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
Black Sheep honored by senator
Named Idaho Small Business of the Month for October
U.S. Sen. Jim Risch on Wednesday announced Black Sheep Sporting Goods was selected as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for October and will be recognized for its contribution to the community in the Congressional Record of the U.S. Senate.
You can bank on it
Mountain West employees fan out for Day of Caring
Bank deposits volunteers
A world of difference for cats and dogs
KHS director says new home will provide opportunities to care for more animals
Kootenai Humane Society’s new home coming together
Council OKs 3-year police contract
Raises, benefits could help fill vacant posts in force
Police deal gets council approval
Going back up
Gas prices suddenly shoot up
Last week, a gas of regular unleaded at Walmart in Hayden was $4.04 a gallon. By the weekend, it was $4.39. The $4 mark is a thing of the past. The Gem State ranks eighth in the U.S. for most expensive fuel behind California ($6.37), Nevada ($5.49), Oregon ($5.42), Alaska ($5.32), Washington ($5.29), Hawaii ($5.21), and Arizona ($4.49).
City, police reach three-year deal
Cd'A City Council expected to approve contract on Tuesday
The Coeur d'Alene City Council is expected to approved a new contract with the Coeur d'Alene Police Association on Tuesday. The three-year deal includes several cost of living adjustments and would be effective Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, 2025. It follows two negotiations meetings and executive sessions in the past few weeks.
'It's been a great tool'
Success of Lake District cited
Lake District closes
Tree climbers go high
Winners navigate their way through branches more than 100 feet up
For Aneesa Winn, the easy part of the Pacific Northwest International Society of Arboriculture’s annual Tree Climbing Championship was when she was more than 100 feet off the ground.
Report: Lake CDA improving
Monitoring will be key to future health
Lake Coeur d'Alene is beginning to recover from nearly a century of mining in its watershed, according to a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine released Friday. Samuel Luoma, chair of the committee who wrote the report, said while the overall water quality of the lake is improving, “there is a long way to go in terms of complete, full recovery.”
Things are looking up
Tree-climbing championship today at City Park
Go climb a tree
That makes purrrfect sense
Cat that went missing nine years ago in California found in Hayden
Lost and found - 9 years later
Police chief for the people
Spirit Lake's top cop emphasizes service, community connection
Dennis Sanchez likes knowing that if his police car broke down or had a flat tire, citizens would stop to help before a tow truck would arrive. “That doesn't happen everywhere,” he said. Spirit Lake’s police chief believes a reason for that is the solid relationship between the town’s small police force and its 5,000 or so residents.
The day the music died
Chris Guggemos, concert organizer and volunteer, loses long battle with cancer
Chris Guggemos believed in music. He believed in the power of music. He believed in how it could impact lives. “He probably was the best in the community at understanding what music could do to build a stronger community,” said Sandi Bloem, past mayor of Coeur d’Alene. Guggemos, considered by many the music man of North Idaho, died Monday after a six-year battle with cancer. He was 68.
Tails, KHS wins
Annual fundraiser brings in a record $147K
Tails at Daylight sets record
Still seems like summer
Tuesday's 90 degrees breaks 55-year-old mark
Tuesday's 90 degrees set an all-time high for Sept. 27, breaking the previous high of 89 set in 1967.
Northern Lakes gets $12M grant
Will fund 12 firefighters for three years
Northern Lakes Fire was recently awarded a $4.5 million federal grant to hire 12 firefighters to staff a third station.
Saturday night lights
52 Starlink internet satellites launched in Florida causes confusion
The lights were apparently from a SpaceX rocket topped with 52 Starlink internet satellites that was launched from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Saturday about 7:30 p.m. EDT.
Saving Swoop and Soar
Birds of Prey's Janie Veltkamp shares story of rescuing two orphan osprey chicks
In her new children’s book with co-author Deborah Lee Rose, Janie Veltkamp tells the true story of the rescue of two wild osprey chicks that were only 10 days old when they became orphans when a storm shattered their forest nest in Florida. "Science helps find them a new family and home in the wild," the raptor biologist said.
Equality for all
More than 300 attend KCTFHR's annual banquet
On the right side
Taxing times in Huetter
Small town can't levy property tax on residents after extension request denied
Commissioner suggests Huetter being absorbed by neighboring city
'We are the wings of love'
'Monument to Peace and Unity' dedicated at gateway to CDA
Earl Hollingsworth watched from across the street as the dedication of the "Monument to Peace and Unity” wrapped up on a sunny Friday morning. He liked what he saw and heard. “Pretty cool,” the Rathdrum man said.
'Field of memories and dreams'
Charlie Nipp joins the 'Rock of Fame'
Charlie Nipp joins the Rock of Fame
Summer's sweet swan song
Sunshine blankets North Idaho as people enjoy the outdoors
As he arranged bonsai trees for the farmers market in downtown Coeur d’Alene on Wednesday, “Bonsai Bob” Gray was in a good mood. “You couldn’t ask for better weather,” said the owner of Gray to Green Nursery. “These are the days we live here for.” The last day of summer on Wednesday was indeed a day to die for in North Idaho, with blue, sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-70s. People took advantage, hanging on to warmth before it soon surrenders to the cooler, wetter conditions sure to come this fall.
Mayors not wild about impact-fee proposal
County wants cities to collect fees on its behalf to fund jail, parks, waterways
Not-so-sudden impact
Commissioners OK using private appraisal company
Kovacs says it's part of Assessor's Office recovery plan
Kootenai County commissioners approved a request Tuesday from Assessor Bela Kovacs to use a private company to conduct property appraisals and assist with training personnel. The commissioners voted 2-1 on the request during a regular business meeting. The estimated cost of the work and services to be performed by Highland Appraisal Inc. under the proposed agreement is $260,000, plus other expenses for travel, lodging, meals, mileage and materials.
Crowd expected for 'Coeur Terre' hearing
CDA commission to consideration 442-acrea annexation request
Property under consideration north of Interstate 90, south of W. Hanley Avenue, and east of Huetter Road.
Pilot program expected to boost police force
$80,000 will go toward hiring incentives
$5,000 payment will be made upon hiring and $5,000 will be paid after one year of employment.
'Monument to Peace and Unity” coming to CDA
$75,000 project to be dedicated Friday
A $75,000 public art project described as a "commitment to eliminate racism and prejudice" will be dedicated Friday. "The Monument to Peace and Unity" made of steel will stand 24 feet tall and be at what is considered the gateway to downtown - the Four Corners intersection of Northwest Boulevard, Government Way, and Fort Grounds Drive. It was commissioned by the Coeur d’Alene Arts Commission and created by artist Ai Qiu Hopen of Humanity Memorial, Inc.
Above and beyond
Selkirk Construction hosts fundraiser for nonprofit that helps survivors of law officers who died during duty
Beyond the call
Oak Crest residents seek zoning protection
Look to head off any high-density housing proposals
Two residents of Oak Crest mobile home park asked the Coeur d’Alene Planning Commission to preserve current zoning there to prevent future high-density housing developments. Mary Merrill and Christine Matheny spoke during the public hearing portion of the commission’s Tuesday meeting in the Library Community room.
Police pay plan going to council
Total of $80,000 would go toward attracting officers
The Coeur d'Alene City Council on Tuesday will consider a financial incentive plan to help fill vacant posts in the Coeur d'Alene Police Department Police Chief Lee White is scheduled to outline an $80,000 proposal for lateral officer hiring. In August, the department had 14 openings, the most since White came on board in 2014.
A safer way to 'Fill the Boot'
Firefighters retreat from streets to roadsides for MDA fundraiser
COEUR d'ALENE — In the good old days of "Fill the Boot," firefighters stood in streets, sometimes right smack under stoplights in the road, as traffic buzzed by. But Friday morning, Coeur d'Alene firefighters were off the pavement as they held boots to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. There's a reason for that, said Josh Sutherland, a firefighter. In years past, occasionally, a firefighter somewhere would get clipped by a vehicle. "You stand in the street long enough, it happens," he said. So they moved to safer ground. Sutherland was joined by fellow firefighters Kelan McKeirnan and Trenton Fleury on Dalton Avenue outside Anchored Coffee near U.S. 95 on a cool afternoon.
'We have restored hope'
UGM Center for Women and Children marks 10 years, honors volunteers
UGM marks 10 years
Oktoberfest starts today
Beer, music, food and more in downtown CDA
A two-day German-themed celebration starts today in downtown Coeur d'Alene. Oktoberfest runs 4 to 9 p.m. today and noon to 9 Saturday. There will be more than 30 types of beers and ciders, live music, along with German food from special Oktoberfest menus.
'Larger than life memorial'
Dwight Bershaw memorial area to be completed soon
For Brent Schreiber, the Dwight Bershaw memorial bench going in at the base of Tubbs Hill on Wednesday was a perfect tribute. “The guy was larger than life and he’s getting a larger than life memorial,” said Schreiber, owner of Clearwater Summit Group, Inc, where Bershaw worked for about 25 years as a landscape architect and project manager.
Hayden biz fair nearly doubles
Chamber "kicking butt" for members
The Hayden Chamber of Commerce's Connecting Community and Business Expo Fair on Wednesday showcased 42 businesses. Last year, it was 24. Andrea Fulks, chamber president and CEO, was pleased so many wanted to be part of the event at the Silver Lake Mall.
Jim Phillips to receive top arts award
CDA music teacher among those to be honored Oct. 5
Arts Commission picks four
No horsing around: Athol woman favorite to win state horseshoe pitching title
Laurie Dale of Athol is the favorite to win the women's division of the Idaho horseshoe singles championship that begins today at Winton Park in Coeur d'Alene. Dale comes in tossing ringers at a rate of just over 54%. “I just like being able to put it on the peg,” she said during practice on Thursday. Dale, the defending champion, very much wants to win again.
Group forms to support legal STRs
City to continue talks on tougher laws for short-term rentals
STR battle grows
'Building for the Future'
Economic Development Corp. leader cites importance of growth
Growth is key, says economic leader
Little: State in 'best possible shape'
Governor energized after success of tax cut, education bill
Little likes how things are going
City approves $123M budget
Council also OKs firefighters' contract
City approves spending plan
Vandalism at its worst
City reports rising instances of property damage
Cases of graffiti on the rise in Coeur d'Alene.
Very short and sweet
Traditional Labor Day Parade lives on in Spirit Lake
Spirit Lake parade goes fast
Walk, don't run
About 80 people come out for Dwight Bershaw Memorial Point 5K
East Sherman pilot project deactivated
Four years later, city pulls plug on redesign
Activate East Sherman goes
Council to consider firefighters' contract
Will also review lateral hiring process aimed at attracting experienced candidates
Council meets tonight
Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive changes create confusion
City explains process, says goal is improved safety
CDA Lake Drive changes cause confusion
Boyles busy at Triple B Guns
Family business doing well amid growing call for tougher gun control laws
Gun sales strong at Triple B
Taxing districts threaten to sue county
Say treasurer is wrong to keep penalty, interest money; Matheson holds course
Twenty taxing districts are threatening to sue Kootenai County over Treasurer Steve Matheson's decision that the county will keep penalties and interest associated with delinquent property taxes.