CRAIG NORTHRUP

Idaho House passes bill to eliminate August elections

House Bill 106 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Sandpoint man tied to Capitol siege arrested

Michael Pope was charged with seven counts in connection to the riot that killed three.

Behavioral Health Board grants $5,000 to St. Vinny's warming center

The grant comes as temperatures continue to drop around Kootenai County.

Brrrrrrr-eathtaking!

Locals bundle up in countywide deep freeze

The coldest temperatures in two years are expected to strike Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

Lawmakers note the slow-going of pandemic legislation

COVID-related bills have become a popular theme in the Idaho Legislature, with no end in sight.

Bill would eliminate August elections

House Bill 106 supporters say levies can still receive an up-or-down vote in March, May or November elections.

Growth group rising

Responsible North Idaho Growth gets hundreds of new members in weeks

Responsible North Idaho Growth went from just a few members to nearly 450 in a matter of weeks.

Thanks, PHD

Community gives back to embattled Panhandle Health employees and volunteers

Online donations and more than 40 community members paying tribute to health district workers were delivered Monday to the Hayden office.

Fire consumes Hayden Lake home

No one was injured in the fire that took a new home and vintage cars Monday.

Panhandle Health: Banks bio might be decades old

The disputed biography claiming the at-large health board member "teaches" at the University of Wisconsin might have been on Panhandle Health's website for more than 23 years.

New bill would give county authority over health district mandates

Dalton Gardens Sen. Steve Vick said his bill would make mask mandates, among other orders, politically accountable.

New Senate bill latest in push to end COVID emergency powers

The bill introduced in Senate State Affairs updates language that defines different states of emergency as part of a package to end pandemic restrictions.

Cd'A comp plan may include focus on affordable housing, lake health

The council has given the go-ahead for planners to continue focusing on key issues as they develop a long-awaited update on the city's comprehensive plan.

State advances in COVID-19 war

Governor expands gathering limit from 10 to 50

The relaxed restrictions come as the Gov. transitions Idaho from Stage Two into a modified Stage Three of his Idaho Rebounds plan.

"Monumental undertaking" of vaccinating seniors begins

12,000 calls overwhelm Panhandle Health while Kootenai Health online reservations dried up in under an hour.

Hecla closes Monday up big on Reddit-driven trading

The online forum responsible for inflating GameStop shares by 1,700 percent turned its attention to silver commodities, driving Hecla's prices up 28 percent.

PHD stands by in-person prohibition

Protesters upset they were not given a chance to comment on mask mandate extension

The absent agenda item the day the board voted to extend the mask mandate caught the ire of local anti-mask protesters.

'Now I gotta get the vaccine'

Governor pushing for more doses for Idahoans

Gov. Little toured Northwest Specialty Hospital Friday as part of a trek across Idaho to determine the preparedness of local stations to handle more vaccinations. He said the low supply of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines throughout the state is something he needs to change.

Health district extends mask mandate

The renewed mandate across Kootenai, Shoshone, Bonner, Benewah and Boundary counties will remain in effect through April.

Governor orders open scrutiny of vaccines

Public will be able to track doses coming in, being administered

Transparency goal as state ramps up vaccine efforts.

Panhandle Health extends mask mandate

In a 4-3 decision, the mandate will continue through, at least, the end of April.

Governor orders open scrutiny of vaccines

The order calls for public health districts and providers to report COVID-19 vaccine doses received and administered.

COVID-19 emergency still in effect … for now

Sen. Vick of Dalton Gardens pulled SCR 101 from the Senate floor to workshop the language in the bill that, if passed, would have ended Gov. Brad Little's 10-month-old emergency declaration.

Many locals want emergency to end

With legislation ending Gov. Little's emergency powers working through the House and Senate, many think it's time to move on.

Dalton Gardens clearing up connection on 5G laws

City leaders say new ordinance wouldn't have to accept 5G theories to recognize new tech is coming.

Panhandle Health board to meet on masks

Mandate expiring; board will decide next steps

The health board's five-county mask mandate is set to expire by the end of January.

Little, lawmakers square off over COVID emergency

Some local legislators think the Governor's Friday speech will backfire, while others remain calm during the first few rounds of a political fight.

Panhandle Health asking for time, patience with vaccine

Rollout progressing as locals wait their turns.

AARP can't open Tax Aide stations

COVID numbers must drop, first

Tax filing assistance stations can't open until Kootenai County drops from "epidemic levels"

COVID one year later

One year ago today, a strange new disease reached America's shores, killing more than 400,000 Americans and affecting every last square inch of American life. Here are how three locals made their way.

Fulcher: Next four years will test conservatives

Idaho's District 1 Congressman said executive orders unwinding former President Trump's immigration policies are among many Day One actions he took exception with.

Senate looks to end emergency … with a twist

A Senate Concurrent Resolution calls for an end to COVID-19 restrictions on the population while keeping the emergency in name only.

Seven more die from COVID, bringing local death toll to 215

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Numbers suggest progress against COVID-19

But officials warn not to drop vigilance now

After the last in a string of three-day weekends, Panhandle Health said it's hoping locals follow protocols to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Committee OKs amendment for special sessions

House Joint Resolution 1 would enable the Idaho Legislature to call itself into session with 60 percent of House and Senate approval.

Tax help for seniors may be on horizon

While AARP has opened new sites nationwide to help seniors file their taxes, the foundation has not yet opened one in Kootenai County.

'Free-range children'

Bill would protect parents from what lawmaker calls unreasonable neglect charges

Idaho Rep. Ron Nate says the Reasonable Childhood Independence Act would empower parents to let kids be kids

Little disappointed in nationwide vaccine lag

Gov. Brad Little spent some of his time this week in North Idaho surveying windstorm damage and observing the rescue of miners stranded from a power outage.

Thousands still without power

Avista, KEC say it could stay off in some areas into Sunday

Many have been told to expect to remain without power until late Saturday night.

Bill would kill COVID attendance restrictions

The bill will get a full hearing before State Affairs.

Power's out in Kootenai County

Gusts reach 70 mph; some homes might not have electricity for days

More than 15,000 without power in Kootenai County as crews work to restore service.

Senate panel seeks to end COVID emergency

Four new pieces will come to debate before the Senate State Affairs Committee that would end the state of emergency, give the Legislature the ability to call itself into session and limit future emergencies to 30 days.

Elderly Idahoans closer to front of vaccine line

Gov. Brad Little announced the bump Tuesday as critique over the vaccine rollout continues

Legislators like Little's push for fiscal conservatism

North Idaho reps say an ambitious tax cut reflects the rainy day attitude that helped the state weather COVID-19.

Bluegrass Lodge taking shape on Ramsey

Project will boost inventory of apartments, townhouses

The first of 249 units are coming together, and roads have been paved to make way for the remainder.

Cd'A wants public's help preserving its past

The Historic Preservation Commission has posted a survey as a run-up to its Thursday virtual forum.

Crapo would not support removing Trump from office

As calls for deeming the President unfit for office echo calls for impeachment, the Idaho Senator said he supports neither option as the best path forward.

Idaho faring better than national average on unemployment

Despite an uptick in claims, a new study and new initiatives provides hope for Idaho's unemployed.

Mt. Hink's days could be numbered

Cd'A turns Atlas Park parcel over to urban renewal agency

The city of Coeur d'Alene and ignite cda are considering all the hillside's options — including recycling its dirt for other projects.

Little defends rollout

Idahoans ask about future vaccinations

The Governor and Idaho Department of Health and Welfare director Dave Jeppesen answered often-heated questions during Tuesday's AARP conference call.