KAYE THORNBRUGH

NIC attorney billed $26K in February

North Idaho College attorney Art Macomber billed more than $26,000 for legal services in February, public records show.

NIC seeks to reverse Swayne’s reinstatement

Greg South, Todd Banducci and other leaders at North Idaho College are pushing back against a judge’s order to reinstate President Nick Swayne.

Special Forces Association preserves stories of vets

Mike “Budweiser” Barkstrom enlisted in the U.S. Army with the intention of becoming a helicopter pilot, only to discover he was colorblind. “I didn’t know what was going to happen,” Barkstrom said. “The Army was going to do whatever they wanted to do with me. That was just the deal in those days.”

Rezoning idea floated for NIC

A new idea to protect North Idaho College’s campus from development has emerged. Public records show that some officials with the city of Coeur d’Alene have floated the idea of working with NIC trustees to rezone the campus, forming a “university district.”

NIC responds to community questions

As the deadline to respond to its accreditor approaches, North Idaho College leaders fielded questions from the community on Thursday. Around 100 people filled the Lake Coeur d’Alene Room in the Student Union Building on campus for a community focus group organized by Kootenai County’s four chambers of commerce.

Commissioners consider county employee pay

Kootenai County commissioners will assess pay steps for county employees rather than calculate a cost of living adjustment for employees as part of the fiscal year 2024 budget.

13 dogs seized from Athol property.

Owner upset, but court records say he was given notice he needed a kennel permit

Dogs taken from Athol home

Kootenai Health to cancel Humana Medicare Advantage contract

A health care insurer's practice of incorrectly denying claims has led Kootenai Health to change its relationship with the insurer. Kootenai Health will cancel its contract with Humana for Medicare Advantage, citing high rates of claim denials. Beginning April 1, Kootenai Health and Kootenai Clinic providers will be considered “out of network” for Humana Medicare Advantage. That means patients with Humana Medicare Advantage will pay higher costs to receive care from those providers.

Library materials bill could reappear

Legislation that would make libraries civilly liable if minors obtain “obscene” materials from their collections could reappear before the House State Affairs Committee.

Woman jailed after skipping sentencing

A woman who pleaded guilty to stealing more than $1,500 in merchandise from Walmart and then skipped her sentencing is back in jail.

Youth arrests decline in Kootenai County

Half as many youths were arrested in Kootenai County last year than in 2020, according to a new report from the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections. J.D. Storm, juvenile corrections liaison for Districts 1 and 2, presented the report to Kootenai County Commissioners Tuesday.

Interim administrators leave North Idaho College

The interim provost and interim dean of student life hired by North Idaho College interim president Greg South are no longer employed by NIC. The college confirmed Tuesday that Sunday, March 5 was the last day of employment for Peggy Bradford and Jim Forkum, who both began Jan. 9 to work for NIC. The end of their employment comes on the heels of Judge Cynthia Meyer’s order Friday for NIC to reinstate President Nick Swayne as the college’s active president. South was hired by the NIC board in December to serve as interim president after the trustees placed Swayne on paid administrative leave for no disciplinary reason. The trustees reinstated Swayne Monday during a special meeting of the board, and they placed South on paid administrative leave.

Trustees make Swayne active president, place South on paid leave

North Idaho College still has two presidents, with Nick Swayne returned to his role as active president and Greg South placed on paid administrative leave Monday night.

Legislators decline to settle delinquent property tax dispute

State legislators declined to settle a dispute over whether counties or cities get to keep the fees and interest charged on delinquent property taxes. The House Revenue and Taxation Committee considered House Bill 150 this week, which would require counties to distribute a proportional share of collected penalties and interest to the taxing districts.

NIC trustees to meet Monday

North Idaho College trustees will convene Monday night for a special meeting, following a Friday night order from a Kootenai County judge to immediately reinstate Nick Swayne as the college’s acting president.

Human rights groups denounce attacks toward students

Regional human rights groups sent a joint letter this week to North Idaho College trustees and Interim President Greg South condemning harassment of college students at recent public meetings. The letter was signed by leaders of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, as well as the human rights task forces of Bonner, Boundary and Spokane Counties.

JFAC recommends more funding for pay raises for community colleges

Legislators on the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee rejected budgetary items related to administrative hires at North Idaho College, instead embracing Gov. Brad Little’s recommendation to spread the requested money across Idaho’s four community colleges.

Bill to offset U of I costs from student murders passes House

North Idaho lawmakers opposed legislation to help cover costs of security, police, student counseling and more

COEUR d’ALENE — A bill that would provide the University of Idaho with $1 million to help offset some of the costs resulting from the murder of four college students last November was passed Thursday by the Idaho House of Representatives and is headed for a Senate vote. House Bill 222 passed the House by a vote of 56-14 and was opposed by North Idaho House members. It provides funds to partially reimburse the university for increased campus security and Idaho State Police patrols, student counseling, a vigil and other expenses in the wake of the murders of Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen.

Kootenai County helicopter unit takes off

Kootenai County’s own helicopter unit has been cleared for takeoff. County commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve an agreement between the sheriff’s office and the Kootenai County Regional Air Support Unit, a 501(c)(3) formed last year for this purpose. The two-year, donation-funded pilot program for the helicopter unit will be the first of its kind in Idaho.

NIC gets new legal counsel for lawsuits

North Idaho College has acquired new legal representation for two of the lawsuits it’s currently facing. Attorneys Kelly Drew and Brittney Adams, of the firm Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, will represent the college in separate lawsuits filed against NIC by President Nick Swayne and Coeur d’Alene resident Mike Gridley.

Commissioners question Kovacs on county policy

Kootenai County Assessor Bèla Kovacs faced pointed questions from commissioners on Tuesday about whether he followed policy when he recently placed an employee on administrative leave.

NIC Faculty Assembly censures trustees, college attorney

The North Idaho College Faculty Assembly have issued a resolution of censure against Trustees Greg McKenzie, Todd Banducci and Mike Waggoner, as well as college attorney Art Macomber.

Woman charged with trafficking meth

A Montana woman is in jail on $100,000 bail after police said they found hundreds of fentanyl pills in her vehicle. Rebecca Piper, 40, of Missoula, Mont., is charged with trafficking methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance, both felonies.

KCSO: Woman dies by suicide during traffic stop and arrest

A woman died by suicide last week during a traffic stop where police arrested a man on drug trafficking charges, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office. Last Friday, local law enforcement agencies conducted surveillance for Wyatt Warnken, a 31-year-old Post Falls resident who police described as a “known narcotics dealer.”

NIC Diversity Council denounces harassment of students

After some community members heckled and hurled slurs at North Idaho College students at recent trustee meetings, the NIC Diversity Council has called on trustees and Interim President Greg South to publicly denounce the behavior.

Judge considers injunction in Swayne’s lawsuit

North Idaho College President Nick Swayne revealed in court Thursday that a college trustee signaled an intention to remove him from his position months before the board placed him on administrative leave for no disciplinary reason. “Just wait, you only have 52 days left,” NIC Trustee Todd Banducci reportedly told Swayne via email in September 2022, referring to the November election where three new trustees would be elected. The Press has requested a copy of the email from North Idaho College.

North Idaho College trustees make statement on accreditation

North Idaho College trustees have published a statement expressing their desire for the college to remain accredited in the wake of a show cause sanction by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

NIC trustees vote no to reinstating Swayne

Board authorizes exploration of reaching a settlement with Swayne

The same three North Idaho College trustees who voted in December to place President Nick Swayne on administrative leave voted during Wednesday’s board meeting to leave him there.

‘Rise for NIC’

Community rallies to support students, staff, faculty

In the wake of a show cause sanction from NIC’s accreditor — the last step before loss of accreditation — around 200 people gathered Tuesday afternoon in support of students, staff and faculty. Most had stories to share about how NIC has impacted their lives. Many community members called for trustees Greg McKenzie, Todd Banducci and Mike Waggoner to resign.

North Idaho College to withdraw subpoenas to staff, others

North Idaho College will withdraw all subpoenas issued last month to college employees, former trustees and others, according to emails obtained Tuesday by The Press.

Moody’s downgrade could impact NIC

The recent downgrade of North Idaho College’s bond ratings could affect the college’s financial future.

'Time to rally the troops'

Calls for people to attend Wednesday's meeting of the NIC board of trustees

North Idaho College Board Chair Greg McKenzie reportedly sent a text message to a student urging the public to make comments in support of the college’s current direction at next week’s board meeting. It will be the first meeting since NIC received a show cause sanction from its accreditor, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Show cause is the last step before loss of accreditation.

‘Significant dysfunction’ triggers ratings downgrades for NIC

Moody’s Investor Service has downgraded North Idaho College’s issuer and bond ratings, actions that affect $7.9 million in rated debt.

Airport director departs

Board of County Commissioners accepts Kjergaard's resignation

Steven Kjergaard has resigned from his position as Coeur d’Alene Airport Director. A three-sentence media release from the county on Thursday said the Board of County Commissioners accepted the Kjergaard's resignation that day and that a search for a new director would begin immediately.

Judge rejects NIC subpoenas

Also declines attorney's motion to withdraw

A judge declined to hear an attorney's motion to request to withdraw from representing North Idaho College in a lawsuit filed against the college by President Nick Swayne. The judge also quashed subpoenas issued to two former trustees and the college’s former legal counsel. Boise-based attorney Bret Walther, who was assigned to the case by NIC’s insurance carrier, filed the motion to withdraw Monday afternoon, citing “irreconcilable breakdown of the attorney-client relationship.”

NIC attorney withdraws from Swayne lawsuit

The attorney representing North Idaho College in the lawsuit levied by President Nick Swayne has filed a motion to withdraw as counsel, citing “irreconcilable breakdown of the attorney-client relationship.”

No charges for false alarm at NIC

City prosecutors have declined to file charges against a local woman for a false fire alarm pulled at North Idaho College in December, citing a lack of evidence that she committed any crime.

Man faces prison after shooting at wife

A Coeur d’Alene man could spend life in prison after he attempted to shoot his wife. Keenon L. Keyes, 36, was convicted in January of aggravated assault and felony injury to a child.

‘No additional chances’: After show cause sanction, North Idaho College admin meet with accreditors

After show cause sanction, North Idaho College admin meet with accreditors

NIC receives show cause letter from accrediting agency

North Idaho College received an action letter of “show cause” late Thursday from its accrediting organization, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. NIC has until March 13 to submit a report explaining why its accreditation should not be terminated.

Idaho Fish and Game may save skeet club

The future of the Coeur d’Alene Skeet and Trap Club has been uncertain, due to an ongoing debate about the club’s annual rent. But the club may have found an unlikely rescuer: Idaho Fish and Game.

Trustee elections to continue at Kootenai Health: Will not affect hospital's conversion to nonprofit

As Kootenai Health continues its transition to a nonprofit organization, two seats on the board of trustees will be up for election in May — but the roles of those trustees will look different than they did in years past.

Kootenai County commissioners choose new Airport Advisory Board

Citing “many issues with protocol and complaints” at the Coeur d’Alene Airport in Hayden, Kootenai County commissioners voted Tuesday to replace most of the Airport Advisory Board.

County commissioners to seat new Airport Advisory Board

Kootenai County commissioners are expected to fill two vacant seats on the Airport Advisory Board today and replace the remaining five members.

Legislators discuss school choice funding at town hall

More than 200 people attended a town hall meeting of 10 North Idaho legislators on Saturday at Candlelight Christian Fellowship. The Kootenai County Republican Central Committee organized the event, where legislators answered questions submitted by the public. In attendance were Sens. Carl Bjerke, R-Coeur d’Alene; Phil Hart, R-Kellogg; Doug Okuniewicz, R-Hayden; and Ben Toews, R-Coeur d’Alene; as well as Reps. Joe Alfieri, R-Coeur d’Alene; Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens; Jordan Redman, R-Coeur d’Alene; Ron Mendive, R-Coeur d’Alene; Elaine Price, R-Coeur d’Alene; and Tony Wisniewski, R-Post Falls.

Former NIC trustees, lawyer seek to quash subpoenas

North Idaho College’s former attorney and two former trustees have asked a court to quash subpoenas seeking documents, emails, public record requests and other digital records related to the hiring of NIC President Nick Swayne, calling the subpoenas “unreasonable and oppressive.” Attorney Art Macomber issued a flurry of subpoenas last month on behalf of NIC in a lawsuit filed by Swayne against the college. The lawsuit seeks Swayne’s reinstatement after trustees placed him on administrative leave for no disciplinary reason.

Local students excel at Model United Nations

Students from two local high schools excelled at a Model United Nations conference at Boise State University. Model United Nations is a simulation of the U.N. General Assembly and its other bodies where students perform an ambassador role while debating topics related to the countries they’re assigned to represent. A team of students from Coeur d’Alene and Lake City High School earned third place in the competition last week, competing against teams from 15 other schools throughout Idaho.

Details emerge in alleged Sandpoint patricide

A Sandpoint man who is charged with his father’s murder was allegedly attempting to flee the state when police arrested him Sunday in Kootenai County. Evan J. Owens, 26, is charged with second degree murder in connection with the death of his father, 80-year-old John Owens.

Homesharing program applications to open soon

Kootenai County residents in search of affordable housing will soon have a new resource to help them find it.

Man gets prison for threatening to shoot school and police

Almost a year after his actions led to an armed standoff near Dalton Gardens Elementary School, a local man was sentenced Thursday to prison. Robert J. Green, 40, was convicted in December of three counts of aggravated assault on police with a deadly weapon and one count of threatening violence upon school grounds.