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Huckleberries Online

Archive for May 2010

Memorial Day Wild Card — 5.31.10

I’ll be back running things again at HucksOnline Tuesday morning after almost a week off in Denver, Colo., where I enjoyed Junior’s graduation from medical school, visiting with the kids, and some other fun events, like a Colorado-Los Angeles baseball game and seeing the renown Body World exhibition. The timing of the UC-Denver medical school graduation forced me to take off the day after election to be in Colorado in plenty of time to enjoy all the pomp and circumstance surrounding it. We still need to break down some of the results — and begin talking about the matchup between Demo Walt Minnick and Republican Raul Labrador in the 1st Congressional District race. That’ll have to wait one more day. Today is time to remember those who have sacrificed much and even all to keep this country free. Now, for your last Wild Card of my vacation …

Memorial Day Weekend Wild Card

Big doings in the Cda area this weekend. Today, the Coeur d’ Alene Tribe will dedicate the  newly constructed Veteran’s Memorial, located at the trailhead of the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, just off of U.S. 95, directly north of Plummer. Festivies start at 11 a.m.  Governor Otter will will give the keynote address.

The Coeur d’Alene Marathon takes place on Sunday. And I daresay, there will be and chilling and grilling going on all weekend long.

Feel free to use this Wild Card to post your weekend newsings and musings.

Higher Boardwalk Bridge Open For Business

Photographer Don Sausser writes: “The first time I have seen a tour boat inside the boardwalk made possible by the newly rebuilt bridge which is considerably higher than the original.” Story here.

Question: Which attraction do you usually take friends and relatives to see when they visit the Coeur d’Alene area? The Boardwalk?

Is Phil Hart Taking Control Of Local R’s?

Item: Primary election over, but GOP rift continues: Jorgenson still upset about Rally Right group/Tom Hasslinger, Coeur d’Alene Press

More Info: Rally Right takes firm stances on conservative values, including God as the country’s founder, states’ rights that prohibit government intrusion, and low taxation, among others. One of their slogans is: “It’s easier to fix the Republican Party than start a third party.”
They enjoyed success Tuesday night too, one member said, as at least 41 of the 71 precinct candidates who were unofficially supported as being conservative by the group, won.
But others in the Republican Party are concerned about the direction of the party following Tuesday’s results. They said Hart is recruiting candidates to support his ultra-conservative platform for North Idaho politics, and is unofficially supported by Rally Right.

Question: Do you want the local Republican Party to swing more to the right?

TGIF Wild Card 5-28

So, I don’t  get a three-day weekend because I’m working today and then heading back into the wilds of Idaho Sunday night or Monday morning.

But. I guess SOME people get 3-day weekends. If you’re one of those fortunate folks you can tell us how you’ll be spending your extra day off here. Or vent about whatever else is on your mind.

Within reason.

A Piston panini? A Celtics Ciabata?

The NBA, in its infinite wisdom, has recently signed licensing deals with a handful companies to brand various NBA team logos onto toast, pizzas, even outdoor grills. Reportedly, a team logo panini press is also in the works.

“A lot of people watching NBA games on TV tend to eat,” says Sal LaRocca, head of global merchandising for the NBA. And if your rabid Lakers fans are going to order pizza, why not order them emblazoned with purple and gold? Full story.

How long before the NFL follows suit. A Seahawk sourdough? A Donut?
Could you, would you buy these products?

Gas stations challenge Washington’s deal with tribes

ABERDEEN, Wash. — A statewide coalition of service stations has filed a lawsuit against Gov. Chris Gregoire, the Department of Licensing and the state to challenge fuel tax reimbursement agreements with regional American Indian tribes.

The nonprofit Automotive United Trades Organization, based in McCleary, filed a lawsuit in Grays Harbor Superior Court earlier this month seeking a court order to halt tax reimbursements to tribal service stations based on an agreement Gregoire signed in 2007.

AUTO Executive Director Tim Hamilton said he and others representing the approximately 300 service stations in the lawsuit believe the state has improperly paid more than $35 million to tribal service stations, undercutting competition.

“It just guts us,” he said.

Hamilton explained the refund agreements pay tribal stations back 75 percent of state taxes collected on fuel at tribal stations, which amounts to about 28 cents a gallon. He contends some of this money allows tribal stations to operate at lower costs, pricing out non-tribal stations. Full story.

Thoughts?

Why 3-D movies make some people sick

Mitsubishi 3D glasses are shown in front of an 82-inch Mitsubishi Home Theater TV with 3D-Ready technology at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.Associated Press photos

Nothing can ruin a good movie faster than the sudden feeling that you’re about to throw up. But for many people, the images in 3-D or IMAX movies look so real that they mess up the brain’s ability to sort out the signals coming in from the senses, and trigger that queasy feeling.

Researchers who study this type of nausea call it cybersickness.

Dizziness, headaches and nausea happen while watching 3-D or IMAX movies because the brain receives conflicting information from the senses, said professor Andrea Bubka, who researches cybersickness at St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, N.J.  When vivid images play out on-screen, the eyes send signals that tell the brain the body is in motion. Yet inside the inner part of the ear, where the movement of fluid is used to sense motion and balance, no change in the body’s position is detected. Karen Rowan More.

Have you ever suffered from cybersickness?

Pockets of strong support for challengers who lost…

In two races in which the incumbents won handily this week - state Controller Donna Jones by 56.5 percent to challenger Todd Hatfield’s 43.5 percent, and Idaho Supreme Court Justice Roger Burdick by 58.4 percent to challenger John Bradbury’s 41.6 percent - a look at county-by-county results shows pockets of strong support for the challengers. Hatfield beat Jones in 9 of Idaho’s 44 counties, while Bradbury beat Burdick in 12, including taking 79 percent of the vote in Clearwater County and 75 percent in Nez Perce County./Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise

Tim Wolfe’s killer sentenced for murder

A man who shot and killed a college student home for Mother’s Day after a fight at a Coeur d’Alene bar last year will serve at least 20 years in prison before he’s deported to his native Honduras.  Juan C. Aldana Villanueva, 23, was sentenced today to 20 to 28 years in prison for the murder of Timothy I. Wolfe, 21, on May 9, 2009. Villanueva, who worked at a Post Falls restaurant, had argued with Wolfe (pictured), a member of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe who was attending college in Montana, at a Coeur d’Alene bar before Villanueva drove to the Post Falls home where he lived with his girlfriend and child to get a gun, according to court documents. More here.

Question: Does the punishment fit the crime?

High Noon: Donuts

Manager Kim Rolli restocks racks of donuts at a Boston branch of Dunkin’ Donuts

I’ve been thinking a lot about donuts today. Specifically, the old-fashioned donut I was unable to resist this morning, despite the fact that it was day-old and someone else had nibbled on it. Those crispy, buttermilky gems are my weakness and my sons say it’s because I’m an old-fashioned kind of girl. Or maybe that was just “old.”

What’s your favorite type of donut and what does that say about you?

‘Judge Judy’ spot leads to more charges

An appearance on the TV reality show “Judge Judy” has brought a Spokane man more than just 15 minutes of syndicated fame.  Joshua J. Mulvey, 26, now faces new criminal charges in an Internet fraud scheme after a Snohomish County man who saw the episode recognized Mulvey as the same person who conned him out of $2,500 last year, police say. Mulvey was arrested at a Coeur d’Alene motel in February. Detectives used a cell phone tower ping triggered by Mulvey’s mobile phone to trace him to the Lake City after they say he escaped from his Spokane apartment during a raid. Read more about the latest twist in the case, and see a video of his Judge Judy appearance, here.

Question: Do you know someone who has ever been on a courtroom TV show? Or any reality TV show?

WaPost: Labrador latest insurgent to buck establishment, then consider joining it

The Washington Post, in its “The Fix” political column today, calls Idaho 1st Congressional District GOP nominee Raul Labrador “the latest insurgent candidate to beat back the establishment and then be faced with joining forces with it,” and reports that Labrador is “going with wholesale changes to his staff and is looking at bringing in more established political team, including possibly some consultants favored by Washington.” It also notes Labrador’s endorsement yesterday by Mitt Romney - who yesterday endorsed Idaho’s entire top GOP slate, including Gov. Butch Otter, Sen. Mike Crapo, Rep. Mike Simpson and Labrador - and says that in an interview, Labrador told The Fix that his politics are similar to those of former Idaho Rep. Bill Sali, but his approach is different./Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise

Question: Will Labrador become an ‘establishment’ GOP candidate?

Generation Me?

College students today are less likely to “get” the emotions of others than their counterparts 20 and 30 years ago, a new review study suggests.

 

Specifically, today’s students scored 40 percent lower on a measure of empathy than their elders did.

 

The findings are based on a review of 72 studies of 14,000 American college students overall conducted between 1979 and 2009.

 

“We found the biggest drop in empathy after the year 2000,” said Sara Konrath, a researcher at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research.

 

The study was presented this week at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science in Boston. Jeanna Bryer, LiveScience  Read more.

 

Is “generation me” all about me?

 

 

Idaho gas prices way above average

Idaho’s gas prices are at least 20 cents per gallon above the national average, and they’ve been that way for most of the spring, the AAA says, mainly because Utah refineries aren’t producing enough to meet demand. AAA tells the Idaho Statesman prices likely will fall in the next month./Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise

Question: Will you drive anywhere for the holiday weekend, despite gas prices?

Fed audit says millions wasted to avoid sending Hanford nuke jobs to Idaho

An inspector general’s audit says the U.S. Department of Energy wasted $25 million because it didn’t ship certain radioactive wastes from Hanford, Wash. to Idaho for processing, in part because Hanford workers protested that the move would shift jobs to Idaho; Tri-City Herald reporter Annette Cary reports that the Idaho National Laboratory has equipment to compact the waste that Hanford lacked./Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise

Candidate’s tax problems don’t hinder big win in Tuesday’s primary

P. Tom Sullivan, a former Coeur d’Alene restaurant owner and now a businessman in Tetonia, Idaho, won the Democratic primary on Tuesday for a chance to challenge U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo in the fall. The day before the election, Sullivan issued a press release acknowledging that he’s struggling to pay delinquent taxes, after a bank failure erased his business line of credit. “I’ve always been responsible and paid my debts, and I am paying this one,” Sullivan said. “I’m working out of it, like a lot of people.”

Sullivan took 74.6 percent of the vote in the primary, to 25.4 percent for William Bryk, a lawyer from Brooklyn, N.Y. who’s never been to Idaho, but who filed for the seat to ensure Crapo had opposition. Six years ago, Crapo made history when he ran unopposed, but for a write-in challenger, for his second term in the Senate./Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise

Question: Why did the guy from Brooklyn get 25 percent of the vote?

Artest shot gives L.A. the edge

Ron Artest puts up the winning shot as the Lakers defeated the Suns in Game 5 Thursday night.

LOS ANGELES – Ron Artest stumbled into Los Angeles Lakers playoff lore with one remarkable bank shot to beat the Phoenix Suns.

Artest rambled into the lane and beat the buzzer with a wild shot after rebounding Kobe Bryant’s miss, and the Lakers edged the Suns 103-101 on Thursday night to take a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference finals.

Bryant had 30 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists for the Lakers, but the improbable hero of Game 5 is the only new player on the roster of the defending champions, who are one win away from the NBA finals. Read more.

Who do you want to see in the final two?

The Wolving of America

POST FALLS - Jim Beers believes the wolf controversy will jolt urban centers after all.

And, when it does, it won’t be pretty.

Beers, a retired U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist and wolf expert from Minnesota, told about 50 people attending his talk on “The Wolving of America” on Wednesday that disease-carrying wolves will wander along recreation paths on the outskirts of cities and the diseases will spread to homes through dogs.

“Sniffing feces is the perfect place to pick up tapeworms,” Beers said, adding that disease can also spread in other ways such as saliva and blood. “That’s what dogs do. They’re always smelling for other dogs and canines.”

Beers spoke at the Greyhound Park and Event Center during an event sponsored by the Spokane chapter of Citizens’ Alliance for Property Rights. Brian Walker, Cda Press, Full Story

Thoughts?

Casino upgrade to add 100 jobs

Construction continues at the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel near Worley on Wednesday

The Coeur d’Alene Tribe decided more than two years ago it wanted its casino and hotel, near Worley, to be known as one of the region’s destination resorts.

It already had a widely prized golf course and a lucrative casino.

The next step was for the tribe’s business managers to commit to spending roughly $75 million to upgrade the accommodations at its Coeur d’Alene Casino.

Last year it started work on the expansion, which will give the hotel more rooms and give guests more recreation and dining choices. Tom Sowa, SR. More.

I’ve never been to the Cda Casino, have you?

One prison violence case ending, another pending

A major portion of an Idaho prison-conditions lawsuit that stretches back nearly three decades could be closed, as a federal judge weighs whether changing conditions and procedures at the Idaho State Correctional Institution have done away with rampant violence, near-routine brutal rapes of newly arrived young prisoners, overcrowding, limited access to psychiatric and medical care and other problems that were identified there in the early 1980s. But a newer prison-violence case, involving a privately operated Idaho prison, still is pending./Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise

Question: Are private prisons a good idea?

House votes to repeal “don’t ask don’t tell”

WASHINGTON — The House has voted to repeal the 1993 law known as “don’t ask, don’t tell” and allow gays to serve openly in the military.

The House vote tonight came several hours after the Senate Armed Services Committee took the same course and approved a measure repealing the policy that prohibits service by gays who openly acknowledge their sexual orientation.

The House was a victory for President Barack Obama, who has pushed for a change in military policy, and for gay rights group who have made an end to “don’t ask, don’t tell” their top legislative priority.

Republicans voted overwhelmingly against lifting the ban, saying Congress should wait until the Pentagon completes a review of the impact of a repeal on military life and readiness.

Thoughts?

Why results took all night…

The one county whose election results took the longest to determine - the same county where a prominent longtime state senator, Gary Schroeder, was defeated by his GOP primary challenger - had an 11 p.m. machine malfunction that led to a technician driving from Kootenai County to Moscow to try to fix the problem without success, followed by carting the remaining Latah County ballots off to another county for counting, then returning them to merge the results. The whole thing didn’t wrap up ‘til 6:35 a.m. on Wednesday, according to the Moscow-Pullman Daily News. The ballot-counting machine was only three years old./Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise

Thursday Wild Card 5-27

Here’s the deal: A  Wild Card is where everyone gets to post their status updates and you don’t have to be a Facebookian to read them. I just wish we had a “like” button around here.

So, what’s your status?

APhoto Of The Day — 5.27.10

Michael Ginsburg, in chicken costume, votes in a primary election at the Rainbow Library in Las Vegas Wednesday. You write the cutline. (AP Photo/Las Vegas Review-Journal, John Locher)

Top Cutlines:
#1 Michael’s hope of starting a grassroot political movement loses all speed when he discovers that while the 1773 Boston Tea Party is etched forever in America’s mind, the 1774 Boneless Chicken Wing Revolt of Scranton, Pennsylvania - not so much! formerly sandpoint

#2 Why did the chicken cross the road? To vote. Duh. Eddie Torreal

#3 A Jim Brannon supporter votes in the primary Tuesday, in a costume appropriate to his character. John A.

Burglar’s unclean record further soiled

Imagine the ultimate cat-burglar in a suit of full-body neoprene, sneaking in and out of homes without leaving a scintilla of traceable evidence behind. Now imagine his polar opposite. That metaphorical non-master criminal is real. And he’s a 39-year-old serial burglar busted for pulling a wardrobe change in Shoreline.

Last October, our hero allegedly stole a laptop and some DVDs, then decided to drop trou for some updated threads. When police arrived, the man was gone but his underwear remained. An artifact which they’ll only describe in the general as “soiled,” leading you to use your imagination as to what exactly that means. Read more.

I love dumb criminal stories.

Don’t touch the tricycle

A 31-year-old Medical Lake man is accused of assaulting a family with pepper spray in a dispute over a tricycle.

Andrew Nelson Evans was arrested after sheriff’s deputies found a couple and their 3-year-old daughter with orange stains on their faces and arms from the spray about 5 p.m. Wednesday in the 500 block of North Brower. “It appeared the child’s skin was beginning to blister,” according to the sheriff’s office. “All three said they were experiencing severe pain from the spray and were treated by paramedics.” More here.

Seriously? Assault with pepper spray over moving a tricycle?

It’s not like we’re in Seattle or anything

Raindrops gather on a petal of a peony on Thursday, May 27, 2010, in Spokane’s Manito Park. Colin Mulvany SR photo.

Spokane is about to set a new rainfall record and light rain was still falling late this afternoon.

A total of 0.95 inches of rain was recorded at Spokane International Airport through 4 p.m. today, just shy of the record of .84 inches set in 1898.

The soaking rain is coming from a reinvigorated storm system that developed over the Inland Northwest today, spreading ample moisture throughout the region. Mike Prager, SR. Read more.

I like the rain! I’ve been out in it all day and I’m drenched. All I need is a fireplace and I’d be steaming.
How about you? Like the rain or loathe it?

I-90 Reopens To 4 Lanes @ Post Falls

Interstate 90 from Post Falls to Stateline reopened to four lanes of traffic after closure over the past month to repair bridges along that stretch of freeway. Work on the bridges was completed ahead of schedule, said Barb Babic, spokeswoman for the Idaho Department of Transportation. The reopening will end back ups that have slowed traffic on the freeway through western Kootenai County/Spokesman-Review.

Question: On a scale of 1 to 10, how much were you inconvenienced by the I-90 road work?

Settlement pending for UI retiree lawsuit

The AP reports that a proposed settlement between the University of Idaho and 268 former employees over changes to their insurance benefits could finish a long-simmering legal fight between the two sides./Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise

Idaho road deaths decline

Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — State officials say motor vehicle fatalities across Idaho are dropping. The Idaho Transportation Department says there were 40 deaths during the first four months of this year, compared with 62 over the same period last year. Department safety manager Mary Hunter says officials are encouraged by Wednesday’s report, especially because if represents fewer family tragedies. In a yearly look at the situation, highway deaths dropped by 20 from 2007 to 2008. The department says that in 2007 there were 252 deaths, compared to 232 in 2008. And preliminary data for 2009 suggests a continuing drop to 226 fatalities.

Question: Do you see drivers getting better or worse?

Drug firms pay up in Idaho settlement

Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden has reached a settlement with two prescription drug manufacturers that requires them to pay Idaho more than $1.2 million in a dispute over how much they charged Idaho Medicaid for drugs based on published average wholesale prices. “Where published prices are false or misleading, the taxpayers are significantly harmed by excessive Medicaid reimbursements,” Wasden said.  “This settlement reimburses unfair costs to Idaho taxpayers.”/Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise

Question: What’s the most outrageous prescription drug price you’ve encountered?

High Noon: A better shot

Breanna Kimball comforts her 18-month-old daughter, Kylie, as  registered nurse Patty Ewing administers  vaccinations for hepatitis A and diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis on Wednesday at the Kids Clinic near downtown Spokane.

A whooping cough outbreak has worsened in Kootenai County, infecting 43 children as investigators scramble to track down suspected sources of the disease.

The episode underscores a stubborn problem in Idaho: the failure of parents to vaccinate their children against infectious disease.

The outbreak, already five times greater than those in recent years, has not yet resulted in hospitalizations, said Cynthia Taggart, spokeswoman for the Panhandle Health District. Pertussis, commonly called whooping cough, can be treated with antibiotics. And it can be prevented with vaccines. John Stucke, SR. Read more.

How concerned are you about the failure of Idaho parents to vaccinate their kids?

Cindy H: Patriotism on Parade

Boy scouts salute Pearl Harbor Suvivors Warren and Betty Schott during the Armed Forces Torchlight Parade May 15.

When I received an invitation to appear in this year’s Armed Forces Torchlight Parade, I had mixed feelings. My only previous parade experience hadn’t gone well.

In seventh grade I rode on our church youth group’s float in Moses Lake. The theme? Daniel in the Lion’s Den. I had a major crush on the guy chosen to be Daniel, so I agreed to ride on the float. I pictured myself as one of the angels sent by God to shut the lions’ mouths. Instead, they made me a lion, complete with furry suit and painted-on whiskers. My mane was made of cardboard, and I kept poking my fellow feline’s eyes with every turn of my head.

Did you know Moses Lake gets very warm in the spring? I sizzled and sweated through the parade and my black whiskers ran like polluted rain down my cheeks. Then I started sneezing. The “den” was made out of hay bales, those being plentiful in Moses Lake. That’s how I found out I’m allergic to hay. By the end of the parade my eyes were swollen shut, and “Daniel” hadn’t even noticed me growling at his feet. Cindy Hval, Spokesman Review. Full story.

The reponse of the crowd to these Pearl Harbor Survivors was overwhelming and amazing.  Do you consider yourself to be patriotic?

Benewah County: T-Rex country?

GOP gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell, the former elk rancher and militia movement backer whose campaign trademark this year was a giant inflatable T-Rex he towed behind his brightly decorated campaign RV, took 26 percent of the vote to incumbent Gov. Butch Otter’s 54.6 percent in the primary, with the remaining challengers in single digits. But in two counties, Rammell beat Otter: Benewah and Idaho counties, while in Boundary County, Otter edged Rammell by just two votes. In Idaho County, Otter got just 40 percent of the vote to 47 percent for Rammell; in Boundary County, both were at 43 percent; and in Benewah County, Rammell made his best showing, winning the GOP primary for governor with 57 percent of the vote, while Otter drew just 34 percent.

So is Benewah County T-Rex country? That’s one possible interpretation. Another: Very few people voted. Rammell got 603 votes there, while Otter had just 358./Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise

The Coke machine of the future

Rest in peace, oh soda jerk: Coke Freestyle elevates individuals to instant mixologists by using a zesty touch-screen system to mix selections from over 100 choices into a custom beverage, all while delivering a geeky high-tech thrill.

It’s been called “the fountain of the future,” “the most advanced soda fountain ever” and (in a backhanded-compliment kind of way) a path “leading to social ruin.” Even Warren Buffett is a fan. But can this thing really deliver? More here.

I dunno. My kids mix and match beverages at every restaurant that has self-serve soda. Do we really need 100+ flavor options? 

Sis: Labrador Win Continues R’s Rift

The Republican primary yesterday was merely a continuation, if not a deepening, of the Republican rift. Fourteen months prior to the primary, Vaughn Ward was plucked from DC by Dirk Kempthorne, anointed by the Republican establishment such as Phil Batt, and funded by Idaho big business Republicans like Micron. Ward had secured the support of the NRCC who provided labor and promotion labeling him one of their “Young Guns” to take over DC from the likes of Nancy Pelosi. In stark contrast Labrador came to the race late, had sorely anemic fund raising, and secured the endorsement of …Bill Sali, as well as most his colleagues in the Idaho House of Representatives known for its extremism and for bucking the Governor and his moderate cronies in the Senate. This is not to say that Minnick has the general locked up by any stretch. Minnick is still clearly the underdog in a district that gave Bush 68% in 2004/Sisyphus, 43rd State Blues. More here.

Question: Will the Republicans who supported Vaughn Ward united behind Raul Labrador, who is very conservative? Or will they vote for Walt Minnick, who is more middle of the road?

Shedding A Mullet For Marital Bliss?

In this January file photo, Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen looks on during football practice in Eden Prairie, Minn. Allen recently cut his trademark mullet for his upcoming wedding. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)

Question: Do you know someone who still wears a mullet?

TJP: Now It’s Labrador’s Turn For Vetting

Raul Labrador, the new GOP candidate for Congress in Idaho’s First District, is political proof of Woody Allen’s famous phrase - “Eighty percent of life is showing up.” Back in the gloomy cold of winter, with the Idaho Republican establishment in line with the guy Labrador decked on Tuesday, you wouldn’t have found many political watchers in Idaho - this one included - who would have given the very conservative state legislator even a five percent chance to win the GOP primary. You gotta hand it to Labrador. He had the guts to show up and win he did. All politics require measures of luck and timing and courage and Labrador got just enough of each/Marc Johnson, The Johnson Post. More here.

Question: Will Labrador hold up under scrutiny now that he’s the standard bearer for Idaho Republicans, who are desperate to reclaim the congressional seat held by Demo Walt Minnick?

Update: Police looking for missing child, mother

Rebecca McDonald

Spokane police are asking for the public’s help in locating a 24-year-old Spokane woman known to use drugs who apparently fled the area with her 4-year-old after missing a court appearance Wednesday.

Rebecca McDonald has a history of drug abuse, and is currently homeless, police said.

Child Protective Services was in the process of obtaining custody of the child, Layton McDonald. Police said Rebecca McDonald fled with her son after missing a court date, and detectives are concerned about his welfare. More here.

Child found and is with relatives. Update.

Memorial Day Flags

Ryan Wahl attaches an American flag to a pole on Tuesday at Fairmount Memorial Park, as crews place 2,240 flags throughout the cemetery. Every flag has a number and is put in the exact same spot year after year.

Each of the 2,240 flags raised in Fairmount Memorial Park is meticulously plotted in the same location each year so families can pay tribute to the veterans they’ve lost.

The flags were displayed with the caskets at the veterans’ funerals. Since 1970, families have donated them for display in one of four cemeteries in Spokane. Between Greenwood Memorial Terrace, Riverside Memorial Park, Spokane Memorial Gardens and Fairmount, about 3,500 flags will fly this year for Memorial Day on Monday. Each flag bears the name of the veteran and a number to track it. Asia Hege, SR. Full Story.

My dad’s flag flies here. We’ll visit his grave and see his flag on Sunday. Who will you be thinking of on Memorial Day weekend?

HBO Poll: Labrador Will Beat Minnick

  • Wednesday Poll: 160 of 264 respondents (61%) said Republican Raul Labrador will unseat Demo Congressman Walt Minnick in their race for the1st Congressional District seat now held by Minnick. 104 of 264 respondents (39%) said Minnick would win.
  • Today’s Question: Commissioners-elect Jai Nelson & Dan Green both want to hire an administrator for Kootenai County. Do you support that idea?

Green, Nelson Want County Administrator

Item: Elected Kootenai commissioners align on some issues: Dan Green and Jai Nelson want to hold line on taxes, explore restructuring county government/Alison Boggs, SR

More Info: Dan Green and Jai Nelson both say when they take office in January they’ll push for a ballot measure to restructure county government so daily operations are run by a hired administrator. They also both intend to hold the line on property taxes or decrease them by using money from reserve funds.

Question: Does Kootenai County need to hire an administrator to streamline county government?

Lee DeWyze Wins American Idol IX

Lee DeWyze, winner of Season 9 of American Idol, poses backstage after the finale on Wednesday in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Question: Who were you rooting for — Lee DeWyze or Crystal Bowersox? Why?

Heller: Thinking Summer

Joe Heller/Hellertoons

DEA: Chillers bar tied to cocaine distribution

For 20 years, federal agents allege, a Coeur d’Alene cocaine dealer went undetected by law enforcement, thanks in part to a tight-knit group of traffickers that included his friends and family. 

But James Roy “Slim” O’Neill’s alleged criminal enterprise imploded Tuesday when he and six other suspects were arrested after a months-long drug investigation involving a Coeur d’Alene bar now targeted in a federal forfeiture. 

O’Neill and his wife, 44-year-old Lecia D. O’Neill, were arrested Tuesday, as were Christopher B. McFarland, 48; Stephen J. McCabe, 51; and Debra L. Margraff, 48, and Gary Votava, 51, all of Coeur d’Alene. All are pictured above, left to right and top to bottom.

Read the rest of the story here.

Thoughts?

APhoto Of The Day — 5.26.10

Christina Hu, 11 months, from Scottsdale, Ariz. wears hearing protection during the second half of Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns Tuesday in Phoenix. The Suns won 115-106 to even the series. You write the cutline. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Top Cutlines:

  • 1. When asked to produce proof of citizenship by Arizona authorities, Baby Christina was heard to coo, “I’m afraid I can’t hear you, could you repeat the question? Nope, still can’t hear you! Go away” — Formerly Sandpoint.
  • 2. Arguing with another lady over the use of the diaper bench in the bathroom, her mother shouted “Hu’s on first”.
  • 3. The Sun’s “baby give-away” night turned out to be a huge success — Gary D. Rhodes.
  • HM: Charlie

Ann Curry’s Oops!

Ann Curry and Matt Lauer

n her role as the co-host of “The Today Show” on NBC, Ann Curry is renowned for her grace and gravitas, reporting stoically on all sorts of calamities from far-flung places like the Congo, Iraq, and Darfur — in between the lighthearted palling around she often does on set with Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira and Al Roker.

Curry, in short, is a respected television journalist by just about any standard — which is why the gaffe she committed over the weekend while delivering the commencement address at Wheaton College in Norton, Mass., is all the more shocking.

After taking the stage to launch into the school’s 175th commencement address, she sought to drive home the inspirational content of her speech by ticking off the names of a few of the school’s more illustrious alums. Among the entries on the Curry honor roll: “60 Minutes” correspondent Lesley Stahl, evangelist Billy Graham, slasher-film director Wes Craven, and United Airlines Flight 93 passenger Todd Beamer. There was just one problem: Apart from Stahl, everyone on that list actually graduated from another Wheaton College, the Christian liberal-arts college in Wheaton, Illinois. More.

Feel free to share your own embarrassing moments here. It might make Ann feel better, because I’m sure she’s a devoted Huck’s online reader.

Wild Card/Wednesday — 5.26.10

I’m pre-posting this Wild Card after a long, eventful day tracking voter turnout out and posting election totals for the HucksOnline crowd. I’m bushed and looking forward to time off this week, to see Junior graduate from UColorado Denver medical school before he heads to the University of Florida for neuro-surgery residency. Betsy Russell/Eye On Boise, Meghann Cuniff/Sirens & Gavels, and HBO favorite CindyH will fill in for me when I’m gone. Betsy’s cross-posting today re: election results should be interesting. A house sitter’s watching the dog and garden. So I’m as prepared as I’ll ever be to take a week off. See you next Tuesday. Now, here’s your Wild Card …

Creator of Ward/Obama video mashup says it was ‘propaganda’

Lucas Baumbach, the Boise Republican legislative candidate who created the widely circulated video mash-up juxtaposing phrases from speeches by Vaughn Ward and Barack Obama, calls himself a “RINO hunter” and a “Tea Party activist” and is blunt about why he created the mash-up: Because he supported Raul Labrador over Ward. His video mash-up gives the impression that Ward, in his announcement speech in the Idaho Capitol on Jan. 26th, parroted Obama’s 2004 Democratic National Convention speech word-for-word, though that’s not exactly the case./Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise

Obama meets “buzz saw of crticism” on Capitol Hill

President Barack Obama leaves Capitol Hill on Tuesday after a meeting with Senate Republicans.

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama paid a rare visit to Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill Tuesday, seeking their support on energy, immigration and other top priority measures. But he hit a buzz saw of criticism and resentment that bodes poorly for the remainder of his legislative agenda.

In the tense closed-door meeting, Obama told Senate Republicans he did not want legislative business to grind to a halt just because an election was approaching, and he asked for their cooperation on ratifying the START treaty, confirming Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court and passing legislation to improve the economy. Full story.

Do you agree that the President’s bipartisan words have been followed by partisan actions?

Labrador: Ward/Obama video mashup was ‘just the icing on the cake’

1st District GOP congressional nominee Raul Labrador, asked by Eye on Boise about the impact of the video mash-up of speeches by opponent Vaughn Ward and Barack Obama that circulated widely online for the last few days before the election and was featured on the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on election night, said, “I think it was just the icing on the cake, I don’t think that it made the difference.” Labrador noted that the earliest results that came in, which consisted of absentee votes from Ada and Canyon counties that could have been cast weeks ago, showed him ahead./Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise

Also:
Ward: ‘I learned a great deal from this experience’
Labrador: Ward has served honorably
Otter at GOP unity rally: ‘Now we are one team’

RIP Art Linkletter

Art Linkletter

May 26 (Bloomberg) — Art Linkletter, the genial radio and television host who spent more than two decades interviewing children and getting them to say “the darndest things,” has died. He was 97. More here.


THE_Edge: Kudos to Larry Spencer

 

“Larry Spencer helped Jai Nelson knock off Rick Currie — making it the first time in my memory that he’s actually been directly linked to a candidate (Larry was Jai’s campaign manager) and getting a win.

This is huge and nobody is giving the guy any credit. He deserves to take a bow. Larry is like the little engine that could, chugging up hill. “I think I can, I think I can” and he finally got to the top of the mountain.” More.

Anyone else like to add their congrats to Larry for  backing a winning candidate?

Angels for those with ALS

From left, Fred Marker and his wife Caryl, sit with hospice volunteers Cathey and Pat Priddy, who also have started a local ALS service organization and visit the Markers weekly.

…McDougall said what makes the Priddys so special is that “they understand the disease on an emotional level.” That understanding comes from firsthand knowledge. In 2002, Pat’s sister, Cheran, was diagnosed with ALS. When the Priddys make volunteer visits, they offer the empathy of those who have intimate knowledge of the toll ALS takes. Recently, they visited the home of Fred and Caryl Marker. Caryl has ALS, and the Priddys are her Hospice of Spokane volunteers.

As Pat spoke of his sister and her illness, the room grew quiet. “It’s a bad disease,” he said. “Nobody should have to go through it by themselves.” He paused to pull a red handkerchief from his pocket. After wiping his eyes, he continued, “My sister had longtime friends abandon her – they couldn’t stand to see her like that.”

Though his sister died in 2005, his grief is fresh. However, he and Cathey have channeled their grief into helping others. In 2008, they, along with several others, formed ALSSO (ALS Service Organization).Cindy Hval, Spokesman Review  Full Story.

Hospice is an amazing organization primarily because of volunteers like these. Do you know of anyone who has been helped by Hospice?

Truck from CdA seized in murder case

Closing arguments are happening right now in the trial of a former Spokane man accused of murdering a young woman in Reno, Nevada.

One piece of evidence in the case is a Toyota truck seized from a Coeur d’Alene resident shortly after James Biela’s arrest.

Police believe Biela, a 1999 West Valley High graduate whose mother lives in Spokane Valley, used the truck in the crimes, then sold it to a car dealership up here that then sold it to a Coeur d’Alene resident.

Read coverage of the case at the Sirens and Gavels blog.

Question: Do you ever wonder where your used car has been?

 

Sarah and the New Neighbor

Sarah Palin greets people at the Qwest Arena in Boise on Friday after giving a speech for congressional candidate Vaughn Ward.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Sarah Palin has taken to her Facebook page to complain about her new neighbor – a writer penning a book about her.

Author Joe McGinniss has taken up residence in a house next to Palin’s lakeside home in Wasilla. McGinniss previously wrote a critical expose on Palin and her natural gas pipeline plan for the Conde Nast publication Portfolio last year, and is planning a book about the former Alaska governor and GOP vice presidential candidate. It’s tentatively titled, “Sarah Palin’s Year of Living Dangerously” and could be on the shelves in the fall of 2011.

“Yes, that Joe McGinniss. Here he is about 15 feet away on the neighbor’s rented deck overlooking my children’s play area and my kitchen window,” Palin posted on Facebook late Monday, hours after returning from a trip to the Lower 48 and learning of McGinniss’ presence. Read More.

How would you feel if you knew your neighbor was writing a book about you? Are you going to read McGinniss’s book?

Fish-Slapped

Steven Benson shows off two of more than 2,200 lake trout he, Mike, left, and Jerry (not pictured) have caught during Spring Mack Days. Their father started the three boys fishing on Flathead in the 1960s. Missoulian

These guys may be in for a surprise. According to Natiional Geographic, nine fish that use handlike fins to walk, rather than swim, have been identified as new species. See pics. Of course the new species live off the coast of Australia, but local anglers might want to be prepared to put up their dukes, just in case.

Do enjoy fishing?

Bad News: U.S. National Debt Clock

The National Debt Clock rolled over to 13 trillion and it’s still going. If you enjoy feeling overwhelmed just click here and watch that baby go. According to this site my taxpayer portion is $117,983.

Ouch.

 

How About Election Hangovers?

Several beers await microbrew aficionados at Palouse Falls Brewing Co.

More than half a million people are hungover at work on any given day and the figures is set to soar during the World Cup, experts say.

Nearly one in 10 Britons head to the office suffering from the after effects of too much alcohol at least twice a week, a poll of 1,000 people by charity Drinkaware suggests.

This works out as 520,000 fragile-feeling people heading in to work each day. Daily Mail Reporter

Boy those Brits like their booze, but I’ve heard from more than one friend today that they have “election hangovers” from staying up late to follow the results of yesterday’s voting. On behalf of those poor souls, I ask: What’s the best remedy for a hangover— election-induced or otherwise?

Primary brings changes to Legislature

Here’s a link to the final, unofficial statewide results from the Secretary of State. Of interest: Six legislative incumbents lost to their challengers in the GOP primary: Sen. Mike Jorgenson, R-Hayden Lake; Sen. Lee Heinrich, R-Cascade; Rep. Steve Kren, R-Nampa; Rep. Rich Jarvis, R-Meridian, who lost to the man he replaced, former Rep. John Vander Woude; Sen. Charles Coiner, R-Twin Falls; and longtime Sen. Gary Schroeder, R-Moscow, the chairman of the Senate Resources Committee who was defeated by Tea Party candidate Gresham Dale Bouma./Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise

Labrador looks forward to November after upset victory in 1st CD GOP primary

State Rep. Raul Labrador issued this statement this morning after his upset victory late last night in the GOP primary for the 1st CD. Unofficial final results show Labrador winning with 47.6 percent of the vote to 38.9 percent for Vaughn Ward. “I’ve received a call of congratulations from Mr. Ward, and I appreciate his graciousness,” Labrador said. “I want to acknowledge his service to this nation and his hard work as a candidate.”/Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise

Question: Why’d he win? And why did Ward win in Kootenai County?

HBO Poll: Didn’t Vote Absentee

  • Tuesday Poll: 60 of 92 respondents (65%) said they planned to vote at the polls rather than absentee in the spring primaries. 32 of 92 (35%) said they’d voted absentee already.
  • Cross-over Voting: 36 of 74 respondents (49%) said they planned to cross-over to vote in the other political party’s primary. 35 of 74 (47%) respondents said they would not cross over. 3 of 74 (4%) were undecided.
  • Today’s Poll: Who will when the 1st Congressional District race between Walt Minnick and Raul Labrador this fall?

Right Winger Loves Idaho Sight Unseen

In an article aptly headlined “The Rage Machine,” (5-24-10) right-wing Internet entrepreneur and Fox News darling Andrew Breitbart confides to New Yorker magazine staff writer Rebecca Mead, “I just feel like one of these Idaho guys saying, ‘You’re not taking my land,’ — with a gun, on my porch.” Under further questioning, Breitbart reveals he has never gotten closer to Idaho than his browser when he was recently looking up properties in Coeur d’Alene, attracted by the Coeur d’Alene Resort golf course and perhaps fantasizing about a life of rugged LibertarFox ian individualism only with nice shoes and sand wedges. “I saw the golf course there and it had a really cool island,” he says in the article. “You do not want to live there. I’ve been there,” his friend, former MTV anchor Kurt Loder says/Kevin Taylor, Pacific Northwest Inlander blog. More here.

Question: What would you tell Fox News darling Andrew Breitbart re: Idaho?

Green, Nelson Sweep Out Incumbents

One challenger in a Kootenai County commission race was holding a solid lead Tuesday over a first-term incumbent, but the other contested Republican primary was too close to call. The races are winner-take-all because no Democrats entered the races. Dan Green, chairman of the county’s planning and zoning commission and a retired lumber industry executive, had 56 percent of the vote to Commissioner Rich Piazza’s 30 percent with 43 of 71 precincts reporting. The third candidate, businessman Kevin Ratigan, had 14 percent. Piazza was running in his first race for re-election after winning a four-year term in 2006. The winner will serve a two-year term/Alison Boggs, SR. More here.

Question: Green (final vote here) and Nelson (final vote here) both won their three-way races Tuesday, ousting the two Republican incumbents. Why did the voters turn on the incumbents?

Vick, Barbieri To Join Hart In District 3

Steve Vick had little trouble dumping multi-term state Sen. Mike Jorgenson in the District 3 race, after Jorgenson fought to keep him off the ballot over a procedural matter. In the other contested Republican primary in District 3, Vito Barbieri bested a four-person field, defeating GOP stalwart Duane Rasmussen and Hayden Councilwoman Geri DeLange. Vick and Barbieri will join state Rep. Phil Hart to form the new District 3 legislative delegation.

Question: What was Mike Jorgenson’s undoing?

Leno Mocks Vaughn Ward In Monologue

On the Tonight Show with Jay Leno tonight, Leno played the entire video mashup that juxtaposes clips of Barack Obama’s 2004 Democratic national convention speech with similar turns of phrase in a speech by Idaho GOP congressional candidate Vaughn Ward at the Idaho state capitol this spring, a mashup put together by Idaho GOP legislative candidate Lucas Baumbach. Leno’s kicker: “When they asked this guy if he thought he could get away with this, he said, ‘Yes we can! Yes we can!’”/Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise.

Question: Which was your favorite Ward misstep?

Heller: Citations Pile Up

Joe Heller/Hellertoons

Labrador Defeats Ward (848 of 936)

REPHarley D. Brown2,6203.6%
 REPMichael L. Chadwick4,4146.0%
 REPRaul R. Labrador35,65848.6%
 REPAllan M Salzberg1,9982.7%
 REPVaughn Ward28,63239.0%

Ward wIns Kootenai County:

Vaughn Ward.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     5,935   46.66
Raul R. Labrador .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     4,716   37.08
Michael L. Chadwick .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,074    8.44
Harley D. Brown  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       529    4.16
Allan M. Salzberg.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       465    3.66
Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .    12,719

Jai Nelson Unseats Rick Currie (71 of 71)

(WITH 71 OF 71 PRECINCTS COUNTED)
Jai Nelson .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     4,684   36.10
Elmer "Rick" Currie .  .  .  .  .  .  .     4,212   32.46 
Chris Fillios .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     4,079   31.44
Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .    12,975

Green Claims 55% Of Vote (71 of 71)

Dan Green  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     7,086   55.33
Rich Piazza.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     3,958   30.91
Kevin Ratigan .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,762   13.76
Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .    12,806

HD3: Barbieri Wins Clark Seat

Vito Barbieri .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     2,047   39.40
Duane Rasmussen  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,298   24.98
Jeri J. DeLange  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,057   20.34
Fred Meckel.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       794   15.28
Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     5,196

SD3: Vick Stomps Sen. Jorgenson

Steve Vick .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     3,132   59.50
Mike Jorgenson.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     2,132   40.50
Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     5,264

SD5: Hammond Pulls 51% To Win

Jim Hammond.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     2,048   50.63
John Green .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,511   37.35
Jack Schroeder.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       486   12.01
Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     4,045

Wilkey Cruises To GOP Coroner Nod

Debbie Wilkey .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     5,065   42.97
Tom Cronin .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     3,503   29.72
Douglas R. Stafford .  .  .  .  .  .  .     3,219   27.31
Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .    11,787

It’s Show Time, Polls Are Shut

Let’s use this post for general discussion tonight re: the elections results. Locally, the big races we’ll be following are the two commissioner ones, the GOP coroner’s primary, state Senate races in Hayden and Post Falls, as well as the state House race in Hayden. Statewide, the two big races are the ones for the 1st Congressional District, to see which Republican takes on Demo Congressman Walt Minnick, and the Idaho Supreme Court race.

  • The Kootenai County Elections Department will have live results locally here
  • Betsy Russell’s coverage of election night from Boise can be found here
  • Live Twitter from Idaho’s many news sources can be found here. (It’s definitely the night to follow HBO Nation Twitter in the righthand rail below my photo.)
  • KTVB provides easy access to congressional race results here
  • The Secretary of State provides statewide, congressional, & legislative races here
  • Kevin Richert/Idaho Statesman will be live-blogging in Ada County here

Burdick Winning Justice Seat Easily

Supreme Court Justice
 NONJohn Bradbury17,68137.8%To succeed Roger Burdick
 NONRoger Burdick29,14362.2%To succeed Roger Burdick

Otter Winning Easily (182 of 938)

REPWalt Bayes1,0372.9%
 REPC.L. “Butch” Otter20,43856.6%
 REPRon “Pete” Peterson2,0295.6%
 REPRex Rammell8,31423.0%
 REPSharon Margaret Ullman3,2008.9%
 REPTamara Wells1,0893.0%

Ysursa: ‘It Was Kinda Quiet’

Idaho Secretary of State Ben Ysursa has made his victory speech - he was unopposed in the GOP primary. “I’ve been on pins and needles all night,” Ysursa joked, joined by his wife Penny. Asked about the turnout in today’s primary election, Ysursa said, “We hear there are pockets of good turnout, but … it’s hard to tell. I hope I’m wrong - I hope we’re higher than 26 percent. We’ll see.” Ysursa has been predicting a 26 percent turnout of registered voters in today’s primary, a typically low Idaho primary election turnout. “The calls were it was kind of an uneventful day,” Ysursa said. “It was kinda quiet”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise.

FBI Raids Chillers, CdA Home

An FBI SWAT Team executed several early morning raids across Coeur d’Alene Tuesday morning as part of a federal drug bust of a ring that was trafficking marijuana and cocanie. A home at 9th and Homestead was one of the properties raided by federal agents Tuesday. FBI agents also served a search warrant at Chillers, a night club located in the 1900 block of Sherman Avenue. Witnesses there say the agents seized a number of items from the night club as evidence including gambling equipment. As of Tuesday afternoon Chillers remained closed/Jeff Humphrey, KXLY. More here.

  • H/T HMOffsuite

DOTC: Very Light Turnout, 20%?

Dan of the County: Still looking quite light…even by late afternoon some Post Falls precincts were still in single digits…hoping the after work and dinner crowd will bump up the numbers plus when the absentees get added in…still, I fear it will be closer to 20% turnout than the mid-twenties.

Question: Any predictions re: election turnout in Kootenai County tonight? Statewide?

Chatterbox: Got My Palin Call @ Work

Chatterbox: Several of you Berry Pickers received a robo-call from Sarah Palin on behalf of Vaughn Ward today in his 1st Congressional District race against state Rep. Raul Labrador, including Chatterbox, who posts: “We received the Sarah Palin robocall at work this afternoon. Some of you know, I work for a local government office. Seems kinda silly to program a robocall to the county.”

Question: Did any of you not receive a robo-call from Sarah Palin today (besides Sisyphus & Phaedrus)?

Parting Shot — 5.25.10

If you haven’t figured it out, I thoroughly (heart) public art. The Feathers on Northwest Boulevard are two of my favorite pieces of public art. That’s why I’m running yet another photo by Marc Stewart, PRmeister for the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, of that veterans memorial that will be dedicated Saturday at the trailhead of the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes.

Wild Card/Election Day — 5.25.10

I need to get out of here in a few minutes to vote at the Assembly of God church on 7th, then grab a bite and water the garden, before returning here around 8 o’clock to continue the election coverage. I predict that the two incumbent commissioners will fall tonight — and that Duane Rasmussen & Vito Barbieri will duke it out for the seat now held by Rep. Jim Clark. Tonight, we’ll see how much clout the Tea Party has. Now, I need to find a Parting Shot — and part. Feel free to continue to use this Wild Card to start your own threads …

Musburger: Griz Should Stay In Big Sky

As the NCAA gets ready to lift a moratorium on schools moving up to the Football Bowl Subdivision, Griz football fans are debating the pluses and minuses. Montana native and ABC and ESPN sports broadcaster Brent Musburger says such a move would be “economic suicide.” Musburger was in Bozeman for a fundraiser for the Montana State women’s golf team. Musburger says moving Montana up to the FBS would be a horrendous mistake and that the state could not support a FBS team/Associated Press. More here.

Question: Do you think the Montana Grizzlies should move up to Divison I or stay in the Big Sky Conference, which they dominate in football?

APhoto Of The Day — 5.25.10

Paris Humfrey, from High River, Alberta, comes off her mount as she competes in the 3-5 year-old Mutton Bustin’ event at the Little Britches rodeo in High River, Altberta, Monday. You write the cutline. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jeff McIntosh)

Top Cutlines:

  • 1. Interviewed later, the sheep said this was the best work she’s ever had - less dangerous than roaming wolf-infested mountains, and certainly far easier than the sad lot of her cousins down in Enumclaw. To those who suggest sheep rodeos are inhumane, “Baaaa,” she said — Brent Andrews.
  • 2. Paris sheepishly addresses the media after she rammed into the ground, explaining that she didn’t see the ewe turn — JohnA.
  • 3. Life Is a Britch! — Pecky Cox.
  • HM: JeanieS

Scanner Traffic/PM — 5.25.10

  • 5:39 p.m. A female in a black vehicle whose seems very drunk has pulled into liquor store @ Seltice & Spokane/Post Falls.
  • 5:13 p.m. CPD Blue officer checking out hitchhikers who are e/b @ I-90 & H95.
  • 5:01 p.m. Damaged vehicle is parked along H95 & Garwood after hitting a deer.
  • 4:53 p.m. Pitbull from trailer park running loose on Chateaux/Hayden.
  • 4:52 p.m. H&W office reports a sex offense that occurred in Cataldo.
  • 4:33 p.m. Coeur d’Alene police are looking for a student who hasn’t been seen since he left Coeur d’Alene High early this afternoon.
  • 4:15 p.m. A panhandle w/black hair and wearing blue jeans is bothering Walmart customers.
  • More below

Salon, TPM Name Ward Worst Candidate

Meet Vaughn Ward. He’s running in today’s Republican primary in Idaho’s 1st Congressional District. He’s an Iraq War veteran. A former CIA operations officer. A fourth-generation Idaho native. Heck, Sarah Palin supports him. And after this spring’s disastrous, gaffe-filled primary campaign — during which Ward declared that Puerto Rico was a country, apparently plagiarized fellow candidates and Barack Obama, campaigned on cutting federal spending while his wife’s gig at Fannie Mae allowed Ward to go without an income, and re-released a six-month-old endorsement — Ward may be able to add another title to his resume: Worst candidate ever/Ben Frumin, TPM. More here.

  • H/T: Sara Anderson & BPoole

Question: C’mon, Ward isn’t even the worst candidate in the 1st Congressional District race. Harley Brown’d take those honors. What do you think of TPM’s assessment?

HBO’s INW Headlines — 5.25.10

Zelika Erickson from Southside Elementary gingerly trades parasols with her partner during the tight-rope walk as teacher Christie Landwehr watches as Powell kindergartners perform for family and friends in the annual kindergarten circus at Northwest College’s Cabre Gym in Powell, Wyo., recently. (AP Photo/Powell Tribune, Don Amend)

Checking Out The New Visitor Digs

You can find this info on the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce Facebook: “Members of the Chamber’s Tourism Committee met in the new building and checked out the new visitor center.” Megan Ownbey of the Post Falls chamber provides the IDs: (L –R): Vicki Kunz (Idaho Dept of Labor), Pete Marion (Cabelas), Kater Danford (Shilo Inn), Nancy DiGiammarco (Silverwood), Jennifer Ross (Triple Play), Christina Petit (Holiday Inn Express), Jame’ Davis (Post Falls Chamber), Jeanine Huntington (Buck Knives), and Kerri Thoreson(OnLocation North Idaho)

Question (from Post Falls C-of-C Facebook): What are some of your favorite things to do here in the summer?

AP: Obama To Send Troops To Border

President Barack Obama will send 1,200 National Guard troops to boost security along the U.S.-Mexico border, officials said Tuesday, pre-empting Republican plans to try to force votes on such a deployment. Obama will also request $500 million for border protection and law enforcement activities, according to lawmakers and administration officials. The moves come as chances for action on comprehensive immigration reform, Obama’s long-stated goal, look increasingly small in this election year. But Obama is under pressure to do something with the issue front and center after Arizona’s passage of a tough crackdown law/Associated Press. More here.

Question: Do you support this action by President Obama?

A Boat At The Bottom Of Priest Lake

At As The Lake Churns, Pecky Cox pulled this photo from video of that boat that was discovered at the bottom of Priest Lake w/a skeleton that may be several decades old nearby. You can read a dozen stories or so re: the discovery here.

Nordstrom Rack Packs For Valley

Nordstrom Rack is moving east, to be closer to the highway and closer to North Idaho. Those are the reasons given by the Seattle-based clothing retailer for leaving the NorthTown Mall and taking up a 30,000-square-foot space in the Spokane Valley Plaza. It expects the Rack, Valley version, will open in October. It’s taking space last used by Linens ‘n Things, in a triplex flanked by Sportsman’s Warehouse and Old Navy, west of the Spokane Valley Mall. The Rack is the off-price division of Nordstrom that offers merchandise from other stores at significant discounts/Tom Sowa, Office Hours. More here. (SR File Photo: Shoppers pack the Nordstrom Rack in Northtown Mall as it opens in 2000.)Question: Are you more likely to go to Nordstrom Rack now that it has moved from North Town Mall to Spokane Valley Plaza?

RR Chief Ward Invites Poll Predictions

Jeff Ward, president of the Reagan Republicans, has a fun brackets-type poll going on for his group and anyone else who wishes to participate. Jeff sent me this note: “Just thought my fellow political junkies on Huckleberries might want to join the fun on KCRR’s May Madness Primary Election Brackets Contest.  You pick winners just like a sports pool. No prizes just political bragging rights.  Players can see if they are more accurate than Huckleberries’ or KCRR’s online polls.  Entries accepted until 8 pm tonight, when the polls close.

DFO: If the early polling on the KCRR poll are right, Dan Green and Chris Fillios are going to be our two new commissioners. Also, the poll shows the race for coroner is between Deb Wilkey and Doug Stafford and the race for Jim Clark’s seat is between Duane Rasmussen and Vito Barbieri. Check it out.

Election Day Roundup

Let’s use this post to report on what’s happening at voting places around the area. You can use this link to find out where you’re suppose to vote here.

  • 2:47 p.m. Allison Stam: I VOTED! I was #189 at Ramsey Elementary.
  • 2:37 p.m. BPoole: 51 people at precinct 58.
  • 1:58 p.m. Steve Sibulsky: Voter # 69 at Prec 52 at 1:20 PM…the folks there are bored…
  • 12:36 p.m. Dan of the County: It looks pretty light all over so far. It always picks up in late afternoon as people start getting off work and vote on the way home or after dinner.
  • 12:20 p.m. BPoole: 33 people at precinct 58 since 8 this morning.
  • 11:30 p.m. Lew2nl: We also had a cheery call from Sarah this morning. Didn’t know she was running. :)
  • 10:45 a.m. Steve Sibulsky: Got the Palin Robocall for Ward about 9:45.
  • 10:04 a.m. Christa Hazel: My mother received a robocall from Sarah Palin urging her to vote for Vaughn Ward this morning.
  • 10 a.m. JimmyMac: I was one of three voting at Hayden City Hall at about 915. Gave the thumbs up to Duane and his crew on 95 and Prairie this morning. Saw the Vito posse out as well on the south side of the intersection.
  • 8:57 p.m. Brother Frito Ray calls asking for information re: some of the races.
  • 7:45 p.m. I showed up 15 minutes early to vote at Precinct 52 (Assembly of God Church). I decided not to wait until the polls opened. So I’ll have to go back at noon or after work tonight. There was one guy smoking a cigarette who was waiting for the polls to open.

Precinct 53 Write-In Causes Flap

Huckleberries has heard from a Berry Picker that a man holding a sign for a write-in candidate created a flap at Precinct 53 polling place (7th Day Adventist Church, 111 Locust). Someone called the Elections Department to see if a supporter of write-in candidate Tim Silva was violating election law by holding a sign too close to the polling place. Silva is challenging Kelly Chadderdon, nephew of state Rep. Marge Chadderdon for the precinct No. 53 committee spot. Everything was copasetic because the sign holder was outside the restricted area for campaigning on election day.

  • You can find a list (scroll down) of precinct committee men & women for D’s & R’s in Kootenai County (courtesy of Cabbage Boy) here

High Noon: SR Street Q Makes Leno

Our man-on-the-street question made Jay Leno’s show recently. When asked by SR staffer Rainey Coffin what she learned from her mother (for Mother’s Day question), Britnee Heuett of Spokane Valley (far right) responded: “She taught me how to hold my liquor.” Leno showed the man-on-the-street feature during a time when he was reading funny headlines. Video here.

Question: What have you learned from your mom?

Allreds Have Voted, How About You?

Via Twitter: Idaho democratic candidate for governor Keith Allred, his wife Christine, with their 2-year-old daughter, Cate, walk out of their precinct after casting casting votes in the Idaho primary election earlier today in Eagle. (AP Photo/Charlie Litchfield)

Scanner Traffic/AM — 5.25.10

  • 11:57 a.m. Thomas wants extra patrol b/c logging trucks are speeding by his place.
  • 11:34 a.m. A male described as 6-foot & 250 pounds is refusing to leave a residence in 9800 block of Riverview/Post Falls.
  • 11:10 a.m. Jerry on Claim Court/Athol reports his stepson didn’t attend school today after spending the night with his father.
  • 11:04 a.m. Caller from Shoshone & Caribou/Athol reports that a neighbor’s dog bit his daughter Monday and wouldn’t allow a census worker in the yard today.
  • 10:49 a.m. An unconcious 8YO girl has suffered some type of trauma on 900 block of Willow Lake Loop/CdA.
  • 10:42 a.m. A mother is screaming at her 2YO and throwing him against the wall in 15000 block of Meyer/Rathdrum.
  • 10:29 a.m. An employer has gone to Fernan Lake Road to check on an employee who hasn’t reported to work in a week.
  • 10:04 a.m. Caller reports that she saw a Coeur d’Alene day-care working treating children roughly, including grabbing one by the arm.
  • 9:59 a.m. Two pitbulls have a woman cornered on top of her vehicle near Big Al’s Country Club/Stateline.
  • 9:27 a.m. A wanted male that has eluded Post Falls police for 2 days may be at 2nd & Madison.
  • 8:32 a.m. Caller reports that a Toyota that narrowly missed wiping out a family on a blind curve is now parked at Lakeland High.
  • 8:15 a.m. Diagonal Road resident reports that a stallion is on her property. She said she knows the area is open range but the stallion is “big and scary.”

KREM: No Resolution Yet In Flag Flap

Veterans in Kellogg say they are still no closer to ending a fight over a Veterans’ memorial there, even after a city council meeting on Monday night. Those veterans are upset after the city stopped flying the American flag over the memorial and then moved both. Those vets were hoping to hear a decision one way or the other about moving the small memorial about 100 yards. Those veterans say 100 yards is a very big deal. One veteran says he was happy with the little plaque because of what it stands for and he says what it stands for is bigger than the vets.The plaque dedicated a piece of land as Memorial Park/KREM.com. More here. (SR File Photo/Kathy Plonka: Vietnam Veteran Joe Wallace stands near the empty flagpole in Memorial Park in Kellogg on Friday)

Question: Are you surprised this has dragged on as long as it has — and that the council didn’t make a decision last night?

All-Star Catcher Attends Rassley Event?

Not only has Rich Piazza hit 427 less home runs, knocked in 1912 less RBIs, and played in 1,912 less games than former star catcher Mike Piazza, but he’s never been named to an all-star game. But that didn’t stop MC Andy Finney from introducing the Kootenai County commissioner as Mike Piazza. Now, you have to give Andy allowances for the mistake. The county commissioner was also listed as Mike Piazza in the program honoring Father George Rassley at Holy Family Catholic School for his many years of service to his faith and the local community. Some 200 to 250 parishioners attended the event. Councilman John Bruning, subbing for ailing Mayor Sandi Bloem, announced that the city is naming the men’s homeless shelter and warming shelter in Rassley’s honor. Piazza, Rich not Mike, BTW, had a good chuckle re: the mixup. (2006 AP File Photo of San Diego catcher Mike Piazza)

H/T: Cabbage Boy

Question: Have you ever been mistaken for a celebrity?

HBO Poll: HBO Leans Tea Party?!

  • HBO Poll: By a slender majority, respondents to Monday’s HBO Poll said they generally support the agenda of the Tea Party. 146 of 286 respondents (51%) said they support the Tea Party agenda. 134 of 286 (47%) said they didn’t. Only 6 of 286 (2%) were undecided.
  • Today’s Question (in lefthand rail): Did you vote absentee in this year’s Idaho spring primaries?

Prom Night On Priest River

At As The Lake Churns blog, Pecky Cox provides this photo of girls from Priest River Lamanna High School preparing to celebrate prom night with dinner at Priest Lake’s Hills Resort.

  • Question: Do you remember the person who went with you to your prom night?

Scootermom: I Crossed Over To Vote

Scootermom: I generally vote Democratic, but I “crossed over” today. Why? Because it’s the only chance I have to vote for County Commissioners. I think as a resident, I should be able to cast my ballot for the best candidates. In other races, if I know there’s a Democrat I will support in the general, I leave my ballot blank. The Republicans are afraid that Dems cross over to mess with their elections, and get the weakest candidate to win. That’s not why I do it, and I’ve never talked to anyone who crosses over to intentionally get the weakest R’s on the November ballot. We cross over because we want the R’s that most closely represent out interests to win.

Question (for Demo crossover voters): Do you pick the weakest candidate on the Republican side or the one who most closely represents your view?

UI Drops Speech Complaint Vs. Student

After FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education) intervened, the University of Idaho (UI) abandoned disciplinary charges of “harass[ment]” and “discrimination” against student Alexander Rowson relating to political statements he made at two campus events. On or about March 30, during César Chávez Day at UI, there was a musical performance in the food court in UI’s student union building. The music was loud enough that, in Rowson’s opinion, it was disrupting his class nearby. Between songs, Rowson went to the microphone and made a political statement about “how illegal immigration destroyed my home state of California.” His impromptu protest lasted roughly thirty seconds, he says, and then the performance continued/Peter Bonilla, FIRE. More here.

Question: Should the University of Idaho have brought student Rowson up for disciplinary action in these situations?

Idaho R’s Warn Of Crossover Voting

The Idaho Republican Party is using the threat of crossover voting to encourage conservatives to vote in Tuesday’s primary election.  In a message on its website, the state GOP said that groups of non-Republicans are planning to vote in Republican primaries. “The Idaho Republican Party has been made aware of organized efforts by liberal interests to promote crossover voting to influence the outcome of our primary elections,” said Norm Semanko, the party chairman.  “We must turn out our Republican voters to counter this wrong-headed plot and to reaffirm our core Republican principles”/Brad Iverson-Long, Idaho Reporter. More here.

Question: Can you really blame a Democrat in Kootenai County from crossing over? After all, the races for county commissioner and 3 legislative races will be decided today because there’s no Dem opposition in November.

AM Headlines — 5.25.10

Marc Stewart, spokesman for the Coeur d’Alene Indian Tribe, has several swell photos of a veterans memorial that will be dedicated this Saturday on the Coeur d’Alene Reservation, including the one above. Virgil “Smoker” Marchand made the warrior riding the horse. His website is Indianvisions.net. You can read about the dedication here.

Poll: R’s Oppose Health Care Reform

Item: Mason-Dixon poll: Likely GOP voters oppose health care reform: 82 percent of likely GOP voters in Idaho oppose the legislation passed by Congress/Colleen LaMay, Idaho Statesman

More Info: Fewer than one in five respondents favored the legislation, which eventually will require nearly all Americans to have health insurance. Nearly 75 percent support Idaho leaders’ decision to join a lawsuit to stop it.

Question: Are you in the supermajority or superminority in Idaho when it comes to support/opposition of health care reform?

Paper Doesn’t Report On Op Editor DUI

Item: Oregonian editorial page editor blows 0.10 in DUII after ‘two drinks’: paper has yet to report on the incident/Willamette Week Online

More Info: Robert Caldwell, who has been at The O since 1983 and is arguably the most important opinion shaper in the state, told police he’d had two glasses of wine two hours before his arrest early on the morning of May 20. He said he’d dined earlier that evening on steak and potatoes. He was arrested for driving under the influence at 12:24 a.m., after backing his pickup truck into another vehicle while trying to park near a strip club. The call to police came from a bouncer at the club who witnessed the incident.

Question: What would be your impression of a newspaper if it failed to report on a DUI citation issued to the editor of opinion page editor?

Christa: It’s Time To Vote

On Facebook, Christa Hazel reminds her friends to vote today, saying that she: “wonders how many of her friends will have voted in the Idaho primary election by the time the polls close tonight. Have you voted yet?” I tried to vote 15 minutes before the polls opened. I hadn’t checked on the time that the polls would be open. I was hoping that they’d be opened at 7. I’ll either vote at noon or after work. BTW, if you don’t know where to vote, use this link to find out here. Betsy Russell/Eye on Boise has links to profiles in major races, if you’re still undecided re: whom you’re going to vote for.

Question: When and where do you plan to vote today?

Bent: My Sister, My Best Friend

Bent: On Facebook, Bent points out that this is Sisters Week, a time to remember the great things your sister(s) has meant to you and done for you. Writes Bent of his sis: “She has been my best friend ALL my life. She’s always giving, ready to listen, a shoulder to cry on, a friend to laugh with, good times and bad. She has always acknowledged every single moment important in my life, no matter how small or how large.” How about you?

Question: Feel free to use this thread to celebrate the impact your sister(s) have had in your life.

Heller: Incumbent Lament

Joe Heller/Hellertoons

  • (tune sung to “Henry the 8th I am”)

David: Been Enjoying CdA For 20 Years

On Facebook, David Townsend noted that Friday was the 10th anniversary of his going to work for the Coeur d’Alene Public Library. Quoth David: “That means we are coming up on 20 years in Coeur d’Alene — newcomers by some folks’ standards. But a milestone in my reckoning. I have never lived continuously anywhere as long. Not even in my hometown.” I beat David to Coeur d’Alene by 5 years. However, I, too, have never lived in a community this long. In fact, I’ve lived in Coeur d’Alene twice as long as I’ve lived anywhere else.

Question (for all but natives): How long have you lived in your Inland Northwest town? Where have you lived the longest in one place?

Parting Shot — 5.24.10

A participant of the wave gothic festival poses in Leipzig, eastern Germany, on Saturday. (AP Photo/dapd/Sebastian Willnow)

Wild Card/Monday — 5.24.10

We’re going to have an exciting but short week this week. I’ll be here through Tuesday night to handle the primary election results. Then, it’s off to Denver to watch my son get his medical degree for the remainder of the week before heading to the University of Florida for his neuro-surgery residency. My only instructions to my house-sitter is to keep the dog and plants alive. Things might be quiet here. Cindy is slammed w/her book project. So I’ll see if Betsy can cross post and rely more on wild cards than I’d like. Sorry. But medical school graduations don’t come along that often. Now, for today’s Wild Card …

Crapo Wants Correction From Ward

PM: Tribe To Dedicate Memorial

The Coeur d’Alene Tribe will dedicate a new Veterans Memorial at 11 a.m. Saturday to honor all veterans who served and protected the United States. Story here. (Tribe Photo: Marc Stewart)

APhoto Of The Day — 5.24.10

Filipino boys use straw to blow out powder inside a plastic cup during a game at a town fiesta to celebrate the feast day of their patron saint, St. Rita, in Baclaran, Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines, Sunday. The contestant who clears the cup first wins. You write the cutline. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Top Cutlines:

  • 1. Contestants compete in the first annual “Lindsey Lohan” contest — Gary D. Rhodes.
  • 2. Vaughn Ward’s campaign outsources blowing smoke to child labor in the Philippines — Nic.
  • 3. Soon, an odd powder envelopes Manila — JohnA.
  • HM: Bent

Scanner Traffic/PM — 5.24.10

  • 5:56 p.m. A vehicle has crashed thru a fence @ H41 & Poleline/Post Falls.
  • 5:48 p.m. Caller reports that an iPod was stolen from his vehicle on Packsaddle/CdA.
  • 5:35 p.m. Caller reports that a runaway male and a runaway female are in the woods at Black Bay/Post Falls.
  • 5:21 p.m. A 13YO male is out of control in 900 block of Miles/Hayden.
  • 5:17 p.m. Son reports that his parents are following him in their vehicle as her tries to leave their house on foot @ Government Way & Miles/Hayden.
  • 5:08 p.m. Caller reports that she is trying to return a horse to Panhandle Equine Rescue, but the organization won’t return her adoption fee.
  • 4:27 p.m. A 20YO male is stuck on the roof of a house @ Coronation & Wilbur/CdA.
  • 4:09 p.m. A loose pitbull is growling at residents of the Lucky Pines subdivision.
  • 3:52 p.m. Female reports that a male is stalking her family on Atlas & Poleline.
  • 3:49 p.m. Rebecca on Rainbow/CdA believes an individual who has come onto her property twice is impersonating a census worker.
  • Much more below

HBO Poll: Sarah’s Right, Media ‘Lame’

  • Weekend Poll: By a bare majority, HBO poll takers said that Sarah Palin was right on Friday when she referred to the media as ‘lamestream’ during a campaign stop for congressional candidate Vaughn Ward in Boise. 129 of 257 respondents (50%) said Palin was right. A combined 48% either said Palin’s Fox News was lame (95 of 257, 37%) or that Palin was wrong (28 of 257, 11%). 5 of 257 (2%) were undecided.
  • Kellogg Recall: 101 of 151 respondents (67%) favor a recall of the Kellogg mayor and City council for not showing respect for veterans in that U.S. flag/Flag City USA controversy. Only 41 of 151 (27%) opposed a recall as a result of that issue.
  • Today’s Question (in lefthand rail): Do you generally support the agenda of the Tea Party?

DFO: I’m re-posting this because I forgot to add in the results of the Kellogg Recall poll from the weekend

Voters Not Locking Into Primary Races

I just got off the phone w/County Clerk Dan English, who reports that the absentee ballots are coming in steadily today. But he shares my opinion that there’s widespread apathy this year, despite key races that will be decided in the primary election — Idaho Supreme Court, two Kootenai County commissioner seats, and two of the three seats in state District 3. I didn’t get one question from another church member re: the races Sunday, which has to be a first for the Sunday preceding an election. Dan predicts that the final turnout total will be lucky to top 25 percent. I’d say a low turnout will make it easier for a dedicated group of partisans (like Tea Party sympathizers) to grab some seats that they might not otherwise get (read: Steve Vick over incumbent Mike Jorgenson in Senate District 3). Also, the Tea Party might be disparaged elsewhere but not here in Idaho. Where Tea Party Boise has endorsed Raul Labrador in the 1st Congressional District race w/former frontrunner Vaughn Ward. Which would be a gauge of the clout Sarah Palin has in her state of birth. I’m predicting close races will go to diehard conservatives Tuesday.

Question: What percentage of the voters do you predict will turn out in your county Tuesday? Who will pull the upsets?

Bob Wire: Let’s Look At Comic Strips

Let’s examine those comics, shall we? I’ve noticed that a few of the strips in the Missoulian have not only lost their edge over the last couple years, but have become cutesy to the point of making me violently ill. The worst offender is Rose Is Rose. I don’t know, wasn’t it more edgy, more gritty at one time? It’s like a Doberman who’s been neutered, and now just sits on the porch with little rainbows and hearts and ice cream cones where his balls used to be. I no longer read Peanuts because it just seems so lightweight to me now. I know that Charles Schulz died ten years ago, and that the strips are selected reruns from the last 40 years or so. But I read the comics to make me laugh and/or think, not to be gently tickled with an occasionally amusing feather. Peanuts, due to its inherent time capsule status, has fallen victim to our cynical times/Bob Wire, New West. More here.

Question: Which comic strip is your favorite?

Did Ward Crib Obama’s Speech, Too?

Did Vaughn Ward crib Barack Obama’s speech, too? Listen for yourself.

Group Spent $28K Vs. Judge Bradbury

The unregistered political group “Idaho Citizens for Justice” has now filed an independent expenditure report with the Idaho Secretary of State’s office showing it’s spent $28,000 in the past two weeks against Judge John Bradbury and in favor of Idaho Supreme Court Justice Roger Burdick, whom Bradbury is challenging. “They still didn’t file the C1 and the PAC report yet,” said Chief Deputy Secretary of State Tim Hurst. “We called them about that. They said they’ll be getting that in. But that one will list where the money came from”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Stuck In The Middle

Anne Kosel, 1, center, sits between her brothers Alan, 3, left, and Tim, 5, as they are pulled by their father, Zach, in East Bremerton, Wash. (AP Photo/Kitsap Sun, Larry Steagall)

Question: I’m the second of 6 children and the 1st boy among my siblings. Where do you fit in, age-wise, among your siblings?

OTV Review: Safeway Deli

One of the most unfortunate aspects of Safeway’s recent remodel of their Midtown Coeur d’Alene store was the sudden disappearance of the old sign at the corner of 3rd and Miller which proudly proclaimed “Serving Coeur d’Alene Since 1938”. Still, Judgment Day must eventually come for all things, and the sign had most likely been in use since the last time the store had a facelift around 40 years ago. In other words, the place was in desperate need of an update, and the replacement sign’s modern, minimalist rendering of the Safeway’s latest corporate logo is an accurate representation of the store’s slick interior improvements/OrangeTV, Get Out! North Idaho. More here.

Question: Where do you shop for groceries? Why?

Kellogg Vets Move Ahead w/Recall

An empty flagpole standing in the middle of Kellogg’s Memorial Park symbolizes a months-long dispute between veterans and city leaders that has escalated into recall petitions being filed against the mayor and all six City Council members. The flagpole formerly displayed both the American flag and a Tree City USA flag, until the commanders of Silver Valley veterans groups informed the city in August that flying both on the same pole was improper. The flags flew above a veterans’ memorial dedicated to the city more than 50 years ago. The stone memorial embedded with a plaque honored veterans of the two World Wars and of the Korean War/Alison Boggs, SR. More here. (Photo by Kathy Plonka/SR: Vietnam veteran Joe Wallace stands near an empty flagpole in Memorial Park in Kellogg on Friday.)

Question: I can think of few controversies that a local government can bungle into that are goofier than elected officials battling a veterans’ group over placement of a U.S. flag. Can you think of anything?

Bill Hall: New Way Of Spinning Yarns

Likewise, today you hear people dismissing the new electronic book readers, saying things like, “I’ll never use one or those. I like the touchy feely tactile sense of a substantial book in my hand with my fingers fondling paper.” Yes, and people way back in history hated it when parchment scrolls became forerunners of Gutenberg’s books and helped destroy storytelling around the fire. But hardly anybody is reading scrolls anymore, and they would be whining if they had to. However, in one sense, the electronic book is nothing new. It is merely a redesign - an electronic version of a paper book. But it is an improvement on the whole when you’re traveling because each half pound electronic reader holds hundreds of books weighing nothing at all/Bill Hall, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Have you started reading books on Kindle yet?

HBO’s Best of the INorthwest — 5/24/10

Chuck Bryant handles a deer skull and antlers as Jason Simonsen makes the rounds with him at the annual Elk Fest and antler auction in Jackson Hole, Wyo. on Saturday. The gathering draws buyers who bid on shed antlers collected by boy scouts from the nearby National Elk Refuge and independent vendors also sell a variety of antlers and skulls on the side. (AP Photo/Jackson Hole News&Guide, Angus M. Thuermer Jr.)

High Noon: A Good Samaritan Sunday

CindyH: Found a small boy wandering down the middle of Lincoln Road (on Sunday). Some guys had stopped but the boy kept running. We stopped and the boy ran to me. He was autistic and couldn’t tell us his name. Called 911— he’d been reported missing. He held my hand and we walked to a nearby church where he and I stayed busy high fiving and looking at trees. 25-minutes later his mom finally arrived. The cops never showed

Question: Have you ever found a lost person? Or helped someone in distress?

Scanner Traffic/AM — 5.24.10

  • Noonish: A mother, her daughter, and her daughter’s boyfriend are arguing in 2200 block of Spokane/Post Falls.
  • 11:59 a.m. Female is in KCSD lobby to report a battery.
  • 11:48 a.m. Juvenile probation reports that a teen boy has run away rather than show up for an appointment this morning.
  • 11:30 a.m. Sherry reports that a Post Falls area tavern isn’t paying its vendors.
  • 11:25 a.m. Jennifer reports an older male in a Cutlass is driving slowly past her place @ Cutlass & Wyoming/Hayden. He may be the ex-owner of the re-po place she bought.
  • 11:02 a.m. Caller reports another driver tossed a cup out of his window on I-90 @ M/P 8 (Huetter rest stop area).
  • 10:46 a.m. A stray dog appears to be ill @ 4392 Daybreak/Coeur d’Alene.
  • 9:59 a.m. Officer reports that everyone is riding legally in the Montana vehicle (9:46 a.m.) — the child in the front is in a booster seat and the other 2 children are secure.
  • 9:46 a.m. Caller reports that 3 adults in a silver Dodge w/Montana plates, stopped @ Seltice Stop & Go/Post Falls have failed to secure 3 children in the vehicle.
  • 9:41 a.m. Caller reports an ongoing problem w/neighbor in 17000 block of Rice/Hauser.
  • 9:19 a.m. Ashley has a complaint re: neighbor’s yard.
  • 9:07 a.m. A 14YO male w/disabilities has gotten “physical” w/CdA high staff.
  • 8:28 a.m. Caller in green 1997 Honda Civic reports that driver in white Grand Prix who got off the freeway @ Pleasantview tailgated her and motioned her to follow him.
  • 6:50 a.m. A Montana trucker lost one of the two trailers he was pulling this morning on H3, north of St.Maries. The trailer then overturned and struck a telephone pole. ISP report.

North Idaho Blog Roundup — 5.24.10

“I was pleasantly surprised when I checked on the broccoli plants today…some are beginning to form heads. Granted, we only have a few plants that are mature but still it’s exciting to see the garden begin to shape up”/Sunny, Bent’s Beer Garden. More here.

HBO Numbers (for week of May 16-22): 54,159/34,171

Hubby Dustin: What To Do In NIdaho?

Dustin Hurst (re: words of advice as he launches into the “happily ever after” of his marriage): Thanks for the advice everyone! We are two days in and still standing. I should be on my honeymoon right now, but due to the primary elections, we had to delay it. We will be coming to Spokane next week for the vacation (Julia fell in love will Spokane on our first visit). We have a myriad of activities planned, including a visit to Silverwood and Saturday night’s Spokane Shock game. Any other suggestions for fun things to do in Spokane?

Question: Any suggestions re: things Dustin & his new bride should do when they visit viewtiful Spokane/Coeur d’Alene area next week on a delayed honeymoon?

‘League Of Their Own’ Star, 84, RIP

This image provided by the National Baseball Hall of Fame shows Rockford Peaches’ Dorothy Kamenshek. Kamenshek, a former star of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League who helped inspire the lead character in the movie “A League of their Own,” died last Monday, May 17, at her home in Palm Desert, Calif.. She was 84. (AP Photo/National Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown)

Question: Do you follow any female sports?

OTV: What’s Happening To Bella Rose?

On Facebook, OrangeTV/Get Out! North Idaho reposted this from Bella Rose Cafe on Sherman/downtown Coeur d’Alene Saturday: “Thanks for 5 great years of business. Today will be the last day in business. We are looking forward to the new owners opening June 1.” Adds OTV: “I’m curious to see what’s happening in there next.”

Question: Anyone got the scoop re: what’s going to become of Bella Rose?

No Longer ‘Lost’, But Still Searching

But when the entire island story line we had been following for six seasons turned out not to matter very much within the internal organization of the show’s narrative — to be largely disconnected from that final quasi-religious resolution of the plot — it was deflating, despite the warm feelings the finale otherwise inspired. Most of the post-mortem discussion of the finale will involve parsing and grading that final 10-minute sequence. Before conducting our own analysis, however, let’s talk about the previous 140 minutes of “The End”/Mike Hale, New York Times. More here. (Cutline: Matthew Fox is shown in a scene from the series finale of “Lost”/AP Photo, ABC, Mario Perez)

Question (for fans of the TV series, “Lost”): Were you satisfied with the ending of the series?

At Long Last, Graduation Day

Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., celebrate Saturday. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Question: Do you have someone near and dear graduating in the next few weeks? Or already graduated this spring? Wanna brag?

Group Launches Attack On Bradbury

The mailer and newspaper ad both call Bradbury “a very wealthy liberal judge” and note that he funded his own campaign for the high court two years ago. However, this time around, both candidates are accepting campaign contributions, and Burdick has a substantial fundraising edge. Bradbury has raised $59,789, according to his campaign finance report, including $32,600 of his own money, with the rest coming mostly from individuals. Burdick has raised $80,378, according to his report, including contributions from individuals, law firms and PACs/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Question: Do you suppose this race is so close that those who are backing Burdick are desperate to taint Bradbury? Or is this simply a precautionery attack?

Religious Conservatives Target Churches

Rex Rammell for governor? Steve Pankey for lieutenant governor? Todd Hatfield for controller? John Green for the Senate District 5 seat now held by Jim Hammond? What’s up with those endorsements? A group that calls itself Citizens in Action put flyers on the vehicles during services at my church Sunday morning. So I’d guess that these are the choices of a group of religious conservatives in the local area. To underscore the conservative bent of the group, it also picked Steve Vick (over Senate District 3 incumbent Mike Jorgenson), Vito Barbieri (for House District 3 Jim Clark’s seat), and Jai Nelson and Dan Green for county commissioner.

Question: Do you think a flyer drop at local churches will have an impact in local elections?

Jesse: Drat! The Frost Got My Plants

On Facebook, photog partner Jesse Tinsley laments that last night he lost all the plantes he’d purchased and planted for Mother’s Day. Of which, gardening/barbecue/beer-brewing expert Jeff Selle offered this advice: “Put some water on them right away … they may come back … give them a good soaking … If that doesnt work come see us at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday and we’ll hook you up with some new plants.” I covered the freshly planted petunias, flower baskets, and baby roses in my garden last night. All pulled through. How about you?

Question: Have you lost any plants as a result of the unseasonable freeze of the last few days? 

AM Headlines — 5.24.10

A fresh dusting of snow covers the grass around a small tree in Boise, Idaho on Saturday. Record low temperatures for this time of year crept into the area causing heavy rainfall to turn into snow in some areas. (AP Photo/Idaho Press-Tribune, Charlie Litchfield)

Handle Extra: Kennedy Bides His Time

I can’t figure out why state law allows the loser of a close election to directly sue the winner. Then, has any losing candidate ever followed the steps taken by Jim Brannon after his five-vote loss to incumbent Mike Kennedy, sidestepping a recount in favor of a lawsuit to overturn the entire election? That fact hasn’t been lost on Kennedy. Who posted this comment at HucksOnline last week: “Writing as a private citizen being sued, here, regardless of whether he loses or wins this court case, because of this willful and admitted plan of suing me individually first without pursuing all legal steps in the process, I would assume that Mr. Brannon has been preparing himself personally for the time when I as a private citizen seek to recover every penny of all applicable legal costs, personal costs, and damages in this lawsuit through full discovery in the courts …”/DFO, SR Huckleberries. More here.

Question: When the smoke finally settles in Jim Brannon’s attempt to overthrow his 5-vote loss to Mike Kennedy in last fall’s City Council elections, who will laugh last?

Mark Twain Papers To Be Published

Item: After keeping us waiting for a century, Mark Twain will finally reveal all: The great American writer left instructions not to publish his autobiography until 100 years after his death, which is now/Guy Adams, The Independent

More Info: Scholars are divided as to why Twain wanted the first-hand account of his life kept under wraps for so long. Some believe it was because he wanted to talk freely about issues such as religion and politics. Others argue that the time lag prevented him from having to worry about offending friends. One thing’s for sure: by delaying publication, the author, who was fond of his celebrity status, has ensured that he’ll be gossiped about during the 21st century.

Question: Why do you think Mark Twain sealed his autobiography until 100 years after his death, which is now?

Poll: Tea Party Popular In Idaho

SR, Statesman, IPT Back Labrador

A late arrival to the race for Congress, state Rep. Raul Labrador (pictured) has demonstrated competence, composure and a command of nuanced policy. Despite more than a year of full-time campaigning, decorated Marine Major Vaughn Ward has proven himself untrustworthy. Labrador has earned the support of Republicans in Tuesday’s primary. He has earned the opportunity to present his case to 1st Congressional District voters in the fall, in a heated race likely to carry national implications. Let’s be realistic. Should a Republican win in November, the victor will be a newcomer in what will probably be a deeply split House. No first-termer will be a phenom. Labrador has the better chance to make an impact/Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: Will the Statesman and Idaho Press-Tribune also endorse Labrador in the general election, if he beats Ward Tuesday?

Heller: An Eternal Debt

Joe Heller/Hellertoons

APhoto Of The Weekend — 5.22-23.10

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton points out that she is wearing the same color as the mascot of the Shanghai World Expo 2010, named Haibao, while touring China’s Pavilion in Shanghai, China, earlier today. You write the cutline. (AP Photo/Saul Loeb, Pool)

  • 1. Tareq and Michaele Salahi find another creative way to have their picture taken with a political figure after security was increased after they crashed President Obama’s first State Dinner — Shannon.
  • 2. “Hey, my eyes are down here!” says the condom shaped mascot to Secretary of State Clinton — Gary D. Rhodes.
  • 3. You’re kidding, I came in third for the mascot contest. Hillary demanded a recount! — Charlie.
  • HM: Formerly Sandpoint

Wild Card/Weekend — 5.22-23.10

I wondered aloud on the Weekend Wild Card Saturday re: Raul Labrador’s future should he lose to Vaughn Ward in Tuesday’s GOPrimary. Some have speculated that he might run for Congress as an Independent candidate. But Raul weighed in at HucksOnline yesterday w/this comment: Just for the record. All internal and external signs show that we are going to win on Tuesday. Nonetheless, if we are unsuccesful, I will spend my time electing Republicans in Idaho. I am a Republican and would never consider splitting the vote and running as an independent in this race.” So there. Now, I’ll replay the Wild Card …

Post Falls Wins Idaho 5A Softball Title

 Post Falls softball coach Jack Foster always thought if he could get a team to the state tournament, it would fare well. The difficult part was getting out of the intensely competitive Inland Empire League. Foster’s Trojans finally got to state this week and got the most out of the experience. Post Falls cruised to the 5A state title Saturday, handling the Rocky Mountain Grizzlies 12-2 in a run-rule shortened six innings at College of Southern Idaho/Greg Lee, SR Sportslink. More here.

DOTC: Any Negative Flyers Out There?

Dan of the County: Has anyone gotten a really negative campaign mailing today? We’ve had several out in the Rathdrum area that concerns the Vick race but nothing really over the top like you see some days or appears to be happening with the congressional candidates. I wonder if people have less funds to do those nasty attack jobs or if we maybe are going to be so lucky to experience some positive growth and maturity on the part of our candidates and their supporters…and maybe I’ll wind a big ‘ol Powerball jackpot too…probably more likely to win the Powerball than that the politicians have decided to “just all get along.”

Question: Anyone receive a negative mailing so far during the primary season?

Poll: Ward, Labrador In Dead Heat

Marine reservist Vaughn Ward and state Rep. Raul Labrador are in a statistical tie in the Republican primary race to represent western Idaho in Congress, says an Idaho Statesman/KBOI TV Channel 2 poll. The snapshot of the electorate, taken a week before the vote, shows Ward backed by 31 percent of voters and Labrador by 28 percent, putting the race within the plus or minus 5 percent margin for error. Undecideds topped each candidate with 37 percent. Harley Brown had 4 percent. Ward had big leads in fundraising and advertising, but Labrador has gained momentum in recent weeks as Ward suffered a series of setbacks culminating in the resignation of his campaign manager last week/Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman.  More here.

DFO: It appears Labrador has the momentum, erasing an 18-point deficit from the last poll of substance,  and will benefit from cross-over voting. My guess? Labrador’s going to win.

Question: Which of these two candidates would have the best chance against Walt Minnick?

Vets Threaten Kellogg Council Over Flag

“We had a veteran or two that threatened to shoot the council and the mayor. Now we kind of took that personal. That’s above and beyond. I would like to express the old adage, ‘you can’t fight City Hall.’  But that adage is completely untrue. You can fight City Hall but you cannot do it in this manner threatening to shoot somebody,” said (Councilman Dennis) Norris.  People upset about the flag have signed a recall petition in an effort to remove the City Council and the Mayor. The council is expected to have a meeting on Monday to make a final decision about what will fly on the flagpole/KREM2. More here.

Dustin: Getting Married Today, Help!

At 10:30 Friday night, Dustin Hurst, a newshound for the Idaho Reporter and regular commenter at HucksOnline, posted this on Facebook: I’m “getting married in less than 20 hours. Wow. Scary. Anyone care to pass on some good marital advice?” Among the advice he received was: “Happy wife. Happy life.” And: “Say thank you a lot.” And: “No matter the argument she’s right.” Also: “Love the way you want to be loved. treat each other the way you want to be treated. Always be honest with the one you love. Always put eachother first.” How about you?

Question: Do you have good marital advice for Dustin or any other young man on the brink of marriage?

Carrie: Would You Tell Her Parents?

On Facebook, Carrie Kralicek asked for advice re: a situation that she faced recently. I’ll let Carrie set up the question below: “Okay scenario: your kid comes home from a concert telling you so-and-so was not allowed in the concert because she couldn’t pass security’s tests for being drunk. Would you inform the parents of this 15/16 years old? Just curious. Btw if it was my kid I would hope to be informed. Drinking and driving kills.”

Question: What would you do in Carrie’s situation?

Nic: One Too Many Strawberry Desserts

My hometown was in strawberry country. Picking those berries was a first job for many of my peers. In fact, the City of Marysville throws an annual festival about this time of year - The Strawberry Festival. (I know - creative, right?) … My family was involved with the festival for a few years. My dad, brother, and I all worked the vendors market and volunteered as parade security. It came with perks. … Oh the free food. The food vendors understood that we were in control of their power supply and their access to ice. So they repaid us with goodies. This was greatly appreciated, but as it was a benefit it was also a curse. … After eating nothing but a variation of strawberries for five consecutive days, at the end of May, every year, you suffer something akin to strawberry burnout. At least that’s what happened to my brother and me. For years, neither of us could stand to eat that infernal fruit/Nic, via Facebook. More here.

Question: What is your favorite dessert involving a berry?

Signe: XXX Abstinence Only

Signe Wilkinson/Philadelphia Inquirer

George: We Need To Protect Animals

re: Today is Endangered Species Act Day/HucksOnline

Honest George: Today I found the carcass of a beautiful golden-buff common barn-owl. Not a feather out of place, not a mark on its body — but it had died within just a few hours before I found it. Possibly it had eaten a poisoned mouse. The barn-owl isn’t on the endangered list but I’ve never had the experience of holding such a beautiful bird-creature in my hand before. Its heart-shaped face and extremely soft feathers and down is unlike anything in any of my previous experiences. The thought of a species being wiped out forever is a sobering thought. I would rather that we, as the dominant species, over-reacted in protecting all-species from a careless extermination rather than under-reacting.

Question:  Do you agree/disagree w/Honest George re: caring for wild creatures?

Parting Shot — Sarah Palin Visits Boise

Sarah Palin greets people at the Qwest Arena in Boise this morning on after giving a speech for Republican Vaughn Ward who is running for a seat in congress. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin had to quickly buy a new outfit before a rally in Idaho on Friday because her luggage got lost. Republican congressional hopeful Vaughn Ward introduced Palin before about 1,500 people and said she and her family arrived on time in Boise but their bags did not. (AP Photo/Times-News, Ashley Smith)

TGIF Wild Card — 5.21.10

We’re down to the final weekend before primary election day. I’ll try to get around to breaking down some of the campaign finance reports for more legislative races, including those in the 1st & 2nd districts. The Coeur d’Alene Press reported that Sen. Jim Hammond raised $21,234 during the most recent reporting period. But it failed to mention that Hammond already had raised more than $22,000 coming into the reporting period for a total warchest of $43,945. All the state senator incumbents are sitting on nice warchests. You can see for yourself by clicking on this finance disclosure link from the Secretary of State’s office here. Now, I’ll play the Wild Card …

Pac-man Turns 30 Saturday

Pac-man 30th Anniversary is commemorated today, May 22! Can you still recall the early years of Pacman game where you have to insert coin on the slot machine to start playing the Pacman game?  Insert coin is one of the earlier means to play Pacman game. Now, we can enjoy Pacman free online… that’s how Pacman game reached its Pac-Man 30th anniversary! As a matter of fact, as the technology advances and in the existence of internet, enjoying Pacman free online is one of the trends. To cite, “Google Pacman” is a Google logo that allows one to play pacman in remembrance of Pac-Man 30th anniversary. Try visiting a Google site/Seven-Sided Cube. More here.

Question: Did you play Pac-man as a kid? What is your favorite video game today?

PM Headlines — 5.21.10

HBO Blogosphere newby ilovecda.com snapped a number of shots of the Farmer’s Market and other downtown Coeur d’Alene sites Wednesday. You can see more of them here.

APhoto Of The Day — 5.21.10

School children show off their new $1 coin in Concord, N.H., Thursday. The U.S. Mint released the coin in honor of New Hampshire’s only president, the nation’s 14th, Franklin Pierce. You write the cutline. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)

Top Cutlines:

  • 1. Children show off their expected future salaries on completion of college — Cartoon Duck.
  • 2. Girls demonstrate what happens when you make a tooth fairy pact — JeanieS.
  • 3. It used to be a penny for your thoughts but due to inflation it’s now a dollar — Charlie.
  • HM: Idaho Dad

PM Scanner Traffic — 5.21.10

  • 5:53 p.m. A re-po man trying to seize two tra ilers for of heavy equipment on H95 & Menser/Athol is being prevented from leaving property by owner blocking driveway.
  • 5:14 p.m. Individual involved in Setters & Old Highway 95 suicide attempt (reported here earlier today) apparently had died during the night
  • 4:58 p.m. Eric on Peridot Drive/Hayden reports his neighbor’s dogs are trying to break down his fence.
  • 4:35 p.m. A female reports that her new boss asked for money after she accepted a job on Craigslist.
  • 4:25 p.m. A gold Saturn cut off a semi-truck in the I-90 construction zone, a mile east of the state line, and is trying to pass others traveling slowly.
  • 3:57 p.m. Motorist reports 2 pickups are driving up a mound of dirt and another is on top of the mound near K-Mart.
  • 3:52 p.m. John has a cat problem.
  • 3:43 p.m. 4 boys about 6 years old are playing in the street @ 1st & Idaho/Post Falls.
  • Much more below

North Idaho Senators Raise Big $$$

The 5 North Idaho incumbent state senators have raised tens of thousands of dollars in their bids to capture the GOP nomination and win re-election:

  • Shawn Keough/District 1 has raised $30,121 total, spent $5242, and has $24,879, in her primary race with Steve Tanner, who reports raising or spending anything. Keough report.
  • Joyce Broadsword/District 2 has raised $25,620 (report here) in her 3-way race w/Dennis Englehardt, who has raised $11,367 (report here) and James Stivers, who has raised $3,766 (report here)
  • Mike Jorgenson/District 3 has loaned himself most of the $25,661 he has for his campaign (report here) with Steve Vick, who has raised a total of $7,596 (report here).
  • John Goedde/District 4 has $12,098 (report here) in his 3-way race w/Independent Jeremy Boggess, who has raised $376 (report here), and Constitutionalist Raymond I. Writz, who has raised $210 (report here).
  • Jim Hammond/District 5 has raised $43,945 total (report here) in his 3-way GOPrimary race against John Green, who has raised $1,500 (report here), and Jack Schroeder, who has raised anything but has spent $2,958 (report here).

Crapo, Risch Oppose River Regs

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch voiced their strong opposition to a plan by the Washington Department of Ecology to require new discharge standards that are more stringent on Idaho dischargers than those in Washington. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region X has announced their approval of the department’s Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan to reduce the amount of phosphorus discharged into the Spokane River/U.S. Sen. Jim Risch news release. More here.

Question: Should Crapo and Risch fight against stricter wastewater standard for Kootenai County than Spokane County?

ICB: Sarah Palin Did Not Disappoint

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and Idaho GOP congressional candidate Vaughn Ward wave to the crowd during a rally for Ward at Qwest Arena this morning in Boise. (AP Photo/The Idaho Statesman, Chris Butler)

As you know Sarah Palin was the star attraction today at Quest Arena in Boise stumping for Idaho 1st CD GOP hopeful Vaughn Ward. I want to extend a thank you to the Ward Campaign for giving ICB press credentials. It was fun tweeting during the event and irritating the print press with my presence at their table. As you know ICB is a huge Palin fan and today she did not let me down. I have some pictures and a video below/Idaho Conservative Blogger. More here.

Question: The Idaho Press Tribune/Nampa posted a story today, saying that mainstream Republicans are staying w/Ward despite his missteps. Will Palin’s appearance on behalf of Ward today shore up his credentials among undecided conservatives in this race?

HBO Poll: Avista Too Heavy-Handed

  • Thursday Poll: 97 of 174 respondents (56%) said Avista too quick and too hard-nosed when it comes to shutting off power to customers behind in payments (a question asked after John Hough of The Roosevelt Inn threatened a utility worker who tried to turn off his power Wednesday). 35 of 174 respondents (35%) voted that Avista reacts properly in such situation. 16 of 174 (9%) were undecided.
  • Today’s Poll: What do you make of Sarah Palin’s swipes at the ‘lamestream media’ during her speech at the Ward rally?

Kiki: Broken Stove Turns Into Overhaul

New Facebook friend Kiki Miller tells of a problem that should have a familiar ring to it, for many of you. Sez Kiki: “Replacing a broken stove turned into a kitchen overhaul that has lasted for three months. I know, I know… ‘can’t you do anything that doesn’t turn into an event!!!!’ I want to move out of my garage now. Please.” How about you?

Question: When is the last time that you tackled a fairly simple project and wound up turning it into a major overhaul of an area of your house?

Today Is Endangered Species Act Day

Did you know that Idaho is home to 15 animals that are on the Endangered Species List, including grizzly bear, caribou, limpet, lynx, 3 kinds of salmon, 4 kinds of snail, northern Idaho ground squirrel, Snake River steelhead, sturgeon and bull trout. You can see the full list here. Washington has 29 animals on the list. Also, did you know that today is Endangered Species Day?

Question: Do you think the Endangered Species Act needs to be toughened, loosened, or is just right?

Realtors Back Currie, No One Else

A spy sent me this e-mail he received from commissioner candidate Chris Fillios:I learned this morning (circuitously), that the Gov’t Affairs Committee of the Coeur d’Alene Association of Realtors (CAR) voted to endorse Currie in my race, and no endorsement for anyone running for District 3. … This does not surprise me — even considering that once again Currie and Piazza were the last to respond to CAR’s questionnaire. I think you can understand the impetus behind this endorsement given the recent decision by Currie and Piazza to scrap the designations and densities from the Comp Plan. Why endorse Currie and not Piazza? Perhaps to blunt the argument that the commissioner’s vote to scrap the Plan was politically motivated, and secondly, because they feel my race is tighter than Dan Green’s. … To add to the drama, the Committee decided to award $999 (vs. the $1000 limit) PAC money to Currie; this way they don’t need to disclose on the Sunshine Report (or the most recent version).

INW: Protecting Wuss Plants From Freeze

“I’ve learned which plants are hardy and which ones are wusses with cold weather,” posts Marianne Love/Slight Detour. “Zinnias are wusses bigtime. So, I was trying to figure out how I was gonna cover my two dozen zinnias, planted in various outdoor beds.” See what Marianne did to save her plants from the freeze last night in Sandpoint here.

Question: Did you cover your plants last night? Do you plan to do so tonight? Have you ever had a bunch of seedlings or flowers wiped out by a late-spring freeze?

Hi-Noon: Sarah & ‘Lamestream Media’

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin had harsh words for the “lamestream media” and the liberal left as she gave an enthusiastic speech rallying voters for GOP congressional candidate Vaughn Ward in Boise today. “The left and some of the lamestream media, they can really play dirty sometimes, trust me on this one, I know this one,” Palin told a crowd of about 1,500 at the Qwest Arena in downtown Boise. Ward, who headed the McCain-Palin presidential campaign in Nevada in 2008, is facing state Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Eagle, in Idaho’s primary election on Tuesday for a chance to challenge freshman Democratic Congressman Walt Minnick/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here. (Joe Jaszewski photo for HucksOnline)

Question: Do you think the media is ‘lamestream’? And/Or (from Idaho Reporter): When has the media reported false info re: Vaughn Ward?

Gone With The Wind

Me, of It’s Just Me blogging fame, posted this photo on Facebook and noted: “Here is what happened to my friend’s house last night in that wind.” The house is the one in Hayden Lake that Fred LeClair III was leasing from John Parry. Tom Hasslinger has CdA Press story here.

Scanner Traffic/AM — 5.21.10

  • Noonish: A mother is screaming and hitting a child @ Lowe’s parking lot/Appleway.
  • Noonish: 2 males spun brodies at Sunset Park, Best & 15th, before speeding off s/b on 12th.
  • Noonish: 2 males & a female are fighting @ 19th & Sherman.
  • 11:18 a.m. Someone is having difficulty breathing @ Hayden Lake Family Physicians.
  • 11:10 a.m. Someone is unconcious at Fred’s Appliances on Appleway/CdA.
  • 11:06 a.m. Someone has fallen at Great Harvest Bread Co. & can’t get up.
  • 10:56 a.m. Rathdrum female reports that a male is stalking her by driving past her place.
  • 10:06 a.m. Coeur d’Alene Inn on W. Appleway reports suicide attempt.
  • 9:38 a.m. Caller reports that a male in a maroon Chrysler is trying to commit suicide by running a hose to his exhaust pipe on Setters, near old Highway 95/Worley.
  • 9:11 a.m. A female reports that something’s trying to get her sheep @ Hayden & Ramsey.
  • 9:04 a.m. Authorities in Sidney, Mont., are asking police to be on the look out for an 84YO male w/Alzheimers who hasn’t been seen since he left for Portland 7 days ago.
  • 8:31 a.m. Camper reports that a male in his late 50s was trying to entice children by talking to them about his dog at Round Lake/Bonner County Thursday. He was driving white Toyota or Datsun pickup w/a camper shell.

26 Pages re: How To Make Brownies?!

The Pentagon’s brownie recipe is 26 pages long. Just grab a copy of document MIL-C-44072C and gather your ingredients: water that conforms to the “National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (Copies are available from the Office of Drinking Water, Environmental Protection Agency, WH550D, 401 M Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20460),” and some eggs in compliance with “Regulations Governing the Inspection of Eggs and Egg Products (7 CFR Part 59),” and you’re ready to go!/Reason. More here. H/T: Idaho Freedom Foundation. (Illustrative photo: PRNewsFoto/Medifast, Inc.)

Question: Are you great/average/poor at making brownies? Is your recipe 26 pages long?

Daily News: Otter Right In This Fight

Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter’s frequent spats with federal agencies are often misguided. But his latest dustup is spot on. Otter has taken exception to a Salmon-Challis National Forest official’s decision to deny an Idaho Public Television request to send a lone cameraman into the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area for educational-filming purposes. Specifially, IPTV wants to film about 15 participants in a Student Conservation Association program meant to train future land managers, according to an Associated Press report. The footage would be featured in an “Outdoor Idaho” program/Doug Bauer, Moscow-Pullman Daily News. More here. (SR File Photo: Otter at Spokane Tea Party rally April 15)

Question: Do you think Gov. Butch Otter is right on or off-the-wall re: most of his dust-ups with the federal government?

Twitter: Palin Wearing Borrowed Clothes

  • Idaho Conservative Blogger: “Palin’s luggage did not arrive with her plane. She’s wearing borrowed clothes, an hour ago she was in sweats backstage.”
  • Idaho Reports: Idaho, you’re average Americans… Vaughn Ward is the real deal…. what’s exceptional about this country.”
  • Joeja: Palin: Idahoans, you “…proudly cling to your guns and your religion.”
  • Joeja: “We’re all a bunch of potato heads” Palin on her family’s Idaho roots.
  • Idaho Reports: Palin likes to Google “red neck jokes.” Just brought up joke about “mainstream media” and the crowed cheered.
  • Dennis Mansfield: Sarah Palin is speaking. It’s a Vaughn-fest, as it should be. Palin is down-home. She says Ward’s the real deal. Hmmm
  • More Palin Twitter here

HBO Blogos: NIdaho: Tahoe w/o Buildup

At It’s Just Me, ME posts: “Is there really anyplace better to live than North Idaho? I mean really? I am now hiking Tubbs about 3 or 4 times a week and LOVE it. When my husband is with me we make a little loop through Sanders, and then back up Sherman and soak it all in. We visited Lake Tahoe last October and loved it, but noticed how built up it was. It kind of hit us on Sunday as we did our loop that WE live in a resort area like Lake Tahoe. WE live where others dream of living!” More story, photos here.

Question: How often do you realize how lucky you are to live in viewtiful North Idaho?

Palin-Ward Rally Coverage Thread

There appear to be about 500 seats set up on the floor of the Qwest Arena for the Sarah Palin-Vaughn Ward rally, and so far roughly half have filled up. In the free seats on the risers at the sides a little over 100 people are seated so far. Outside, people filing in included Linn and George Pitt of Garden City; “We’re big admirers of Sarah Palin,” she said, to which her husband added, “We’re undecided on Ward vs. Labrador, so we want to hear him some more.” Glancing at her husband, Linn said, “I’m going to vote for Vaughn Ward”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

DFO: We’ll use this thread to discuss Vaughn Ward’s rally w/Sarah Palin this morning.

Hayden Man Escapes Death In Storm

In one Hayden Lake neighborhood more than a dozen trees came down and several homes were damaged in Wednesday night’s wind and rain storm. No one was seriously hurt but one man said he came close to death when a tree came crashing into his home. Fred LeClair of Hayden Lake said he went to bed early last night and awoke to the sound of his roof caving in. “I’m still in shock, it’s amazing, that’s a big tree in the house,” said LeClair/KHQ. More here.

Question: Have you ever had a nature-caused brush w/death?

Militia More About Help Than Guns?

The 21st Battalion of North Idaho’s Lightfoot Militia say they’re upholding Idaho’s state constitution by organizing and preparing for the worst, however not everyone agrees with what they’re doing and state and local leaders say they don’t want their help. Members of the 21st Lightfoot boasts membership of between 70 and 100 people spread out through Boundary, Bonner and Kootenai Counties. Militia members will be quick to tell you that their objective is less about shooting guns and more about helping others. “The actual gun play as they tend to think of it as is maybe 10-percent of what we do. Most people already know how to shoot the guns they own,” Willard, a militia member who didn’t want to be identified by his full name, said/Tania Dall, KXLY. More here.

Question: Do you mind that a group of up to 100 people have formed and are carrying out exercises as part of what they call a North Idaho militia?

Hough Talks About Gun Episode

“It’s people like you who cause people like me to snap, get a gun and go into an office like yours and just waste a bunch of your asses.” That was what John Hough, owner of the Roosevelt Inn Bed and Breakfast, said he told Avista Corp. over the phone on Wednesday, which led to the power company calling police. Police handcuffed Hough and took him to Kootenai Health for psychiatric evaluation. Hough also told the serviceman there to cut off his power that the visitor had a choice. “You can shut off the power and suffer the consequences,” Hough said he told the man, “or you can take my request and depart my property”/Tom Hasslinger, Coeur d’Alene Press. More here.

  • Tina Hough, owner The Roosevelt Inn Bed and Breakfast in Coeur d’Alene talked to a member of the Coeur d’Alene Police after her husband John Hough had a dispute with Avista about payment for an overdue bill. (Kathy Plonka photo)

Question: Did John Hough help his cause by making the comments re: going postal in this article?

AM: People Arriving For Palin Rally

People are filtering in slowly for the Sarah Palin rally for Vaughn Ward’s campaign this morning; here’s a shot of the line outside just as the doors opened. Inside, a photo slide show of pictures of Ward is playing on the big screen and the band High Street, in its distinctive zoot suits, is setting up onstage. (Eye On Boise Photo). Also: Free tickets available for Ward-Palin event.

SR: Labrador Better Pick Than Ward

On the most prominent social and fiscal issues, Labrador and Vaughn are solidly in the same conservative camp. … Picking an effective carrier of the party’s standard will require Republican voters to look beyond the issues. Endorsements are sometimes helpful, and Ward claims the most prominent names – former Govs. Dirk Kempthorne and Phil Batt and Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, for example. Nevertheless, give Labrador the edge for hands-on lawmaking experience. Ward has worked as an aide on Capitol Hill, but Labrador is a legislator and has proved himself in that capacity. Meanwhile, several disconcerting disclosures that have emerged from Ward’s campaign tilt the scales in Labrador’s favor/Spokesman Review Editorial Board. More here.

Question: Do you agree with the Spokesman-Review endorsement?

Lizard: We Shall Overcome Tuesday

Lizard People: It depends what you mean by “uberconservative” — there is a strong paleoconservative tendency to many of these younger upstarts. Who is uberconservative, a “front porch republic” guy (look it up), or a FOX news type? And it depends what you mean by “take over”. It is inevitable that the old giuliani-lovin’ centrists will dwindle away anyway, they are old and tired, and not particularly ..ummm ..intellectually curious, shall we say. Shaking things up will be a good thing, and no one really knows how it will look at the other end, except we will certainly have a stronger Ron Paul element, that is certain.

Question: How would you characterize the makeup of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee now? Moderate? Conservative? Very conservative? 

George: St. Maries Shouldn’t Be On List

re: Daily Beast: St. Maries 3rd most polluted

Honest George: Including St. Maries on this list is an example of ‘government gone wild’. The total amount of creosote-laced soil from the old Carney pole site is small in comparision to the total amount leeching from the thousands of piers and bridge pilings spread throughout the Coeur d’Alene Lake, Coeur d’Alene River and St. Joe River. Why isn’t the EPA concerned about them? The pilings that comprised the quarter-mile city levee, constructed by the Corps of Engineers and now replaced by a steel-sheet levee, leaked twice the amount of creosote into the river than what slopped out of the pole soaking-pan of Carney’s pole site.

Question: Does it bother you that much of this region is in a zone that the EPA considers a Superfund site (although a chunk of it doesn’t have that designation)?

Bubblehead: Yes, Call Her Gov. Palin

Bubblehead: I don’t think there’s a consensus, so I can only say what I was taught in the military when we had washed-up politicians visit. We were told that, in general, former chief executives (Presidents, Governors) are still given the honorific they had as chief executive after they leave office, but former representatives (Senators, Representatives) are not. Therefore, Governor Palin would be correct, as would Mr. Sali, if they were to visit a military post.

Question: Should former Alaska governor Sarah Palin be addressed and referred to as “Gov. Palin”?

Signe: And That’s The Bad News?

Signe Wilkinson/Philadelphia Inquirer

Run, Run, Run Away … Or Not

One Scanner Traffic post today caught my attention more than the others — and made me chuckle. It was the one at 4:24 in which a motorist stopped to check on the welfare of a small child that he saw riding his bike back and forth along the railroad line that cuts through Athol on Highway 54. Seems the boy was livid re: something that happened at home, and was running away. I never tried to run away from home b/c, frankly, it was too far from our dairy into town. And things were never that bad at home. How about you?

Question: Did you ever run away from home as a kid? How did that turn out?

Parting Shot — 5.20.10

At Slight Detour, Marianne Love writes: “I love the stuff that makes me think of people I know. My sisters gave me the pretty pot earlier this year, so I’ll always think of them each day while watering the pansies.” More here. I’m the same way. I enjoy receiving plants and gifts for the yard from friends. Or buying things at yard sales that I put in the garden. The more ecletic the better. How about you?

Question: Is your house and yard full of stuff that reminds you of people you know?

The Lindas Are Wild …

From newsroom buddy Alison Boggs … do you know how many candidates for Kootenai County commissioner have a wife named Linda? And which ones do?

Palin Won’t Speak To Media In Boise

Mike Tracy, the new campaign manager for Vaughn Ward, the Marine reservist campaigning for the Republican nomination for Idaho’s 1st Congressional District, told IdahoReporter.com that Republican superstar Sarah Palin will not take questions from media at any time during her visit to the state. … Tracy said that Palin’s itinerary is too full to take time for reporters.  ”Unfortunately we don’t have time for that,” said Tracy.  Palin’s visit will feature three events: a photo opportunity, which costs $1,000 per person, a VIP reception with Palin, $250 a person, and a rally in the Qwest Arena, which costs those 18 and older $10 per person/Dustin Hurst, Idaho Reporter. More here.

Question: Do you really think that Palin’s agenda is too full? Or that Palin insists that she not speak to the media, as she did when she visited Coeur d’Alene in December?

PM Headlines — 5.20.10

As The Lake Churns reports, “The Priest River and Priest Lake area will catch a glimpse of its history Memorial Day weekend as a restored 1914 White motor coach identical to the Beardmore Auto stage will participate in the Coolin parade on Saturday, May 29.” More here 

APhoto Of The Day — 5.20.10

Donald Trump stands in his office as newly-crowned Miss USA Rima Fakih holds a magazine featuring Trump earlier today in New York. You write the cutline. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

Top Cutlines:

  • 1. If this creep’s hair moves on its own one more time, I am so going to kill it with this magazine! — Formerly Sandpoint.
  • 2. Donald Trump does his best stripper pole impression, hoping Fakih will not be able to resist — Idaho Dad.
  • 3. As Trump towers over her, Rima discovers that Trump resorts to intimidation, because to Trump Las Vegas is her next destination — JohnA.
  • HM: Herb

Scanner Traffic/PM — 5.20.10

  • 5:55 p.m. Possible unattended death @ Stinson & Corsair/Hayden.
  • 5:36 p.m. A 15YO male is fighting physically w/his 9YO sister on Lakeland/Rathdrum.
  • 5:02 p.m. Randi reports that her roommate is threatening her and won’t let her use her phone @ Capri Court/CdA.
  • 4:47 p.m. A transient in the park behind Perfection Tire/Rathdrum is threatening to commit suicide. He’s high on something.
  • 4:35 p.m. 2 males are walking w/a rifle on Heritage/Rathdrum. Caller doesn’t know if rifle is real or fake.
  • 4:29 p.m. Someone may be suffering a heart attack @ Wells Fargo/Rathdrum.
  • 4:24 p.m. Driver has found a small child on a bicycle riding along the railroad tracks, near the H54 crossing/Athol. The child is livid and running away from home.
  • 4:16 p.m. Male @ 11th & Montana/CdA is holding a rifle and arguing w/another male while trying to push his way into a residence.
  • Much more below

Where Have All The Yard Signs Gone?

Tami Martinez of Dan Green’s commissioner campaign tells Huckleberries she may have discovered why so many of her candidate’s signs have disappeared. Seems “signing” is a current phenomenon among high school kids. Signing? It’s like TPing a place. Youths steal a bunch of political signs and then post them all in a designated lawn. A group of about 5 to 7 boys from Coeur d’Alene High confessed to “signing” recently and told a friend of Tami’s where the signs were. The Green campaign has retrieved a couple dozen pilfered signs so far, Tami said. Quoth she: “So there doesn’t seem to be foul play from opponents … instead, mischievous high school boys with nothing to do in the evening … mystery solved? Maybe.”

Question: Have you ever TP’d a house?

Sleepless In Seattle — Griffey Delivers

Here’s a scene we haven’t seen much this year. Seattle Mariners’ Ken Griffey Jr., left, who reportedly slept during a possible pinch-hitting situation earlier this month, is mobbed by teammates including Ichiro Suzuki, right, after Griffey hit the game-winning, RBI pinch-hit single in the ninth inning a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays earlier today in Seattle. Milton Bradley scored on the hit, which gave the Mariners a 4-3 win. Story here. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Rasmussen Leads HD3 Race Spending

Duane Rasmussen has loaned his campaign $25,000 in his four-way race to fill the House District 3 seat being vacated by retiring state Rep. Jim Clark — twice as much money as the other three candidates have raised combined. Rasmussen ended the 7-day, pre-election filing period with $27,049 raised in cash and loans, and spent $24,231, for a balance of $2,818. Vito Barbieri, who is supported by well-known community conservatives, raised $5041 and spent $2467, for a balance of $2574. Jeri DeLange raised $4715 in cash and loans, and spent $3336, for a balance of $1414. Fred Meckel had $1532 in loans and cash and spent it all. Top contributors to the campaigns include (see dropdown box):

Jorgenson Has Big Fund Edge On Vick

Incumbent Mike Jorgenson has more than a 3-to-1 funding edge on challenger Steve Vick in their Senate District 3 Republican primary race. Finance disclosure statements obtained from the Secretary of State’s website shows Jorgenson has raised $25,661 in contributions and loans and spent $22,852 prior to the 7-day pre-election period, for a balance of $2809. Jorgenson has a balance of $16,019 in loans he has made to his campaign. Vick has raised a total of $7596 in cash and loans and spent $4111, for a balance of $3485. He has loaned $3000 to his campaign. Top contributors to the two campaigns are below in drop-down box:

Wild Card/Thursday — 5.20.10

We’re down to 5 days before the primary elections. Have you decided how you’re going to vote in each primary race on your ballot? Or are you still waffling about some picks? Any of you in a throw-the-bums-out mood. I’ll take a look at some of the legislative fund-raising in the area today, probably just the contested primaries. Your Wild Card is now in play …

Daily Beast: St. Maries 3rd Most Polluted

This is one of those times when you don’t feel so good about being in the top 5. Inspired, so to speak, by the ever-morphing-but-consistently-disgusting saga of the gulf oil spill, The Daily Beast decided to find America’s most toxic communities. Idaho’s very own St. Maries community ranks third based on a couple of factors and some college-level math. St. Maries sits on the banks of the St. Joe River, renowned for its world-class fishing. Recently, it was discovered that a harmful pollutant had been slowly spilling into the river and surrounding soils for decades. Over 200 tons of contaminated soil had to be removed. Is there good news? Kinda. The private companies responsible just signed a cleanup agreement in February 2010. Could there possibly be more bad news? Yeah. Remember this last legislative session when the state cut all funding for water quality monitoring?/Sara Cohn, Idaho Conservation League. More here. (SR File Photo of couple on water by St. Maries)

Question: Aren’t you proud to have this almost in our back yards?

Betsy Gets Drop On Guv Wannabes

Via Facebook, Eye On Boise blogger extraordinaire Betsy Russell zeroes in on camera targets Rex Rammell and Sharon Ullman during the recent Butch Otter-less gubernatorial debate in Boise. (Idaho Reports photo)

Question: Have you ever met Betsy Russell?

Labrador: Stop Attacks On Sarah Palin

Raul Labrador just posted this on his Facebook page: “It’s not unusual to see posts of disappointment in Gov. Palin by those who do not call themselves conservative. They are everywhere. What IS of interest is when solidly conservative Bloggers write about a prevailing and expanding disappointment in her. Sarah Palin’s visit to Idaho on behalf of the beleaguered Vaughn Ward Congressional Campaign has prompted many comments by conservatives. We are disappointed with her coming into this Primary Race (as Ward clearly is the damaged candidate) but we urge conservatives to STOP the attacks on Gov. Palin.” More here.

Question: Do you think Labrador realizes that attacks on Sarah Palin by his side could backfire on his campaign?

38 of 71 GOPrecinct Spots Have Races

In the comments section, Dan of the County writes: “Here’s something I don’t remember ever seeing before … political ads in the Nickel’s Worth (or anywhere else) for precinct committee people … let alone three for different people … ” Which prompted me to check out the precinct races. Do you realize that 38 of the 71 Kootenai County Republican precincts have contested races. Some of those being challenged are such local Republican stalwarts as: Ruthie Johnson, Matt Roetter, Jeri DeLange, Kerri Thoreson, Betty Ann Henderson, Gus Johnson, Barry McHugh, and Rick Currie. I mentioned some time back that there’s a group out there, to the right of the Reagan Republicans and Pachyderm Club that are trying to shake things up at the local GOPCC. You can see the list by clicking on this county election department link and then on “precinct committee candidates” here.

Question: Do you know your precinct & whether there’s a contested GOP precinct race in it?

Harley Brown: Man Of Bold, Bad Ideas

Harley D. Brown doesn’t care if you’re offended. He’s a retired Navy man, and he thinks that anti-personnel mines would be a fine and effective deterrent to Mexicans who cross illegally onto United States soil. He said some mines, which might “castrate you or cause some arterial bleeding,” are “a splendid idea.” On the big issues facing our country, this is a candidate who knows where he stands. Abortion? “I’m down on abortion like God Almighty is down on sin.” Iran? “That guy in Iran, he’s over there threatening the whole Middle East with those nuclear weapons. I believe in wiping them out with a preemptive nuclear strike.” Medicare? “That is completely government socialism,” he said. “And I would attack it”/Michael Ames, Boise Weekly. More here.

Question: Any of you tempted to vote for Harley Brown in the GOPrimary for 1st Congressional District, as a means of protesting the nature of the race between the top 2 candidates?

USFS Blocks IPTV From Forest Shoot

I was unpleasantly surprise this morning to read on the front page of the Idaho Statesman that the Forest Service denied a request by Idaho Public Television to film a crew of students doing stewardship work in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. The Forest Service believed the request was “commercial” in nature because IPTV sells copies of its programs on compact discs. But IPTV sales strictly cover operating costs. As a state agency, IPTV is prohibited from generating profits. That aside, IPTV plays a critical educational and informational role in communicating the values of wilderness to Idahoans/Brad Smith, Idaho Conservation League. More here.

Question: Do you agree with the USFS to block IPTV from film students doing stewardship work in Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness?

INorthwest Roundup — 5.20.10

At As The Lake Churns, Pecky Cox spotted this photo of an empty bottle of Seagrams 7 still in its paper bag. Note the message. Aha. Right.

Hi-Noon: Triple Tipple Tuesday

At his Get Out! North Idaho Facebook page, OrangeTV writes: “I always love spending some time picking out a couple of new brewskis to try at Pilgrims Market on North  4th Street in Cd’A, where the selection of micros and imports is wild and impressive.” OTV goes on to post a list of unusual varieties that he sampled and then commented on. You can read about that here.

Question: What’s your favorite brand of beyond-the-mainstream beer?

Bent: Back In The Saddle Again … Ouch

On Facebook (and with his permission to post here), Bent discusses the pains — and numbness — of cycling long miles during Bike To Work Week: “You know how they put those really comfortable face pillows on massage tables … you know, the one’s with the hole in the middle so you can lay face down without smashing your nose? Well, the person who invented those needs to get busy incorporating that technology into bicycle seats… while cranking out 24.5 miles on the bike today, I had a lot of time to think about that /just sayin’.” To which another poster responded that she’d gotten her husband “cooling gel packs to keep certain important parts comfy” while he rides his bike.

Coeur d’Alene Ped Bike/Facebook:Thanks to everyone who showed up at the Parks and Rec meeting on Monday to show support for bike lanes on 15th street. They approved it and now it’s going to Public Works next Monday at 4 p.m. at the Public Library.”

Question: Do you ride a bike w/a comfortable seat? Would you recommend the same type of seat for Bent’s long rides?

HBO Poll: Puerto Rico Issue Matters

  • Wednesday’s Poll: Overwhelmingly, you Berry Pickers said it matters to you that congressional candidate Vaughn Ward believes Puerto Rico is a foreign country. 143 of 195 respondents (73%) said it matters. Only 38 of 195 (19%) said it doesn’t matter. 9 of 195 respondents (5%) responded: “Isn’t it?”
  • Today’s Question (in lefthand rail): Is Avista too quick and too hard-nosed when it comes to shutting off power to customers behind in payments?

Scanner Traffic/AM — 5.20.10

  • 11:24 a.m. Driver in black Saturn reports he was hit by a semi @ Prairie & Pleasantview/Post Falls and the truck kept going to the Stimson Lumber lot.
  • 11:15 a.m. A male is lying face down and nearly motionless, with another male standing over him w/a rake, in a citizen dispute @ 12th & Cecil/Post Falls.
  • 11:14 a.m. Caller reports theft of items from Brunner rental property.
  • 11:12 a.m. A brindle pitbull mix is running loose on Lancaster.
  • 10:43 a.m. On Moonstone/Post Falls, a shaggy male w/a beard is driving an older blue van, with a sign on the side that says: “We can fix anything but a broken heart.”
  • 10:02 a.m. A brother and a sister are out of control at Skyway Elementary. One of the children is now in the school’s “safe room.”
  • 9:41 a.m. A female reports finding a hole in a house window upon returning home in the 28000 block of H53 and fears her home has been burglarized.
  • 9:05 a.m. A fire alarm and motion detector are going off @ Interstate Concrete on Murphy.
  • 9:01 a.m. An IRS agent wants police back up as she prepares to seize a vehicle in payment for back taxes.
  • 8:57 a.m. A panic alarm has gone off at the Kootenai County Elections Dept on 3rd/CdA.
  • 8:56 a.m. A motorist reports seeing another male in a cowboy hat, driving a 1993 blue Chrysler, drinking liquor from a bottle as he drove s/b on 3rd by U.S. Bank.
  • 8:15 a.m. A trucker driving from Billings to Portland has sent text messages to his boss re: committing suicide.
  • 8:10 a.m. A male is wearing nothing but a flannel shirt and underwear @ Hayden’s Super 1.

Kevin: Guv Health Issue Won’t Go Away

Ullman doubled down on the no-show issue - questioning whether Otter would serve his term if re-elected. “There’s a strong rumor going around that he is going to be re-elected, take office, and then step down and the lieutenant governor would become the governor, which I think is not being sincere and honorable in your intentions.” It’s a variation on some recurring scuttlebutt. We have asked Otter and his staff about the governor’s health and his commitment to a second term, and they’ve debunked the rumors. What Ullman did, cagily, was to bring the question out from the shadows. On Wednesday, Otter campaign manager Debbie Field denied Ullman’s claim. Meeting with the Statesman editorial board last week, Otter again said this is the best job he has ever had, and he said voters can support him without worrying about his health/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: Is the governor’s health a legitimate issue in his bid to win re-election?

ICB: Can Palin Save Ward? Not So Fast

No doubt this will be a huge event. Palin in town is a big deal and this stop should produce some huge revenue for the Ward campaign. It also give those interested in seeing Palin but unsure on who to back for the Idaho CD GOP primary a chance to see and hear Ward speak. Don’t underestimate her power to draw a crowd thus giving Ward a huge opportunity to reach new eyeballs. But can this one event fix all the Ward campaign problems from the past? Can Palin bring back former Ward supporters who jetted away after all the negative press lately from the Idaho Statesman and Spokesman Review?/Idaho Conservative Blogger. More here.

Question: What will be Sarah Palin’s impact on the closing days of the Vaughn Ward primary campaign?

4 Timberlake Frosh Arrested For Gun

Four Timberlake High School freshmen have been arrested after a loaded gun was brought onto school grounds Tuesday morning. Spirit Lake Police say they arrested the four Wednesday. Two of the boys remain in custody as of Wednesday evening. Police say one of the boys came to school Tuesday morning with a loaded, small-caliber handgun in his pocket. The boy told police he had taken the gun from his father’s safe Sunday and was using it to shoot birds, adding that when he brought to school Tuesday he had forgotten that it was still in his pocket/Annie Bishop, KXLY. More here.

Question: How worried are you for your child’s safety at school?

AM: Outrage Over Bill Crosses Line

John Hough, owner of The Roosevelt Inn Bed and Breakfast in Coeur d’Alene is taken into protective custody by the Coeur d’Alene Police on Wednesday, after he allegedly had a dispute with Avista about payment for an overdue bill. Alison Boggs’s SR story here. And: Tom Hasslinger’s CdA Press story here. (Kathy Plonka/SR)

Question: Percentagewise, how much blame for the angry incident at The Roosevelt Inn do you place on innkeeper John Hough and how much on Avista’s power-shutoff approach?

DOTC: No Harm, Not Much Of A Foul

Dan of the County (re: Repub Cliff Hayes missing the filing deadline for campaign finance reports): And while either a County Clerk or Secretary of State can assess a fine ($50 a day if I remember right) for late filings, it’s rarely done. The main thing is to just get the information out in a timely manner. It’s when someone completely ignores the rules or timelines that there becomes a real problem. And again, I’ve rarely seen that at the county level. While we offer training classes as well as a written manual on how and when to fill out sunshine reports it can still be a bit daunting for new candidates and treasurers that aren’t used to dealing with election laws…a bit like tax forms.

Question: Do you think the public cares much whether campaign finance reports are turned in on time? Or filled out correctly? And/Or: Will Kathy Sims long, drawn-out battle w/the city of Coeur d’Alene over campaign finance errors be a factor in her state House campaign?

Christa: We Should Cut Ward Slack

Christa Hazel: Actually, we should cut him some slack. Ward is so busy cramming for the “How To Look Like An Idahoan” refresher course that he doesn’t possibly have time to learn about other places.

Question: Any suggestions for Vaughn Ward re: how to look more like an Idahoan?

AARP Members Don’t Trust Idaho Pols

With Idaho‘s primary election just a few short days away, a new AARP survey finds the most powerful voting population in the state, the 50 plus, has already cast a surprising vote – one of no confidence.  According to a new AARP member survey released this morning, 85% said they had little to no confidence in Idaho state lawmakers to tackle the issues they care most about.  This election year, roughly 56% of all votes are expected to come from Idahoans aged 50 or older. “The low public confidence in state lawmakers is very alarming– it’s not good for anyone in Idaho, businesses, retirees and especially those elected to serve in office,” said Jim Wordelman, State Director for AARP in Idaho/PR Newswire. More here.

Question: Do you see an anti-incumbency backlash in the results of this survey?

Christa Didn’t Need No Stinkin’ $1000

When Sarah Palin visited Coeur d’Alene to sign books at Fred Meyer in December, HucksOnline regular Christa Manis was in the right place at the right time — and got drafted by the extended Palin family to help with logistics. Christa also traveled to Sandpoint for another book signing later that day. You can read all about it in the print Huckleberries I wrote back then here. I mention that now because Republicans will be paying $1000 to have their photo taken with Palin, who will be attending a fund-raiser for Vaughn Ward in Boise Friday.

Question: How much would you pay to have your photo taken w/Sarah Palin?

Commish Offer Bailouts To Developers?

We were alerted Tuesday to a stunning new draft “Emergency Ordinance” scheduled to be introduced by the Kootenai County Commissioners which would allow developers to escape their obligations under existing land use approvals and financial guarantees for up to two years by simply sending a written request. The draft bill says that the Board of County Commissioners may consider such a request at any regular meeting. But the legislation does not provide any standard for a decision by the Board, nor does the legislation require any findings of fact or law prior to granting an approval. Indeed, other than a “written request” that contains “reasons why good cause exists (minimally including an economic hardship),” these requests may evidently be granted by the Board on a whim/Terry Harris, KEA Blog. More here.

YouTube: Ward’s Comment On Puerto Rico

As most of you know, Republican Vaughn Ward referred to Puerto Rico as another “country” in his debate with Raul Labrador in Post Falls earlier this week. You can see for yourself exactly what the two men said re: this issue by watching this YouTube. Then, if you haven’t voted in yesterday’s poll re: this question, you still have time to do so.

Patrick: Avista Staff Uncooperative

re: Avista shut off sets off B&B owner

PatrickH: I can see how Avista could drive a person to this. They are horrible to work with on commercial accounts. There staff is uncaring, uncooperative, and not the least bit helpful when it comes to working witth small businesses. When I had my cafe dealing with Avista during the hard times was always a nightmare. I defenitly can understand Avista’s poor attitude driving someone over the edge.

Question: Is Avista too heavy handed in dealing with power shutoffs?

DOTC: Campaign Off To Good Start

Dan of the County: Anyway, just as a personal comment, I’m very pleased with the wide breath of my support this early in a campaign cycle. I had a very healthy number of small donors with no contributions larger than $100 but still have a decent total. As the lone Democrat incumbent (can I use those kind of words in a family oriented blog?), I’m always the underdog in Kootenai County and probably more than ever this year given the national and local climate. When all is said and done I expect to be significantly outspent as usual. However, I’ve usually done pretty well at running successful “bargain basement” campaigns. We’ll see.

Question: Have you ever contributed to a political campaign?

Heller: 3 Stooges

Joe Heller/Hellertoons

Spokane, CdA Rank High In Car Thefts

The National Insurance Crime Bureau released statistics monitoring 2009 car thefts. This is the sixth straight year that thefts are going down, but some of the highest car theft rates are right here in the Inland Northwest. Yakima ranked the highest in the region at #6 in the nation.

The latest numbers show a car is stolen in Spokane every four hours. More than 2000 cars were taken last year. That ranked the Lilac City 18th in the nation for stolen cars. Meanwhile, Coeur d’Alene ranked at the top of the list for the state of Idaho. Last year the lake city had 204 stolen cars. A per capita rating system puts them higher than larger cities such as Boise/KHQ. More here.

Question: Have you ever had a vehicle stolen? Care to tell us about it?

Parting Shot — 5.19.10

Philadelphia Flyers’ national anthem vocalist Lauren Hart sings next to a statue of Kate Smith during a ceremony where a design of a postage stamp honoring Smith was presented, in Philadelphia, Wednesday. Smith was best known for performing composer Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America.” The new stamp is scheduled to become available for sale on May 27. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Question: Some have said that they would prefer to hear “America, the Beautiful” replace our National Anthem as the song to be sung at sports events. If you could, would you mix up things a bit by subbing “America, the Beautiful” or “God Bless America” instead of the anthem at public events?

Avista Shutoff Sets Off B&B Owner

The serviceman showed up around 11 a.m. at The Roosevelt Inn Bed & Breakfast, said Coeur d’Alene Police Sgt. Christie Wood. John and Tina Hough have owned the business for about 11 years, Tina Hough said. The power shut-off notice listed unpaid bills totaling $3,132.14. John Hough was alone in the B&B when the serviceman showed up, his wife said. Receiving the notice “just set him off” she said, because the couple has been behind on bills and was pinning hopes on the lucrative summer tourism season. All other creditors have been patient with them as they worked to catch up, she said. “We’ve been struggling to get through here,” Tina Hough said. John Hough called Avista’s customer-service center and police said he made threatening statements that included reference to a gun/Alison Boggs, SR. More here.

BW: 10 Things For Palin To Do In Boise

Nathaniel Hoffman/Boise Weekly offers 10 things that Sarah Palin can do when she’s in Boise (includes Sarah Palin do-it-yourself, cut-out mask):

  • Ride Rex Rammell’s dinosaur. (Alternately, there is always the mechanical bull at Dirty Little Roddy’s.)
  • Picket the Boise Bike Week Block Party with “Drill, Baby, Drill” placard.
  • Try to get 50 free Idaho potato pins from the Idaho Potato Commission (technically only current Idaho residents are eligible for the pins, but maybe they’ll grandfather her in).
  • Go to Cabela’s and look at a big, stuffed moose.
  • Update her Facebook page with something like “Sarah Palin likes Boise Weekly’s Top 10 Things to do in Boise list. I’m going to do them all!” More here. (H/T: Sam Crawford)

Question: What do you do with your free time when you’re in Boise?

PM Headlines — 5.19.10

On his Get Out! North Idaho Facebook page, OrangeTV offers this shot of downtown Coeur d’Alene from the 1940s, looking north on 4th from Front. Do you see Wilson’s Drug on the right? The buildings certainly look familiar. But not the cars.

Road Kill Raccoon

OK, I asked my Facebook friends whether I should publish this superb roadkill shot by online buddy Robin Loznak of Roseburg, Ore. (and formerly w/the Great Falls, Tribune). They gave me the go-ahead and new Facebook friend Loznak posts that he has more dead animal shots. Here’s his cutline for the foto above: A dead raccoon sprawls on the center stripe of Highway 138 near Sutherlin, Ore. on Wednesday, May 18, 2010.  Merritt Clifton, editor of Animal People Newspaper, has estimated that the following animals are being killed by motor vehicles in the United States annually: 41 million squirrels, 26 million cats, 22 million rats, 19 million opossums, 15 million raccoons, 6 million dogs, and 350,000 deer.” (Credit Image: © Robin Loznak/robinloznak.com)

DFO: Only 2 responded to today’s raccoon cutline contest. But this raccoon got more attention. So I’m posting it in the usual spot for cutline winners at the end of the day.

Scanner Traffic/PM — 5.19.10

  • 6:10 p.m. Caller reports that rocks have been thrown thru windows on Hydra/Post Falls residence, but nothing appears to be missing.
  • 5:53 p.m. Caller @ Nikoma & Gray Eagle/Rathdrum reports ordering a neighbor off his property after they appeared in court today on a noise complaint.
  • 5:48 p.m. An officer is w/an unattended infant who’s near the road @ William & 10th/Post Falls.
  • 5:43 p.m. David, in 800 block of E. Garden, reports he’s bleeding after another apartment resident hit him in the face.
  • 5:38 p.m. Susan reports that youngsters are touching inappropriately on south side of Rathdrum Library.
  • 5:36 p.m. Kathleen wants has questions re: livestock she found buried on her rental property.
  • 5:04 p.m. An injured black cat is walking back & forth across Ramsey & Hayden. (Update: The cat died before animal control got to it.)
  • 4:57 p.m. A disorderly male is in the Coeur d’Alene Police Department lobby
  • 4:33 p.m. Firemen are responding to smell of electrical fire @ Wells Fargo on Sherman.
  • 4:22 p.m. 3 vehicles are involved in a minor crash on I-90 @ M/P 4/Post Falls, in construction zone.
  • 4:16 p.m. 2 teen boys are packing rifles as they walk along McGuire/Post Falls.
  • Much more below

Coroner Hopefuls Fund Own Campaigns

The 4 Kootenai County coroner candidates are almost entirely funding their primary campaigns by personal loans. Demo Jody DeLuca Hissong has the most money on hand, after loaning herself $3000. Hissong is running unopposed for the Dem nomination. Douglas Stafford, Debbie Wilkey and Tom Cronin are seeking the Republican nomination:

  • Jody DeLuca Hissong has raised #615 and spent $231, for a balance of $3383. She has loaned her campaign $3000. She has received 2 contributions of $100 or more, including one from Todd Tondee for $150. Jody DeLuca Hissong report here.
  • Douglas Stafford has loaned himself and spent $2059. Douglas Stafford report here.
  • Debbie Wilkey’s report is hard to read. She seems to say that she has raised $1223 and spent $2971, and has a balance of $848 and outstanding debt of $209. There’s some in-kind money in the mix. I’ll let you figure it out yourself with her report here.
  • Tom Cronin has loaned his campaign and spent $948. Tom Cronin report here.

English Out-Raising Hayes In Clerk Race

Incumbent Dan English has raised four times as much as Republican Cliff Haydens in the Kootenai County clerk’s race in which both are running unopposed for their party’s nominations:

  • Dan English has raised $2600 in cash and a $750 personal loan — and spent $798, for a cash balance of $1801. He has received 8 cash contributions of $100. Dan English report here.
  • Cliff Hayes, who turned in his finance statement a day after the filing deadline, has raised $603 and spent $101, for a balance of $502. He has received 4 contributions of $100 or more, including $250 from Larry Gilman/Post Falls. Cliff Hayes report here.

Challenger Green Has $19K Warchest

Challenger Dan Green has more than five times as much money on hand as the incumbent in his three-way race to claim Commissioner Rich Piazza’ District 3 seat. Stay tuned:

  • Dan Green has raised $19,378 and spent $17,781, for a balance of $1598. He has loaned himself $6400 and has received $3339 in in-kind contributions. He has received 23 contributions of $100 or more, including donations of $1000 from James Eisses/CdA and Michael L. Henkoski/Athol’ $750 from Robert L. Daugherty/Spokane; and $500 apiece from Lorna C. Finman/Post Falls, Bill Robinette/Hayden, Judith Eisses/CdA, and Conda Mitchell/CdA. Dan Green report here.
  • Rich Piazza has raised $3675 and spent $3408, for a balance of $267. Piazza has loaned his campaign $1000 of that amount. He has received 11 contributions of $100 or more, including $500 from Wayne A. Gianotti/Seattle; $300 from Merritt Bros./Athol and N.M. Cushman/Hayden; $250 from Jerry Rega/Henderson, NV.; and $200 apiece from Sandra Young/CdA, Clara Turnipseed/Hayden Lake. Rich Piazza report here.
  • Kevin Ratigan has raised no money but loaned his campaign $1500. He has spent $1113, for a cash balance of $387. Kevin Ratigan report here.

Local Biz Owner Taken Into Custody

  • Alison Boggs’ is working on a story re: this incident involving Roosevelt Inn owner John Hough. She has talked to Hough’s. Stay tuned.

HucksOnline has learned the following from spokeswoman Christie Wood re: the man taken into custody over the utility dispute: “The male was never on the roof. This started as the male having a dispute with Avista over his bill. The Avista employee went to the address to shut off the power. The male called the Avista office in front of the employee and had a heated conversation with them. I cannot release the details of his statements except to acknowledge he was threatening and mentioned a weapon. Much more below.

Foes Out-Raise Incumbent Rick Currie

Challengers Chris Fillios and Jai Nelson have raised and spent two and three times as much as incumbent Rick Currie in their attempt to unseat the veteran commissioner from District 2. The 7-day pre-election campaign finance statements show:

  • Chris Fillios has raised $9348 in contributions and personal loans and spent $9279, for a balance of $69. He has loaned himself $4181. He has received 18 donations of $100 or more, including $500 apiece from Brent Regan/CdA, Hamid A. Wasti/CdA, & Conda Mitchell, CdA; $300 from Norb S. Twillmann/Harrison; $250 from Eugene Fillios/Santa Monica, CA, & Gary Schneidmiller/Post Falls, Robert & Janell Anderson/Harrison, and Nancy Currie/Harrison. Chris Fillios report here.
  • Jai Nelson has raised $7239 and spent $6756, for a balance of $483. She has loaned herself $2000 and received $550 in in-kind services from William Brown/CdA. She has received 11 donations of $100 or more, including $1000 from Mike & Pam Hnkoski/Athol; $500 from Mary Brown/CdA and H.A. Wasti/CdA; and $250 from Phil Hart/Athol and R.G. Nelson/CdA. Jai Nelson report here.
  • Rick Currie has raised $2707 and spent $2620, for a balance of $88. Currie has received 7 donations of $100 or more, including an in-kind one for $1000 from Fightin’ Creek and cash contributions of $500 from Bruce Oliver/Post Falls; $300 from Andy’s Heating & Cooling/Hayden Lake; and $200 each from John Robideaux/CdA and Robert Turnipseed/Hayden Lake. Rick Currie report here.

Hump Day Wild Card — 5.19.10

I’ll be reviewing and posting campaign finance reports that were due at 5 o’clock Tuesday, beginning with the races for county commissioner and coroner. I’ll get to the legislative races, as I have time today. Should be interesting reading. Before I even look, any of you Berry Pickers have a guess who has spent the most for county office? North Idaho legislative office? You can use this Wild Card to make a guess or to launch your own threads …

Get Your Photo w/Sarah Palin For $1000

Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin shows her hand with the saying “I am the NRA” as she speaks during the NRA national convention in Charlotte, N.C., Friday. Palin will be flying to Boise Friday to stump for Republican Vaughn Ward in his 1st Congressional District primary race against Raul Labrador. You can get your photo taken w/her for $1000. Story here. Story here. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

  • Vaughn Ward for Congress poster w/Sarah Palin here

Question: Can you think of a politician that you’d pay $1000 to have your photo taken with?

Q6: Kellogg Flag Flap Starts Recall Try

The Veterans of the City of Kellogg, Idaho served a Petition of Recall for all 6 city council members and the mayor. The Petition was signed by 20 verified registered voters, notarized, and delivered to the city clerk Wednesday morning. Some of the people of Kellogg are angry about the City Councils decision to move a 50 year old Veterans Memorial, their refusal to fly the American Flag on the Flagpole in Memorial Park or the Football field, and their refusal to answer any questions presented to them about these actions/Bill McGinty, KHQ. More here.

Question: Would you support this recall effort against the Kellogg mayor and City Council? Or do you think the veterans are being unreasonable?

KHQ’s Shred Day Under Way

KHQ’s Shred Day is underway right now, what are you doing to keep your personal information safe? Experts say, with identity theft on the rise, now more than ever it is important to shred all sensitive documents you might have lying around your home, or at work. As part of Shred Day this year, KHQ followed one local business working to keep your personal information safe. PAML on the South Hill, a company that works in the Health Care industry, says not only is shredding your documents the right thing to do, it’s critical/KHQ. More here.

Question: Do you shred sensitive documents? Or do you simply throw them in the trash?

Rexburg Teachers Plan To Work Less

From the May 15, 2010 Idaho Falls Post-Register: “Teacher negotiations are the last piece of the budget puzzle in Rexburg, where trustees are trying to make about $3 million in cuts. Last week, teachers turned down the trustees’ proposal of 10.5 percent in pay cuts over three years … . Sherri Christensen, REA (Rexburg Education Association) president, said she understands board members’ caution but the situation is frustrating. ‘If we’re getting paid less, we will work less,” Christensen said. “Some of us really will have to go out and find another job.’” To broadcast to the world a potential pay cut will mean a work slowdown should be unthinkable in tough times when many people would be grateful to HAVE a job, even one where they had to take a temporary pay cut/Idaho Freedom Foundation. More here.

Question: What do you make of the announced stand by the Rexburg Education Association that teachers will respond to less pay by working less?

INW Headlines: Off To Jellystone

Mishka, a Karelian bear dog that helped State Fish and Wildlife agents capture a black bear in a ravine near State Route 16 and Pearl in Tacoma, Wash., earlier today, takes a final sniff as the tranquilized bear was carried to a mobile holding cage. Story here. (AP Photo/The News Tribune, Dean J. Koepfler)

Hi-Noon: That Sad Look From Dentists

On Facebook, sidekick CindyH posted this morning that she was on her way to the dentist “which isn’t fun anymore since they won’t give me nitrous oxide for routine cleanings. Then there’s the lying about flossing. This time I’m going to tell the truth.” Which prompted another commenter to post: “Look. I don’t floss unless I’m trying to cram for this dental exam. I know I should. I’m a bad person. Blah. Blah. Blah. I should floss more. Noted. Let’s move on.” To which, Cindy responded: “It’s the sad look of disappointment that’s hard to deal with. I mean I only see these people twice a year, but I crave their approval. And a prize from the treasure box.” (SR File Photo for illustrative purposes)

Question: Do all dentists give patients that sad look, even once in awhile, to make us feel bad re: not doing all we can do to protect the pearly whites?

Scanner Traffic/AM — 5.19.10

  • 11:56 a.m. Randall reports that bicyclists are hogging the road on Upriver Drive.
  • 11:45 a.m. Caller in 5300 block of E. Ohio Match reports a strange pitbull is sleeping in her driveway.
  • 11:08 a.m. Fisherman on the shore of Hauser Lake are creating a road safety hazard.
  • 11:04 a.m. Coeur d’Alene police have apprehended the angry male on Wallace.
  • 10:58 a.m. The upset man on Wallace is now on top of a building w/a rifle in his hand. Coeur d’Alene police are shutting down the streets in the area around the building. They are also surrounding the building.
  • 10:55 a.m. LeeAnn, on Rimrock, has contained her neighbor’s hound dog.
  • 10:54 a.m. Melanie wants to report an Internet scam.
  • 10:52 a.m. H&W asks authorities to check on a student who stayed home from school — and has been the victim of child abuse.
  • 10:49 a.m. A man has threatened to shoot an Avista utility man who was trying to shut off his power in 100 block of Wallace Avenue/CdA.
  • 10:18 a.m. Someone is using Christie’s credit card w/o permission.
  • 9:52 a.m. A 2YO had stopped breathing during a seizure in 2800 block of E 12th/Post Falls. But he started breathing again before EMTs arrived.
  • 9:49 a.m. Shannon wants an update re: keys that found at Huetter rest stop that she turned into police.
  • 9:35 a.m. A drunk is staggering from Compton & Treaty Rock/Post Falls.
  • 9:28 a.m. Caller has questions re: the steel gate his Latour Creek/Cataldo neighbor is installing.
  • 9 a.m. Harmony House on Maple/Hayden reports that a new resident left w/o permission or taking her prescription drugs.
  • 8:58 a.m. Motorist reports he has followed a silver pickup that almost hit him, to the Home Depot parking lot. The other driver is now angry and standing outside his car.
  • 8:50 a.m. Female on Snapdragon/Hauser reports her neighbor is harassing her for complaining to police re: his barking dog.
  • 8:14 a.m. Jamie has taken a rottweiler she found near Mica Grange to humane society.

Mansfield: Labrador Story Compelling

I forgot to ask congressional candidate Raul Labrador a question I’ve wondered about for some time: Can a guy named Raul, from Puerto Rico originally, win a race in the overwhelmingly white 1st Congressional District of Idaho. Spokesman Dennis Mansfield offered this reply a few minutes ago: “When people hear about his story (being from Puerto Rico story and coming to the continental states and the single mother who raised him), We’ve found it becomes a compelling story. It’s almost counterintuitive that Idaho would have a Hispanic, conservative congressman. Raul’s life is counterintuitive. He came from a Kennedy Democrat family, and along with his mom, became a Reagan conservative. That’s why Raul resonates with the Reaganites.”

Question: Is Raul Labrador’s first name and Hispanic background a plus or a minus to him as he runs for the 1st Congressional District nod in the GOP primary?

APhoto Of The Day — 5.19.10

A raccoon peers out from his home in a hole in a tree in Moreland Hills, Ohio on Saturday. You write the cutline. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

Top Cutlines:

  • 1. Vaughn Ward dares to peek out of his hiding place, hoping the tempest has blown over — Cabbage Boy.
  • 2. The before picture. It’s just sad — JeanieS.
  • 3. The cutline contest has a rocky racoon day — JohnA.

HBO Poll: OK For West To Back Wilkey

  • Monday Poll: 73 of 122 respondents (60%) support the fact that retiring Coroner Bob West endorsed Deb Wilkey in a 3-way GOP race to succeed him. 37 of 122 (30%) believe he should have stayed neutral.
  • Today’s Poll: Does it matter to you that congressional candidate Vaughn Ward believes Puerto Rico is a foreign country?

Sestak Dumps Specter In Dem Primary

Rep. Joe Sestak, D-Pa., along with his daughter, Alex, and his wife, Susan, celebrate at a primary night watch event at the Valley Forge Military Academy & College in Wayne, Pa., Tuesday. Sestak beat incumbent Sen. Arlen Specter, in the Democratic Senate primary. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Question: On his political blog for the Bellingham Herald, Sam Taylor provides a link to a Politico post that sez last night’s results is evidence that the R’s won’t celebrate monster gains in Congress this November. How do you read the tea leaves?

KXLY: Feds Probe CdA Debit Card Fraud

The United States Secret Service is investigating a series of frauds in the Coeur d’Alene area in which more than a dozen people had their debit card numbers stolen. Everyone reported the fraud reports using the cards at the Schlotzsky’s in Coeur d’Alene, but investigators do not believe Schlotzsky’s has anything to do with the thefts. The manager of the store says they are aware of the problem and they are cooperating with authorities to determine what happened. The Secret Service believes the frauds are connected to an international online fraud ring/Melissa Luck, KXLY. More here.

Question: Do you feel safe using a debit card?

Idaho Dad: Family Blog Turns 6 Today

This blog is six years old today. Seems like ages since I first started writing about being a dad. That’s a lot of thinking and sorting and guessing on the subject of fatherhood. But it’s not so much what I’ve written that has made me a better dad. No, it’s the other dad blogs I’ve connected with over the years. It’s their posts and comments and personal emails that have made this all worthwhile. So, cheers to them on my 6th birthday. I appreciate the mom bloggers too. One of whom as become a good friend to my family/Idaho Dad, A Family Runs Through It. More here.

  • Meghann Cuniff’s Sirens & Gavels celebrates 1st Blogiversary today here

Question: How has blogging — or being involved regularly in online discussion on a blog — affected your life?

Press: Speak Up Or Pay Up

Washington state is forging ahead with its insistence that Idaho cities meet a more difficult standard of wastewater discharge than do Washington dischargers. Disappointing, yes. Surprising? Nope. When Washington Department of Ecology Director Ted Sturdevant decreed that the two neighbors would be held to different water quality standards, not even the ducks downriver gave a quack. Business as usual. But this business as usual, barring an unexpected veto from the federal Environmental Protection Agency or from the courts, is going to cost you. In fact, the phospherous-o-meter is running right now/Mike Patrick, Coeur d’Alene Press. More here.

Question: Is it right for Washington to insist that North Idaho meet more stringent wastewater discharge demands that it does?

Moscow Recalls 2007 Sniper Shootings

(Moscow) Mayor Nancy Chaney said Tuesday memories of the sniper shootings in 2007 won’t go away, but Moscow is still a safe place. “Has life returned to normal for most people? Yes. But have we forgotten? Absolutely not,” she said. “I think newcomers to the area will see Moscow as a safe, friendly community and that’s unchanged, but there are some wounds that are still there.” Today is the three-year anniversary of an “ambush-style” attack committed by Jason Hamilton. He killed his wife, a church caretaker, Officer Lee Newbill and himself, and seriously injured Sgt. Brannon Jordan and a University of Idaho student/Kelsey Samuels, Lewiston Tribune. More here. (Lewiston Tribune photo: Flowers adorn the area near the First Presbyterian Church at Moscow after the shooting in Moscow three years ago that left three dead.)

Question: Is your North Idaho community as safe today as it was 3 years ago?

AM: Dog d’Alene Rules Downtown CdA

At More Main Street, Kerri Thoersen writes: “My dog-daughter, Annie, made a lot of new friends at Dog d’Alene in downtown Coeur d’Alene on Saturday, including the mascot from Paws and Claws Pet Resort. David Cole/Press reports on Dog d’Alene here.

Question: Hmm. There’s Car d’Alene and now Dog d’Alene. Do we do too much around here by adding “d’Alene” to things? Should there be a Blog d’Alene instead of Blogfest?

Debate: Why Didn’t Butch Show Up?

Two of Idaho Gov. Butch Otter’s primary election challengers lashed out at him during a statewide debate Tuesday night, while Otter declined to participate in the matchup that aired live statewide on Idaho Public Television. “I’d like to ask him why he thinks he’s above having his ideas challenged by the public,” said GOP challenger Rex Rammell, a veterinarian from Rexburg. “Isn’t it the responsibility of the top elected official of the state of Idaho to let the people know what your ideas are? … Why didn’t you show up for this?”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Question: Are you more or less likely to vote for Gov. Butch Otter after he skipped a chance to present the public w/his ideas at the gubernatorial debate broadcast statewide?

Sis: I Love Delusions Of The Right

Sisyphus: I  love the delusions of the right. You tell them they’re a movement, put pictures on the TV showing a bunch of misspelled signs, tell them that a purely fictitious “2 million” showed up in Washington and they believe they’re going to take over the country. They believe any apparition so long as its coming from Fox. So yesterday they have a special election in a competitive congressional district in Pennsylvania, a district Obama lost in 2008, and the Democrat carries it by 8 points. This is where illusions get shattered by the cold stone facts. Nevertheless I don’t expect that to phase the Captain’s delusional ardor one iota.

Question: Is there any solid evidence yet that the Tea Party movement is having an impact at the ballot box?

Debate: Is Puerto Rico A Country?

One of the most heated moments of the forum came after a woman asked whether the candidates would support Puerto Rico becoming a state. Labrador, who was born and raised in Puerto Rico, said he would support it if it makes a case of becoming a contributing state. However, he said now isn’t the time to consider it because of more pressing issues. Ward said now, nor the foreseeable future, isn’t the time to grow the country with other business to take care of. Labrador quickly corrected Ward when he referred to Puerto Rico as a country, not a territory of the U.S. Ward said he doesn’t care what it is, he doesn’t support expanding the country. Labrador then added: “Obviously you don’t (care)”/Brian Walker, Coeur d’Alene Press. More here.

  • Dennis Mansfield’s running commentary of last night’s debate, including back-and-forth b/n candidates re: Puerto Rico here
  • Kevin Richert’s running commentary on Ullman/Rammell guv debate here

Question: Does it matter that Vaughn Ward didn’t know whether Puerto Rico was a country or a territory?

 

Signe: Illegal U-Turn

Signe Wilkinson/Philadelphia Inquirer

Sunny: 1st Zucchini Alert Of Summer

At Bent’s Beer Garden, Sunny posts w/exclamation points: “Yes we have zucchini!!! … .and yes you can use it to make more than just bread. One plant will provide you with more than enough zucchini for the entire season.” Now, I don’t know about you. But zucchini is a staple in the vegetable part of my garden. Gotta have ‘em, along with yellow crooknecks and some other type of squash that usually doesn’t grow for some reason. Also, I’m neighborly enough not to try to pawn the ones that grow to the size of large hogs because I forget to check them every day.

Question: What do you do w/your excess zucchini squash late in the summer when you’re overrun by them?

Parting Shot — 5.18.10

Actress Mallika Sherawat, left, poses with a snake during a photo call for “Hisss”, at the 63rd international film festival, in Cannes, southern France, Sunday. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)

Question: Could you star with a snake in a movie?

Mount St. Helens Wild Card — 5.18.10

Congressional candidate Raul Labrador is dropping by for a brief online chat at 1:30 this afternoon, prior to his debate this evening w/Vaughn Ward and Harley Brown in Post Falls. Feel free to offer a question for the interview. I’m only going to ask 5 or so. (BTW, I was en route to a church potluck northeast of Kalispell, Mont., when Mount St. Helen blew, in case you wanted to know.) Now, for today’s Wild Card …

Scanner Traffic PM — 5.18.10

  • 5:24 p.m. CdA police are stopping a black Chevy @ 15th & Best that contains an approximate 12YO youth who was heard screaming by another motorist a few minutes ago @ Sunnyside & Blue Creek.
  • 5:19 p.m. Pickup w/dirt & shovels in stalled @ i/s of Greensferry & Poleline/Post Falls.
  • 5:17 p.m. 12YO boy is being taken to hospital by mother after he fell on his skateboard while being pulled by a vehicle driven by a friend. Unknown location.
  • 4:38 p.m. Caller on Sheep Springs Road/Athol reports an ongoing problem w/neighbor who doesn’t want her driving more than 5 mph past his place.
  • 4:36 p.m. Caller @ Stampede & Hell Roaring/Athol reports that a tree fell on him, exposing his skull. But he’s going to wait 15 minutes until his wife arrives before seeking medical attention.
  • 4:02 p.m. Female wants to speak to an officer re: her ex kidnapping their kids in 2009.
  • 3:48 p.m. Authorities are looking for a 5-6, 132-pound male w/a birth mark that looks like the USA under this right eye.
  • More below

PM Headlines — 5.18.10

State Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Meridian, received the endorsement of state Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Post Falls, today, before his debate with Vaughn Ward and Harley Brown tonight in Post Falls. Others in the photo are Cathyanne Nonini (left) and Rebecca Labrador. (Photo/Labrador Twitter)

APhoto Of The Day — 5.18.10

Chandra Bailey, (361) and Elizabeth Maddoux (363) watch as Kristin Mathias (120 center) and others dance on stage for the judges during the 2010 preliminary auditions for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington on Saturday. You write the cutline. (AP Photo/The Dallas Morning News,Vernon Bryant)

Top Cutlines:

  • 1. It was porn, journalism, or this, Kellie recalled as she prepared for her audition with the only employer still hiring — Brent Andrews.
  • 2. Number 363 is left to ponder her new career after being let go as a cashier from the Dollar Store, and all because she asked for a price check on aisle 5 — John Austin.
  • 3. Kristin Mathias reacts to finding out she won a date with Cowboys Quarterback Tony Romo — CoeurGenX.
  • HM: JeanieS, Idaho Dad, and almost everyone else. Good job.

Cindy: Out, Out Damn ‘Lieutenant’

On Facebook, Cindy commented that she’s adding “Lieutenant” and “camaraderie” to her list of words she can never spell right on the first try.

Question: What words do you usually misspell on the first try?

Raul Meets Huckleberries’ Hound

I didn’t realize that Dennis Mansfield or Jim Clark was taking a photo of my interview w/Raul Labrador (via Labrador Twitter) — or I might have tidied up Huckleberries Central a bit. See all my toys? I enjoyed meeting Labrador. Indeed, he’s a hard guy not to like. Wished more politicians could smile and remain friendly with the opposition no matter whether they agree or disagree.

Question: Is your desk better organized than mine?

Tribe: Jorgenson Immigration Plan Nuts

Marc Stewart, spokesman of the Coeur d’Alene Indian Tribe: “Every tribe in Idaho would strongly oppose any such legislation.”

CdA Filmed ‘Dirtbag’ Available On Video

Via OrangeTV’s Get Out! North Idaho Facebook page: “Teenage Dirtbag” was filmed in Cd’A a few years back and it is truly a fantastic, thoughtful and memorable movie. Highly recommended. Anyone else agree? (BTW, it’s available to rent at Video Theater and Hastings).

Question: Do you plan to see Coeur d’Alene filmed “Teenage Dirtbag”?

Resort Course In Great Shape Early

The spectacular Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course is well-known for its floating green on the 14th hole and beautiful location on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene. The park-like course is continually ranked among the best resort golf courses in the United States by Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and more. Although the course is well-known for priding itself on course conditioning (Golf Digest has proclaimed Coeur d’Alene “The Best Conditioned Course in America”), golf pro Andy MacKimmie says conditions are currently better than ever, due to the mild winter which has put play about a month ahead in terms of course conditioning/Idaho Golf Trail Newsletter. More here

Question: How often do you golf at the Coeur d’Alene Resort golf course? Where do you usually golf?

Laura Silsby Returns To Boise Area

Laura Silsby, center, of Meridian arrives at the Boise airport today. The missionary was released from a Haitian jail on Monday after being held for over three months accused of trying to take 33 children from Haiti after the deadly January earthquake. Silsby was freed Monday when a judge convicted her but sentenced her to time already served. (AP Photo/The Idaho Statesman, Joe Jaszewski)

  • Joe Jaszewski/Idaho Statesman (via Twitter) does a bang-up job w/camera documenting Silsby’s return to Idaho today. Click here.

Palin Coming To Boise To Back Ward

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has agreed to come to Idaho to help generate support for Republican congressional candidate Vaughn Ward. Ward campaign spokesman Mike Tracy told The Associated Press Tuesday that Palin will attend a public campaign rally Friday in Boise. The 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee was an early supporter of Ward’s bid to win the nomination to compete against Democrat Walt Minnick to represent Idaho’s 1st Congressional District. In March, Palin endorsed Ward on her Facebook page/Associated Press. More here.

DFO: Raul Labrador learned from spokesman Dennis Mansfield about this as I was conducting the quick online interview with him this afternoon. He didn’t seem pleased. But he said when I directly questioned him about it that people will be turning out in Boise to see Palin, not necessarily to support Ward.

Question: Is Labrador right about Palin’s appearance on behalf of Ward?

DFO’s 5 Questions For Raul Labrador

Vaughn Ward, left, and Raul Labrador, center, join Bruce Reichert of Idaho Public Television for a coin toss before the pair’s statewide debate last week. The two men and candidate Harley Brown will meet in Post Falls tonight for a debate before the Pachyderm Club. (SR Photo/Betsy Russell)

  • DFO: In one interview I read, the writer (Dan Popkey) compared you to Bill Sali w/a smile? Are your politics very similar to Sali’s?
  • Raul Labrador: I’m very conservative. I’ve been a solid conservative vote in Idaho Legislature. I always have a smile. I get along with people. I’m always cordial friendly. I treat people with respect, whether I agree with them or disagree with them.
  • DFO: I’ve kidded w/your spokesman Dennis Mansfield that you must have someone embedded in the Vaughn Ward campaign to mess things up for your opponent. How can you explain the series missteps by the other guy?
  • Labrador: I don’t think I can. It’s really disappointing to see a young man who has served his country honorably … to see there may be problems of credibility and maybe of honesty. More below

2nd Farmer’s Market Mostly Sunny

“Our second Saturday at the Kootenai County Farmer’s Market was a success,” posts Sunny/Bent’s Beer Garden, “and the sun was actually shining this time. As you can see, I had lots of help…pictured at Mostly Sunny’s booth # 29 (from left to right) is my oldest daughter Brittany, my granddaughter Abby, and of course daughter Meghan…aka Daisy Girl. I was very lucky to have all the help… we got so busy that daughter Brittany had to make a trip back to the greenhouse for more plants.” More here.

Question: What have you planted in your garden so far?

Herb: Zealots Not All Right Wing

Herb: Zealots are not all on the right wing. How soon we forget the liberal blocking of freeways, sit-ins in courthouses and armed forces recruiting offices back in the ‘60’s. Oops, I sometimes forget that it was the parents of todays liberals that did that. Perhaps after they grew up they somehow forgot to pass those experiences on to you. Heck, up here in Bayview, we recently had a sit-in by some lefties, (some or most are my friends, or used to be before I wrote about them) The cause? The replacement of a park bench in the boat launch area in Farragut State Park. It turn out the bench had reached it’s end of useful life, and the park decided it wasn’t a good place for foot traffic, what with boat trailers backing up with limited sight lines. They decided not to replace it and a cause celeb was born.

Question: Do protests generally work to achieve goals of the protesters? Please give examples.

Jorgenson To Push Arizona Reform

A northern Idaho lawmaker says he’ll push Arizona-style immigration reform if voters return him to the state Legislature. Sen. Mike Jorgenson, a Hayden Lake Republican, still must survive his May 25 GOP primary, where he faces Steve Vick. There’s no Democratic foe for November’s general election. Jorgenson, who has tried unsuccessfully to enact a law to punish Idaho employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens, vowed to push “an exact duplicate of the Arizona law” in the 2011 Legislature. Arizona’s new law requires police to ask for citizenship documents from those suspected of committing a crime, if officers had reasonable cause to believe the suspect was an illegal alien. Jorgenson says following suit in Idaho would “force Congress to get off their kiesters.” At least nine states are considering Arizona-style laws/Associated Press.

Question: Will Jorgenson’s push for Arizona-style immigration reform help him in his GOPrimary fight against Steve Vick? Or hurt him?

Twin Falls Blog Stirs Up GOP

The Twin Falls County Republican Central Committee has attracted undesired attention on different fronts: an anonymous blog and complaints about the organization’s financial information are all in the mix. If anything, the attention means area Republicans have to fend off allegations of improper handling of financial records. Sometimes officials cannot even respond publicly because they don’t know who their accuser is. Ken Edmunds, former treasurer of the central committee, found that out the hard way. When he resigned last week, an anonymous blog called “Twin Falls Republican Party Restoration” suggested a possible reason was because the blog put heat on Edmunds for his work as treasurer. “They misrepresent things so badly, it’s very irritating,” Edmunds said/Ben Botkin, Twin Falls Times-News. More here. (Illustration: Newscom)

Question: I’ve often wondered why anonymous bloggers and posters in this community rattle elected officials so much. How much influence do you think they have anyway?

INorthwest Headlines — 5.18.10

A viewing scope at Johnston Ridge at Mount St. Helens is covered in water droplets and fog on the 30th anniversary of the volcano’s violent May 18, 1980, eruption, earlier today in Washington state. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Hi-Noon: Real ‘Breakfast Of Champions’

Cindy: If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, shouldn’t we eat our most important foods then? For me that would be PB chocolate ice cream, a juicy grilled ribeye, steamed new potatoes slathered in butter, smoked salmon with capers and onions on a chewy baguette, and a chunk of dark chocolate. I’m thinking that says “important”. In fact it may say, “Breakfast of Champions.”

Question: What’s your idea of a ‘real breakfast of champions’?

Scanner Traffic/AM — 5.18.10

  • Noon: Someone is suffering a seizure at Coeur d’Alene High.
  • 11:48 a.m. CdA police are looking for a 6-0, 240-pound teen male w/a scar over his left eye who was last seen at CdA high Monday morning.
  • 11:27 a.m. Caller wants to talk to police re: his missing horse and donkey.
  • 11:19 a.m. Caller reports that a loose pitbull is rooting through garbage cans @ Huetter & Prairie.
  • 11:14 a.m. A male is threatening to cut his throat unless he gets a refill on his prescription drugs.
  • 10:58 a.m. Caller wants to know what to do w/a litter of kittens he found on his property.
  • 10:56 a.m. A small child has called 911 and is refusing to allow dispatchers to talk to a parent.
  • 10:36 a.m. A vehicle has rolled over an embankment 4 miles in on Black Lake Road/St. Maries area. No one was injured.
  • 10:35 a.m. Rob, from a local water company, reports the theft of water.
  • 9:47 a.m. Motorist asks for a welfare check on teen male walining along I-90 @ M/P 26 (near Big Cedar Creek).
  • 9:37 a.m. 2 pugs are running loose @ Paddlewheel & Hauser Lake Road/Hauser, an ongoing problem.
  • 9:28 a.m. Caller from Emerald Estates/Hayden reports that his teen son has been missing since Monday morning.
  • 9:24 a.m. An injury accident is reported in parking lot of Shopko, on Ironwood/CdA.
  • 8:59 a.m. A 40ish male is unconscious on the grassy knoll behind G.W. Hunter’s on Spokane/Post Falls.
  • 8:17 a.m. EMTs are responding to the report of an overdose on prescription drugs on Julia/CdA.

HBO Blogosphere — 5.18.10

Although home-school is winding down and there’s plenty left to do before summer break starts, Idaho Dad/A Family Runs Through It found some time to allow his kids to dig in the dirt along the north shore of Lake Coeur d’Alene.

HBO Poll: Just Say No To IB

  • Monday Poll: 102 of 216 respondents (47.2%) said that the Coeur d’Alene School District shouldn’t be involved in the International Baccalaureate program. 98 of 216 respondents (45.4%) said the district should be involved in the program. 16 of 216 (7.4%) were undecided.
  • Supreme Court Ruling: 89 of 114 respondents (78%) agreed with the U.S. Supreme Court decision Monday that “sexually dangerous” individuals can be kept locked up indefinitely. 22 of 114 respondents disagreed with the decision.
  • Today’s Poll (in lefthand rail): Should Coroner Bob West have endorsed Deb Wilkey to succeed him?

New Ward Issue Matches Another Site

Congressional candidate Vaughn Ward has posted three new issue statements on his website - and portions of one of them, on the war in Iraq, match, nearly word-for-word, the national security issue statement of freshman Congressman Duncan D. Hunter, the son of the longtime congressman and former Armed Services Committee chairman Duncan Hunter Sr., who in February came to Idaho to campaign for Ward. Ward and the younger Hunter have much in common; both are Marine veterans who served in combat in Iraq/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Question: Does the latest incident of copying from other websites indicate the problem with Vaughn Ward’s campaign may be deeper than ousted spokesman Ryan O’Barto?

Sandpoint Roundabout Being Built

Concrete workers finish the sidewalks at the corner of Larch Street and Boyer Avenue in Sandpoint in preparation for the opening of the roundabout at the intersection scheduled for next week/Ralph Bartholdt, Skookum Photography, via Facebook.

DFO: I was a vocal critic of roundabouts, when they first cropped up in Coeur d’Alene, by the Nazarene Church on 4th and by Skyway Elementary, in Coeur d’Alene Place. Later, I changed my mind. They seem to be a quick, safe way to get through congested intersections that don’t warrant a four-way stop or traffic lights.

Question: What do you think of roundabouts?

Local IB Protest Makes Washington Post

Not for the first time we have protesters — this time in Idaho — trying to get the International Baccalaureate program tossed out of schools because, they say, it is, anti-American. Usually the most serious threat to the IB is its sort-of rival, the Advanced Placement program. But allegations that the international education program is not only anti-American but also Marxist and anti-Christian have led to controversies in recent years in several states, including Utah, Michigan and Pennsylvania. The program isn’t any of the things the protesters say it is. IB is a rigorous program for students ages 3 to 19, now in about 3,000 schools, in 139 countries, that teaches students to understand issues from an international perspective/Valerie Strauss, The Answer Sheet, Washington Post. More here.

H/T: Nick Adams

Question: Are you surprised that the local protest has caught the attention of the Washington Post?

Difference b/n Newspapering & Porn

On Facebook, Overheard in the Newsroom (a site dedicated to printing the “best overheard comments and conversation in any newsroom”) offers this today: ” “The porn industry and newspaper industry are both struggling thanks to the internet … but people still pay for porn.”

Burdick: Activist Courts Yield Poor Results

In his interview with the editorial board of the Idaho Statesman (which can be accessed on that paper’s website), Judge John Bradbury stated that rather than taking the Supreme Court’s approach, he would have sent the case back to the district court to determine how much money was required in order to fix the defective school buildings (a state estimate placed the amount at between $700 million and $1 billion), that he would then have mandated the Legislature to come up with the money and, if it did not make the necessary appropriation, he would hold the Legislature in contempt of court. This is activist approach that would have taken longer to resolve the matter and have produced a constitutional confrontation between the court and the Legislature/Justice Roger Burdick, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Do you want the courts to rule strictly on the law — or to be somewhat activist?

Trib Tabs Doug Bauer As New Editor

Doug Bauer, the managing editor at the Moscow-Pullman Daily News, is being promoted to the same position at the Lewiston Tribune, as Paul Emerson retires. Bauer, 37, will begin supervising about 30 newsroom employees on May 26, just two days before Emerson completes 29 years in the job. Bauer was selected from a field of 44 candidates that was narrowed to three, including another in-house candidate. Bauer met the criteria for the position of being a person of character who will be a partner in charting the course of the region’s newspaper, said Nathan Alford, editor and publisher of the Tribune and the Daily News. “He starts with a passion and respect for the region’s people and communities. He loves where he lives. That’s one of the keys to success in newspapers. You’ve got a foundation for success”/Elaine Williams, Lewiston Tribune. More here

Question: How important is the Lewiston Tribune to Idaho’s newspaper industry?

AM Headlines — 5.18.10

Dogwalk Musings reports that a field mower ran over the top of this nest on the Rathdrum Prairie Sunday. Unbelievably, she continues, “not one broken egg and Mom was sitting on them this morning.”

Statesman: Jones Earns Another Term

(Incumbent Donna) Jones is stronger on the controller’s one policy function: voting on the Idaho Land Board. Jones joins Attorney General Lawrence Wasden in pushing for higher lease rates on cabin sites at Payette and Priest lakes - although she is noncommittal about Wasden’s decision to sue the board over the issue. Hatfield says he is not fully up to speed on this issue - a troubling sign, considering Hatfield lives in McCall, center stage for the cabin lease battle/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: Without looking, could you have told us who is Idaho’s state controller at the moment? Or what the controller does?

Names Released In Fatal CdA Crash

Justin M. Allen, 20, of Coeur d’Alene, was killed and his passenger Garrett J. Kienke, 20, of Post Falls was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash at 9th & Lakeside at 7:21 p.m. Monday. According to the Idaho State Police, the two men were westbound on a 2005 Suzuki when the driver lost control while approaching and braking for northbound traffic at the 9th Street intersection. Both occupants were ejected and came to rest in the intersection. INeither man was wearing a helmet. ISP is continuing the Investigation.

Mount St. Helens Plus 30 Years

After several months of seismic buildup, Mount St. Helens’ eruption on May 18, 1980, may have been among the most anticipated in modern history. But the size and force of the blast, the landslide and mudflow from superheated snow were far beyond expectations. A magnitude-5.1 earthquake below the volcano triggered a blast that blew out the top 1,300 feet of the volcano, pushing some 3.7 billion cubic yards of debris to the north and west. Temperatures in the blast zone reached an estimated 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Trees were snapped off and laid down like dominoes. An avalanche of debris rushed down the North Toutle River, raising it as much as 600 feet in some spots, wiping out bridges and burying roads. Fifty-seven people died/Jim Camden, SR. More here.

Question: What were you doing when the mountain blew up?

DOTC: Voter Interest Light So Far

I don’t know how accurate of an “intensity indicator” it is, but on Saturday we had had our elections office open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for early absentee voting and only had a little over a dozen voters show up. For several years now, we’ve had one Saturday voting session before each Primary or General for people who want to vote early in-person but who can’t make it during the work week.  Hopefully we may still have a gang-buster turnout on election day but so far the absentee interest seems pretty light …

Question: For all the noise about the election so far, is it possible that the turnout will be lighter than expected?

Signe: Terrorizing New York

Signe Wilkinson/Philadelphia Inquirer

Downtown CdA Crash Kills Motorcyclist

Authorities are on scene of a fatal motorcycle accident at 9th and Lakeside in downtown Coeur d’ Alene. One person is confirmed dead and another is in critical condition at a local hospital. KHQ’s Kevin Randall was first on scene and will bring you the latest when we receive it. The crash occurred about 8 p.m. when the motorcycle’s brakes locked, according to initial reports/KHQ.

Will Palin Visit Idaho To Back Ward?

Congressional candidate Vaughn Ward’s campaign says it is “just a rumor at this point” that former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will come to Idaho on behalf of Ward’s campaign. “We don’t have confirmation of anything at this point,” said Mike Tracy, the new campaign spokesman for the 1st District GOP hopeful. “Right now people are speculating.” Palin endorsed Ward on March 30, along with two other veterans who are seeking congressional seats in Florida and Illinois/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Question: Would Vaughn Ward regain momentum to win the Idaho GOP nomination, if Sarah Palin came to Idaho to stomp for him?

Parting Shot — 5.17.10

I-Fairy, a four-foot tall seated robot with flashing eyes and plastic pigtails, wearing a wreath of flowers, directs a wedding ceremony for groom Tomohiro Shibata, 42, and bride Satoko Inouye, 36, at a Tokyo restaurant Sunday. The wedding was the first time a marriage had been led by a robot, according to manufacturer Kokoro Co. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)

Question: Were you married by a justice of the peace, a church minister, or someone else?

Wild Card/Monday — 5.17.10

‘Twas the week before the primary elections, and all through the HBO blogosphere … Hey, I’m not a poet. Couldn’t rhyme if my life depending on it (contrary to the belief of some who still think I’m The Bard of Sherman Avenue). But I do know that things are winding down in this somewhat interesting spring election season. Raul Labrador plans to drop by here Tuesday afternoon for a brief chat. Other than that, we’ll continue to forge ahead, not knowing what this day or any day will bring at HucksOnline HQ. Now, for your Wild Card …

Coroner West Endorses Debbie Wilkey

Long-time Coroner Robert West explains to SReporter Alison Boggs why he decided to endorse Deputy Coroner Debbie Wilkey for his job: “Three months ago, I would have chosen to stay completely out of it. But my feeling is that the coroner’s job is a ‘full-time, boots on the ground’ requirement. You’ve got to be committed to getting up at 2 o’clock in the morning and driving to wherever it is Plummer or Harrison or Athol. That requires a lot of commitment and it also requires people that have demonstrated working relationships with law enforcement and with funeral homes and with the public. You can’t run the coroner’s office from your desk and you can’t run it from home. I’m not law enforcement and I’m not the prosecutor. It’s my job to speak for the deceased, the victims, and the only way you can do that is if you’re willing to get out of bed. You have to be there. It’s not something that will wait until 8 o’clock the next morning.” Full comment here.

Question: Should Coroner Robert West have stay completely out of this race? Or do you appreciate his endorsement? Does it influence you?

PM Headlines — 5.17.10

Amidee “Ace” Walden, a longtime banker, community leader and philanthropist from Coeur d’Alene, laughs as he is greeted by almost 100 people at his 100th birthday party in May 2007 at the Coeur d’Alene Resort. Today, Ace turned 103, according to Kerri Thoreson/More Main Street here. (SR File Photo/Jesse Tinsley)

Question: Would you like to live to be 100, if you had a choice in the matter?

APhoto Of The Day — 5.17.10

Donald Branson Vice President of The Connecticut Parachutists Inc. in Ellington, Conn., tries to untangle the leg of a 36-year-old student jumper who got caught about 25 feet up in a tree while parachuting at Ellington, Conn. Airport, Sunday. The woman was unharmed but it took the Ellington Fire Department about one hour to free her from the tree. You write the cutline. (AP Photo/Journal Inquirer,Jim Michaud)

Top Cutlines:

  • 1. Cindy hoping her dream to be rescued by a team of firefighters would finally happen instead is saved by some dude named Donald — CoeurGenX.
  • 2. A failed CEO activates her golden parachute, failing once again — Herb.
  • 3. International Baccalaureate opponents get tangled up in facts — Nic.
  • HM: Cabbage Boy

Scanner Traffic/PM — 5.17.10

  • 5:28 p.m. 2 dirt bikers are racing @ Church & Hoyt/near Hauser.
  • 5:22 p.m. A caller sez he bought items from another apartment dweller on Anton/CdA but now the other man won’t hand them over, stating he will protect them w/his machine gun.
  • 5:21 p.m. A wildland fire is reported in 8900 block of Nagle/Rathdrum.
  • 5:18 p.m. A male who appears “scared and sketchy” has been in the men’s restroom at City Park for the last hour.
  • 5:16 p.m. 2 dogs are locked in a blue vehicle at Independence Point parking lot.
  • 4:57 p.m. Caller reports apartment neighbors are leaning over the balcony & yelling.
  • 4:46 p.m. Caller reports that a 13YO boy is trying to his his pregnant mother on Breezy Way/Post Falls.
  • 4:13 p.m. Caller reports that a van belonging to a Canadian cleaning company ran him off the road in a H95 construction zone @ Dakota/Hayden.
  • 3:59 p.m. An injured animal is reported in 600 block of E. Wilbur/Hayden.
  • 3:49 p.m. 2 young teen boys on bikes are playing chicken w/vehicles @ Cliff House & Hauser Lake Road.
  • 3:45 p.m. Caller on Pinehill Place/CdA reports that a neighbor involved in a domestic battery that she witnessed is trying to intimidate her.
  • Much more below

Miss USA Rima Fakih In Stripper Scandal

Miss Michigan Rima Fakih, left, reacts as she is crowned Miss USA 2010 by Kristen Dalton, Miss USA 2009, Sunday in Las Vegas. Now, the pageant is investigating her involvement in a “Stripper 101” contest sponsored by a Michigan radio station. Story here. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken) H/T: Orbusmax

Question: Is it hypocritical for the Miss USA 2010 pageant to be concerned that the winner participated in a ‘Stripper 101’ contest when it published risque shots on this year’s contestants on its website?

Burdick: School Suit Got ‘Desired Results’

Idaho Supreme Court Justice Roger Burdick now says he misspoke when he said in a televised campaign debate that Idaho’s long-standing school funding lawsuit isn’t over. “That was a misstatement,” Burdick told The Spokesman-Review on Monday. “We indicated the case was over.” The end of the drawn-out case, which stretched for 19 years, came in late 2005 after the Idaho Supreme Court ruled the state’s system for funding school construction unconstitutional and ordered the Legislature to fix it, then closed the case without any further action or review of subsequent legislative changes/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

DFO: Some would like judges and justices to be appointed to their posts rather than facing the electorate. Not me. I’m delighted that Burdick has to answer tough questions about the Supreme Court’s handling of the schools lawsuit. Someone should ask him re: the court’s handling of the Sanders Beach controversy, too.

Question: Would you rather see Supreme Court justices elected or appointed?

Cindy: Delayed By Purse Diving

On Facebook, CindyH writes: “My work day has been temporarily suspended while I clean out my purse is seach of an important business card. If I was a man, I imagine business cards would be neatly collected in my wallet and I wouldn’t have to wade through debit card receipts, grocery lists, coupons, handiwipe packets, and Kleexex used and unused. On the plus side, so far I’ve found a cool mini-flashlight and my can-o’-mace on a keychain!

Question: I have spent many minutes trying to find keys, the checkbook, and sundry other items in my wife’s purse. I’d rather pull weeds in the garden for an hour. So I’d like to ask the Women Of HBO: Is there any organization to the chaos in your purses? And/Or: What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever discovered hidden in your purse?

Christa: Celebrating My Adoption Day

Christa Hazel and her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Manis, way back when.

Earlier,Christa Hazel I learned that Terry Harris has been in the Inland Northwest for exactly 2 years as of today. Now, also via Facebook (and also with her permission to post here), I learned that 36 years ago today Christa Hazel was adopted. Her note: “I was adopted by two wonderful parents. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t know any of you and life as I know it today wouldn’t exist.” Two years ago, my nephew and his wife adopted two, beautiful sisters from Ethiopia. My extended family has fallen in love with them.

Question: Are you or any member of your family adopted? 

15th Street Bike Path Hearing Today

Via Coeur d’Alene Ped Bike Facebook page: “Tonight at 5:30pm at the CDA Library is the 15th Street Bike Lanes hearing before the Parks and Rec Commission. Its important for eveyone to come down and show their support. Without support the issue will die.”

Ex-Vandal Iupati Joins 49er Drills

San Francisco 49ers guard (and former University of Idaho Vandal) Mike Iupati (77) stretches during NFL football organized team activities at the 49ers training facility in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

Dangerous Pervs Can Be Kept In Prison

Item: Sexually dangerous can be kept in prison indefinitely, court rules/Associated Press

More Info:The Supreme Court ruled Monday that federal officials can indefinitely hold inmates considered “sexually dangerous” after their prison terms are complete. The high court in a 7-2 judgment reversed a lower court decision that said Congress overstepped its authority in allowing indefinite detentions of considered “sexually dangerous.”

Reaction?

Keough’s Foe: Cut Education By 80%

(Steve) Tanner, of Boundary County, is running for the District 1 legislative seat of Republican incumbent Sen. Shawn Keough (pictured) in this month’s primaries. He was among local and state candidates who met the public at Sandpoint High School Thursday during a forum in the school auditorium. Tanner, who works in the logging and construction industry, said if elected he would do away with the prison system, installing instead a system of capital punishment. “We need to hold people accountable for their actions,” Tanner said. “There is no reason for jails except to hold people until trial.” The public school system is broken, he said, overfunded and misguided. “We need to cut the budget by 80 percent,” he said. “Our education system is an incubator for socialism”/Ralph Bartholdt, Bonner County Bee. More here.

Question: Do you see any problems w/Steve Tanner’s utopia?

MikeK: Brannon Will Pay $$$ In The End

Councilman Mike Kennedy: Jim Brannon filed this suit — no one else (though Bill McCrory has incurred liability by seeking to enter the lawsuit on Jim’s side). Brannon sued the county, the city, and me, after rejecting the free opportunity he had to follow the state legislated process and do a recount before considering legal options. Writing as a private citizen being sued, here, regardless of whether he loses or wins this court case, because of this willful and admitted plan of suing me individually first without pursuing all legal steps in the process, I would assume that Mr. Brannon has been preparing himself personally for the time when I as a private citizen seek to recover every penny of all applicable legal costs, personal costs, and damages in this lawsuit through full discovery in the courts. And I would certainly assume that preparation doesn’t include (hypothetically speaking, of course) diverting or shielding personal assets, inheritances, or family trusts in the names of any other individuals or family members. Full comment here.

Question: Some would say that MikeK should grin & quietly bear the costs and personal hassle of being sued individually by the loser in his narrow council victory last fall — that his post at HucksOnline provides fodder for Brannon and the Kennedy haters who follow him. I wouldn’t. Would you?

INW Headlines: Haiti Frees Laura Silsby

U.S. missionary Laura Silsby, center, leaves a courthouse in Port-au-Prince, earlier today. Silsby, the last of 10 Americans detained while trying to take 33 children out of Haiti following the Jan. 12 earthquake was released after a judge convicted her and sentenced her to the time she had already served in jail. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix) See story below.

Question: How will Laura Silsby be treated by the media, from the Idaho Statesman to Fox News when she returns to the United States?

Hi-Noon: 2 Years In Inland Northwest

Terry Harris is celebrating his second anniversary (to the day) of living in the Inland Northwest by attending an all-day meeting in viewtiful downtown Smelterville. Terry, as you know, is the executive director of the Kootenai Environmental Alliance. He moved here from Baltimore, Md.

Question (for non-natives): When did you arrive in the Inland Northwest? From where?

OTV’s Wiggett Walk Through

At his Get Out! North Idaho Facebook page, OrangeTV writes that there were so many neat things to see at the Wiggett Mall (downtown Coeur d’Alene) walk through that he was getting vertigo. I used to enjoy looking through — and sometimes buying things — antique shops, especially the Wiggett Mall, when it was located in that neat old building w/creaky wooden floors @ Lakeside & 4th. But I’ve only been to the new location at the southern end of Fourth once. It just doesn’t have the same feel to it.

Question: Do you enjoy visiting antique shops? Which is your favorite?

Scanner Traffic/AM — 5.17.10

  • Noonish: A 53YO female driver in a blue Intrepid, with an allergy to bees, has been stung twice on I-90 and is now at Ross Point Chevron, M/P5.
  • 11:43 a.m. Caller reports that a male who fell while cross Idahline/Post Falls may be drunk.
  • 11:27 a.m. Flying J wants intoxicated male removed from business.
  • 11:20 a.m. Peggy on Nautical Loop/Spirit Lake reports ongoing problem w/vehicle @ neighbor’s place.
  • 11:05 a.m. Suicide threat called in for person w/access to pills in 700 block of Compton/Post Falls.
  • 10:38 a.m. Caller on Gozzer Ranch Road/Harrison reports that her father had her mail forwarded to him and is cashing her checks.
  • 10:13 a.m. Christa reports neighbors are cutting trees on her property that’s for sale.
  • 9:56 a.m. A Volkswagen is on fire @ Government Way & Summit/CdA.
  • 9:55 a.m. Lotte has a contained Akita on her Trail’s End/Rathdrum property.
  • 9:50 a.m. Judy on Shore Drive/Cataldo reports that 6 dogs regularly run loose in the area.
  • 9:23 a.m. Caller from Radian/Rathdrum has questions re: property belonging to ex-roommate.
  • 9:09 a.m. Destiny has questions re: her rights to get property from a residence.
  • 9:01 a.m. Angela reports that 2 horses are loose in her yard.
  • 8:31 a.m. A., in 7500 block of 4th/Hayden reports harassment by ex-boyfriend.
  • 8:15 a.m. A person is in the KCSD lobby w/video that proves he’s being harassed.

Bill: Too Old At 40, Too Young At 43

(New Brit Prime Minister David) Cameron, who is 43, was being treated as astonishing because he is so young. In fact, leaders of major nations aren’t often as young as David Cameron. Teddy Roosevelt at 42 and John F. Kennedy at 43 were the youngest U.S. presidents when they entered the Oval Office. So political reporters were buzzing the other day over that 43-year-old Cameron kid and his young wife. Meanwhile, the sports writers repeatedly referred to (Ken Griffey Jr.) as “the 40-year-old Griffey” with an implied exclamation point. They were saying that “Junior” is much too far into his baseball dotage to be feebly swinging a major league bat. Those bats are heavy. The poor old guy is going to hurt himself if somebody doesn’t get him out of the game in time/Bill Hall, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Are there other professions, besides sports, where a relatively young 40-something is considered too old?

BSU’s WAC Exit Inevitable, Unavoidable?

Bye-Bye Boise? It’s barely a question mark; almost went with the period instead. Hawaii’s biggest football rival will likely be out of the Warriors’ league in 2011, although Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson reminded me yesterday that, “there has to be an invitation before it can be accepted.” Most believe it will be a formality when the WAC defectors invite BSU next month at their presidents meeting. I’m sure many of you view the above quote as an example of Benson passively watching events unfold rather than actively participating in them, that he is just setting himself and the conference up for another big blindside hit … like the one in 1998 that formed the Mountain West/Dave Reardon, Hawaii Star Bulletin. More here.

  • Cutline: Boise State coach Chris Petersen gets soaked after Boise State beat TCU 17-10 in the Fiesta Bowl Jan. 4 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Question: Should national powerhouse Boise State consider leaving the Western Athletic Conference?

ICL Blog: R.I.P. Rathdrum Prairie

Can you say “sprawl?” As if there isn’t enough of this unsightly and wasteful use of land, the Kootenai County Commissioners just assured everyone that sprawl and leap-frog development will continue as usual. Rest in peace, Rathdrum Prairie. So long, rural character. After nearly a year of deliberations on the county’s draft comprehensive land use plan—the blueprint for growth in the county—commissioners Rick Currie and Rich Piazza voted last week to throw out all density guidelines in the plan. Essentially, this means the plan gives no guidance whatsoever for how many homes per acre (or minimum lot size) should be allowed in rural areas versus urban or suburban areas. This is where the rubber usually meets the road in a land-use plan/Susan Drumheller (pictured), Idaho Conservation League. More here.

Question: How much longer will it be before the Rathdrum Prairie is covered w/houses?

HBO Poll: International Baccalaureate

  • Weekend Poll: 106 of 188 respondents (56%) believe that a series of missteps by 1st Congressional District candidate Vaughn Ward will prove costly and Raul Labrador will win the GOP nomination May 25. 62 of 188 respondents (33%) believe Ward, the former frontrunner, will win the GOP nod. 20 of 188 (11%) were undecided.
  • Today’s Question (in lefthand rail): Should the Coeur d’Alene School District be involved in the International Baccalaureate program?

Mary Gushes About Brannon Rulings

At OpenCDA.com, Mary Souza provides her spin re: what happened during the Friday hearing on the latest motions by challenger Jim Brannon and incumbent Mike Kennedy. As you may recall, Judge Charles Hosack added the city of Coeur d’Alene back into the suit and rejected Kennedy’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit altogether. Using terms like “seasoned,” and “astute” to describe Hosack (largely, I suppose because he ruled the way she wanted), Souza gushed about the proceedings, even taking time to take a swipe at Councilwoman Deanna Goodlander, who dared tell readers of this “internet gossip blog” that some on her side behaved badly in the courtroom. You can read Mary’s report on the courtroom proceedings here.

Question: Is Judge Hosack up to the task of handling this case properly?

AM Headlines — 5.17.10

Kellogg High School junior Lacey Hojem watches the action during a 3A District I-II softball game against Orofino at Timberlake High School in Spirit Lake on Friday. The Kellogg Joint School District, which has declared a financial emergency, will close its alternative school, implement layoffs of staff and faculty, and eliminate softball, baseball, soccer, wrestling, cross-country and cheerleading. SR story re: tight times for INorthwest schools here.

TAIB: CdA Pet Program Expensive

Truth About IB: According to Channel 4 News, the district has spent $1.3 MILLION on IB. So Coeur d’Alene has a group of private IB lovers raising money to supplement its pet program? Are they an official 501(c)(3)? Any public accounting of the funds raised? Inquiring minds want to know. ;-) And: Btw, I love how the IB lovers here refer to Wikipedia as their source for information. Wikipedia is controlled by a group of left-wing control freaks who have no life outside of Wikipedia. It’s pathetic. And yes, I have been banned from editing there. ;-)

Question: At a time when school districts throughout Idaho are squeezing their budgets, does Truth About IB have a good point that $1.3M for the International Baccalaurate program is too expensive?

KEA Blog: Comp Plan Misinformation

Dealing with comp plan misinformationOne of the more frustrating things about the comp plan battle has been fending off the misinformation by the realtors, builders, and business interests. Parroting talking points we’ve been hearing all along, a commenter to our recent posting about the Commissioners’ misguided decision to remove density designations from the current draft plan writes: “This is actually a wonderful and BRAVE decision for these two to make. Terry…you and I don’t always agree but the state law is VERY specific and NO other county has density restrictions in their comp plan in Idaho. It is illegal by statute.” Which is (except for the “don’t always agree” part) unfortunately false. Quite a few Idaho counties have ranges of land use densities specified in their comp plans/Terry Harris, KEA Blog. More here.

Question: Are you satisfied with the way Kootenai County commissioners have handled the comprehensive plan in the last two to four years? 

Wipe Out Near Finish Line

Karl Menzies, left, Tom Bonnen, center, and George Hincapie, right, gather themselves from the street after crashing just a few hundred yards from the finish during stage 1 of the Tour of California cycling race in Sacramento Calif., on Sunday. (AP Photo/The Sacramento Bee, Randall Benton)

Question: Speaking of Bike To Work Week, with no intention of jinxing anyone, can you tell us when you last crashed on a bicycle?

Bike To Work Week Starts Today

I rode Black Velvet to work this morning. That’s the name my wife has given to the Giant bike that she bought me for my birthday last November. She calls her bike Silver Streak. Smooth rides. As I mentioned in a weekend Wild Card, I took it out for a test drive during the weekend, down and around the waterfront. As long as the days are nice, I plan to ride the bike to and from work this week and beyond — to burn off 1908 calories per week (not counting weekends). I used this calculator to figure out how many calories will come of the waist line by riding to work.

Question: Do you name your vehicles, motored or leg-powered ones?

Dan: Labrador, Ward Differ On Little

OTV: Giving Las Palmitas A 2nd Chance

We required a place that served both Mexican food and adult refreshments, and Las Palmitas just happened to be nearby. Honestly, I’ve never been overly impressed by the food there, and I hadn’t even wandered in since a terrible, slow waitress basically ruined the place for me a few years ago. Still, I’m almost always willing to give a place a second (or third) chance if I’m hungry enough at the time. A friend and I wanted to celebrate her new job, and as the clock struck four we decided the time was nigh for blended margaritas. We sashayed our way into the lounge area and took a seat in some rickety, raw leather-enshrouded chairs that looked like they were put together by an obscure tribe of Native Americans several hundred years ago. Well, the mid-1970s at very least/Patrick Jacobs, Get Out! North Idaho. More here.

Question: Do you go back to a restaurant if you have a bad dining experience there?

Huckleberries: Keep It Inside Beltway

You will learn what Don Sausser saw on Sherman Avenue earlier this month by reading 2nd item in Huckleberries (follow link).

I’m not one to discuss butt-crack sightings usually. Nor is Marianne Love. But when you spot the Mother of All Butt Cracks (or is that the Father of All Butt Cracks?) … it’s hard not to say something. Marianne was swapping motor-home-tour stories with two friends in the produce department of a Sandpoint supermarket when the MOABC burst into view near the lettuce display. Now, we’ve all seen butt cleavage before, especially those who enjoy swimming at City Beach during the summers. But this one was so pronounced that Marianne flirted with the idea of documenting the length and depth of the canyon with her cell phone/DFO, SR Huckleberries. More here.

Question: I’ve seen a parade of neo-Nazis stopped by protesting neo-flower children on Sherman Avenue. What is the strangest thing you’ve ever seen on Sherman?

2 Nine Mile Falls Teens Drown @ Priest Lake

Two Nine Mile Falls teenagers drowned early Saturday morning in North Idaho’s Lion Head Creek at the north end of Priest Lake. Identities of the victims, ages 16 and 19, were being withheld until relatives could be notified. Bonner County sheriff’s deputies said they were called to the Lion Head Campground about 1 a.m. by surviving members of a five-person group. The survivors told officers the teens were missing and presumed to be in the fast-flowing creek, about one-half mile upstream of the East Side Road bridge/John Craig, SR. More here.

Tubbs Hill Shooting Under Investigation

A hiker on Tubbs Hill in Coeur d’Alene called police to report finding the body of a woman on a trail just before 1 p.m. today, said Lt. Rob Turner of the Coeur d’Alene Police Department. The woman, who has not yet been identified, apparently was on a trail on the back side of Tubbs Hill accessed from the 10th Street entrance. A gun was found at the scene and police believe it was a suicide, Turner said. “We’re not going to rule out anything until we know for sure,” he said. The woman appears to be older than 20, he said.

Wild Card/Sunday — 5.16.10

I prepared for Ride To Work Week by joining Mrs. O for a bike ride down to the waterfront, around Rosenberry Drive, and back again. Some guy pulling out of the resort almost nailed Mrs. O. But she rides as though she’s invisible. She was ready for him not to see her. We stopped at Independence Point to enjoy the beauty of the lake and people watch for a bit. We live in an amazing place. As far as today goes, the big mac-and-cheese cookoff is from 1 to 5 today at the Greenbriar, with the public welcome and free samples for all. Also, the North Idaho Roller Derby team kicks off its season at 7 tonight at Skate Plaza (tickets are $10 at the door). Enjoy yourselves. Now, for today’s Wild Card …

Waiting For Landfall

Workers in protective suits walk towards 14-month-old Hannah Cooney as they comb the beach at Dauphin Island, Ala., Friday. The community was bracing for a possible land fall of an oil spill caused by the explosion of BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil platform more than three weeks ago. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Deanna: Brannon Backers Disrespectful

Councilwoman Deanna Goodlander: I was in the courtroom this afternoon (when Judge Charles Hosack added the city of Coeur d’Alene back into the Brannon suit as a co-defendant). I am a Republican and have attended many Republican functions. I recognized many of the Brannon supporters that were in the courtroom from some of those events. I was appalled at the disrespect shown and the comments made by some of those people. They all profess to have respect for the princlples of the founders of this great country of ours and trumpet how they are defenders of freedom and yet, whenever the attorneys for the City and Mike Kennedy spoke they were rude and disrepectful, making snide comments during the attorneys statements. It seems to me that respect for the court system is one of the most important principles of this country of ours, wether you agree or disagree with the issue. Respect was not shown today.

Question: Why are some grownups — and I use that word advisedly in this case — simply rude, even in such public settings as a courtroom?

No Kids Leaving School Over IB Program

Item: Hayden Meadows students staying: No parents plan on moving kids after letter from school/Maureen Dolan, Coeur d’Alene Press

More Info: Pica said she has not received any complaints about PYP, and just one student has been withdrawn from the school because of the all-school, K-5 program. Hayden attorney Duncan Koler, one of the program’s most vocal local critics, removed his child from Hayden Meadows earlier this year because of PYP. Koler believes many of the parents sending their kids back to Hayden Meadows are doing it because they can’t afford not to.

Question: Am I the only one who thinks the anti-IB parents protests too much?

Post Falls Priest Put On Leave 3 Times

Item: Post Falls priest priest has been on leave three times: William R. Gould’s leaves stemmed from sexual conduct allegations/Bill Roberts, Idaho Statesman

More Info: Besides the most recent leave, Gould requested leave in 2005 after questions of sexual misconduct arose involving an adult, according to a Statesman story at the time. The allegation was substantiated, church officials said. Gould was returned to the church in Post Falls in 2006, according to diocese officials. Gould also was placed on leave in 1989 after an allegation involving an adult while he was at Twin Falls. Tod Brown, Idaho bishop in 1989, placed Gould on administrative leave and sent him to a treatment facility, according to a statement from the diocese.

Question: It seems to me that the Catholic Church should have a one-strike-and-you’re out policy with priests involved in sexual misconduct. What do you think?

North Idaho Roller Derby, Anyone?

OK, this is not the North Idaho Roller Derby team that will have its first game Sunday night at Skate Plaza (at 7 p.m., with tickets $10 at the door). It’s a 2007 AP file photo by Rick Bowmer of the Lava City Roller Dolls, from Bend, Ore., playing the Axles of Annihilation in Portland, Ore. But I wanted to let you know that the local team was about to begin play. And to set up a question for the weekend. BTW, I’d like to give a H/T to Jamie Lynn Morgan/WhatToDoCDA for mentioning the local roller derby debut on Twitter Friday.

Question: Were you ever a roller derby fan? And/Or: Did you roller skate as a kid?

Weekend Pick: Mac-&-Cheese Cookoff

On Facebook, I asked Coeur d’Alene Visitor Bureau to expand on that mac-and-cheese cookoff that’s being staged at the Greenbriar Sunday. Here’s the response: “Come taste some of the best Mac ‘n Cheese in town! Both restaurant and individual competitions. Chefs from our local restaurants will try their hand at creating the best mac ‘n cheese. Families welcome! The event is on Sunday, from 1-5 p.m. at the Greenbriar Inn, 315 Wallace. There is a free tasting (to the public) and chef competition for this MAC AND CHEESE event. Contributions to the fund-rasier are welcome. There will also be some auction items. There will be at least 20 chefs, both professional and non-professional involved in the event. The weather is supposed to be at least 70 degrees, so there will be deck and garden seating as well. We will provide cocktails, martinis, wines and beers for the event. Kids are welcome. We will have lemonade and huckleberry lemonade for the kids at no charge. Benefiting cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.” (SR File Illustration: Bridget Sawicki)

Question: Why do you likea simple dish like macaroni-and-cheese? Or do you?

Marmie: Walking Tall w/Stickman’s Stick

Marmitetoasty: Our Stickman was my saviour the weekend before last … ya see, I wanted to go the the burning of the Wickerman which was being held at the Buster Ancient Farm … having been to this ritual a few times in the past I knew that there would be hundreds of people there and that the car park would be in a farmers field a couple of fields away from the site … so I was a bit apprehensive about going, ya see, I still walk a bit like a penguin with piles … I aint as yet got the best of gaits lol … and Im a bit wobbly still on uneven ground such as a bloody ploughed farmers field and climbing over a hedge sty … its all to do with the pro-procepter muscles that surround me bionic fake knees lol and it means that uneven ground is still a bit dodgy … anyways I SOOoooo wanted to go, especially as me matie had got some free tickets to the event and it was a great place to go ‘people watching’ or ‘weirdo watching’ lol … I had found my people :) — me matie said ‘take ya crutches’ I said ‘I aint no crimple’ so I took one of the beautiful sticks that The Stickman and Don Sausser had sent me … so every time I wobbled to the left or the right I had just that little stick to stop me going arse over tit :)

Question: Do you actually walk around town and country w/a stick from Stickman? Or do you put it in a corner and admire it?

Judge Returns City To Brannon Suit

This afternoon, Judge Charles Hosack reinstated the city of Coeur d’Alene as a defendant in Jim Brannon’s ongoing attempt to overthrow his narrow 2009 Coeur d’Alene City Council election loss to Mike Kennedy. Hosack ruled that all the individual council members, excluding Kennedy, were exempt from the suit. Huckleberries hears that city attorney Mike Haman paused at one point when a Brannon supporter made an outburst during his arguments. But Hosack either didn’t hear the outburst or ignored it. Haman then continued. Plaintiff Brannon already has excluded the county from the lawsuit. The case will now continue.

Parting Shot — 5.14.10

After mama duck’s nest was raided in mid-April, she came back to a planter at the Lincoln Building in downtown, Spokane, Wa., and laid three more eggs. Today, all five of her ducklings were born. Gary Grissom (Academy Mortgage loan officer), the new duckman, has been watching over mama duck from his office window for the last month while she’s been sitting on her nest. He’s been fascinated by the duck’s behavior as well as the humans who came to visit her. She had regular visitors. One woman came by every day to feed her half a piece of brown bread. The sparrows would swoop in and steal the bread most of the time; she only ate three little pieces. Another woman would bring the duck water, which she never drank. Five people named the mama duck, Grissom said. He didn’t write down the names, but he thinks one man named her Francine. (SR Photo: Dan Pelle)

P33t: Last Will Of A Very Big Dog

Many of you know that JBelle’s beloved chow, P33t, died from a poisoning this week. Well, he left behind “The Last Will & Testament of a Very Big Dog”:

I, P33t, having been the object of some unsolved mystery of poison and darkness, do note my last thoughts here in order that you can all move on in an orderly manner without too much shock and sadness at my early death. Who knew that P33t wouldn’t grow old with everyone else? Red Dorothy will be snickering about my ability to write a will as P33t is not known as a particularly articulate guy but rather a guy of action! Someone who barks! Is ferocious! ;) P33t was also someone who was quite handsome. Sweet. Adorable. Good with the ladies. So they can snicker, one and all, at the thought of P33t laying down his last will and testament but to them I say this: P33t Ssssmitz has got game. Watch and learn. More here. And here.

DFO: Please join with me in extending condolesces to JBelle and her Bellemaison chows. 

Kyra Wine Back On Her Feet

Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics patient advocate Carrie Davis picks up Kyra Wine, 5, after she tried out her new prosthetic “stubbies” that will allow her to play outside this summer. Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics practitioner Don Christenson, who fitted Wine, is in the background. Meghann Cuniff SR story here. (SR Photo: Colin Mulvany)

A North Idaho girl who was abused so badly both her feet were amputated received a new pair of prosthetics Friday morning. Doctors fitted Kyra Wine, 5, with a new pair of “stubbies” at Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics. “Stubbies” are described as short prosthetic legs without knee joints. Doctors say these are specifically for summer, designed for running and jumping and even swimming. Kyra’s prosthetics were personalized with a heart design/KREM2. More here. (Courtesy Photo: These photos taken in fall 2007 show Amanda Wine, left, now 6, Kyra Wine, now 3. Courtesy of Norma Mabbutt.)

Reaction?

APhoto Of The Day — 5.14.10

Lauren Shore, 8 year old, watches Stayce McConnell, right, and Marcy Terry of Weeki Wachee Mermaids swim in the Ocean Reef display, at the Sea Life London Aquarium, London, earlier today. You write the cutline. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

Top Cutlines:

  • 1. Mermaids cleaning BP oil spill in the Gulf, discover a young girl completely coated in crude — Gary D. Rhodes.
  • 2. Appreciative when asked if they prefer the open water to the aquarium, Stayce said “We like calm water, so tanks very much” — JohnA
  • 3. As proof they startem’ young in London on the Guiness … Lil’ Lauren first visits the mermaid exhibit on route to the Pink elephants — Soaf.
  • HM: Soaf.

Scanner Traffic/PM — 5.14.10

  • 5:35 p.m. 4 “very drunk” males are in a vehicle in front of Calypso’s coffee house on Lakeside/CdA.
  • 5:04 p.m. A burglary is in progress in 1400 block of N. 9th/CdA.
  • 4:50 p.m. Port of Hope, 218 N23rd, reports there’s an extremely drunk female on the grounds that isn’t one of the organization’s clients.
  • 4:44 p.m. Caller reports there’s an unconscious male at the 7th hole of the Frisbee Golf Course @ Corbin Park/Post Falls.
  • 4:11 p.m. Female believes the driver’s seat of her vehicle is bugged.
  • 4 p.m. Wholesale Sports on Government Way has caught a shoplifter.
  • 3:47 p.m. Rathdrum officer is checking on a transient @ Super 1 Foods.
  • 3:26 p.m. Construction work from the stateline to Spokane Street/Post Falls is causing such congestion that vehicles on the Washington side are trying to turn around and drive the wrong way on the freeway.
  • Much more below

Ward: O’Barto Tendered His Resignation

Answering a caller’s question on KBOI radio about the departure of his campaign manager, Ryan O’Barto, congressional candidate Vaughn Ward said, “The campaign manager, he was not fired, he tendered his resignation. It was very hard for me to accept his resignation. He felt it was more of a distraction on the campaign.” Asked by the caller if he’s blaming missteps on campaign staff, Ward said, “Anything that goes wrong on my campaign is my responsibility, just like in the Marine Corps”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Question: Anyone buying what Ward’s selling here?

TGIF Wild Card — 5.14.10

Only 7 more working days until the spring primaries, and it’s anyone’s guess who’s going to win several key races, including the two Kootenai County commissioner seats and the GOP one in the 1st Congressional District to see who will face Walt Minnick this November. If Vaughn Ward has suffered another misstep today, I haven’t heard about it. I haven’t seen a candidate have such a tough time in the closing weeks of an election since Demo Larry LaRocco got knocked sideways by scandal in October 1994. Anything can happen in the closing days. Stay tune, and feel free to play this Wild Card …

HBO Blogosphere — 5.14.10

One item we will have at the Kootenai County Farmer’s Market this Saturday is Tango Celery. Many people shy away from trying to grow celery because it takes a long time to mature and it’s a rather heat and cold sensitive plant. My experience however, is that it’s really not that difficult to grow/Sunny, Bent’s Beer Garden. More here.

HBO Numbers (for Thursday, May 13): 8401/4898

KXLY: Sex w/Student Brings 8 Months

A teacher at Lakeside High School in Plummer has been sentenced to eight years in prison for having sex with a 16-year-old student however, in a plea agreement with prosecutors, will serve six months in treatment. Darin DeBolt was sentenced Friday to eight years in prison for having sex with a female student. He will serve six months in treatment at a facility in Cottonwood, Idaho. At the conclusion of that a judge will determine whether or not he’ll be eligible for parole. At that point a judge will either send him to prison, where he would face between four and eight years, or he would be released on felony probation/KXLY. More here.

O’Barto Out, Tracy, Henderson In

Republican congressional candidate Vaughn Ward’s campaign manager is stepping down — 12 days before the primary and in the wake of a series of political missteps. Ward campaign consultant Mike Tracy confirmed Friday that Ward has accepted the resignation of Ryan O’Barto, who also served as spokesman. Tracy, a press secretary for former Idaho Sen. Larry Craig, told The Associated Press he will begin serving as campaign spokesman/AP via Eye On Boise. More here.

DFO: If state R’s are bringing in heavy hitters like Tracy & Al Henderson to save Ward’s campaign, that means they haven’t tossed Ward over for Raul Labrador. Interesting.

What?! Another Stickman?!

Dennis Enger of Portland, N.D., (who was called Stick Man by the Associated Press) receives a hug earlier today, after he was honored for making hundreds of walking sticks for wounded veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. (AP Photo/Dave Kolpack)

Question: Is this country big enough for two, kind-hearted individuals named Stickman?

ICB: Tea Party Boise Backs Labrador

After the national Tea Party endorsed Dem Congressman Walt Minnick, Tea Party Boise made a point of saying that it wouldn’t endorse Minnick or any other candidate for the 1st Congressional District seat. Now, Idaho Conservative Blogger reports, it has reversed course and backed Raul Labrador: “After lengthy and careful evaluation of the candidates for congress in District 1, we have concluded that there is a clear choice in this primary race. TPB believes that Raul Labrador understands the issues facing Idahoans and America today, far better than his opponent, and will be the stronger candidate to challenge Rep. Minnick in November. Raul Labrador is our candidate for U.S. Congress in District 1 because he has, by far, the most “Real World” Idaho legislative experience, the proven courage to stand up to power, even within his own party, and he has dedicated his life in the Gem State, giving him a deep understanding of Idaho and its people.”

Question: Idaho Conservation Blogger calls the Tea Party endorsement huge for Labrador. Do you agree?

Mac-and-Cheese Cookoff Coming Soon

Hey, I was just surfing — do you call it surfing? — Facebook and discovered a post from the Coeur d’Alene Visitor Bureau that intrigues me: “Sunday, 1 to 5PM at the @Greenbriar Inn, 315 Wallace free tasting & chef competition for a MAC AND CHEESE Cookoff!” The post also had a number to call. Now, everyone here knows that Bent & Co. are the kings of BBQ’d meat (and getting better all the time). But a mac-and-cheese cookoff makes the mind wonder:

Question: How can you tell one mac-and-cheese cookoff concoction from another?

Judge To Hear Brannon Motions @ 3 PM

In her latest newsletter, Mary Souza has issued a call to arms (figuratively) to her F Troopers to be at the courthouse today when Judge Charles Hosack hears a series of motions in Jim Brannon’s never-ending lawsuit against incumbent Mike Kennedy. The hearing is scheduled for 3 p.m. But the courtroom hasn’t been determined yet. Mary points out that one of the issues on board is Bill McCrory’s attempt to bring the city back into the lawsuit. Sez Mary: ”It would help a great deal to have as many people as possible present at the hearing so retired Judge Hosack, newly appointed to this case, understands the public’s interest in this important issue.” Stay tuned.

Question: How do you think this will play out?

Rasmussen: Otter Ahead 54-32%

Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter still holds a comfortable lead over his likely Democratic opponent, Keith Allred, in his bid for a second term. A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the state finds Otter earning 54% of support, while Allred picks up 32% of the vote. Five percent (5%) prefer some other candidate and nine percent (9%) are not sure. In late March, Otter held a 32-point advantage over Allred – 60% to 32% - in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at this match-up/Rasmussen Report. More here.

GONI: Making Lemons Of Lemonade?

On his Facebook page for Get Out! North Idaho, OrangeTV offers this as Nickels Worth ad of the week: “Because who doesn’t love a to eat a nice, sour lemon while enjoying a session of colonic irrigation?”

Cramming For Finals In The Sun

Krystal Pickering, 21, of Anchorage, Alaska, takes advantage of the warm weather as she works on homework Thursday at Reaney Park in Pullman. Pickering is studying civil engineering at Washington State University. (AP Photo/Moscow-Pullman Daily News, Dean Hare)

Question: Pictures like this make me think of my college days, half studying on the front lawn of viewtiful Chico State University. I majored in mass communication — and goofing around. What was your college major?

DFO: Whattabout Weekend Posts?

Usually, I spend 90 minutes or so putting together weekend posts late Friday or early Saturday morning. Most of those posts are ignored by commenters and blurkers where there are so many good things to do on a nice spring day. It’s important, I believe, to have some fodder out there for those who comment and blurk. But I wonder exactly what and how much fodder to you want to see?

Crump: ‘Napoleon’ Sequel? Not Likely

Heck! In some of the worst flippin’ news for small-town Idaho in years, movie director Jared Hess says he’s not much interested in making a sequel to “Napoleon Dynamite.” “When sequels are an afterthought, they usually end up being bad but when they were originally intended to have multiple films made of the same story, when they’re conceived that way, I think it works,” Hess told the online entertainment news website starpulse.com. “But oftentimes when sequels are done just because the first one was successful and they do it for that, I don’t know.” Gosh! “Napoleon Dynamite,” the 2004 film starring Preston, Idaho, made $46 million. And it absolutely nailed what it’s like to live in rural southern Idaho/Steve Crump, Twin Falls Times-New. More here.

  • Cutline: Jon Heder, left, and Efren Ramirez are seen in this undated promotional movie still from the film “Napoleon Dynamite.” Last winter’s independent-film showcase has produced a string of successes, among them “Napoleon Dynamite,” “Open Water,” “Garden State” and “Super Size Me.” (AP Photo/Fox Searchlight, Aaron Ruell)

Question: Are you a “Napoleon Dynamite” fan?

EOB: Ward Working w/Mike Tracy

The Idaho Press-Tribune reports that congressional candidate Vaughn Ward told its editorial board this morning that he “planned to announce a restructuring of his campaign staff on Saturday.” The paper reported, “While not offering specifics, Ward alluded to major changes and was accompanied by longtime GOP campaign strategist Mike Tracy”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

DFO: Gracious … Betsy’s all over this stuff. She called me a few minutes ago looking for numbers of some North Idaho politicos … and wondering whether Mike Tracy, the respected former aide to Larry Craig, might be involved in Ward’s restructuring of his campaign. I got off the phone with her at 1:11. She tweeted this — and I re-tweeted for those of you who follow my Twitter 10 minutes later.

Politico: Ward Fires Campaign Manager

Republican congressional candidate Vaughn Ward has fired his campaign manager in an effort to recover from a series of embarrassing missteps that have threatened his challenge to first-term Idaho Democrat Walt Minnick. Ward, who spent this week fighting allegations that he plagiarized language on his campaign website and explaining his failure to vote in the 2008 election, plans to appoint an interim campaign manager to replace Ryan O’Barto, a former aide to Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter. He will also hire a press secretary with experience working in the office of former Idaho Sen. Larry Craig/Politico. More here. And: Eye On Boise post here.

Question: Is this move enough to get Ward’s campaign train back on track? Or too little too late?

HBO’s Best Of The INW — 5.14.10

A large Pacific banana slug slowly crosses a rural road near Oakland, Ore. The Pacific banana slug is the second-largest species of terrestrial slug in the world, growing up to 25 centimetres (9.8 in) long. (Credit Image: © Robin Loznak/robinloznak.com)

Question: Do slimy slugs bother you?

High Noon: We Love-ah Parade

I can’t remember the last time I participated in a parade, as an entrant rather than an observer. I watch almost all the parades in Coeur d’Alene. Now, here comes Cindy bragging that she has her wave down pat to participate in this year’s Torchlight Parade in Spokane. On her Facebook page, Cindy sez that she “has worked hard all week to perfect her Parade Wave because she has been asked to ride with the Pearl Harbor Survivors in tomorrow night’s Armed Forces Torchlight Parade. I’ve been joking about this all week but it is a great honor to be asked to accompany our true American heroes. If you’re at the parade tomorrow night give me a shout and I’ll wave.”

Question: When and where did you last participate in a parade? What group where you involved with?

Scanner Traffic/AM — 5.14.10

  • 11:31 a.m. CPD Blue is looking for a teen boy after someone in his English Village Apartments on Anton suffered a gash to his head in a domestic fight.
  • 11:29 a.m. Shoshone County animal shelter wants to speak to Kootenai County counterpart after someone dumped four puppies off.
  • 11:13 p.m. NIC maintenance worker is backtracking from beach in search of missing irrigation and shop keys.
  • 11:02 p.m. Hazmat units are responding to a spill of several gallons of gas @ Seltice Stop-‘n-Go.
  • 10:50 p.m. 360 Fitness on Neider is having trouble with its sprinkler system.
  • 10:29 a.m. Caller is concerned re: welfare of a horse and a mule @ 16th & Greensferry.
  • 10:10 a.m. A female is sitting in a parked vehicle on the Spokane Street offramp, waiting for a small child to walk up to her.
  • 10:02 a.m. An unconscious person is reported in 4600 block of Reeves/CdA.
  • 9:54 a.m. Victoria on Nuthatch/Harrison has questions re: feral cats.
  • 8:57 a.m. Someone has broken limbs off several trees and pulled storm drain covers up @ Atlas & Prairie.
  • 8:36 a.m. A large piece of metal is lying on I-90 @ M/P 28 (4th of July Pass).
  • 8:31 a.m. Jerry has found a dog collar and wants help getting it back to the owner.
  • 8:30 a.m. Caller in 2100 block of Jewel/Hayden reports a car carrier delivering a vehicle to him got irate when he pointed out damage to the vehicle and refused to take it.
  • 8:23 a.m. Caller reports that a male in a vehicle appears to be watching children at a bus stop @ Cloverleaf & Hauser.

Marty: Justice Jones Earns A Jeer

JEERS … to Idaho Supreme Court Justice Jim Jones. First he challenges 2nd District Judge John Bradbury to a debate. Then he backs out. Bradbury is running against Jones’ colleague, Justice Roger Burdick, in the May 25 primary. Jones is unopposed for another term. Unhappy with Bradbury’s charges against the courts, such as his criticism of using retired judges to preside over cases, Jones sought to defend the system and counter Bradbury’s arguments. The public would have benefited. Burdick and Bradbury haven’t gone into those issues much. Jones is a serious man who was a successful Idaho attorney general. The idea of him debating Bradbury would lead you to think he’s committed to bringing the facts to the voters. But then he flinched/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here (last item).

DFO: H/T: To Lewiston Trib opinionator Marty Trillhaase for expressing how I felt after Justice Jim Jones challenged Judge John Bradbury to a debate and then backed out.

Question: Did Justice Jones deserve Marty’s jeer?

1stCD Rdp: Who Will Fall On Sword?

At Idaho Conservative Blog, the blogger writes: “As a friend of mine so eloquently said the last time there was a big Ward Campaign “Gaffe”, “Oh my, My oh my.” Well once again, what a day it’s been for Idaho 1st CD GOP candidate Vaughn Ward. ICB has not endorsed anyone in this race, but as my email filled up and the phone started ringing off the hook today all I could think was, My oh my. In the Spokesman Review today Betsy Russell dropped a bombshell in a column titled, Ward’s position statements cribbed from other Web sites. More here. And: Vaughn Ward roundup below:

MikeK: I Rode My Bike To Work Today

Mike Kennedy: On facebook (and with his permission to print this), Mike Kennedy wrote: “Rode my bike to work (Thursday). Beautiful day, which made it a perfect start. Only one rude gesture from a driver, but I’m guessing that is not because I was sharing a lane of traffic with her, but rather it was perhaps she knew who I was.”

DFO: I’m almost over my cold (sorry for mentioning this again, Cindy). Otherwise, I would have ridden the fantabulous new bike that Mrs. O got for me for my last birthday to work this week. I intend to begin doing so next week.

Quotable Quote re: Vaughn Ward

If Mr. Ward really IS the Manchurian Candidate, then the caliber of political consulting in Manchuria has declined a bit in the last 50 yrs — Mike Kennedy.

DFO’s Critters: Bad Dog

A sign posted on an East Nashville, Tenn. fence belies the size of the dog, below, that is barking at passersby. (AP Photo/The Tennessean, John Partipilo)

Question: Is your bark worse than your bite?

HBO Poll: Won’t Boycott Arizona

  • Thursday Poll: Overwhelmingly, you Berry Pickers say you won’t participate in a boycott of Arizona to protest recent actions involving enforcement of immigration laws and changes in ethnic studies. 156 of 215 respondents (72.6%) say they won’t support a boycott. 55 of 215 (25.6%) said they would.
  • Today’s Question (in lefthand rail): Do you think congressional candidate Vaughn Ward will win the GOP nomination, after his recent missteps?

Labrador, Ward To Debate In Post Falls

With all the commotion that has occurred in the Raul Labrador-Vaughn Ward race for the 1st Congressional District GOP nomination, a debate scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday will be of interest. Labrador, Ward, and Harley Brown will be debating at the Garden Plaza, 545 North Garden Plaza Court,  Post Falls. The sponsor is the Panhandle Pachyderm Club. Coeur d’Alene Press Editor Mike Patrick will serve as moderator. To reserve a seat, or submit questions in advance, email Reggie Correll at reggierc@verizon.net

Ex-Youth Leader Gets Prison In Rapes

A former youth leader with Real Life Ministries in Post Fallas has been sentenced to six years in prison on three counts of statutory rape. Jordan Vernon received two years fixed prison time and four years “indeterminate” to run consecutively on each of the three rape charges. However the judge presiding over the case retained jurisdiction which means Vernon could be eligible for probation in as little as six months. Vernon was removed from his volunteer position with Real Life Ministries in 2008 after allegations of inappropriate behavior first surfaced. Post Falls Police say they found pictures on MySpace with Vernon engaged in sexual activities with a 14-year-old girl. Vernon also had sex with a 17-year-old church member and tried to lure a 12-year-old girl/KXLY. More here.

Question: Appropriate sentence?

AM Headlines — 5.14.10

Wade Williams holds his dog Grizzly, near his home Coeur d’Alene on Thursday. He rescued Grizzly on Tuesday from a coyote. Alison Boggs’ SR story here. And: KXLY video here. (SR Photo: Kathy Plonka)

Question: Are you nervous that coyotes are getting closer to town?

S&G: Murder Plot Brings Month Sentence

A Post Falls couple targeted in what federal agents describe as a murder plot by a former developer received probation this week for a 2008 marijuana bust. Charles Hatridge, 49, was ordered to serve one month in federal prison in addition to four years probation. His wife, Karrie Hatridge, 48, received no prison time and three years probation. The Hatridges, who had no previous criminal records, also will forfeit $50,000 to the federal government/Meghann Cuniff (pictured), Sirens & Gavels. More here.

Question: Is it worth the effort to send Charles Hatridge to federal prison for a month?

CdA Man Wants His Head Back

Don Kilian of Coeur d’Alene called this morning to complain someone had stolen his head. More precisely, the large wooden head sculpture he’s had for nearly half a century. It was sitting in front of his house in the 1300 block of 15th. He suspects a group of young hooligans dragged it to their pickup truck and made off with it. It was so heavy that it would take 3 or 4 people to move it, Kilian said. Anyway, he wants his head back.

Christa: New Attack On IB Program

Christa Hazel said she was shocked to see a free full newspaper publication called “The Local Capitalist” which targets the District’s International Baccalaureate program. The paper was available at a local coffee shop. Quotes the Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy’s founding member, Dr. Bill Proser, the IB program is “left-wing baloney’ and “anti-capitalist”. According to this, Dr. Proser also states of the IB Program, “I think they believe in re-deistribution of wealth.” I’m curious if he, a learned man, has been misquoted. More from Christa.

Question: What do you make of this new development?

Kevin: Voters Get Measure Of Ward

Kevin Richert/ldaho Statesman (re: “Vaughn Ward’s Thursday hat trick”): Ward, the choice of many mainstream Republicans in the 1st Congressional District, remains an unknown with no political resume and no voting record. This maladroit campaign isn’t just Ward’s proverbial political job interview (spinach in the front tooth and all). This campaign is his introduction to the electorate. Voters have little resource than to take their measure of Ward from the campaign he runs. Unfortunately for Ward.

Question: Have Vaughn Ward’s political pratfalls caused you to re-evaluate his candidacy?

OtisG: Son Brings Back LL Memories

On Facebook (and printed here with his permission), Otis G writes about his Little League experience: “My personal little league memories consist of running to the wrong base, almost getting knocked out by a pitching machine, and peeing my pants in the outfield. (Son) Bailey not only loves playing baseball, he’s good at it. It makes me so proud to see him have the confidence I never did.”

Question: Did you have a good experience playing youth sports — Little League, soccer, flag football? Or do the peeing-my-pants incidents crowd out successes? Are your kids better athletes than you were?

David: Mount Bozeman Seems Smaller

David Townsend: On Facebook (and with his permission to print this), David Townsend of the Coeur d’Alene Public Library writes of a trip to his old hometown, Bozeman, Mont.: “From where I am sitting at the Bozeman library I can see the ‘huge’ hill that I used to sled on. Only now it looks about a third the size it used to. Matter of fact, the whole park looks smaller. My gawd, my hometown is shrinking.”

Question: Have you ever had a similar experience as David — returning to your hometown to discover that some of the magical things of your youth are smaller than you imagined? Or simply more ordinary than you imagined?

Signe: Look Who’s Giving Advice

Signe Wilkinson/Philadelphia Inquirer

EOB: Ward Used Statements Before

Interestingly, some of the same statements that congressional candidate Vaughn Ward removed from his campaign website today after The Spokesman-Review noted that they’re identical to statements on other candidates’ and congressmen’s websites, also crop up in a Sept. 5, 2009 Q-&-A interview with the “Idaho Conservative Blogger” site/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Cyberbullying Growing Among Women

Experts say anytime you are harassed, humiliated or threatened online it’s cyberbullying, and teens aren’t the only victims. ”I hear about adult women retaliating a lot more and retaliating in really vicious ways, to the point where sites get shut down, people drop off of sites,” said Dr. Cheryl Dellasega, author of Mean Girls Grown Up. She says bullying can be one rude comment, or a string of them. “The topics that women are cyberbullied about are really endless. It could be a romance. It could be your parenting practices,” said Dellasega/Mimi Jung, King5.com. More here. AP illustration. (H/T: Liz)

Question: Have you ever been cyberbullied? And/Or: Do you think females of all ages are meaner and more likely to fight one another today than they were years ago?

Parting Shot — 5.13.10

Second-graders Jadyn Wierzbicki, right, and Miranda Knapton at Lincoln-McKinley Primary School in Havre, Mont., crawl to tag a tree in a race Tuesday during the school’s Big Sky Fit Kids Day physical fitness activity. Schools across the state this week are celebrating Big Sky Fit Kids Day, where students do aerobic activities for 30 minutes. (AP Photo/Havre Daily News, Nikki Carlson)

Question: Are you kids physically fit?

Wild Card/Thursday — 5.13.10

I’m still nursing a lousy head cold that started Monday night. Junior is the No. 1 suspect as the perp who passed along the germs during his 5-day stay with us last week. I’m hiding in HBO Central, in the back corner of the SR CdA office, taking pains not to spread anything to co-workers, including using paper towels to handle anything we share in common. I’m ambulatory. But I’ve felt better. The nice day outside is mocking me …

KEA: Currie, Piazza Punt On Density

In their long slow failure of deliberating the draft Comprehensive Plan, the County Commissioners today voted 2-1 in favor of throwing out thousands of hours of hard work by hundreds of citizens in developing a new comp plan that actually meant something. Over Commissioner Tondee’s strong objection, Commissioners Currie and Piazza voted to remove specific development density ranges for all land use designations in the Plan. In essence, the two Commissioners declined to describe in real and useful terms what levels of development would be appropriate in any area of the county. The density decision, of course, is the most important one to make in a comprehensive plan. Today’s deliberation was the last one scheduled before the primary election/Terry Harris, KEA Blog. More here. (SR File Photo: Jesse Tinsley)

Question: Will today’s vote on the comprehensive plan density make you more or less likely to vote for Commissioners Rick Currie and Rich Piazza in the GOPrimaries?

PM: NIC Installs Bike Racks

Several specially designed bike racks were recently installed on North Idaho College’s campus in honor of national bike month. The racks were designed and built by NIC students through the WeCycle program on campus. Pictured are NIC Resort/Recreation management Instructor Paul Chivvis and students Sara Plummer, Frank Cordova, Robert Peluso and Jamie Neptune. Story here. (NIC Photo: Stacy Hudson)

APhoto Of The Day — 5.13.10

Oakland Athletics center fielder Rajai Davis (11) looks up as fans scramble for a solo home run ball by Texas Rangers’ Max Ramirez in the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday in Arlington, Texas. You write the cutline. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Top Cutlines:

  • 1. What Raj could see and the boys could not see was that the ball landed with a sucking thud in a fresh pile left by the team’s mascot, an African elephant - but he wasn’t telling. Nope. They’d find out soon enough — Brent Andrews.
  • 2. Wanting the ball back as it’s his first home run, Ramirez yells to the retrievers “Take it to the Max” — John Austin.
  • 3. I got it!/You got it?/No. I’ve got it./who’s got it./I have it./Who’s on 1st? — JeanieS.
  • HM: Gary D. Rhodes

Scanner Traffic/PM — 5.13.10

  • 6 p.m. Smith Avenue/Hauser resident complains that his neighbor’s dog occasionally takes his paper.
  • 5:48 p.m. A single vehicle has rolled over onto its side on Deer Ridge Drive/Post Falls.
  • 5:34 p.m. Eugene has found a white tricycle abandoned @ H41 & Sturgeon/Rathdrum.
  • 5:26 p.m. Traffic is backing up b/c lights are recycling too slowly @ Spokane & Seltice/Post Falls.
  • 5:14 p.m. Caller reports that a female who just drove off in a green Sentra from H53 & Greensferry was so drunk she couldn’t talk straight.
  • 4:56 p.m. Caller reports that a semi wouldn’t let him merge in I-90 construction zone from stateline to Post Falls.
  • 4:54 p.m. Super 1/Hayden has caught a shoplifter.
  • 4:32 p.m. 3 disorderly males reported @ 14th & Sherman/CdA.
  • 4:14 p.m. Caller reports that a female driver is driving recklessly while texting, and has just pulled into Kohl’s parking lot, off H95.
  • 4:11 p.m. Driver of a green pickup is driving recklessly & flipping people off on I-90 @ H95.
  • 4:09 p.m. Post Falls caller reports that his 25YO daughter texted to say that she’s trying to commit suicide by cutting herself.
  • Much more below

Protesters: Give Us Back Our Bench

Sheryl Puckett e-mailed this photo of the Farragut Park bench protesters to Huckleberries Online. Her cutline said: “Despite cold, blustery weather and the threat of rain, many community members of Bayview/Athol came together to send a message to Idaho Park & Rec that the removal and failure to replace a sitting public bench at Lake Pend Oreille is not acceptable.” YouTube video here. Story here.

Question: When were you last involved in a protest of some sort?

Ward Didn’t Vote In 2008

U.S. House hopeful Vaughn Ward worked on Sen. John McCain’s bid for the presidency two years ago, but he didn’t vote for him or anyone else in the 2008 general election. Ward told The Associated Press Thursday that his job as Nevada director for McCain’s presidential bid made it difficult to break away from the frenzied pace that defined the final days in a key battleground state. Ward also says the window for requesting an absentee ballot had closed by the time he realized he wouldn’t be able to return as planned to cast his ballot in Idaho. Ward registered to vote in Ada County on the day of the May 2008 primary/Associated Press, via KBOI. More here.

DFO: A caller asked me a few minutes ago if I’d ever seen as many missteps as the ones by Ward, in my 27-plus years in Idaho. I told him that I hadn’t seen a front-running candidate make this many missteps in my 40 years in the news biz. Wasn’t he vetted by the state GOP, who anointed his as its golden boy to slay the Demo dragon, Minnick?

Ward Cribs Positions From Other Sites

Five of the 10 position statements Idaho congressional candidate Vaughn Ward has had posted on his campaign website for at least the past five months are word-for-word identical to statements on other candidates’ and congressmen’s sites, including one in which Ward touted “my roadmap legislation” - actually something proposed by Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, whose campaign website contains an identical paragraph. Ward’s statement on tax relief - all but its first sentence - is a repeat of a statement on the campaign website of third-term Rep. Geoff Davis, R-Kentucky. Half of his statement on health care matches a Jan. 7, 2009 Wall Street Journal article by Rep. Tom Price, R-Georgia/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Question: The hits keep coming. What do you make of this one?

Inlander: Parkside Bistro’s Last Call

Parkside Bistro owner Kevin Eskelin recalls the good times. [Photo: Young Kwak]

Dollar  bills once decorated the walls and ceiling of the small but popular Parkside Bistro and Pub in Coeur d’Alene. To customers, each bill, signed by those who left it, represented a memory made at the pub: a couple on a first date, a family who came in for burgers, North Idaho College students on a pub crawl, a softball team celebrating a win with a round of beers. “It’s such a unique gem,” says owner Kevin Eskelin. “The character of the place is like none other.” But Parkside, which has been around as a hamburger joint under different names since the 1950s, will soon be history, a memory, and a stack of 728 signed bills will be one of the few things Eskelin has left of the pub he owned for nearly 14 years/Natalie Johnson, Inlander. More here.

Question: Are/were you a regular customer of Parkside Bistro?

‘My Future Meets My Past’

On Facebook today, Christa Hazel posted this sensational photo (that she also entered in the North Idaho Fair) which she calls: “My Future Meets My Past.” It was taken on Mismaloya Beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Writes Christa: “My daughter visits the place where my husband I were married.”

Question: Where did you marry? Honeymoon?

Dustin: Bachelor Party Or Not?

On both Facebook & Twitter, Dustin Hurst of the Idaho Reporter asks a question that I’ve never thought about. The young man is about to marry. And he’s wondering whether or not to hold a bachelor’s party. I didn’t. I just spent some time with some friends. Getting boozy and cuh-razy hasn’t been my idea of a good time for a long, long time — even years before I married. How about you?

Question: Did you have a bachelor/bachelorette party? Care to tell us about it?

PBS To Air ‘Night Of The Grizzlies’

Aug. 13, 1967, marked one of the most tragic and important events in the history of Glacier National Park. Two women, in campsites miles apart from one another, were mauled and killed by grizzly bears, the first bear-related fatalities since the park’s inaugural year. It is known as “Night of the Grizzlies,” a story with enough gravity to grab national headlines and cause the national park system to re-examine wildlife policies. It was also an incident forever burned into the hearts and minds of those involved, as well as the park’s widespread community. MontanaPBS is revisiting the story with the documentary, “Glacier Park’s Night of the Grizzlies,” set to debut on May 17. While the story may be familiar to many Montanans, some of the voices in the film have never been publicly heard before, said co-producer Gus Chambers/Molly Priddy, Flathead Beacon. More here.

DFO: 3 people were killed by grizzlies during one of my summer’s in Kalispell (1977-82), a couple on a campout and a hiker who left behind only a shin bone and a Bible. I met one of the individuals who reported on the night of the grizzlies in real time — G. George Ostrom. Everyone who has lived for any amount of time in NW Montana knows this story.

Question: Why does this story fascinate us?

NW: We Need A Commonweath Party

What we need is a Party that focuses on municipal and county offices, and no higher. Let the Democrats and Republicans gridlock themselves at the state and federal level; what we need is action at the local level, such as the promotion local food production, or the creation of local energy trusts. We need a Party that focuses on the wealth of local communities – by that I mean local history, culture, economic opportunity, and can-do spirit. Let’s call it the Commonwealth Party and let’s say its mission is to build economic and ecological resilience to meet the steep and diversifying challenges of the 21st century/Courtney White, New West. More here.

Question: I think this is a swell idea. I’m sick to death of partisan R’s and D’s screwing up politics on the federal level and in some instances adding their stink of gridlock to local politics. I’d relish seeing a party emerge to seek the common good on the local level. How about you?

HBO’s Best Of The INW — 5.13.10

It isn’t even one yet, and Seattle has already lost another game. Here, Seattle Mariners’ Josh Wilson, right, slides into the tag by Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters, left, and is out at the plate attempting to score from second base on a single by Ichiro Suzuki during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Baltimore, Md. The Orioles beat the Mariners 6-5. More here. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

High Noon: Getting Lost & Back Again

To say that I am geographically challenged and directionally impaired might be an understatement. I’ve been lost in every city, town, state and country I’ve ever lived in or visited. Yes, you can get lost in Ritzville. It’s difficult but not impossible. Don’t get me wrong  … I can read a map. I can plot routes, identify highways, parks and mountain ranges. The difficulty comes when I try to integrate map knowledge with driving skills. From my front yard I can point out north (Mount Spokane), south (St. John’s Cathedral), east (Coeur d’Alene) and west (Seattle). However, once I’m in the car, things get a little fuzzy. After all, it wasn’t until I was in middle school that I could do the hokey pokey with any kind of accuracy. The whole right, left thing puzzled me. Your right or my right? Huh?/Cindy Hval, Washington Voices. More here.

Question: Do you get lost often, when you’re behind the wheel? Or do you have a homing device that usually gets you to the right place?

Scanner Traffic/AM — 5.13.10

  • Noon: An unconscious person is reported in 2600 block of Grandview/CdA.
  • 11:11 a.m. Caller reports an e/b red Mitsubishi is passing on the shoulder of I-90 @ M/P 9 (near Huetter) and almost overturned.
  • 10:50 a.m. Alvin wants to be contacted re: a possible theft @ Garden Plaza assisted living.
  • 10:40 a.m. Caller reports a white pickup is buried in the snow about a mile off the road @ Fernan Saddle. He thinks it’s suspicious b/c there’s no footprints around the pickup.
  • 10:30 a.m. A teen driver has brought his parents to the scene of a car crash he had near the stateline last night.
  • 10:25 a.m. Officers believe suicide victim (10:18 a.m.) is dead. The spouse is requesting a chaplain.
  • 10:18 a.m. A male apparently has shot himself and is lying in the entryway of a home in 200 block of S. Sunset Drive/Post Falls. Caller reports she’s on the back deck and believes the male is still holding the gun.
  • 10:12 a.m. Officer has located the 8th-grade boy walking s/b on Ramsey and returned him to Woodland Middle School.
  • 10 a.m. Motorist reports a boy who appears to be about 10 is walking by himself s/b on Ramsey from the Skyway Elementary area.
  • 9:32 a.m. A male in a tan Chevy has pushed a female in the parking lot of Walls Fargo Bank by Super 1/Hayden. Caller is blocking exit w/his pickup.
  • 9:21 a.m. Caller reports seeing smoke in mountains b/n Twin Lakes & Spirit Lake.
  • 9:14 a.m. Donna reports her neighbor’s dog has killed her bunnies.
  • 8:39 a.m. Caller reports a male tried to choke a female on Tubsgate/Post Falls.
  • 8:31 a.m. Large boxes are lying in both lanes of I-90 b/n M/P 14 & 15 (15th Street).

Wannabe: Repeal Endandered Species Act

State representative candidate David Klingenberg said he believes Idaho needs to start fighting more battles related to one thing - the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. “The federal government beats districts into submission,” he said. “The state has to stand up and say, ‘No, we’re not doing that anymore.’” Some federal regulations can be harmful to Idaho’s economy and potential job growth, he said. For example, Klingenberg said he would support the nullification of the Endangered Species Act in the state of Idaho. Efforts to add the giant Palouse earthworm to the list of endangered species potentially endangers Idaho jobs - such as agriculture and logging - and could “bankrupt Latah County,” he said/Christina Lords, Moscow-Pullman Daily News. More here.

Question: Do you think the Endangered Species Act goes too far, not far enough, or is just right?

Conservative Union Endorses Ward

American Conservative Union Chairman David Keene endorsed Vaughn Ward, Congressional candidate for Idaho’s 1st Congressional District. “Vaughn is a true conservative who will champion our values in Congress,” Keene said. “I am proud to endorse Vaughn Ward for Congress.” Keene continued, “Vaughn stands for lower taxes, less government, and pro-family values that is desperately needed in Congress. Through his pro business stances, Vaughn has the leadership and vision to help put our country back on the right track. We need to support conservatives like Vaughn who will work to put an end to expanding the government with wasteful spending and irresponsible bailouts. I am confident that Vaughn will be a strong voice for all conservatives in Washington D.C.”/Vaughn Ward for Congress news release. More here. Dan Popkey/Statesman writes that this is old news here.

Question: Which Republican in the 1st Congressional District race do you believe is the most conservative? Will the one who the public views as most conservative win?

 

2 Accused Of 3 CdA Robbery Tries

Update: Arrested and charged with three counts of robbery is Stephen J. Beck, 23 years of age, and a transient, and Michael D. Frank, 20 years of age from Coeur d’Alene. CPD Blue Press release here.

Three attempted robberies in Coeur d’Alene late Wednesday and early today are believed to be the work of two people arrested trying to steal OxyContin from Walgreens about 5 a.m., police said. The first occurred about 8:30 p.m. when a clerk at Piggies Deli & Market, 2001 Sherman Ave., refused to hand over cash to a gunman who fled in a Nissan driven by a woman … Later that night, a man matching the description of the man at Piggies tried to rob Taj Grocery, 1003 N. 15th St., but fled when the clerk refused, police said/Meghann M. Cuniff, SR. More here.

Question: Still feel safe in Coeur d’Alene?

MM: The Lesser Of 2 Evils

Moscow Minidoka: One thing I have found interesting (in subscribing to Moscow-Pullman Daily News on a trial basis), though, is the profiles of local candidates for the upcoming primary elections. Where do they find these people? I swear, some of the candidates are less articulate than my two-year-old. I intend to vote in the GOP primary simply to prevent the stupidest candidates from getting a spot on the November ballot. I’d certainly rather be represented by articulate and intelligent members of *either* party than a mouth-breather who actually believes the Idaho Legislature has the power to overturn the Endangered Species Act.

Question (to the progressives of HucksOnline): Do you intend to cross-over and vote Republican in the spring primaries in two weeks?

Russell Crowe Latest ‘Robin Hood’

In this film publicity image released by Universal Pictures, Russell Crowe is shown in a scene from, “Robin Hood.” (AP Photo/Universal Pictures, Kerry Brown)

Question: Which actor was the best screen Robin Hood ever?

 

HBO Poll: Labrador Won Debate

  • Wednesday Poll: Overwhelmingly, you Berry Pickers say that Raul Labrador was the winner of this week’s 1st Congressional District debate w/Vaughn Ward in Boise. 115 of 175 respondents (66%) said Labrador won the debate, while 38 of 175 respondents (22%) said Ward did. 20 respondents were undecided and two said it was a tie.
  • Griffey Retirement: Overwhelmingly, you Berry Pickers believe Ken Griffey Jr. is getting to the end of his line re: his baseball career. 30 of 70 (43%) said the aging slugger should retire now. 29 of 70 (41%) said he should retire at the end of the year. Only 11 of 70 (16%) felt he should keep playing beyond this year.
  • Today’s Question (in lefthand rail): Should people boycott Arizona as a result of its recent actions involving immigration & ethnic studies?

On Turning 18, Do You Remember

Turning 18 gives me mixed emotions. I’m an adult, which is pretty cool. I get to buy lottery tickets, smoke, go to jail, and vote. More importantly: my words hold a new weight coming out of my mouth. I can be recognized as some one with an opinion, and not just merely viewed as a teenager shouting into the wind. I get to be viewed as an adult shouting into the wind! Ok, maybe I’m being a little too snarky and sarcastic about this whole thing. I really do view it as more than a legal “coming of age”. To tell you the truth, I have a serious conflict about this whole turning 18 thing, and it really doesn’t have to do with my birthday at all. April 23rd 2010 signified that I am one huge step closer to leaving home and starting my own life. As anyone who has experienced this knows, that’s both one of the best things and one of the scariest/Colin Mansfield, via Dennis Mansfield’s blog. More here.

Question: Do you have an epiphany when you turned 18? Can you remember turning 18?

Kevin: But Ward Did Flipflop

Vaughn Ward won’t say it. But the facts do. The 1st Congressional District candidate has flip-flopped on repealing the 17th Amendment — and thus returning the election of U.S. senators to state legislatures. “I’m not changing the position, I’m clarifying would be a better way to put that,” Ward told Betsy Russell of the Spokane Spokesman-Review Monday. Um, no. On the April 30 edition of “Idaho Reports,” Ward couldn’t have been much clearer. After Eagle state Rep. Raul Labrador advocated the repeal of the 17th Amendment, Ward joined in assent, saying the amendment represented a step in the erosion of states’ rights/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: Does it bother you when a politician obviously flipflops? Or do you consider it to be politics as usual, and don’t hold it against him?

AM Headlines — 5.13.10

Idaho Public TV provides a photo of the scene prior to the debate between Raul Labrador and Vaughn Ward Tuesday night in Boise.

Arizona Limits School Ethnics Studies

Fresh on the heels of a new immigration law that has led to calls to boycott her state, Arizona’s governor has signed a bill banning ethnic studies classes that “promote resentment” of other racial groups. Gov. Jan Brewer approved the measure without public statement Tuesday, according to state legislative records. The new law forbids elementary or secondary schools to teach classes that are “designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic group” and advocate “the overthrow of the United States government” or “resentment toward a race or class of people.” The bill was pushed by state school Superintendent Tom Horne, who has spent two years trying to get Tucson schools to drop a Mexican-American studies program he said teaches Latino students they are an oppressed minority/CNN. More here. (AP Photo: Immigration rights demonstrators in Los Angeles protest Arizona’s new immigration law last week)

Question: Do you support or oppose a boycott of Arizona as a result of steps its taken re: immigration and ethnic studies?

MM: Facebook Just A Passing Fad

Moscow Minidoka: Here’s a comparison for you: Facebook is like “fellowship hour” after church. Everyone is polite, you avoid controversial topics, and you try not to fall asleep while Mr. Johnson tells you about the new fence he’s putting up this summer. But HBO is like a Saturday night BBQ where alcohol is served - everyone gets a bit loose, some people are funny, some people are annoying, some people embarrass themselves. I’d rather be at the party and leave fellowship hour to those who prefer not to step on toes (or to have their toes stepped on). …  it’s fun and new for about a year. Then it’s just as boring and annoying as email, and you’ll start to wonder why you found it so neat when you first created your account.

Question: I’ve wondered the same thing that MM brought up here — that Facebook will lose altitude and go the way of e-mail. What do you think?

Kagan Gay Because She Played Softball?

A photo on the front page of Tuesday’s The Wall Street Journal featured a 17-year-old photo of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan playing softball. Gay activists say it is a blatant attempt to paint Kagan as a lesbian. The Journal says that is nonsense. Fox News held a debate on the issue. Incidentally, The Wall Street Journal and Fox News are both owned by Rupert Murdoch/Idaho Conservative Blogger. More here, including video discussion. (Wall Street Journal photo)

Question: Seriously? A woman might be a lesbian because she played softball? Do you see anything more in this photo than an athletic woman?

Hayden Meadows Protest Escalating

Item: Stakes rising in International Baccalaureate fight: Deputies called to keep an eye on program protest/Maureen Dolan, Coeur d’Alene Press

More Info: Public controversy regarding the International Baccalaureate Organization’s Primary Years Programme at Hayden Meadows Elementary School spilled into the street this week. Kootenai County Sheriff’s Lt. Stu Miller said his department responded Friday and Monday to a request from people at the Hayden Avenue school asking officers to do some extra patrolling in the area because there were people protesting the school’s IB program.

Question: What do you think the children at Hayden Meadows think of all this?

Ramirez: Free To Harass

Michael Ramirez/Investor’s Business Daily

LaRocco: Incumbents Beware In 2010

“This is tapping into middle America,” (former Idaho Congressman Larry) LaRocco told Politico. “I think this is more of a toxic atmosphere.” But this time, LaRocco doesn’t foresee a rout of Democrats and a big win for Republicans like in 1994. “The voter anger is equally divided between Republicans and Democrats – we’re seeing that in some of these primaries,” he said. “It’s really anti-incumbent, quite frankly”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Question: Which state and local incumbents do you consider most vulnerable in the 2010 primaries/general election?

Parting Shot — 5.12.10

School children get a close-up look at the Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton known as Sue on display at Chicago’s Field Museum Wednesday in Chicago. The skeleton was being cleaned Wednesday in anticipation of her 10th anniversary at the museum. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)

Hump Day Wild Card — 5.12.10

Can it be that there are less than two weeks until the 2010 primaries? I’ve made up my mind on a number of races. But not on all of them. Until recently, I was hardly focused on the Idaho Supreme Court race, which will be decided during the primaries. I can’t believe that the race between Kathy Sims and Paula Marano has gotten so little attention in House District 1. Sims has some big-time baggage with her campaign finance problems of the recent past. But she also has an R after her name, which plays big in Kootenai County. Use this Wild Card to discuss races in which you are undecided or to launch a thread on any topic …

JeanC: Can’t Even Give My Blood Away

Got deferred again thanks to a fast pulse, even tho I gave them the note from my doc saying that there is no problem. So now I wait for them to give the note from my doc to their doc and have him call me so I can tell him my pulse is fast because I am terrified of needles. Giving blood shouldn’t be this damned difficult! I can tell you that my pulse rate when I first donated way back when would have been a LOT higher then it was today. Heck, I was in and out in less then 10 minutes once they hooked me up. The guy who had gone in before me was still there when I filled my first pint and left/Jean C’s Cat House & Shooting Gallery. More here.

Question: When did you last give blood? Do you give blood often? Have you ever been rejected as you tried to give blood?

PM Headlines: Heroes Among Us

On this Mother’s Day morning, Kerri Thoreson/More Main Street snapped this photo. Posts Kerri: ”I’m humbled by the resilience and faith of Cyndie Johnson. On Saturday Cyndie and her daughter, Aubree Johnson Chesnut were among the participants in the 2nd Annual Jordan Johnson Memorial Run to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County. Cyndie has not just endured but triumphed over tragedy that could have sent any mother to the depths. Her athletic 15-year-old son, Jordan died unexpectedly in his sleep from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (an enlarged heart)in November 2006. Five months later a drunk driver hit the motorcycle Cyndie and her husband, Tom were riding, killing Tom and seriously injuring Cyndie. More here.

Question: I appreciate Kerri’s post, including the title. We have a warped view of what makes a hero — a decent athlete, singer, or politician. True heroes are individuals like these two women who are able to continue on, after life has thrown its worst at them. Who do you consider a hero, along this vein?

APhoto Of The Day — 5.12.10

A pair of barn owls hang out in the rafters of a hay barn south of Dixon Calif. on Monday. You write the cutline. (AP Photo/The Reporter, Rick Roach)

Top Cutlines

  • 1. Rufus and Leroy never could quite get the hang of that old Abbott and Costello routine: “Who’s on first?” “Who?” “Who.” “Who?” “Who.” “Who?” “Who. “Who?” “Who” — Idaho Dad.
  • 2. Which leaves us to ponder, where did Barn Owls snooze before there were barns? — Gary D. Rhodes.
  • 3. Farmer Brown boasts, “In my barn there’s a pair of the nicest hooters you’ve ever seen!” — Hereford.
  • HM: JeanieS

Scanner Traffic PM — 5.12.10

  • 5:44 p.m. Spikes were found embedded in pavement east of Sunrise, off Hanley.
  • 5:31 p.m A vehicle hit a child @ Ferry Landing & Tubsgate/Post Falls.
  • 5:26 p.m. Driver of a maroon Toyota 4Runner w/Montana plates left Holiday station on Haycraft w/o paying for gas.
  • 4:56 p.m. Caller reports that males in an e/b Ford in the I-90 construction zone/Post Falls may be smoking crack.
  • 4:33 p.m. A n/b green VW Jetta is broken down in the lane of traffic in front of the Ramsey Road transfer station.
  • 4:24 p.m. Neil has questions re: his neighbor shooting guns in the Hayden area.
  • 4:09 p.m. Caller reports that 2 males & 2 females are playing paintball in the field near Dairy Queen — and shot at him.
  • 4:04 p.m. Caller reports that occupants of a small passenger car throw things at him before stopping in Independence Point lot.
  • More below

AJM: Mother Runners & Guilt

I think the older I get the more of a sap I am.  Maybe it’s because there are many days that I am training, and have a twinge of guilt in me about time away from my family.  I know that every Mom needs her time, and it is a good and healthy thing to do for yourself, but my time away some days seems excessive.  My Fridays and Saturdays, are no less than 5-6 hour training days.  That’s a lot.  When other Mom’s are hangin’ out, playing with their kids on the weekend, I am on a bike for 5 hours.  Or running for hours.  Guilt/Paula, Adventure Junkie Mom. More here.

Question: Adventure Junkie Mom, from Coeur d’Alene, is the newest member of the HBO Blogosphere. I’ve linked to her before. But haven’t highlighted a post until now. Do you mothers out there have to deal w/guilt when you take time to pursue something for yourself?

Hummers Return To Priest Lake

At As The Lake Churns, Pecky documents that the hummingbirds have returned to Spirit Lake. She e-mails: “Staring at me thorugh window at Elkins Resort/ Priest Lake.. well - I least I think he was. Welcome back, humms.

Huckleberries Hears …

… that the flap over the International Baccalaureate program is getting real nasty in the Hayden Meadows area. As reported on Scanner Traffic here, parents have called in to complain about anti-AB protesters handing out literature at the entrance to the school after children are let out. Now, your Huckleberry Hound hears that parents, especially those involved in the PTO program, are being labeled as “communists” and other similar names for supporting the IB program and that school officials are fielding calls from concerned parents who are worried that the school isn’t saying the pledge of allegiance in the mornings. Some anti-IB parents have even pulled their children from the school in protest to the IB program, as a result of its connection to the United Nations and UNESCO. Weird stuff.

Fort Boise: Is This The Best R’s Have?

The two Republican candidates for the Idaho 1st congressional district dropped the gloves in tonight’s debate broadcast on public TV and more than anything else, I was left wondering are these really the best two candidates the party could come up with? I guess that would explain why Greg Smith’s poll shows 50% support for Democrat Walt Minnick’s re-election, and only 20% for “the Republican candidate,” in a state where most voters don’t need to see anything other than the “R”/Tom von Alten, Fort Boise. More here.

Question: Who would you rather see run as a Republican for the 1st Congressional District seat held by Democrat Walt Minnick?

Cruising Lake Coeur d’Alene

From Get Out! North Idaho Facebook: “Seeweewana & Dancewana cruiseboats, Lake Cd’A, 1950s. The Seeweewana is now sunk and the Dancewana was sold to Hagadone in the 80’s and renamed the “Coeur d’Alene” (wow Duane, that’s creative) and is still in use.”

Question: Do you rmember the old Seeweewana & Dancewana (nee “Coeur d’Alene” cruiseboats? When did you last ride on one of Duane Hagadone’s cruise boats?

Blog: M’s Dis Griffey-Sleep Reporter

Twenty-two years into the Mariners beat, things have gotten a little difficult for News Tribune reporter Larry LaRue. It was LaRue who reported on Monday that Mariner Ken Griffey Jr. was snoozing during Saturday’s game against the Angels, spawning nationwide coverage and local disappointment in one of the team’s most promising players. And a case of the cold shoulder. After a players-only meeting Tuesday, Mariners players refused to talk to LaRue, with pitcher Cliff Lee going as far as to interrupt a news conference until LaRue left the room, ESPN and other media have reported/Monica Guzman, Seattle P-I Blogs. More here. And LaRue’s story today here.

Question: Do you think more or less of the Mariners for giving the cold shoulder to the Tacoma News-Tribune reporter who reported that Ken Griffey Jr. was recently sleeping in the clubhouse while the team needed a pinchhitter?

NW: We Need Wolves To Be Wolves

The fear among many hunters is that the few well documented declines in elk numbers reported here and there will become the norm everywhere unless wolves are actively controlled. There is good reason to believe this will not be the case. It’s important to point out that the vast majority of elk herds are holding their own in spite of the presence of wolves. Indeed, many elk hunting units in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming have populations that are at and/or above agency objectives despite the presence of wolves and other predators.  But there is no doubt that wolves can affect prey numbers and occasionally cause them to decline. But that is a good thing/Greg Wuerthner, New West. More here.

Question (for wolf opponents): Have you taken time to consider opposing points of views like this provided by Greg Wuerthner, that wolves may be bringing balance to the ecosystem?

Bob Wire: Texting Leads To Duncery

The wildfire popularity of texting and tweeting is shoving a whole generation of telecommunications lemmings off the cliff of basic knowledge, to perish below on the sharp rocks of sloth and ignorance. I read a lot, and I write a lot. I’ve come to understand the rules of language, grammar, punctuation and spelling. And I break those rules constantly. But at least I know they’re there. Notice I didn’t say “their they’re” or “their there?” That’s what I’m talking about. If you want to see evidence that our society is quickly sliding into the abyss of boneheaded duncery and moronic disregard for the basic rules of English, take a look at Facebook or craigslist/Bob Wire, New West. More here.

Question: Do you agree w/New West columnist Bob Wire that texting, Facebook, Craigslist, etc., have made us a nation of morons?

HBO’s Best If INW — 5.12.10

A Fisherman tests his luck while attempting to catch spring Chinook salmon from the mossy bank of the North Umpqua River near Glide, Ore., on Tuesday. (Credit Image: © Robin Loznak/robinloznak.com)

Why Ask Why? Mr. Ladybug?

On Facebook, JeanieS asks one of those questions that I’ve never stopped to ponder: “Just took a Ladybug outside where she belonged and it made me ponder, since I refer to Ladybugs as ‘she,’ is there a ‘he’ and if so, does he have an image conflict being called a Lady. And if there is no ‘he’ then how do all the she’s get created?”

Question: There must be “he” ladybugs, right? Any idea what you’d call him?

Labrador-Ward Debate …

Moderator Thanh Tan with the 1st CD Debate Panel (L-R): Dan Popkey of the Idaho Statesman, John Miller of the Associated Press and Betsy Russell of the Spokesman-Review

Video Link: You can see the 1st Congressional District debate b/n Raul Labrador & Vaughn Ward yourself by clicking on the following link from Idaho Public TV here.

AM Scanner Traffic — 5.12.10

  • Noon: Caller reports that 5 vehicles w/o permits are parked illegally @ Military & River/Fortgrounds.
  • 11:53 a.m. A teacher at the Cottage Child Care & Learning Center, 737 Thornton/Post Falls, is suffering an asthma attack.
  • 11:51 a.m. Lucille reports a rabbit problem.
  • 11:37 a.m. Post Falls 911 has received 3 calls from someone @ Qemiln Park who dials the number and then hangs up. A dispatcher heard someone say, “negative.”
  • 11:36 a.m. Sean on Cloverleaf wants to report a check scam.
  • 10:58 a.m. A small silver vehicle with occupant has broken down on I-90 @ M/P 3, b/n Pleasantview & Spokane/Post Falls.
  • 10:51 a.m. A resident wants advice re: how to deal with feral cats.
  • 10:44 a.m. Joe reports two Schitzus, one black and one gray, are loose on W. Miles/Hayden.
  • 10:34 a.m. An 83YO male slipped and was knocked unconscious by Baskin-Robbins on Appleway.
  • 9:34 a.m. A silent alarm has sounded at Idaho Independent Bank in Riverstone. (Update: Alarm accidentally set off.)
  • 9:17 a.m. Caller has questions re: towing a boat and a trailer w/o lights.
  • 8:43 a.m. Caller reports that a male in a parked green van is checking out children @ 21st & Sherman.
  • 8:32 a.m. Repairmen are trying to restore phone service in the Spirit Lake/Twin Lakes area by noon.
  • 8:31 a.m. A cow is standing in the middle of Hayden Avenue @ Idaho/Post Falls.
  • 8:19 a.m. A powerline is down @ 1524 E. Nettleton Gulch.
  • 8:11 a.m. A possible stroke is reported at solid-waste station @ Prairie & Meyer/Rathdrum.

HucksOnline In Transition?

A couple of regular — and valued — commenters have expressed concern that the Huckleberries Online brand has been diluted by the addition of Twitter and Facebook to my bag of tricks. They’re concerned that the fare that made Huckleberries a success in its six-plus years will be diluted by the new online fare. I don’t think so. Nor do the individuals with whom I’ve discussed this on my Facebook page. The two new cyber tools have complemented what I do here. Twitter has proven valuable by enabling me to share good links here with a broad range of newsmakers and news organization that might not otherwise check in here. And vice versa. Facebook has restored a social element to this page that has been lacking for awhile. This page has been leaning too far to the political and attracting heated exchanges among a small number of individuals that have chased some regulars to the sidelines. I’ve dropped The Political Sandbox wild card which encouraged those flame exchanges. State and local politics will always be a key element of what we do here. But I will ratchet back on the national stuff that brings out the worst in some. I’m always experimenting with this blog, changing the types of things I post and the weight I give local bloggers and commenters. Twitter and Facebook, I believe, has helped me improve the mix/DFO.

Question: Do you view my move into Twitter and Facebook as a positive or negative for HucksOnline?

Poll: 31% Want A Third Party

Item: WSJ/NBC Poll: Does the two-party system work?/Susan Davis, Wall Street Journal (retweeted by Sam)

More here: Nearly one in three, 31%, said the two-party system is broken and that a third party would be good for the country. It’s the highest mark for that question, which has been asked in 2007, 1997, and 1995 (with 29%, 28% and 27% respectively). A majority of Americans, 52%, still believe the two-party system with Democrats and Republicans is still the best way to go, even if they acknowledge it has its faults.

Question: Would you be interested in a third-party alternative to Democrats and Republicans? What values would you like to see that third-party hold?

Bike-To-Work Week Starts Monday

On Facebook, Coeur d’Alene Ped Bike points out that the local Bike-to-Work Week starts Monday, adding: “So dust off your bikes.” Do you plan to participate in Bike-to-Work Week? Or do you already bike to work?

HBO Poll: We Belong To Civic Clubs

  • Tuesday Poll: By the slimmest of margins, a majority of you Berry Pickers are members of the chamber of commerce or some other civic organization. 56 of 111 respondents (50%) said you were members of a civic group, while 55 of 111 respondents (50%) said you don’t belong to the chamber or a civic club.
  • Todays Question (in lefthand rail): Who won the 1st Congressional District debate last night — Raul Labrador or Vaughn Ward?

Griffey Sleeping His Way To Retirement?

Seattle Mariners’ Ken Griffey Jr. flies out to end the baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in the ninth inning Thursday in an 8-0 loss to the Rays in Seattle. Seattle P-I columnist Art Thiel discusses a recent incident in which Griffey was in the clubhouse asleep late in a game when he was needed to pinchhit — and suggests that it’s time that Junior retires. Column here. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Question: Have you ever fallen asleep at work?

Idaho Dad: I Got Sugar-Coated History

Idaho Dad (who’s a home-schooler): When I was a kid, we learned plenty about the founders, most of it false or candy-coated (never once heard about slavery until the Civil War units). What I was never taught in school was anything about the millions of people who were already in North and South America before Europeans arrived. Imagine my surprise when I got to college and learned that the white man wasn’t the grand and noble explorer he had been made out to be. I teach my own kids that, while this country and its history is great, it’s far from perfect. Really really far. We don’t actually have that much to crow about. More here.

Question: Do you consider the history that you were taught in elementary and high school to be an accurate reflection of what really went on in this country?

Bent Grabs BBQ Blue Ribbon

Kerri Thoreson/More Main Street photos: If you drove by Tim’s Custom Meats on Government Way last Saturday, you might have noticed a parking lot full of bbq grills and no small amount of smoke. The Pacific Northwest BBQ Association is holding classes to certify judges for upcoming competitions in the region. It also gives grillers the opportunity to hone their skills and learn the ins and outs of competing. Jeff Selle of Post Falls, along with his dad, Dave, and brother, Rob cleaned up … between them taking home several ribbons, including Jeff’s Grand Champion trophy. On Sunday, the Selles’ Rub ‘em Raw team served up a bbq dinner for about thirty friends and family at Q’emiln Park. More here.

Question: How often do you barbecue during good weather? 

Women’s Store Offers 2nd-Hand Garb

Last week we chose to bring you news of new places to eat in Kootenai County rather than new businesses that especially offer women’s items. But perhaps the better choice would have been to make last Sunday’s new business items be the women’s stores. That might have helped solve the Mother’s Day gift quandary. One new option is Dazzle, a quality resale fashions store in Hayden Creek Plaza at 8134 Government Way. Opening in late April, Dazzle offers clothes, shoes, handbags, jewelry, fashion accessories and small home décor items. “We offer women the chance to turn cluttered closets into cash by consigning items they no longer wish to wear or possibly have never worn at all,” said Dwight Lucky, who owns the store with his wife Tara/Nils Rosdahl. Complete Nils column here.

Question: How often do you buy second hand?

AM Headlines: Labrador, Ward Debate

There were some tense moments, a whole lot of lively debate, and even a few moments of agreement - very few - as 1st Congressional District GOP candidates Raul Labrador and Vaughn Ward faced off in a live debate last night. Betsy Russell’s Eye On Boise report here and here. 

M-JD: Hayden School Not Gone To Dogs

MamaJD (re: Patrons oppose International Baccalaureat program): I agree with Don: I think the USA is a pretty great country, too. BUT — I’m not angered to the point of action & protest over the fact that the United Nations is operating somewhere in the world. I don’t believe that Hayden Meadows is ground zero of indoctrination for a New World order. So I’m not frothing at the mouth over the UN but that shouldn’t equate to a one way ticket to live somewhere else, should it? And PS — the Pledge of Allegiance is still stated on a daily basis, the constitution is still studied, and kids at Hayden Meadows love their country.

Question: Do you think our schools do enough to teach American history and/or patriotism? 

Tater: Add Salt Grain To Smith Poll

Out-of-Stater Tater (re: poll that shows Ward leading Labrador 2-to1): Take this poll with a healthy dose of salt, not just a grain. Greg Smith does this frequently during election years. He commissions a poll out of his own pocket, shops the results around, hoping media outlets will bite. The resulting news story generates publicity for “Greg Smith & Associates,” which he then uses to drum up some more business. Greg has to do this because he doesn’t get much repeat business. An example of why - you all remember Matt Salisbury? Nice guy. He had Greg do a poll for the ‘08 primary between himself and Bill Sali. Four days before the primary, Salisbury’s campaign staff was running to and fro telling everyone “We just got poll results that show us trailing Sali by only 3 points!” Salisbury lost by 20.

Question: How much stock do you put in political polls?

Digger: Labrador Honest, Ward Snake

Digger: Having watched the debate I have to say that Vaughn Ward is a snake. He’s a groomed, talking point, rethoric spewing politician. He says he hates politicians and is going to change the status quo becuase hes not status quo - but he speaks to us in soundbytes and with buzzwords.  Raul Labrador seems downhome and honest. You don’t feel like you’re being talked down to like with Ward. He is well spoken and easy to relate to. He dosen’t speak in buzzwords and seems to hold true to his convictions. I would really encourage everyone to go watch this debate before you vote on May 25.

DFO: Digger did a superb job of breaking down the debate last night. Check out this thread.

Question: If you saw the debate, feel free to post your thoughts here?

Heller: Failures Welcome

Joe Heller/Hellertoons

Running I-90 Road Work Gauntlet

As you readers know, I drove through the road construction on Interstate 90, beginning at Spokane Street, within minutes after it started last week (about 8:30 last Tuesday morning). And then drove through the area the next day (around 9). I didn’t have any trouble with delays, other than the 45 mph speed limit imposed for the next 5 miles. However, I’ve heard that a lot of motorists are getting caught in bottlenecks through the construction zone. How about you?

  • DFO: I’m re-posting this at the top of the thread to hear your horror stories. Already have a coupla good ones in the thread.

Question: What has been your experience traveling through the I-90 construction zone, from Spokane Street to the stateline?

P.S. If Only Staci Had Some Ideas …

At the Kootenai MPO blog, Staci Lehman explains that the items above are lights taken out of signals when Olympia, Wash., switched to LED signals. A friend of hers picked them up for $1 apiece. And now Staci wants to know what to do with them. She’s even running a little contest for suggestions. You can read all about it here.

Wild Card/Tuesday — 5.11.10

I’m only going to post one Wild Card today. Seems that The Political Sandbox gets most of the wild card posts, while the regular one is largely ignored. So I’ll use this one for both for a couple of days, to see how things go. As usual, you can start any type of thread by using this wild card …

Now Jones Won’t Debate Bradbury

Idaho Supreme Court Justice Jim Jones has reversed course and decided not to debate Judge John Bradbury over some of Bradbury’s campaign talking points.  Jones had given Bradbury three possible dates for a debate in Boise after Bradbury said he’d meet Jones for a debate “anytime, anywhere” in a Twin Falls Times-News story. Now, Jones said that because of plenty of opposition to Bradbury’s campaign, a debate is no longer needed.  “A Jones-Bradbury debate would serve no purpose at this point and merely distract from an important Supreme Court contest,” Jones told reporters in an email/Brad Iverson-Long, Idaho Reporter. More here.

DFO: I tip my hat to Judge John Bradbury for making the Idaho Supreme Court justices squirm, if for no other reason.

Question: Do you honestly believe that Justice Jones pulled out for the reason he stated (there’s a lot of opposition to Bradbury’s campaign) or because some operative got to him and explained that a debate would help the maverick judge gain more attention?

PM: Glacier @ 100 — 5.11.10

Children stand on a dock at Lake McDonald at Glacier National Park in Montana on Tuesday. The million-acre park celebrates it’s 100 year anniversary Tuesday. But many of its glaciers have melted, and scientists predict the rest may not last another decade. The forests are drier and disease-ridden, leading to bigger wildfires. Climate change is forcing animals that feed off plants to adapt. Associated Press story here. (AP Photo/Mike Albans)

APhoto Of The Day — 5.11.10

An 8-year-old female Dalmatian named Tiara sits on the back of a horse in Obihiro, Japan. You write the cutline. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)

Top Cutlines:

  • 1. Erica Curless shows off the clients of her Dog and Pony Show Business….to let everyone know she is back to work, after giving birth to her daughter Quinn — Cis.
  • 2. Grizelda, the mare, thinks how ironic it is, after winning the Most Beautiful Horse Derby, that her Tiara is a Dog — JeanieS.
  • 3. A dog is spotted, sadly, as it rides the backup pumper truck to the fire — Arch Druid
  • HM: Arch Druid

Poll: Ward 2-to-1, 50% Undecided

Eagle, Idaho pollster Greg Smith says he’s done a poll in the 1st Congressional District GOP primary race that finds 50 percent of voters undecided, just weeks before the May 25 primary election. Smith said his poll of 400 voters in the 1st CD showed 34 percent support Vaughn Ward in the GOP primary, 16 percent favor Raul Labrador, and 50 percent were “undecided/don’t know/refused/other.” Smith said the same poll showed, for the general election, incumbent Democratic Congressman Walt Minnick as the favored candidate for 50 percent of respondents, with just 20 percent choosing “the Republican candidate” instead/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Question: What do the results of this poll say to you?

Debate: Labrador Vs. Ward Tonight

The forum is likely to become contentious as each man tries to convince voters that he is the right choice for Idaho’s 1st Congressional District.  Both men continue to spar over illegal immigration, an issue which, despite high unemployment, two wars currently in progress, and a ballooning national debt, has become the pivotal issue of the race.  One week ago, Labrador, an immigration attorney, called on Obama to send military troops to the southern border of the U.S. to stop the inflow of illegal immigrants.  Labrador also claimed that because of his work as an immigration attorney, he is an expert on the matter and someone who will take the knowledge to Washington, D.C., to solve the country’s immigration woes/Dustin Hurst, Idaho Reporter. More here.

Scanner Traffic/PM — 5.11.10

  • 5:08 p.m. Mt. Carroll resident reports his neighbor has been beating a tired horse for an hour.
  • 5:02 p.m. 2 teen boys are causing traffic to swerve around them as they pretend to do CPR on each other @ McGuire & Howell/Post Falls.
  • 4:48 p.m. A trespasser is reported @ 2nd & Anton/CdA.
  • 4:35 p.m. 2 men w/wheel barrels are stealing rock near the water tower in Post Falls.
  • 4:27 p.m. Caller reports to males on dirt bikes have caused a safety hazard by jumping H54 at Howard for the last two days.
  • 4:06 p.m. Caller reports she has two boys contained after she caught them looking in the door of a vacant house next door.
  • 4:01 p.m. Father on Strahorn, near Hayden Country Club course, reports a male in a white Cadillac offered to give his 10YO daughter a ride and then drove off.
  • More below

A Note From Greece

No Plato here, nor
Socrates;
send lots of money
quickly, please.

The Bard of Sherman Avenue

Protecting Your Facebook Privacy

DOTC: Absentee Balloting Has Begun

Dan of the County: Yes, absentee voting has started at the elections office, 1808 3rd street, or a request by mail. We will also be open this Saturday only for absentee voting at the elections office from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Voting — it’s not just on Election Day Anymore! Questions or More Information = 446-1030.

Question: Dan, have you asked the broad-minded OpenCDA.com blogmeisters for permission to open the absentee balloting this early? I know, I know, state law says you can. But, according to Bill, Secretary of State Ben Ysursa is in cahoots with Kootenai County to disenfranchise voters and throw elections. Just asking.

Glacier Park Turns 100 Amid Fanfare

It was the most personal of official events. Around 600 people gathered under a big tent in West Glacier this morning to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Glacier National Park. There were officials a-plenty - Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright, as well as retired park superintendents and employees; Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger; and tribal representatives from the Blackfeet and Flathead reservations. But the “wherefores” and “whereases” were interspersed with people’s own memories of the park, with one person after another reminiscing about coming to Glacier with his or her own parents, and then returning with children of their own/Michael Jamison, Missoulian. More here.

  •  AP/Daily Inter Lake File Photo: Karen Nichols: Jon Crandall of Coram, Mont., paddles his canoe across Lake McDonald

Question: Which attraction at Glacier National Park is your favorite?

Sioux City Built On Rock ‘n Roll?

By gathering notable townsfolk for this Up With People-esque extravaganza (and by not paying any attention to Starship’s lyrics), Sioux City’s promo video has now supplanted Cleveland’s as the most unintentionally hilarious instance of civic self-love.

Question: A Berry Picker e-mailed this self-promotion video by Sioux City w/the note: “This is so bad, it’s actually funny.” Can you picture Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, or Sandpoint doing something like Sioux City did in the video below.

Lights Out @ Intersections, K-Mart

CdA newsroom colleague Renee Elliott just told me that K-Mart is turning away customers this afternoon b/c the power is out for the second time today. Meanwhile, Hawksgrl posted on Twitter that the power is out at Numerica’s Coeur d’Alene store. As you know by following Scanner Traffic, power outages have knocked out stoplights at different times from Appleway to Kathleen and along Ramsey Road.

Question: Anyone out there experienced a power outage at home, work, shopping today?

Washingtonian Faces Goat-Love Count

The Whatcom County sheriff’s office says a 27-year-old Ferndale man was arrested last week for investigation of bestiality after a family member accused him of sexually abusing a goat. GMI reports the Whatcom Humane Society took custody of the goat. In another bestiality case, Sheriff Bill Elfo says detectives continue to investigate an animal sex operation that was busted last month near Sumas. Elfo told The Bellingham Herald charges are possible against Douglas Spink who was arrested April 14 and held on suspicion of violating a drug probation. A British man was arrested for investigation of animal cruelty after agents found a video of him with a dog/Associated Press. More here.

Question: First Enumclaw, now Ferndale and Sumas, what is it with the state of Washington and bestiality?   ;-)

INW Noon Headlines — 5.11.10

A future cowboy gets a roping lesson during branding at the Flying A Ranch north of Havre, Mont. (AP Photo/Havre Daily News, Alice Campbell)

Patrons Oppose Baccalaureate Program

Nick Adams: The Maureen Dolan story in the Press about the opposition to the International Baccalaureate program in the CDA schools is pretty interesting reading. I’ll admit that I’m not familiar with the program and had no idea that some folks view it as an “indoctrination” program (evil UN ties). Is it not an elective/voluntary program? If so, I just don’t see the problem if some students want to take part in more globally-based curriculum—especially at the high school level. It also sounded like several of the folks there don’t actually have kids in the schools currently.

Question: Patrons voiced concern that the International Baccalaureate program is associated w/the United Nations and UNESCO and “indoctrination that promote anti-American principles and socialist theories, including global warming and redistribution of wealth and resources through community activism.” What do you make of those concerns?

Hi-Noon: Unforgettable Juan Of Mexico

Mike Kennedy: I learned to toss and throw a pizza in the air with the best of them. The main cook was a guy named Juan from Mexico whom I don’t think would pass any “e-verify” checks in today’s environment. Heck of a good guy, but he was like the wind. He’d leave to go visit his family for a while, and the owner wouldn’t ever quite know when he’d be back, so scheduling was, creative. Then he’d show up and we’d stumble along in my high school spanish. I thought we should do a sitcom on the characters that came through there, starting and ending with the New-York native owners (one of whom was a Southwest pilot who would bring flight attendants in to impress them - that never worked). Good times.

Question: Can you think of an unforgettable person that you worked with during your high school or college days or early work career?

Hosack To Hear Brannon Motions Friday

Councilman Mike Kennedy tells HucksOnline that Judge Chuck Hosack has set 3 p.m. Friday as the date to heard a number of motions in Jim Brannon’s lawsuit, including: Brannon’s motion to reconsider dismissal of the city, motion for permissive appeal of dismissal of city, motion to strike affidavits of defendant Kennedy,  McCrory’s motion to intervene and defendant Kennedy’s motion to dismiss. Kennedy said he doesn’t know which courtroom will be used.

DFO: Sometimes, I get surprised that this silly suit — and I, indeed, believe it has next to no substance — is still in play, until I hear of another court date involving it.

Scanner Traffic/AM — 5.11.10

  • Noonish: Street lights not working @ Ramsey & Kathleen/CdA.
  • 11:55 a.m. Resident reports an over-abundance of cats at a Mount Carol/Dalton Gardens place.
  • 11:51 a.m. A beagle is missing from 1200 block of Garden/CdA.
  • 11:45 a.m. Darrell, at Lakeland School District, has info re: a driver who ignored a bus’s warning lights on the route today.
  • 11:35 a.m. Dean is in the PFPD Blue lobby to report internet fraud.
  • 10:49 a.m. Caller reports 3 males tried to break into a newspaper box @ 115 Anton/CdA. (Update: Men were legally trying to gain access to a water main.)
  • More below

HBO Poll: Berry Pickers Prefer Vito

  • Monday Poll: By a slight margin, Vito Barbieri is the pick of HucksOnline to win the House District 5 seat now held by retiring Rep. Jim Clark. Barbieri captured 36 of 138 votes (26.1%) to edge Hayden Councilwoman Jeri DeLange (34 of 138, for 24.6%). The rest of the votes were cast for Duane Rasmussen (25 of 138, 18.6%) and Fred Meckel (9 of 138, 6.5%). None of the above received 34 of 138 votes, 24.6%.
  • Today’s Question (in lefthand rail): Are you a member of the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce or another civic organization?

Post Falls Tourism: Osprey Are Nesting

From Post Falls Tourism, via Facebook: “Osprey are nesting in Post Falls now.”

Question (from Post Falls Tourism): Where are your favorite places to view osprey families?

Peterson: Otter Will Lose GOPrimary

Republican candidate for Idaho governor, Ron “Pete” Peterson, said he’s confident that Gov. Butch Otter will lose in the May 25 Republican primary, but unlike other aspirants for office, he doesn’t think he’ll be the one to take down the incumbent. He said he expects former elk rancher Rex Rammell of Idaho Falls or Ada County Commissioner Sharon Ullman to win the race. Peterson said he doesn’t want the state’s top political job, and has already endorsed an independent candidate in the race. Ousting Otter has been the focal point of Peterson’s campaign. His official website is BeatButch.com, where people can order bumper stickers, shirts, or underwear with the “Beat Butch” slogan/Brad Iverson-Long. More info.

Question: Will Rex Rammell break double digits, percentagewise, in his primary race against incumbent Butch Otter and others?

CdA chamber Seeks A Few, Good Biz

On Twitter, the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce just tweeted that its Spring Membership Blitz is under way through Friday. Quoth: ”If you know of any biz who is not a current Member, give Marilee a call @ 415-0111.” The Spokesman-Review, I believe, is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. I’ve been a member of only one civic organization in my 40 years in the news biz — the Kiwanis Club for a short time during my tenure as managing editor of the Kalispell Daily Inter Lake. I was forced to do so by management. I don’t think a journalist should be part of a civic organization b/c it might compromise his/her ability to report/edit tough stories possibly involving other individuals in the club. The only organization I have joined since coming to Coeur d’Alene is Leadership Coeur d’Alene, the first class in 1985.

Question: Are you a member of the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce a civic organization? And/Or: Should journalists be members of civic organizations?

Washington Tax Man Has A Sweet Tooth

Item: List reveals taxman’s discerning sweet tooth” Candy containing grain-based flour exempt/Jim Camden, Spin Control

  • A box of Good ‘n’ Plenty or a box of Mike and Ikes
  • A Milky Way bar or a 3 Musketeers bar
  • A Kit Kat or a Baby Ruth.

Question: Can you guess which of the candies above will be taxed by the state of Washington? Also, which candy bar is your favorite?

AM Headlines — 5.11.10

Daredevil Robbie Knievel, son of the late Evel Knievel, meets with media outlets to announce his plans to jump the Snake River Canyon _ a feat his father tried and failed at in 1974 _ on the Fourth of July weekend in 2011. Robbie Knievel has jumped across a 228-foot section of the Grand Canyon and over stationary objects like buses, but has never attempted to jump the Snake River Canyon. (AP Photo/The Times-News, Meagan Thompson)

Question: Would you like to see Robbie Knievel try to jump the Snake River?

Ward Now Sez No To Amendment Repeal

After a week and a half of heavy criticism on editorial pages around Idaho for the idea of repealing the 17th Amendment - direct election of U.S. senators - one of two GOP congressional candidates who backed the idea now says he never did. “I’m not changing the position, I’m clarifying, would be a better way to put that,” said Vaughn Ward, who is running in the hotly contested GOP primary for a chance to challenge 1st District Democratic Congressman Walt Minnick. “I do not want to take away the power of people to elect senators,” Ward said Monday. “What I do support is amending the Constitution and adding a two-term limit for U.S. senators”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Question: Do you think this is Ward’s final answer?

Kroc Center Observe 1st Anniversary

Item: Kroc Center celebrates one year: Cd’A facility is tops in the West with 20,500 members/Tom Hasslinger, Coeur d’Alene Press

More Info: Before it opened, it shot for around 2,000 members, keeping its fingers crossed for 5,000 at the one year mark. Today, it has 20,500 members, and has entertained around 630,000 visitors since May 11, 2009 - while staff has increased to 272 employees compared to around 70 when it opened.

Question: Are you a member of the Kroc Center? What would you tell someone who’s still upset by the process undertaken by Mayor Sandi Bloem and the city to build the Kroc Center?

Eric: WSU Fight Song No. 8 In USA

Melissa: Why Are People Mean Online?

“I’ve never been one who’s afraid of speaking his mind,” explains Rick Lloyd. Lloyd is our most frequent commenter. He’s added his opinion on kxly.com more than 300 times. He’s a news junkie and loves the debate. He says it helps people feel like they’re part of the news affecting our community. And, he acknowledges, sometimes it’s easier to be honest when people can’t see your face. But, he also sees the downside. “You can character assasinate a person or an issue at lightspeed. Anonymously. That is probably the biggest drawback of all,” says Lloyd. To Lloyd’s credit, he always posts his name. Which is why I was able to determine it was he who leveled that particularly scathing response to last week’s Good QuestionMelissa Luck, KXLY4. More here (w/video).

Question: Do you consider the debate here at Huckleberries Online to be informative or toxic? Please explain your answer.

Anderson: Diversity?

Nick Anderson/Houston Chronicle

Otis: How Pols Can Win My Vote

  • Website. And not just a “the system is broke, and I’s-a gonna fix it!” site, tell us specifically WHAT’S wrong with it, and specifically HOW you’re going to fix it.
  • Door hangers (or mailers). Fairly inexpensive, and a great way to direct potential voters to aforementioned site.
  • NO yard signs. Live in the now, people. And besides, many of them just end up as litter anyway… which REALLY turns me off. I mean… if you can’t even take a trip around town to clean up stray campaign signs, how can we expect that you’ll clean up anything else?
  • DO NOT call me. Ever.

Question: Can you add anything to Otis’s list re: steps a politican can take to win your vote?

P.S. Too Many Ohioans Losing Shirts

This screen grab taken today from the website of the Ohio Democratic Party shows part of a political ad that features male workers, and one woman wearing in a sports bra, who have “lost their shirts” in Ohio’s lousy economy. The ad was made in response to a sexually suggestive GOP ad that features an image of a shirtless Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher in a provocative pose. (AP Photo/Ohio Democratic Party)

Question: When it comes to campaign ads, shouldn’t the political parties agree to keep their shirts on? (Now where did I put that photo of Dirk Kempthorne emerging shirtless from Lake Pend Oreille at Sandpoint?)

Deanna: Currie’s Signs Keep Vanishing

Deanna Goodlander: I took a drive last week down towards Harrison. Interesting to note that Rick Currie’s signs seem to disappear faster than he can put them up and Jai Nelson signs appear in most of those same locations. Having experienced the disappearing sign sydrome myself, I have to say it is frustrating, expecially since it is too late to get more signs printed. It does not seem to bother the Labrador people to place their signs smack dab in front of the other signs that were there previously. Whatever happened to common courtesy and respect??????

Question: Are there any political yard signs in North Idaho that have caught your attention this year (not for pilfering purposes, of course, but rather for their appeal)?

PM: St.Vinny’s Services Expanding

In July 2009, St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho opened a one-stop shop for social services needed by poor and homeless people. The H.E.L.P. Center – Helping Empower Local People – houses 21 agencies on a staggered schedule in the city of Coeur d’Alene’s old library building 201 E. Harrison Ave. Since it opened, the number of people served monthly jumped from 534 to 1,281 in March/Alison Boggs, SR. More here. (SR Photo: Kathy Plonka)

APhoto Of The Day — 5.10.10

After taking off and donating their clothes, University of Texas students prepare for the AXE Undie Run Challenge near the University of Texas at Austin, Texas Friday. The AXE Undie Run Challenge travels to various universities across the nation to collect donated clothes for those in need. You write the cutline. (Erich Schlegel/AP Images for AXE)

Top Cutlines:

  • 1. These boots were made for Gawkin’! — Formerly Sandpoint.
  • 2. with the reflection off my brand new Tony Lama boots I can guess what color underwear you are wearing — CoeurGenX.
  • 3. Boots and bootie — Gary D. Rhodes.
  • HM: Charlie

Scanner Traffic/PM — 5.10.10

  • 5:53 p.m. Caller reports sighting a coyote near the back lot of Fred Meyer.
  • 5:33 p.m. S believes his ex-wife’s boyfriend is abusing his children.
  • 4:53 p.m. Timothy reports someone has stolen his ‘93 blue Olds that broke down @ H95 & Garwood. It was tagged this morning but not taken by the state patrol.
  • 4:46 p.m. Tamarack RV Park, 3630 Government Way, reports a trespasser on premises.
  • 4:26 p.m. A suicide attempt is reported in 2500 block of Sherman/CdA.
  • 3:59 p.m. 2 males in their late 20s are smearing mud on license plates of an old Pathfinder (unknown location).
  • 3:48 p.m. A 14YO boy w/long, brown hair and a red backpack refuses to stop riding his bike in the court yard of the Post Falls Library.
  • More below

Wild Card/Monday — 5.10.10

You’ll notice in the poll at the right that the question begins w/”how” instead of the proper “who.” I noticed that before posting and tried to change the mistake in the code before I clicked the “post” button. Apparently, the software ignored the change. And we’re stuck with the incorrect wording for the day. Then, it’s Monday. Diarrhea also happens. Now, for your Wild Card …

Trish: Out, Out, Damn Lawnmower

Mower won’t start, charge battery, install, mower starts, PTO (power take off) won’t engage, belt off. Put belt on, mow some tall grass, mower dies. Won’t start. Push to car, jump battery, PTO won’t engage, belt off. Put belt back on, start mower, mow some, disengage PTO, engage again, belt falls off. Turn off mower, put belt back on, mower won’t start. Push to car, jump start, mow some more, belt brakes”/Trish Gannon, via Facebook, re: struggle w/a under-performing mower.

Question: When is it time to take a faulty lawnmower to the dump?

The Way We Were: Fowler’s

On Facebook, OrangeTV/Get Out! North Idaho posts the photo above and this comment: “Fowler’s Cafe was owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Fowler and was located at the SE corner of 4th & Lakeside in Cd’A. It burned to the ground in the early 1970s.”
Question: Anyone remember Fowler’s?

Bill: Obama No Stranger To F-Bomb

I wasn’t surprised while reading a book on the last presidential election to learn that the three leading contenders - Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain - resorted in moments of anger and frustration to the use of the F-bomb. Politicians can be hot-headed in their language. Of course, most people resort to strong, heartfelt exclamations ranging from “Drat!” to hissy-fit outbursts of the coarsest kind when they hit their thumbs with a hammer or are infuriated by something. Few painkillers are as instantly effective as wallowing in the crude words once used mostly by sailors. But I was surprised how frequently in the book “Game Change” by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin the three major candidates chose the favorite Anglo-Saxon obscenity to alleviate their many moments of distress/Bill Hall, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Whose use of the F-bomb surprises you most — Barack Obama’s, Hillary Clinton’s, or John McCain’s?

Marty: High Court Botched School Suit

The (Idaho Supreme Court) has never insisted on a remedy, however. It’s the equivalent of having a judge rule that the other side was wrong in a personal injury lawsuit and then allow them to leave without cutting you a check. The attorney for those schools (in their long-standing lawsuit), former Justice Robert Huntley of Boise, says he was told that the case was “over” and that the court had no intention of moving ahead. Taking the case to the federal courts didn’t resolve the matter. Burdick says the case remains open. … But Huntley, who donated huge sums of money and time to this cause, has run out of both. So there it sits. Nearly two decades of court battles and a Supreme Court ruling that says the state constitution is being violated. Noble words. No deeds/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Do you agree w/Marty Trillhaase that Judge John Bradbury is right and Justice Roger Burdick is wrong re: how the Idaho Supreme Court handled the long-running schools lawsuit?

Trish: Odd Food Pairings Can Be Tasty

A few months back, Dustin and I were creating ham sandwiches for lunch when I bemoaned the fact we had no regular potato chips… because nothing tastes better than a ham sandwich crammed full of those crispy critters. It got us discussing the odd foods that can sometimes be paired together with surprisingly tasty results. I mentioned to Dustin how in our youth, my friends and I used to dump peanuts into our Coke. He was stunned. I thought everyone did that, but maybe it was just a southern thing. Then he mentioned one of his own favorites, dunking French fries into his Wendy’s Frosty. I was stunned. Yes, French fries with gravy, that I can understand, but in ice cream? Really?!/Trish Gannon (Politically Incorrect/River Journal). More here.

Question: Remember when Trish Gannon/River Journal asked Hucks Nation to provide some odd food pairings that various Hucksters found scrumptious? Well, she’s used some of your comments in a recent Politically Incorrect column here. Feel free to suggest other odd pairings of foods in the thread below.

Lebanese Chefs Break Hummus Mark

Lebanese chefs prepare a massive bowl of hummus, weighing 22,046 pounds or 10,452 kilograms the size of Lebanon in square kilometers, during a bid to break a record previously held by Israel and reclaim ownership over the popular Middle Eastern dish, in Fanar, east of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday. Some 300 Lebanese chefs prepared the huge hummus plate and doubled the record achieved by cooks in an Arab town near Jerusalem in January that weighed around four metric tons and broke a previous record held by Lebanon. A Guinness World Records adjudicator confirmed that Lebanon now holds the record. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Question: On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you like hummus?

Kathy: Exercise An Hour/Day? C’mon

Every now and then the health and nutrition experts come up with some new idea that makes you realize these guys aren’t nearly as boring as most scientists usually are. Not long ago, the experts told us that the amount of exercise needed for middle-aged women who wish to maintain their weight has been adjusted from 30 minutes three times a week to 60 minutes daily. Don’t bother getting out your calculators - that’s an hour of exercise every day. And it’s not geared to lose weight, but just to maintain what you already carry. These guys are regular comedians/Kathy Hedberg, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Do you have time — or the inclination — to exercise an hour a day — just for maintenance purposes?

Murf: Ban Dogs From Farmers Market

Moscow dog owners love their animals and seem to enjoy showing them off any chance they get. Some owners take their dogs, no matter how small or large, to public gatherings. This has become a bone of contention - no pun intended - with some attendees of the Moscow Farmers Market. Arguments against dogs at the market make sense, as did the banning of dogs at the recently held Moscow Renaissance Fair. There is little demonstrable benefit to taking dogs to an event attended by hundreds of people. Some people don’t like dogs and some are downright afraid of them. Those folks are entitled to the same market access as others and should reasonably expect not to be scared by an animal/Murf Raquet, Moscow-Pullman Daily News. More here.

Question: If you were ruler of the universe, would you ban dogs from public gatherings, like a farmers market, or 4th of July Parade, or Car d’Lane?

Inland Northwest Headlines — 5.10.10

“Not all wildlife viewing in North Idaho takes place in the wild,” posts KerriT/OnLocation North Idaho. “This neighborhood squirrel was thrilled with his tasty treasure.”

JBelle: Saying Goodbye To Beloved Pet

So we wait, Sylvie Ruth, Cleo, Red Dorothy and me, for P33t to get his call. He’s been called to go live with Santa and we are sitting with him until his time comes. We do not know why and how it was P33t who got poisoned but we know, absolutely, that the acute pain that life sometimes deals out is too, too hard. Too hard. The Chows are taking this somewhat better than me—they are completely settled that P33t will be with Uncle Bob but I cannot reconcile myself to P33t’s suffering and bewilderment as this deadly toxin has settled into him, gripping his kidneys and liver, refusing to give up even in the face of the best veterinary science has to offer. I can’t reconcile this surprise visit from fate or The Gods or whoever pulled P33t’s card up and put it on their desktop/JBelle, Notes from The ‘Kan EWA. More here.

DFO: Please join me in extending condolences to JBelle and her three surviving Chows.

Hi-Noon: Idaho Collegians Take Finals

On Twitter, entries from University of Idaho and Jamie Morgan, who has a daughter at North Idaho College, reports that finals have begun this week at those two institutions. I used to wait until the last minute to cram for finals or write papers that had been due all semester, with varying results of success. If I had extra time, I would write finals papers in English and literature for my roommates. For pay, of course. An “A” paper, I recall, was worth $25.

Question: Did you perform well under the pressure of finals week during your college days?

Idaho: Gem State Voter Guide Available

The 2010 version of the Gem State Voter Guide is now available to view online at www.GemStateVoterGuide.com. This is the sixth edition of the online publication which was first produced in 2006 and covers each Idaho election on both a state and federal level – excluding judicial races and superintendant of public instruction. Candidates throughout the state were asked 26 questions on subjects covering: Life, Marriage and Family; Education; Freedom and Liberty, Fiscal and Tax Policy as well as various other subjects. The Gem State Voter Guide is a joint project of the Idaho Chooses Life and the Idaho Freedom Foundation and is designed to serve both the voters and candidates in Idaho’s upcoming primary election/Jeff Anderson, Trish & Halli. More here.

Question: Would you look at the Gem State Voter Guide for guidance in choosing your candidates?

Scanner Traffic/AM — 5.10.10

  • 11:20 a.m. Hit-and-run accident reported @ 1131 Ocean/CdA.
  • 11:19 a.m. Business @ 217 Appleway reports an unwanted person is on premises.
  • 11:01 a.m. Driver of a red Dodge pulling a camper reports that an e/b Budget Rental truck side-swiped him and is all over the road @ I-90/MP 22 (Wolf Lodge area).
  • 10:41 a.m. An elderly female who has a history of mental problems is asking Sleepy Lane/CdA neighbors for food and money.
  • 10:23 a.m. An Acura Legend has been parked at Worley liquor store all weekend.
  • 10:05 a.m. Someone @ Downing & Honeysuckle/CdA has suffered a face injury.
  • 9:56 a.m. Les Schwab/CdA is helping a boater who is pulling a pontoon boat on a trailer w/a flat tire.
  • 9:44 a.m. Unconscious 15YO girl reported at Post Falls High.
  • 9:42 a.m. Caller reports that pickup driver involved in a minor crash @ H95 & Canfield drove off n/b on H95 and may be drunk.
  • 9:35 a.m. An unwanted person is reported on Taco Bell premises, Appleway.
  • 8:50 a.m. Kathleen reports that a male tried to run over her as she was trying to serve him legal paperwork.
  • 8:25 a.m. A female who lives at Ivy Court is having trouble breathing and wants police to contact county bailiff to say she’ll be late for court duty today.
  • 8:23 a.m. 7-11 clerk in Post Falls reports that a drunk man trying to use the store ATM caused problems before driving off.
  • 8:12 a.m. A maroon BMW has been left at Falls Park for two days.
  • 8:11 a.m. A vicious dog is loose again and fighting other dogs in front of the Worley Community Center.
  • 7:56 a.m. Someone is suffering an allergic reaction at the Post Falls Highway District.

Post Falls Priest Faces Misconduct Claim

The Catholic Church placed a priest in North Idaho on administrative leave after an allegation of sexual misconduct with a male under 18 dating back to 1981 in Idaho Falls. The Idaho Statesman reports the Rev. William R. Gould was placed on leave on May 4. Bishop Michael Driscoll made the announcement recently at St. George’s Catholic Church in Post Falls, which Gould has led. Gould was ordained in 1965. It’s not the first time he’s been placed on leave. The Diocese of Boise granted Gould’s request for leave in 2005 amid allegations of sexual misconduct, according to a Spokesman-Review article/Associated Press. More here.

Protesters Decry Farragut Bench Loss

A group of Farragut State Park visitors gathered at the boat launch over the weekend to protest the removal of a bench that has served some of them for decades as a resting place at the scenic spot.

4YO Girl Dies In Horrible Accident

A 4-year-old girl was killed in a horrible accident after she fell and was wedged between the tire and the mudflap of her father’s semi truck Sunday afternoon. EMTs responded to 5885 S. Wolf Lodge Creek Road at about 6 o’clock. They found that Steven Wilson had extricated his daughter, Julie, from under the truck.  Investigators decided that Julie had apparently climbed on the back of the semi-tractor, unknown to Steven, as he was leaving their residence to take the tractor to a shop for maintenance.  Somewhere during the seven-tenths of a mile trip, Julie fell and was caught between the tires and mud flap assembly.  When Steven arrived at the shop he found Julie wedged between the front set of dual wheels and the front mud flap. Julie was pronounced dead at the scene due to massive head trauma.  Sheriff’s investigators have determined that this is nothing greater than a tragic accident.

All Aboard For Her First Roundup

You’re simply not going to beat this photo for cute this week. I spotted it on Facebook. And asked my former SR buddy Erica Curless for permission to post it. That’s Erica’s daughter, Quinn, aboard her first horse. Erica, of course, runs a massage business for horses and dogs. (BTW, you should join my HucksOnline Facebook page, if you haven’t already.)

Question: When did you last ride a horse?

Rebuked Stivers Runs Stealth Race

Re: GOP asks Senate wannabe Stivers to quit/Huckleberries Online (April 7, 2010)

(A Berry Picker sent HucksOnline the following e-mail from Stivers to possible supporters:) “I’ve been running a stealth campaign to avoid the vultures. Last Friday night I surfaced at the Blanchard Grange Candidate’s Forum. It was a great event and I got to speak extensively on the state bank idea. It was well-received and well attended. I put the number at about 80. Recent info suggests that I still have a chance to get back into the race. Even though the Republican Party establishment and Bonner County Ron Paulers have been running over me with a steamroller, they still represent a tiny percentage of the voters/James Stivers, GOP candidate for Senate District 2 seat”/Stivers response to GOP allegations here. Stivers’ Web page here.

Question: Are you impressed that Stivers has ignored calls by GOP leaders in Benewah and Shoshone counties to quit his race against incumbent state Sen. Joyce Broadsword?

AM Headlines — 5.10.10

Former Gonzaga men’s basketball standout Ronny Turiaf acknowledges the audience and fellow members of the 2010 graduating class during commencement Sunday in Spokane. Turiaf, who is currently a member of the Golden State Warriors, received his degree in sports management. Shawn Vestal’s SR story here. (AP Photo/The Spokesman-Review, J. Bart Rayniak)

Dems: Ward Was A Dem Volunteer

Democratic leaders in Idaho and Virginia say Vaughn Ward, one of the candidates in the Republican primary for the 1st Congressional District, volunteered for Democratic elected officials.  Ward was an intern for former state lawmaker Jim Hansen, now the executive director of the Idaho Democratic Party, in either 1989 or 1990 while he was attending Boise State University (BSU), according to Hansen.  The Democratic Party of Virginia also has Ward on record as a campaign volunteer during the 2005 Virginia gubernatorial campaign of Tim Kaine, who now the head of the Democratic National Committee. Ward’s campaign manager, Ryan O’Barto, said Ward never backed Kaine’s campaign, and that his work as a college intern didn’t reflect his political ideology/Brad Iverson-Long, Idaho Reporter. More here.

Question: Game, set, match — to Raul Labrador?

The Political Sandbox — 5.10.10

President Barack Obama gives Solicitor General and Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan a kiss as Vice President Joe Biden stands at left, during an announcement in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Monday. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

  • The daily Political wild card is now in play …

Obama Picks Non-Judge For High Court

It’s Kagan! Why is President Obama choosing his solicitor general, Elena Kagan, as his second nominee to the U.S Supreme Court? By all accounts, Obama wants someone who can serve as a counterweight to the intellectual heft of Chief Justice John Roberts. Regardless of how strong a liberal Kagan would prove to be, as a former dean of Harvard Law School, Kagan practically defines legal gravitas. She’s also a female, which adds to the court’s gender diversity. She’s young, at 50, which means she could be on the court for a quarter century. And she’s never been a judge, which gives her a quality that Obama is known to have been seeking: someone to bring a different sensibility to a court that’s currently dominated by judges/Michael D. Shear, Washington Post. More here. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh: Barack Obama and Elena Kagan)

Question: Are you comfortable with President Obama’s choice of a person for the U.S. Supreme Court who has never been a judge?

Singer Lena Horne, 92, R.I.P.

In a June 23, 1997, file photo, Ginny Mancini, left, and Lena Horne, center, hold the Ella Award which was given to Horne during the Society of Singers’ Lena Horne 80th Birthday Gala in New York. At right is Liza Minnelli. Singer Lena Horne, who broke racial barriers as a Hollywood and Broadway star famed for her velvety rendition of “Stormy Weather,” has died at age 92. Story here. (AP Photo/Aubrey Reuben/file)

Question: What do you remember most about Lena Horne?

HBO Poll: We Want To See ‘Iron Man 2’

  • Weekend Poll: You Berry Pickers are looking forward to seeing “Iron Man 2” and “Robin Hood” during the summer movie season. 30 of 98 respondents (31%) said they most want to see “Iron Man 2,” while 28 of 98 respondents (29%) said they prefer “Robin Hood.” The rest of the votes were scattered among “Toy Story 3” (10 votes); “Shrek Forever After,” “Sex in the City 3” and “Karate Kid” (8 votes), “MacGruber” (6 votes), and “The A Team” (4 votes).
  • Today’s Question: Who do you want to win Rep. Jim Clark’s House District 5 seat: Vito Barbieri, Jeri DeLange, Fred Meckel, or Duane Rasmussen?

OTV Review: Wingstop’s Chicken Wings

I’m guess I might as well admit it right away – I hate chicken wings. Ever since my vegetarian phase back in high school, I’ve been rather squeamish about eating chicken right off the bone. I can handle a nice, juicy white breast in its natural state if it’s done right (hello, Chester Fried!), but otherwise my domestic fowl needs all the bones and gristly bits removed before it crosses my dinner plate. I always picture the gruesome scene in John Waters’ classic “Serial Mom” when the neighbor couple is eating chicken dinner and the camera lingers on close-ups of the couple’s mouths ravaging a greasy bird, grunting and licking fingers during what turns out to be their last meal before Kathleen Turner gives them the works. Chicken wings remind me of rowdy football parties or a night out at Hooters – these things just aren’t my style/OrangeTV, Get Out! North Idaho. More here.

Question: Do you like greasy chicken wings?

4 Run To Fill Clark’s Legislative Seat

The hottest legislative race in North Idaho this spring is the four-way contest for the House seat in District 3 that’s opening up due to seven-term Rep. Jim Clark’s retirement. The matchup between the four candidates, all of whom are actively campaigning, is the final chapter in this story – no Democrat has filed for the seat, so the GOP primary winner on May 25 will be the district’s new representative in Boise. And with the typically very low turnout in Idaho primary elections, there’s no telling what could happen in the race between Vito Barbieri of Dalton Gardens, Jeri DeLange of Hayden, Fred Meckel of Rathdrum and Duane Rasmussen of Hayden. “It’s going to be kind of fun to watch – somebody could win with 30 percent of the vote, 30 percent of the 15 percent who show up to vote,” said Clark (pictured), who’s not endorsing any of the candidates but says he thinks there are “a lot of good-quality people in the field.”

Question: Who do you want to win state Rep. Jim Clark’s House District 5 seat — Vito Barbieri, Jeri DeLange, Fred Meckel, or Duane Rasmussen? Why? (Bonus Question: Do you think Jim Clark did a good job as an Idaho legislator?)

Ramirez: Contained Damage

Michael Ramirez/Investor’s Business Daily

Mother’s Day Wild Card — 5.8.10

My wife and I took my mother to a wedding Saturday afternoon of a girl who grew up in our church, the daughter of a close friend. Mom’s still healthy although a bit slower as she approaches birthday No. 85 in June. She’s lived in the Northwest for decades after raising us 6 kids in a small town in northern California in the 1940s through the 1970s. We lost Dad in a vehicle accident in 1976. She never remarried, telling us often that she couldn’t find another man who measured up. We’ll take us to church this morning, as we usually do, and share a steak dinner with her and my mother-in-law, who also lives in Coeur d’Alene. The kids are miles away. But it’s nice to have our mothers near. How about you? Are you mothers still living? Nearby? Do you plan to spend the day with them? You can answer any of those questions or start your own threads with this Wild Card …

Crash Blocks I-90 Near Highway 41

Idaho State Police have responded to an injury accident on Interstate 90 at milepost 7 in Post Falls. Both westbound lanes of the freeway are shut down, and police are diverting all westbound traffic at Exit 11 in Coeur d’Alene. The state police urge motorist to avoid the area.

Feeling Uncool In Tat Parlor

Tattoo artist Jeanie Newby, left, chats while she puts a collar bone tattoo on Stephanie Goldsmith Thursday.  Newby will be at the upcoming tattoo expo and she will be selling her handmade hair clips like the flower she’s wearing in the photo and her acrylic and watercolor art. In publishing this photo on Facebook, colleague Jesse Tinsley writes: “I’m always reminded how uncool I am when I have to shoot in a tattoo parlor.” Later, he added: “Sam, as I was sitting there, I realized nothing on the tattoo artist was a normal color.”

Question: When do you feel uncool?

Marianne: Much Ado About Butt Cracks

Boots wasn’t looking at the lettuce. Boots was transfixed on a full-fledged butt crack whose owner was looking at the lettuce. Now, I know Boots has seen butt cracks before, but to be standing in the presence of two fine ladies while viewing such a phenomenon.  That may have been a new experience for Boots. I know I’ve seen butt cracks before too, and I’ve always wondered about the bearer of the bare butt. Do these people have a clue about the reactions that take place all around them whenever and wherever they bend over?  Could these folks be the least bit embarrassed (no pun intended) if  they knew what fits of hysteria they cause during the time they’re leaning over to pick up a head of iceberg to see if it’s the one they’ll choose to drop in the cart/Marianne Love, Slight Detour. More here

Question: When and where did you last get an eyeful of an unsightly butt crack in a public setting?

M&M: ‘Iron Man 2’ Offers Great Escape

Get ready for “Iron Man 2,” which opens Friday. This time, with Don Cheadle subbing for Terrence Howard as Lt. Col. James Rhodes, our iron-clad hero takes on some political enemies, a rival manufacturer, a new superpowered rival in Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke), a degrading arc reactor (the device that powers his heart) and his own roller-coaster temperament. The movie should be a fairly decent way to escape for a couple of hours, even if it doesn’t match the 2008 original in, if nothing else, freshness factor. And it does boast the presence of Robert Downey Jr., an actor who can make anything look interesting, even a lame take on Sherlock Holmes/Dan Webster, Movies & More. More here.

  • On Facebook, Betsy Anderson gave ‘Iron Man 2’ a thumbs up: “We saw IronMan 2 this evening. Loads of fun. Entertaining as all get out. Robert Downey Jr. is perfect in the role. (It’s just not quite as good as the first one.)”

Question: Are you a fan of Robert Downey Jr.?

Mostly Sunny To Debut @ Farmers Market

Pepper plants will be one of the things for sale at the Mostly Sunny booth at Farmer’s Market tomorrow morning in Hayden, along with Straight Eight cukes, cabbage, various herbs, and various tomatoes. Sunny, of course, is one of the regulars at HucksOnline, who helps compile Bent’s Beer Garden blog.

I am very excited to be a part of the market this year and I must admit….I’m a little nervous as well. I have no idea what to expect and I know that many folks who participate have much larger growing operations than we do. So I guess my only real fear is we won’t have as much to sell…at least not in the front end. I heard from a fellow market vendor that some vendors simply don’t show up until they have produce to sell. Nevertheless, we want to be there on opening day just to get a feel for how the market operates…if I run out of plants to sell then rest assured we will be back to the market when harvest time comes around/Sunny, Bent’s Beer Garden. More here.

Question: Have you started your garden yet?

Prez Pay Puts ‘High’ In Higher Education

Is it time for the University of Washington president to make a million bucks a year? You may say no. You may say hell no. You may say that it’s no time to ratchet up the already humongous salary for the top Dawg, given the various budgetary brutalities inflicted upon our state’s colleges and universities lately. But the people who make this decision won’t really be listening to you. They’ll be listening to the market. And this market only ever says one thing: More. Absurd as it sounds, it will be a near-miracle if the next president at UW doesn’t make more money than the departing Mark Emmert (shown at Washington-Washington State game w/Gov. Chris Gregoire in January), who is the second-best-paid public-college president in the land, at more than $900,000 a year/Shawn Vestal, SR. More here.

Question: Is any college president in the land worth $1 million per year?

If I Addressed The Graduates …

It’s graduation day at Washington State University and because I have not yet received my invitation to deliver the commencement address, I’m going to assume that they’ve once again settled for someone else. As such, I’m going to use this forum to deliver my own advice to our most recent crop of graduates. My advice is to go forth and make as much money as you can. Contrary to what is often advocated at commencements, I am not going to encourage you to enter public service. Public service is typically defined as politics, political advocacy or government employment. And according to those who recommend such a career path, only by doing so can you exert a possible influence on the world. That is nonsense. The truth is that, until recently, the amount of money you earn in your lifetime is a pretty accurate gauge of how much you have contributed to the world’s well being/Michael Costello, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: In 50 words or less, what would you tell a class of graduates, if you had the opportunity to be a commencement speaker?

Grange: Rich In History, But Dying

Avery Bright remembers when the Cloverleaf Grange was the hub of a close-knit community focused on farming and family values. Couples waltzed across the wooden floor on Friday nights, or gathered during election season to listen to candidates debate the issues. Over the past century, the grange hall on McGuire Road in Post Falls also hosted 4-H meetings, rummage sales, wedding receptions, potlucks and cowboy-themed church services. “I spent a lot of my life inside those walls,” said Bright, 87. “Now, I’m one of the only ones left.” Dying membership is threatening Idaho’s oldest grange/Becky Kramer, SR. More here.

  • Kathy Plonka/SR Photo: Avery Bright, at the Loyalton of Coeur d’Alene assisted living home, talks about his membership in the Cloverleaf Grange on Thursday. Bright joined the grange in the early 1950s and held most of its offices over the next 40 years. There are only 22 members left in the grange.

Question: Is the Grange tradition worth preserving

Cindy: Don’t Drill, Baby, Drill

I can’t top the closing situation/question that Cindy came up with on Facebook this afternoon. Seems she was have an manicure when … well, I’ll let Cindy tell the story: “Drill baby, drill takes on new meaning when your nail tech accidentally drills into the fleshy part of your thumb during a manicure.” Yes, the manicurist drew blood. Again, Cindy: “But my tech happens to be graduating from Nursing School in June. I think she did it on purpose, so she could whip out the first-aid kit. Imagine my dismay when she had NO Disney Princess bandages.” The tale prompted Liz to write that a dentist once accidentally slipped and drilled her cheek. Liz: “Really big ow when it was all over and the novocaine wore off.” (Illustration: SR File Photo) 

Question: Have you ever been injured inadvertently by a manicurist, dentist, doctor, or other professional that medical or cosmetic professional?

Parting Shot — 5.7.10

Ralph Bartholdt/Skookum Photography didn’t provide identification for the individuals in this photo he snapped at a recent Timberlake Middle School track meet. But I enjoyed seeing the intensity he caught on this coach’s (father’s?) face. You can look at other shots that Ralph’s posted of the meet on Facebook here.

TGIF Wild Card — 5.7.10

I’m done with the soft launch of Facebook. Blogmeister Ryan has added a button under my photo in the right rail for my Facebook personal page. I’ve asked him to create a Fan Page, too — for cross-posting links and posts. I’m still working my way through the new cyber attractions that are available. Twitter has been great for circulating links. Facebook has been good for stimulating offbeat ideas. Dunno what a Fan Page will do. But I’m willing to try most things at this point. I’m glad you’re along for the ride. Now, for today’s Wild Card …

DOTC: Anyone Else Get Robo-Call?

Dan of the County: I’m wondering if anyone else got a totally automated phone poll that only asked about who you would be voting for county commissioner. At least one other person in our office with a 687 prefix got one last night…maybe it was the Rathdrum night…curious who was doing it and of course what kind of results they are getting.

Question: Did anyone else get an automated phone call, asking questions re: the primary elections for county commissioner? Anyone know the source of the calls?

PM Headlines — 5.7.10

WSU doctoral student Paul Mencke holds his son Paul Jr as he poses for a portrait with his wife Bernadette, who holds their newly born son, Carter, on Sunday on WSU’s campus in Pullman. Mencke will graduate from WSU on May 8 with his doctorate in cultural studies and social thought in education. Along the way, the Spokane native has earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in education and history, and a master”s in business administration. Jody Lawrence-Turner photo here. (Tyler Tjomsland, special to the SR)

APhoto Of The Day — 5.7.10

Katherine Anna Connors, Miss Iowa USA 2010, right, tries to stay warm as she stands with other contestants prior to posing for the official Miss USA 2010 swimsuit photo at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, Thursday. The women will compete for the the title of Miss USA 2010 on May 16. You write the cutline. (AP Photo/Miss Universe Organization)

Top Cutlines:

  • 1. Proof that it gets cold in Vegas, this strange fact is from the latest edition of “Nipplies, Believe it Or Not” — JohnA
  • 2. Miss Iowa thinks it’s the line for the bathroom — Pecky Cox.
  • 3. Tired of a messy bathroom floor, Katherine Anna Connors (right) shows her fellow contestants how she ordered her boyfriend to “hold on tight” — Gary D. Rhodes.
  • HM: CoeurGenX

Man Sentenced For Hitting Boy w/Trailer

A Coeur d’Alene man was sentenced Thursday to 180 days in jail for leaving the scene of a May 2009 accident in which a 5-year-old boy was run over by a boat trailer at the Blackwell Island boat launch. Anthony James Judge, 33, was sentenced by Kootenai County 1st District Judge John Mitchell, who also ordered five years of supervised probation. Judge also must pay $4,040 in restitution and $800 in fees, as well as perform 300 hours of community service, a news release from the Kootenai County prosecutor’s office said/Alison Boggs, SR. More here.

PM Scanner Traffic — 5.7.10

  • 5:31 p.m. A patrol officer wonders why there’s so much traffic on H95, near Silverwood, and is told by another one that the theme park is opening this weekend. “Oh,” said the first, “I thought someone was handing out free dollar bills.”
  • 5:14 p.m. A backhoe has ruptured a half-inch gas line @ Morse & Maple/Hayden.
  • 4:46 p.m. A large plastic toy is lying in w/b I-90 lanes @ M/P 7.5 (near H41).
  • 4:11 p.m. Caller from Silverwood reports smoke near Bunco & Cedar Mountain/Athol.
  • 4:06 p.m. 2 dogs are creating a road hazard by running the road in the 6900 block of Ramsey Road.
  • 3:56 p.m. Neighbor on 12th/Post Falls reports seeing a 14YO girl holding a knife on another girl in next apartment.
  • 3:52 p.m. No injuries reported from a single-motorcycle crash in front of Silverwood.
  • 3:47 p.m. A race car rolled over and ended up on a fence at Stateline Speedway.
  • More below

CdA Promotes Bike To Work

May is Bike 2 Work Month. And the city of Coeur d’Alene has produced a video promoting corporate and individual participation in encouraging workers to ride their bikes. More information here, and: here.

Unlike Otter, Simpson Will Debate

Voters in Idaho’s 2nd Congressional District, which covers the eastern portion of the state, including parts of Boise, Twin Falls, Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and Rexburg, can get a closer look at the three men who want to represent them in the U.S. Congress.  Republicans Mike Simpson, who has held the seat since being elected in 1999, Chick Heileson, and state Rep. Russ Mathews, R-Idaho  Falls, are set to debate Sunday night at the Idaho State Capitol building as part of Idaho Public Television’s (IPTV) effort to televise debates for all major primary races/Dustin Hurst, Idaho Reporter. More here.

Question: How come U.S. Rep Mike Simpson can find to debate his GOPrimary challengers, but Gov. Butch Otter can’t?

A Caveman In Your Family Tree?

This 1996 AP file photo shows a replica of a Neanderthal man at the Neanderthal museum in Mettmann, western Germany. According to research reported in the May 2010 edition of the journal Science today, between 1 percent and 4 percent of genes in people from Europe and Asia trace back to Neanderthals. Story here. (AP Photo/Heinz Ducklau, file)

DFO: On Facebook, Kevin Taylor of the Inlander posted the above AP photo and this comment: “Scientists find Neanderthal DNA in modern humans. Well this certainly explains my more, ahem, low-brow moments.”

Question (w/tongue firmly cheeked): Is there evidence of Neanderthal DNA in your family or among your friends?

Turiaf To Return To Pick Up Diploma

Ronny Turiaf is returning to Spokane – at least for a day or two.  The former fan-favorite member of the basketball team will join 47 other student athletes at Gonzaga’s commencement ceremonies at Spokane Arena on Sunday. Turiaf, who is currently a member of the Golden State Warriors NBA team, will receive his degree in Sport Management from Gonzaga. After playing out his eligibility at Gonzaga, Turiaf was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers and spent his first three seasons there until signing with Golden State in 2008. Turiaf underwent heart surgery in July 2005 when Lakers doctors discovered he had an enlarged aortic root. He rejoined the team six months after surgery and played 23 games for the Lakers to close out the 2006 season/SWX. More here.

Question: Ronny Turiaf, with his enthusiasm and ability, may be my all-time favorite Zag. How about you?

Cougar Bay Needs Shelter From County

Kootenai Environmental Alliance provided testimony last night at a hearing by the Idaho Department of Lands on whether to approve a proposal for up to 12 overnight mooring buoys in Cougar Bay and a string of buoys across the mouth of the Bay to demarcate a no wake zone. The proposal, sponsored by Kootenai County Parks and Waterways, purports to protect the sensitive Bay in advance of removal of the existing pilings and log booms that act as a barrier to boat traffic currently/Terry Harris, Kootenai Environmental Alliance. More here.

Question: Do you support the proposal from Kootenai County Parks & Waterways to place buoys for mooring and to demarcate a no-wake zone at Cougar Bay?

Mostly Sunny To Make Market Debut

Tomorrow is opening day at the Kootenai County Farmer’s Market. I chose the name of our farmer’s market business to be “Mostly Sunny”. We went with this rather than our blog name of The Beer Garden because we obviously can’t sell beer at the market. The Beer Garden blog got it’s start on The Spokesman Review’s blogroll on Huckleberries Online and many of our local friends know me as Sunny and they know Jeff as Bent. These names were simply monikers that originated from the Spokesman’s blog world. Hopefully, this clears up any confusion … I am very excited to be a part of the market this year and I must admit….I’m a little nervous as well/Sunny, Bent’s Beer Garden. More here.

Question: How many of you are going to join me tomorrow in welcoming Bent, Sunny, & Daisy Girl to their corner of Farmers’ Market?

Inland Northwest Roundup — 5.7.10

A red fox mother walks on her front feet while getting clear of her hungry kits while weening them outside their den in a field near Roseburg, Ore., on Thursday. The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is found in much of North America, Eurasia, and northern Africa. (Credit Image: © Robin Loznak/robinloznak.com)

Question: Can you see why I’m such a big fan of Robin Loznak’s photography?

Oprah Celebrates May ‘O’ Anniversary

Host Oprah Winfrey celebrates the 10th anniversary of ‘O’ The Oprah Magazine during “The Oprah Winfrey Show” live from Radio City Music Hall earlier today in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Question: Do you watch ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’? Why?

Scanner Traffic/AM — 5.7.10

  • Noonish: Caller reports that 3 small children have been left unattended in a Subaru in front of the Pita Pit/Sherman Avenue for at least 5 minutes.
  • 11:43 a.m. Resident @ Ramsey & Bruner has contained a neighbor’s pitbull.
  • 11:40 a.m. Female accused of flashing her chest at passing motorists (11:02 incident) has left area w/male in red vehicle.
  • 11:23 a.m. Diane reports that dogs keep dragging a dead deer back onto roadway @ 5427 Dodd/Hayden.
  • 11:06 a.m. A disorderly female is causing problems @ 201 E. Harrison/CdA.
  • 11:11 a.m. Motorist reports a male in a Crown Victoria threw a full beer can at his pickup.
  • 11:02 a.m. Motorist reports that a teen-age female, in the company of a male, is pulling her top down as vehicles pass @ Rimrock & Lancaster/Hayden.
  • 10:28 a.m. Officers are told that a white supremacist who is wanted in an incident near the Torch Lounge may be on a CityLink bus @ the Prairie Shopping Center.
  • 9:58 a.m. An elderly male, w/fecal matter on his gray clothes, is at the Hayden post office. Caller is concerned about his welfare.
  • 8:53 a.m. R on Hope & Chilco/Athol reports finding unauthorized charge on her credit card.
  • 8:42 a.m. A beagle is running in and out of traffic in 1300 block of 9th Street.
  • 8:33 a.m. Coeur d’Alene Police are staging a mock accident at Coeur d’Alene High School. It was just called in. Head-on collision @ Dalton & 4th. Multiple injuries. 2 fatalities.

HBO Poll: “Caffeine” Verdict Wrong

  • Thursday Poll: In one of the most lopsided votes ever, 95 of 106 respondents (89.6%) disagreed w/the judge’s decision to find Daniel Noble innocent, by reason of insanity caused by “caffeine psychosis,” in the Washington State University crashes that injured two pedestrians. Only 6 of 106 (5.7%) agreed with the decision.
  • Weekend Poll (in right hand rail): Which of the summer movies do you want to see most (courtesy of Idaho Statesman)?

Marc: NIC’s Hudson Just The Best

Marc Stewart, spokesman for Coeur d’Alene Indian Tribe: My advice for any aspiring public relations person about how to write a press release is to talk to Stacy Hudson at North Idaho College. She’s the best.

 Question: Anyone else want to give a shout out to someone in the region who is very good at public relations?

Mag: Idaho Incomes Ready To Soar

Item: Idaho among top 5 states predicted to experience significantly higher incomes in the near future/Rick Newman, U.S. News & World Report

More Info: Idaho (average income-growth rate: 5.9 percent). The recession hit hard in this Rocky Mountain state as well, with some lumber, furniture, and technology companies closing down and many others slashing jobs. But compared with higher-cost western states like California, Idaho is still an appealing place for companies to set up shop, and new businesses should help lift the broader economy. Technology has displaced lumber as the biggest private-sector source of jobs in Idaho, which will help soften the impact of a prolonged drought in construction.

Question: Are you optimistic that your own salary will increase significantly in the near future?

The Political Sandbox — 5.7.10

Sarah Forbes, curator of the Museum of Sex, arranges a display packet of “the pill” from 1979 in the museum’s latest exhibit, in New York this week. Sunday, Mother’s Day, is the 50th anniversary of the world’s first oral contraceptive (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

  • You can discuss the impact of the pill in our lives or any political topic by climbing into the sandbox today …

Betsy: How NIdaho Differs From SIdaho

What’s the difference between North Idaho and southern Idaho? Well, there’s that whole water thing. This is Lake Coeur d’Alene this morning, amid country that’s so different from the arid south. And then there’s the wild GOP politics in Kootenai County, where the once heavily Democratic region is now heavily Republican, particularly in fast-growing areas like Hayden that are filling up with newcomers who never saw the old North Idaho Democratic politics. In these parts, there are the Republicans, the Reagan Republicans, the Pachyderm Clubs, the social conservatives, the constitutionalists and a whole lot more/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Question: Besides beauty and mebbe politics, how do you think North Idaho differs from southern Idaho?

Gordon: Nancy = Best Cartoon Ever

On Facebook, Gordon Crow, the former state senator turned Laramie, Wyo., chamber manager, states that his favorite cartoon of all-time is Nancy — and that he always wanted to be Sluggo. (Wikipedia illustration)

Question: Which cartoon strip do you consider the best always — and what cartoon character would you want to be?

Cindy: Don’t Stop For Jiffy Lube Signs

On Facebook, Cindy asks: “Do those guys waving the signs out in front of Jiffy Lube, honestly think I’m going to think ‘Oh, my gosh! I need an oil change, right now!’” To which Digger responds: “I wonder the same thing about the dancing shampoo bottle in front of Great Clips or the dancing printer in front of Cartridge World.” To which Cindy re-responds: “I’m just glad the freaky Statue of Liberty is gone. Btw, the Little Caesar dude scares me. Really.”

Question: I remember the guy in the chicken suit who tried to entice drivers to stop at that small restaurant across Northwest Boulevard, by the Coeur d’Alene Skate Park. I never stopped. Or even walked across the street. Mebbe that’s why the guy went out of business. Have you ever stopped at a business as a result of someone standing near the street in a costume with a sign?

AM Headlines — 5.7.10

A Columbia Falls firefighter moves a piece of a debris out of the way as smoke rises from a collapsed carport in Columbia Falls, Mont., Thursday afternoon. A Columbia Falls house exploded Thursday as utility workers were trying to fix a natural gas leak, killing one of the workers, leveling the home and scattering glass and debris as far as a quarter-mile away, authorities said. (AP Photo/The Daily Inter Lake, Nate Chute)

To Think It Happened On Sherman Ave

Don Sausser saw this strange site from his vantage point high above Sherman Avenue at 4:30 p.m. Wedneday. In the first photo, a green-costumed character accompanied by a friend shaped like a giant, green eraser walked eat on Sherman Avenue, around Independence Point ending at Bonsai’s parking lot. In the second photo, they’re crossing 1st Street at the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce building. Then, the eraser disrobed in the Bonsai parking lot and smashed his costume into a Bonsai Dumpster.

Question: Can you provide a back story for these two characters?

J-Schoolers’ Vulgar Gag Backfires

Item: Utah college journalists in trouble over hidden vulgarities in farewell columns/Brian Maffly, Salt Lake City Tribune; photo of offending columns here

More Info: The University of Utah student newspaper has a 12-year tradition of hiding vulgar or racy phrases in copy of the year’s final edition, but this time it appears the pranksters did a poor job of concealing the offensive language. Virtually emblazoned across the tops of two editorial pages in the Daily Utah Chronicle ‘s April 28 edition are references to male and female body parts, prompting U. administrators to place holds on the transcripts of the nine columnists, all seniors hoping to graduate today.

Question: Is the University of Utah’s decision to put a hold on the transcripts of the student columnists involved befitting the gag involved? Or overkill?

AM: 1st Mother’s Day As Home Mom

I’ll never forget my first Mother’s Day as a new mom. My two month and two day old baby boy flashed some of the sweetest smiles I have ever seen. He had just picked up this talent, and he grinned at me every chance he got. This motherhood thing has – by far – been the most difficult undertaking of my life. It has forced me to rethink who I am and what my priorities are. I have learned that even though I want to “have it all” (the career and the family life), there is nothing wrong with taking a little time to focus more on raising a child and less on working a job. Because after all, I’ll never get this chance again. Jobs come and go/Shannon, Anchor Mom. More here.

Question: Should more mother’s stay at home with their children, rather than also pursue a career?

Dennis: A Favorite Harley Brown Tale

Here’s my favorite Harley Brown story from 2000 (congressional race). Butch Otter, Harley Brown, another candidate and I were all seated at a table in the Idaho Statesman’s Editorial Board. 4 guys behind a table. All in suits…except Harley. He was in leathers…all leathers (Yep, he told us “all” leathers…) Butch started in. Gave his pitch. Then the other candidate. Same stuff. Then Harley… He stood up, took off his fingerless black leather gloves and THREW them on the table. He stood straight as an arrow, then (like a bear) growled: “F– the Idaho Statesman. (PAUSE) I destroy things for a living. God told a prophet in Africa that I would become President of the United States. Congress is my first step.” No kidding. Then he sat down. I was next. All eyes turned toward me. I said: “Wow, being next in line, after Harley, makes me look really mild, doesn’t it?” Everyone TOTALLY cracked up/Dennis Mansfield. More here

Question: Have you ever wanted to give an Editorial Board or Opinion Editor a piece of your mind? What about?

LCDC Prioritizes McEuen, Ed Corridor

Item: LCDC prioritizes fiscal year: McEuen Field, education corridor tops urban renewal list for short term/Tom Hasslinger

More Info: Lake City Development Corp. prioritized its fiscal year 2011 planning list on Thursday during its annual Strategic Planning Review session, keeping the Education Corridor and McEuen Field projects at the top of next year’s goals - just as both had been the year before. This time around, however, breaking ground on both projects - not designing or studying them - is the goal.

Question: Should the revitalization of McEuen Field and beginning of Education Corridor construction be the two top priorities for the urban renewal agency?

Signe: Free Market Reality

Signe Wilkinson/Philadelphia Inquirer

Cis: Calls Home To Aging Parents

Here we have Mother’s Day coming fast and furious. And just a month behind is Father’s Day. The time of phone calls. Be it the obligation kind or the grateful kind. When your parents are younger and you are in your 30’s, 40’s or even 50’s. it usually is a fun time to catch up. And
many subjects to talk about. But when your parents hit 70 plus, how do you do? Yes, You have the, “how are you”? “What have you been doing lately”, Answering the questions of how is your job going, and what are the kids up to these days? You talk about the weather. And then what?/Cis, From A Simple Mind. More here.

Question: Cis has a way of hitting nails on the head. Did the scenario she described above re: aging parents and Mother’s/Father’s days hit home to you? Or do you have a better relationship than that with your aging parents?

P.S. Making A Splash At The Library

“Apparently people aren’t the only ones who appreciate public art,” posts David Townsend/Coeur d’Alene Today. “This pair of ducks enjoyed the water feature at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library Wednesday. ‘Horizons,’ by artist Mark Stasz was installed in 2007 when the library opened. The ducks may have arrived early for the Summer Reading Program at the library. The youth theme this year is ‘Make a Splash.’” More here.

Question: Which display of public art is your favorite in the greater Coeur d’Alene area?

Wild Card/Thursday — 5.6.10

I’m trying to recover from getting up at 4 this morning to take Junior to the Spokane Airport for a 6:15 flight. He just texted to say he’s back in Denver having breakfast w/my lovely daughter-in-law. Meanwhile, I’m back at the desk after a three-day respite, trying to get the mojo going again, to fill the insatiable maw of the Huckleberries Online blog beast. You can help by launching a clever thread with this Wild Card …

Jeanie: Girlfriends 9-11 Lend Support

I have the best support group of my entire life. My “Girls’ Diner Club” (nicknamed by Becky Nappi when she did an article on us for the Spokesman-Review in 1993) has a phone tree that is efficient, speedy, and totally there for you at any given moment. … Like, when Kathy, who has Parkinson’s, suddenly realized she was blind in one eye – a piece of plaque had broke off from an artery in her neck, and landed at the back of her eye. Jackie started the phone tree, letting all of us know she was in surgery, she was fine, but now blind in one eye. She’s adjusting as valiantly as she always does – but first and foremost – she is rallying because of her four Best Friends Forever standing at her side. And also, her hubby paid for a gift of a permanent eyeliner tatoo – which she proudly displayed at our last dinner/JeanieS, Nuts & Nonsense. More here.

Question: Do you have a good support system of friends to help you when you’re going through tough times. And vice versa. Tell us about them?

PM Headlines — 5.6.10

Shae Carson of Coeur d’Alene High School throws the disc during the IEL track championships at Lake City High School last week. More by Greg Lee/SR here.

Question: Did you compete in track & field in high school or college? Which event was your specialty?

APhoto Of The Day — 5.6.10

Brad Brush uses a paint bush to touch up the 50 meter pool at the Aquatic Center prior to filling in St. Joseph. Mo., Tuesday. You write the cutline. (AP Photo/St. Joseph News-Press, Eric Keith)

Top Cutlines:

  • 1. Bearing a broad brush Brad Brush brushes broadly, but by bloatingly blogging beforehand, boasts badly — JohnA.
  • 2. For the 5th summer in a row, poor Brad wishes his last name was “Roller” rather then “Brush” — Formerly Sandpoint.
  • 3. Brad Brush decides to the check water level before attepting his next cannon-ball — Gary Rhodes.
  • HM: JeanieS

Scanner Traffic/PM — 5.6.10

  • 4:59 p.m. Minor injuries reported from a blocking accident involving an SUV & two or three other vehicles in front of Wendy’s, H41 & Mullan.
  • 4:51 p.m. A pickup and an SUV Durango may have crashed b/c one was going the wrong way on the w/b on ramp.
  • 4:26 p.m. Motorist drove off w/o paying for gas at Best & 15th station.
  • 4:19 p.m. A motorcyclist on a blue-and-silver bike had words w/a flagger for driving too fast thru the E. Fernan Lake construction zone, before speeding off.
  • 4:18 p.m. Male in a Toyota Camri was tailgating and flipping off other drivers @ H95 & Garwood.
  • 4:05 p.m. Males 14 and 16 are fighting in 1600 block of 5th Street.
  • More below

NIC Kids Center Reports Pertussis

A child at the North Idaho College Children’s Center was officially diagnosed with pertussis or “whooping cough,” a highly contagious bacterial disease, Thursday, May 6. The affected child is 3 years old. Following Panhandle Health District protocol in an effort to prevent the spread of the disease, all children at the NIC Children’s Center who were showing mild cold-like symptoms were sent home from the center. NIC is requiring that all children sent home must be tested for pertussis with their physician before returning to the center. The center is not closing and will remain open through the end of the academic year Friday, May 13/Stacy Hudson, NIC Press Room. More here.

NI Blogs: Great Pumpkin Takeover

“Okay, so maybe I was a little premature in starting our Dill’s Atlantic Giant pumpkin seeds….but who would have thought they would get so incredibly big so fast?” Daisy Girl/Bent’s Beer Garden. More here.

Allred Responds To IACI Attack

Betsy Russell/Eye on Boise posts: “Allred released this YouTube video to rebut IACI’s charges, saying the Legislature and Gov. Butch Otter were wrong to assume that 2011’s state revenue would be no better than 2010’s, prompting an precedented cut in school funding. ‘2011 isn’t going to be as tough as 2010, not for the economy, but it will be a lot tougher on our kids,’ said Allred, ‘who will go into overcrowded classrooms with fewer resources because Otter called it wrong.’” More here.

Protesting Prayer Day Ruling

Bonnie Gutsch, an employee of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, holds a sign with a picture of U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb who ruled last month that the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional, outside the Wisconsin Capitol today during a National Day of Prayer protest. (AP Photo/Ryan J. Foley)

Question: Do you think the National Day of Prayer should be unconstitutional?

Bachelor Party Head Butt Leads To Plea

Item: Frenchtown man pleads guilty to head-butting officer on night of bachelor party/Tristan Scott, Missoulian

More Info: The Frenchtown man arrested for an abundance of bad behavior on the night of his bachelor party pleaded guilty Wednesday to felony assault for head-butting a police officer, but will not face additional charges. Prosecutors have agreed to dismiss a host of misdemeanor charges against 24-year-old Jordan B. Iddings, including allegations that he groped a woman in a downtown bar and, after she slapped him, punched her in the face.

Question: Did you do anything stupid at your bachelor/bachelorette party?

In The News: Women On Subs

Midshipman Jessica Wilcox, center, responds to a reporter’s question at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., today. Wilcox is one of 11 women selected to begin training to become submarine officers this summer in a program that takes at least 15 months. They will report for duty aboard a submarine by 2012. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

Question: Are you ready to accept a gender breakthrough in another area — submarines?

Kelcie: Out, Out, Damn Oil Companies

Kelcie Moseley/UI Argonaut writes: “I can’t believe the news about this oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. I keep seeing pictures of dead sea turtles and fish and it makes me sick. Then I read last night that it happened because BP didn’t think their blowout preventer would ever fail. Excuse me, didn’t we learn this lesson from the Titanic? The supposedly unsinkable ship? Didn’t we learn almost 100 years ago to always be prepared for the worst? And now thousands of sea life have to die because of their ignorance and stupidity. Congratulations, oil companies, you’ve successfully made yourselves even more detrimental to the environment and economy than you already were.” More Off The Cuff here. (Associated Press photo)

Question: Is it hypocritical for anyone in this country to slam oil companies when we’re dependent on them for fuel to get us around in our various vehicles?

MikeK: Bring On The School Uniforms

MikeK: School uniforms. Bring on the school uniforms. Our family has experienced both schools with uniforms and without, and unequivocally some type of standardized uniform makes things easier at every point in the process from parenting, shopping, hand-me-downs, school bullying, too much skin showing, too little skin showing, socioeconomics, you name it. Bring on the school uniforms.

DFO: I wore school uniforms for the one year I attended Catholic school (eighth grade) — white shirts w/pepper-colored pants and dress shoes. I hated the uniforms. But i can’t remember anyone fighting over the dress code.

Question: Should school districts require that students wear uniforms?

HBO’s INorthwest Roundup — 5.6.10

A red fox returns to its den with its kill early Wednesday, near Creston, Mont. (AP Photo/Brenda Ahearn, Daily Inter Lake)

Vickie: How To Get Releases Into Print

On Facebook, Editor Vickie Holbrook/Idaho Press-Tribune offers a handy tip for those of you who circulate press releases to newspapers and other media: “A bit of advice for folks in the public relations business. If you want your press release read, please put a headline that says something in the subject line. If you put “press release” in the subject line, it gets mixed with the other 100 or so “press releases” an editor gets in a day. Just sayin’ …”

Question: Do you have any helpful tips re: getting your press release into local newspapers and other media?

Hi-Noon: Students Booted For Flag Tees

On any other day at Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill, Daniel Galli and his four friends would not even be noticed for wearing T-shirts with the American flag. But Cinco de Mayo is not any typical day especially on a campus with a large Mexican American student population. Galli says he and his friends were sitting at a table during brunch break when the vice principal asked two of the boys to remove American flag bandannas that they wearing on their heads and for the others to turn their American flag T-shirts inside out. When they refused, the boys were ordered to go to the principal’s office/George Kiriyama, NBC Bay Area. More here.

Question: Some Merry Hucksters were discussing this situation on Facebook today. Do you think Live Oak High School did the right thing by kicking students off campus for wearing U.S. flag T-shirts?

WSU Rugby Team Wins National Title

The Washington State University women’s rugby team defeated Temple University 37-0 in Palo Alto, Calif., to win the USA Rugby national women’s collegiate Division II championship this weekend. This is the first National title for the WSU Women’s Rugby team who ended the 2009-2010 season with an undefeated record. With a 15-5 victory over no. 2 seed Norwich University in the semifinals on Friday, the Cougars had momentum in their favor going into their championship match against the Owls. More from WSU University Relations here.

Question: Do you think the women’s rugby team could take the WSU Cougar football team?

Scanner Traffic/AM — 5.6.10

  • 11:57 a.m. Caller reports a vehicle burglary in 400 block of W. Cherry/CdA.
  • 11:20 a.m. Caller has questions re: construction noise laws.
  • 11:07 a.m. A large rock is lying on Seltice b/n McGuire Road & downtown Post Falls.
  • 10:52 a.m. Jeanette wants to know if she can keep the dog she found a month ago.
  • 10:50 a.m. Someone on 4200 block of Weatherby Avenue/Post Falls is suffering an allergic reaction.
  • 10:24 a.m. A motorist has crashed into a building in front of McDonalds Hamburgers, 3820 5th Ave., Post Falls.
  • 10:14 a.m. Kay has a “contained poodle.”
  • 9:47 a.m. Ambulance dispatched to a two-vehicle crash involving a power pole @ Real Life Ministries on Cecil/Post Falls.
  • 9:37 a.m. A back injury is reported at Prairie Animal Hospital, 920 Prairie/Hayden.
  • 9:34 a.m. Exxon employees report a suspicious person on premises, Government Way & Appleway.
  • 9:18 a.m. Kenneth, in 400 block of W. Miles/Hayden, reports that a company keeps trying to get credit card information via phone.
  • 8:51 a.m. A large block of snow is reported in right lane of I-90 & Pleasantview/Post Falls.
  • 8:40 a.m. A Worley EMT reports finding marijuana.
  • 8:07 a.m. A school bus has crashed w/a vehicle in 3900 block of Trafalgar/Hayden. No injuries reported.

Marc: 17th Amendment Repeal? C’mon

William Andrews Clark (left) was one of the original robber barons of the American West, a Montana Copper King, a genuine scoundrel and a United States Senator thanks to the money he spent buying a few state legislators and his ticket into the world’s greatest deliberative body. Now - brace yourselves - the Tea Party movement is advocating, you can’t make this stuff up, doing away with direct election of U.S. Senators. Even more off the wall, the two top candidates for the GOP nomination for Congress in Idaho’s First Congressional district have endorsed the idea as has Idaho’s governor. These folks must be drinking something stronger than tea/Marc Johnson, The Johnson Report. More here.

Question: 85% of you Merry Hucksters rejected the crazy idea spread by some Tea Partiers of repealing the 17th Amendment and allowing state legislators to select the U.S. senators. Yet, Gov. Butch Otter and congressional wannabes Raul Labrador and Vaughn Ward support the idea. Can anyone explain why they do?

School Suit Lawyer Backs Bradbury

Here’s a press release from former Idaho Supreme Court Justice Robert Huntley (pictured), who says he’s generally refrained from involvement in judicial elections, but since a sitting justice and a former justice have spoken out for Burdick over Bradbury and a state Bar poll that Huntley faults as “scientifically and statistically unsound” has ranked Burdick higher, “Having knowledge of Judge Bradbury’s qualifications, it is my duty to speak out. Having practiced before Judge Bradbury and having known him for a number of years, I respect him as one of Idaho’s most outstanding judges”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Question: Does it mean anything to you that the plaintiffs’ attorney (and former Supreme Court justice) in the old schools lawsuit prefers Judge John Bradbury over Justice Roger Burdick in their Supreme Court race?

HBO Poll: 17th Amendment Repeal

  • Wednesday Poll: 122 of 143 respondents (85%) said they do not support the repeal of the 17th Amendment (which would allow state legislatures to select U.S. senators), as advocated by some congressional candidates. Only 18 of 143 (13%) support repeal of the 17th Amendment.
  • Today’s Question (in lefthand rail): Do you agree w/the judge’s decision to find Daniel Noble innocent by reason of insanity as a result of ‘caffeine psychosis’ in WSU crashes?

Judge: Caffeine Made Him Do It

A Moscow man whose lawyer blamed caffeine-induced psychosis for alleged hit-and-run crashes at Washington State University in December has been acquitted by reason of insanity. Whitman County Superior Court Judge David Frazier ruled today that Daniel Noble, 31, (pictured) was temporarily insane during the Dec. 9 incident and acquitted him of two felony counts of vehicular assault, two felony counts of hit-and-run and misdemeanor resisting arrest. The Lewiston Tribune reports that Frazier granted a defense motion to acquit Noble based on Noble’s attorney’s intent to use an insanity defense at trial. The two crashes injured pedestrians, Neil Waldbjorn, 19, of Malaga, Wash., and Hogun Hahm, 23, of Pullman. Each suffered a broken leg. Officers used a Taser to subdue Noble/Associated Press. More here.

Question: What horrible thing are you capable of doing while suffering a “caffeine-induced psychosis” from drinking too much coffee?

Virginia Doesn’t Fall For Coverup

Last week, the Virginia attorney general created a controversy by stating that it’s time that the female featured on his commonwealth’s state seal cover up. According to National Public Radio, he gave “his staff a version in which she donned a more modest armored breastplate, which he prefers you call a naughty-womanpart-plate.” The AG backed off after quite a media fuss. You can read more about it here. (H/T: Sam)

Question: Tongue firmly cheeked, NPR offers other examples of “dirty, filthy state seals,” including Idaho’s, which provides “an excellent example of tasteful censorship.” Without looking, can you tell what’s on the Idaho state seal? Also, can you guess why NPR claims that the seal represents “tasteful censorship”?

The Political Sandbox — 5.6.10

A mallard ends up with a beak full of snow as he grazed at Spring Creek Park in Billings, Mont. as a snowstorm passed through the area this morning. (AP Photo/Billings Gazette, Casey Riffe)

  • This snow-billed mallard has nothing to do with politics. But I thought it was a good photo to launch the Political Sandbox anyway. Feel free to deposit your political thought here …

Bumpersnicker …

… at Boo Radley’s in downtown Spokane Wednesday: “Diarrhea also happens.”

City Seeks Bids For McEuen Design

Item: McEuen Field bids sought: Coeur d’Alene expects to spend up to $125,000 for design of waterfront play field/Coeur d’Alene Press

More Info: The new company will be comprised of landscape architects and engineers to design a plan using information on the park from previous meetings and studies and to ensure the blueprint can be implemented from an engineering standpoint. The design could include roughly seven lots of properties Lake City Development Corp. owns south of City Hall and will incorporate reconstruction plans for Front Avenue. Councilman Ron Edinger was the lone vote against sending the project out to bid, suggesting instead to draw the park’s new design from previous community ideas and use city engineers for the engineering side.

Question: What do you think of Councilman Ron Edinger’s idea that the city could save money by piecing together designs from past studies that the city has spent about $228,000 on?

I-90: Be Ready To Crawl For 6 Miles

I had to run Junior to the airport by 5:15 this morning. So we hit the road construction that started on the Spokane Street bridge @ Post Falls. More specifically, we hit the 45 mph speed limit about a mile east of Spokane Street. It stayed that way for the entire 6 miles until the stateline. No other work was evident. I never understand why transportation departments rope off so much real estate when projects are limited to a relatively short section of the roadway. Mebbe it’s to ensure safety because so many drivers with lead feet exist. The only impatient driver I saw was the one behind me — with a 7B (Bonner County) plate — who tail-gated my car until Stateline. Other than that, things went fairly smoothly for the round-trip to the airport.

Question: Feel free to use this thread to discuss any adventures with road construction on I-90 through Post Falls.

AM Headlines — 5.6.10

Pecky Cox/As The Lake Churns points out in an e-mail and with this photograph that spring has returned to Priest Lake.

Big Cups Of Coffee Need TLC To Finish

I’ve consumed a lot of coffee the last couple of days, hanging out with my kids in Cour d’Alene and Spokane. I always order coffee, never the mochas or sundry other drinks offered at the various coffee shops, in sizes from 8 ounces to 20 ounces. Usually, I ended up drinking the last half of the 20-ouncer cold, if i finished the drink at all. On Facebook, Cindy wonders about the need to have big cups of coffee in the morning: “Theoretically,” Cindy says, she “likes the idea of BIG coffee cups, but finds the coffee gets cold quickly. So, she fills the cup half full, and then wonders what is the point of having a BIG cup?

Question: What size of coffee drink do you order at your favorite coffee shop? Or what size of cup do you use for your own brew at home? Any secrets for keeping the coffee warm?

Hammes: How Gay is Gay Enough?

Who knew there were degrees of gayness? But, given the news out of Seattle, we now know there are. For those who missed it, a lawsuit was filed last week by three Bay Area men against the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance. Yeah, that was our reaction too. Who knew there was a gay alliance for amateur athletes? It’s anybody’s guess why they need their own special alliance. One would think that it would be counterproductive to distinguish between homosexual amateur athletes and those amateur athletes who are not homosexuals. It’s just that over the last several decades, the entire “gay movement” has been about homosexuals wanting to be treated like everyone else. Despite that, they form a group to treat them special. And apparently in the gay world there are degrees of specialness/Dan Hammes, St. Maries Gazette-Record. More here.

Reaction?

IACI Attacks Allred On Website

The Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry, a lobbying group that represents Idaho’s biggest businesses, has developed a special website attacking Democratic candidate for governor Keith Allred with criticisms that Allred contends are false, the Associated Press reports. The site, www.allredink.com, says that if the Idaho Legislature had listened to Allred when it set its fiscal year 2010 budget, the state would have been left with an $82 million deficit. Allred calls that “flat wrong” because he criticized only Idaho’s austere budget for fiscal year 2011 starting July 1, not the 2010 spending plan ending June 30, and he demanded the website be corrected or taken down/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Question: What do you make of Idaho’s biggest business lobby setting up a website to attack Demo gubernatorial challenger Keith Allred?

Dogwalk: Greenhouse Lust

Dogwalk Musing’s green house.

The minute I saw her I knew I had to have her. She was standing away from the crowd, close to a grouping of plants. Tall, stately. I moved through people busy visiting or nibbling goodies until I stood in front of her. She wasn’t necessarily a she at all, more androgynous. Then I found out in order to have her I’d have to buy her. So be it.

When she arrived at my home she proved difficult. Awkward and gangly. More here.

Share you own “some assembly required” stories here.

Cinco de Mayo Wild Card — 5.5.10

Idaho Dad/A Family Runs Through It says he’s going to wait until later in the week, after the local Mexican food and drink places are less jammed, to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Judging from yesterday’s poll, I’d say a third of HBO Nation will be celebrating today. Drink responsibly, and we’ll all meet back together again here Thursday morning, when I’ll return to the center ring of this three-ring cyber circus. Meanwhile, you can use this Wild Card to start your own threads …

HBO Poll: Good Job On Bike Paths

  • Tuesday Poll: 39 of 95 respondents (41%) voted that their local governments are doing “very well” in providing bike paths for bicyclists. 20 of 95 (21%) said their local government is doing “so-so” on bike paths, while 19 of 95 (20%) said the local governments weren’t doing nearly enough re: bike paths, and 8 of 95 (8%) said they weren’t doing anything at all.
  • Today’s Question: Do you support repeat of the 17th Amendment and election of U.S. senators by the state legislatures?

The Political Sandbox — 5.5.10

Raul Labrador, candidate for the Republican nomination for Idaho’s 1st Congressional District, talks with his press secretary Dennis Mansfield before holding a news conference at the Idaho Statehouse on Tuesday in Boise.  Labrador says the federal government should send the military to the Mexican border because state-by-state solutions like Arizona’s won’t be effective. More here.  (AP Photo/Idaho Statesman, Joe Jaszewski)

  • You can discuss Raul Labrador’s proposal to send the military to the Mexican border to enforce immigration law. Or any other political topic you’d like by climbing into today’s Political Sandbox …

CindyH: Tied Up?

Jerry Gleesing, photographed with his wife, Nancy, in February 2010, died Sunday, April 25, 2010, at age 85. Gleesing was commander of the Spokane Inland Empire Chapter of the American Ex-Prisoners of War.

I really do have a good excuse for not subbing for DFO as he takes his 134th vacation of the year. I’m writing a book: “Love Stories From the Greatest Generation.” The book is a collection of love stories about couples who met/married during or shortly after World War II. It will feature approximately 30 stories like this one.

Due to the ages of my subjects it’s been a challege to find couples where BOTH partners are still living and able to share their stories.

Perhaps my fellow Hucksters can help. If you know of any couples who fit the above description, please send me a note at dchval@juno.com

And now, back to your regularly scheduled programming :-)

Idaho Dad: No Time To Be A Fashionista

I wouldn’t necessarily label myself as a slob. It’s more accurate to say I’m fashion-challenged. There was a time when I cared about the clothes I wore. But then children came along, and then homeschooling, and suddenly there was not even a minute of the day to think about clothes beyond making sure they pass the smell test. Actually, I do put some thought into fashion when it comes to my kids. I make sure my daughter doesn’t go out of the house half-naked, and that my son doesn’t show up at soccer practice in a Wiggles t-shirt. But me? Psshh. Who cares. Seriously, who cares how I look? I’m showered and shaved. Deodorant liberally applied. Hair, ummm, under a hat. You will not be frightened as I approach from one end of the cereal aisle at the grocery store/Idaho Dad, A Family Runs Through It. More here.

Question: Are you a fashionista? More of a slob when it comes to clothes you wear? Or somewhere in between?

MelissaLuckKXLY: Thick Skin Required

MelissaLuckKXLY posts on her blog: To work in TV news, you have to have pretty thick skin. People take a lot of shots at you, about everything from the way you tell stories to how you do your hair. It’s part of the job, though at times, it can really get to you. Recently, something has made it a lot more frustrating: the fact people can comment and not leave their name. A couple of people have left some pretty insulting comments in recent days, specifically in response to my weekly segment called “Good Question.” Maybe people don’t like that we call it Good Question (they’re not MY questions, it’s not like I’m taking credit for it!) – but, here are two of the comments people posted about yesterday’s question, “Why are some people faster than others?”:

 

  • “Next week’s question why are some journalism questions far dumber that others? It is the water? The fact that they went to WSU? Or poor station management.? film at 6 …”
  • “Excellent question! Next week, can you please answer why some people are smarter than others? Keep up the great journalism, KXLY!

Question: Although I support anonymity in the blogosphere (because it allows individuals to speak freely who otherwise might not be able to do so), I’m impressed by the civility that reigns in Facebook, where individuals use their real names. Why the difference?


Otis G: Saying Goodbye To Skateboarding

I’m still not sure why, but my board flipped out from under me. When I hit the transition, I felt something slide in my knee. As I lay there assessing the situation, Brent asked what I thought was wrong. At that point, all I knew was that it felt really weird… and my foot was pointing in the wrong direction. “I think my knee came out of joint. Maybe I can twist it back.” “Dude… if you can get yourself out of this pool, then I could get you to the hospital… and you won’t have to pay for an ambulance.” I was immediately feeling the weight of hospital bills. Skipping the ambulance sounded good, so I did probably the worst possible thing - and tried twisting my leg back into joint. After feeling a couple snap crackle pops, I decided that probably wasn’t a good idea. “I’m not going to make it out. Call 911”/Otis G Experience. More here.

Question: Did an injury force you to give up a sport or activity that you enjoyed as a youngster? And/Or: What’s the worst sports injury you’ve suffered?

Adding Another Name To Vietnam Wall

Stoneworker James Lee of Colorado-based Engrave Write, prepares a space on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Tuesday, to add the name of Lt. Col. William L. Taylor. Taylor, of Tampa, Fla., was wounded in Vietnam Sept. 21, 1970, and died Jan. 23, 2009.  (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Question: Do you have a friend or family member whose name is on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial?

Cindy Disses Exclamation Points?!

On Facebook, CindyH started quite a conversation with a simple statement that she’s “not a fan of exclamation marks. Especially, first thing in the morning!!” That prompted a colleague who shares our mutual Facebook space to say that she received an e-mail Tuesday morning containing 3 exclamation points — and the writer wasn’t even angry. In fact, the information shared was fairly simple stuff. Another commenter declared that he wasn’t a fan of the semi-colon but that “it’d do in a pinch.” Still another said that the punctuation “?!” was called an “interrobang.” Me? I rarely use exclamation points, figuring the writing and subject matter should take care of the excitement.

Question: Do you use exclamation points? What’s your favorite punctuation mark?

Burdick, Bradbury Clash In Debate

At one point, Burdick disputed Bradbury’s statement that the state’s school facilities lawsuit ended when lawyers were called to a meeting in the Supreme Court’s basement and told “it’s over,” without any written order or decision - and despite an earlier ruling that the state’s school funding system is unconstitutional. “It is abject malarkey and nonsense,” Burdick said, adding that the basement meeting was a scheduling conference on another, related case. “I’m not going to say it’s a lie, but it’s darn close to it,” Burdick said. Bradbury responded, “If you want to know what happened in the basement of the Supreme Court, talk to the players who were there.” His description matches that given at the time by former Idaho Supreme Court Justice Robert Huntley, attorney for a group of school districts that sued over the the state’s system for funding school construction, and Deputy Attorney General Michael Gilmore/Betsy Russell, SR. More here. (SR Photo/Betsy Russell: Judge John Bradbury, left, and Roger Burdick)

Question: Do you believe the Idaho Supreme Court handled properly the conclusion to a long-running lawsuit in which dozens of school districts tried to force the Legislature to properly fund education?

Jorgenson Sues County Over Vick

Item: Senator sues Kootenai County: Jorgenson alleges clerk acted improperly on opponent’s vote status/Tom Hasslinger

More Info: Jorgenson, R-Hayden Lake, filed suit against county clerk Dan English last week, alleging that English acted improperly by not declaring Steven Vick - a candidate for Jorgenson’s District 3 Senate seat - ineligible to vote in Kootenai County. Jorgenson earlier filed a complaint with the Secretary of State’s office contending that Vick shouldn’t be allowed to run for the seat because of the registration mix up.

Question: What do you make of Sen. Mike Jorgenson’s allegations against County Clerk Dan English and lawsuit against Kootenai County?

Labrador, Ward Back Amendment Repeal

Item: Members of congressional delegation oppose repeal of 17th Amendment/Dustin Hurst, Idaho Reporter.

More Info: Boise Tea Party Inc.’s spokesman Russ Smerz asked if candidates would be in favor of repealing the result of Borah’s efforts. Many of the candidates – there were 10 of them on stage – gave mixed answers, but the two men in the state’s hottest congressional race agreed that they would support repealing the amendment. Republicans Rep. Raul Labrador, a state representative from Eagle, and Vaughn Ward, a Marine reservist, both battling for the right to face Democratic incumbent Walt Minnick in Idaho’s 1st Congressional District, said they would be in favor of giving the right to choose senators back to state legislators

Question: Do you support repealing the 17th Amendment and giving the right to choose senators back to state legislators, including the Idaho Legislature?

Wild Card/Tuesday — 5.4.10

I’m taking today off again to be with my wife and my son. Amy Dearest has returned to Portland. In fact, I’ll be off Wednesday, too, before returning Thursday to take control of Huckleberries Online again. I’ve posted a number of things for you to amuse yourselves with this morning. I apologize to Moscow Minidoka that this place isn’t as lively when I’m not here and Cindy is busy with her own things. Betsy Russell and I will get together later in the week to discuss whether she can do some pinch-hitting here while I’m on vacation. I’ll try to have a better plan in place for the next time I’m off. Now, for your Wild Card …

Ward Wants To End Bailouts, Earmarks

In a new TV commercial airing across the 1st Congressional District, GOP candidate Vaughn Ward says “the only way to stop reckless spending” by the federal government is to “end government bailouts and ban earmarks.” The campaign ad, Ward’s second of the campaign and the first to hit the North Idaho airwaves in the race, is prompting some discussion, both about how Ward and others would approach congressional earmarks, and about whether ending earmarks and bailouts would really solve the federal budget problem/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Question: Do you have a better idea than Vaughn Ward re: how to end “reckless spending” by the federal government?

The Political Sandbox — 5.4.10

 President Barack Obama shakes hands with the U.S. Naval Academy’s 2009 football team as they are honored with the Commander In Chief Trophy for victories over academies, in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Monday. The Midshipmen have won a record 15-straight service academy games dating back to the 2002 Army-Navy game.  (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • You can talk about Navy dominance in service academy football games during the past decade. Or any political issue you want by climbing into today’s Sandbox …

HBO Poll: Not Interested In Cinco de Mayo

  • Monday Poll: 78 of 118 respondents (66%) said they won’t celebrate Cinco de Mayo this week in honor of the famous holiday in Mexico. 35 of 118 (30%) said they would. 5 of 118 (4%) are undecided.
  • Today’s question: How well is the local government doing in your community to provide safe bike paths?

CdA To Change 15th For Bicyclers

Item: Life in the bike lane: City of Coeur d’Alene considers major changes on 15th Street/Tom Hasslinger, Coeur d’Alene Press

More Info: Re-centering, re-striping, adding bike lanes and a traffic signal, and doing away with parking. The city of Coeur d’Alene is considering some major changes on 15th Street from Sherman Avenue to Interstate 90, including adding bicycle lanes to both sides of the street on the popular riding route. To put in the lanes, the city would re-center and re-stripe the median, which hugs closer to the west side of the street than the east on portions of the road. The change would include taking away all parking on the east side of the street in that stretch.

Question: What else would you like to see Coeur d’Alene and other Kootenai County cities do to make them more bike friendly?

Trustees Delay Collaboration Decision

Item: Parents question late start: School trustees will not vote on new hours until June 7 meeting/Maureen Dolan, Coeur d’Alene Press

More Info: School officials in Coeur d’Alene will wait another month to decide if the school day will start later on Mondays next year. Superintendent Hazel Bauman recommended at Monday’s school board meeting that trustees delay voting on the change to school day schedules. They are being considered to give teachers time to collaborate before classes begin on Mondays. Trustee Bill Hemenway said he favored delaying taking action, having heard many concerns from his constituents in Zone 3.

Question: Did the board make the right decision by delaying action on the controversial collaboration proposal for a month? And/Or: What should the trustees do re: this issue while waiting for the next board meeting?

Liz: What Do You Want From Life?

Liz/My Life Is A Freak Show writes: “One thing I WILL talk about though, is the fact that death is so often a catalyst for rethinking one’s own life and one’s own priorities. Having a parent die, even if the relationship with said parent was very strained indeed, is a very pointed reminder that our days are numbered. I’m not saying I wasn’t already thinking about this stuff, because I was; hence the post started a few weeks ago. Prior to my last posting, actually. What my mother’s death did, though, was underline it all so very thoroughly. It pushed me over the philosophical line, and solidified my thoughts about what one wants to be looking back at as the end of one’s life here on this earth draws to a close.” More here.

Question: Well, what do you want from life?

Is It Abe Or Is It Jay?

On her Facebook page, Cindy points out that Alex’s chicken strip also looks like Jay Leno — even more so when you flip it over.

Question: What do you think — can Alex get more for his chicken strip on eBay by trying to sell it as Abraham Lincoln or Jay Leno?

Old Abe In A Chicken Strip?

“So. The most exciting thing I missed while working out of town was that Alex (Cindy’s No. 2 son) found a chicken strip (in a bag of Tyson’s) that looks just like Abraham Lincoln!” Facebooks CindyH. “He’s thinking Craig’s List or eBay. What do you think?”

Question: Do you think the chicken strip looks like Abraham Lincoln? And should Alex try to sell the chicken strip on eBay to help pay for his college education?

MelissaKXLY: How To Deal w/Trolls

MelissaKXLY4: Hey news people: how do you deal with nameless, anonymous posters/emails/commenters? Losing patience … what’s the ‘right’ way to respond?

Question: Anyone have any advice for Melissa?

Idaho Congress Hopefuls Use Social Media

With the commander-in-chief utilizing Twitter, the effects of his presence can be felt down the line of the federal government, and even here in Idaho, where most of the major candidates for Congress utilize the services of Facebook or Twitter or blogs.  Congressman Walt Minnick, a Democrat representing Idaho’s 1st District, has two Twitter accounts, one for his official congressional office and one for this campaign team.  The two men vying to challenge him, state Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Eagle, and Vaughn Ward, a Marine reservist, both have Twitter accounts through which they post links to press releases and news articles favorable to their respective campaigns. Of all the congressional candidates in Idaho, Ward has the largest presence on Twitter, with 685.  Labrador trails Ward by 180 followers.  Minnick, on his campaign Twitter account, has 153 followers.   All three contenders have campaign pages on Facebook.  None of the men utilize blogging services, but Ward’s wife, Kirsten, authors a blog on his campaign site updating followers on the happenings of the campaign trail/Dustin Hurst, Idaho Reporter. More here.

Question: Do you expect the social media to have an impact in Idaho elections this year?

Escapee: Facebook Is Ultimate Time Eater

Escapee: Facebook is a time-eater…it all starts when Facebook asks, “What’s on your mind”, and you post there, maybe share a foto, perhaps read what yer friends have said, and if they post something cool, you’ll give it a thumbs-up or thumbs-down, and then you do the same for every one of your friends, and then one of those friends wants to chat with you for a while so you do that, and then there’s a cool Facebook group you wanna belong to, so you join the group, then you answer a few (or many) Facebook Poll questions, and all of a sudden it’s 2 in the morning and you haven’t checked your main in-box yet, and then, oh my, you need to post something on your own blogsite, and after you’re done with all that, it’s 4:30am and you cuss out yourself royally for getting sucked-in by the Facebook machine.

Question: Do you agree w/Escapee that Facebook is the ultimate time waster? Or do you have a bigger time waster in your life? Or do you consider Facebook worth the time you spend on it?

Ramirez: Lower Than Martian Pond Scum

Michael Ramirez/Investor’s Business Daily

Chief Allan unnanimously reappointed

Chief Allan, chairman of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe


PLUMMER – Coeur d’Alene Tribe Chairman Chief Allan, who has been Chairman since 2005, was unanimously reappointed Monday morning by the seven-person tribal council. “I am honored to continue to represent the Coeur d’Alene Tribe as chairman,” said Allan. “I love my tribe and I am excited about the upcoming year. There are many exciting times on the horizon.” Two tribal council seats were decided during Saturday’s tribal election.  Charlotte Nilson earned a second three-year term and earned the highest vote total of any candidate this year. More below.

Wild Card/Monday — 5.3.10

Dunno if you can tell from the lack of Scanner Traffic and interaction from me today that something’s missing — Me. I’m enjoyed a surprise visit from my kids over the weekend. And it continues today. I posted a bunch of stuff Sunday night for this morning. I’ll keep an eye on things to see if something else needs to go out front today. Otherwise, I’ll be lurking in the background enjoying the kids and day off. Cindy’s tied up today. You can always use this Wild Card to start your own threads or to inform other Hucksters re: what’s going on today …

HBO Poll: No To Facebook At Work

  • Weekend Poll: A supermajority of HucksOnline readers either don’t use their Facebook accounts at work or aren’t signed up for Facebook. 56 of 136 respondents (41%) said they didn’t post on their Facebook pages at work. 49 of 136 (36%) said they didn’t have Facebook accounts. Only 31 of 136 (23%) said they read their Facebook pages and post on them while at work.
  • Today’s Question: Do you plan to celebrate Cinco de Mayo this week?

Rugby, Anyone?

Biarritz Olympique’s teammate protect the ball during their Heineken Rugby Cup semi final match against Munster at the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian northern Spain Sunday. Biarritz Olympique won the match 18-7.  (AP Photo / Alvaro Barrientos)

Question: Have you ever played rugby? Would you like to do so?

Labrador, Ward Spar @ Tea Party Debate

Raul Labrador (pictured) also came out fighting and really showed his experience well. He had a direct and calm tone to his delivery and answered questions well. Labrador was prepared and had a great line when talking about global warming. Labrador said, “Global warming does exist and it’s man made, it’s coming from all the hot air in Washington DC.” Labrador said that he is the only one on the stage who has actually fought against reforms. ”We told the federal government to shove it.” Speaking of the Idaho Health Freedom act, which authorized Idaho to sue the federal government over National Health Care. He said of his opponents, “They’re all going to stand up and they’re all going to tell you that they will fight the federal government, I’m the only one who has actually fought the federal government.” On Immigration Labrador said of Ward, “Do you want to send somebody to Washington, D.C., who doesn’t even understand immigration law?” Labrador said he has not taken a position on Arizona’s new immigration law/Idaho Conservative Blogger. More here.

Question: Do you plan to watch a political debate this spring, in person or on television? Which one(s)?

CdA Rape Suspect Didn’t Have To Register

A man accused of raping a Coeur d’Alene woman early Saturday was convicted in 1990 of raping a child in Washington but wasn’t required to register as a sex offender in Idaho.

Thomas C. Dickerson, 40, was charged with failing to register as a sex offender in Idaho in May 2003 after moving from Washington. But the Idaho state Court of Appeals overturned his conviction in 2006, saying the law requiring him to register violated the U.S. Constitution.According to the Associated Press, the case largely came down to timing. Idaho’s sex offender registry law was enacted on July 1, 1993, requiring that any people who moved to Idaho after that date be required to register as a sex offender if they’d been convicted of a sex crime in another state.

More here.

Question: Any thoughts on Dickerson beating the rap for failing to register as a sex offender in 2003 when he moved to Idaho — only to be charged with a brutal rape now?

The Political Sandbox

This still photo from a surveillance camera, released by the New York City Police Department, shows the Nissan Pathfinder used in the attempted attack on Times Square passing through Times Square early on Saturday evening. An “amateurish” but potentially powerful bomb was found inside if it on Saturday evening. Thousands of tourists were cleared from the streets for 10 hours after two vendors alerted police to the suspicious vehicle, which contained three propane tanks, fireworks, two filled 5-gallon gasoline containers, and two clocks with batteries, electrical wire and other components. Story here. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)

  • You are welcome to climb inside the Sandbox and discuss the failed attack on Times Square over the weekend or any political topic you desire with this wild card …

Enjoying Free Cervezas At Toro Viejo

He raised his bottle of Bud Light high in the air and yelled “Salud!” before barking loudly like a happily demented dog. Clearly, our new amigo had already finished off quite a few cold ones. He didn’t know more than a few words of our language either, so it took us a minute to figure out that he wanted to buy our first beer. “You buy us dos cervezas?” shouted my friend, as she repeatedly poked her finger in his direction, then ours. He grinned enthusiastically and nodded his head yes, nearly falling off his barstool. Our beers arrived and we continued to embarrass ourselves by shouting out random, unrelated Spanish words and phrases we kind of knew, eventually coming up with, “Cinco de Mayo!” On that, he lifted his beer again and slurred a few sentences in Spanish that I’m going to guess meant something like, “Hey, I’ll be even more bombed on May 5 than I am right now, and most likely so will you!/OrangeTV, Get Out! North Idaho. More here

Question: How well can you speak Spanish? And/or: Do you celebrate Cinco de Mayo?

APhoto Of The Day — 5.3.10

 Washington men’s varsity team toss their coxswain, Michelle Darby into Lake Washington after winning the Windemere Cup over Syracuse and Oxford on the Montlake Cut in Seattle on Saturday. You write the cutline. (AP Photo/The Seattle Times, Jim Bryant)

Sandpoint Woman Worked For JFK

Sue Vogelsinger first learned of her boss’s death while reviewing one of his upcoming speeches. The place was Dallas. The date was Nov. 22, 1963. Her boss was President John F. Kennedy. “My colleague, Chris Camp, and I were working on speech copy for the next stop. We were on Air Force One in (Kennedy’s) cabin when one of the stewards came through and said to pack up,” said Vogelsinger, a Sagle, Idaho, resident who served as a member of Kennedy’s press staff. Decades later Vogelsinger smiles as she remembers the man she calls physically awe-inspiring, quick-witted and a man who truly loved his job. “Being around President Kennedy was exhilarating,” said Vogelsinger/Patty Hutchens, SR Handle Extra. More here.

Question: How successful of a president would Kennedy have been, if he’d served two terms and not been assassinated?

  • Photo/Kathy Plonka, SR: Sue Vogelsinger, pictured Monday at her home in Sandpoint, has a history of working for U.S. presidents, including John F. Kennedy.

First-Time Bloomie Wins Elite Field

Some elite runners made good money during Sunday’s brisk Bloomsday run in downtown Spokane. And dozens of corporate cup runners went home with a trophy. For others, the 34th Lilac Bloomsday Run was less about awards and more about annual traditions of bringing together families and fitness. Jerry Litzenberger, a 65-year-old consultant from Snohomish, Wash., returns to his roots each year to run Bloomsday. He grew up in the West Central neighborhood, which is the course’s homestretch. His sister and 94-year-old mom still live there.“Running through the old neighborhood is lots of fun,” said Litzenberger, who finished the race in 1 hour, 35 minutes. “And over the years, it’s evolved into a family event”/Becky Kramer & Tom Sowa, Spokesman-Review. More here. (Spokesman-Review photography)

Question: If you participated in Bloomsday, how did you do? If not, are there races in Coeur d’Alene that you participate in? Or follow as a participant, volunteer, or observer?

Ramirez: Mission Accomplished

Michael Ramirez/Investor’s Business Daily

Wild Card/Sunday — 5.2.10

Saturday was a fun day with Mrs. O and the kids. We each picked a horse in the 20-horse field to win the Kentucky Derby. My colt, Paddy O’Prado, finished best of our picks at 3rd. Jockey Calvin Borel, of course, road Super Saver (above, in AP Photo/David J. Phillip) to victory during the 136th Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Then, we went for a walk at City Park. Where we saw Rex Rammell and his inflated T-Rex balloon figure trying to fire up a 10th Amendment rally in the band shell. The T-Rex had some sort of toy gun in one of its paws. We topped off our trip downtown with gooeys at Dockside, squeezing in among the dozens of boys in tuxedos and girls in prom dresses. Even saw one of those stretch Hummer limos. All in all, a good time was had by us. I’ll post this Wild Card now and try to have another good time today …

Man Held In Downtown Shotgun Incident

A man is in custody of Coeur d’ Alene police after allegedly aiming a shotgun at a group of pedestrians. An officer made a traffic stop of a wrong way driver in the 300 block of N 3rd St. around 2:30 Saturday afternoon. As he did, a group of people came running up and told him the subjects in the car he stopped had a shotgun. Officers conducted an investigation and determined the subjects in the vehicle including Jason Fennimore, a 22 year old male from Alaska, were talking on the sidewalk when another group of people, including two victims, walked past/KHQ. More here.

CdA Man Faces Rape Charge

A 40-year-old Coeur d’Alene man was arrested today for allegedly beating, strangling and raping a female acquaintance. Coeur d’Alene Police were called to a residence in the area of Clady and Fruitland Lane about 3 a.m., after a woman reported that an acquaintance, Thomas Dickerson, had hit her in the face, strangled her, raped her, and then left. Dickerson was spotted driving in the area near the scene, and stopped by a detective, police officials said/Sara Leaming, SR. More here.

Hayden Man Held In Gunfire Exchange

Kerry Noel Damiano, 22, of Hayden, is in custody facing an aggravated assault charge after an exchange of gunfire with deputies early this morning, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department.  Deputies responded to the area of East Chilco Road near Chilco Lake, north of Hayden, for a report of trespassers causing a disturbance in the area around midnight.  Initial information indicates that as deputies were approaching the area the suspect fired one round and the deputies returned fire.  The suspect Damiano then gave up without further incident.  No one was injured in the incident. The Idaho State Police was called in to perform the investigation.

Wild Card/Saturday — 5.1.10

Kentucky Derby day is one of fond remembrances for my wife and me. Her late father owned a race horse and always dreamed of the running it in the derby. The horse won a county fair race or two. But my father-in-law didn’t have the kind of money it takes to take his dream far. We took him to the old greyhound track during his last visit to Coeur d’Alene in the late 1980s. He was on crutches. So my wife had to place his bets for him at the window. She wasn’t into the betting too much, until her father hit a couple of winners. All in all, we won $71 that day on 10 or 12 races. But much more in terms of memories. My daughter-in-law is a horse woman, too. Me? I can only the ones who run in circles on merry-go-rounds. Now, for your weekend Wild Card …

Punchless Mariners Blanked in 12 Innings

Subdued Seattle Mariners fans look on from outfield seats after the Texas Rangers scored the first run of the game in the 12th inning during a baseball game Friday in Seattle. The Rangers won 2-0. Story here. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Question: Are you still optimistic that the punchless Mariners will turn things around and begin hitting? And/Or: Is it time that Ken Griffey Jr. retires? And/Or: How many games do you watch a year at Safeco Field?

136th Kentucky Derby Runs Today

The first Saturday in May means it’s time for the annual ‘Run for the Roses’. Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, a field of 20 will compete in the 136th Kentucky Derby. The field is made up of 19 boys and one girl, Devil May Care, who will break from the middle of the pack. The Filly will be ridden by John Velazquez and will add blinkers for Saturday’s race. The two favorites in (today’s) race are Lookin At Lucky, 3-1 and breaking from the rail. And then there is Sidney’s Candy, 5-1 and breaking from the far outside. And while the post positions don’t necessarily drop them from consideration, the 1 and 20 post positions can be disastrous in a 20 horse field/Scott Coen, Mass Live.com. More here.

  • AP Photo/Ed Reinke: Devil May Care (the only filly in a field of 20 horses) gets a bath after a morning workout at Churchill Downs Friday in Louisville, Ky.

Question: Will you watch the Kentucky Derby? And/Or: Do you care which horse wins? And/Or: Have you ever consumed a mint julip?

How Does This Rig Get Over Bumps?

“At first glance I thought this truck had four flat tires and was sitting on its rims on a Coeur d’Alene neighborhood street,” posts KerriT/More Main Street. “But upon closer inspection, the tires were intact and asphalt-grazing was intentional. Cannot imagine this rig making it over a simple parking lot speed bump.”

Question: Describe the hottest vehicle you’ve ever owned?

OTC: Life Imitates ‘Lord Of The Rings’

I’ve noticed life mimicking art lately. For example, the oil spill in the Gulf reminds me of a passage from J.R.R. Tolken. He wrote, “The dwarves delved too greedily and too deep.” I find it to be a perfect statement of what is happening to our society today/Ilya, UI Argonaut. More Off The Cuff.

Question: Are there any other life lessons that can be learned from J.R.R. Tolkien’s books about Hobbits and Middle Earth?

38 Years Since Sunshine Mine Disaster

As the nation grieves from the deaths of 29 miners in West Virginia and two killed this week in Kentucky, families in North Idaho are getting ready to mark the 38th anniversary of the Sunshine Mine Disaster. On May 2, 1972 fire erupted inside Kellogg’s Sunshine Mine, killing 91 men trapped underground. Fathers, husbands, brothers, cousins, sons — all died from smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning. “There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about them,” says Bill Delbridge, remembering his father, brother, and cousin who lost their lives in the mine fire. Every year on May 2nd, people gather at the Sunshine Miners Memorial Statue to pay tribute to those no longer with us/Tania Dall, KXLY. More here.

Question: Do you know someone who survived or died in the Sunshine Mine Disaster? And/or: Is there anyone in your family who is or was a miner?

A Time To Shop Before Bloomsday Run

Bloomsday Sunday is for racing. Trade show Friday is for eating, shopping and massages. Runners were lined up to spin for salad dressing, pita chips and rice. They were flaying away at Nordstrom Rack goods like lost mall crawlers. The smaller ones were tossing basketballs at an inflatable rim. And there were stacks and stacks of shoes. Joel Warwick of Sport Town said the 400 boxes of Asics and New Balance footwear will shrink by as much as 80 during the trade show’s two days. Most are too rigid to be worn Sunday, he said, but a soft shoe like the Nimbus will allow runners to float around the Bloomsday course without discomfort. “A lot of people can get away with it,” Warwick said/Bert Caldwell, SR. More here.

  • Photo: Dan Pelle/SR: Michelle Baldwin, 35, of Spokane, packs her daughters, 3-month-old Katie and 4-year-old Mia, through the lines to get her family’s race numbers Friday at the Spokane Convention Center. Volunteer Gordon Manser, left, sorts through numbers to find Baldwin’s tag.

Question: Are you running Bloomsday this year? And/or: How many times have your run it before? And/or: Why do you run Bloomsday?

Anderson: Deep Sea Accident Team?

Nick Anderson/Houston Chronicle

About this blog

D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.

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