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
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.
Coeur d'Alene Police face fierce fentanyl fight
Nearly 400 overdose deaths in Idaho last year attributed to synthetic opioid
Boardman, a member of the city’s small opioid task force formed last year, outlined some of what police up against in 15-minute presentation to the City Council on Tuesday.
Bedke: Idaho, feds will work well
Lt. governor says state ready if education funding changes
Bedke said Idaho is the fastest-growing, least-regulated state in the country, thanks to pragmatic governors like Phil Batt, Dirk Kempthorne, Butch Otter and now, Little. He said “common-sense leadership has found its way into Idaho policies.
Free concert series in the works for Coeur d'Alene's McEuen Park
Promoter aims to widen impact of music through free concerts
The owner of Koep Concerts is so confident he wants to put on free Wednesday concerts at McEuen Park starting this summer.
Eva's faith washes away doubts
After learning what she had, this girl did not faint with fear. Instead, she wanted to get a ninja obstacle course built in her town of Meridian. The reason she wanted this was because she said, “it really spreads the message that you can overcome obstacles.”
Coeur d'Alene councilor says progress being made on housing
But City Councilor says there is still much work to do
Miller gave a presentation on housing issues before about 25 people at a gathering of Kootenai Strong, a new non-partisan community group.
Fernan Lake plan gains support
If funding of a few million is found, improvements could soon follow
Fernan Lake has experienced poor water quality for decades. It flushes well from winter to spring, but little flow occurs in the summer. That leads to an increase in nitrogen and phosphorus in the lake, which causes algae blooms comprised of toxic cyanobacteria.
Canine refugees from California wildfires touch down in Kootenai County
CAC takes in dogs from crowded Los Angeles-area shelter due to wildfires
Paws for Life K9 Rescue joined forces with Wings of Rescue to fly hundreds of adoptable dogs from shelters in the Los Angeles area to partner rescue organizations in nearby states.
Centennial Trail change in Coeur d'Alene OK'd
ITD plans to realign part of pathway as part of I-90 widening project
City Engineer Chris Bosley said ITD is looking to place a large swale in the area where the trail is located east of Atlas Way to accommodate stormwater from the I-90 widening that has reached a stage of seeking bids
Woody McEvers: 'Ready to step up'
Coeur d'Alene mayor says he plans to campaign to keep office he was appointed to last year
McEvers said not only does he want to continue as mayor, but he believes he can do the job well for the city he has called home more than four decades, with more than 20 years on the City Council.
Meeting on Fernan Lake plan to improve water quality scheduled Tuesday
Meeting on Fernan Lake plan to improve water quality scheduled Tuesday
The plan addresses short- and long-term challenges and solutions for the 400-acre lake, currently iced over, just east of Coeur d’Alene. It does not offer a definitive course of action, but rather, several options.
Coeur d'Alene 'streamlines' child care licensing process
Those 16 and 17 can obtain a provider license, “as long as they are continuously supervised by a licensed provider and are not left alone with children.”
'Cheers' to the North Idaho Centennial Trail
Foundation highlights growing importance of paved path
The meeting was a chance to highlight the importance and impact of the 23-mile trail that stretches from Higgens Point east of Coeur d’Alene all the way to the Idaho/Washington stateline.
Coeur d'Alene Historic Preservation Commission chair: 'An unfortunate incident'
Fire department trains on older home targeted for demolition before review hearing takes place
The City Council in November adopted a new section in the Historic Preservation Code creating a demolition review process for historic residential and commercial structures built before 1960.
Coeur d'Alene fire department damages historic home before preservation committee review
Older home inadvertently used for fire department training before Historic Preservation Commission review
“Unfortunately, the property owner granted permission to the Fire Department to conduct their training activities prior to the review and even though the demolition permit had not been issued,” a fire department press release said. “The Fire Department was not aware of the demolition review meeting scheduled for the subject property.”
Police eye designs for new building
Captain says operations have been maintained since last year's fire
The new police building will have a sprinkler system, which its predecessor did not because when it was acquired in 2016, it wasn't required that it have a sprinkler system as it was predominately used for storage.
Corridor traffic project bumped up
Mild weather allows work to begin on Government Way
The project includes upgrading traffic signal components at 10 intersections, bringing pedestrian ramps into ADA compliance, and providing coordination between signals to improve traffic flow.
CAC to receive dogs from Los Angeles
Expected to arrive Sunday
Companions Animal Center, formerly Kootenai Humane Society, has been actively communicating with rescue agencies in the greater Los Angeles area. As of today, we are still in discussions with them.
Hagadone Marine Group giving away $75K pontoon
Enter drawing by attending Coeur d'Alene Boat Expo
The process to have a chance to win it is simple: Attend the Coeur d’Alene Boat Expo that runs Jan. 30 to Feb. 8 at the Hagadone Marine Center, 1000 S Marina Dr. Every person 18 and old will be entered in a drawing that will be held Feb. 15, and must be present to win.
Kootenai's County only warming center could exceed capacity as cold snap approaches
Area's only warming shelter could exceed capacity as cold snap approaches
The executive director of the nonprofit St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho is worried that the shelter, with a capacity of 25 men and women and men and has been operating “dangerously close” to capacity, may have to turn people away as the coldest conditions of winter approach.