BILL BULEY
Bill Buley covers the city of Coeur d'Alene for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He has worked here since January 2020, after spending seven years on Kauai as editor-in-chief of The Garden Island newspaper. He enjoys running.
Recent Stories
Where's the snow?
Cd'A projected for less snow in winter than fall for the fourth time since 1912
For only the fourth time in its history, Coeur d'Alene is on line to have less snow in the winter than in the fall. "In this pattern of extremes, that's what's happening," said Climatologist Cliff Harris on Tuesday. By the first day of winter, Dec. 21, 48.9 in inches of snow had fallen in Coeur d'Alene, marked by some blizzards in mid-December.
Little: 'Great shape here in Idaho'
Governor seeks support for education plans; chamber president says vote yes on levies
Little speaks to CDA Chamber members on Tuesday
Alliance opposes STR proposal
City plan would cap permits for a year, fine illegal operators up to $5K a day
The city is fast approaching the short-term rentalpermit annual renewal date of March 1.
Committee OKs architect for police remodel
Will come up with masterplan, design of first phase
Council previously approved $4.5 million in ARPA funds for the remodel and addition to the Police Department Headquarters Building.
Fire forces two from home
Two dogs rescued from blaze that started in basement
The flames threatened to reach the top floor
'The life of a child is sacred'
Cd'A Right to Life rally attracts about 200
Wendy Walter left no doubt as to why she joined the Right to Life rally Saturday in Coeur d'Alene. "I believe very strongly in the life of children," the Spirit Lake woman said. But it's not her opinion that counts, she added as she walked along U.S. 95 holding a pro-life sign. "It doesn’t matter what I say or I believe," Walter said. "God is the one who says life is important, and it starts in the womb." Lynn Adams of Coeur d'Alene was equally clear about why she came out for the 44th year of the march and rally hosted by Right to Life of Coeur d'Alene. "I’m here to support my viewpoint that God is pro-life," she said.
'Part of the ISP family'
Daniel Taylor honored as ISP's District 1 Officer of the Year
The Supervisor of the Year award went to Sgt. Justin Scotch, who has been with ISP 10 years.
Keeping up with the grandkids
It's a losing battle, but a joy to try
These are active, fit kids involved in numerous sports, including gymnastics, soccer, flag football, basketball and Taekwondo
'This is a crisis'
1.5 million acres in Idaho part of federal efforts to reduce wildfire risk
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says it's not a question of if western forests will burn, "but a matter of where and when." “The need to invest more and to move quickly is apparent," he said during a press conference on Wednesday. "This is a crisis." Vilsack announced expanded efforts to reduce wildfire risk across the western U.S.
CDA 2030 changing to 'Connect Kootenai'
Nonprofit rebranding to reflect efforts for a regional reach
This year, it plans to work on several areas, including housing, early care and education and protecting the health of Lake Coeur d’Alene.
38 puppies arrive at KHS
Were marked to be put down in Texas
Nelson said KHS, a no-kill shelter, is often contacted by other agencies trying to save animals.
Fireboat comes home
Will operate from new boathouse next to Tubbs Hill
The move was necessary due to the current storage location at Blackwell Island only being a temporary solution.
Cd'A OKs funds for license plate readers
Will be used at main intersections to help catch criminals
The Coeur d'Alene City Council approved funding Tuesday for seven license plate reader cameras and related hardware. License Plate Reader, or LPR, systems are used by law enforcement agencies for crime prevention and apprehension.
KCSO seeking trash can bandit
Someone is dragging garbage cans around Hauser Lake
A trash can bandit is causing a stink in Hauser Lake. The Kootenai County's Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in finding a suspect in a theft and vandalism on N. Hauser Lake road.
'She would not have survived'
Joree Jimenez, 14, honored for saving woman who had fallen in the snow
Fire Chief saysit’s a pleasure to recognize members of the community “that go above and beyond in their daily lives."
Support center at Children's Village gets OK
Construction could begin this spring
Children’s Village was selected last year by the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections to receive $1.5 million for the project.
Hot (cocoa) for Hawaii
Post Falls teen selling drinks, baked goods to raise money to sing on Oahu
Family, friends and passersby stopped at 2111 N. Ninth Street to support his quest and taste some fine food and drink, too.
You can save a life
Opportunities await for those who want to learn CPR
The Red Cross recommends this lifesaving training for everyone, including parents, grandparents and caregivers.
Solid snowpack
But much of state stuck in drought status
Currently, 72% of Idaho lands are in moderate to severe drought, and the remainder of the state is "abnormally dry."
Child care crisis deepens
United Way of North Idaho seeks solutions via private, public connections
While the federal poverty level for a family of four in 2019 was $25,750, the average bare-minimum cost of living for a family in Idaho, according to the ALICE Household Survival Budget, was just over $63,000.
Housing market in flux
Interest rates will be a key factor for many seeking to buy
As of Jan. 5, there were 634 active residential listings , up from 184 from one year ago.
Snow a no-show
But promotion still adds fun to jewelry store's shopping season
Had it snowed at least 5 inches at the Spokane International Airport on Jan. 7, all purchases at Clark’s made between Nov. 19 and Dec. 31 would have been refunded
Children's Village seeks special use permit
Nonprofit plans to build multi-agency resource center
Children’s Village is seeking a special use permit to build a multi-agency resource center and other future buildings on its campus.
Children's Village seeks special use permit
Nonprofit plans to build multi-agency resource center
Children’s Village is seeking a special use permit to build a multi-agency resource center and other future buildings on its campus.
'No going back'
Indian Meadows residents fearful development will change their neighborhood forever
The proposed annexation and zoning change received unanimous approval from the Coeur d’Alene Planning Commission in October
Group opposes Greene as Lincoln Day speaker
Regan says KCRCC will not rescind offer to keynote speaker at sold-out event
A coalition that says it is committed to defending Idaho values is calling on the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee to rescind its invitation to U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, to be the keynote speaker for its Lincoln Day Dinner next month.
Mac and cheese is like gold
Downtown festival is already sold out
Mac and Cheese is popular
A year without beer
Here's to a 2023 without even a Hamm's
I don’t think I’ve ever mowed my lawn, worked in the garage or shot baskets out back without a beer nearby.
KHS: 1,412 animals adopted in 2022
Nonprofit prepares for move into new home on Atlas Road
The Kootenai Humane Society connected more than 1,000 animals with homes last year.
Cd'A council, mayor pay going up
Raises will take effect Jan. 1, 2024
The City Council last received a pay hike in 2017, and the mayor, in 2009
Coeur Terre hearing set for Feb. 7
Cd'A City Council to consider 442-acre annexation
A public hearing for a major development on the western city limits of Coeur d'Alene, Coeur Terre, is scheduled to go before the Coeur d'Alene City Council at 4 p.m. Feb. 7 in the Coeur d'Alene Library Community Room. Council members could make a decision that night, or table it.
Streets department home in line for $1M remodel
Council OKs paying architect to design makeover of 30-year-old building
Home of streets department due for improvements
North Idaho COVID deaths: 238 in 2022
New cases could total around 20,000
The county's vaccination rate remains low, 43.1% with 73,489 residents fully vaccinated
CDA Council: Looking ahead, a glance back
Elected leaders like progress made, city key issues for 2023
Coeur d'Alene City Council members shared with The Press what they see as key issues facing the city in 2023 and what some of their achievements were in 2022.
Polar plungers play it cool
About 1,000 charge into Lake Coeur d'Alene for annual frosty dip
Paul "Torgy" Torgerson has been doing the Polar Bear Plunge 40 years, and he knows what keeps pulling him back. "Release the old year and bring in the new with a good splash from the lake," he said as he warmed up after diving into Lake Coeur d'Alene on New Year's Day. Torgerson and about 1,000 men, women and children charged into the 37-degree water on a cloudy 36-degree day.
It's a girl!
First baby of 2023 at Kootenai Health belongs to St. Maries couple
St. Maries parents get to hospital on time for first baby to be delivered
Racing into 2023
About 160 people start New Year's Day with 46th annual Tesh 5k Fun Run
Cd'A man claims first place in Tesh run
Eagle count still high
BLM's latest tally reaches 227
The Bureau Land Management's eagle count around Wolf Lodge Bay on Dec. 28 was 227, with 149 adults, 33 juveniles and 47 unknown age due to being in-flight. That's the highest in several years.
Resident appeals condo project's approval
City report recommends design commission decision be upheld
A Coeur d'Alene resident is appealing the city Design Review Commission's unanimous approval earlier this year of a four-story, 34-unit condominium with two five-unit townhouses between First and Second streets on Garden Avenue.
The call of The Plunge
New Year's Day dip into Lake Coeur d'Alene always an adventure
On New Year’s Day, I will dive into Lake Coeur d’Alene. Yes, I admit it. I’m a proud Polar Bear Plunger, one of those who finds it fun to strip down to shorts at Sanders Beach and at noon charge into the icy water, dive in and come up screaming.
Hammond calms the waters
First year as Cd'A mayor includes turbulence
Jim Hammond has been a teacher, a principal, a planning and zoning commissioner, a senator, a mayor and a city administrator. So, you would figure he has dealt with pretty much every situation and encountered every kind of person that comes with being in charge in public posts. Not quite. His first year as mayor of Coeur d'Alene was an awakening.
Planes, trains and buses
Post Falls' Gary Edwards runs into roadblocks trying to get home
Gary Edwards hopes to be home tonight. But he’s not counting on it. “It’s taking longer than I thought,” he said from Orlando, Fla., laughing Thursday during a phone call with The Press.
Send in the plows
City continues to get requests to clear streets
Plowing requests coming in
Specialist sought to repair Higgens oil leak
Containment booms remain in place
A specialized contractor is being sought to stop oil leaking from sunken construction equipment at Higgens Point. The Idaho Transportation Department is working with the Department of Environmental Quality "to implement a quick and minimally invasive solution to capture and contain the leak," wrote Megan Jahns, ITD spokeswoman in Coeur d'Alene.
What a mess
Rain turns streets into slush and mush
The rain that came down Monday and Tuesday turned what had been a winter wonderland into slushy streets fed by rapidly melting snow.
Crime down in Cd'A
Captain credits patrols, community connection
According to a recent Safewise report, 260 million packages nationwide were stolen from porches over the past 12 months. That's 50 million more than last year. But not in Coeur d'Alene. Capt. Dave Haggar said there were no package thefts reported to police over this holiday season.
'This is our Christmas'
Spirit of volunteers brightens free dinner at The Altar Church
To give is to receive
Breakfast of champions
Winton students collect 755 cereal boxes for food bank
Winton Wolves collect 755 cereal boxes for food bank
Subzero? No problem
Despite a record negative 12 degrees, some still go outdoors
Despite subzero temperatures early Thursday morning, the Northern Builders crew went to work.
A vested interest
Cd'A Dog Fanciers donate $3,600 to KCSO K-9 units
CDA Dog Fanciers donate $3,600 to KCSO K-9 units