JOSH McDONALD
Staff Writer
Recent Stories
Sheriff Eddy names undersheriff
Travis Skinner will assume second in command
Boil Order issued for Osburn, Big Creek
Weather woes continue to stall North Idaho ski season
Resorts hope for snow as Christmas approaches
Warm weather, strong winds and power outages have prevented area ski hills from fully operating on a consistent basis.
Shoshone County officials navigating flood aftermath
Resources for residents battling flood damage
Shoshone County, plaintiff settle lawsuit tied to failed SCSO levy
Before the Nov. 4 election, Shoshone County Prosecuting Attorney Ben Allen filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, which he believed a court would have granted. But the real debate centered on how much time and resources the county wanted to spend fighting a case where the central issue — the levy — had already been decided and failed.
Civil suit filed against Osburn, OPD officer
The allegations stemmed from claims by Hodges’ granddaughter, who accused him of multiple assaults over a four-month period. Garcia’s complaint asserts the granddaughter fabricated the story to avoid punishment for unrelated misconduct.
Silver Valley man found guilty in meth case
SRS Act would benefit Shoshone County
Shoshone County received $2.8 million in Secure Rural Schools funds for Fiscal Year 2023
The SRS program, created by Congress in 2000 under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, was designed to stabilize funding for counties that depend on federal forest lands. Today, it provides financial support to roughly 700 counties nationwide for schools, roads, and other essential services.
Floodwaters recede in Shoshone County
Several roads remain closed
Several roads remained closed Saturday, according to the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office, including Elk Prairie Road into Calder, CCC Road and sections of Old River Road. Ot
Kellogg NAPA plays Santa to area shop classes
Donates tools valued at more than $10K
In Mullan, Industrial Maintenance and Mechanics instructor Steve Trogden said his program received a similar lineup of tools, with a few exceptions tailored to its automotive and small-engine focus, including a creeper and specialty automotive tools.
Charges filed against former Shoshone County sheriff
Court clerks confirmed that while the Idaho Attorney General’s Office has not filed a probable cause affidavit, a criminal complaint was submitted. According to the complaint, the charge stems from an Oct. 21 incident in which Lindsey allegedly struck a post at the Osburn 76 gas station.
Eddy works to steady SCSO
New sheriff already making changes
Budget constraints remain the biggest challenge. Over the summer, the SCSO budget was among the hottest topics in the county.
Americas Gold and Silver purchases Crescent Mine
Rollercoaster stays, historic site preserved
BLM releases West Fork Pine Creek Road plan
Montana man changes plea in meth trafficking case
Shoshone County mountain passes closed for season
Kellogg JROTC receives Naval Honor School award
Snow shortage slows ski season
North Idaho slopes wait for storms as opening dates slide to December.
Silver Valley man pleads guilty to rape
The charges stem from a September arrest after court records show the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office was alerted by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare about a possible sexual abuse case. One of the alleged victims was living in Las Vegas while another was believed to still be in Shoshone County.
Safer spaces for students commuting in Osburn
Work is wrapping up on the Child Pedestrian Safety Project aimed at making school routes safer for children in Osburn, with four shelters erected in high-traffic areas where many students wait for the school bus each morning.
Silver Valley Christmas Fund aims for record year
Silverton Cascadia earns quality award for care excellence
Shop With A Cop returns to help Silver Valley children
Eastbound lane over I-90's Cataldo Bridge to open soon
KSD discusses financial future after levy failure
Looking for ways to cut $3.5M from budget
Attendees asked questions, with one of the most common concerns being what could end up on the chopping block if the levy fails again when the district tries in May. The answer was available on Election Day.
DEC NIBJ: Silver Valley Kiwanis hope to grow scholarship opportunities
Poster contest fosters lead health awareness in students
“This contest is a fun way to keep the conversation going,” said Emily Hasz, LHIP Outreach Coordinator. “It reminds kids that lead exposure is still a concern in our community and gives them a chance to share what they’ve learned.”
Stutzke resigns from SCSO
Interim sheriff leaves as new one is sworn in
Stutzke served as undersheriff to former Sheriff Holly Lindsey from 2022 until last month, when he became interim sheriff after Lindsey abruptly resigned following a hit-and-run incident that remains under investigation.
Eddy appointed Shoshone County sheriff
SHOSHONE SPORTS: Miners finish third, but look to the future
“I think we showed the state we had a very dynamic team and could put up points with anybody,” Young said. “This year in the playoffs I think we showed that we belonged there, and we fought till the end.”
Kellogg Elks, SV CARES launch food pantry
Veteran leadership guides Silver Valley sawmill
Hunter's death raises questions
Shoshone County interim sheriff outlines search protocols
Deputies attempted to ping the hunters’ cellphones, but the triangulated signal only indicated the phones were somewhere between Wallace and Clarkia, an area of roughly 500 square miles, Stutzke said.
Buck fever hits Sixth Street with fall production, 'Escanaba in Da Moonlight'
Take a trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and the world-famous Soady hunting cabin in the Sixth Street Theater’s fall production of "Escanaba in Da Moonlight."
Meet the candidates for Shoshone County Sheriff
3 in running; decision could come next week
The commissioners are hoping for a smooth process but have requested that each candidate submit a résumé by Friday for review. They plan to make a decision next week.
Cadets mark 250 years of the Marine Corps
“On Nov. 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of Continental Congress,” Cassidy read. “Since that date many thousand men have borne the name Marine. In memory of them it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the birthday of our corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history.”
Shootout on the Palouse
Wallace wins quarterfinal matchup against Genesee
ICRMP denies $2 million claim against Shoshone County
2 levies fail in Shoshone County
Wallace School District’s $3.6M supplemental levy passes
“It is difficult to fully capture what effects this levy will have on our community, but we know for certain that it will result in a general loss of services,” Allen said. “Which services those are will likely depend on where the new administration decides to allocate the resources which are left."
Kellogg bridge dedicated to former mayor
KELLOGG — The Mac Pooler Bridge was formally dedicated Wednesday afternoon. The bridge, formerly known as the Bunker Avenue Bridge, spans the South Fork Coeur d’Alene River and connects Bunker Avenue to the northern half of Kellogg and Interstate 90. The 50-year-old bridge was fully replaced over the past seven months. Pooler, 83, served on the Kellogg City Council from 1992 to 1995, and held two separate terms as mayor — from 1995 to 1997 and again from 2002 to 2024. He stepped down in early 2024 due to health concerns.
Shoshone sheriff candidates revealed
Spike Angle, William Eddy, and Chris Rice 3 finalists
Originally, Green was selected as one of the three options but was later ruled ineligible for the appointment after failing to meet the time of residency requirements within Shoshone County.
Progress made at new Kellogg park
More than 25 years ago, the city of Kellogg acquired the area known as East Smelterville Flats, located north of Interstate 90 and just east of the old drive-in movie theater, according to Kellogg Mayor Rod Plank. For decades, the land remained undeveloped with no concrete plans for its use.
Shoshone jail captain resigning
Shakeup continues at sheriff's office
WALLACE — Another administrator at the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office has resigned. On Tuesday, Jail Capt. Eli Lopez submitted a letter announcing his plan to resign in December. In the letter, Lopez described the decision as “incredibly difficult,” but cited several frustrations that led to his departure after a decade with the agency. “I recognize that leadership challenges exist in every organization, but the absence of consistent backing has made it increasingly difficult to perform at my best," Lopez said. Administrators at the SCSO have been at odds with the county commissioners and clerk concerning the department’s recently slashed budget. Lopez had been critical of both offices in recent months.
FORC river cleanup nets biggest tire haul to date
CATALDO — Nearly 4,000 pounds of old rubber tires were pulled from the Coeur d’Alene River during a recent cleanup organized by the Friends of the River Coalition. Since 2001, FORC founder Dawn Wiksten and volunteers have annually scoured sections of the riverbed, removing more than 17,000 pounds of tires to date. Wiksten said the sheer number of tires recovered is puzzling. But through research and local accounts, she’s beginning to understand how so many ended up in the river. “There was a time when rolling a tire into the river was seen as simply wholesome fun kids have now and then, but this cannot possibly account for the number of tires,” Wiksten said.
Friends of the CDA Trails caps biking season with local donations
WALLACE — The Friends of the Coeur d’Alene Trails Association wrapped up the 2025 biking season by donating $500 each to five local organizations that support communities along the region’s trail systems. The recipients include the Wallace Food Bank, Shoshone County Food Bank, Mullan Community Foundation, Silver Valley Meals on Wheels, and the St. Maries Food Bank.
Kellogg volleyball embracing role as contenders
“I'm happy with our two seed for the tournament. Ambrose is a good team,” Yrjana said. “We start out with Firth (20-7) on Thursday. After watching some film, I think as long as we play our game and bring our intensity we will do well and go get some wins. Our team is ready for the challenge.”
Wallace rides veteran core into state volleyball tournament
“Aubrey is relentlessly positive and always lifts her teammates up,” Wallace coach Katie Bauer said. “She hustles like crazy and even played through a terrible flu at Clark Fork this year. We called it her Michael Jordan moment.”
Wildcat runners ready for the big stage
“Overall, this is just a great group of young men,” Smith said. “I'm excited to see what they do at state this year.”
Shoshone readies sheriff search
Appointee could serve until at least January 2027
f no appointment is made within 30 days, the decision returns to the SCDC for another 15 days. Should no decision be reached within 45 days, Idaho Gov. Brad Little would have five days to make the appointment.
