April 1, 1997 When the snow melted this spring, the devastation of Ice Storm ‘96 became apparent. The damage to trees was extraordinary. And while extensive clean-up has already taken place, thousands of …

April 1, 1997 Could it be that the harsh winter storms actually did our landscaping a favor? It’s a cheery perspective, but ponder this: If the overgrown, scraggly junipers and diseased and misshapen …

April 1, 1997 Clearcutting your yard as a reaction to the November ice storms may just be an overreaction. The key to managing the urban forest, whether it’s in your back yard or …

April 1, 1997 The period for free dumping of tree limbs and debris from the winter has passed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t dispose of the debris. There will be a charge, …

April 1, 1997 Many of the region’s trees were seriously damaged in the November ice storm and by severe winter weather. Now that the snow’s melted, it seems there’s debris everywhere. If left …

April 1, 1997 The following yard and garden-related workshops and seminars will be offered this spring: “Wandering in a Woodland Garden” by Sydney McCrea - a how-to for developing a shade and woodland …

April 1, 1997 Sometimes when browsing gardening books we find it annoying to have to paw through page after page of stunning plants and know they won’t grow here. All too often the …

April 1, 1997 Always look for tools that are comfortable to grip. If you have gripping or strength problems, ratchet tools allow you to cut a stem or branch in several small steps. …

April 1, 1997 in Nation/World on Page A1 Sneezing season. Allergist Dr. John Strimas uses a microscope to examine pollen and other matter gathered by his rotorod sampler. Photo by Jesse Tinsley/The Spokesman-Review<

April 1, 1997 in Nation/World on Page A1 For years, illegal parking has been the inexpensive way to anchor a truck and boat trailer in downtown Coeur d’Alene on a summer day. People pull into town and drop …

April 1, 1997 in Nation/World on Page A1 Attention cartoon readers: Don’t panic. You aren’t going crazy. Check out the date at the top of this page and you’ll realize why something strange has happened to 13 of …

April 1, 1997 in Nation/World on Page A1 If two counties constitute a movement, official English is on a roll in Idaho. Adams County commissioners have passed a resolution nearly identical to one Kootenai County Commissioner Ron Rankin …

April 1, 1997 in Nation/World on Page A1 U.S. District Judge Alan McDonald wants taxpayers to pay to defend him against charges by his former court reporter that he abused his office and altered official court transcripts. McDonald, …

April 1, 1997 in Nation/World on Page A1 In a major milestone in the study of human heredity, researchers announced Monday that they have created the first working artificial human chromosome, which experts said represents a quantum leap …

April 1, 1997 in Nation/World on Page A2 Ten years ago:In his first major speech on the AIDS epidemic, President Reagan told doctors in Philadelphia, “We’ve declared AIDS public health enemy No. 1.” Five years ago: President Bush …

April 1, 1997 in Nation/World on Page A2 Janet Jagan, right, wife of President Cheddi Jagan, is comforted by an unidentified Guyanese woman while the body of her husband lies in state March 8 in Georgetown, Guyana. Photo …

April 1, 1997 in Nation/World on Page A2 In 1789: The U.S. House of Representatives held its first full meeting in New York City. Frederick Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania was elected the first House Speaker. In 1853: Cincinnati, Ohio, …

April 1, 1997 in Nation/World on Page A2 Monday’s Washington Triple Choice: 362. Monday’s Washington Keno: 12-13-17-21-22-26-28-33-36-37-39-42-43-46-50-53- 59-69-75-77.

April 1, 1997 in Nation/World on Page A3 Investigators identified a victim of the TWA Flight 800 explosion by examining DNA on toothbrushes at his home, a striking example of how useful genetic analysis can be in a …

April 1, 1997 in Nation/World on Page A3 Ending a five-year legal battle over the future of local television, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that cable TV operators can be forced to carry the signals of all …

April 1, 1997 in Nation/World on Page A3 Judge Matsch

April 1, 1997 in Nation/World on Page A3 Alabama began issuing spear-hunting permits last summer, and there have been more angry animal-rights activists than you can shake a pointy stick at ever since. But now that hunting season …

April 1, 1997 in Nation/World on Page A4 A man who popped a friend’s 6-inch tropical fish into his mouth as a joke died when it got stuck in his throat. Steven Hill Epperson, 36, was dead on …