Cannon blasts from the past as Civil War reenactors visit Lakes Middle School

You may have heard some explosions throughout the day if you live near Lakes Middle School Thursday, but rather than being a cause for alarm, they were cannon blasts from the past. For two days this week, Civil War reenactors from the Washington Civil War Association taught students about the technological advances to guns in the 1800s, field medicine practices and games and recreation of the time period. For two days, the group demonstrated different muskets, swords and sabers as well as the items used for relation in the 19th century. Lakes Middle School students grabbed toys at a Civil War station, including wooden guns, hoops and sticks and a pull of war knotted rope. “Those are loaded up with 100 percent lethal imagination,” reenactor Logan Creighton said of the wooden dueling pistols.

North Idaho Veterans Stand Down all about 'getting the information out'

A haircut was not in Greg Lindberg’s plan for the day as he headed to the North Idaho Veterans Stand Down on Saturday at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, but he figured he was due for a trim.

Silver Valley Special Olympics team looks to grow

Dianna Macklin and members of the Silver Valley Special Olympics team assembled at the Kellogg Middle School track to practice for the track and field events.

Kootenai County artist visions funded by Jack Bannon Fund for the Arts

Arts projects in Kootenai County are coming to life thanks to the Jack Bannon Fund for the Arts. Five artists, including Elaina DeJong, Doreen Graham, Keith Harrop and Joslyn Benak received grant awards as part of the legacy of actor Jack Bannon.

Fernan STEM Academy turns 30

During the first year of Fernan Elementary, painted ceramic tiles were added by students and teachers to make the building their own. Three decades later, the tiles remain.

First responders find respite at Protectors' Peak in Shoshone County

In the last four years, 150 first responders from 15 states have passed through the 144 acres of land at Protectors’ Peak in Shoshone County.

Real Life pastor remembered as 'a helper to his core' in Silver Valley celebration of life

Hundreds poured into the gym at Kellogg High School Saturday to celebrate Gene Jacobs. w

Overdose support group launches in Coeur d'Alene

Kelleen Burgess and Kristi Hegvet went looking for support groups but couldn’t find a place to turn to after they lost their sons to overdoses.

'It feels like there’s a dark cloud overhead': Resources available after tragic loss in Shoshone County

“When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone." When considering the recent loss to the community after the death of pastor Gene Jacobs, Siobhan Curet of Silver Valley CARES wants people to remember the words of Fred Rogers and hopes they will reach out, check in and offer support to one another.

Plummer lumber mill shutting down in July

At its peak, the lumber mill here employed 90 people.

Coeur d'Alene man joins brothers on Honor Flight to Washington DC

After years of watching other veterans experience Honor Flights from the Inland Northwest to be celebrated for their service, it was finally Joe Deacon’s turn. He was able to join his brothers, Tom and Bill Deacon on the trip to Washington D.C. as they were honored for serving in the military during the Vietnam War.

North Idaho counties report increase of sexual assault

As reports of sexual assault increase throughout North Idaho, advocates, law enforcement and prosecutors are working to keep up.

Theater prepares to turn up the lights at Wallace Sixth Street Melodrama

Upcoming gospel show will raise funds for new electric piano

Turning on the lights at the Sixth Street Melodrama and Theater will no longer include the audible hum of electricity as the theater has reached its fundraising goal to make the switch to LED stage lights.

Sunshine Mine Fire remembered after 52 years in Shoshone County

In the looming shadow of the statue standing tall with a glowing headlamp to memorialize the miners who lost their lives on May 2, 1972, students from Kellogg High School clasped mining helmets with the lights still on. 91 helmets symbolize the 91 miners who were unable to make it to the surface when in the Sunshine Mine Fire.

Silver Valley Drug Task Force executes another Pinehurst raid

A search warrant was served April 26 at a property on South Division Street and drugs were found, according to Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office reports. This time, meth and drug paraphernalia were discovered during the execution of the warrant.

Rathdrum Eagle Scout adds library boxes to four city parks

Materials were donated by local businesses.

Silver Mountain Resort to host mine rescue competition

The Shoshone County event is slated for May 7.

Silver Valley Cat Wranglers claw their way to stabilize Shoshone County's cat population

KELLOGG – For one night only, the Dirty Dog Saloon became the “Dirty Kitty” as the owners allowed Silver Valley Cat Wranglers to perform a bar takeover and silent auction. The Dirty Dog Saloon donated all the day's proceeds to Cat Wranglers and through additional donations, the group was able to raise about $6,000 out of its $15,000 annual budget. “It all goes to the cats,” Cat Wranglers president Rene Gilbert said.

Ramsey students gets hands dirty at Coeur d'Alene Arbor Day celebration

Dig a hole, get your hands dirty and have fun in the soil. Those were some of the goals for the students during the city’s the Arbor Day celebration Friday at Atlas Mill Park. Students from Ramsey Magnet School of Science and Coeur d’Alene Park Department staff gathered along with interested community members as the students learned a little about planting trees and how the arboreal entities better sustain the environment for future generations.

Wallace scout troop sets an eye on service

“Girl Scouts do one thing, they make the world a better place.” That’s something Brian Newberry, the Eastern Washington and North Idaho Girl Scouts CEO believes is doubly true for the Wallace-based Girl Scout Troop 2401.

Lake City students grow environmental awareness

Sbruce, Roberto and Jeff. Those are the new names several Lake City High School students chose for spruce tree saplings sold as a continued celebration of the Earth Day.

Wallace Food Bank on ice

More refrigeration aids additions to food offerings

The switch from only preserved foods that can sit on a shelf to fresh produce and frozen proteins has been paying off at the Wallace Food Bank. “If we can provide it, let’s do it,” Michael Hoffman, food bank president, said.

'We need to seek the next remedy'

New Idaho group seeks abortion rights, aims to change reproductive health laws

A new statewide coalition called Idahoans United for Women and Families aims to advocate for access for full reproductive health care for all Idahoans and is currently exploring a citizens' ballot initiative after they said two legislative sessions have passed without addressing compounding issues regarding Idaho’s abortion bans.

Kellogg Elks share through community grants

Among the Kellogg Elks Lodge awards, combating food insecurity for youth and seniors as well as resources for veterans were among the recipients to recently receive grant funding. The “Elks Care - Elks Share” motto will carry over to assist the Silver Valley Seniors Meals on Wheels program, the Silver Valley Snack Pak and reach local veterans in partnership with the quarterly VFW Stand-Down events.

Canyon Elementary School sets safety precautions into effect

Safety is the watchword at Canyon Elementary School as much-needed fire and emergency upgrades to the building have been installed or are in the process of being updated.

40 Under 40

NIBJ publisher lauds the area's best and brightest young people

“You’re the future of North Idaho,” Coeur d'Alene Press publisher Clint Schroeder said to the North Idaho Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 cohort.

From DVDs to digital: Idaho Panhandle Film Festival returns

In the early 2000s, Mary Lou Hanks seized upon the idea of hosting a film festival in the Silver Valley. She enlisted her daughter, Nancy Hanks, to come back from Los Angeles and screen films for locals. “I had a DVD player at the time,” Hanks recalled.

Veteran honored for radio operator work on his 100th birthday

On his 100th birthday, surrounded by family and friends, Robert Douglas Gwin still was clutching the folded American flag he had been given earlier that afternoon by the Kootenai County honor guard. As his family came person by person to greet him and wish him a happy birthday, he pointed out a patch on his uniform from his Army Signal Corps days. “I sewed that myself,” he said.

Book debate continues

Supplemental curriculum, SRO concerns heard at Lakeland School Board meeting

The room was packed to overflowing at the Lakeland Joint School District meeting Wednesday night. After repeated headcounts to get the maximum occupancy in the district meeting room, some of the number in attendance opted to give up their seats for those planning to issue public comments. Everyone else was moved to an overflow room or pulled blankets out of their vehicles to sit nearby out on the grass. Almost as soon as the meeting began, an executive session was called and board members moved to a different room in the district office to hold their discussion.

Silver Hills PTO brightens up cafeteria with a new mural

Earlier this week, Silver Hills Elementary School unveiled a new cafeteria mural on two walls, painted by ArtCoLab. Jessie Caraway, the Silver Hills Elementary School PTO president, said PTO member Bryn Cotter coordinated with ArtCoLab to help “capture the essence of our beautiful scenery” in the Silver Valley.

'Choices have consequences'

Fifth graders graduate D.A.R.E. program at Garwood Elementary

Fifth-grader Kinley McMurray set a high standard for herself as she read an essay with her intentions Friday during D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony at Garwood Elementary School. “I will continue to make the most responsible choice out of every situation. I will think thoroughly before I act and I will continue to be a good influence to my classmates and friends,” McMurray said.

Dressed to impress

Students looking, feeling good for proms

About 40 out of a total 137 prom dresses found a home during a pop-up event on the North Idaho College campus. Abby Fitzgerald of Ant’oqmi’wes or the United Together club at Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy said the group were thrilled to collect more dresses than they had expected.

'That was our legacy'

Silver Valley student artwork selected for U of I exhibition

Accolades of two varieties are in order for Silver Valley art students. In last month’s 2024 High School Art Exhibition of the Silver Valley, the theme of student artwork centered around the theme of “Inheritance.” Students created their own artist statements and in total, work by 63 artists from Kellogg and Wallace was on display for weeks at the Tin Snug in Wallace.

'We’re glad to have it for our patients'

New MRI for Shoshone Medical Center

Shoshone Medical Center recently acquired a new MRI machine, a Canon Orion.

Book pulled at Lakeland Middle School

Results in heated special meeting

During a special meeting of the school board for Lakeland Joint School District, a heated debate about whether interactions between board chair Michelle Thompson and assistant superintendent Lynn Paslay constituted collaboration or individual direction after the pulling of “The Truth As Told by Mason Buttle” from three sixth grade ELA classes.

'We all have a shared responsibility'

Blue ribbons and pinwheels are symbols of hope cropping up across North Idaho this April.

'We have to use our imaginations'

With 25 short plays based on fairy tales and folk stories, there were only so many props the students at Canyon Elementary were able to use. Carol and Paul Roberts of Grow Me A Story urged the second graders putting on “The Lion and the Mouse,” “The Gingerbread Man” and “The Poppy Seed Cakes” to push beyond the silly to tell the stories to the audience.

Bomb threat against Shoshone County Sheriff's Office 'misguided phone call'

An individual with a Montana phone number called in a bomb threat against the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Department to law enforcement around 5 p.m. Wednesday near Billings,. Mont. Captain Seth Green said that bomb threats of this nature are different in each individual case, but because the jail is attached to the building, a lot of extra steps are added in the event an evacuation is required.

'Every student has a calling in their life'

School officials proud of award

With classes, tests, extracurriculars and a social life to manage, contemplating life after high school may be overwhelming to students. However, for Timberlake High School college and career adviser Sebastian Kelley believes determining the "why" behind what students want to do as a career has been the way to start breaking down steps in the process.

Silver Valley to play stage to Wallace Blues Fest

Historic Wallace Blues Festival has some major changes in place for this year’s event.

'My brain is taxed'

Wired2Learn dyslexia simulation: 'You're getting left behind'

A picture accompanied by symbols in a made-up language was the first item people participating in a dyslexia exercise were asked to decode.

Lake City High 'Unsinkable'

Grant earns school special musical production

The warm smell of popcorn being popped filled the air. Inside the auditorium, the lights were up. The stage was set, and the actors warmed up by dancing and singing their way through the titular number from “Little Shop of Horrors.” “Do what you need to do to make a great show,” Lake City High School teacher and theater director Daniel Bell instructed the cast and crew.

Egg-cellent strategies

A fierce hunt was underway Friday afternoon as a local kids sought to find the most colorful plastic eggs. Clad in their Easter purples, Charlie Maloney, 2 and Elsie Maloney, 4 were a little bit overwhelmed by the crush of kids an parents springing across the lawn at the Hayden Clubhouse.

'Don’t be scared'

“One-nine-nine?” “Nine-one-one?” “One-one-nine?” It took a couple of tries, but after a few attempts for the kindergartners to recite the number to call when an emergency happens, they were all in agreement. “Nine-one-one,” the Silver Hills Elementary students said in unison.

'All of a sudden, your future can look different'

From county to county, the needs of students and their families experiencing housing challenges or homelessness may present differently, but whether a student in Kootenai County or Shoshone County needs support, protections from the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act are there to create a safety net in their school district.

Emerging Visionary

Cd'A student lands national Prudential award

Mathematics has always been a space where 17-year-old Adeline Smith could explore her own limits and by co-founding Growing the STEM with her sister, Lilian Smith in 2017, she’s been passing on the love of learning and passion for science, technology, engineering and math to other students in their community.

'I matter'

Quilt of Valor honors 'the boy who went to war'

At his Quilt of Valor ceremony, the empty table in the corner was first and foremost on Joel Walker’s mind. It was a place set for his fallen friend, Romey Earl Hughart Jr., who was killed in action August 11, 1966. “That’s going to be a tough one, he was a good friend,” Walker said.

Report: Alzheimer's projected to rise in Idaho

A new 2024 Alzheimer’s and dementia report from the Alzheimer's association shows there are only eight geriatricians in the state. Only one of those doctors is based in North Idaho.

Dreams of dresses

Students launch drive for prom

Members of the Ant’oqmi’wes club were looking for a way to help their peers that tied in with spring. The Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy students put their heads together and came up with the idea to run a prom dress drive for the community. The group, led by seniors Abigail Fitzgerald and Ari Begalman, also goes by the United Together club.

Cybersecurity option ruled out for Shoshone County HAVA funds

'Many people have no idea of how much work is put into the elections'

Shoshone County was one of many counties receiving grants through the Help America Vote Act to update elections equipment, but after a public hearing last month, county officials investigated other options than the original plan to purchase four additional ExpressVote machines.