KAYE THORNBRUGH

Man arrested after bar shooting

Police arrested a man Monday night after he allegedly shot someone twice outside a bar.

Veterans: Watch out for ‘claim sharks’

Recent legislation allowing increased access to disability compensation benefits has helped veterans and their survivors receive the health care and benefits they deserve. At the same time, these new laws have presented opportunities for scammers to commit fraud against veterans. The Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act — known as the PACT Act — expands health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances.

Macomber withdraws as North Idaho College attorney

North Idaho College has no legal counsel, after a tumultuous, five-hour Wednesday night meeting where trustees reversed an earlier decision to hire new counsel and the attorney who was meant to facilitate the transition walked out.

Macomber withdraws as North Idaho College attorney

North Idaho College has no legal counsel, after a tumultuous, five-hour Wednesday night meeting where trustees reversed an earlier decision to hire new counsel and the attorney who was meant to facilitate the transition walked out.

NIC trustees split on acknowledging no confidence votes

Banducci opposes and gives lengthy response

North Idaho College trustees cast a split vote Wednesday night to adopt a statement publicly acknowledging the 13 votes of no confidence passed by students, faculty and staff in the last two years.

Kootenai County commissioners restore assessor's pay

Following a judge’s order, Kootenai County commissioners cast a split vote Tuesday to restore Assessor BELA Kovacs’ salary, which the board cut in half last year after Kovacs failed to perform some of his statutory duties.

Kootenai County Assessor on track for 2023 deadlines

The Kootenai County Assessor’s Office is reportedly on track to meet its statutory deadlines this year.

NIC publishes accreditor’s report

Evaluation notes positive steps taken and areas in need of improvement

A team representing North Idaho College’s accreditor found that the college has made some progress since receiving a show cause sanction but cautioned that only time will tell if effective change can continue.

Details emerge in battery of trustee

The former North Idaho College employee who allegedly dumped a bucket of soapy water on Trustee Todd Banducci told police he blamed Banducci for the loss of his job.

NIC won’t fight Swayne lawsuit

North Idaho College trustees voted unanimously Wednesday night not to oppose NIC President Nick Swayne’s request that the court grant him permanent reinstatement without going to trial.

Challengers win library board race

After a contentious race, challengers Tim Plass and Tom Hanley were elected to the Community Library Network Board of Trustees.

Justice Building expansion could start this fall

Construction of the Kootenai County Justice Building expansion could begin as early as September, with an estimated completion date in spring 2025.

Judge OKs amended complaint in NIC lawsuit

Emails showing that North Idaho College attorney Art Macomber and trustees Greg McKenzie, Todd Banducci and Greg McKenzie used private emails to secretly prepare for public meetings can be included in a lawsuit.

Political mailer may violate campaign finance law

Anonymous political mailers related to the Community Library Network trustee race prompted a flurry of complaints this week from residents who say the materials violate Idaho’s campaign finance laws.

Library trustees sue over campaign letters

Two Community Library Network trustees have filed a lawsuit against three Kootenai County residents who distributed letters accusing the trustees of committing crimes against children. “We will not sit by while being falsely accused…by people who want to try and hide behind the First Amendment,” said Judy Meyer and Regina McCrea, in a statement shared Thursday with the Coeur d’Alene Press. Meyer and McCrea are seeking reelection to the Community Library Network Board of Trustees. They said they decided to file the civil suit in order to take a stand against political mudslinging in North Idaho.

No charges for fatal shooting

A Priest River man who fatally shot a suspected car burglar outside a shopping center last month will face no criminal charges.

Kootenai County commissioners ordered to restore assessor’s pay

A judge has ordered the Kootenai County Board of Commissioners to restore Assessor Bèla Kovacs’ salary, which the board cut in half last year after Kovacs missed statutory deadlines and failed to perform some of his duties.

Swayne asks court for summary judgement

Attorneys representing North Idaho College President Nick Swayne have asked the court to grant him reinstatement without going to trial. Last Friday, Swayne’s legal counsel filed a motion for summary judgement in his lawsuit, which alleges that three NIC trustees violated the terms of his employment agreement when they placed him on administrative leave for no disciplinary reason in December 2022.

NIC trustee asks State Board of Ed to intervene

With a decision about North Idaho College’s accreditation on the horizon and board dysfunction continuing, one trustee has asked the Idaho State Board of Education to intervene in the hopes of saving NIC.

Several accreditation outcomes possible for NIC

The fate of North Idaho College is expected to be revealed in July, when the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities announces whether it will retain accreditation. If the college loses accreditation, it may be impossible to regain.

Judge upholds Swayne’s reinstatement

A Kootenai County judge reaffirmed her order requiring North Idaho College to reinstate Nick Swayne as the college’s active president. Judge Cynthia Meyer issued a written decision Wednesday afternoon denying NIC’s request that she overturn her March decision, which forced the college to restore Swayne to his job while his lawsuit seeking permanent reinstatement proceeds.

Kootenai Health takes first step toward nonprofit conversion

Kootenai Health trustees voted Tuesday to assume the operations of Kootenai Health Inc., a nonprofit organization.

Gate could block proposed subdivision

Debate over a gate could block a proposed subdivision.

NIC trustees hire new attorney

North Idaho College trustees conducted business Wednesday night, hiring new legal counsel for the college, taking a first look at the proposed budget for fiscal year 2024 and approving tenure for faculty members.

NIC releases Macomber report

A report issued by North Idaho College attorney Art Macomber recommended that trustees nullify President Nick Swayne’s employment contract due to an open meeting law violation that allegedly occurred the day Swayne was hired.

NIC trustees nullify Swayne’s contract

North Idaho College trustees voted 3-2 Monday night to nullify the contract of President Nick Swayne but said he will continue as active president “until the board decides otherwise.”

Former state trooper charged with murder

A former Idaho State Police officer has been charged with killing his wife. Daniel Charles Howard, 57, of Athol, was arrested Friday night and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the 2021 death of his wife, 48-year-old Kendy Howard. Jail records indicate that Daniel Howard also faces a felony domestic battery charge.

Man gets prison for charges related to rape

A man who admitted to raping a child has received a prison sentence.

Emails show NIC trustees, lawyer planned meetings in private

Emails reveal that North Idaho College attorney Art Macomber and trustees Greg McKenzie, Todd Banducci and Mike Waggoner used personal email addresses to secretly prepare for the public meetings where the board majority hired Macomber and ousted NIC President Nick Swayne.

Parents get prison for child neglect

A husband and wife received 10-year prison sentences after pleading guilty to severe neglect that left their toddler near death.

Kootenai County examines impact of Justice Building expansion

With a 60,000-square-foot Kootenai County Justice Building expansion on the horizon, the county will examine how to shuffle its offices to fill newly-available space on the downtown Coeur d’Alene campus.

Kootenai County to consider coroner's office expansion

Kootenai County commissioners may consider impact fees to fund an expansion of the coroner’s facilities.

Idaho Fish and Game to negotiate skeet club land purchase

After debate about the Coeur d’Alene Skeet and Trap Club’s annual rent cast doubt over its future existence, it appears the club will remain where it’s been since 1965.

County rejects residential facility for at-risk youth

Kootenai County commissioners nixed a proposed residential care facility for at-risk youth in the Wolf Lodge area.

Cd’A Tribe rezone proposal moves forward

The Kootenai County Planning and Zoning Commission gave the green light Thursday to the biggest proposed rezone in county history.

Fatal I-90 crash investigation continues

Vehicle landed in Knudtsen Chevrolet lot

A woman injured in a police pursuit that culminated in a fatal crash last weekend has been released from the hospital and arrested for an unrelated warrant, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office.

Kootenai County commissioners amend wake ordinance

Ordinance will forbid towing within 150 feet of shore on Spokane River

Kootenai County commissioners voted Wednesday to replace some language in the county’s excessive wake ordinance and add a 150-foot “no tow” rule to the Spokane River.

Self service area planned for Ramsey Transfer Station

Kootenai County plans to create a "self-dumping" area for small loads at the Ramsey Transfer Station, which could dramatically decrease congestion at the site.

Man sentenced for child sexual abuse

A man who confessed to having sexual contact with a minor has received a prison sentence. Jordan M. Cook, 34, of Coeur d’Alene, pleaded guilty in January to sexual abuse of a minor, a felony.

Federal judge to decide Whitcomb lawsuit against NIC

A lawsuit levied by former North Idaho College head wrestling coach Pat Whitcomb against NIC for what Whitcomb called an unfair dismissal went before a federal judge last week.

Judge considers motion to undo Swayne decision

A court hearing Friday morning revealed that North Idaho College attorney Art Macomber appears to have widened the scope of his investigation into Nick Swayne’s employment agreement. The new details emerged while Judge Cynthia Meyer heard arguments as to whether she should undo her order that restored Swayne to his position as active president while his lawsuit seeking permanent reinstatement proceeds.

NIC board meeting a no-go

A special meeting of the North Idaho College trustees did not happen Thursday night because Greg McKenzie, Todd Banducci and Mike Waggoner failed to show up.

South approved $40K exit bonus to temporary NIC employee

An email from North Idaho College President Nick Swayne indicates that Greg South, the interim president now on administrative leave, altered the contract of a temporary employee to add a $40,000 exit bonus after that employee had already resigned.

Man charged with lewd conduct

A man is facing multiple felony charges after police said he carried on a sexual relationship with a minor and created explicit videos of the conduct.

Public NIC meeting canceled

North Idaho College trustees canceled the public portion of a special meeting Tuesday afternoon that had been announced about six hours prior.

Swayne responds to attempted reinstatement reversal

Denies accusations that he gave inaccurate testimony

North Idaho College President Nick Swayne has responded to the college’s attempt to reverse his court-ordered reinstatement, asserting that NIC has provided no new evidence that would render the court’s original decision incorrect.

Commission weighs proposed rezoning

The Kootenai County Planning and Zoning Commission is considering a proposal to rezone approximately 25,000 acres located within the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s reservation boundaries.

Justice Building expansion costs rise

The $24 million in federal funds that Kootenai County commissioners set aside last year to expand the Justice Building in downtown Coeur d’Alene won’t be enough to cover the entire project.

NIC athletics conference change unlikely

North Idaho College won’t change athletics conferences any time soon — and recent efforts to do so reportedly jeopardized NIC’s relationship with the Northwest Athletic Conference.

Overcrowding continues at county jail

Amid continued overcrowding, Kootenai County commissioners directed the Sheriff’s Office this week to determine how much it would cost to complete two unfinished dormitory pods at the county jail.