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
Report: Crime down in Cd’A
Calls for service numbered 39,552 last year
Crime continues to decline in Lake City, down about 70% over the past decade, according to new data from the Coeur d’Alene Police Department.
Kootenai Health unveils new surgical robot
Katie Chaffin peered into a device that resembled a virtual reality headset, squeezed a pair of hand controllers and across the room, a surgical instrument delicately grasped a tiny rubber ring.
Post Falls man charged with terrorism
A Post Falls man accused of smashing windows with a baseball bat at the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office and threatening law enforcement over the weekend will undergo a mental health evaluation, a judge ordered Monday.
Cd’A Council to consider hazard mitigation plan
The city council will decide on Tuesday whether to approve the 2026 Kootenai County Multi-Jurisdictional All-Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Commissioners approve Cd’A Airport fee changes
Kootenai County commissioners voted this week to approve an updated fee schedule for the Coeur d’Alene Airport.
Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty celebrates downtown Cd’A office
History came full circle when Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty celebrated the grand opening of its new downtown office within the Coeur d’Alene Resort Plaza.
8,600 acres closed to public after unauthorized use, rule violations
Thousands of acres of private forest near Emida in Benewah County are now closed to public access due to persistent violations and damage to property, according to Idaho Fish and Game.
Men charged with poaching moose
Two men are facing felony charges after a witness discovered them gutting a bull moose they had allegedly poached.
Report: Hit-and-run crashes rising
Hit-and-run crashes are on the rise nationwide, according to data from the AAAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, and have also become more frequent locally.
Silverwood has new owners
'Herschend was the only choice for us,' says Paul Norton
“Silverwood will remain Silverwood” under the new ownership of Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation, the world’s largest family-held themed attractions company, the companies announced Friday.
NIC trustees OK property purchase, indoor practice space
Property details under wraps for now, Swayne says
Enrollment up for sixth straight semester; outpacing national trend
Enrollment up for sixth straight semester; outpacing national trend
Total enrollment at North Idaho College increased 7.1% for the spring semester, NIC announced Wednesday, marking six straight semesters of growth.
‘No Kings’ protest set for Saturday
Thousands of “No Kings” protests are planned nationwide this Saturday, including several in North Idaho.
Foundation marks $200M in grantmaking
Idaho Gives raises record $5M
The Idaho Community Foundation awarded more than $16 million in grants scholarships and charitable distributions in 2025 and surpassed more than $200 million in lifetime grantmaking, the nonprofit announced Monday.
County eyes dispatch center upgrades
Could cost about $8.5M
Kootenai County commissioners will consider a multimillion-dollar proposal to upgrade the county’s 911 system and move operations into a new facility.
Trouette gets community service for town hall battery
Security company owner says he believed he was acting lawfully under sheriff’s direction
Security company owner Paul Trouette won’t spend any time in jail for battering two people who spoke out when a woman was dragged from a chaotic legislative town hall at Coeur d’Alene High School last year if he completes community service hours.
City plans workshops on downtown core changes
The city plans to conduct workshops to gauge the impact of possible changes to height restrictions, zoning code and design guidelines in the downtown core.
Women at Work highlights career pathways
Dozens of women and even a few men gathered to learn about NIC’s offerings and talk to local women who work in CTE fields.
Report: Idaho nonprofits struggle with hiring, retention
Nonprofit organizations across Idaho are struggling to hire and retain the employees who deliver essential community services in areas like food assistance, mental health services, education and the arts, according to a new report from the Idaho Community Foundation’s Nonprofit Center program.
$100k bail for stalking, kidnapping suspect
A man who prosecutors said repeatedly entered a woman’s home and held her against her will over the weekend is being held on $100,000 bail.
Candidates file for Kootenai County races
The deadline for filing for the May 19 primary election has passed, setting the stage for several contested races among Republican candidates.
Commissioners OK supplement to jail OT budget
Captain says an additional $1.5 million without benefits is needed
With the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office outspending its budget for overtime about seven months before the end of fiscal year 2026, mainly due to overtime worked by detention deputies at the county jail, commissioners agreed to supplement the budget.
Kootenai County jail to appear on reality TV show
The Kootenai County jail will be featured in a new season of the reality TV series “Jail,” with filming expected to occur this summer.
Idaho Missing Persons report shows fewer cases in 2025
The number of missing persons cases in Idaho decreased between 2024 and 2025, according to a new report.
Gookin outlines priorities
Cd’A mayor, Kootenai County commissioner address business community
Cd’A mayor, Kootenai County commissioner address business community.
$5 million bail for man charged with child sexual abuse
A man accused of sexually abusing two children is in jail on $5 million bail.
Man jailed, loses hunting privileges for poaching
A man who poached multiple deer and an elk during a two-month “killing spree” in 2024, exhibiting behavior that a judge called “frightening,” has lost his hunting privileges for the next 17 years.
Cd’A Tribe, state of Idaho announce historic water rights settlement
Chief Allan: Deal protects homelands, ensures water reliability for all
The Coeur d’Alene Tribe and the state of Idaho announced the completion of a historic water rights settlement Thursday, ending decades of litigation in North Idaho and more than a century of uncertainty about the Tribe’s water rights.
NIC employees celebrate accreditation win
NIC employees celebrate accreditation win
North Idaho College endured.
Cd'A Council approves annexation for proposed subdivision
City councilors voted unanimously Tuesday night to annex a 1.9-acre property that is expected to be developed into a four-lot subdivision.
In Congressional race, Kaylee Peterson stresses community connections
When Kaylee Peterson ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in Idaho’s first congressional district in 2022 and again in 2024, she knew Idaho Democrats couldn’t flip the district in a single cycle.
State kills 3 wolves to aid elk
Says first-time action necessary due to declining herd numbers
Idaho Fish and Game completed “targeted wolf management actions” last weekend that killed three wolves in Unit 4 in the Panhandle elk zone, the department announced.
Kootenai County Republicans divided on Gaetz
Some skipping Lincoln Day event due to speaker, who says he is looking forward to CDA visit
When hundreds gather Saturday night at the Resort for the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee’s biggest bash of the year, the Lincoln Day dinner, some elected precinct committeemen won’t be there.
St. Maries hunter jailed for ‘poaching spree’
A St. Maries man who went on a “poaching spree” in 2024 that included the killing of seven deer received a prison sentence.
MARCH NIBJ: Built with employers: Training North Idaho’s workforce
For more than 30 years, the North Idaho College Workforce Training Center has worked directly with employers to design training that responds to local hiring needs and prepares students for jobs with immediate openings across the region.
Sharps disposal rising in Kootenai County
Growing population, aging residents generating more medical waste
Kootenai County accepts used sharps from county residents, as long as they meet the requirements for disposal.
Hero firefighter Tysdal retires
Saved lives at Canfield Mountain after being shot June 29
David Tysdal, the fire engineer who survived a shooting that killed two fellow firefighters on Canfield Mountain last June, has retired from the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department after 24 years of service.
Election season opens with online filing
With filing periods opening soon, candidates for elected offices across Idaho will now file online, the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office announced Wednesday.
Man gets 20 years for domestic battery, robbery
A man with a string of domestic violence convictions who prosecutors said “victimizes every woman he enters a relationship with” will spend up to 20 years in prison after pulling a knife on a woman.
Cd’A man charged with child abuse, animal cruelty
A man accused of choking and tying up a child is in jail on $100,000 bail.
North Idaho College retains accreditation
After sanctions, commission returns NIC to good standing
After sanctions, commission returns NIC to good standing
‘Awl’ for one
Vikings, Timberwolves team up
Crosstown rivals came together as friends once again this week in support of local nonprofits.
KCSO projected to outspend overtime budget
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office is expected to outspend its fiscal year 2026 budget for overtime this month, largely due to overtime worked by detention deputies at the county jail.
People protest governor's Cd’A visit
Proposed Medicaid cuts, education changes draw fire from families
During Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s visit Wednesday, community members protested his office’s proposed cuts to Medicaid funding and approach to public education.
Cd'A council hires former PF mayor
Jacobson will serve as interim city administrator
In a split decision, city council members agreed to appoint former Post Falls mayor Ron Jacobson to the position of interim city administrator.
Medical cannabis initiative gathers 45,000 signatures
A coalition of Idahoans supporting the legalization of medical cannabis for people with debilitating medical conditions has gathered more than 45,000 signatures for a ballot initiative for the November 2026 election, according to a news release.
Kootenai County Drug Court launches support group
A new support group aims to strength long-term recovery for graduates of Kootenai County’s Drug Court program, as well as current participants.
Family to stand trial together in poaching case
St. Maries residents accused of illegally killing mountain lions, bobcats
A married couple and their adult son, who are all accused of illegally killing four mountain lions and eight bobcats across three counties in North Idaho, are expected to stand trial together next month.
North Idaho caregivers concerned about proposed Medicaid cuts
Governor’s plan calls for $22 million in reductions
When Jordan and Kade Serumgard were diagnosed with autism and intellectual disabilities as children, their mother, Post Falls resident Susan Llewellyn, knew they would need lifelong care.
Cd’A may eliminate Parking Commission
Body formed in 2005 no longer needed, says staff
The city council will consider dissolving the Parking Commission after staff reported that the body is no longer needed.