JOSH McDONALD
Staff Writer
Recent Stories
Moon Pass open, rockslide cleared
After three months of work to clear a rockslide that occurred in early April, Shoshone County Public Works Director Jessica Stutzke announced the pass would be open at 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 27.
Work to begin on I-90 Cataldo Bridge
The Cataldo Bridge, spanning the Coeur d’Alene River, has been in place for 60 years, but over the next three summer construction seasons, the bridge will be fully replaced.
Kellogg school resource officers learn from peers at Boise conference
At Kellogg Middle School and Kellogg High School, dedicated School Resource officers Deputy Adam Durflinger and Deputy Mike Groves are working to ensure kids stay safe.
Easement, license agreements amended by Shoshone BOCC
Earlier this month, Shoshone County Commissioners agreed to amend an easement agreement between the county and Buell Bros. Incorporated (BBI) allowing them to replace a bridge over Elk Creek along Potlatch Road in the southern region of Shoshone County near Herrick Park.
Family of missing woman critical of search efforts
KCSO says it did all it could to find Linda Kent, who turned up safe
The Smelterville woman, who suffers from dementia, was fishing with her family at the Cataldo Boat Launch on Sunday night but wandered off after saying that she needed to use the restroom.
County moving forward with wage study
A wage study has been discussed for several years, but those conversations intensified over recent months as Shoshone County has worked toward navigating a potential multi-million-dollar budget shortfall. That shortfall, coupled with discussions of potential wage freezing for county employees has many residents concerned with how the county is spending its funds.
Mountain West Bank tackles cemetery cleanup
On Wednesday, the staff of Mountain West Bank and a handful of volunteers tackled the massive job of going up to the cemetery for a cleanup project.
Moon Pass expected to reopen in July
A rockslide that blocked the road over Moon Pass has been cleared and crews expect to have the roadway opened early next month, according to Shoshone County Planning and Zoning Director Jessica Stutzke.
Wallace passes noise ordinance
The new ordinance was a revised version after the original draft ordinance had been heavily scrutinized by locals, concerned by how it could potentially impact businesses in Wallace’s commercial district.
One of the Silver Valley's finest: Sgt. Maj. David Nimrick
On Wednesday, David Nimrick graduated from the Sergeants Major Academy and was promoted to Sergeant Major in the United States Army.
Kellogg hopes to grow Fourth of July celebration
The city of Kellogg is making a concerted effort to revive its annual 4th of July celebration. After years of hit-or-miss events, Kellogg Community Planner Monica Miller has put together a plan that she hopes will revitalize the holiday for locals and keep them in the Silver Valley.
Favorite things about the Silver Valley: Elmer's Fountain
The Silver Valley is full of special places. Many of them are front and center in the community, but some of them are hidden in plain sight. One of the more unique spots is Elmer’s Fountain.
Betting on himself
Longtime coach and AD Stetson Spooner resigns from Mullan School District
Spooner served the district as head football coach, athletic director, and the small district’s P.E. and health teacher, but decided to step down from all positions at the conclusion of the 2023/24 school year.
Gyro Days begin this week
The event kicks off Wednesday afternoon club members will be live in Downtown Wallace generating excitement for the official commencement of the festival on Thursday – during the live event, viewers will get a chance to preview some of the attractions of the days ahead, including food, beverages, a few jokes and games, and even be a few Lead Creek Derby tickets will be available.
Colburn elected ISAA president
Silver Mountain General Manager Jeff Colburn was recently elected to become the new president of the Idaho Ski Areas Association Board of Directors.
Shoshone County hosting free weed spray events
The Shoshone County Noxious Weed Advisory Board has three free spray days they hope the public takes advantage of in the coming weeks.
Silver Bridge discussed heavily at open house
The Silver Bridge, which crosses the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River and conjoins the Old River Road with Coeur d’Alene River Road, was originally scheduled to begin construction in September of this year, but that has been pushed back due to several issues.
Wallace schools not moving to 4-day week
The Wallace School District will not be exploring a transition to a four-day school week for the 2024/25 school year.
Shoshone commissioners surprised by cost of office space
Concerns over open meeting laws and privacy highlighted
The Shoshone Board of County Commissioners elected to pause discussions about remodeling their office on Tuesday morning.
Continuance filed in Kellogg manslaughter case
A Shoshone County manslaughter case is moving forward following recent motions filed by both the defendants and the state.
Special audit results coming soon for Shoshone County
The Shoshone Board of County Commissioners is still awaiting an audit they hope will show them where the county overspent in recent years.
Busy week highlights seasonal struggles for Shoshone County sheriff
Among other callss, deputies responded to a reported shooting in a remote area of Shoshone County near the G and G Riverstop.
Favorite Things About the Silver Valley: The history
This is part one of a special series called “Favorite Things About the Silver Valley.” The subjects of these stories come from you, the people of the Silver Valley.
KSD approves 4-day schedule
The Kellogg School Board voted unanimously to adopt a pilot four-day schedule for the 2024/25 school year during their meeting on Tuesday night.
Bunker Hill Superfund Site turns 50
Five decades of progress were celebrated on Wednesday night during a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Bunker Hill Superfund Site.
38th Depot Day draws a crowd
There’s something unmistakably “summer” about classic cars and warm weather.
Jackass Half voted tops in the state
The Jackass Half Marathon was recently named the Best Half Marathon in Idaho, according to RaceRaves, an online race review website.
'The second time around was for me'
'Naked and Afraid' ... again: Silver Valley woman returns to reality TV show
Not many people can say they’ve trekked across multiple continents completely naked. Lynsey McCarver has done it twice.
Moon Pass cleanup underway, road to remain closed
Shoshone County has received funding to clear a rock slide that has blocked the road over Moon Pass.
Tickets available for 2024 Lead Creek Derby
The annual Gyro Days festival is just a few weeks.
50 years of Silver Valley pollution cleanup to be celebrated next week
The Environmental Protection Agency will host a special ceremony commemorating 50 years of health and environmental work in the Silver Valley.
Law enforcement: Kids stay cool when not in school
The possibility of the Kellogg School District transitioning to a four-day school week has sparked numerous discussions, both in-person and online, many of these concerning what the kids will do with the additional day off.
BOCC, USFS agree to significant contract increase in Shoshone
The Shoshone Board of County Commissioners scored a major win after they negotiated a new contract between the county and the United States Forest Service for the use of Shoshone County Airport.
Kellogg School District: Four-day plan not financially motivated
As the KSD continues to explore the possibility of moving to a four-day school week, many questions have come up concerning the district’s motivations and how the change would impact the district financially.
Board, committee review draft plan for potential four-day week at Kellogg School District
District may be just a few weeks away from approving a pilot four-day week.
Kellogg man pleads guilty to aggravated battery
Owen Seatz pleaded guilty to aggravated at his felony arraignment at Shoshone County Courthouse earlier this week.
Arrests made in connection with Kellogg man's death
Two men were arrested on Tuesday in connection to the death of Kellogg man this past weekend.
Body of missing pastor found
About 40 people with the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office and Pinehurst police and others are involved in the search that began this afternoon by foot, dirt bikes and in the air.
Body discovered in uptown Kellogg
Kellogg Police responded to a report of an unconscious man lying on the ground behind a building on the corner of McKinley Ave. and West Park Ave.
Rock slide prompts emergency declaration in Shoshone County
A state of emergency has been declared in Shoshone County following last week’s rock slide that completely blocked the road headed over Moon Pass.
KSD exploring 4-day week
Superintendent says Cd'A's decision will influence theirs
Recently, students in the KSD were sent home with surveys that their families could fill out and return to the school – these surveys asked the families what they believed would be the pros and cons of such a change from the traditional five-day school week.
Wallace bridge project begins in two weeks
The bridge, which crosses the South Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River and provides access from Wallace to Nine-Mile Canyon and Dobson Pass was put under severe weight restrictions six years ago. A year later, a temporary bridge was placed across the structure to allow heavier vehicles to pass over it, and has been in place ever since.
Spring Fling Gala set for next month
The Barnard-Stockbridge Museum Spring Fling Gala is just around the corner as tourism season begins in Wallace.
Wallace noise ordinance loudly criticized
City to rework proposal so it doesn't include commercial district
The Wallace City Council tabled their proposed noise ordinance following a public hearing at their April meeting on Wednesday night.
Plank in as Kellogg mayor
Pooler steps down due to health issues
Rod Plank was sworn in as mayor for the city of Kellogg on Wednesday evening after receiving unanimous support from the Kellogg City Council.
County sets date for recreational property auction
The Shoshone Board of County Commissioners will have a live auction later this month for three six-month leases of property they own near the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River.
Shoshone roads in for major upgrades
Interstate 90 isn’t the only roadway in Shoshone County that will be under the knife this spring with several projects already in full swing.
Shoshone County BOCC eyes wage study
Shoshone County officials are exploring their options for an employee-wide wage study. Earlier this week, the Shoshone Board of County Commissioners reviewed a $26,000 proposal from Meridian-based consulting firm AmeriBen.
Hopes are high for Kellogg summer concert series
Vendors, sponsors needed
The Music in the Park concert series is just a few months away and the Silver Valley Chamber wants 2024 to be the best that the summer series has ever been.
Residents urged to follow rules in construction zones
It may only be the second day of April, but Shoshone County is already in the throes of road construction season and much to their chagrin, many drivers have noticed that the speed limits in these work zones have been reduced to 55 miles per hour.