KAYE THORNBRUGH

North Idaho legislators look to 2024 session

With the 2024 Idaho legislative session set to begin Monday, some North Idaho legislators shared their priorities for this year.

‘We’ll be in good hands’

After 16 years, Thoreson retires from Post Falls City Council

After 16 years, Thoreson retires from Post Falls City Council

County aims to open employee medical clinic in March

Kootenai County is aiming to open a medical clinic for county employees in March, though it first must finalize the clinic’s location.

County to develop veterans treatment court

Kootenai County plans to develop a specialty court for local veterans living with mental illness and substance abuse disorders.

Judge considers Swayne’s public record lawsuit

District Judge Barry McHugh will consider whether to compel North Idaho College to turn over an investigative report to college president Nick Swayne.

Kovacs secretly recorded county staff, elected officials

Kootenai County Assessor Béla Kovacs has secretly recorded conversations with his employees and other county elected officials, as well as at least one executive session of the county commissioners.

Details emerge in NIC records suit

Court filings have revealed new details about the undisclosed personnel investigation at the center of debate on the North Idaho College board of trustees and a public records lawsuit.

Dog snatched from yard on Christmas

Family pleads for pet’s return

Christmas ended in heartbreak for the Pehrson family when they say a stranger snatched their dog out of their yard.

NIC's accreditation crisis, by the numbers

One year after an attempt by the board majority at North Idaho College to oust President Nick Swayne, the college remains under a show-cause sanction, the last step before loss of accreditation.

NIC settles Gridley lawsuit

Trustees announce they have no intention of removing Swayne

North Idaho College appears to have settled a lawsuit alleging violations of Idaho’s open meeting laws and intends to fight a separate case which contends the college violated public records laws.

Children’s Village to reapply for ARPA funds

Children’s Village still has a chance to receive the $291,000 in federal COVID-19 rescue funds that were approved by Kootenai County last year.

Children’s Village may not get COVID-19 rescue funds

COEUR d’ALENE — Children’s Village may not receive the $291,000 in federal COVID-19 rescue funds that Kootenai County approved last year for payroll subsidies, after the county’s legal counsel determined the nonprofit is not eligible for the money.

Affordable housing solutions still sought

Affordable housing in Kootenai County remains out of reach for many. But local housing advocates say there are solutions.

NIC board grants board chair authority on lawsuits

North Idaho College trustees granted board chair Mike Waggoner blanket authority to make decisions about litigation on behalf of the college, two days before a hearing where a judge will consider whether to compel the college to turn over an investigative report to NIC President Nick Swayne.

Assessor withdraws massive public records request

Kootenai County Assessor Béla Kovacs has withdrawn public record requests submitted to the treasurer’s office that were expected to generate many tens of thousands of documents and cost more than $20,000 in employee labor to fulfill.

Kootenai County voters sign for open primaries

Volunteers braved cold weather in downtown Coeur d’Alene Saturday morning to gather signatures for a ballot initiate that would open Idaho’s primary elections to all voters — and dozens of Kootenai County voters gave them a warm welcome.

Assessor pins $53 million error on other county officials

Kootenai County Assessor Béla Kovacs has asked the Idaho State Tax Commission to audit the work processes of five county departments, including his own, according to emails obtained by The Press.

Report details proposed jail impact fees

An study prepared for Kootenai County details proposed impact fees meant to support the jail.

Swayne sues NIC for investigative report

North Idaho College President Nick Swayne has filed a lawsuit against NIC, asking the court to compel the college to turn over an investigative report that has been at the center of heated debate on the board of trustees.

Cd’A man jailed for animal cruelty

A local man will spend 30 days in jail after he pleaded guilty to leaving five pets in a hot car, killing four of the animals.

Kootenai County approves opt-out plan for Cd’A Tribe rezone

Property owners within the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s reservation boundaries will have until the end of June to opt out of their property being rezoned from rural to agricultural.

Idaho Judicial Council reprimands Peterson

The Idaho Judicial Council has imposed a public reprimand on First District Judge Clark Peterson, seven months after he was placed on administrative leave.

Cd’A Airport needs traffic control tower, director says

Traffic at the Coeur d’Alene Airport has increased so much that director Gaston Patterson said he plans to pursue adding an air traffic control tower at Pappy Boyington Field.

County plans public hearing for jail impact fees

Kootenai County residents will have a chance early next year to weigh in on proposed impact fees to support the jail.

All that glitters

35th Festival of Trees sparkles and twinkles at Cd'A Resort

It’s enough to get the biggest Grinch feeling festive. That’s what Kootenai Health Foundation President Cara Neilsen quipped Friday at the Coeur d’Alene Resort, where almost two dozen lavishly decorated Christmas trees twinkled and glowed, waiting for the public to arrive.

Continuing concerns about NIC board

Accreditor releases report; commends college president and employees

North Idaho College’s accreditor revealed that some trustees don’t support NIC President Nick Swayne and hope to replace him with Interim President Greg South, who has been on paid administrative leave since March.

Late tax payments due to error won't be penalized

Kootenai County commissioners have authorized the cancelation of penalties and interest on tax bills that are paid late due to a typo which resulted in a multimillion dollar property value assessment error.

Sheriff's office relies on hundreds of special deputies

Most are trained law enforcement officers; some are not

To facilitate law enforcement throughout the county, Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris cross-deputizes police officers from other jurisdictions and swears in some special deputies who don’t have backgrounds in law enforcement.

Soroptimists celebrate Women of Distinction

Seven local women were honored for their achievements and dedication to community service Friday at the 41st annual Women of Distinction luncheon.

$53 million property value error to delay tax notices

Some taxing districts are affected by the mistake

A typo resulting in a multimillion dollar property value assessment error is expected to affect multiple taxing districts in Kootenai County and delay the distribution of property tax notices.

Regan, KCRCC named in defamation lawsuit

The Kootenai County Republican Central Committee and its chair, Brent Regan, have been added to a defamation lawsuit filed by two former Community Library Network Trustees.

Kootenai County assessor hires Boyles

Kootenai County commissioners have agreed to allow Assessor Béla Kovacs to hire attorney D. Colton Boyles to represent his office in multiple civil lawsuits but won’t reveal how much Kovacs is authorized to spend.

Will an open space bond be floated again? It's unclear

After Kootenai County voters rejected a $50 million bond meant to curtail development on the Rathdrum Prairie, it’s unclear whether the concept will come before voters again.

No answers after Spirit Lake shooting

More than week after a woman died amid an “officer-involved shooting” in Spirit Lake, city and county officials remain tight-lipped.

Sheriff talks immigration, law enforcement

Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris played to a full house Wednesday night, when more than 120 people gathered in the county administration building for a “legislative town hall” meeting with Norris and representatives from U.S. Border Patrol.

Hill, Sanders win Rathdrum races

For the first time in 16 years, Rathdrum has a new mayor: Mike Hill.

Meyer appointed to Idaho Supreme Court

Gov. Brad Little has appointed First Judicial District Judge Cynthia Meyer to the Idaho Supreme Court.

Election Day is here

Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today.

Appraisal event reveals hidden treasures

When Kathy Blanford received Barbie dolls as presents around age 10, she was never allowed to brush their hair.

Post Falls police officer remembered

Though Nicholas McDaniel served on the Post Falls Police Department for a short time, he left an “incredible mark” on his colleagues and his community.

Lots of absentee voters in Kootenai County

Kootenai County has the third-highest rate of absentee ballots issued in the state of Idaho, according to data from the Idaho Secretary of State.

Spirit Lake woman dead after shooting

A Spirit Lake woman is dead after an “officer-involved shooting” Wednesday night, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Thursday, but many details of the shooting remain unknown at this time.

County commissioners reject assessor’s request for attorney

Kootenai County commissioners have denied Assessor Béla Kovacs’ request to hire attorney D. Colton Boyles to represent his office in two civil lawsuits.

Midtown Meeting Center expansion postponed

A planned expansion to the Coeur d’Alene School District’s Midtown Meeting Center is on hold.

Warming center needs ‘souport’

“Souport the End of Homelessness” is 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2 at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. For $20 a ticket, guests can try 2-ounce servings of 32 different soups, prepared by professional and amateur chefs.

Early voting sees disturbances near elections office

Quarrels outside the Kootenai County elections office this week have prompted police responses and caused county staff to make peacekeeping efforts.

Montana man charged with sexual abuse

A Montana man is in jail after police said he sexually abused a local teen girl.

Judge awards Swayne $150,000 in attorney fees

A Kootenai County judge has awarded North Idaho College President Nick Swayne a little more than $150,000 for attorney fees following his successful lawsuit against the college for permanent reinstatement.

Kootenai County helicopter unit still flying

About eight months after takeoff, Kootenai County’s helicopter unit is still flying.

SOS tours Kootenai County elections office

It takes thousands of people across Idaho to make democracy work in this state.