JOSH McDONALD
Staff Writer
Recent Stories
Road access debate reignites
Fate of 'Rollercoaster' at stake
The public meeting was initiated by Paul Loutzenhiser, who urged the commissioners to keep the road open for public access. Representing the North Idaho Trailblazers, Loutzenhiser explained that the group uses the road to reach a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) property known as the “Rollercoaster.”
SCSO requests money for vehicles
Shoshone County Undersheriff Lance Stutzke met with county commissioners last week to propose the purchase of three new patrol vehicles for the sheriff’s office.
Kellogg woman hospitalized following house fire
A woman was hospitalized and her dog rescued following a dramatic house fire Friday afternoon in uptown Kellogg.
Kellogg School District may seek larger levy
Hopes to offset potential state cuts
The Kellogg School Board held a special workshop earlier this week to discuss options for replacing its two-year supplemental levy.
Ambulance funding ails Shoshone County
Owes nearly $900K
Last week, Fire Chief Scott Dietrich met with the Shoshone County Commissioners to discuss funding concerns surrounding four ambulances previously ordered by the county.
SCSO uncovers abuse, drugs, gun following Pinehurst investigation
Four arrested, three children removed from home
Three children have been removed from their mother’s custody, and 12 felony charges have been filed following a child abuse investigation that culminated in a raid Tuesday evening.
SilverHoops does it again
Perfect weather, thousands of spectators, and just the right amount of competitive spirit made SilverHoops 2025 one to remember.
Shasta Groene's voice takes center stage in new true crime memoir
After escaping the clutches of a serial killer in a 2005 murder/kidnapping, Shasta Groene spent 20 years fighting for her life.
SCSO, county officials clash over wages
A meeting between the Shoshone County Commissioners and administrators from the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) grew contentious at times as discussions over the department’s pay structure resumed from the previous week.
Wallace School District seeks input for potential civic auditorium site
For years, the Wallace School District (WSD) has sought ways to revitalize the Civic Auditorium, but with little success. Now, new findings about the building’s condition and the high cost of repairs may chart a controversial course for its future.
SilverHoops 3-on-3 set for this weekend
Organizers are expecting over 200 teams at this year’s SilverHoops 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, once again eyeing the record for most teams in a single year.
Charges filed in Silver Valley newborn-for-trade case
Two Silver Valley women are facing felony charges after authorities uncovered an agreement involving the custody exchange of a newborn.
SCSO, commissioners examining department's pay structures
As Shoshone County enters its annual budget planning season, administrators from the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) recently met with county commissioners to propose several changes to the department’s pay structure.
Pottsville Seven project nearing end
Since 2021, the Pottsville Seven have tackled the restoration of East Shoshone Park one project at a time. Now, they’re nearing the finish line.
Validation denied, but access may be granted
Shoshone County road dispute adds new complexity
A recent decision from the Idaho Supreme Court may have raised more questions than it answered regarding one of Shoshone County’s most contentious legal disputes.
Kellogg tackles tree replanting after sudden removal
City officials in Kellogg are working to replace dozens of trees that mysteriously died over the past two years, leaving noticeable gaps in some of the town’s most visible areas.
Aging bridge to be removed
Last week, county commissioners approved a bid to remove the aging bridge near the mouth of Moon Gulch. Spanning Moon Creek, the bridge provides access to several homes on the east side.
Data breach affecting SCSO email
The Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office is experiencing email outages following a reported data breach at the cloud hosting and IT company it uses to host the online service.
'Huckleberry Havoc' runs through Aug. 10
'Huckleberry Havoc' runs through Aug. 10
One of Sixth Street Melodrama and Theater’s most popular productions is back on stage for the company’s 42nd season — just in time for a milestone celebration.
Kellogg library opens doors at 'new' building
After months of preparation, the Kellogg Public Library officially opened its doors at a new location along the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes earlier this week.
Shoshone County greenlights $300K for green spaces
Last week, the Shoshone County Commissioners approved a $300,000 reinvestment of funds into the county’s parks department to begin the process of modernizing the deteriorating facilities.
County considering St. Joe River Road work
Last week, the Shoshone County Commissioners met with Public Works Director Jessica Stutzke to discuss the 23-mile stretch of road between Avery and Calder.
Long-awaited bridge project to begin in Pinehurst
The nearly 60-year-old bridge connecting Pinehurst to the Bauman’s Addition area of Kingston over Pine Creek is set to receive a brand-new deck, replacing the current one that is beyond repair.
Mountain West Bank continues work at Nine Mile Cemetery
For the second year in a row, the team from Mountain West Bank (MWB) made the short trip up Nine Mile Road to care for Wallace’s historic Nine Mile Cemetery.
Shoshone County leaders offer messages of support
The shocking acts of violence committed against the city of Coeur d’Alene and its first responders on Sunday afternoon sent shockwaves across the nation. In neighboring Shoshone County, elected officials, law enforcement, and EMS personnel are standing in solidarity with their counterparts in Kootenai County.
Kellogg hosting Fourth of July Kickoff celebration
Those looking to get a jump on the holiday weekend are going to love Kellogg’s Fourth of July Kickoff celebration this Thursday.
Kellogg men arrested following drug raids
Deputies with the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) recently executed two search warrants in Kellogg, resulting in the arrests of two individuals identified as known drug dealers.
Keep the air inside your homes safe this summer
Around this time each year, air quality becomes a major concern across North Idaho. As wildfires ignite across the U.S. and Canada, smoke drifts into the panhandle, casting a toxic haze over the region’s typically blue summer skies.
Shoshone BOCC adopts new meeting rules
Shoshone BOCC adopts new meeting rules
Last week, the Shoshone County Commissioners formally adopted a new set of rules to guide all future meetings.
Housing shortage causing concern for Silver Valley leaders
Housing shortage causing concern for Silver Valley leaders
Finding quality, affordable housing in Shoshone County has become increasingly difficult due to a combination of economic, geographic, and social factors. For Paige Olsen, director of the Silver Valley Economic Development Corporation (SVEDC), solving this long-standing issue has become a mission. But despite her tireless efforts, progress remains elusive.
Silverton assisted living facility expands
Silverton Health and Rehabilitation of Cascadia recently celebrated two major achievements that will help shape the future of the assisted living facility.
County seeks public comment over potential North Fork road work
Shoshone County Public Works Director Jessica Stutzke met with the county commissioners earlier this week to discuss several road failures in the North Fork Coeur d’Alene River region of the county.
Silver Valley pair arrested for child abuse
Child placed in state custody
Two Silver Valley residents have been arrested and are facing numerous charges in what law enforcement is calling one of the most unsettling cases of child abuse in recent memory.
Shoshone County back on track with wage study
After numerous setbacks, Shoshone County is one step closer to completing a long-awaited wage study.
Kellogg to host world-class hard-enduro races
Hard-enduro motorcycle racing isn’t for the faint of heart. With heart-stopping jumps and death-defying drops, it demands a rare breed of athlete to take on one of motorsport’s toughest challenges.
Asphalt test failures put brakes to Fourth of July repaving project
Construction along the Fourth of July Pass section of Interstate 90 has stalled in recent weeks, prompting many commuters to question whether the roadwork remains on schedule.
Bridge near Osburn marked for replacement
Cost expected to run a few million
An open house is scheduled for Wednesday to discuss an upcoming bridge project near Osburn.
Dive team making a comeback in Shoshone County
Response times to Coeur d’Alene River, Chain Lakes expected to improve
According to Shoshone County Sheriff Holly Lindsey, discussions to reform the team began a few years ago. In the years since, Shoshone Fire District #2 Chief Scott Dietrich has taken an active lead on restarting the group.
New lobby turns the page on Brooks Hotel renovation in Wallace
Dozens of residents packed the entryway to the Brooks Hotel for the grand reveal of their newly remodeled lobby on Thursday afternoon.
Shoshone County cracking down on meeting rules
BOCC Chairman Jeff Zimmerman presented a list of five rules that had been discussed that would be printed on the back of the board’s meeting agendas that they and the public would adhere to during all future meetings.
Kellogg family completes late author’s book on schoolhouses
Kellogg family completes late author’s book on schoolhouses
Not many people know that there were more than 100 schools and school buildings along the Coeur d’Alene River... But Marvin Lake was the exception to most people.
Woody appointed chief of Osburn police
Earlier this month, Jason Woody was officially sworn in as the new Police Chief of Osburn, bringing more than two decades of law enforcement experience to the role.
Washington man facing aggravated DUI charge following holiday weekend crash
A Cheney man is facing multiple felony charges after an alcohol-related crash over Memorial Day weekend sent two people to the hospital.
The epic career of Scott Miller
For nearly four decades, Scott Miller has been working with athletes of all ages and skill levels, but at this point, simply calling him a coach feels like a disservice. Through all of the navigating of both emotional highs and lows of high-level competition, Miller became so much more to so many.
Brooks Hotel to celebrate major milestone in ongoing renovation project
Brooks Hotel to celebrate major milestone in ongoing renovation project
Ongoing work at the Brooks Hotel has reached another major milestone, according to owner Emily Nelson.
New field offers opportunity for Silver Valley youth baseball
New field offers opportunity for Silver Valley youth baseball
A special group of dads and more than a few generous businesses have given Silver Valley kids a quality place to play baseball with the “new” Pastime Park.
Kellogg's JROTC cadets prepare for Memorial Day ceremonies
JROTC cadets prepare for Memorial Day ceremonies
Students in the Marine Corps JROTC Program at Kellogg High School have been busy over the past few days as they prepare for Memorial Day.
Kellogg math teacher wins school and district teacher awards
Kellogg High School teacher Megan Cline was named both KHS and Kellogg School District Teacher of the Year and was honored during a special assembly last week at KHS.
North Idaho seeing rise in seasonal allergies
North Idaho seeing rise in seasonal allergies
Spring has sprung, and there’s a certain feeling in the air as the sun begins to shine and things start turning green again.
20 years later, neighbor reflects on abduction that changed Coeur d'Alene
20 years later, neighbor reflects on abduction that changed Coeur d'Alene
20 years ago, the unthinkable happened. The triple homicide and kidnapping of two young children from a home near Wolf Lodge stopped North Idaho and much of the nation in its tracks. 47 days later, 8-year-old Shasta Groene was identified and rescued at a Coeur d’Alene restaurant, and the man responsible was arrested.