office, and his swift actions in his first days back.

Survey: Voters will support bond for Coeur d'Alene Fire Department
Finding will be presented to City Council on Tuesday
Grief said the results provide confidence that should the City Council approve sending an general obligation bond to voters in May, it will get the required super majority to pass.
Encounters of the running kind at the Mesa Marathon
His name is, fittingly, Atlas, and he is joined by three men, they being his father, a grandfather and an uncle, if I got it straight. They are with him as he attempts his first marathon.

Vendors try to recoup expenses after Coeur d'Alene concert series fails
Business owners seek justice, call for accountability after losses for canceled concert series
Etter was one of nearly 10 people who attended a meeting Tuesday at the Backwoods bar night to discuss their course of action after they said they gave money to Davis to be vendors at Live After 5 and never received refunds when the series didn’t happen.
Kootenai County home sales off to strong start
Idaho tops for inbound movers
The median home price in January, $528,000, was up 11.3% from the same time last year, while current active listings totaled 715, up 14% from one year ago.

Downtown Coeur d'Alene: No vacancy
Retail/restaurant space close to 100% full
The area is desirable for many reason. Location, for starts, near the waterfront. Downtown is clean, well lit, with quaint light posts and colorful flower baskets. Reports of crime are few.
Influenza taking toll in Kootenai County
Kootenai Health monitoring uptick in patients
To prevent spreading germs, try to stay home from work or school when you are sick, wash your hands often and seek treatment when you are ill.
Snowpack declines in dry January
Drought conditions develop in Coeur d’Alene-St. Joe basins
Currently, 79% of Idaho lands are abnormally dry or are in drought, the report said. Drought conditions improved last month in western Idaho in response to the high snowpack percentages at the beginning of January. Drought conditions worsened in Shoshone, Lemhi, Custer, Butte and Blaine counties due to lack of precipitation in those areas.

Council OKs free concert series
But not without assurances from promoter
The five-year deal calls for free Wednesday night concerts. Koep Concerts will pay a refundable deposit of $5,000 due at the start of each season and $400 for each concert. The deal costs the city no money.