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
Gookin taps former PF mayor for interim city administrator role
Gookin taps former PF mayor for interim city administrator role
Mayor Dan Gookin announced on Tuesday his intention to appoint former Post Falls mayor Ron Jacobson to the position of interim city administrator.
FEB NIBJ: NIC X-Labs helps area employers innovate
Tucked away in the Hedlund Building on the North Idaho College campus is a lab where students, faculty, community members and industry partners come together to explore solutions to real-world problems.
Christians seek unity during prayer week
Christians seek unity during prayer week
Faith leaders and community members gathered last week at St. Luke's Episcopal Church on Wallace Avenue to lift their voices in prayer, along with fellow Christians around the world.
Ironman eyes new finish line
Triathalon, Car d’Lane ‘inadvertently’ set for same weekend
Triathlon, Car d’Lane ‘inadvertently’ set for same weekend
Kootenai Health hires former legislator
Amador will work with elected leaders, build partnerships
Kootenai Health has hired former Idaho legislator Paul Amador as a government affairs and community relations manager.
Cd’A will consider selling Harbor Center to U of I
The city will explore the possibility of selling Harbor Center and some of the surrounding land to the University of Idaho, which has leased the building since 2002.
Cd'A City Council approves fire department restructure
The city council voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve a reorganization of the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department's administrative structure that leaders said will create a clear chain of command and bring the department in line with industry standards.
U of I requests Harbor Center sale
The University of Idaho has requested that the city council authorize Mayor Dan Gookin’s administration to negotiate a sale of Harbor Center, which the university has leased since 2002, and some of the surrounding land.
Post Falls man gets prison for road rage incident
A man who prosecutors called a “danger to the community” received a prison sentence for attempting to ram an unmarked police vehicle during a road rage incident.
‘He loved Hayden’: Community remembers Roger Saterfiel
Saterfiel, who served for 16 years on the Hayden City Council and spent 12 years as director of Solid Waste for Kootenai County, died Saturday. He was 73.
Commissioners block assessor’s challenge to political opponent’s Idaho residency
Allyson Knapp will keep homeowner’s exemption
After Kootenai County Assessor Bèla Kovacs deemed political rival Allyson Knapp ineligible for a homeowner’s exemption on the Rathdrum property she owns, commissioners voted Wednesday to block the move, upholding Knapp’s exemption.
Man gets prison for heroin delivery, major contraband possession
A man who prosecutors said is connected to a mass overdose at the Kootenai County jail received a prison sentence in a separate drug-related case.
Man charged with assault after Post Falls SWAT response
A man accused of threatening to kill another man with a crowbar, prompting a SWAT response to a Post Falls residence, remains in the Kootenai County jail.
ISP detective honored for saving Sagle man’s life
When the call came in that a man had collapsed inside his Sagle home and wasn’t breathing, Idaho State Police Det. Travis Bucher was in the right place at the right time.
JAN NIBJ: Health work-life balance benefits employers and employees
Heading into a new year, the concept of work-life balance and its role in avoiding burnout remains a top issue for employers and employees alike.
Governor previews legislative session that begins Monday
Governor previews legislative session that begins Monday
Idaho Gov. Brad Little said his office will present a balanced budget for fiscal year 2027 that includes no tax hike.
Norris restores special deputy status for Cd’A police
Rathdrum police chief’s privileges still revoked
Rathdrum police chief’s privileges still revoked
County commissioners approve autopsy lab project
Kootenai County commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve up to $1.7 million for renovations to the coroner’s office that will include an autopsy lab.
DEQ: Chemical concentrations along Lake Cd'A hold steady
Water quality analyst encouraged by new report
Lead and arsenic concentrations in sediments and recreational waters along Lake Coeur d’Alene and the Spokane River have changed little in the past 25 years, according to a new report from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, and metals in open water “are unlikely to pose unacceptable health risks.”
‘Comfort dog’ supports veterans in court
A special, four-legged guest sat in the front row of a Kootenai County courtroom Tuesday afternoon, patiently observing the proceedings.
Trail group lands grant
After English Point project, nonprofit looks ahead
After English Point project, nonprofit looks ahead
Cd’A man charged with attempted strangulation
Ashton E. Newberry, 20, of Coeur d’Alene is charged with attempted strangulation, a felony, and domestic battery in the presence of a child, a misdemeanor, after police said he choked a woman.
Kootenai County man charged with aggravated assault
Eric M. Johnson, 30, is charged with aggravated assault, a felony, and domestic battery, a misdemeanor, after police said he threatened a woman with a knife.
Spokane County ends medical examiner contract with Kootenai County Coroner’s Office
Kootenai County releases emergency funds for autopsy facilities
Kootenai County releases emergency funds for autopsy facilities
Rathdrum man charged with child sexual exploitation
A man is facing felony charges after police said he possessed hundreds of images and videos depicting child sexual abuse.
Cd’A man charged with possession, distribution of child sexual abuse material
Brendan M. Shea, 27, of Coeur d’Alene, is charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a child by distribution of sexually exploitative material and five counts of sexual exploitation of a child by possession of sexually exploitative material, all felonies.
North Idaho ski areas open after slow start
Amid challenges like warm temperatures and strong winds that caused power outages across the region, all three ski areas in North Idaho are open, though operations are limited in some cases.
Rathdrum police seek victims amid burglary investigation
Rathdrum police arrested a suspect Tuesday who they believe to be involved in multiple burglaries, according to a news release.
BLM: Migrating eagle population peaked early this year
The annual migration of bald eagles to Lake Coeur d’Alene to feed on spawning kokanee is past its peak, according to the Bureau of Land Management.
Town hall battery trial ends in mixed verdict
Trouette convicted on some battery charges, acquitted on others
Trouette convicted on some battery charges, acquitted on others
TOWN HALL VERDICT: Trouette convicted of some battery charges, acquitted on others
A Kootenai County jury delivered a mixed verdict late Thursday afternoon in the case of Paul Trouette, a security company owner accused of battering several people during a chaotic legislative town hall at Coeur d'Alene High School.
Jury deliberates town hall battery case
The question of whether Paul Trouette committed criminal acts when he helped drag a woman out of a legislative town hall at Coeur d'Alene High School and put his hands on three other people is now in the hands.
Town hall attendees recount removals
When Teresa Borrenpohl decided to attend a legislative town hall put on by the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, she said it was because she wanted local elected leaders to receive feedback from a broad spectrum of constituents.
Town hall battery trial begins
Defense attorney says client acted at sheriff's command
The trial of a man accused of battering several people during a chaotic legislative town hall in the Coeur d'Alene High School auditorium is underway.
Citylink’s future in question
Kootenai County commissioner: 'We don't need it'
Amid discussions this week between county, city and tribal representatives about the future of their Citylink partnership, two commissioners questioned whether Kootenai County should operate a public transit program at all.
Super 1, Peirone Produce share the love — and potatoes
4,000 pounds of spuds given out
Even before he encouraged them to help themselves to a free bag of potatoes or two, Super 1 shoppers didn’t hesitate to greet Ron McIntire with smiles and hugs Thursday morning.
Sheriff Norris revokes special deputy status of Cd’A, Rathdrum police chiefs
Chief White says Norris retaliated after town hall investigation
Chief White says Norris retaliated after town hall investigation
Town hall battery trial starts next week
Security firm owner Paul Trouette will face a jury next week for allegedly battering several people during a chaotic legislative town hall in the Coeur d’Alene High School auditorium.
Sheriff Norris revokes cross-deputization of Cd’A, Rathdrum police chiefs
Chief White says Norris retaliated after town hall investigation
Chief White says Norris retaliated after town hall investigation
Alliance promotes attainable housing through local policy
Lyons says smaller lot sizes could help
Some of the biggest challenges to building housing that’s affordable for working families in Idaho can be overcome at the local level, according to the Gem State Housing Alliance, a new nonprofit.
Athol man charged with DUI after chase, crash
A man remains in jail after he allegedly fell asleep at the wheel while inebriated before leading police on a high-speed chase through Post Falls that culminated in a crash.
KCSO: Six overdose in Kootenai County jail
Six people incarcerated in the Kootenai County jail overdosed on fentanyl over the weekend, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO).
Water rights adjudication underway in North Idaho
Ongoing water rights adjudication in some parts of North Idaho could have significant implications, experts say.
Natural Resources Committee recognizes North Fork cleanup
Not many people who dedicate their lives to environmental restoration get to see their work completed. Ed Lider is one of the few.
First snowfall turns Coeur d’Alene into winter wonderland
First snowfall turns Coeur d’Alene into winter wonderland
At the base of snow-covered Cherry Hill, Lauren Hensley, 8, hefted her snow tube up so it covered her and her brother, 6-year-old Michael.
Longtime human rights task force members step down
Two longtime members of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, Marshall Mend and Doug Cresswell, will step down from their positions on the board after more than four decades of service.
Merry and bright: 37th Festival of Trees benefits Kootenai Health Foundation
Some people really do honor Christmas in their hearts and keep it all the year. Brandy Read is one of them. “Christmas is my favorite holiday,” she said with a laugh. That much was clear Friday morning at the Coeur d’Alene Resort, where Read and her “enchanted elves,” including her daughter and grandchildren, were hard at work putting the finishing touches their contribution to the 37th Festival of Trees, benefiting the Kootenai Health Foundation.
Post Falls man charged after dogs kill chickens
John R. Harris, 61, is facing a criminal charge after prosecutors said his dogs killed his neighbors’ chickens.
Kootenai County courthouse will mark 100th anniversary
Beginning in January, county commissioners and the Kootenai County Historic Preservation Commission will celebrate the milestone with a series of lectures that explore the history of county and its courthouse, which was dedicated in December of 1926.
Dance Theatre Northwest to present ‘The Nutcracker’ at NIC
Performances of “The Nutcracker” will be 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 13 in the Schuler Performing Arts Center on the North Idaho College campus.