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
Photographer Tony Mills brings the outdoors to Sherman Avenue
Photographer Tony Mills brings the outdoors to Sherman Avenue
And close he gets. A wolf once padded to within 15 feet of him. An Alaska brown bear came within about 20. He isn’t worried. “There’s always a chance,” he shrugs, “but as long as you respect them, you’re good.”
Drought conditions worsen
But there's still time for situation to improve
Idaho’s snowpack is on track to set a new record low (since 1982) over the weekend. Many watersheds across the state have set or are setting new records for low snowpack conditions.
Gala raises $236K for Red and Blue Foundation
Gala raises $236K for Red and Blue Foundation
The event raised $236,000, nearly double last year’s, including a $25,000 contribution from the Greater Coeur d’Alene Community Foundation. Kootenai Automotive Group was the annual sponsor.
To the grandsons, Grandpa means dinosaurs, Hot Wheels and Star Wars
When they come to our Coeur d’Alene home, the first thing they do is head downstairs to the family room, where they are confident new discoveries await. The other night we were on a Facetime call with the grandsons in Deer Park and Harris, the eldest, asked, “Do you have new toys?”
About 200 attend Right to Life annual march in Coeur d'Alene
About 200 attend Right to Life annual march in Coeur d'Alene
About 200 people, including many children, attend the annual event that started at the Skate Plaza and Candlelight Christian Fellowship on a 25-degree morning. After hearing from speakers, the group walked on the paved path along U.S. 95 to Kathleen Avenue. They held signs that read, “Choose Life,” “It’s a child, not a choice,” and “Vote Pro-Life.”
Rustler's Roost has new owners as McEvers brothers move on after 42 years
Rustler's Roost has new owners as McEvers brothers move on after 42 years
Woody McEvers he and Daren decided it was time to let it go. He said he recently worked more shifts on the floor and in the kitchen and even as a lifetime blue-collar man, it left him weary.
Centennial Trail's impact growing
Annual users top 800,000
It’s estimated more the trail is used annually by around 800,000 people and provides a big boost for businesses through its economic impact, said Tabitha Kraack, executive director of the North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation.
$2.40 an hour and lessons learned
There was no time for messing around. If you weren’t working pretty much every minute to earn your money, you were considered lazy and sent home. The head janitor who went by the name of Arnie and was a taskmaster with no tolerance for nonsense from a teenager.
Achilles aims to defeat Risch by uniting Idahoans
Says families are tired of political division
Achilles resigned from his House seat representing District 16, declared he was running as an independent, and launched a campaign to take on Risch, a seat he has held for 16 years.
Thousands crowd downtown for Mac & Cheese Festival
Thousands crowd downtown for Mac & Cheese Festival
One of the first stops for Deborah Kerr and husband Bill was All Things Irish, where they sat and sampled a Pepperjack Mac ‘n Cheese Brisket Bowl by Drummin Up BBQ Catering. Both loved it.
Coeur d'Alene sees record 54 degrees on Tuesday; more sunshine to come
Coeur d'Alene sees record 54 degrees on Tuesday; more sunshine to come
Warm in January in Coeur d'Alene
Mac & cheese madness
2,000 tickets go quickly for Saturday downtown festival; wait list grows
Another way people can secure their time at the Mac & Cheese Festival is with the Coeur d'Alene Resort Mac & Cheese Festival Overnight Packages. The package includes two Mac & Beer tickets and a night's stay at the Coeur d'Alene Resort the night of the festival. All these ticket options are available at: https://cdadowntown.com/cda-events/mac-cheese-festival/
Kootenai County housing market 'steady' in '25
New construction, consumer confidence expected to drive real estate in '26
According to the Coeur d’Alene Regional Realtors, the median price of a single-family home in the county was $549,000, up 4.3% from the prior year.
'Snow drought' grips North Idaho
Precipitation is high, but it's rain
And unless conditions change significantly, Hoekema said there will be very little snowpack to melt come spring and summer stream flows may be extremely low, leading to negative impacts on the ecosystem and on aquatic species that will likely face higher than normal streamflow temperatures. This could also negatively impact hydropower production, he added.
For the love of shoveling snow
With so little snow this year, it’s been disappointing. So Thursday, I rose at 6:15 and rushed eagerly into the fray, a warrior called into battle, with my weapons a shovel and broom.
Coppedge, Sheckler, Tondee field questions in quest to join Coeur d'Alene City Council
Coppedge, Sheckler, Tondee field questions in quest to join Coeur d'Alene City Council
The individual appointed will serve the remainder of the Council Seat 3 term, which is through Jan. 4, 2028, and may choose to run in the next election to retain the seat.
Museum of North Idaho closing in on anniversary in new home
Museum of North Idaho closing in on anniversary in new home
Thurman and her team are closing in a year in the museum’s new home at McEuen Park at the base of Tubbs Hill and to say they love it might be an understatement.
BOPN fundraiser at The Resort brings in $20,000 as nonprofit recovers from windstorm
BOPN fundraiser at The Resort brings in $20,000 as nonprofit recovers from windstorm
The 32-year-old nonproit’s center of operations headquarters in St. Maries sustained serious damage in the recent windstorm. Eight aviaries were hit by falling ponderosa pines and must be rebuilt or repaired, while the Veltkamp’s home was also struck.
Christmas for All donations total $205,005, highest in four years
Christmas for All donations total $205,005, highest in four years
This year, donations to the nonprofit totaled $205,005, the highest amount in four years and nearly 30% more than last year.
Cool runnings
People and pets start 2026 with Tesh 5K Fun Run
A few hundred runners and walks came out for the fundraiser that benefits Tesh on a 27-degree, cloudy morning. The nonprofit’s primary goal is to offer choices and opportunities to people of all ages seeking greater independence, self-sufficiency, and participation in their community.
Birds of Prey Northwest rebuilding after windstorm; fundraiser on Sunday
Birds of Prey Northwest rebuilding after windstorm; fundraiser on Sunday
She said in their 32 years of running the nonprofit that has rehabbed and saved thousands of birds, this is one of their greatest challenges. While Jane and Don are OK as they were not home when the storm struck, some birds were hurt in the storm, and others escaped from their damaged aviaries and have not returned.
Companions Animal Center has adopted out nearly 2,000 dogs, cats in 2025
Companions Animal Center has adopted out nearly 2,000 dogs, cats in 2025
As if to prove it, signs on two kennel doors proclaim “I have been adopted! I’m currently waiting to be picked up by my new parents.” One is a timid black mastiff. But the shelter remains crowded. Monday, it has about 50 large dogs filling kennels, including in the new wing oped this year, and there is still a four-month waiting list with names of about 80 dogs that people are looking to surrender pets.
Post Falls man named director of ministry with global reach
Post Falls man named director of ministry with global reach
Grassi, a longtime hunter and fisherman, started what was originally called “Let’s Go Fishing Ministry, Inc.” with a focus on outdoors, men and God. It was later changed to “Men’s Ministry Catalyst." The emphasis was on helping men understand their role as defined in the Bible.
Nancy Edinger decorates Coeur d'Alene home, keeps husband Ron's spirit alive
Nancy Edinger decorates Coeur d'Alene home, keeps husband Ron's spirit alive
Nancy Edinger decorates Coeur d'Alene home, keeps husband Ron's spirit alive
Nonprofit foundation helps family become homeowners for first time
Nonprofit foundation helps family become homeowners for first time
The Young Family’s Foundation launched about a year ago with a mission "to empower young, hardworking families to achieve the dream of home ownership. Even if a family saved $25,000, they would still be $19,000 short of the down payment needed to buy a $550,000 home, which is the median price in Kootenai County. It’s estimated that only about 20% of area households can afford to buy a home.
Day of Remembrance highlights being homeless in North Idaho, people encouraged to help
Day of Remembrance highlights being homeless in North Idaho, people encouraged to help
According to the 2025 Point in Time Homeless Count in January, Idaho has 2,697 homeless people, down slightly from the previous year. Most, 56%, were adults males between the ages of 18 and 54. In Idaho's Region One, which includes Kootenai, Bonner, Boundary, Shoshone and Benewah counties, there were 246 homeless in the PIT 2025 count.
Tech Hub app could bring job training center to Post Falls
Tech Hub app could bring job training center to Post Falls
The AAMMC Tech Hub members have focused on a clear objective: bring the world's largest composites press and advanced composites equipment to the Inland Northwest to accelerate prototyping of advanced material aerospace parts and train a pipeline of engineers and suppliers so that next-generation of aerospace parts remain in the INW for decades to come.
Mayor Woody McEvers lauded for service to Coeur d'Alene
Mayor Woody McEvers lauded for service to Coeur d'Alene
Woody McEvers praised for selfless service
Man survives after falling tree strikes car
Wife, children OK after freak accident in Blanchard
Sandpoint man survives after tree smashes into car
CDA woman hears, feels tree come down on home
CDA woman hears, feels tree come down on home
Shaken, but OK, Kay was relieved the damage wasn’t worse. She has family around for help and said while the home had no power, it was livable.
Post 143 commander says 'Be The One' will save veteran lives
Post 143 commander says 'Be The One' will save veteran lives
Post 143 has an obligation to get involved, Shaw said. “We're trying to do something about it,” he said.
A mother's words, and love, echo in time
If I am quiet for a moment, I can hear her voice and I have to chuckle because her words were not always calm, sweet and reassuring. Oh, not that she was mean. She was just speaking her mind and yes, wanted to have a little fun at the expense of those she loved.
High temps, winds, rains hit North Idaho
Cliff Harris says there's a chance for a white Christmas
High winds and warm temperatures hit area
Caretaker needed for Jewett House for first time in decades
Caretaker needed for Jewett House for first time in decades
For the first time in four decades, a live-in caretaker is needed for the Jewett Hose, built in 1917 by the Rutledge family and donated to the city in 1978 by the Potlatch Corp. It sits in the Sanders Beach neighborhood just minutes from downtown.
Kootenai median home price rises
In Shoshone County, the median price of a single-family home in November was $288,500, down slightly from one year ago. The number of homes sold through November was 160, up 1.9% from the same time last year, while active residential listings totaled 91 as of Dec. 3, down slightly one a year ago.
Coeur d'Alene expands prayer outreach
Will allow those outside the city to offer invocation at City Council meetings
Mayor-elect Dan Gookin had requested that council discuss opening the invocation countywide. He said he was a guest of the local ainisterial Association earlier this year and was told Coeur d'Alene residents attend churches outside the city, but the pastors of those churches aren't eligible to give the city invocation, described as a “three-minute blessing.”
Three seeking Coeur d'Alene City Council seat
More applications expected by Dec. 15 deadline
Logan Anderson, Rob Knutson and Tonya Coppedge applied or the post being left by City Councilor Dan Gookin, who will move into the mayor's office after being elected in the General Election in November. In their applications, the candidates each offered why they want to be a councilmember.
Wanted: Greatest shots of the eagles
The Press offers prizes in photo contest
Whether you're a seasoned photographer or beginner, this contest is your time to shine and see eagles as they snare kokanee from Lake Coeur d'Alene.
St. Vincent's warming center in Post Falls readies for high demand this winter
St. Vincent's warming center in Post Falls readies for high demand this winter
The warming shelter off Seltice Way opens at 33 degrees, and with the lows lately in the 20s, and a forecast for that to continue, it’s likely to have plenty of guests, most from Kootenai County, filling its roughly 25 beds in two different rooms for men and women
Christmas, Coeur d'Alene-style
Parade, lights, fireworks thrill young and old
On a night perfect for a parade with clear skies and about 35 degrees, adults and kids lined Sherman Avenue four-and five-people deep at times and gave a warm welcome to Santa Claus, the North Idaho Sparkers, the Lake City High School band and cheerleaders, friendly canines, and a long line of lighted, decorated trucks in the one-hour parade themed, "Candy Cane Lane.”
City may widen prayer boundaries
Council meetings start with invocation, but more needed to give them
Should Council invocation system be modified to allow non-profit faith-based organizations within Kootenai County, instead of only within the city limits, to provide invocations at the City Council meetings?
Judd Jones will lead countdown for Resort Lighting Ceremony
Judd Jones will lead countdown for Resort Lighting Ceremony
While Jones has never sought the spotlight, it will literally fall on him for The Coeur d’Alene Resort’s annual Lighting Ceremony about 6 p.m. Friday, following the downtown parade. He will be the guest of honor, leading the countdown to fireworks, music, and more than a million holiday lights for an estimated crowd of 30,000.
Extra! Extra! Read all about it!
Henry Suitter, 9, launches 'Downtown Bugle' in Coeur d'Alene
The son of Jesse and Sarah Suitter launched the free Downtown Bugle a few weeks ago. It is delivered free to family and friends and is gaining distribution points.
McGrane: Outside money influencing local elections
Expect continue influx of California retires to Kootenai County
McGrane was in Kootenai County to watch the canvassing of votes. He said the voting tallies were accurate and there is strong voter confidence in the integrity of Idaho elections. “Idaho is in a really good place,” he said.
The unknown keeps you running
For me, it has given the opportunity to see places like Hawaii, Ireland, Germany and Prague from a vantage point that few know. It has led me on backcountry roads, through thick brush, along rivers, into sunsets, around waterfalls and over mountains.
Housing market stays solid
Median price for single-family home in Kootenai County at $547,500
The housing market in Shoshone County is also holding up well. The median price of a single-family home was $295,000 through October, a 3.9% increase from last year, while the number of homes sold totaled 150, up 6.4% for the same time frame in 2024.
Risch ready for '26 run
Idaho senator hopeful for solution on rising health-care costs
He said he has known every president since President Ronald Reagan and has gotten to know President Trump well. He believes if his critics had a chance to sit down over dinner with him, they would come away with a new perspective. “He’s entirely different than what you see in public,” Risch said.
Coeur d'Alene seeks savings with 'Separation Incentive Program'
Eligible employees have opportunity to take buyout
There must be total savings of at least $25,000 in the first full year of separation. The city has about 30 employees who may be eligible for the program. The last time an incentive was offered to employees was in 2016. Tosi said it produced savings, mostly by leaving positions vacant.
Marriott, city working on 'compaction issues'
At the Nov. 4 City Council meeting, Councilman Dan Gookin asked City Administrator Troy Tymesen about problems he had heard about with the project's worksite.
A call to action
Keynote speaker Bob Martin says veterans should be supported throughout the year
The VFW Post 889 also presented a $1,000 check to the city to go toward a War World II statue to join the others – a miner, lumberjack, farmer, suffragist - created by artist Terry Lee on Front Avenue, as well as a World War II Army soldier commissioned by the late Bud Ford of Coeur d’Alene.