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
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.
Funding gap leaves vulnerable seniors wait-listed for vital meal service
Lake City Center seeks help with program
Lake City Center provides a lifeline to hundreds of local seniors through its home-delivered meals program.
Pair charged with trafficking fentanyl, cocaine
Police arrested two Washington residents Thursday night who allegedly possessed more than 800 fentanyl pills.
Risch: Presidential election is ‘anybody’s ball game’
U.S. Senator Jim Risch, R-Idaho, has seen his share of political races play out.
Post Falls blogger ordered to pay $25K in costs for defamation case
A Post Falls blogger found liable for defamation must pay about $25,000 in costs associated with the case, in addition to the $1.1 million judgement.
Post Falls blogger requests stay of $1.1 million judgment
The Post Falls blogger who was found liable for defamation has asked the court to stay the enforcement of a $1.1 million judgment against her while she appeals, saying she’s unable to pay.
Post Falls man charged with stalking
A man accused of stalking his ex and sharing intimate photos of her is in jail and facing felony charges.
Man arrested on $100K DUI warrant
A man is being held on $100,000 bail after he was charged with driving under the influence for the third time in two years.
St. Maries man charged with rape
A St. Maries man is in jail after police said he raped a teen girl.
Kootenai County commissioners eye $131M budget
Includes property tax hike
Kootenai County commissioners agreed Thursday to publish a $131 million budget for fiscal year 2025, about $10 million lower than the previous year’s budget, and signaled they intend to take a tax increase just shy of 2%.
Former Kootenai County employee sentenced in drug scheme
The former division chief of logistics for the Kootenai County EMS System received a probation sentence this week after he pleaded guilty to carrying out a drug diversion scheme.
Kootenai County commissioners nix voter guide advisory question
Two out of three Kootenai County commissioners rejected a request this week to put an advisory question on the ballot regarding a state-issued voter guide.
Kootenai County commissioners debate public transit funding
Kootenai County commissioners will consider whether the county’s funding for public transit services should come from fund balance or be levied.
Kootenai County board prefers alternative to fairgrounds lease
Kootenai County commissioners fielded questions from the public about the county’s future at a town hall meeting Tuesday night.
Investigation continues after gunshots, house fire
Police are investigating the circumstances that led to a man’s death inside a burning house Sunday.
Coeur d'Alene kennel shut down after dog’s death
Investigation is ongoing
Investigation is ongoing
NIC responds to Rumpler lawsuit
North Idaho College has denied allegations of wrongful discharge and retaliation leveled by a former employee.
Men charged with trafficking cocaine
Police arrested five local men Thursday on charges related to illegal drugs, three of whom are accused of trafficking cocaine, according to the Coeur d’Alene Police Department.
Kootenai County budget could hinge on employee pay boost
Pay for county employees may be a sticking point for Kootenai County commissioners as they circle closer to approving a budget for fiscal year 2025.
Kootenai County updates barking dog ordinance
Kootenai County commissioners voted unanimously this week to amend the county’s ordinance on barking dogs, making it more specific.
Kootenai County commissioners eye 2.5% pay increase for employees
Kootenai County commissioners agreed this week to balance the proposed budget for fiscal year 2025 with the assumption of a 3% tax increase, but it’s not yet clear how much of an increase Kootenai County taxpayers will actually see.
Plea deal likely in Coeur d'Alene voyeurism case
A man accused of recording nude videos of children and adults without their knowledge pleaded not guilty to all charges Tuesday, though his legal counsel indicated that a plea deal is likely.
Woman files intent to sue Kootenai County sheriff
A woman is seeking more than $500,000 in damages from Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris after she said he defamed her at a campaign event.
Kootenai fairgrounds master plan unveiled
North Idaho State Fair leadership unveiled a $280 million master plan to rejuvenate and expand the fairgrounds Monday, though they cautioned that it won’t come to fruition unless Kootenai County commissioners agree to a long-term lease for the fairgrounds.
Coeur d’Alene man charged in alleged stabbing
A man is facing felony charges after he allegedly stabbed his former roommate.
'Hidden crisis': North Idaho needs foster parents
Families who accept teens are especially needed
When Tali Nichols was a 21-year-old newlywed, she didn’t plan to have children for a few years, maybe not until after she finished her degree in elementary education.
Voyeurism lawsuit against Coeur d’Alene surgeon to proceed
The civil lawsuit against an orthopedic surgeon accused of hiding a camera in a staff bathroom at his medical office will proceed, a Kootenai County judge ruled Thursday.
Washington man arrested in connection with overdose death
Police arrested two brothers on drug related-charges Wednesday, one of whom allegedly provided the illegal pills that caused a fatal overdose earlier in the day, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office.
Hayden couple charged with attacking neighbors
Police arrested a Hayden couple Wednesday night after an altercation in which the husband allegedly pointed a loaded gun at his neighbors and the wife grabbed her neighbor by the throat.
Post Falls blogger appeals defamation decision
Damages have accrued $14K in interest so far
A Post Falls blogger who was found liable for defamation has not yet paid anything toward the $1.1 million judgement awarded to the drag performer she falsely accused of exposing himself during Pride in the Park 2022, according to court records, while post-judgement interest piles up.
Coeur d'Alene man jailed again for failure to update sex offender information
For the second time in two months, a local man has been arrested for allegedly failing to update his information on the sex offender registry.
Deputy injured, man jailed after Post Falls standoff
A man is being held on $250,000 bail after a standoff with police culminated in his arrest Thursday.
Coeur d'Alene man charged under law aimed at AI-generated child sexual abuse material
A Coeur d’Alene man is the first to be charged under Idaho’s new law aimed at AI-generated of child sexual abuse.
Appellate court rules mostly against Hayden Christmas display
An appellate court ruling has cleared the path for a possible new trial in the years-long legal battle between a former Hayden couple and a homeowners association.
Community discusses fair’s future at town hall
The Kootenai County Fairgrounds play a significant role in the area’s economy, to the tune of $30 million in economic output in 2022 alone.
Idaho open primary initiative qualifies for November ballot
In November, voters will decide whether to approve a ballot initiative that would open Idaho’s primary elections to allow voters and created a ranked-choice voting system for general elections.
Hayden man jailed for possessing child sexual abuse material
A man who admitted to possessing more than 800 videos of child sexual abuse material is in jail on $250,000 bail.
Voyeurism case proceeds against Coeur d'Alene man
The case of a man accused of recording nude videos of children and adults without their knowledge has been referred to the district court for further action.
Public records lawsuit against Post Falls Police Department proceeds
A lawsuit filed by an incarcerated man asking the court to compel the Post Falls Police Department to disclose certain records will proceed, a Kootenai County judge ruled Tuesday.
In the garden: 2024 Coeur d’Alene Garden Tour delights
Charise Maynes Felker beamed nearly as brightly as the afternoon sun as she welcomed hundreds of people to her garden Sunday.
Charting new waters, North Idaho College prepares for life without accreditation
Trustees explore temporary control agreement
North Idaho College trustees agreed this week on how to prepare for a worst-case scenario where the college loses accreditation next spring, though administrators are optimistic it won’t come to that.
16 people sue Coeur d'Alene surgeon over camera in bathroom
Civil lawsuit also filed
Spencer Greendyke, 68, is charged with three counts of sexual exploitation of a child by preparation of sexually exploitative material and eight counts of video voyeurism, all felonies.
Weeklong heat wave crashes into North Idaho
Multiple triple-digit days are in the forecast, with Tuesday and Wednesday expected to reach 100 degrees and 101 degrees, respectively.
Man gets 10 years in prison for child injury
A man will spend up to a decade in prison after pleading guilty to “having sexual intercourse” with minor girls.
ISP: Reported crime drops statewide
Kootenai County sees small increase.
Kootenai County commissioners approve ‘family split’ exemption
Kootenai County Commissioners voted unanimously this week to approve a new category of exempt divisions of land, allowing families to divide land, under certain conditions, without requiring a subdivision.
Police investigate mail theft
Authorities are investigating after checks believed to be stolen from Kootenai County mailboxes were cashed out of state.
Supreme Court allows emergency abortions in Idaho, for now
After the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling Thursday allowing Idaho hospitals to provide emergency abortions — for now, under narrow constraints — the debate over abortion access in Idaho reached downtown Coeur d’Alene.
Kootenai County officials debate alleged data breach
Kootenai County Assessor Béla Kovacs told commissioners that a county employee is responsible for a data breach in late April, though IT staff pushed back against the notion that any breach occurred.