KAYE THORNBRUGH
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College.
Recent Stories
Police: Coeur d’Alene man pointed BB gun at children
A man accused of threatening three children with a BB gun is in jail.
Hanford nuclear waste could pass through North Idaho
2,000 gallons will be trucked through Spokane in 2025
Edward Dawson, Hanford Site spokesman for the U.S. Department of Energy, told The Press via email on Thursday that the DOE has not yet released the transportation route.
Hayden couple to stand trial for alleged attack on neighbors
A husband and wife accused of attacking their neighbors are headed for trial.
Talks continue for Kootenai County fairgrounds agreement
Fair administrators and Kootenai County Commissioners are still working out an agreement to keep the fairgrounds at the current site for the foreseeable future.
New Post Office plan could add delays to rural North Idaho deliveries
Area members of the American Postal Workers Union will gather at noon in Spokane, in coordination with fellow postal workers across the country, to demand “better staffing, improved service and a fair contract that recognizes the essential role of postal workers” in communities, according to a news release.
Proposed aquifer chemical rules move forward at Kootenai County
Kootenai County moved one step closer this week to authorizing Panhandle Health District to enforce rules about how businesses located over the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer handle chemicals.
Coeur d'Alene surgeon pleads not guilty to voyeurism
The case of an orthopedic surgeon accused of hiding a camera in a staff bathroom at his medical office is headed for trial early next year.
North Idaho College trustee candidates face community at forum
With three of the five seats on North Idaho College’s nonpartisan board of trustees up for election Nov. 5, Kootenai County voters could shift the balance of power.
Man imprisoned for assault of sleeping woman
A man who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a sleeping woman received a prison sentence.
NIC celebrates surgical technology program milestone
Program will be accredited through 2034
Program will be accredited through 2034
Kootenai County absentee ballot requests high
Thousands of Kootenai County voters have requested absentee ballots a head of the May 5 general election and there’s still time to request one.
No charges for man who yelled slurs at youth soccer team
City prosecutors declined to pursue charges against a man who admitted to hurling racist slurs at youth soccer players during a May 12 tournament, according to public records obtained by The Press.
Dual enrollment surges at North Idaho College
Overall enrollment up 15% this fall
Commissioners, assessor spar over personnel policy
Kootenai County elected officials sparred Thursday over reports that Assessor Bèla Kovacs may have improperly disciplined an employee.
Deputy fatally shoots two dogs in Post Falls
A Kootenai County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed two dogs that allegedly attacked him Wednesday, according to the sheriff’s office.
Election staff: Voters should check registration before Nov. 5
Some Kootenai County electors have received notice that their voter registration status has been challenged.
Man pleads guilty to secretly recording nude videos
A man is in jail after pleading guilty to secretly recording nude videos of children and adults.
Coeur d'Alene student suspended after threatening to 'shoot up the school'
For the second time this month, a Lakes Middle School student has been suspended for allegedly threatening to “shoot up the school,” according to the Coeur d’Alene Police Department.
Man arrested again after domestic violence charges
A Post Falls man accused of beating and choking a woman is in jail after he reportedly failed to appear in court.
Duncan drops out of North Idaho College race
Kootenai County Commissioner Leslie Duncan dropped out of the race for North Idaho College Trustee Zone 5 Friday, meaning she is now solely running for reelection to her county seat.
Man charged in Hayden road rage incident
A man is facing a felony charge for allegedly hitting someone with his vehicle during a road rage incident.
Open primaries initiative will be on November ballot, judge rules
An initiative that would open Idaho’s primary elections to all voters and implement ranked choice voting for general elections will appear on the November ballot, a judge ruled Thursday.
‘A critical moment’: North Idaho College trustees speak out before Nov. 5 election
The fate of North Idaho College is in the hands of voters.
Open primaries initiative will appear on November ballot, judge rules
An initiative that would open Idaho’s primary elections to all voters and implement ranked choice voting for general elections will appear on the November ballot, a judge ruled Thursday morning.
Man jailed for assault of sleeping woman
A man who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a sleeping woman is in jail while he waits to be sentenced.
Kootenai County will weigh jail impact fees
Kootenai County residents may soon have an opportunity to weigh in on proposed impact fees to support the jail.
Crews battle County Line Fire near Worley
A fire started about two miles northwest of Plummer on Saturday morning, prompting evacuations that were rescinded by early evening.
Class action filed after Kootenai Health data breach
Kootenai Health allegedly failed to protect the personally identifiable information and personal health information of patients, resulting in a large data breach that put patients at risk of fraud or identity theft, according to a proposed federal class action filed against the hospital.
North Idaho College releases special report to accreditor
North Idaho College published a special report to its accreditor Friday, asking for reduced sanctions.
Kootenai County commissioners approve $131 million budget
Kootenai County commissioners voted Wednesday to approve the county’s fiscal year 2025 budget, which includes levying 2% more taxes.
Post Falls man gets prison for child sexual exploitation
A man who possessed and created child sexual abuse material will spend decades in federal prison.
NIC celebrates increased enrollment
North Idaho College administrators touted increased enrollment numbers Wednesday night, saying this is the first year since 2011 that NIC has seen significant increases in every major enrollment category.
North Idaho College board will face scrutiny from accreditor
As North Idaho College prepares for an October site visit from its accreditor, the issues of board governance and trustee behavior loom large.
Local rat rodder revs up for competition
For as long as he can remember, Brent Lundquist has lived and breathed cars.
Open hearts, open wings
After osprey killing, Avondale community welcomes Birds of Prey Northwest
After osprey killing, Avondale community welcomes Birds of Prey Northwest.
Wish comes true: After cancer diagnosis, Post Falls girl receives horse
After cancer diagnosis, Post Falls girl receives horse
‘Recovery is possible’: Idaho State Police celebrate diversion program graduate
For a person recovering from substance use disorder, a year of sobriety is made up of countless moments of courage and resilience.
Drag performer may collect $1.1 million judgment against Post Falls blogger
A Post Falls resident may begin collecting a $1.1 million judgement against the blogger who defamed him, a judge ruled Wednesday.
Hayden man fined for killing osprey
A Hayden man who shot and killed an osprey with a pellet gun will pay fines and spend time on probation.
‘We’re in the ascendency’
North Idaho Democrats attend Democratic National Convention
Local Democrats who traveled to Chicago for the Democratic National Convention said they’re feeling a sense of unity and strength.
Kootenai County officials debate shifting liability for public transit to cities
Kootenai County commissioners are likely to propose an agreement with cities that would make it difficult for the county’s public transit system to connect with Spokane in the future.
North Idaho College enrollment rises for fall semester
Career and technical education numbers see big boost
Overall enrollment is up 7.4% over last year. In the career and technical education category, enrollment is up 34.9% for first-time students over this time last year, according to NIC.
The defense rests: Kootenai attorneys warn of looming crisis
County may face public defender shortage
County may face public defender shortage
Coeur d'Alene man who fired gun during altercation gets 45 days in jail
A man who fired a gun during an altercation with his neighbor is serving a jail sentence.
Feds: Coeur d’Alene man convicted of obtaining $1.5 million through wire fraud
A federal jury convicted a local man this week for a multimillion-dollar accounts receivable factoring scheme.
University district proposal will go to Coeur d’Alene City Council
City planning and zoning commissioners unanimously recommended this week that the city council create a “university zoning district” encompassing North Idaho College’s campus.
Kootenai County aims to improve tax correction transparency
Kootenai County staff have asked commissioners change how they approach tax cancellations and value corrections for prior years in order to communicate when those changes impact taxing districts.
Idaho Supreme Court rejects open primaries challenge
The Idaho Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed Attorney General Raúl Labrador’s challenge to a ballot initiative that would open Idaho’s primary elections to all voters and implement ranked choice voting for general elections, saying the matter must first be addressed by a lower court.
Liquor revenues drop, creating hole in Kootenai County's budget
Kootenai County commissioners looked to trim about $19,000 from the budget for fiscal year 2025 after the county’s share of liquor revenues fell short of expectations.
Duncan announces candidacy for North Idaho College board
Kootenai County Commissioner Leslie Duncan announced her candidacy for North Idaho College Trustee Zone 5.