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Coeur d'Alene eyes higher fees
Council expected to vote on proposed increases Nov. 3
Rates for municipal parking, boat moorings, special events and even goat grazing permits could be restructured. Coeur d’Alene’s General Services Committee discussed on Monday possibly increasing a long list of fees that could generate up to $100,000 more in annual revenue, and that’s just for parking.
NOV NIBJ: A young entrepreneur’s journey
What business citizenship means for Burger Dock, Florette owner Claire Hartwig
In business, you’re only as strong as your relationships. “It usually comes back around in some capacity,” said Claire Hartwig, owner of Burger Dock and Florette in Coeur d’Alene, as well Burger Dock in Sandpoint. “Whether it’s collaborating with downtown businesses, or donating gift cards … whatever it is, I think you have to have that symbiotic nature when you’re a part of a smaller downtown.”
Would tiny homes cure big housing headaches?
Dwelling units still prohibited within Coeur d’Alene limits
Some Western towns are taking a “Little House on the Prairie” to new lengths. To mitigate rising market costs, the Kalispell City Council in Montana officially added tiny homes to its municipal code earlier this week. Back in Idaho, meanwhile, places like Moscow and Boise have various allowances for tiny home neighborhoods.
Idaho Liberty Bell coming to Coeur d’Alene
Tour also includes neighboring cities and counties
The bell, currently back in Boise for an 18-day break, is scheduled to visit many North Idaho communities later this month. Stops include Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene, Rathdrum and Athol, as well as Bonner and Shoshone counties.
Behind the camera
Meet Coeur d’Alene TV Production Manager Mike Dziak
Mike Dziak, the city of Coeur d’Alene’s newest TV production manager, grew up in Spokane and attended grade and high school there. He went on to gain a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University in Pullman and a master's degree from Gonzaga University.
‘Definitely meaningful’: Coeur d’Alene Tribe reflects on death of ‘Smoke Signals’ actor Tom Skerritt
Coeur d’Alene Tribe reflects on death of ‘Smoke Signals’ actor Tom Skerritt
It’s one of Indigenous cinema's most publicly quoted parts ever: “Hey, Victor!” The film? “Smoke Signals,” shot on location on the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation. Written by Sherman Alexie of the Spokane Tribe of Indians, North Idaho’s Silver Screen moment included none other than actor Tom Skerritt. Skerritt, playing the wry but practical police chief, died in his Seattle home on Wednesday. He was 93.
Group requests ICE resistance resolution from Coeur d’Alene
Police chief says city has no plans to partner with federal agency
An advocacy group fighting racism and civil injustice wants Coeur d’Alene to take a stance against Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity. Members of North-Idaho-based nonprofit Idaho for All told City Council members on Tuesday that an official resolution should locally restrict ICE’s “heavy-handed and intimidating” nationwide conduct.
High on authority: Should Idaho citizen-led initiatives over drug laws be kept?
Should Idaho citizen-led initiatives over drug laws be kept?
This isn’t simply a question of whether someone can one day legally scarf down a pot brownie on Sherman Avenue. “It would essentially be the voters of Idaho voting to give away a big piece of their own power,” said Luke Mayville, an executive director of Reclaim Idaho, Postdoctoral Fellow at Columbia University and Sandpoint High School graduate.
In remembrance: City eyes Independence Point for fallen firefighter dedication
City eyes Independence Point for fallen firefighter dedication
On Monday, the city’s parks and recreation commission approved a memorandum of understanding with the Panhandle Parks Foundation to “memorialize the parties' shared commitment to plan, fund, construct, and maintain” the permanent memorial, according to city documents.
Kicking into downtown: The Beacon owner to open ‘Kickers’ country-western venue on Fourth Street
The Beacon owner to open ‘Kickers’ country, Western venue on Fourth Street
Former madam Molly B'Damn had her Murray brothel. Famous lawman Wyatt Earp was a Kootenai County sheriff’s deputy. Now, in the spirit of these iconic frontier heroes, downtown Coeur d’Alene’s getting its own country-western dance floor.
'An overwhelming sense of peace’: Coeur d’Alene Catholic church hosts rare Consecration of Widows event
Coeur d’Alene Catholic church hosts rare Consecration of Widows event
One widow could feel her late husband’s presence as Fr. Len McMillan blessed everyone’s wedding rings. “I felt like he had touched me on the back of the shoulder during the ceremony,” Robin Mitzelfelt said. “I’ve done that. I’ve felt him touch me, imagined or otherwise. He's here with us as well as Jesus.”
City unpacks ‘ambiguous’ state housing regulation
After Idaho lawmakers ease up on accessory dwelling units, Coeur d’Alene must comply by Feb. 1, 2027
For Idaho state law nowadays, residents can legally create larger guest houses, homeowners don’t need to obtain permits for renting out living spaces, and developers can build entire starter-home neighborhoods on far smaller lots than previous generations. These are just some of the new provisions that are the result of Senate Bills 1352 and 1354, as well as House Bill 583.
State proposal triggers response from local firearm gurus
State proposal triggers response from local firearm gurus
Idaho lawmakers are aiming for an official state firearm. Like the huckleberry being its state fruit, Idaho could have a Winchester Model 1873 level-action rifle as its state gun. What do local Coeur d'Alene gun gurus think about it?
Home turf advantage: New specialized flooring being installed at McEuen Park
New specialized flooring being installed at McEuen Park
Out with the old, in with the new. After serving the community for over 10 years, the turf at Coeur d’Alene’s McEuen Park is being replaced.
Alarm rises over ‘door kick challenge’
Police investigate cases of people kicking in residential front doors
A popular and dangerous trend suspected among youth and young adults is raising alarms with the Coeur d’Alene Police Department and city officials.
Cd'A council denies request for 161-unit project
Traffic issues stall project planned for west Coeur d’Alene
A piece of land near western Coeur d’Alene could be the next site of a new subdivision. Coeur d’Alene city officials held a public hearing Tuesday on a request to annex and convert 9.32 acres from Kootenai County into a mix of single- and multi-family units, as well as duplexes. The parcel is near the intersection of N. Atlas Road and W. Prairie Avenue.
Extra funds needed for BearCat
Armored vehicle purchase a ‘huge, huge oversight,’ says council member
Did the Coeur d’Alene Police Department put the BearCat before the horse? On Tuesday, the Coeur d’Alene City Council approved using additional general funds to buy a new armored rescue vehicle called a BearCat. Built and provided by Lemco Armored Vehicles, it is primarily used by SWAT teams in high-intensity situations.
City Council prayer stays
Invocation services remain following 4-1 vote
Coeur d’Alene city officials on Tuesday decided to continue using a lottery system to select religious leaders to lead a short prayer at public forums.
Solving transit barriers: New mobile clinic reaches Kootenai, Bonner and Shoshone counties
New mobile clinic reaches Kootenai, Bonner and Shoshone counties
No need to travel. Just reach out and medical service is in your driveway. A specialized mobile wound care service is helping connect patients to treatment without having to visit hospitals in Coeur d’Alene or Spokane.
New Post Falls community celebrates completion of affordable housing project
Miracle on Britton changes lives for first-time homeowners
Windermere Foundation gives back nearly $1.4M to Coeur d’Alene
An emotional affair. That’s what it became for a convention room full of real estate agents on Friday in Coeur d’Alene, as they highlighted how embedded they are in their communities. Locally, Windermere Coeur d'Alene Realty and the Windermere Foundation have given back nearly $1.4 million to the area over the past 32 years.
Increased traffic enforcement to tackle aggressive driving
390 more citations issued:
A surge in citations has emerged as Coeur d’Alene Police have stepped up traffic enforcement across the city. Using traffic enforcement grant funding, officers issued 390 more citations in fiscal year 2026 than typically occur during normal, day-to-day operations, according to Sgt. Jared Reneau, a public information officer with the police department.
Plan surfaces for Cd'A waterfront
City Park dealing with aging infrastructure, damaged concrete, outdated furnishings and more
Waterfront property along Lake Coeur d’Alene annually connects hundreds of thousands of walkers, joggers, bicyclists, boarders, rollerbladers, tourists and everyone else between two major city hubs: downtown and North Idaho College. But infrastructure along what many folks consider one of Idaho’s most valuable pieces of public real estate is aging.
OCT NIBJ: The Golden Rule: Coeur d’Alene business owner underscores the power of giving back
Commission expands plaque program for historical Coeur d’Alene buildings
Commission expands plaque program for historical Coeur d’Alene buildings
Old City Hall. The Masonic Temple. Historic Roosevelt School. The Coeur d’Alene Federal Building. These structures all tell stories of Coeur d’Alene’s past. They are, however, not fully marked with signs detailing their background. The Coeur d’Alene Historic Preservation Commission intends to change this history.
Katie Sayler says goodbye: Library board member signs off after 40 years
Library board member signs off after 40 years
After helping orchestrate library operations for 40 straight years, Sayler, 79, has now reached a final chapter. On Wednesday, she signed off from her position as a longtime Coeur d’Alene Public Library Board of Trustees member.
Shooting investigation continues
Coeur d'Alene Police to determine what events led to Tuesday shooting
Coeur d’Alene Police are trying to determine whether there was malicious intent behind a Tuesday shooting that resulted in two people being injured by one gunshot. “Detectives are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, which was reported at approximately 3:30 a.m. on September 22,” the police said Wednesday. “The adult male involved in the shooting was initially detained and transported to the Police Department. Following the preliminary investigation, he was released pending further review.”
Two injured in Tuesday shooting
A male suspect accused of shooting and injuring two people in Coeur d’Alene early Tuesday morning was released after being detained. “There’s no further threat,” said Coeur d’Alene Police Officer Joseph Scholten. “Everyone is accounted for.”
Ancillary sales rise with steins at Oktoberfest
Businesses report festival foot traffic resembled ‘peak August numbers’
Consumers nabbed more clothes off the racks. The local tobacco shop sold more cigars. One retailer hosted a beer kegger, of which two kegs were nearly depleted. Oktoberfest, a two-day event that drew nearly 2,000 people to downtown Coeur d’Alene this past weekend, boosted ancillary businesses up and down Sherman Avenue.
Coeur d'Alene veteran navigates rising costs, housing delays
Retiree faces inflation, isolation and limited financial resource
But over the past year, Woller and people like him have been consistently told by IHFA, despite receiving $27.7 million statewide this past fiscal year and North Idaho receiving 28% of it, that there are currently no funds to give.
Coeur d’Alene eyes cameras as restroom vandalism persists
City exploring ways to prevent more damage
City workers were busy this past week mitigating up to $1,750 worth of vandalism inflicted upon a public Coeur d’Alene bathroom. “We had more vandalism again today,” City Parks and Recreation Director Adam Rouse said during a Monday meeting. “One of the restroom facilities where people chose to do some things that are not so fun to clean up.”
Preservation Act overhaul poses ‘huge setback,’ local official says
Preservation Act overhaul poses ‘huge setback,’ local official says
Proposed changes to a federal law requiring public input amid major project planning could pose negative impacts on local cultural heritage, according to Coeur d’Alene Historic Preservation Commission officials.
Coeur d'Alene regulates kratom products
Under 21 prohibited from purchase, product cannot exceed set chemical levels
Coeur d’Alene City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a new ordinance requiring kratom providers within city limits to obtain permitting to sell the product, which is generally used either as an energy booster, mood lifter, pain reliever and remedy for the symptoms of quitting opioids, according to the Mayo Clinic.
More data centers, then more energy resources, needed
Expected influx of tech sector, data centers prompts calls for natural gas, renewables
Bracing for a Pacific Northwest influx of data centers and the tech sector over a short-term period, a power planner is calling for more infrastructural needs to meet future electricity demand.
Fueling frugality: North Idaho consumers, grocers, contractors feeling record diesel costs
North Idaho consumers, grocers, contractors feeling record diesel costs
Trisha Miles pushed a shopping cart full of groceries, a small child leading the way in a toy car, toward her vehicle. It sat in a busy Super 1 Foods parking lot in Hayden on Friday. Diesel prices just hit an all-time high this past week in Idaho, according to motor club AAA. The cost per gallon has now increased from about $3.82 last year to over $6.
Reflections on Sept. 11
Today marks 25th anniversary of American tragedy
Sept. 11, 2001, is forever ingrained in history books as one of America’s greatest tragedies. But Julia Byrum said it’s important to remember tragedies. The young Coeur d’Alene resident wasn’t alive that fateful day. Instead, she learned much of what she knows about it in school.
Diners bite into Longest Table potluck
Hosted by United Way North Idaho, event is region's first
That smells delicious. Flocks of people descended upon City Park in Coeur d’Alene on Wednesday evening for a massive community potluck. Called The Longest Table, host United Way of North Idaho invited everyone to provide and enjoy an array of their favorite dishes in a communal setting.
Local and state educators talk school funding
Top 25 for academic efficiency. Dead last in spending per pupil. This was just one point about Idaho’s education system that local and state educators tackled during a Tuesday morning breakfast at Coeur d’Alene Resort. Tuesday is also, coincidentally, the first day of school.
Region sees increase in drownings, data shows
This year has seen eight boat crashes in Kootenai County
Lakes and rivers in Kootenai and Spokane counties have seen a rise in drownings. According to data gleaned from water rescue teams in Spokane and Kootenai counties, fatal drownings increased from six in 2025 to 11 so far in 2026. Of those drownings, nine bodies were recovered and two are still missing.
Resignations accepted
Dr. Thomas Fletcher named Panhandle Health interim director
Following nearly a two-hour executive session amid the special meeting, Dr. Thomas Fletcher, a Board of Health representative from Bonner County, was named the district’s interim director. Meanwhile, the district has not named new head HR and financial positions.
PHD officials submit resignations
Board of Health hosts special meeting today
Three area health officials seek to resign from their positions. At a special meeting called for Thursday, the Panhandle Health District Board of Health will decide whether to accept the proposed resignations of its district director, human resources specialist and financial officer.
No go on 1% tax hike reduction
City passes $154.83 million budget
No dice for Coeur d’Alene property owners hoping to pay less in taxes. On Tuesday, City Councilmember Christie Wood's proposal to slash 1% from a proposed 7% property tax hike for fiscal year 2027 failed.
Coeur Terre 2 passes
City finds proposal adheres to standards, requirements
Following more than five hours of presentations, public comments and deliberation regarding elements of a project that would turn a large section of western Coeur d’Alene into a major subdivision, city officials passed the Coeur Terre 2 subdivision on Monday evening. The vote passed 5-1, with council member Christie Wood voting against and Mayor Dan Gookin abstaining.
License plate readers spark debate
Coeur d’Alene Police chief addresses concerns over technology
Surveillance concerns are afoot. City officials in Coeur d’Alene were last week publicly questioned on the use of automated license plate reader devices, such as Flock cameras.
New Ironman contract nears finish line
Negotiations between city, organizers slated for Tuesday
Coeur d’Alene City Council, World Triathlon Corporation and North Idaho Sports Commission are slated to finalize a three-year contract on Tuesday to keep half-Ironman contests in the city through 2029.
Fast Five: Judy Gardner
The 3Cs newest former president
Meet Judy Gardner, who just ended as president of the Cancer and Communities Charities organization in Coeur d'Alene.
Empty lot? Fill it with new development
Residential, commercial building proposed for East Sherman Avenue
No, there won’t be any new cafes or wine bars. Instead, it looks like some new retail shops, office suites and apartment units could fill an empty lot near downtown.
Project restores Coeur d’Alene church ‘to physical glory’
Project restores Coeur d’Alene church ‘to physical glory’
St. Luke’s Episcopal is more than just a church. “It’s a living organism that breathes, grows and changes,” said Lisa Nunlist, a St. Luke’s congregation member since 1979. “We always respect its history.”
They go high, city goes low
Effort continues to reduce downtown Coeur d’Alene building height limits
How high a building gets could reach new lows. On Tuesday, members of a working group tasked with reviewing construction policies agreed on a proposal that, if eventually passed by city council, revises building height limits in certain sections of downtown’s core.
SEPT NIBJ: The cure for Idaho’s physician shortage? Medical residency expansion
Kootenai Health is always busy. Over the past 12 months, its primary care clinics served 42,622 patients. The 10 northern counties of Idaho, including locations in Washington and Libby, Montana, have also averaged 275 transfers to Kootenai Health every month.