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
North Idaho College enrollment rising
Summer enrollment is up at North Idaho College and the rising numbers bode well for the fall.
Kootenai County commissioners consider employee wage increase
Kootenai County commissioners will weigh pay increases for county employees as part the budgeting process for fiscal year 2025.
Man gets prison for injury to child
A man who sexually abused a teen girl will spend time in an Idaho prison before facing deportation.
Idaho Democratic Convention held in Moscow
Hundreds of Democrats from across Idaho traveled to Moscow this weekend for the Idaho Democratic Party State Convention, held at the University of Idaho.
Town hall will address fair’s future
Community members are invited to learn about the history of Kootenai County fairgrounds and weigh in on its future at a town hall meeting in July.
Not forgotten in North Idaho: Brian Shookman
Since he disappeared without a trace July 28, 2012 in Kellogg, there has been no sign of Brian Shookman.
Coeur d’Alene man sentenced to prison for voyeurism, sexual battery
A man who admitted to sexually assaulting and photographing a sleeping woman will spend up to six years in prison.
Juneteenth honored in Coeur d’Alene
Speaker says people can change for the better
When Kitara Johnson-Jones arrived at the Human Rights Education Institute in downtown Coeur d’Alene and saw the “Love Lives Here” sign out front, she felt excited.
Community partnership barbecue Saturday
The public can meet local first responders and get a close look at equipment like a helicopter and SWAT vehicle at a community partnership barbeque this weekend.
Kootenai County to authorize Panhandle Health District to enforce aquifer chemical rules
Kootenai County commissioners will consider authorizing Panhandle Health District to enforce rules about how businesses located over the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer handle chemicals.
Moon reelected Idaho GOP Chair, party now opposes funding higher education
Republican party platform opposes higher ed funding
Bingham County delegates rejected at Idaho GOP convention
One of Idaho’s 44 counties won’t be represented in the Idaho GOP Convention after Bingham County’s delegates were excluded Friday, ostensibly because the Bingham County Republican Central Committee has not paid dues to the state party.
Idaho GOP convention kicks off in Coeur d’Alene
Republicans from all of Idaho’s 44 counties converged on Coeur d’Alene Thursday for the kickoff of the Idaho Republican State Convention.
Kootenai first responders, school staff practice active shooter scenario
The scene unfolding at Timberlake High School was a simulated mass shooting, designed to give first responders, school staff and community members a chance to practice what to do in a realistic emergency scenario.
Sheriff's office looks to grow in remodeled Kootenai North building
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office aims to complete its move to the Kootenai North facility in Hayden by summer’s end.
Poorman named magistrate judge
Tristan Poorman is the newest magistrate judge for the First Judicial District, filling the vacancy created by Judge Ross Pittman’s appointment to the Kootenai County District Court bench.
Kootenai County: Nearly 7,000 tax assessment notices are wrong
Commercial property owners in Kootenai County can expect to receive corrected assessment notices after a database error led to many inaccurate commercial assessments being mailed to taxpayers.
Rathdrum man accused of Jan. 6 crimes
A federal judge signed a warrant for the arrest of a Rathdrum man for his alleged involvement in events at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Coeur d’Alene man accused of secretly recording nude videos at bank, gym, home
He is in jail on $500,000 bail.
Souza to run for Idaho GOP chair
Mary Souza will run for the Idaho Republican Party chairmanship at the state convention next weekend in Coeur d’Alene.
Coeur d’Alene Tribal School administrator charged with drug possession
A Coeur d’Alene Tribal School administrator was arrested Monday on charges of possession of a controlled substance.
Kootenai County commissioners look to cut $7-$9 million to balance budget
Kootenai County commissioners took a first look Tuesday at the proposed budget for fiscal year 2025.
Kootenai County fairgrounds proposes 20-year lease
County commissioners will consider a multi-decade lease for the fairgrounds.
Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office proposes $50 million budget
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office has unveiled a proposed budget for fiscal year 2025.
Coeur d'Alene celebrates Pride in the Park
Thousands turn out for event
Thousands celebrate Pride in the Park.
UPDATED: Jury awards $1.1 million to drag performer
A jury has awarded more than $1.1 million in damages to the drag performer who sued a blogger for defamation.
'Remorseless killer': Howard gets life sentence for wife’s murder
A former Idaho State Police trooper will spend the rest of his life in prison for murdering his wife.
Defense rests in defamation case
The defense rested Thursday in the defamation trial of blogger Summer Bushnell.
Former ISP trooper gets life sentence for murdering wife
A former Idaho State Police trooper will spend the rest of his life in prison for murdering his wife.
Coeur d'Alene defamation trial: Videographer who provided blogger with images of drag performer takes the stand
Images were upscaled 300% and brightened
The videographer who edited footage of a drag performer and provided it to a blogger took the stand Wednesday in a defamation trial.
North Idaho College will drop appeal over Swayne reinstatement
North Idaho College trustees will drop an appeal to the Idaho Supreme Court over a Kootenai County judge’s decision to reinstate NIC President Nick Swayne.
Eberlein, Duncan win commissioner races
Marc Eberlein won the four-way Republican race for Kootenai County Commissioner District 1, retaking the seat he lost in 2016 to outgoing commissioner Bill Brooks.
Norris claims big win
Norris said he has developed a strong base that supports his efforts.
Post Falls blogger testifies in defamation trial
A blogger on trial for defamation admitted in court Tuesday that she knew her claims that a drag performer exposed himself to a crowd in City Park were untrue.
KCRCC maintains majority of precinct posts
The KCRCC faced numerous challenges from North Idaho Republicans for the precinct posts.
Defamation trial begins for blogger sued by Coeur d'Alene drag performer
Jurors watched two recordings of Posey’s performance, each taken from a slightly different vantage point.
Coeur d'Alene forum tackles fentanyl crisis
No one is immune to dying or losing a loved one because of a fentanyl overdose.
Hospitals agree to terminate deal amid antitrust probe
After an investigation into whether Kootenai Health and Syringa Hospital and Clinics in Grangeville may have violated Idaho’s antitrust law, Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced the hospitals signed a consent agreement.
Coeur d’Alene man charged with sexual assault of sleeping woman
Police responded Tuesday evening to a reported sexual assault.
From farm to table: Fifth graders experience agriculture at Kootenai County Fairgrounds
Smiles and laughter abounded Wednesday morning as human kids met goat kids.
JB’s Restaurant closes
Restaurant appears to have shuttered.
Trial delayed a year for Coeur d’Alene teen with ISIS ties
The 18-year-old Coeur d’Alene resident accused of planning to attack local churches on behalf of ISIS is expected to stand trial next May.
Convicted killer goes on hunger strike in Kootenai County Jail
Prosecutors ask court to intervene
Court records indicate Howard had lost 50 pounds between March 15 and April 29.
Small races, big stakes: Precinct committee elections may shape Kootenai County’s politics
As the May 21 primary election approaches, Kootenai County residents may have noticed something they’ve never seen before: yard signs for Republican central committee candidates.
Local moms uplifted by North Idaho College Center for New Directions
Amanda Harris wears many hats: childcare worker, college student with plans to become a teacher, single mom of two great kids.
Kootenai County commissioners weigh in on growth, housing
More than 100 people gathered Friday morning at the Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene in for the “state of the county” forum presented by the Joint Chamber Public Policy Committee.
Barn burns down in Coeur d’Alene
Barn was a total loss.
Kootenai County veterans services highlighted at town hall
Thousands of veterans call North Idaho home.
North Idaho counties report increase of sexual assault
As reports of sexual assault increase throughout North Idaho, advocates, law enforcement and prosecutors are working to keep up.
North Idaho College attorney bills approach $100K
Since his hiring last August, North Idaho College attorney Colton Boyles has billed NIC more than $98,000.