KAYE THORNBRUGH

$50 million open space bond on ballot

Kootenai County voters will decide in November whether to approve a $50 million bond meant to preserve public open space on the Rathdrum Prairie and other parts of the county.

Justice Building expansion moves forward

After a tense Monday night meeting where Kootenai County commissioners debated the scope and cost of the ongoing Justice Building expansion, the board voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the project’s second phase.

Commissioners debate Justice Center expansion

After a tense Monday night meeting where Kootenai County commissioners sparred over the cost of the ongoing Justice Building expansion, the board will decide today how to fund the capital project — or whether to halt it entirely.

Room to grow

Community garden revitalized at Lutheran Church of the Master

Birds flitted among wilting sunflowers and pinwheels spun in a warm breeze Saturday morning, while volunteers tilled the soil at the community garden at the Lutheran Church of the Master.

Reaching abuse survivors, one stone at a time

When Lauren Holley’s relationship became abusive, she had nowhere to turn.

Proposed Cd’A Tribe rezone still up in the air

Kootenai County commissioners will once again consider a proposal to rezone approximately 25,000 acres located within the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s reservation boundaries.

Man accepts plea deal in sexual abuse case

A Coeur d’Alene man accused of sexually abusing a child has accepted a plea deal.

Kootenai County commissioners commit $9.9 million to jail, sheriff’s office expansion

Kootenai County commissioners have agreed to allocate nearly $10 million to fund capital projects for the sheriff’s office, while plans for the in-progress Justice Building expansion remain up in the air.

Making it easy for teens to get help

Local students promote mental health awareness

Students at Lake City High School and Coeur d’Alene High School collaborated to bring Mental Health Week to both schools.

Man charged with sexual abuse

A man accused of sexually abusing multiple children over a period of years is being held on $150,000 bail.

County shelves some proposed impact fees

Kootenai County will no longer pursue its request that cities collect impact fees supporting the sheriff’s office and county parks and waterways.

Kootenai County commissioners to reexamine Justice Building project

In the face of growing costs, Kootenai County commissioners will reevaluate the scope of the ongoing Justice Building expansion project.

NIC board increases athletics budget by $2.6 million

North Idaho College trustees voted this week to increase the athletics budget by up to $2.6 million, contemplated censuring one of their own and shared new insight into a decision to appeal NIC President Nick Swayne’s reinstatement to the Idaho Supreme Court.

Parade of Homes marches on

Thousands of North Idahoans enjoyed blue skies, crisp fall weather and spectacular homes as they journeyed along the Parade of Homes presented by the North Idaho Building Contractor’s Association.

County officials consider policy for pay for themselves

Kootenai County elected officials will examine when and how their pay is calculated.

Man gets prison for child sexual abuse

A man who admitted to sexually abusing a young child received a prison sentence this week.

USS Idaho crew visits North Idaho

For the first time in nearly 100 years, a naval vessel will bear the name Idaho.

Jail sentence for former teacher

Keylon pleaded guilty to 'engaging in sexual conduct' with student

A former Lake City High School teacher who pleaded guilty to “engaging in sexual contact” with a 15-year-old student more than a decade ago will spend four months in jail.

Bennett sentenced for murder near Hauser Lake

The man who pleaded guilty to fatally shooting a Hauser Lake resident last year may spend the rest of his life in prison.

NIC releases special report to accreditor

North Idaho College published a special report Friday to its accrediting body.

Man accused of taking 'up skirt' photos

Camera had images from Target in Cd'A, Super 1 in Athol

A Florida man is facing a felony charge after he allegedly took photos under the skirts of teen girls without their knowledge.

Recognizing their sacrifice

Vietnam era vets to be honored Saturday

Vietnam era veterans will receive a warm welcome home Saturday, courtesy of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the American Legion.

9/11 remembered

Where where you the morning of Sept. 11, 2001? In North Idaho, many were in the middle of their morning routines when the news broke and the world ground to a halt. But Ken Johnson was more than 2,400 miles away from Kootenai County — already at work in the Pentagon.

Grief at Gizmo amid financial shortfall

Amid a financial shortfall, Gizmo-CDA has laid off half its full-time employees and will cut back programming as the remaining staff search for ways to save the nonprofit maker space.

No fires, only smiles

Fire Station open house scheduled near 9/11 for a reason

Even as the sound of children laughing filled the air Saturday at Coeur d’Alene Fire Station 3, local first responders and community members felt a weight that becomes heavier at this time of year.

North Idaho College appeals Swayne’s reinstatement

North Idaho College has appealed to the Idaho Supreme Court over a Kootenai County judge’s decision to reinstate NIC President Nick Swayne.

NIC trustees debate board policies

Ahead of a required update to North Idaho College’s accreditor, four trustees met Wednesday for a special meeting where they debated proposed changes to board policies.

Little parade, big smiles

When Spirit Lake residents lovingly describe the city’s Labor Day parade as the world’s shortest, they’re not kidding.

Men charged with forgery

Two men are being held on $100,000 bail after they allegedly conspired to forge a doctor’s signature.

Some details of NIC personnel investigation emerge

HR chief resigns

The mystery surrounding a personnel investigation taking place at North Idaho College continues, while another member of the college’s leadership team announced their resignation.

Kootenai County commissioners approve $141 million budget

Kootenai County commissioners voted Wednesday to approve the county’s fiscal year 2024 budget, which includes levying 3% more property taxes.

Swayne to receive attorney fees from NIC

North Idaho College President Nick Swayne will receive payment for attorney fees following his successful lawsuit against the college for permanent reinstatement, but exactly how much remains to be seen.

Rumpler resignation announced

It appears Laura Rumpler, North Idaho College’s chief communications and government relations officer, has tendered her resignation.

Kootenai County traffic management faces roadblocks

Spokane center operators say they monitor traffic, not spy on people

Most Kootenai County motorists have experienced the frustration of hitting a seemingly endless series of red lights.

NIC board hires Boyles, keeps Macomber on as well

North Idaho College has two attorneys for the foreseeable future.

Patriot Front members take pleas before trial

After the back to back convictions of seven members of Patriot Front, other members of the white nationalist group appear to be accepting plea deals rather than going to trial.

Rain or swine

A sprinkling of rain began to fall as folks lined up to see the All-Alaskan Racing Pigs Monday afternoon at the North Idaho State Fair.

NIC board to meet Wednesday

North Idaho College trustees are expected to hire legal counsel Wednesday.

3Cs continue caring for community

Group distributes $120K to local nonprofits

These Kootenai County women love nothing better than giving their money away.

Judge dismisses some claims in NIC trustee lawsuit

A Kootenai County judge has dismissed most of the claims in a civil lawsuit against three North Idaho College trustees, but claims focused on the contracts of the college’s former attorney and former interim president survive.

County, cities continue impact fee debate

Some cities are willing to consider impact fees to support the Kootenai County jail. But the county’s additional ask that cities collect impact fees for the sheriff’s office and county parks and waterways — and withhold building permits until they get proof of payment — appears to have stalled.

School funding formula could be reformulated

State superintendent says flexibility is the focus

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, lawmakers spent years unsuccessfully trying to rewrite Idaho’s 30-year-old school funding formula.

Patriot Front members convicted again

Trials for the remaining defendants are scheduled into October

Two more Patriot Front members were convicted of conspiracy to riot Friday, but the men will face no additional jail time for planning to incite a riot during last year’s Pride in the Park celebration in City Park.

Patriot Front member testifies

A member of white nationalist group Patriot Front took the stand Thursday.

Patriot Front trial continues

Local police officers took the stand Wednesday and described their roles in the arrest of 31 Patriot Front members in June 2022.

Man charged with St. Maries murder

A man is facing murder charges after he allegedly shot and killed one person and left another person badly injured.

More Patriot Front members on trial

Two more members of white nationalist group Patriot Front are on trial this week.

Kootenai County commissioners eye $141 million budget

Kootenai County commissioners voted unanimously this week to tentatively accept a $141 million budget for fiscal year 2024, which includes a 3% tax increase.

Cd’A woman charged with child abuse

Police arrested a woman who allegedly attacked her child in a hotel room.

More cities consider Kootenai County impact fee proposal

More cities are weighing in on Kootenai County’s request that they withhold building permits unless they receive proof of payment for proposed county impact fees supporting the sheriff’s office, jail and parks and waterways.