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
Century-old time capsule retrieved from Kootenai County courthouse
A hidden piece of history came to light Wednesday as community members retrieved a 100-year-old time capsule from within an outer wall of the old Kootenai County courthouse.
Family to stand trial for poaching
St. Maries couple, son accused of selling unlawfully killed wildlife
A family accused of poaching four mountain lions and eight bobcats across four counties is expected to stand trial next week.
Kootenai County starts FY2027 budget process
Even if Kootenai County commissioners levy 3% more property taxes in the coming fiscal year, they’ll need to make budget cuts to avoid a deficit.
$1 million bail for driver in fatal crash
Prosecutors said a man accused of crashing into a Hayden home this week, killing one person and injuring another, was under the influence of inhalants at the time of the incident.
Norris refutes DUI crash rumors
Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris refuted allegations that he was involved in a recent single-vehicle crash near Raising Cane’s, after rumors of such circulated on social media.
KCRCC names Ron Jacobson new chair
For the first time in a decade, the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee has a new leader.
Man charged in fatal Hayden crash
Police have arrested the driver who they said crashed into a ground-level apartment, killing an elderly man, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office.
Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office staff honored
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office is a family. That’s what Sheriff Bob Norris told a crowd of more than 200 people Wednesday night, when KCSO employees and their families, as well as local elected leaders, gathered in the Jacklin Building on the Kootenai County fairgrounds for the agency’s annual employee awards ceremony.
KCRCC gives half its cash to Idaho GOP
Committee chair, other officers to be selected Thursday
In an unprecedented move, the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee voted over the weekend to give half its funds, totaling about $64,000, to the Idaho State Republican Party, days before newly elected precinct committeemen are scheduled to vote on new leadership.
JUNE NIBJ: Advocates push for attainable housing in Kootenai County
Casey Doyle never thought she’d be a homeowner. Then a miracle happened.
CDA Marathon draws thousands of runners
Cynthia Craft and Johanna Gertner were hand in hand when they crossed the finish line of the Coeur d’Alene 10K Sunday.
Some Tubbs Hill trails to close temporarily
Several trails on Tubbs Hill will close for wildfire mitigation starting Memorial Day.
Woman charged with animal cruelty
A woman was arrested this week on animal cruelty charges related to a dog boarding facility she once managed, which was shut down two years ago following a dog’s death.
Regan loses precinct committee race
Under party rules, Regan could remain chair
Brent Regan, the longtime chair of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, lost his GOP precinct committee race Tuesday night. That might not stop him from leading the KCRCC.
Knapp crushes Kovacs
County incumbents win big in other races
Former chief deputy assessor Allyson Knapp flattened incumbent Kootenai County Assessor Béla Kovacs in Tuesday’s Republican primary election, winning the race with 65% of the vote and 17,451 votes overall.
Republican legislators beat primary challengers
Incumbent state lawmakers came out on top in both contested Republican primary elections on Tuesday.
Election Day is here
Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. New voters can register at the polls; they’ll need a current photo ID and proof of residence.
Decisions await on Election Day
Press offers a final look at key contests
Election Day is almost here.
North Idaho College celebrates class of 2026
Grads urged to dig deep, listen, learn
This year, 876 students graduated from NIC.
Carlos Zamora: New role for an old hand
Though Carlos Zamora retired just last week from a long career in finance, he doesn’t plan to have much down time. With three-term Kootenai County Treasurer Steve Matheson not seeking reelection, Zamora will face Teresa Mallery in Tuesday’s Republican primary election. The winner will run unopposed in November.
Teresa Mallery: Institutional knowledge, steward’s heart
Teresa Mallery said she brings more than skill and experience to her role in the Kootenai County Treasurer’s Office. She also brings a steward’s heart. Now she aims to bring both qualities to the office’s top spot.
Steve Em: Blue-collar leadership for Kootenai County
For Steve Em, the issue facing Kootenai County voters in next week’s Republican primary election for the District 2 commissioner seat is a simple one. “It’s white collar versus blue collar,” he said in a sit-down interview with The Press. “I’m blue collar all the way.”
Bruce Mattare: Focused on growth, accountability
Bruce Mattare said he takes a businesslike approach to his role as a Kootenai County commissioner, one focused on metrics and results. “Everything can be put into numbers,” he said. “It’s a matter of having the fortitude and the understanding that it can be done.”
Borrenpohl sues over town hall removal
Teresa Borrenpohl, the woman who was dragged from the Coeur d’Alene High School auditorium last year after she shouted out during a legislative town hall, filed a federal lawsuit Thursday, alleging that the removal violated her constitutional rights.
Precinct committee races could reshape Kootenai County politics
Whitehead, Goedde, Jostlein seek to represent 419
When Lisa Whitehead was appointed to an open seat on the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee about six years ago, she didn’t know much about the role of a precinct committeeman. But as a staunch conservative, she believed she could help the local arm of the GOP.
Allyson Knapp cites experience, leadership
The Kootenai County Assessor’s Office needs leadership that employees and taxpayers can count on. That’s what Allyson Knapp believes.
Jennifer Locke: A vision of efficiency
With its many functions and responsibilities, the county clerk’s office is a bit like a Swiss Army knife. That’s how Kootenai County Clerk Jennifer Locke described her office in a sit-down interview with The Press.
$2M bail for shooting suspect
Man charged with first-degree murder after Stateline confrontation
A Door Dash driver accused of fatally shooting a pedestrian during a road rage incident near Stateline Speedway over the weekend is being held on $2 million bail.
Commission will consider magistrate judge applicants
The First Judicial District Magistrates Commission will meet to select a magistrate judge to replace Judge Robert Caldwell, who died in April at age 59.
Rathdrum mayor resigns
Domestic battery investigation continues
Rathdrum’s mayor, Mike Hill, resigned from his position over the weekend, the day after the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office announced that Hill was involved in a domestic battery incident.
Rathdrum mayor resigns amid investigation of domestic battery incident
Rathdrum Mayor Mike Hill resigned from his position the day after the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office announced that he was involved in a “domestic battery” incident.
Coeur d’Alene Resort marks 40 years of excellence
Coeur d’Alene Resort marks 40 years of excellence
Forty years ago this week, The Coeur d’Alene Resort opened its doors.
Coeur d'Alene Charter students explore justice system
Coeur d'Alene Charter students explore justice system
It takes the work of many people for Kootenai County’s criminal justice system to work. Charter Academy eighth graders got to meet some of the key players Friday at the juven
County candidates face community
The issues of growth, future planning and public trust took center stage Thursday when Republican candidates for Kootenai County assessor and commissioner fielded questions at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library.
PHD aims to revitalize clinic
Director Erik Ketner outlines proposed $12M budget for 2027
Panhandle Health District leaders revealed during a Tuesday meeting with Kootenai County commissioners that they plan to revitalize PHD’s clinic and double services without asking for additional county funding.
Cd'A man arrested after standoff
Police arrested a Coeur d'Alene man Tuesday after he allegedly threatened others with a knife during a mental health crisis.
Cd’A deficit projected to shrink
Mayor says property tax increase is likely, and city might need to take foregone taxes
Potential savings from general fund wages and benefits are expected to reduce the city’s projected budget deficit from $1.8 million to $1.1 million.
MAY NIBJ: Behind-the-scenes roles help Kootenai Health run
During a hospital stay, patients see and interact with nurses, doctors and other bedside caregivers.
Jail OT budget increases again
With the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office poised to outspend its increased budget time for overtime seven months before the end of the fiscal year, mainly due to overtime worked at the county jail, commissioners agreed this week to inject another $1.3 million into the budget.
Commissioner candidates sound off
Qualifications and civility in local government were central topics Thursday when all four candidates for two seats on the Board of County Commissioners addressed the North Idaho Federated Republican Women at Seasons of Coeur d’Alene.
‘Women of Impact’ talk diversity
For years after Blair Williams lost the ability to walk, she said she was reluctant to identify herself as disabled.
Trial approaches for family charged with poaching
The case of a married couple and their adult son accused of poaching four mountain lions and eight bobcats across three counties in North Idaho is expected to go before a jury in June.
Commissioner wants more drug dog searches in schools
Sheriff expresses reservations about the idea
Kootenai County commissioners appear split on a proposal to give the sheriff’s office discretion to conduct random searches with drug-sniffing dogs in schools that contract with the county for school resource officer services.
Son charged with killing elderly mother
Suspect arrested before flight to China
Police have arrested a man accused of attacking and fatally injuring his elderly mother last September, apprehending the suspect as he prepared to fly to China, according to the Coeur d’Alene Police Department.
Absentee ballot requests open for May 19 primary
Voters can still request absentee ballots ahead of the May 19 primary election.
Teen charged with rape
A teen accused of raping an intoxicated woman last year is facing a felony charge.
Idaho Supreme Court considers appeal in drag defamation case
Summer Bushnell says punitive damages awarded by the jury were “not clearly tied” to her conduct
Post Falls blogger Summer Bushnell faced scrutiny from the Idaho Supreme Court this week when she argued that the court should overturn a $1.1 million civil judgement against her for falsely claiming that a drag performer exposed himself to a crowd that included children during a Pride event in 2022.
State leaders mark America 250 in Cd’A
Gov. Little, others encourage voting in May 19 primary
Idaho’s future will be decided in the May 19 Republican primary election and it’s the responsibility of all Idaho voters to make their voices heard.
Standoff underway in Hayden
The Kootenai County Joint Agency SWAT team is responding to a residence on Janice Street in Hayden, where a man wanted on a warrant for stalking is barricaded, according to authorities.
Local news essential in times of crisis
The Press kept community informed during and after Canfield Mountain shooting
Deputy fire marshal Craig Etherton knows as well as anyone the importance of relationships between agencies like the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and local media, especially during emergencies.