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competitive.” So says State Board of Education President Richard Westerberg in a guest opinion sent out this afternoon. Westerberg further explains the board's controversial decision to strike the word “flagship” from the University of Idaho's mission: “There was much thoughtful, and sometimes spirited, discussion about proposed updates. The proposed mission statement for the University of Idaho included the term 'flagship,' which was not used in previous mission statements and was not deemed appropriate by the board”/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. 
Day+1, not because it won so many Academy Awards, but because my sweet Susan wanted to see the film many weeks ago - and we just did not make time to do so. Tonight we made that needed time. And it was a wonderful investment on our collective behalves. The film is touching and beautifully shot. The techniques of the '20s are employed as if the last master silent film cinematographer had not passed away decades ago. The black and white filming was so sharp and completely alive. The film can be watched by any member of your family … no kidding/Dennis Mansfield. 
35,000-square foot makeover includes new décor for the lobby and Dockside Restaurant, a larger fitness area and an expansion of Whispers, a bar and lounge. “We want people to feel like it’s a brand new place,” said architect Guy Dreier of Palm Desert, Calif. The remodel includes larger skylights to increase natural light, a 22,000-gallon Koi aquarium with imported fish from Japan, indoor plants, Italian tile and Brazilian granite. Conventions and meetings makes up about half of the business for the resort hotel on Lake Coeur d’Alene/Becky Kramer, SR. 
discussing our favorite Monkee (mine: Peter Tork). We bought all their albums, memorized all the songs, waited in line for their movies. We didn't care when we later learned that none of them were very good at playing music when they got together. They were chosen for their chemistry. And boy, did they have it. They allowed us to daydream about love, romance and all the other stuff we didn't really know about yet in sixth grade/Rebecca Nappi, SR End Notes. 
in. Find yourself going a little further than your undercover duties require. Snort some more cocaine, then smoke it. Then smoke it. Then smoke it. Take paid leave to go to treatment, turn in your badge and gun – and sue the city of Spokane for $2 million, for getting you hooked on crack cocaine. If you thought the Brad Thoma case was something new under the sun, think again. A quarter-century ago, Spokane was rocked by a case with unmistakable similarities: an addicted cop, a multimillion-dollar lawsuit, and a City Hall that doesn’t want to settle … except it also doesn’t want to lose a lot of money in court. We don’t know the end of the Thoma case, yet. The City Council is showing some backbone, Thoma is suing, and the case will doubtlessly drag on for a good long while/Shawn Vestal, SR. 
state regulators. Of the $9.5 million paid to all company officers, about 42 percent came from customers’ rate payments in its three-state service area, Avista said in the report. That last figure was required by order of the Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission. Washington customers, which represent Avista’s largest service territory, pay $2.4 million of the company officers’ $9.5 million in compensation through their rates. Idaho customers pay $1.2 million and Oregon customers pay about $560,000/SR. 
old Spokane Hotel, the Manito Golf Club and the Davenport Hotel. Standing in the Hall of the Doges at the Davenport, with its crystal chandeliers and celestial murals, one can almost imagine how grand those celebrations must have been. Stories found in the Spokane Chronicle tell of leap year dance parties attended by hundreds in 1916, hosted by various women’s social clubs. Ladies in fine gowns with silk gloves and men in coats and tails danced to eight-piece orchestras surrounded by palm trees and trailing vines/Kristen Harrington, SR. 
disinvite Richard Mack to speak at the Lincoln Day Dinner March 24, the Republicans avoided the stigma of officially associating themselves with a controversial figure on the right fringe of the political spectrum. It's one thing for the local Tea Party to invite an individual lionized by the militia and Patriot movements in this country. But quite another for the official local Republican Party to do so. The appearance of Mack as a keynote speaker would color how outsiders view the local Republicans and Kootenai County. The move to disinvite Mack may be the local Republicans first step back from the right fringe. The next step would be for the local Republicans to pick true conservatives rather Constitutionalists and Libertarians in the GOP primary election this spring — DFO.
members removed the word during a Feb. 16 meeting in Boise, where they also edited the mission statements of Boise State University and Idaho State University. The word “flagship” had only been in the UI's mission statement since September. But the UI change - intended to foster collegial relationships among the three universities - caused controversy across the state.The Faculty Senate resolution expresses “profound disappointment” at the decision and asks the state board to reconsider at its April 18-19 meeting on the UI's Moscow campus/Moscow-Pullman Daily News. 
Republicans, I feel compelled to explain the direction the RR’s are going and why I, along with most of the other conservative former board members and VPs including Rep Bob Nonini, Steve Adams and Jack Schroeder, have resigned our positions. When they were formed, the RRs were a fairly conservative group. After several attempts to purge conservatives from the board and watering down the endorsement criteria from a unanimous board vote to just two/thirds of the board members who can attend the meeting, the RRs are poised to endorse a slate of moderate and liberal Republicans this spring. Most of the candidates hoping to be endorsed by the RRs have also reportedly hired Strategery at a cost of $5,000 each/Larry Spencer, letter to the editor/Coeur d'Alene Press. 
dad,” Romney said to a crowd of about 100. “President Obama does not want to run against my dad, so he's encouraging everyone in Michigan — all the Democrats — to vote for the other guys, don't vote for Mitt. It's a good sign for us, but it's making life tough in Michigan.” Romney pulled out a critical 3-point win Tuesday, after blasting Rick Santorum for doing what his son attributed to the president. The candidate called Santorum's automated phone calls to Democrats — reminding them that Romney opposed bailing out the U.S. auto industry — a “dirty trick” Tuesday. Santorum omitted mention of the fact that he too opposed taxpayer loans to Detroit/Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman. 
faces splitting the conservative vote with Newt Gingrich as the former House speaker counts on Southern primaries to revive his campaign. Mitt Romney speaks to supporters Tuesday night in Novi, Mich. Texas Rep. Ron Paul remains a factor as he attempts to mine delegates in caucus states like North Dakota, where his campaign team says the process plays to his strengths. Super Tuesday is March 6, just three days after Saturday's Washington state caucuses/AP. 
favor of rescinding the party's invitation to Mack, a Tea Party activist and former Arizona sheriff, to be the keynote speaker at their March 24 dinner and fundraiser. The roll call vote of 31-30 was taken after the party chair, Tina Jacobson (pictured), defended the procedure followed to select Mack and chided a group of elected precinct committee members for signing a letter opposing Mack's selection and giving the letter to members of the media. “We've had discussions in this room about airing our laundry in the press,” Jacobson said. She said going to the newspapers with party business hurts the organization and shows divisiveness. “And the Democrats are passing the popcorn,” Jacobson said/Maureen Dolan, Coeur d'Alene Press. 
Romney hoping to reestablish himself as the frontrunner and Santorum hoping to gain momentum and reinforce his claim on the party’s conservative base. Arizona today also is holding its Republican primary, where all 29 delegates are expected to go to Romney. The state has a winner-take-all primary so most candidates conceded the race to Romney, who held his lead in the polls. Polls began closing at 8 p.m. Eastern Time in Michigan. They were to begin closing at 9 p.m. Eastern Time in Arizona/Matt Viser and Bobby Caina Calvan, Boston Globe. 
2001, when portions of bodies brought there after the terrorist attacks were cremated and deposited in a landfill, according to a Defense Department report Tuesday. Detailing previously undisclosed errors at the Dover Air Force Base mortuary, investigators found a 2002 memo that indicated portions of bodies of people killed in the Shanksville, Pa., plane crash and the Pentagon attack couldn't be identified, were cremated at a civilian crematory and then given to a biomedical waste-disposal contractor that deposited the remains in a landfill/Julian E. Barnes, Wall Street Journal. 
stateline. Here's what she posted on her blog: “I had stopped to get gas at the truck stop. Got back on the freeway. Was driving along, glanced at my phone … yes … I did. I was looking at it, not texting, for once. I look up and have to hit my brakes. (insert guardian angel working overtime) There is smoke … thought it was fog … except that cars were pulling over! I ended up being the 3rd car on the scene of an accident. We, meaning the other drivers, are just kind of sitting there. I didn’t think to call 911. Weird. I guess I figured others would be. (somebody did say they couldn’t get through) I thought why are we sitting here….why isn’t anybody HELPING. I got out of my car and started running up to the cars. 
District 5 Seat B, a district containing Benewah and Latah Counties. De Vries, in his first run for public office, will seek a two-year term to the seat currently held by Rep. Dick Hardwood (pictured). Harwood has announced he is retiring from the Legislature and endorsing De Vries. Ken De Vries, 52, a self-employed business software consultant lives with his wife of 24 years, Yvonne on their working ranch in rural Benewah County. They have three children. Connor, 20, Adrian, 17, Trevor, 10. De Vries has for more than 25 years developed software solutions for businesses and has owned I3 Consulting since 2003/News Release. 
member of the relatively new Oath Keepers group, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the Kootenai County Republican Lincoln Day dinner. He may have filed a suit against the SPLC, alledging defamation, libel, and slander. In the article, SPLC spokesman Mark Potok says that the Oath Keepers pledge to uphold the Constitution is simply a facade to cover “very specific conspiratorial fears which are absolutely groundless” of militia and Patriot groups. Stewart Rhodes, who founded the Oath Keepers in 2009, said such characterizations by opponents of Oath Keepers are “smear tactics.”
before the financial crisis. Preliminary figures show the Dow closed up five points Tuesday to finish at 13,005. The average is up more than 6 percent this year, mostly because of enthusiasm about the building U.S. economic recovery. The Dow first broke 13,000 on April 25, 2007. The last time it ended the day above 13,000 was May 19, 2008. The Great Recession was six months old/AP. 
seasons of 
House with a recommendation that it “do pass.” The bill, which permanently cuts individual and corporate income taxes for top earners by $35.7 million a year, is co-sponsored by 40 of the 70 members of the House. Rep. Marv Hagedorn, R-Meridian, told the committee, “The governor has recommended that we not collect this money, that we're collecting too much.” House Majority Caucus Chairman Ken Roberts, R-Donnelly (pictured), who made the motion to pass the bill, said, “It's not the $45 million that the governor proposed in his budget … but unless we move forward with putting a number and a tax bill before the Legislature, it's likely that the budget committee will basically spend everything we have”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
word “flagship” from the UI's mission statement. Rep. Tom Trail late Monday afternoon forwarded the Daily News a draft copy of legislation he intends to introduce that would, if passed, officially establish the UI as the state's flagship university. Meanwhile, the UI Faculty Senate will consider adopting a resolution this afternoon to request the board reconsider its Feb. 16 decision, which angered UI officials and supporters around the state.The state board's next regular meeting is scheduled for April 18-19 at the UI's Moscow campus/Holly Bowen, Moscow-Pullman Daily News. 
expectations for businesses that serve outdoors thanks to the city's food and alcohol outdoor service policy, which has been changed several times the last three years. “It's a balancing act,” said Mike Kennedy, councilman, on attempting to clean up late-night behavior outside establishments that serve alcohol, versus coming down too heavy handed on businesses. “And it's not an easy one.” The proposed additions would require businesses that have the outdoor permits to play a more active role in policing unacceptable behavior in their own designated areas/Tom Hasslinger, Coeur d'Alene Press. 
included a live rendition of his campaign theme song performed by rocker/rapper Kid Rock. Romney, who introduced Rock as “a friend” and “a guy that makes great music,” said Rock agreed to perform after discussing what Romney would do for Michigan as president. “He had a piece of paper and had written down some questions for me,” Romney said at the rally Monday night at the Royal Oak Music Theater. “He said, 'Mitt, if you are elected president will you help me help the state of Michigan?' I said I would.” Romney said he then asked Rock — a Michigan native like the Republican candidate — to play a concert for his supporters/USA Today. 
dime. That's how IHOP, previously known as the International House of Pancakes, celebrates National Pancake Day, by plating up a hot stack of flapjacks for customers and footing the bill. But, really, who are we kidding? You're probably going to pay one way or the other. IHOP's free-pancake offer is part of the California-based chain's annual fundraiser to support local charities. In exchange for a free short stack of pancakes between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Tuesday at participating restaurants, the chain asks that diners make a donation that will be used for a local Children's Miracle Network Hospital/Rene Lynch, Los Angeles Times.
near the Statehouse during the legislative session. Palmer, R-Meridian (pictured), has been quiet during four years in the Statehouse. But his first attempt at high-profile legislation is a not-ready-for-prime-time effort … Palmer says his idea is to provide free parking to allow Idahoans to attend hearings or talk to their lawmakers. But constituents would have to get up early in the morning to snag a free spot. The bill creates a first-come, first-served free-for-all for the coveted freebies, with Downtown workers and Statehouse lobbyists and reporters likely to avail themselves of the coveted spots/Idaho Statesman Editorial Board. 
the board's Zone 1 seat. At a special board meeting held Monday, trustees also elected to hire outside counsel, other than longtime school district attorney, Charles Dodson, to review and advise them on the process of selecting another appointee. “I think the conflict there is a little too close,” said Trustee Tom Hamilton (pictured), who made the motion to seek alternate representation. The vote was 3-1 in favor of removing Dodson from handling school board business that falls under Idaho Code 33-504, the section of state education law specifically related to school board vacancies. Diane Zipperer cast the lone dissenting vote/Maureen Dolan, Coeur d'Alene Press. 
13 points and five assists and Sacre chipped in five points and six rebounds as the Bulldogs routed Longwood 92-60 in front of an appreciative audience of 6,000 in the regular-season finale Monday at the McCarthey Athletic Center. Freshmen Gary Bell Jr. (20 points), Kevin Pangos (12 points) and Ryan Spangler (12 points, 10 rebounds) helped the Bulldogs (24-5) build leads as large as 35 points against the visiting Lancers, a Division I independent from Farmville, Va./Jim Meehan, SR. 
son has gotten numerous parking tickets in the area and had his car towed on the first day of this year’s legislative session. Instead, Rep. Joe Palmer, R-Meridian, told the House, “The reason I’m bringing this bill is because I had a constituent come to me.” After city records obtained under the Idaho Public Records Law revealed the towing and numerous tickets incurred during or just before the legislative session by Ty Palmer, three of which remain unpaid, Palmer was asked by a reporter if the constituent in question was his son. He had a one-word answer: “No”/Eye On Boise. 
Camden, is sending a lucky winner and a guest to Custer's 35th annual Spring Arts & Crafts Show. Simply by taking the quiz, you're eligible for the random drawing. And if you happen to dominate the 10-question look at current events, $50 to the Davenport could be yours. You can take the News Quiz by 
withholding records related to an ongoing criminal investigation. Last week, after Sen. John McGee's resignation, the Statesman asked Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill for email, text messages, hand-written notes or any other records regarding allegations of sexual harassment brought to Hill by a Senate staffer. “We deny your requests because these documents are within the scope of a criminal investigation which is currently being conducted by the Idaho State Patrol,” wrote Deputy Attorney General Robert Adelson on Monday/Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman. 
summer 2010 Intelligence Report. Of Mack, the SPLC says: “It seems hardly a day goes by without another Mack attack on the evils of the federal government. This one-time sheriff of a rural county in Arizona and present-day icon of the Patriot movement has parlayed his antigovernment ardor into a full-time job doing speaking gigs at county fairgrounds, high school auditoriums and hotel banquet rooms.” The SPLC, 
Rep. Dennis Lake, R-Blackfoot, chairman of the House Revenue & Taxation Committee, won't run for re-election, reports Clark Corbin, reporter for the Idaho Falls Post-Register. Corbin tweeted, “He will not seek re-election. Formal announcement coming today.” Lake, 74, is in his 8th term in the House; he's an agribusinessman and former school board member who holds an accounting degree from Brigham Young University/Betsy Russell, 
camping on state property, but blocks removal of the Occupy Boise tents on 1st Amendment grounds — “a victory for our freedom of speech, for what we are aiming for.” Said Reali, who hasn't been camping overnight at the site but visits often and participates in meetings there, “One of the important functions of the vigil was to have a place for people to come. We will continue to use the vigil site for meetings and gatherings”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
like trying to laugh at a joke you heard last week. The skits were awful. The Cir de Soleil performance wasn’t even good and that is extremely rare. Who cares if Adam Sandler will show his entire interpersonal feelings on film by the time he is 80? They do interviews the entire show with people like Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, etc. and then give the biggest award to some Schmuck that was in a movie nobody will ever watch. Then they turn around give the other to a woman who would be nominated if she appeared in a commercial for Jimmy Johns sandwiches. And why it is every single speech has a thank you to Harvey Weinstein. That guy must pay the Academy members well.
morning. While a men’s league sank 3-pointers on one court, another group warmed up nearby. “I want to play a game of basketball!” shouted 6-year-old Henry Peterschmidt. He was one of a dozen kids gathered to learn some new skills. But the primary focus of this league isn’t dribbling and shooting – it’s social interaction. Last month, Northwest Autism Center launched its first recreational basketball program for children with autism spectrum disorder/Cindy Hval, Washington Voices. 
2003, it was to provide a public service — and a deterrent for people about to do something really stupid, like drive drunk. The site has become popular, averaging about 200,000 unique visitors a month, and Raney considers it a complete success. “I don’t know how many times I have heard from people that they got a designated driver so they don’t end up on our website,” he said. “The public deterrence factor is pretty high, especially for DUI driving.” But Raney is now considering removing the site (www.adasheriff.org/ArrestsReport) because of what he sees as an abuse of the public information and service it provides/Patrick Orr, Statesman. 
gets a chance to make a difference. You can be a part of history on March 6th, when Idaho Republicans caucus to assign their delegates for the Republican presidential nomination. It’s been exciting to see candidates—note the plural—visit Idaho in hopes of winning the nomination. After this week, all four major republican contenders will have made a stop in Idaho. The campaigns are organizing get-togethers, phone banks, and get-out-the-vote efforts. Maybe we’ll even see some signs and/or media ads. It’s a great time to be an Idaho Republican. The best the democrats can do is to occupy a voting booth, cast an obligatory re-election ballot for a failed president, and then hope for a miracle. Meanwhile, Republicans are attending campaign events, listening to candidates, enjoying some media attention, and getting fired up for a meaningful caucus/Ronald M. Nate, Idaho GOP Caucus Committee chairman. 
famously looked down upon the starving masses of French citizens and declared: “Let them eat cake,” it is certainly more artful than the two-word retort Otter and Moyle may have in store for Idaho's neediest, its injured and its broken: Too bad. Too bad the state went broke a year ago and had to hack away at Medicaid services for Idaho's most vulnerable adults. To save $35 million in state dollars, Idaho had to sacrifice another $60 million in matching federal dollars. Too bad that meant less support for developmentally disabled adults struggling to live and work independently. Too bad the state would devote less effort to helping the mentally ill maintain their equilibrium and their safety. Too bad it meant no preventive dental care, vision or audiology services/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. 
adults, but it felt like we were two kids sitting in a basement with a stash of cherry bombs between us. Odds were good one of us was leaving hurt. “Any one of the three of these is going to mess you up,” Ted (The Fire Breathing Idiot) Barrus said of his peppers. That said, by his logic, I might as well tangle with the king - the last bag on his left. It held the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, recently given the crown as the hottest pepper in the world after some of its ilk scored 2 million heat units on the Scoville scale. A jalapeno, not even worthy of a spot in his jars, hits 8,000 at best/Cody Bloomsburg, Lewiston Tribune. 
in bringing conservatism back to the White House in the person of the 45th President of the United States. He has listed creating jobs and restoring American competitiveness as his highest priorities, and although implementing those priorities is way easier said than done, at least he has the priorities right. And despite his bungled statements about both the “very rich” and the “very poor,” his clarifying remark — “My energy is going to be devoted to helping middle-income people” — is exactly where the next president’s energy ought to be focused/Twin Falls Times-News Editorial Board. 
proponents (namely a KCRCC non-member, Larry Spencer) who have spread disinformation about our letter. Let me set a few facts straight. I composed the letter with ideas and research by a number of signers. Since it was a letter sent to the KCRCC Chair and Secretary with copies sent to signatories and various KCRCC members (whose email was on the original KCRCC Roster) there was an expectation of that the letter would be public. It was sent on Monday February 20th. I did not forward it to anyone else. I responded to a media email on the afternoon of Tuesday February 21st by a reporter who had seen a copy of the letter. There seems to be some confusion about the nature of our objections to Mack speaking that have been further obscured by the disinformation mentioned above/Jeff Ward, Kootenai County Reagan Republicans. 
in which there are many County level offices open. Offices with two year terms include: County Commissioner District 1 and Precinct Committeemen. Offices with four year terms include: County Commissioner District 3, County Prosecutor, and County Sheriff. Clerk Hayes pointed out “the May 15 Primary election is the first in which the Elections office has to verify whether a candidate’s party affiliation on the declaration matches the same party they stated on their voter registration”. (Party choices are Constitution, Democratic, Libertarian and Republican.) Filing deadline ends at 5 p.m. Friday, March 9/Kootenai Count Clerk news release. 
glad-handing Ron Paul. Jesse Tinsley of The Spokesman-Review photographed her peeking through a curtain. She was in Spokane with her father, Bjorn Handeen, Precinct 52 committeeman for the Kootenai County GOP Committee. Bjorn tells of Lajla’s close encounter with Paul: “When Ron Paul shook her hand, he asked if she knew his name. She smiled, nodded, and said ‘Ron Paul!’ He got a big kick out of that. She was beaming that whole weekend. She’s not even 4, but I have the feeling that she’ll remember that exchange for a long time.” Bjorn packs Lajla to political events. She behaves well, he told Huckleberries: “If she can sit through a (Kootenai County Republican Central Committee) meeting, a Ron Paul speech is easy”/DFO, HucksOnline. 
less taxation, and standing for States' rights and against a $16 trillion debt, then they will like my presentation. I absolutely guarantee it.” He said he's honored to be invited to speak at the event. “I have quoted (former President Ronald) Reagan and Lincoln frequently in my books and throughout my career,” Mack said. “Jeff Ward is president of the Reagan Republicans. Does he not know that Reagan was once a Democrat?” Mack said that while he was registered as a Democrat, “I was the first sheriff in American history to sue the federal government and the head of the Democratic Party, Bill Clinton, on the issue of state sovereignty.” He said he won that case in the U.S. Supreme Court/David Cole, Coeur d'Alene Press.
vote for a presidential candidate before November, they have to participate in the March 6 Republican caucus or the April 14 Democratic caucus. Unlike previous years, the names of presidential candidates will no longer be included on the May primary ballots. Consequently, unaffiliated or independent voters will no longer have even a symbolic say in who the nominee should be. Nor will anyone who can't attend the caucus in person, since absentee ballots aren't accepted. The new system stems from a decision by Idaho Republicans to move their presidential nomination process up from May to Super Tuesday, when almost 20 percent of the delegates needed to win the Republican nomination will be up for grabs/William Spence, Lewiston Tribune. 
for the House seat not currently occupied by Rep. Shirley Ringo (D-Moscow). Digger is considering running as an Independent on a platform of his own creation. He'll be discussing the possiblity of a run with his employer, friends and family and will make a formal announcment next week as to whether or not he will run.
wannabes with a chance to win a county GOP nomination. Vs. Phil Hart, Vs. Vito Barbieri. For sheriff. Mebbe vs. Bob Nonini. Etc. That would give Reasonable Republicans, moderate Independents, and Democrats a better choice in general election if an extreme candidate wins the spring round. Last time, Hart, for example, won the primary (weeks before the news about his IRS/timber problems broke) and then survived token opposition from a write-in candidate. This time, the Democrats are on the spot to field a good field of candidates to provide a choice, even if their candidates don’t do any fund-raising in the spring …
shift, as people live longer, is needed to steer the giant benefit programs toward economic sustainability. Speaking to the Detroit Economic Club – in cavernous Ford Field, where the Detroit Lions football team plays – he also sought primary election support in Michigan, which votes on Tuesday along with Arizona. Romney said previous steps to toughen government emission standards had “provided a benefit to some of the foreign automakers” at the expense of American companies. He said future changes should be worked out cooperatively between government and industry/Associated Press. 
won’t matter which race(s) I may have been considering so I’m not going to go there. But I will answer a few questions that are probably relevant anyway. Would I still run as a Democrat in Kootenai County? Yes, because that is what I am. No DINO, RINO, or the political equivalent of a wife swapper here. Probably the bigger question is why even consider it. Ironically, my answer is essentially the same that Cliff Hayes gave when he was asked why he was going to run against me as County Clerk (and it turned out pretty good for him).
bribery can get them to eat that stuff. My own childhood culinary nightmares included squash, brussels sprouts, and mushrooms. Those three items just happen to be the last holdouts from a long list of foods that I eventually grew to appreciate. … My kids aren’t any different than others their age. They have their “Will Not Eat Even If Starving” lists. Neither of them will touch a mushroom, and I long ago stopped wasting asparagus on them/Idaho Dad, A Family Runs Through It. 
where the bike was located. Two different neighbors reported seeing the bike lying on a lawn at 7:30am this morning. The female that called police saw the child riding the bike at 8:15am. The child put the bike down when the van approached and got into the vehicle. Neighbors said it is possible the bike has been in their neighborhood since yesterday. With no missing children reported it appears the child got into the van willingly and did not take the bike because it possibly does not belong to him. This report appears to be unfounded. Police will continue to monitor all tips.”
traffic. When the doors opened, people flooded in, filling the ground floor immediately and then streaming up to the balcony. The crowd buzzed and rustled, in the full flower of Spokane diversity: every kind of white. Bald old graybeards dominated, but there were plenty of teenagers, families with children in tow, people dressed in athletic spandex and backwoods flannel, blue jeans and T-shirts and ball caps. One of Spokane’s better qualities – our pronounced lack of suits and ties – shone through. One man standing near the back refused an offer of a seat. “I’m too excited to sit,” he said/Shawn Vestal, SR. 
public office, will seek a two-year term to the seat currently held by Rep. Bob Nonini, who announced he is running for the Senate. Tyler, 52, is a long-time Republican and conservative activist as a founder and 1st Vice President of the Kootenai County Reagan Republicans and a founder of the Panhandle Pachyderm Club. In 2009 Tyler became well known as the campaign manager for Republican Jim Brannon in his campaign against Democrat Mike Kennedy for the Coeur d’Alene City Council. A resident of Kootenai County since 1994, Tyler lives with his wife of 25 years, Pam, on Harbor Island. Jeff and Pam have 2 grown sons, Kenny and Keith/News Release. 
dimly-lit garage. I have no idea what this innovation is. Nor do you. Nor does government. That’s the beauty of the free market. 
time that someone told you that they really liked your turtle neck? No you don't, because no one has ever said those words ever to anyone.” Which prompted me to comment that I recall those halcyon days when “Dickies” were in. A Dickie was a faux turtleneck that you slipped over your head and under your shirt to resemble a turtleneck — sorta like a fake tie. I wore them in high school. Fortunately they went the way of bell bottoms.
On her Facebook wall, Cindy tells of this exchange with one of her 4 sons: “I told Sam I'm inteviewing a 77 year-old lady and a 95 year-old man who are getting married tomorrow. 'That is so wrong,' said Sam. 'Why get married when you're just going to die?' The kid is lacking the romance gene.”
Americans are getting more privacy-savvy on social networks, a new report found. The report released Friday by the Pew Internet & American Life Project found that people are managing their privacy settings and their online reputation more often than they did two years earlier. For example, 44 percent of respondents said in 2011 that they deleted comments from their profile on a social networking site. Only 36 percent said the same thing in 2009/Associated Press. 
van in Coeur d'Alene Place this morning. A 25-year-old Coeur d'Alene woman driving her child to school saw the boy get into the dirty van, leaving his mountain bike in the area of Hanley & Courcelles. The woman described the van as a full-size cargo van with ladder rack. The child is described as 8 to 9 years old, 4-foot-1, wearing blue jeans, a yellow, green, and black neoprene jacket and dark shoes. His mountain bike is described as a green-and-black Huffy/Alpine 18-speed with black-and-green seat, black pedals, and front suspension. Police are working with Coeur d'Alene School District personnel to decide if any children failed to arrive at school this morning. 
this is the same man who plugged two guys on Sherman Avenue sometime back and got away with it. He also pled guilty to felony possession of heroin last year. The story points out that Mr. Johnson is a failed businessman but remains as a board member of the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce. WOW! What a resume. Mr. Johnson admits that he has absolutely no law enforcement experience but is quite confident that his financial background would be of great benefit to the operation of the Sheriff’s Department. Oh did I mention that his business is closed?/Michael J. Murphy of Hayden, in letter to the Coeur d'Alene Press. 
GOPrecinct 2 Committeeman from Spirit Lake writes: “Of the Central Committee members who signed the letter, one has been to one meeting since the last primary, one attended two, and five more have missed five to 15 meetings. If they would get involved, perhaps they would know more. That would require some effort on their part, but they think they should be the VIP boss, and the VIP doesn’t work. Since they aren’t the VIP, they would rather sulk and complain. On one of my shifts at the county fair, one of your complainers showed up. He sat in the back of the booth the whole shift, talking on his phone. Did no work. Haven’t noticed a lot of them participating at the three parades I was in, either.” 
and two in the House. “The job that I've had, I think, often is just speaking up for those who are about to lose, the side that's going to go down,” she said. “I think your heart can only take that for so long.” LeFavour, 48, a teacher and a writer, is the Legislature's only open gay member. She's been an outspoken advocate of legislation to expand the Idaho Human Rights Act to cover discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation; that legislation has seen growing support, but lawmakers have never granted it a hearing/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
Qurans on a military base was “astonishing” and undeserved. President Barack Obama formally apologized Thursday after copies of the Muslim holy book were found in the week burned in a garbage pit on a U.S. air field earlier. Later Thursday, news organizations reported that an Afghan soldier had killed two U.S. troops and wounded others in retaliation for the burning. Campaigning in Washington state, Gingrich said Afghan President Hamid Karzai owes the U.S. an apology for the shootings/Associated Press. 
county policy Thursday, when they squared off at a forum hosted by the Kootenai County Reagan Republicans. Responding to questions from group founder Jeff Ward, Eberlein criticized the county's past attempts to fund a jail with a bond measure. “This has already been put out two times for a vote, and each time voters said no,” said Eberlein, Post Falls resident and owner of a cabinet business. He would rather see more effort invested in programs like work-release to free up space, he said/Alecia Warren, Coeur d'Alene Press. 
Board.” I answered that question as truthfully as I could and if you care to look, there was no political motivation in my statement or in my opinion of Wanda. Frankly, I don’t have the faintest idea what Wanda’s political persuasion may be and neither do I care. You must also keep in mind that any opinion I have of Wanda on the Board is based on my experience serving with her since last July as well as her answers to the interview questions (which I heard in person) when she was selected to the Board. Were Wanda to reapply all of those things would factor into any decision I made as well as my stated opinion that I feel she exercised very poor judgement in how she personally handled the controversy of her own appointment.
than good. The latest installment came Thursday, when the U.S. ambassador delivered an apology letter from President Obama to Afghan President Hamid Karzai. That follows apologies from Afghanistan commander Gen. John Allen, the White House, NATO's International Security Assistance Force and other Pentagon officials. The backlash began after Korans were burned with garbage at a military base in Afghanistan. Officials said they were removed from the detention center library because the detainees were using them to pass secret and what were described as “extremist” messages to one another/Judson Berger, Fox News. 
there.” After 12 years in the Legislature, Harwood says he’s most proud of his work to push back against the federal government, including his failed bill this year to kick the EPA out of Idaho. “My whole goal has been to push back from the federal government,” Harwood said. “Just having someone here to try to push back and say, ‘Hey, we have sovereignty as a state,’ and try to keep the federal government from running over the top of us. That’s been my goal.” He said his only regret is that he wasn’t able to do more on that score/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
the Sheriffs Candidate forum last night, one of the other candidates (sheriff's Major Ben Wolfinger) equated the sheriffs department to a paramilitary organization. A statement I wholeheartedly disagree with in every sense of the meaning. Thoughts?
trustee Wanda Quinn being reappointed to School Board: “She is certainly welcome to put her hat back in the ring although I don’t have any idea if she intends to. I will be honest with you and tell you that while this was never about Wanda, it will be difficult for me to support her reappointment. I would never besmirch her character, but I do feel she showed very poor judgement in allowing this to go to court. Don’t forget that Terri and I asked no less than 3 times for an administrative solution to this issue. One of those was a motion at a Board meeting that Wanda refused to allow to come to the table. I said all along that I never wanted this to go to court, but I would see it through if I had to. Unfortunately, that is the path they chose…”
the restaurant will be moving street side this summer. Tom & Patricia Power have acquired the building located at 317 Sherman Avenue, directly next door to the Wine Cellar and will be relocating the restaurant to that space. The Wine Cellar restaurant in its current location will remain open for business during this transition. The building at 317 Sherman has been a number of businesses over the years, from a department store, furniture store, The Brix restaurant in 2003 and most recently the Icon nightclub/News Release. 
Remi Ochlik in Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco and Libya and one time the two had to run from gun fire. “He was very brave and very much wanted to cover these important stories,” Pickett said Wednesday in an email from New York City, where she's working. “He cared very deeply for the people he photographed and for his other colleagues.” Ochlik, 28, was killed in Homs when Syrian forces bombarded the city/Nick Gevock, Butte Standard. 
other perjorative word; though his recent quotes have not seemed to link those two words, anymore. Maybe Larry Grant's more correct than many of us gave him credit for. Not that the Idaho State Senate GOP Leadership is “corrupt” - as I have witnessed nothing that reflects an out-and-out ignoring of Idaho's laws…pending the Attorney General's report on Mr. McGee's actions, as an individual. However, the press reports on this event have NOW appeared throughout the US, today. Amercia sees Idaho once again as a laughing-stock, back-mountain wild west show/Dennis Mansfield. 
Milo’s, Thor’s and mine. The less said about my 40-something-and-counting birthday, the better. But Milo’s third birthday and Thor’s first are truly reasons to celebrate. Pre-Milo, our family had been petless, unless you count goldfish. Alas, the boys and I had grown weary of watery funerals. When we adopted Milo, he was an 8-week-old fuzzy furball of need. He skittered around his metal cage at the pet store during pet adoption week like a kid in desperate need of Ritalin/Cindy Hval, SR. 
hide their conservatism. I remain a Republican — a common-sense one in the mode of former governor Phil Batt. But I don't see a lot of Phil Batt types in the local or state Republican Party. I believe those who inhabit this blog are a lot like me — people who support individual candidates and positions rather than parties (although there are diehards from both sides here). Blogfest 2012 underscored this thought. There were more hard-core conservatives than hard-core liberals there. Most were middle right. Or independent. During brief comments, I joked that the people at Blogfest reminded me of what the old Republican Central Committee must have looked like. This blog is also like me in this way. I don't believe the sun rises & sets on politics. I like to laugh at silliness. I like to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted. I don't care much for self-important people. I'm a bit iconoclastic. And I vote — DFO.
Kootenai County Commission. Tondee, who won election to the District 1 seat four years ago with an over 23% margin, will make the announcement during a meeting of the Kootenai County Reagan Republicans, Noon today at Fedora Pub & Grille, 1726 W. Kathleen Ave. in Coeur d'Alene. Tondee, 47, has served on the Kootenai County Commission for five years and lives in Post Falls with his wife of 25 years DeDe. They have two grown children/Todd Tondee news release. More below
past several years, according to data from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. “Fishing licenses have stayed relatively steady as far as the numbers of licenses sold,” regional conservation officer Gary Hompland said. “Most of that, from what we can tell, is because we’ve had some really good salmon and steelhead runs the last few years. … What is really disconcerting is our hunting licenses, both resident and non-resident. “When those sales start to slump, all of our programs that function primarily on a budget related to those sales are affected”/Andrew Weeks, Twin Falls Times-News. 
He hears the antipathy toward Washington, D.C., that Gov. C.L. (Butch) Otter regularly expresses. From these factoids, Santorum has concluded Idahoans are ready to throw off the yoke of their federal landlord. The federal government owns about 33.7 million acres of forests and rangeland, about two-thirds of the state. By stoking the fires of the Sagebrush Rebellion, Santorum believes he can peel off a sizeable number of votes in the March 6 Idaho Republican presidential caucus.So Santorum parachuted into Boise last week and promptly said: “We need to get it back into the hands of the states and even to the private sector. … And we can make money doing it.” Now why didn't somebody think of that before? Fact is, they have. Idahoans have spent a lot of time thinking about this/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune.
yesterday goes beyond the wolf management plan Idaho approved in 2002 - and could give a federal judge a reason to return Idaho wolves to the endangered list, the Idaho Statesman reports today. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Siddoway, R-Terreton, a sheep rancher, would let let livestock owners whose animals are molested by wolves shoot the wolves from motorized vehicles, powered parachutes, helicopters or fixed-wing planes, by night or day, using rifles, pistols, shotguns, or crossbows, night scopes, electronic calls, and traps with live bait/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise.
accused of sexual harassment by a woman staffer reveals the sting of betrayal. Most institutions would have trotted out the “personal reasons” boilerplate, leaving Idahoans to speculate on what might have finally brought the man-who-would-be-governor down. Not the Idaho Senate under Brent Hill. Hill is both a gentleman and a gentle man. And he may simply be heartsick — the word Majority Leader Bart Davis chose to describe his own mood. But Hill made it clear he’s had his fill with McGee’s recklessness/Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman. 
ruled Wednesday, saying the state’s true goal was to suppress religious objections by druggists — not to promote timely access to the medicines for people who need them. U.S. District Judge Ronald Leighton heard closing arguments earlier this month in a lawsuit that claimed state rules violate the constitutional rights of pharmacists by requiring them to dispense such medicine. The state requires pharmacies to dispense any medication for which there is a community need and to stock a representative assortment of drugs needed by their patients/Associated Press. 
The Coeur d'Alene City Council agreed Tuesday to close a legal loophole that made it difficult to prosecute those who expose themselves indecently. The city adopted an amendment to its obscene conduct law that specifically includes indecent exposure for offenders who drop trou to annoy or offend people, rather than those who do so with lewd intent. It passed 5-1. Councilman Dan Gookin opposed the amendment because the city's disturbing the peace ordinance already addresses the issue, he said/Coeur d'Alene Press. 
McGee (pictured) has resigned from the Senate in the wake of allegations of sexual harassment of a Senate attache. Hill said the harassment charges are being investigated by the Idaho Attorney General, and the attache, a woman who is not a minor, is on paid leave. McGee, R-Caldwell, is a fourth term state senator and also is the chairman of the Canyon County Republican Central Committee. A former aide to then-Sen. and Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, McGee, 39, is the marketing director for West Valley Medical Center in Caldwell, and is married with two young children. He was widely viewed as a rising star in the Idaho GOP before the bizarre incident last June in which he was arrested and convicted of drunken driving/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
“call them”. Really? Summoned by these guys who never had the courage to demand John's resignation? Now, watch what happens. It'll be anti-piling on, in a sense… GOP Senate Leadership (as it is now constructed — other than with Senator Chuck Winder, who is a good man) will today open their ranks and spit out Mr. McGee from its caucus. I refuse to pile on John McGee. His is a journey that now takes him to this distant part of a political desert. I hope he receives help in all areas of his life. The Senate Leadership? Pile on, baby, pile on/Dennis Mansfield. 
killed a total of 42 wolves since spring 2011, Idaho Fish and Game Department officials reported this afternoon. With moose and elk populations at critical low levels, Idaho went to the extraordinary measures of enlisting aerial shooters from the 
guest to the movies. All entrants this week will be entered in a random drawing for two tickets to local cinemas. And as always, the overall winner will earn a $50 gift card to the Davenport Hotel. 
Melaleuca, an Idaho Falls household and nutritional products company — is a “pyramid scheme.” Despite his long record of supporting Idaho Republicans, he said he doesn’t consider himself a Republican or a Democrat. “I’m quite conservative on most social and economic issues. And I’m pretty liberal on most environmental issues.” He also denied the central point of 
chair of the Energy Committee. He died in February 2011 at the age of 86, after a series of strokes. Also remembered Monday were late-Sens. Kenneth Bradshaw, Vearl Crystal, Don Mackin, “Is” Merrill and William Crutcher. Sen. Monty Pearce, R-New Plymouth, noted McClure’s humility, hard work and humor, including a potato anecdote involving Sen. Ed Muskie, D-Maine. McClure and Muskie were discussing how students were let out of school during harvest. McClure said Idaho students had to reach junior high before they could enter the fields. “Idaho potatoes are so big it would hurt the smaller children to lift them,” he told Muskie/Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman.
In his Merced Sun-Star column, Mike North on Hunting, Mike North writes: “Facebook is a versatile tool that can 
be used in a lot of constructive ways, but unfortunately, many use it to put their own stupidity on display. Over the weekend, I was sent a link on Facebook about the California Fish and Game Commission's newest president, Dan Richards (pictured), who has endured a barrage of unwarranted criticism since taking the position. The condemnation, much of which has been stimulated through Facebook and other websites, isn't because of something he did that was scandalous, illegal or dishonest — it's because he went hunting in Idaho and killed a mountain lion, which can legally be hunted in Idaho, unlike in California.” More here.
- Also: Mountain lion activists want California F&G commission president to resign
- And: California F&G president kills mountain lion in Idaho
Question: Do you think Richards should resign his F&Gcommission position?
constitutional sheriff and what that would look like should he be elected sheriff. “The sheriff, the sheriff’s deputies and other elected officials take an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and the state of Idaho to the best of their ability,” Mr. Resser said. “A constitutional sheriff will make sure that what is done in his county to his people abides by the constitution.” A constitutional sheriff is an official who protects and upholds the constitutional rights of his constitutes, the people he serves. He will not allow anyone to conduct business inside of his county that is unconstitutional/Summer Crosby, St. Maries Gazette Record. 
use of tax-increment financing - an unwieldy term that assures much misunderstanding right out of the gate - to spur economic development in the short term for benefit in the long one? Rep. Kathy Sims of Coeur d'Alene recently recommended changes to the way urban renewal agencies function, but Rep. Robert Schaefer, a Nampa Republican, introduced legislation last week that would repeal Idaho's urban renewal laws altogether and require debts incurred by urban renewal agencies to be retired. Schaefer's goal - to funnel more money toward schools, fire departments and highway agencies - seems laudable on the surface. But we think it bears deeper examination/Mike Patrick, Coeur d'Alene Press. 
“flagship” from the University of Idaho’s mission statement. President Duane Nellis appeared stunned by the move. He should not have been – even this scribe pointed out a year ago in several columns that shang-haing the title of flagship away from the land grant university was part of BSU President Bob Kustra’s five-year game plan to have the Boise State campus be perceived by the public and politicians as the real flagship in Idaho’s university system. The apparent ease with which President Kustra pulled off the move not only is a testament to his political and p.r. skills, it also says much about President Nellis’ passive nature. Vandal partisans should ask pointedly why their president, despite all the obvious signs, failed to see this coming and did nothing to block it/Chris Carlson, The Carlson Chronicles. 
straight WCC men’s basketball titles, a run that will likely require two wins this week and help elsewhere to continue. The Cougars won or shared four Mountain West championships under seventh-year head coach Dave Rose prior to joining the WCC this season. The teams share second place entering Thursday’s clash at the McCarthey Athletic Center. Both are trying to keep their title hopes alive with the winner taking a huge step toward a bye into the semifinals of the WCC tournament in Las Vegas. “One of your goals at the start is you want the last week of the regular season to mean something,” Rose said/Jim Meehan, SR. 
“constitutional conservative” and frequent speaker on the national Tea Party circuit, is a former Arizona sheriff. Now living in Texas, Mack is running for Congress in his district's Republican primary. A letter opposing Mack's appearance at the annual Republican party dinner and fundraiser was sent Monday to county party chair Tina Jacobson (pictured) and secretary Lorri Erickson. It was signed by 14 elected Central Committee members. Letter signer Jeff Ward, Precinct 23 Committeeman and president of the Idaho Federation of Reagan Republicans, told The Press they are troubled by the selection of Mack because “he's been fairly hostile to the Republican party.” “It just doesn't make any sense to me,” he said/Maureen Dolan, Coeur d'Alene Press. 
that could play home to an American Legion baseball field by 2013. Mayor Sandi Bloem split a deadlocked City Council by voting to approve the property acquisition, which passed 4 votes to 3 votes. The outcome mirrors last month's council vote not to issue a public advisory vote on McEuen Field, and could repeat itself on future issues related directly or indirectly to the downtown park's redevelopment project as each council member has stood firm on his or her stance on the divisive topic/Tom Hasslinger, Coeur d'Alene Press. 
someone else’s shoes, see the world from a different perspective. They make you think and feel. They challenge your assumptions about the world and make you more compassionate. If you can cry for a heroine in a novel, aren’t you more likely to sympathize with your next door neighbor? I think so. So, when I found a list of the 100 most banned books between 2000 and 2009 compiled by the American Library Association I immediately added those books to my books-to-read spreadsheet. (Yes, I used to have a spreadsheet for books.) Based on the books I’d already read that were on 
started. I can't remember what year that was, but I organized it and we had about nine or so attendees here in Bayview. We held it at the Captain's Wheel Restaurant. Since then the idea has exploded, the Spokesman-Review has taken over sponsorship and I understand there were over 70 people present at the Fort Ground this year. I wasn't one of them. The night before, I had a minor health issue that kept me awake for hours. Finally around 7:00am I got to sleep. I awoke around non and wasn't in any shape to go anywhere. I'm fine now but deeply regret the opportunity to see many of my friends again and to meet new ones as well/Herb Huseland, Bay Views. 
and silver currency bill, which declares that Idahoans may use gold and silver coins at face value as “legal tender” and “as an alternative to the Federal Reserve Notes that currently circulate as our only currency,” and also bans any tax on ownership of the gold and silver coins. It's a new version of HB 430, which Hart earlier introduced as a personal bill; you can read my 
Bradbury, 75, said he is a “pragmatist at heart who won't let my ego or partisan politics get in the way of trying to solve problems.” Bradbury retired last year after serving two terms as district judge in Idaho, Lewis and Clearwater counties. He ran for the Idaho Supreme Court in 2008 and 2010, and narrowly missed unseating the incumbents. He has been a harsh critic of what he believes is cronyism at the high court and Legislature and traveled from one end of the state to the other talking to people about the neglect people in rural areas often feel from lawmakers in Boise/Kathy Hedberg, Lewiston Tribune. More to come.
The vote was 29 to 6, with no votes coming from Meridian Sens. Russ Fulcher and Shirley McKague, Caldwell Sen. Curt McKenzie, Cottonwood Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll, New Plymouth Sen. Monty Pearce and Dalton Gardens Sen. Steve Vick, all Republicans. … Sagle Sen. Joyce Broadsword, (who voted “yes”) said she had texted while behind the wheel. “I found myself weaving and not being in my lane of traffic,” said Broadsword. “We have to make sure that we're protecting citizens from their own stupidity”/George Prentice, Boise Weekly. 
the Idaho Republican Party announced today. The venue is still being nailed down, but Idaho GOP executive director Jonathan Parker said the meeting will begin at 7 or 7:30 p.m. The former speaker of the U.S. House also will hold a private fundraiser at a Harrison home on Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m., Parker said. Gingrich's visit marks the fourth major GOP presidential candidate to campaign in Idaho in less than two weeks/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
said Maddow, who blasts VanderSloot for his past entries into politics and his $1 million contribution to the Super PAC supporting Mitt Romney. She also critiques the wealthy men backing Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum. And she renews her attacks on the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision that freed the wealthy to make unlimited contributions to Super PACs. “Now in this post-Citizens United world we are living in, these billionaires, who, frankly, have never been wanting for influence in the country in the first place — now in this post-Citizens United world, they are the ones who we've also decided to hand our elections over to. Because they need that, too. Ta da.” Last week, Glenn Greenwald of Salon.com, said VanderSloot 
Here's a sample of the text: “Mr. Mack has been presented to us as a former Sheriff and a Republican candidate for Congress. Upon further research, it is quite evident that Mr. Mack’s support of the Republican Party and Republican Party candidates is inconsistent, intermittent and questionable. He does not appear to have ever shared the common goal of promoting the Republican Party and our Republican candidates. In fact, Mr. Mack’s political history has shown a consistent opposition to the Republican Party and a strong affinity to other political parties, including the Democrat, Libertarian and Constitution Parties. Mr. Mack was elected twice as a Democrat to the office of county sheriff in Arizona and defeated for re-election as a Democrat in 1996.” The letter was signed by Lori Gervais, chairwoman of the 3rd Legislative District & 13 precinct committeemen. 
series on PBS this weekend, a co-worker of mine (at WSU Riverpoint) was heard to say that she was 'Not addicted, Don't care, Could stop watching it anytime.' “A few minutes later she was seen asking some of the nursing faculty if anyone could provide a prescription for 'Downtonadone' until Season 3 next January. “She wasn't able to get one, but was offered access to Season 1 on CDs, to help her withdraw more gradually. Nurses are kind like that.” 
about more than just bruised ego. “Flagship to me means we're the first in the state,” Perez told KBOI 2News. “It means we're the lead institution and that means a lot. It's part of our identity.” Perez says she hopes the thousands of supportive signatures (more than 2,000 in just two days) will convince the State Board of Education, which recently ordered the word “flagship”, removed from the university's mission statement to change its mind. The state Board of Education revised mission statements for all of Idaho's public universities during a meeting a Boise/Scott Logan, KBOI2.
coverage options. The bill was the product of Rep. Carlos Bilbao, R-Emmett, who believes that he shouldn’t have to pay for abortions and contraceptives. “I say to you and the federal government, ‘Do not force me to pay for your abortions and your contraceptives,’” Bilbao said. The issue has been on the forefront of nationwide discourse since President Barack Obama’s administration issued a rule that all insurance providers will be required to cover contraceptives. Bilbao objected to the ruling for ideological and theological reason. “They’re mandating me to pay for abortions and birth control pills,” he complained. “That’s your responsibility, not mine”/Dustin Hurst, Idaho Reporter. 
valued pieces of real estate on the Lake Coeur d'Alene waterfront. In her weakly newsletter, Mary does bring up one good point. The council has promised all along that the Legion wouldn't be moved until Coeur d'Alene could find a ballfield of equal value. The key here is whether or not the viewscape and location are figured in. Constructing a ballfield of equal value wouldn't be hard or that expensive. Constructing one on land as valuable as the McEuen site would be. Mary, of course, opposes the purchase of 5 acres on Cherry Hill for the ballfield. Which would be a wise move whether or not a ballfield is built there. The price tag is $550,000. Fumes Mary: “We'll see how that all turns out because the city can't afford to buy it right now; they don't have enough money in their Parks fund. The city will vote on the purchase Tuesday night.
committee agenda Monday after consulting with Gov. Butch Otter. Otter appointed Kiebert to the 
Idaho's increasing population of people suffering from deadly Alzheimer's disease. Sen. Joyce Broadsword of Sagle on Monday spoke of the painful decline of her grandmother, who ended her days unable to remember loved ones surrounding her — or details from the rich life she'd lived. Creating a statewide plan, according to its Senate sponsors, would boost community awareness and help nurture a comprehensive approach toward educating the public about the United States' sixth-leading cause of death/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
president of the University of Idaho Alumni Association, wrote the guest opinion in response to the State Board of Education's decision Tuesday to strip the word “flagship” from the university's mission statement. “The University of Idaho is Idaho’s flagship research university,” they wrote in a guest opinion, which also will appear in Tuesday's Statesman. “That is an undeniable fact. It is the state’s founding university, it generates 73 percent of the competitive research dollars in the state and it is the state’s land grant university.” Stoddard and Higgins liken the flagship status to Boise State University's success on the football field — an analogy, I suspect, that won't go over too well with some Bronco backers/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. 
about. (Then, I'd guess that they intentionally do so.) This blog brings people of various political, religious, philosophical stripes together for a fairly civil conversation about local, state & national issues, as well as gives them a sense of camaraderie. Saturday's Blogfest at Steve Widmyer's Fort Ground Grill illustrates the point. I joked to someone that the group reminded me of the county's old Republican Central Committee, before it went off the Far Right side of the rails. Spencer, Reagan Repubs, Gary Ingraham, Kerri Thoreson, Ben Wolfinger, Dan Gookin, Norther and others were there kibitzing congenially with HBO bloggers, commenters, and even one blurker. Sgt. Christie Wood, former Councilman Al Hassell, Councilman Mike Kennedy, former Clerk Dan English, and dozens of pseudonyms you see all the time here were also in attendance. All having fun. Exchanging ideas. Joking with one another. My goal from the start was to bring people together to find consensus. We agree on way more things than we disagree on. I'm as happy as I've ever been in where the blog is now in terms of civility. The annual blogfests reinforce that civility, bringing people who sometimes fight behind pseudonyms here to a comfortable venue to talk with one another face to face. I've often thought a good motto for HucksOnline would be something like: “Where everyone knows your pseudonym.” But that's not exactly true. And it steals too much from “Cheers.” Still the sentiment stands. It's a place of equals, despite lot in life, where everyone gets a say as long as s/he keeps things between the lines. Dunno how much longer I'll be doing this. But I still enjoy doing this as I begin my 9th year. Very much — DFO
said the racial slur never crossed his mind - and he was devastated when he realized his mistake. “This had nothing to do with me being cute or punny,” 
said in a sworn statement. The first public details about how authorities believe that Sherry Arnold, 43, was kidnapped, slain and buried in a shallow grave, emerged in an affidavit filed in state court on Friday by Richland County, Montana, prosecutor Mike Weber. Most of the account, Weber wrote, stemmed from a confession obtained from the younger of two men charged with kidnapping the woman, whom they encountered along a truck route on the outskirts of the northeastern Montana community of Sidney. Arnold, a high school math instructor, vanished after setting out on January 7 for a predawn run, and authorities are still searching for her body/Laura Zuckerman, Reuters. 
caucus. Teems came into the week leaning toward Mitt Romney, but seeing the other two made him reconsider. Ron Paul’s libertarian message Saturday resonated with him. And he liked Rick Santorum’s electrifying speech Tuesday at Capital High — and Santorum’s willingness to stay afterward to have his picture taken with people such as Teems’ teenage son, Max. Republican Congressman Raul Labrador would have loved to see all three, too, but he was in Washington, D.C., until Saturday and was able to attend only Paul’s rally. He’s not endorsing any candidate/Dan Popkey & Rocky Barker, Idaho Statesman. 
murder of Border Agent Brian Terry in Arizona in December 2009. The lawyer from Eagle, Idaho, who has called for the resignation of U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, has a message for the moderators at the Feb. 22 debate: Address the scandal and start a national discussion about the issue. “I would ask [the presidential candidates] what would they do to remedy the damage of ‘Fast and Furious’ and regain the confidence of the American people,” Labrador said in an interview with HUMAN EVENTS/Tony Lee, Human Events. 
University, including a special dinner and a live chat with crew members aboard the International Space Station. The former astronaut and senator from Ohio became the first American to orbit Earth on Feb. 20, 1962. The trip helped the United States catch up to the Soviet Union's accomplishments in space, and Glenn says he thinks it was a turning point for America's national psyche. The 90-year-old is now the namesake of a public affairs school at Ohio State/Associated Press. (AP/NASA file photo: In this Feb. 20, 1962 file photo, astronaut John Glenn climbs into the Friendship 7 space capsule atop an Atlas rocket at Cape Canaveral, Fla.)
prez wannabe landed two golfballs on the floating green, at its winter distance. Doubting Jimmy told Huckleberries: “We are talking 270 yard (on the fly) in 30-40 degree weather over the lake which is always gusting heavily every day and always requires you to club up one minimum (usually two clubs up). Just look at the flag out there, it’s rarely blowing toward the lake.” And even if Santorum hit the green, he’d be lucky to keep the ball on it, says Jimmy. Who estimates the floating green is 30 yards deep. Tops. In the winter, Jimmy said, the surface would be as hard as an airport tarmac. “Hit the green? Maybe,” says Jimmy. “Held it?” Hmm/DFO, Sunday Huckleberries. 
Gregoire signed gay marriage into law. For that matter, her signature did not even do significant harm to the institution of marriage. After this last week's assault on religious liberty by the Obama regime, small government conservatives should be particularly sensitive when government tramples upon issues of faith. And when government intrudes upon the religious institution of marriage, it does harm both to the church that yields government sovereignty over marriage and to marriage itself. Gays cannot possibly do more damage to marriage than heterosexuals have already done through its secularization/Michael Costello, Lewiston Tribune. 
And it means big business. “It is more of a regional thing, Mardi Gras is, from Texas down to (the) Gasparilla (pirate festival) down in the Tampa area,” said Stephen Toomey, whose family started a chain of Mobile, Ala.-based Mardi Gras party supply stores. “It means a way of life for people who live in these communities, but the bottom line is that it creates a lot of jobs.” Tourism leaders estimate more than 1 million visitors pour into the Mobile area each Mardi Gras season to watch the festivities/Associated Press. 
opposition to the Camp Easton land swap. Officials with the Old Mission District, which oversees scouting programs in Kootenai, Shoshone and Benewah counties, say they have been contacted by a high number of volunteers and financial donors threatening to sever ties with the district if the proposed exchange goes through. “Some of our biggest contributors are saying, 'We're not going to be associated with scouting anymore,'” said district Chairman Ladd Livingston. Some have made significant donations to fund Camp Easton infrastructure, Livingston explained, with the understanding that the improvements would be used at that location permanently/Alecia Warren, Coeur d'Alene Press. 
being sought on a $40,000 warrant in Kootenai County for sexual abuse of a minor under 16, as well as a probation violation warrant in Washington. Radden has felony convictions in Spokane County for property crimes and is awaiting trial on a car theft charge that he was arrested on in December. Radden was arrested in October 2010 for 
On her Facebook wall, Cindy (who will be co-hosting Blogfest 2012 from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Fort Ground Grill) writes: “Watched my first episode of Ramsay's 'Kitchen Nightmares' last night. All I can say is if Chef Gordon was in my mom's kitchen, he'd be sitting in the corner with a bar of Irish Spring wedged in his mouth! But now I'm wondering: Who would you rather have a drink with, 
At the rally for Mitt Romney in Boise now going on, Dennis Mansfield Facebooks: “
sun, will teachers be instructed to probe for more information, to make sure that the family wore SPF 30? Increasingly, the government assumes that parents aren’t smart enough to make proper decisions for their children. The government increasingly assumes the role of parent and, increasingly, that role is accepted as normal. It’s not. … In Idaho, state lawmakers are debating a bill that would ban minors from using tanning beds. On Thursday, the House Health and Welfare Committee heard from a steady stream of dermatologists, school teachers and other do-gooders who believe the government should ban youngsters from using a tanning bed/Wayne Hoffman, Idaho Freedom Foundation. 
HucksOnline provides this comment from Spudbob: “Who has the best icon here on Huckleberries? My vote would be for 'Dennis.' (Dennis, if something bad — god forbid — ever happens to you and you can no longer comment on HBO, can I have your icon?”
magazines, journalists, and bloggers — that makes him particularly pernicious and worthy of more attention. In the last month alone, VanderSloot, using threats of expensive defamation actions, has successfully forced Forbes, Mother Jones and at least one local gay blogger in Idaho to remove articles that critically focused on his political and business practices. He has been using this abusive tactic in Idaho for years: suppressing legitimate political speech by threatening or even commencing lawsuits against even the most obscure critics (he has even sued local bloggers for “copyright infringement” after they published a threatening letter sent by his lawyers). This tactic almost always succeeds in silencing its targets, because even journalists and their employers who have done nothing wrong are afraid of the potentially ruinous costs they will incur when sued by a litigious billionaire.” 
statement, and it’s like football season all over again. Vandal haters went online to talk smack and share a few virtual fist bumps. Vandal faithful, stunned and blindsided, looked around for a referee to boo. A role played happily by the State Board, which started rewording the universities’ mission statements Wednesday, one day before pointing a torpedo at the U of I’s flagship. The board’s idea was to remove wording that gives one university preeminence over the others — to level the proverbial playing field/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. 
problems with newly designed bottles — just introduced three months ago — that the company had touted as a big improvement to make measuring the correct dose easier. Instead, some parents have complained that a protective cover on the top of the bottles meant to limit how much liquid pain reliever could be drawn into a plastic syringe didn't work correctly. When those consumers inserted the plastic syringe, it pushed the protective cover, or flow restrictor, into the bottle/Associated Press. 
Washington state. The Texas congressman told more than 1,000 people at a rally Thursday night in Vancouver, Wash., that Americans should be able to make their own decisions on such matters. Voters in Washington are likely to decide this year whether to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. Paul was spending Thursday campaigning in Idaho and Washington and has rallies planned Friday in Richland and Spokane. He is expected to hit most of Washington's media markets before the state's nonbinding caucuses on March 3/Fox News. 
forced to say, in the words of Gilda Radner's “Saturday Night Live” character, “Oh, never mind.” First it was the case of state Treasurer Ron Crane. A legislative audit showed Crane had lavishly spent state money for his daily commute to work as well as on a series of trips to New York City to secure Idaho's bond rating on tax anticipation notes - and then failing to account for his expenses. In a Feb. 2 release, the Democratic Party wrote: “The audit noted that Crane has not used the state reporting system to track expenses for annual rafting trips.” Next came the correction: “A previous version of this press release was in error due to a reader's mistake. Crane failed to account for bond rating trips.” That's rating trips, not rafting trips, Emily/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. 
earlier, that number was about 700, according to The Associated Press. Let’s just focus on what this means. People on both sides of the divisive issue of school reform should be able to agree on one point: An experienced, talented teaching staff is the cornerstone of a good school. When Idaho teachers leave teaching, in growing numbers, that can’t possibly be a desired outcome. On Wednesday, both sides tried to spin the reasons behind the numbers. That isn’t surprising, but it also isn’t very productive/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman Editorial Board. 
In an interview on Fox News, Santorum also said he morally disagrees with the use of contraception. In the interview with Fox's Greta Van Susteren, Santorum defended Foster Friess, who is a major financial backer and has donated at least $330,000 to the super PAC supporting Santorum's campaign. He said Friess is “a very good man.” Friess said contraception is inexpensive because back in the day girls would keep their legs tightly shut. “The gals put it between their knees, and it wasn't that costly,” Friess said in an 
Thursday morning as lenders prepared to hold a foreclosure on the home. Flames were visible to daybreak commuters along Interstate 90. Parts of the 10,000-square-foot brick and wood mansion – assessed at about $1.5 million – continued to smolder at nightfall. No one was home and no one was injured in the fire, said Ron Sampert, Kootenai County fire chief. The fire capped months of financial and legal tumult for the homeowners, said Leonard Wallace, who bought the home in 2002 with his wife, Pamela Wallace. Lender Deutsche Bank filed a foreclosure action against the Wallaces last year, and the family has turned to Bankruptcy Court to try to shield their assets at least twice/John Stucke, SR. 
Education decision to remove “flagship” from UI designation: “I have just returned to Moscow from the Idaho State Board of Education meeting in Boise and let me tell you it feels great to be “home.” I am very disappointed in the board’s decision today to remove the word “flagship” from our mission statement. This edit does not change who we are or how we will operate going forward. We are THE University of Idaho. I agree wholeheartedly with ASUI President Samantha Perez who said today that “flagship” is a factual definition of who we are at our core. Thanks to all of you for your support and good wishes as we work through this disappointment.” 
A Coeur d'Alene man wanted for possible felony probation violation for a DUI is at the front of sheriff's Major Ben Wolfinger's class of individuals wanted on felony warrants this week. Richard Arlan Whiterock, 36, of Coeur d'Alene (upper left) is wanted for the alleged violation. A bail bond of $100,000 has been set for him. Others wanted on felony warrants this week include: Thomas 
John C. Bartlett, 23, of Coeur d'Alene, (upper middle) for probation violation for grand theft (no bond). Damien Scott Plucker, 18, of Coeur d'Alene, (upper right) for aggravated battery charge ($10,000 bond). Chad Andrew Radden, 21, of Spokane, (bottom left) sexual abuse of a minor & failure to appear for DUI ($55,000 bond). And Annie Iwalani Wilson, 31, of St. Maries, (bottom right) for failure to appear for fraud charge (no bond). 
argued such laws turn Idaho into a “nanny state.” Similar bans are being debated in states including Washington, West Virginia and Utah. On Thursday, Blake Sampson, a University of Washington medical student working in Idaho, told the House Health and Welfare Committee he's promoting the bill because Idaho has some of the highest rates of skin cancer — and teen tanning — in America. Sampson says it's irrefutable that ultraviolet radiation increases cancer risks. Half a dozen dermatologists called this a necessary step to helping young people make healthy decisions, and another half-dozen survivors of melanoma shared their stories with the committee, often with great emotion/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
to pass a law completely removing authorization for them. Rep. Robert Schaefer, R-Nampa, introduced a bill Thursday in the House Local Government Committee that would entirely repeal Idaho’s urban renewal law and require debts incurred by the agencies be retired. This is the second time Schaefer has pushed a bill like this. He attempted it last year, but the measure didn’t make it out of committee. The Nampa Republican is pushing the bill to send more money back to school districts, highway agencies and fire departments/Dustin Hurst, Idaho Reporter. 
abortion-inducing drugs. Bilbao presented his 
five-page email to Idaho state GOP Central Committee members, asking them to endorse the presidential campaign of maverick Ron Paul. Rasor maintains the 12-term Texas congressman is the only candidate of the remaining four that has a chance to beat President Barack Obama in the general election. Rasor writes: “Because of his wide appeal amongst independent voters, Congressman Paul is likely the only Republican candidate that will be able to defeat Barack Obama. He is certainly the only candidate that will offer substantial government reform. Even if you don't agree with him on every issue, you can be assured that his principled consistency will guarantee that you will know exactly where he stands, and that he truly will do what he says.” 
A fiery sun burns over mountains that look like they’re made of stained glass. The starry galaxy glows, and a calligraphy inscription reads: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Thanks to 17-year-old Scott Coffey’s Eagle Scout project (pictured), a drab hallway in the children’s wing of Northview Bible Church recently received a stunning makeover/Cindy Hval, SR. 
who won the Republican nomination for County Commissioner in 2010 by a 24 point margin and was unopposed in the General Election, expects to be challenged in the Republican primary because of the conservative changes made under his leadership at the courthouse. “We made some tough decisions to eliminate positions, change employee benefits and streamline the county government; applying conservative principles to county government is sure to make certain folks unhappy.” Green said. Dan Green is a longtime Kootenai County resident. He and his wife of 26 years, Linda, have two sons in college. Dan started a forest products company in 1995 and retired from the firm in 2008/Dan Green news release. 
fliers saying that Mormons, Catholics and other Christians are at the root of anti-gay sentiment. And more recently, a student made disparaging comments about women, saying they had no place in law school and should be at home bearing children. The tense climate created by these incidents led an accreditation team to strongly recommend diversity and professionalism training for everyone in the law school. Last month, law school faculty members decided to make the sessions mandatory for themselves and all students. But two students said that while such incidents are disturbing, they are in no way indicative of the general culture at the law school/Joel Mills, Lewiston Tribune. 
Government Affairs Conference at Boise earlier this month, Idaho Gov. C.L. (Butch) Otter volunteered that a California lawmaker marveled at Idaho's balanced budget. What advice would Otter offer, this lawmaker asked. “And I said, 'Listen, I was born in a family of nine kids in Caldwell, Idaho, and I have lived on farms and ranches and raised horses all my life,' ” Otter said. “And I would tell you without any equivocation whatsoever, that if California were my horse, I would shoot it. … I would put it down. Obviously easier said than done' “/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. 
ALWAYS requires you to club up 1 minimum (usually two clubs up). Just look at the flag out there, it’s RARELY blowing toward the lake. To put it in perspective, the tour average in driving distance so far this year is 279 yards and that includes rounds in Hawaii where the ball flies. In the conditions I mentioned above, that is easily 300-315 yards off the tees on the 14th. Santorum and everyone else aside from 20 guys on the PGA tour are hitting driver. I don’t know the exact depth of the floating green but let’s just say it’s 30 yards (it’s gotta be much less than that BTW). The hardness of the surface is probably more similar to a runway than a green right now given the temperature. Hit the green….MAYBE. Held it??? (Jesse Tinsley SR photo of Rick Santorum, with Jerry Jaeger and Tina Jacobson in background)
play home to a baseball complex to replace the possibly-displaced American Legion baseball diamond at McEuen Field. The city's General Services Committee this week forwarded a recommendation that the City Council pay for the $440,000, 4.8-acre parcel on 15th Street in one lump sum payment to the Coeur d'Alene Eagles, rather than in annual installments. But Councilman Steve Adams, a GSC member who made the recommendation to City Council, is unsure if he'll vote for the land purchase in the end. “If we can't pay for it all at once out of the (parks) capital improvement fund, in hindsight, I may have to vote no,” Adams said/Tom Hasslinger, Coeur d'Alene Press. 
outlaws out of we citizens who dare toss snow into the streets. Weird. I don’t remember snow fines being promised by any Council candidates during the recent campaign season. But in a 5-1 vote, the council ruled to charge homeowners 52 bucks for acts of slushy defiance. Well, bring it on, plowboys. I’ll come clean. I’ve been known to throw snow into the boulevard now and then. And I liked it. That’s because it was usually after some renegade plow jockey turned the Clark driveway into the iceberg that sank the Titanic. So no cheesy fine is gonna scare me. Besides, who’ll enforce this snow job?/Doug Clark, SR. 
Flames and smoke were visible from Interstate 90 in Post Falls Thursday morning as a home near the Spokane River exploded in fire. The 911 call for the fire at the corner of Plaza Drive and Handy Street came into Kootenai County’s dispatch center around 6:20 a.m., authorities said. Several neighbors were awakened by a series of explosions, residents said. Neighbors described the house as a compound that included a mansion and a guest house/Spokesman-Review.
speaking at a rally at the Hagadone Events Center at the Coeur d'Alene Resort, Santorum showed his golfing prowess (or incredible luck) by allegedly landing two tee shots squarely on the resort's famed 'Floating Green' from 270 yards away. Twice. It's a feat that would be considered extremely difficult even for professional golfers. During the summer the green is stationed between 140-160 yards away from the regular men's tee box, but in the off-season when the water level of Lake Coeur d'Alene is lowered, the resort slides the Floating Green (on underwater tracks) another 120+ yards away from the tee box. Several staffers with the resort were on hand to witness Santorum's eye-opening golf shots/KHQ. 
opinion it distributed earlier today from party Chairman Larry Grant that said proceeds from former Congressman Bill Sali's proposed special license plate “would go to Sali's recently formed non-profit foundation of which he, his wife and his nephew are paid employees.” The Dems have corrected the opinion to say instead that the three are the “sole members of the board of directors”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
Blogfest 2012, how about door prizes? Joe Butler's busy stealing assortment of SR goodies to serve as door prizes for Blogfest attendees. Writes Joe: “We have a lot of Spokane7 items like hacky sacks, drink cozies, seat cushions and keyrings, and some Forkfly stuff like Frisbees. Plus some of the Down to Earth or Kiss the Bride items.” Blogfest 2012 is scheduled from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Steve Widmyer's Fort Ground Grill on River Avenue in the historic Fortground area, near North Idaho College. The SR underwrites the food & pop. Huckleberries hears Keith/Ben/Stickman may bring some of their homemade suds, too. See you there? (Blogfest Logo: Don Sausser)
David Leroy, the near-titular head of the GOP, at that time. To the best of my knowledge, that was the last time Ron Crane ever opposed any establishment Republican, in favor of an “outsider”. That is, until last night, when he publicly announced his support of Rick Santorum - and even sat on stage behind the presidential candidate. Despite years of friendship he never endorsed me in any of my runs for office. And yet he endorsed Rick Santorum last evening. That's amazing — and highly encouraging. And more than a bit controversial. Something's happening in the ranks of the GOP big boys/Dennis Mansfield. 
chance to win free stuff! This week, two lucky entrants will win two tickets to the weekend's Spokane Golf Show. In addition to the random drawings, the overall winner takes a $50 gift card to the Davenport Hotel. Last week, two Kootenai County residents won the prizes — for two tickets to the Gonzaga-vs-Loyola Marymount game and the Davenport $50 gift certificate. You can take the quiz 
Congressman Ron Paul for president. According to Rep. Hart, “Ron Paul is the only candidate who understands our economic problems. He is also the only frontrunner candidate who is not propped up by those who have caused our economic demise.” With regard to Dr. Paul’s foreign policy, Rep. Hart said, “Those Americans who understand our foreign policy the best, our active military men and women, support Ron Paul overwhelmingly. America needs a paradigm shift, and Ron Paul is the only candidate for President who can deliver on that”/Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman. 
stage at Capital High School. Crane is the first statewide official to endorse anyone other than Mitt Romney for the GOP nomination. Former state Sen. Ric Branch, R-Midvale, warmed up the crowd, saying Santorum caught his eye early in the contest. “I thought, if they ever pay any attention to him his conservatism is going to shine through.” Also on hand in VIP seats were at least four GOP lawmakers: House Education Committee Chairman Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d'Alene, and GOP Sens. Dan Johnson of Lewiston, Sheryl Nuxoll of Cottonwood and Steve Vick of Dalton Gardens/Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman. 
squares his shoulders. His eyes narrow and grow fierce with pride. Gilberto is a trainee at the Benton City, Wash., fire station. He lives across the street in a house he shares with five other Benton County Fire District 2 volunteer residents. He’s also a lance corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and trains at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Tacoma. “I was helping my nation with the Marine Corps Reserves but I wanted to help my community too,” Gilberto said. “What better than working here as a firefighter?” When he’s not protecting his country and community, Gilberto is preparing to fight crime. He’s earning an online criminal justice degree from Washington State University so he can become a fire marshal/Richard Miller, WSU News Center. 
Idaho-Oregon line, a cardboard box of wolf pups in tow. Otter is a trifle too sophisticated for that. But unfortunately, he’s not above sending a sophomoric and pointless letter to his counterpart, Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber. Otter said Kitzhaber could have 150 of Idaho’s wolves — or as many of the predators as Oregon wants. Otter made his “offer” after an Idaho hunter killed a wolf that had strayed over the border from Oregon. It goes without saying that this sort of showboating plays to the anti-wolf crowd. But it should also go without saying that Otter is supposed to govern on behalf of all Idahoans — including those who, unlike Otter, actually supported the reintroduction of wolves in the Central Idaho wilderness/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. 
run a school system. The results are apparent. And they have difficulty accepting new ideas. Just take a look at how tone deaf they've been about protecting gays from discrimination. But they do know one thing better than anyone else: what it takes to be a good lawyer. At least 20 of them think so. Along with House Speaker Lawerence Denney, R-Midvale, Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star, House Education Committee Chairman Bob Nonini, R-Post Falls, and Sen. Russ Fulcher, R-Meridian, this crew wants University of Idaho law school Dean Don Burnett to lighten up on the diversity training/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. 
Followers of the Benewah County Commissioners pondered the question last week following a statement by Mr. McCall indicating he was unsure whether he would seek re-election. The two have served together 36 years, since Mr. McCall’s election in 1976. Mr. Buell first won election in 1974. Mr. Buell left no doubt about his plans to stay on. 
national polls showed him at the top of the Republican field. In response to questions from reporters after a speech, Santorum downplayed the polls, noting that he had de-emphasized the same polls in recent weeks when they showed him behind. “We just have to earn it one state at a time,” he said. He added, however, that the boost “has helped us in fundraising.” Santorum, a former Pennsylvania senator, spoke for about 35 minutes and answered audience questions for an hour more at the Hagadone Events Center in Coeur d’Alene. About 600 packed the room, and police turned away dozens of cars/Jonathan Brunt, SR. 
arm for improvements to McEuen Field. In one of the most divisive, hotly debated civic issues in recent years, the council recently voted to move ahead with plans to improve the park without inviting citizens to participate in a nonbinding advisory vote. … We respectfully remind city officials, the LCDC board and citizens that the urban renewal agency was created 15 years ago for the specific purpose of generating dollars to renovate McEuen Field. Despite simmering recent sentiments suggesting that LCDC dollars would be an inappropriate investment for the park, local history is replete with evidence that it constitutes the very most appropriate investment for the park/Mike Patrick, Coeur d'Alene Press. 
100 years and costing $1.3 billion, the cleanup would last more like 30 years and cost about $736 million, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Director Toni Hardesty told the House Environment Committee. The Environmental Protection Agency will be unveiling the proposed changes at a Coeur d’Alene Basin Commission meeting Wednesday in Wallace. “We were hopeful that they would scale that back significantly,” Hardesty said. “It’s consistent with the comments that the state submitted, so we’re pleased”/Betsy Z. Russell, Eye On Boise. 
your letter dated Nov 28, which expressed concerns about the planned removal of trees located on the Federally-authorized levee in the city of Coeur d’Alene. I apologize for the delay in responding. I appreciate the importance of this issue to the city and to the members of your organization. In fact, it is a matter of intense interest to many communities and groups across the nation. Because of pending litigation on this issue, I cannot comment further at this time. However, thank you for your letter and for your interest in the Army Civil Works Program.” 
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says he will order flags flown at half-staff at state government buildings Saturday in memory of Whitney Houston. The governor says Houston was a “cultural icon” who belongs in the same category in New Jersey music history as Frank Sinatra, Count Basie and Bruce Springsteen. He says her accomplishments were “a great source of pride for the people of the state.” Her funeral will be held the same day in her birthplace of Newark/Associated Press. (1999 AP file photo of Whitney Houston)
Courtney Beebe says that I should wear a tank top with a flannel shirt and jeans that sparkle but I'm not so sure. Any one out there have tips on appropriate monster truck attire and/or tips for the show itself? I am aware I need ear protection but should it coordinate with the sparkle jeans or the flannel?”
keynote for the Kootenai County Lincoln Day this year is Sheriff Richard Mack, who regularly speaks to, and works with…wait for it…The John Birch Society. Ok, so that’s not totally sweet. Actually, it’s an embarassment. Yes folks, the John Birch Society - the group that accused Eisenhower of being a communist operative. The group that thought Reagan was a liberal and a sellout to the left. ?!? The group that regularly peddles paranoid conspiracy theories and thinly-veiled anti-Semitism. And Sheriff Mack apparently thinks that’s all ok. So does the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, apparently. Yow.
don’t know much about running a university. Either way, U of I need not worry about going it alone. Not when the Idaho Legislature is around. Recently, 21 legislators took some time away from their day job to tell the U of I law school how not to mandate attendance at a diversity workshop. Unsolicited advice is just one more service this Legislature offers. These lawmakers wrote a letter to U of I law school Dean Don Burnett, criticizing the decision to require the school’s 360 students to attend a 75-minute program in professionalism and diversity. If a student doesn’t attend, a note may be placed in his or her file — and that’s what set off the legislators/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. 
Some 24 million voter registrations in the United States contain significant errors, including about 1.8 million dead people still on the rolls and many more approved to vote in multiple states, according to a report released Tuesday. Even though the inaccuracies impact one in eight registrations, researches at the Pew Center on the States said they don't see it as an indicator of widespread fraud. Rather, they believe outdated systems are failing to keep pace with the most basic changes in people's lives, feeding perceptions that U.S. elections are not as airtight as they could be/Associated Press. 
concussion, according to a measure aimed at boosting protections for young athletes who suffer head injuries. Rep. Erik Simpson of Idaho Falls wants to strengthen laws passed in 2010 in the wake of several severe concussion cases. According to Simpson’s proposal, an athlete could return to play if he or she were cleared by a qualified medical professional. Parents couldn’t make the decision, Simpson said, to eliminate conflicts of interest/Associated Press. 
City Development Corp. for the McEuen Park redevelopment project. Parks Director Doug Eastwood and Team McEuen are scheduled to make a presentation on the downtown park project and request financial support before the urban renewal agency at 4 p.m. in the Community Room of the Coeur d'Alene Public Library, LCDC director Tony Berns said. The urban renewal agency has long been identified as a likely financial supporter for the project, though a formal request has yet to come. In June, the agency borrowed $16.75 million, $11.7 million of which it could use to fund projects inside the Lake District, the boundary in which McEuen Field sits/Tom Hasslinger, Coeur d'Alene Press. 
from state property on an emergency basis. The bill now goes back to the House for a vote on it as amended in the Senate, which adjusted clauses on property seizure. In the vote, every Senate Democrat voted against the bill, and they were joined by two Senate Republicans, Sens. Patrick Malloy, the substitute for Sen. Shirley McKague, R-Meridian; and Sen. Dan Johnson, R-Lewiston. All other GOP senators voted yes/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
following for the Vandal basketball team. Which ranks third in the WAC and has a 15-11 record overall. Only 1,843 attended Saturday's basketball game on campus. Adding insult to injury, the editorial goes on to point out that the hated Boise State Broncos attracts 5,500 fans on average in the Taco Bell Arena “
middleweight from Flint, Mich., turned the first U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Women’s Boxing on end Monday night with a dominant performance in upsetting top-seeded Franchon Crews in a crackling highlight to the opening round. And on a night when nerves seemed to earn a draw in more than a handful of bouts, the youngest competitor among the 24 trying to take the next step to the London Olympics betrayed none. “I wanted it – I wanted to fight her as soon as I qualified,” said Shields. “She was saying she’s the best, so if she’s the best, I wanted her. Piece of work”/John Blanchette, SR. 
state that Romney is heavily favored to win. The Romney campaign sent reporters notices of a conference call with Romney's Idaho co-chairs, Gov. Butch Otter and U.S. Sen. Jim Risch Monday night and Tuesday morning. Otter and Jim Risch will “discuss their support” for Romney and “why Mitt Romney is the right choice for Idaho,” the campaign said. The call is scheduled for 11 a.m. MST. Romney will hold $2,500 and $1,000 per person fundraisers in Boise Friday. He has yet to announce a public event, but is expected to do so/Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman. 
realization that the information might put cats out of business if we all come to realize what we have been sponsoring all these years. What we have been sponsoring is wholesale mayhem. We have been harboring fuzzy little murder machines that cut a merciless swath of daily death through millions of well-intentioned though filthy rodents.
easy question for me. At a church Valentine's Banquet. I was the guest speaker in the early 1970s. 1973, I think. She and a friend of hers were coming around a corner laughing hard due to a photo booth malfunction that'd landed them on the ground, unhurt. I was psyching myself up to speak. And, in the words of Rick to Louie, that was the beginning of a beautiful friendship (romance) that will observe anniversary No. 37. (AP file illustration)
high levels of stress, high blood pressure and heart palpitations, according to a recent study. Practice Fusion, a San Francisco firm that analyzes clinical databases, examined more than 2.8 million “de-identified” electronic patient records for the symptoms. Scientist Jake Marcus said Vermont ranked first on its 2011-12 “love index,” with 32 percent of patients experiencing at least one of the symptoms. Hawaii followed at 28 percent and Idaho at 26 percent. Based on the firm’s analysis, Idaho had about 122,044 patients suffering from one of the symptoms/Dara Barney, Idaho Statesman. 
Fennen and his 1967 Pontiac GTO (pictured left). Today marks the 45th anniversary of the Valentine’s Day when Fennen heard his name announced over Spokane’s KJRB-AM radiowaves. The 20-year-old was the lucky winner out of untold thousands who had entered a downtown car dealership’s drawing for a sparkling new muscle car. But that’s just where this love story begins. Last summer, I wrote about Fennen’s quest to have his prized car brought back to its original luster. Mission accomplished – and then some/Doug Clark, SR. 
parents also failed, as did your grandparents and great-grandparents. A new study shows that kids get about half an hour less sleep than than recommended, the same deficit as a century ago, even though the recommended amounts have changed over that time. Andrea Petersen explains on Lunch Break. At least that's according to a study released Monday in the journal Pediatrics, which found that children haven't been getting the recommended hours of shuteye for at least a century/Andrea Petersen, Wall Street Journal. 
Three Bonner County residents have been charged with the murder of Michael Wyatt Smith, 19, (below) who was last seen walking along Peninsula Road in Hope, Idaho, at 11 p.m. Sept. 13, according to the Bonner County Sheriff's Office. Austin Thrasher, 19, (upper left) Thrasher's wife, Jennifer, 22, (middle) and Christopher Garlin, 19, (upper right) of the Cocalalla and Hope areas were arrested after several vehicles and firearms were seized by the authorities. The sheriff's department was tipped off to the possible murder of 
Smith on Jan. 6. His body has since been found in a shallow grave off Wellington Road in the Rapid Lightening area. Next of kin were notified in California last week. Allegedly the three suspects picked Smith up under the pretense of attending a party. Later, he was reportedly taken into a treed area near Cocalalla and shot twice. His body was transported for burial. Thrasher has been charged with first-degree murder; his wife and Garlin with accessory to murder. 
Fox television show, “Hotel Hell,” at the Roosevelt Inn in Coeur d’Alene Feb. 20-24. For those familiar with Gordon’s “Kitchen Nightmares” show, “Hotel Hell” has similar format with the celebrity chef offering ideas to help turn struggling business around. While filming is happening, the restaurant and inn will be open to the public by reservation only. Producers are looking for people who want to dine or stay there during the filming and be a part of the show. It is not a free ride/Lori Hutson, Too Many Cooks. 
They’re still waiting on positive identification from the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s office, but say they’re operating on the assumption that the body is Gilman’s. Authorities had been tracking Gilman’s cell phone, which led them to the area where the body was discovered. Gilman, 22, is suspected of killing a Spokane woman and her two young sons Friday night. He had been staying with the family/SR. 
Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter has offered to send Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber 150 wolves, saying his own state has a few of the predators to spare. Monday's offer came in a tongue-in-cheek letter where Otter sarcastically apologized to Kitzhaber after an Idaho hunter killed a wolf from an Oregon pack that strayed across Idaho's border to the east. On Feb. 2, the Idaho hunter killed a brother of an Oregon wolf that became a celebrity by wandering hundreds of miles into Northern California seeking a mate/AP. 
“Washington has not changed me,” Idaho Congressman Raul Labrador declared today as he launched his bid for a second term in Congress. Here's evidence: The freshman congressman hasn't found himself a home to rent in Washington, D.C. while he's there - he's sleeping on his office couch instead, and returning to Idaho and his family each weekend. “I commute every week,” Labrador said. Asked how that's going, he said, “Planes are not my favorite thing - that's really the only tough part”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
with three teachers at St. Maries High School. The comments not surprisingly reflected a similar earlier sit down with a teacher in the Challis School District. All four said without hesitation they intended to vote to repeal the three items on the ballot in November. Like many they are offended by the lack of due process alone. In their eyes it was a betrayal of trust for Governor Otter and State Superintendent Luna to have campaigned for re-election in 2010 and not to have said word one to any involved in education about what they were planning to introduce a scant seven weeks later when the 2011 Legislature convened/Chris Carlson, The Carlson Chronicles. 
cord this morning — you know, the one in which Paul asks if you've ever wondered what it's like in the public restrooms used by the opposite sex. The ART blogger recalls “a time at a hockey game in DC when I accidentally walked into the men's restroom (saw “men” and thought it had a “w” and an “o” in front of that) — saw lots of men standing, facing walls and thought — literally, it was my first thought — why are all these men in the women's bathroom?”
purchased by the Wine Cellar and is being turned back into a fine dining establishment. The Beacon is as described in the article, terrible customer service and outrageous prices. Splash, I’ve never been but I’ve never once heard anything nice about the place. As for my favorite downtown bar, well…I have kind of a bias on that one…”
The editors of the journal founded by conservative pioneer William F. Buckley Jr. say today in an article titled 
R-Rigby, proposed the bill, but the House State Affairs Committee this morning rejected it on an 8-11 vote. “I’m bringing to you a piece of legislation this family had brought to me and have asked for several years that we take a look at,” Wood told the panel, introducing a constituent who gave an impassioned pitch for the blue heeler, noting its merits and that “the blue heeler is a common fixture of Idaho ranches, where it is said that one such dog will do the work of three cowhands”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
& Fundraiser staged by the Kootenai County Republican Party at the Coeur d'Alene Resort at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 24. A news release just received by HucksOnline describes Mack as “a powerful, experience speaker, a strong advocate of states' rights and individual freedoms.” He will discuss “the County Sheriff Project, the Oath of Office, citizens' personal freedoms and the importance of the office of Sheriff to defend those freedoms.” General admission to the event if $50 per person. 
said Downing, a Coeur d'Alene resident open to admitting he is gay, even when he expects a variety of reactions. “But the reality is it's probably going to take a little bit longer to change people's hearts and minds.” There are signs to indicate it's already happening, with same-sex marriage legislation whipping through the Washington Legislature and gaining approval on Wednesday, the day after the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down California's Proposition 8 outlawing gay marriage. Idaho following soon might be a tall order/Alecia Warren, Coeur d'Alene Press. 
could tell it wasn't. My mouse wouldn't work. And then the computer, which has been suffering lately from some form of narcolepsy, konked out and I couldn't revive it. So I called the computer guy and he came right over. I think he has me tagged on his caller ID read-out as “high-maintenance customer” because whenever I call it's like a summons for an ambulance.”HELP ME. I CAN'T GET THIS DARNED COMPUTER TO WORK AND ALL MY STORIES ARE STUCK AND I NEED TO CHECK MY EMAIL,” I screech in that panic-stricken tone I use whenever an inconvenience strikes. … But I will say this in my defense: I never used to behave this way when I used a plain old typewriter and paper/Kathy Hedberg, Lewiston Tribune. 
anywhere near three particular bars in downtown Coeur d’Alene. 
would watch tonight. I happen to get the East Coast network feed on my Directv. So, I got it 3 hours early, live. The tributes to Whitney were tear jerkers and the entire program was quite good. The original Beach Boys are back together for their 50th, including Brian. They did a tribute thing for Glen Campbell who now going downhill rapidly.
birthday of course is today. I remembered that he was 56 when he died (my age) but it wasn’t until I did the calculation that I found that I am today exactly the same age as Lincoln was the day he was assassinated (April 15, 1865, when he had lived 20,516 days). So, I’m the age exactly as he was when he died, and it just happens to be on his birthday. How’s that for irony? It’s also humbling to think of all he achieved in his rather short life. He may be a little ahead of me, somewhat, at this point. :) (AP file photo of an actor portraying Abraham Lincoln)
objected to the manner in which she was appointed. Removing Wanda Quinn hurts in the short run, but this is the right call and the district's patrons will benefit in the long run. This newspaper ardently supported Quinn, one of the state's most respected education officials, to replace Edie (Brooks) McLachlan. Last May, McLachlan announced she was resigning from the board, but she stayed on long enough to help ensure Quinn took her place. As superb as Quinn is, the process used in her appointment was legally and ethically flawed - and the board's newly elected members, Tom Hamilton, left, and Terri Seymour, right, filed a complaint in district court last June to have it nullified. A district court judge this week agreed/Mike Patrick, Coeur d'Alene Press. 
to be a “major new weapon in the fight against the UN.” Yeah, U.N., as in United Nations. (Remember that line from “For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield? “Paranoia strikes deep, into your life it will creep.”) Right Side News explains the purpose of the council: “The mission of the PRC is to review county government activities and inter-governmental activities to determine whether the activities may cause adverse impact to private property rights. The PRC then is charged with supplying to county officials an opinion on that impact.” With tea party queenpin Pam Stout on the county payroll to oversee the council, you can bet those opinions come from the extreme right precincts of North Idaho’s political rabbit hole/DFO, SR Sunday Huckleberries. 
that at this time, it certainly is our option to declare a vacancy if we'd like to do so, and frankly, the board has the option at this point to proceed through with an appointment. There may be wisdom in that,” Hamilton said. “I would put forward that during the last election, there was a very close election. That's a possible solution, but I'm not sure that warrants discussion tonight or if prudence would dictate that we seek the advice of legal counsel on how to proceed.”
Legislature? How about callous? Or dismissive? Or embarrassing? All of these words fairly describe the actions of the Senate State Affairs Committee Friday. On a party-line decision, and without much second thought, the committee rejected a proposal to extend human rights protections to gays, lesbians and transgender Idahoans. This basic, fair step to prevent discrimination in the workplace and the housing market didn’t get a hearing. In the committee’s narrow view, this proposal didn’t even merit any real consideration”/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. 
on whether or not the Susan G. Komen Foundation will be able to repair its reputation after attempting to withdraw $650,000 worth of annual funding that it currently sends to that billion dollar per year abortion mill, the ironically misnamed Planned Parenthood. Considering the heavy handed thuggery that Planned Parenthood and its allies used to reclaim that tiny sliver of their revenue stream, I have to wonder why it is that Planned Parenthood doesn't have a reputation that is in need of restoration. When Susan G. Komen's new leadership decided that it could do more to fight breast cancer with that money than Planned Parenthood could, Planned Parenthood turned its mighty guns on the Komen Foundation and painted its leadership as a cabal of religious extremists. The mainstream news media actually took the lead on this assault/Michael Costello, Lewiston Tribune. 
qualified than she is after multiple terms on the board, including time as chairwoman. I'd guess that , deep down, new Trustees Tom Hamilton and Terri Seymour, would admit that Wanda knows her stuff and probably should continue. But they would be in a bind if they decided to reappoint her, after their successful suit challenging the board's unorthdox appointment of Wanda to a vacancy last year. Also they'd have to explain to certain of their conservative supporters why they thought Wanda should continue. Ultimately, the ouster of Wanda could cause a 2-2 tie for months, which would lead to the Board of Commissioners appointed a new trustee. Wanda's too classy and has served this community too well to put herself through a three month ordeal. Wanda should resist temptation to reapply and accept the gratitude for her service from those not blinded by ideology — DFO.
Road in the Worley area. The Idaho Department of Transportation and Idaho State Police have signed off on the new course, which Cavasar says is safer than the old one. Which ran along Government Way through Hayden and beyond. The triathletes will bike along the northbound lanes of Highway 95, which will be blocked off for vehicular traffic which will be using the northbound lanes as a two-way roadway. The move was necessary this year because Ironman Coeur d'Alene was facing issues with road construction on the old bike course. Also, Cavasar said, he had heard complaints that the old course cut the communities of Coeur d'Alene & Hayden in half. “I've been looking at this for a couple of years,” he told Huckleberries. Ironman Coeur d'Alene is now in its 10th year. Cavasar said he is trying to renew the contract for Ironman Coeur d'Alene, which expires this summer, for another five years. You can find 
Athletic Center and toward the court, where he encountered Randy Bennett – more resigned than cranky – walking off. “I hope that isn’t for me,” the Saint Mary’s coach cracked. Hey, there were stretches Thursday night in which medical conveyances seemed like a prudent precaution. In an atmosphere as electric as it’s been in The Kennel in a good, long spell, the best the West Coast can currently offer up to ESPN for its rivalry week – OK, maybe the second-best – played high-level chicken for the better part of 30 minutes. This time it was the Gaels who blinked – or perhaps balked/John Blanchette, SR. 
preview), taking the governor to task for refusing to reverse $35 million in cuts to Medicaid programs. But Wayne Hoffman of the Idaho Freedom Foundation was quick to take me to task. In this response, he takes me to task — and says there is nothing “compassionate” about perpetuating social programs such as Medicaid. Hoffman is nice about it, though, I suppose. “Hopefully, with a lot of education and a little love, Kevin will learn something useful.” Yup. I feel the love already/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. 
Santorum, fresh from three victories this week, will be in Coeur d'Alene and the Boise area, said Jonathan Parker, executive director of the Idaho Republican Party. Santorum has booked the Hagadone Events Center in Coeur d'Alene from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday, and will then fly to Boise. Parker said the campaign is planning an evening rally in Boise or Meridian, probably at a school auditorium or gym. Santorum seeks the 32 Idaho delegates to the national convention/Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman. 
LeFavour, D-Boise, rose to introduce guests in the gallery, as is the custom, including her partner, Carol Grohoski, and a large group of folks “who have worked with the Add The Words campaign for the last several months” to add sexual orientation and gender identity to Idaho's Human Rights Act. LeFavour reeled off names of those in the gallery, adding, “and all the amazing people who have worked so hard and who I love dearly. So please give them a warm welcome.” The Senate responded with a vigorous round of applause/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
email. What's more, it was both thoughtful and tasteful. The thrust of the email: We have been married a long time, we will always be friends and parent peacefully together. Please let me know if you notice anything when your child is with mine about which I should be concerned.” I suppose in retrospect, the initial shock wasn't warranted. After all, if social media has been a contributing component of so many enormous world shifts (see Arab Spring), then why not as a means of announcing the most intimate of life changes?
Lewis of Post Falls won the $50 gift certificate to the Davenport Inn by being drawn from the perfect scores awarded in the weekly quiz. Meanwhile, Tim Qualls of Coeur d'Alene won the two free tickets to Gonzaga's game against Loyola Marymount in Spokane Saturday night that were offered in a general drawing. Tim emailed Jim Camden: “Taking my girl friend tomorrow night as she has never been to a Zag game but she’s a big fan. A nice Valentines gift.” Tim may be a follower of one of the HucksOnline social media. Dunna about Kim. 'Tis nice to win these things in the North Idaho fam. Another quiz will be ready for you Monday morning.
the fight for honest, legal, responsible government goes on. More and more people are getting involved and taking a stand. WE, the people, are making a difference. Let’s push through our defeats and celebrate our victories. Every single person who is working for better government here is a star. Thank you for your efforts! And cheers to Terri and Tom who, with their courage and resilience, have given us all new hope that the system can improve.” Mary is right that the huns are storming the gates, trashing public servants like Wanda Quinn, Sandi Bloem, and others who have done more to improve our community than they ever will. 
member wonders if the city should spend a little more to buy a rig from a local dealer. The city's finance department, however, has made a habit of buying capital at the cheapest price. Playing favorites, it said, might not be the best practice when it comes to spending tax dollars. The discussion on whether wiggle room should be allowed for local businesses will start Monday. “If there's a chance to support a local business, I'm going to do it,” said Deanna Goodlander, councilwoman (pictured)”/Tom Hasslinger, Coeur d'Alene Press. 
religious liberty but also ensure that women have access to free contraception, as he rushed to defuse an election-year issue that threatened to overtake his administration. Capping weeks of growing controversy, Obama announced he was backing off a newly announced requirement for religious employers to provide free birth control coverage even if it runs counter to their religious beliefs. Instead, workers at such institutions will be able to get free contraception directly from health insurance companies/Associated Press. 
human rights bill looked on. Judy Halverson, a United Methodist Women member from Boise who was among the crowd attending the hearing, called the decision “just very disappointing, not even to be allowed to be heard.” The committee refused to introduce the bill, which would have allowed a public hearing on it. “I’m just astounded,” Halverson said. “This is 2012. It’s time, it is time“/Betsy Russell, SR. 
he cornered the market on God. Sali walked into the House Transportation Committee and asked the state to create, finance and market a new vanity license plate with the motto “In God We Trust.” He wants $22 from each $35 plate and $12 from each renewal sold allocated to a nonproft group he formed two weeks ago. Joining Sali on the board of American Heritage Foundation are his wife, Terry, and his nephew, Travis Pascoe of Nampa. With the money, Sali promises to educate the public about “foundational principles and history of the United States”/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. 
part of an ongoing investigation into a 36-year-old California man who investigators believe has been brokering sex deals while living out of motels in Portland, Seattle and Spokane. Two motel rooms in Spokane were searched this week. Shaquisha L. Jenkins, 22, was arrested on a misdemeanor prostitution charge Tuesday. … A Spokane police officer contacted Jenkins and an 18-year-old woman on East Sprague Avenue on Jan. 31 and was told “that because there is a lack of attractive prostitutes in the area, they are able to make fairly good money,” according to court documents/Meghann Cuniff, SR. 
rational and informative response to powerful and vindictive law makers with control over funding for Idaho's only College of Law. Unfortunately the 
renewal reform bills, though fewer measures are coming forth this time around. Rep. Kathy Sims, R-Coeur d’Alene, brought a retooled bill to force urban renewal agency commissioners to be elected to serve. It would, however, only apply to urban renewal districts created after July 1, 2012. Existing districts would still be able to choose how members are named to their oversight boards. “Having the board stand for election will have them be more accountable than what they are,” Sims said/Idaho Reporter. 
it any political spin. City Administrator Wendy Gabriel and Mayor Sandi Bloem said they believe they are very close to certifying the flood plain through a third party at the price of around $200,000. That would allow the city to keep most, if not all, of the 500-700 trees the Army Corps of Engineers has ordered removed. Details and meetings will be worked out in the coming months, but Gabriel said the chance at tree-keeping is “very good.” Bloem seemed even more confident/Tom Hasslinger, Coeur d'Alene Press. 
gold strikes in the Idaho Panhandle and more played into the current-day shape of the state of Idaho, according to historic maps unveiled to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee today after its budget hearing on the Idaho State Historical Society. Under one, drawn by Lt. John Mullan, the entire North Idaho Panhandle would have become part of Washington. Under the other, drawn by William H. Wallace, not only the Panhandle but all of Montana and most of Wyoming were drawn into the new Idaho Territory/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
together over all the holidays, birthdays and sometimes the relationship required lots of attention or relied on the simple rhythm of daily life. Suddenly, the relationship is over. I had no illusions: “nothing gold stays forever,” says Robert Frost. And so, tomorrow I will have to say good-bye. After 26 years, my performed-perfectly Maytag washing machine…has died/Catherine Johnston, 
agreement to purchase 100 percent of the mine, which could very well reverse the financial hit residents and businesses took when it closed. With the news of the purchase, long-time Silver Valley residents and business owners are hopeful that the county’s economic slump is easing. “If it’s true,” said Dale Lavigne of Lavigne Drug Group, “my take is that it’s great for the community.” In fact, he said, he’d be elated if it reopened. Based on current metals prices, there’s no doubt in his mind that it’d be successful/Zac Failla & Kelsey Saintz, Shoshone News-Press. 
second best hotel in Idaho, behind only the Teton Springs Lodge & Spa, near the Wyoming border, 24 miles northwest of Jackson, Wyo. Of Duane Hagadone's resort, U.S. News & World Report writes: “Overlooking Lake Coeur d'Alene in northwest Idaho — near the Washington state border — The Coeur d'Alene Resort caters to two types of guests: those in need of some R&R and those in need of an adrenaline rush.” 
photographer from Missoula who specializes in outdoor adventure, put together the compilations. “Just what makes a classic ski town?” Teasdale asked. “It starts, naturally, with skiing and snowboarding so good they attract people like youth-bestowing fountains. Then add an inviting mountain burg steeped in ski heritage, amenities and culture”/Daily Inter Lake. 
memorial service for Charlie and Braden Powell, claiming their deaths are payback from God over the state Legislature's support of gay marriage. An online campaign is already under way to keep the Westboro Baptist Church (pictured) from disrupting the funeral, which will be at Life Center Church in Tacoma at 11 a.m. Charlie, 7, and Braden, 5, died Sunday when police say their father, Josh Powell, intentionally set fire to his home in Graham, Wash. The boys were there on a supervised visit, but the supervisor was locked out of the house/King5 News. 
the appointment of Wanda Quinn to the Coeur d'Alene School District Board of Trustees. Quoth Bill McCrory: “
notion that I needed any more social media in my life. Facebook already ate up too much of my time. Oliveria insisted that Twitter is far more valuable than Facebook when it comes to tracking and reporting breaking news. However, the only breaking news I usually cover is when I break a fingernail. Yet as more and more of my media friends started jumping on the Twitter-wagon, I wondered if I might be missing out/Cindy Hval, SR Front Porch. 
someone fires a gun at a dormitory. When he flees the scene. And when for hours, if not days, nobody knows where he is — or who he is. So it went Sunday. Somebody fired a .45-caliber gun at Targhee Fine Arts Hall, a small dormitory filled with art and architecture students. A bullet crashed through a window, struck a ceiling fixture and then bounced back down into a a cinder block wall. Miraculously, it intercepted no human along the way/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. 
to be built at a different site. The Inland Northwest Council's executive board vote tallied 24 in favor, six opposed and three abstaining to begin negotiations with Discovery Land Company. “These (board members) that were there, they spent so much time investigating, meeting with people on their own, reading the 40 pages from the survey,” said Scout Executive Tim McCandless, referring to a recent survey to constituents on the project. “This was the most comprehensive decision I've seen an executive board make”/Alecia Warren, CdA Press. 
dictate laws in Idaho. The bill didn’t get out of committee, failing on a 9-5 vote. Harwood is vice chairman of the committee. Harwood’s plan was to have it sent to print but not go any further, thus putting it up on the Legislature’s website in hopes that other states could access it and begin a process of coming together to fight the EPA. Rep. Pete Nielsen, R-Mountain Home, proposed a motion to send the bill to print, citing the 10th Amendment and the commerce clause within it. This led to some harsh words from Rep. Eric Anderson,R-Priest Lake. Anderson felt that the bill was flawed and that it would reflect badly on the legislative body and him personally/Mitch Coffman, Idaho Reporter. 
Congress that women be allowed to serve in more jobs closer to the front lines. The change would open up about 14,000 additional jobs to women. According to defense officials, the new rules are expected to continue the long-held prohibition that prevents women from serving as infantry, armor and special operations forces. But they will formally allow women to serve in other jobs at the battalion level, which until now had been considered too close to combat/Associated Press. 
School District Board members Tom Hamilton (pictured) and Terri Seymour filed a complaint in District Court in Kootenai County questioning the validity of Wanda Quinn's appointment to the board. Quinn was appointed to replace former board chair Edie (Brooks) McLachlan. Hamilton told The Press on Wednesday that he and Seymour sought a judge's decision on the matter only after attempts at an administrative resolution failed/David Cole, Coeur d'Alene Press. 
to the group, Burnett apologized for the harshness of his tone in a message about diversity training, but says he plans to proceed with the workshops, slated for next week. “By the way, I have apologized in two open forums with students for the seemingly harsh tone of the language you have quoted,” Burnett wrote. “My intent was simply to be open and transparent, but I could have chosen my words more carefully”/Dustin Hurst, Idaho Reporter.
media sources are all buzzing about the new book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, by Susan Cain. Introverts are cautious, quiet people who might prefer to work through a crossword puzzle at home rather than spend a night partying with friends. My kids are introverts, just like their parents. And their grandparents. Must be a genetic thing. Many people misunderstand my children’s social apathy as some sort of negative effect of homeschooling. Long ago, I stopped trying to explain that they’ve always been this way/Idaho Dad, A Family Runs Through It. 
mainly due to the funding process, the complicated, back door method, bypassing Article 8 Section 3 of the Idaho Constitution for long term capital debt. Also, using outdated potentially improper appraisal that has brought a lot of questions from the community, it has brought a lawsuit. I am just wondering if you anticipate that this will be the continued funding method of the college for any projects that are going to exceed the fiscal year’s budget.” Later, City Attorney Mike Gridley (pictured) commented: “I know the law suit was thrown out by the court. There has been no violation of the Idaho Constitution, the funding is legal. … the question you asked contains false information.” 
d'Alene School Board to be null and void. Trustees Tom Hamilton and Terri Seymour, who were elected in May and sworn into office on July 1, filed a complaint in district court in July. The complaint alleged that the process the board followed when former board chair Edie McLachlan resigned on May 19 was illegal. It further alleges that the appointment of Wanda Quinn to complete McLachlan's term is invalid/
reports, carried out by consulting firms that Simplot hired, are part of the company’s push for an exception to government limits on selenium coming from the phosphate mine east of Soda Springs. Simplot spokesman David Cuoio said the company is aware of selenium contamination in the waterways around the Smoky Canyon mine, as well as concerns about what effects that contamination might have/Associated Press. 
Congress. They are nonbinding. They carry no weight, but they give lawmakers a forum for carping about the federal gummint — something they might otherwise be reduced to doing around a Statehouse water cooler. But they do send a message, all right. Sometimes, the message is that our Legislature is populated with yahoos with a tad too much time on their hands. A case in point: on Monday, Rep. Shannon McMillan, R-Silverton, trotted out 
Needs to Buy More Beer Heritage Foundation. It’s a very important non-profit group here in the state of Idaho. Donations of microbrew IPAs are also welcome, if you’d like to help this important heritage foundation but are all filled up on specialty plates.
would bear the motto “In God We Trust.” The foundation, which Sali and his wife Terry formed on Jan. 25, will work to educate the public about “foundational principles and history of the United States,” the bill says. He said it’ll do things like give away copies of the Constitution. Under the bill, the additional fees for the plate of $35 up-front and then $25 per year would go to the Idaho foundation, except for $13 from each that would go to the state highway account. Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol, moved to introduce Sali’s bill, and Rep. Linden Bateman, R-Idaho Falls, spoke out in favor of it/Betsy Russell, SR. 
and Steve Adams voted against the proposed zone change to commercial of part of the Education Corridor: “. “Councilman Adams expressed his belief that his constitutional right to vote on the funding of this project has been violated and therefore will vote against this zone change. Councilman Gookin voiced his concern of the shoreline regulations and the impact to the alleyways as a result of the eastern parking garage abutting the residents along North Military Drive. ” The motion carried 4-2. (Facebook photo from Steve Adams page)
in this week's News Quiz, prepared by colleague Jim Camden. You don't have to win to be eligible for the tickets to the Zags' game against Loyola Marymount Saturday at The Kennel. Also, the usual prize for the top entry will be rewarded again — a $50 gift certificate to the Davenport Hotel in Spokane. Elaine Luniuck-Olson of Edgewood, Wash., was the winner of last week's contest. A Coeur d'Alene woman won the week before. You can enter the contest 
Councilman Steve Adams, who defeated Bruning in a three-way race in November, voted for the appointnments. Here's how the minutes read: “Motion by Goodlander, seconded by Kennedy to appoint John Bruning to the Natural Open Space Ad Hoc Committee and the Arts Commission, to re-appoint Kelly Ostrom to the Personnel Appeals Board, and re-appoint Jim VanSky to the CDA TV Committee. Councilman Gookin believes that John Bruning is already serving on two committees and, therefore, will vote against him being appointed to these two committees. Mayor Bloem noted that the two committees the John Burning is currently a member of, as mentioned by Councilman Gookin, are ad hoc committees and not standing committees. Motion carried with Gookin voting no. ”
Palmer - to kill HB 392, the bill to move Idaho's primary election back to August. “I don't have any illusions about the outcome of this vote today, I can tell you that,” Loertscher, the bill's sponsor, told the committee that he chairs. He noted that he scheduled the hearing when county clerks were in town for their winter convention and could come testify without any additional expense. “This has been a healthy discussion, and I appreciate the time that the committee has taken,” he said/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
around his campaign axle is the old line about voters first needing to know the candidate’s name, then understand the man, and finally warm to the message. Romney keeps tripping over the man. After running for president in 2008 and literally never stopping for breath in the three years since, Romney still seems a mystery. As hard as he works at it, Romney leaves the steady impression that he’s keeping his real self as buttoned down as the oxford cloth shirts he now wears at every campaign event/Marc Johnson, The Johnson Report. 
the Coeur d'Alene Police Officer's Association, with Jimmy's group moderating. Jimmy explains the purpose of the event in an email: “The goal of this event is to provide an opportunity for each and every candidate in the upcoming Kootenai County Sheriff election to let their voices be heard. While we do not take collective stances when it comes to local politics, we are very engaged in the community and passionate about being as informed as possible.” GOP sheriff's candidates are: John Green, Ben Wolfinger, Keith Hutcheson, Adam Johnson, and Bob Foster.
lawmakers wants to bring a little bit of California into Idaho tax law. They are pushing a constitutional amendment that would require any future tax and fee increases to receive two-thirds support from the Legislature. The co-sponsors include a list of Treasure Valley Republicans: House Majority Leader Mike Moyle of Star (pictured); Rep. Marv Hagedorn of Meridian; Rep. Steven Thayn of Emmett; and Rep. Robert Schaefer of Nampa. (Resident House non-taxpayer Phil Hart of Hayden is on board, but what else would you expect?) The Two-Thirds Gang argues that these amendments, on the books in California and 15 other states, “help keep spending down and protect taxpayers from additional financial burdens”/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. 
candidate (or more precisely, an image of him) is doing some protecting. A company is slapping the former Massachusetts governor’s face on a new line of its contraceptive products, as first 
which make Idaho such a great place to live. Instead, being on the correct side of hot button issues such as abortion, guns and more wilderness became the goal of what other Idahoans perceived as a party growing out of touch and into the hands of the “wine and cheese” liberal set as represented by multi-millionaires living in Blaine County.” From the mid 90’s on, he continues, Idaho Democrats have appeared hell bent on narrowing their base of support. The voters noted and duly administered rebukes which should have awakened the D’s but so far haven’t.
represents Benewah, Shoshone and portions of Bonner and Kootenai counties, said she expects to make an official announcement for the District 1 Bonner County Commission seat sometime this week. Sen. Broadsword said in an e-mail that she expects to officially file with the state to run for the position on the Bonner County Commission late in the Idaho secretary of state’s public office filing process n which runs from Feb. 27 until the 5 p.m. March 9 deadline/David Goins, St. Maries Gazette Record. 
We hear of an industry that is thriving. Whose various companies provide a lot of jobs, a valuable service, a healthy contribution to the public good through taxes, and contributions to charity. An industry like the one that contributed an estimated $311 million to Washington’s economy in 2010, and $30 million to Idaho’s, according to a new report. An industry like debt collection. According to the Association of Credit and Collection Professionals, about $55 billion in unpaid debts was collected by third-party agencies in 2010/Shawn Vestal, SR. 
news yesterday it made me wonder if we really needed that bit of information. It doesn’t change that they are dead. It doesn’t change that he had them in the house for a horror filled three minutes before the explosion. It just puts evil visions in our minds eyes. Sometimes I just wish we didn’t live in an age where every single gory detail has to hit the news so the newspapers and TV stations could get ratings. Those boys and their mother are in God’s arms. Peace be with them. (Courtesy photo: Chuck Cox sits with his grandsons, Charlie, left, and Braden, right, at the Coxes home in Pullayup, Wash.)
Wednesday, a day after his shocking sweep of nominating contests in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri that dealt a blow to front-runner Mitt Romney. 
next two weeks, according to a scout official, though it might not be as ironclad as some would prefer. The Inland Northwest Council of Boy Scouts will have two board votes in upcoming weeks, said Scout Executive Tim McCandless. The INC executive and foundation boards will only vote on whether to pursue a purchase of sale agreement with developer Discovery Land Company, McCandless said, which has offered to build a new and improved camp at Sunup Bay on Lake Coeur d'Alene, in exchange for the Camp Easton property further north/Alecia Warren, Coeur d'Alene Press.
be both a historic occasion and another chance to add to the region’s solid résumé of hosting sporting events. This year’s London Olympic Games will be the first to include women’s boxing. Spokane’s success in hosting events like NCAA women’s volleyball and basketball tournaments, plus impressive showings for two U.S. Figure Skating Championships, played a major role in selecting Spokane for the women’s Olympic boxing team trials, said Anthony Bartkowski, executive director of USA Boxing/Tom Sowa, SR. 
long time ago. Early 80's maybe even the late 70's. It may be even before your time (if such is possible). The insert spoke of the 51st state. It was called “Columbia” and included Western Montana, Eastern Washington, North Idaho, and a small portion of Northeastern Oregon. The insert treated it as if it was a real state and included a map and the typical statistics (population, major cities, products, number of parks and so on) one might expect.”
school board meeting, trustees voted unanimously to extend Bauman's contract as superintendent for another year through June 30, 2015. The terms of Bauman's employment contract have not changed, nor has Bauman's salary increased. Her annual pay amount remains $123,971, the same amount she has been receiving since July 1, 2009. In March of that year, the board allowed Bauman to take a voluntary 5 percent pay cut decreasing her then $130,496 salary by $6,524.80/Coeur d'Alene Press. 
Court of Appeals for striking down California's Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage — both of them targeting the judiciary system for invoking what Gingrich described as a “radical overreach” of power.
diversity program next week. In the letter obtained by IdahoReporter.com, the 20 Republicans have asked the Law School to ease up on threats they believe it’s making over diversity training slated for next week on its Boise and Moscow campuses. The lawmakers were concerned that failure to attend “Dialogues on Professionalism and Diversity” would be noted on the permanent record of individual law students. In a message to UI Law School Dean Don Burnett, the legislators noted that students are required to take the course and focused on this statement as threatening: ” Any student who does not participate, and has not been excused, will have a memorandum to that effected placed in his or her student record file. 
The North Idaho Violent Crimes Task Force is seeking information leading to the apprehension of Nicole Louise McMillan. McMillan, 21, is being sought based on a Kootenai County felony warrant charging McMillan with failure to appear on felony drug possession charges. This is a $25,000 bond, Western United States extradition warrant. McMllan is a white female, 5 feet, 1 inch tall, 120 pounds with green eyes and brown hair. McMillan was last known to be living in the Post Falls/Coeur d'Alene Press. More here.
through a childhood nightmare of thugs and thieves. 
OrangeTV/
sodium as salty junk food like potato chips. That surprising finding comes in a 
to discuss cloth, dollar-store American flags pinned to each individual's shirt. In the Minority Caucus room on the fourth floor of the Capitol, Idaho Falls Sen. Bart Davis asked them to remove the flags. “We have asked many people over the years, people I have agreed with and I have disagreed with,” said Sen. Davis. “To not wear buttons, and to not wear hats, and we're asking you please to be similarly sympathetic to allow us to do our business in that fashion”/Andrew Crisp, Boise Weekly.
Julie Ellsworth, R-Boise, (pictured) to amend House rules to say that any member of leadership who is convicted of a DUI or drug offense would lose his or her leadership post. “It basically says if you're a member of leadership in your current term, if you're found guilty of a DUI or a drug offense, you're not eligible to complete that current leadership term,” Ellsworth told the committee. “I believe that it creates a standard, it puts it in place so that issues don't come into play when a situation arises. I like the idea of a standard”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
locked down and open by card access only. “Anyone without a House State ID badge will not be allowed into those spaces until the security guard has cleared it with the Representative or staff member they wish to see,” Denney directed in an email. The lockdown continues today; asked about it, Denney said, “They are going to remain locked at least until we're done with the Occupy bill, and then we will go to caucus and see if our caucus wants to reopen that. There are some, I'm sure, that like that locked down”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
decided on the constitutionality of laws that prohibit same-sex marriage. California voters passed Proposition 8 in November 2008 with 52.4 percent of the vote. The measure outlawed same-sex marriage in the state by amending California's constitution to only recognize marriages between men and women. The California Supreme Court ruled that the amendment was valid, but in August 2010 US District Judge Vaughn Walker nullified Proposition 8 for violating the due process and equal protection rights of gay men and women guaranteed by the US Constitution. Three Ninth Circuit judges unanimously affirmed Walker's ruling Tuesday/New York Post. 
Taking a closer look at the impacts of 
the pink apparel she pulls on nearly every day, accumulated from years of events. Not because she stopped believing in the breast cancer organization, she said. “I just didn't want to deal with people asking me questions,” said Kendrick, who has raised more than $100,000 for the organization's efforts with her team at three-day, 60-mile walk events. “It was hard. Almost everything I have is pink.” But on Monday, she was back in her customary color, with the ribbon brandished for all to see. What are politics and rumors, she said, compared to tangible dollars that have been raised to quell the effects of a broad-reaching disease?/Alecia Warren, Coeur d'Alene Press. 
acres sit on an approximately 18-acre plot that formerly held a saw mill, near the city's wastewater treatment plant. It's currently zoned for light manufacturing and Commercial-17 Light. A change to C-17 zoning would allow more uses on the land, such as commercial, residential and civic facilities, which light manufacturing prohibits, according to John Mueller, landscape architect representing NIC. “It allows the college and university uses to happen,” he said. “C-17 really encompasses a lot of different uses, including university and higher education.” If the Coeur d'Alene City Council approves the request, it would conform zoning to adjacent parcels/Tom Hasslinger, Coeur d'Alene Press. 
website better, easier to use, faster and less cluttered. We know change is hard, but we think this change is well worth doing and is overdue. Our users here in Idaho — as well as users at McClatchy websites across the country — have made the same complaints for years. Our sites are busy. Our navigation systems are complex. Often, it takes our users longer than it should to find the specific content they want. The problem has always been the wealth of information we have in our newspapers and our efforts to reproduce that online — along with all sorts of online-only content, from databases to photo galleries, from comments to blogs/Vicki Gowler, Idaho Statesman. 
Was talking with a friend who rides my bus about this morning's moon. We agreed that it was pretty amazing. (At least it was about an hour ago.) I said it reminded me of a scene from “Star Wars.” He knew just what I meant. But now that I review the scene in question from that megamovie, I see that the objects in Luke's sky are not nearly so large as this morning's moon. Of course, there are two of them. So I guess that counts for something/Paul Turner, 
But Mitt Romney still has the line on Colorado, which like Minnesota, is holding caucuses on Tuesday night that won't commit delegates but should provide some insight into the trajectory of the candidates. Missouri is holding a non-binding primary that sets up the standings for the delegate-awarding caucuses in a month from now. According to Public Policy Polling, a Democratic firm, Santorum is leading in Minnesota, 33 percent to 24 percent for Romney. Newt Gingrich is at 22 percent and Ron Paul is at 20 percent/Fox News. 
economy than most. The state was among the ten least confident, tied with Nevada, Florida and Ohio. Gallup explains there aren’t clear patterns among the states that register the lowest levels of economic confidence. “[T]he top 10 states vary by region and political leanings, including 
A Post Falls man wanted on a felony warrant for failure to appear in court to face charges of felony DUI is at the head of the weekly warrants class of sheriff's Major Ben Wolfinger. Bail of $25,000 has been set for Richard Frank Huston, 53. Four other individuals are highlighted on the felony warrant list this week: Cynthia Lynn LaFollette, 27, of Lake Clarke Flo, Fla., is wanted 
for probation violation for fraudulent possession of a forged document (no bond). Tab Lonnie Moe, 25, of Hayden, is wanted for alleged aggravated battery ($10,000 bond). Michael Dean Rosen, 53, of Coeur d'Alene, is wanted for alleged grand theft ($10,000 bond). Gabriel Lee Wilkins, 29, of Coeur d'Alene, is wanted for probation violation for manufacturing a controlled substance (no bond). A list of Individuals wanted on misdemeanor warrants 
skipping and laughing beside you. I wonder if I can do it. … A few weeks ago, I went for a walk with the Spokesman Review's (
the first-ever Idaho Republican Party Presidential Caucus that will take place in every county across the state on March 6, commonly known as Super Tuesday. The five candidates who have qualified for the ballot are: Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich and Buddy Roemer (in the order they filed with the State Party). “We are delighted to have these five Republican candidates file to participate in the Idaho Republican Party Presidential Caucus,” stated Chairman Norm Semanko. “It is becoming apparent that we are on the radar of the Republican Presidential candidates as they realize that Idaho’s 32 delegates are more delegates than Iowa, New Hampshire or Nevada”/Idaho Republican Party. (AP file photo of former Louisiana governor Buddy Roemer)
milk, and ran into opposition in the House Agriculture Committee, whose members noted that extensive work was done just last year to revise Idaho's rules for raw milk. “We did compromise a lot,” said Rep. Jim Patrick, R-Twin Falls. “This kinda takes a lot of that away.” Said Rep. Dennis Lake, R-Blackfoot, “I think this is opening the door that we tried to close last year.” Rep. Roy Lacey, D-Pocatello, said, “I'm concerned about this, because it pretty much opens it up to everybody. Pretty much anybody can produce raw milk and sell it.” Barbieri responded, “I believe you're correct”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
within five years, with two “no” votes, one abstention and some concerns about whether the state can do what the resolution says. In addition to sending a message to Congress and the EPA, the memorial declares that the Idaho Legislature “vehemently opposes and rejects the ROD (Record of Decision) amendment proposed by the EPA, and hereby demands that our local, state and federal elected officials do all in their power in order to ensure that the EPA … end its presence in Shoshone County and rescind the Superfund designation within the next five years”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
want to visit their father. Charles and Judy Cox tell KIRO-TV that the grandmother talked them into a supervised child custody visit with their father. When the boys arrived at Powell's Washington state home, their father barred a social worker from entering and then lit the house on fire. All three died. Charlie and Braden Powell shared a bedroom in the Cox's Puyallup (Pyoo-AL'-up) home since last fall, when they were removed from their father's custody. The Coxes are parents of Susan Powell, who has been missing since 2009. Josh Powell was a person of interest in her disappearance in Utah/Associated Press. 
Republican businessman and people like him around the country are wielding outsized influence on the 2012 presidential election. VanderSloot is part of a new breed of high-end campaign donor, who gives to and raises large sums for candidates directly, and contributes far greater amounts to super PACs established specifically to help elect their candidates. By law, candidates cannot coordinate with the amped- up political action committees. But there's nothing to stop donors from giving to both. As a result, caps on presidential campaign contributions which date back to Watergate-era reforms, have been rendered meaningless. VanderSloot's candidate is Mitt Romney/Dan Morain, Sacramento Bee. 
John C. Hughes, 55, pleaded guilty Thursday in Butte city court to misdemeanor reckless driving while eluding a peace officer. City Judge Dan Sweeney fined Hughes $1,000. Sweeney said the county attorney's office recommended only a fine and no jail time because Hughes has no criminal record. The strange case received national news media attention after Butte law enforcement reported a man purposely got police to chase - because it was something he always wanted to try/John Grant Emeigh/Butte Standard. 
Recreation of Coeur d'Alene to the list of charities and youth rehab organizations to which donations are eligible for a tax credit. Nonini praised the group, which provides recreational opportunities to disabled people, and said, “They provide a hand up instead of a hand out.” … Rep. Lynn Luker, R-Boise, said, “I hate to be the ogre here, but this is an increase in tax credits. … I've always opposed tax credits. They skew the tax system, they pay money out, it's not just a deduction.” … Nonini responded, “I appreciate the gentleman being the ogre; at least someone else doesn't have to do it.” The bill, HB 437, then passed on a 66-3 vote/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
regretful I hadn't written to him.We humans love our lists - the best movies we ever saw, the biggest fish we ever caught, the most beautiful actress we never caught (Sophia Loren) and the best novel we ever read (“East of Eden” by John Steinbeck.)Actually, it's virtually impossible to choose No. 1 in such matters. The best movie and the best novel are like your favorite child; there's usually no such thing. You love one kid for this and the other for that and they both shine in your mind and in your heart. It's like trying to decide whether your favorite food is fried chicken, pizza, caramel ice cream or chocolate chip cookies/Bill Hall, Lewiston Tribune. 
told them not to do, rebelling against your core values and tossing your counsel to the wind, suddenly your grown children want you to be an influence on their children's lives. I guess it's part of the realization that comes to every new parent that you really don't know what in the heck you are doing. You can read books, consult experts, go to classes, but kids just have a way of making your best efforts look foolish and futile.From the grandparent's point of view, pay backs are sweet. None of us likes to see our children suffer through parenthood the way we did when we were raising those little twerps. But, really, don't they have it coming?/Kathy Hedberg, Lewiston Tribune. 
inches to debate and discussion of his faith, particularly compared to other beliefs. And we're prepared to devote a little more, although readers are increasingly telling us this topic has run its course and it's about time to turn back to issues rather than theological arguments. While some of you have very strong feelings about whether or not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are actually Christians, our view is, why does that matter? When it comes to a presidential election, we're far less concerned with where a candidate spends his Sundays than what he does with the other six days of the week/Mike Patrick, Coeur d'Alene Press Editorial Board. 
seeking the office's top spot as a Republican, aiming his campaign on finding solutions to ease jail crowding other than building a new facility, increasing deputy financial compensation as well as street presence as a crime deterrent, and supporting legislation to allow deputies more leeway on public intoxication calls. … Green has 10 years of law enforcement experience in Texas, with 300 arrests, most for felony violations, that he would bring to the post, he said, as well as 20 years of practicing law. He would pursue other avenues for jail space rather than building a new facility, such as using existing county buildings, possibly even tents, to house inmates if it proved to be effective/Tom Hasslinger, Coeur d'Alene Press. 
this year. Two important segments will undergo construction in the vicinity of Silverwood Theme Park and Athol. The Idaho Department of Transportation is planning to build three interchanges at Chilco Road, Bunco/Brunner Road serving Silverwood, and Athol. The $57 million worth of work should be completed in 2013 and make a highway that has seen steady traffic growth over the years safer. Traffic through Silverwood will be diverted onto a new frontage road east of the parking area, which is on the east side of U.S. 95./Mike Prager, SR Getting There. 
positions so his comments seem silly. You may remember I called upon Jeff a few months ago to correct a false statement he made about me in his newsletter. He claimed I attempted to connect the RR’s to the Aryan’s and was behind the PO Box comments. Wrong person but that did not impress Jeff. He decided I am worthy of his criticism anyway and decided not to make any corrections. Anyway…I have always been clear I am a moderate who chooses to work with all elected officials (Democrats too! Oh My!) and constituents, and will not feed from his purity trough. What a complete waste of valuable time.
older brother Peyton’s house, at that. Just as Manning did four years ago when the Giants ruined New England’s perfect season, he guided them 88 yards to the decisive touchdown, which the Patriots didn’t contest as Ahmad Bradshaw ran 6 yards with 57 seconds left. Patriots coach Bill Belichick reasoned the Giants would run the clock down and kick a short field goal, so he gambled by allowing the six points. The gamble failed. And now Manning not only has stamped himself as the elite quarterback he claimed to be when the season began – in the same class as Brady – he’s beaten the Patriots in two thrilling Super Bowls/Associated Press. 
give me the creeps. Some of these super commercials will be hilarious, of course. A lot of them will be dumber than a box of socks. But every one of them will be designed to separate you and me from our hard-earned cash. Oh, yeah. There’s some kind of football thing going on today, too. But selling stuff to suckers is the real game being played today. Even Madonna’s halftime appearance is part of the National Undertakers Association campaign to promote the wonders of embalming/Doug Clark, SR. 
didn’t. Things have gone from bad to worse for Green, according to the Coeur d’Alene Press. A creditor is suing him for $8.2 million. He’s filed for Chapter 11 corporate bankruptcy. Now, a warrant has been issued for his arrest for failure to appear in court on a charge of selling alcohol without a license at The Landing marina. Green sent this explanation to The Spokesman-Review: “A ticket was issued to my Marina for sale of liquor on August 9, 2011. August 8, 2011, my Brother Tom died of cancer. Marina help sold two beers to officers August 9, 2011. For leaving the dock and store unattended help was released. Notified of ticket just prior to November pre-trial, which was a surprise”/DFO, SR Sunday Huckleberries. 
would be extended to Internet sales. Indeed, California made huge waves recently and did itself significant fiscal and economic violence through its predictably oafish attempt to impose taxes on in-state Internet retailers. Rather than allow itself to become the tax collector for the state of California, eBay responded by closing the accounts of tens of thousands of California-based Internet businesses that had been marketing their wares using eBay's services. California and eBay have reached some sort of temporary truce in the matter, but the episode exposed just how carefully states must tread here/Michael Costello, Lewiston Tribune. 
It’s like “robot”; you don’t say “The robot moved in a robot manner”, it’s a “robotic” manner. Likewise, a Democrat belongs to the Democratic Party, and the Senate, having more Democrats than Republicans, has a Democratic majority. I know… English is a confusing language. If you get confused about if it’s the “Democrat Party” or “Democratic Party”, you can just refer to their 
Idaho Dad: I met Appleton a few times when I worked at Micron. Most driven individual I’ve ever known. He started off at the very bottom and made his way to the top in a short time. It probably helped that he only slept a few hours each night. I always thought he’d die of some neurological disease brought on by lack of sleep.
last days. She absolutely hated the grass burners and blamed them for everything. My Dad smoked and quit. My husband is a smoker, and began his addiction at the age of eleven which takes over 40 years of his life. I love him, dearly. He has tried and tried to quit, came close and then failed again. He hates the smell, the ball and chain effect, ect. more than anyone. He smokes outside, but if we are in the car, he rolls down the window and I still gag. However,my lungs are still the best part of me. I just have to work on that deep fat frying addiction.
involving two males and a female at a wedding party. According to the female victim (33 years), she was having a conversation with several people about religion, and the suspect male (31 years) did not like what she had to say. At one point, the female’s husband, a 33 year old male, stood behind her and said “hi” to the suspect who in return (for unknown reasons) punched him in the face three times causing him to fall to the ground and loose consciousness. When the suspect began walking away, the female followed him asking, “What in the hell did you do that for?” and when she was near the top of the stairs, the suspect male either grabbed or pushed her causing her to fall down 4-5 stairs causing lacerations on her legs, bruising, rug burns and a bump on the head.”
company. “It was ruled by one guy,” former Micron employees and Boise semiconductor analyst Mike Howard said. For the years that have coincided closely with Appleton’s time and corporate climb at Micron, this has also been Boise’s company. The Treasure Valley’s connection to the global and fiercely competitive computer chip sector, Micron has been one of the Valley’s largest private employers. On Friday, Appleton left a void at Micron, and in a Valley he supported with his generosity and philanthropy. He died suddenly and too soon while pursuing one of his off-hours passions: flying. Appleton died at age 51 — too young for someone who, as Gov. Butch Otter said Friday, “lived life to the fullest”/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. 
nine minutes. Madonna can certainly do it; she has the requisite deep catalog of hits, a theatrical approach to performing, and enough bold-faced numbers in her iPhone to unleash some surprises. 
prevention hotline: Idaho's previous hotline closed at the end of 2006 for lack of funding. Since then, various locally funded hotlines around the country have volunteered to temporarily take Idaho calls; currently, Idaho calls are being answered by a locally funded community hotline in Oregon. However, they have less access to local referrals in Idaho to help callers, and funding there is becoming a problem. Meanwhile, news stats, based on 2009 data - the most recent - came out this week showing that Idaho's suicide rate has jumped up to fourth in the nation/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
Republican strategist, Kellyanne Conway, as saying Cathy McMorris Rodgers would fit the bill as a vice presidential selection that “needs to be a surprise, but not a shocker.” The blog goes on to recount the parts of McMorris Rodgers bio that would make her a good pick on paper: daughter of fruit farmers, first in her family to attend college, married to a retired naval pilot, only woman to have two kids while in Congress, founder of the Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus after her first child, Cole, was born with that condition, leadership post in the House Republican Caucus, from a Western state/Jim Camden, Spin Control. 
Denney (left) and Semanko (right) got caught up in trying to out-conservative their own conservative party. We have seen this attitude play out too often right here in Kootenai County, and inevitably, it serves neither the citizens at large nor the Republican Party itself. This Constitutionalist/Libertarian wing of the party represents a political splinter group so contrary to the basics of good government that the county's Reagan Republicans have distanced themselves from their alleged party mates. … We're hopeful that the Republican Party will find leaders more in tune with this great state's ideals, and we offer a sincere suggestion for those who argue that the party isn't conservative enough: Declare yourself a Constitutionalist, a Libertarian or even an anarchist, but stop masquerading as something you're not/Mike Patrick, Coeur d'Alene Press Editorial Board. 
ago: The measure in question would expand the role of state government in the upbringing of children. Under Idaho law, the government already has a program to swoop in and offer early childhood services for “at risk” infants and toddlers with disabilities. Under the changes being pondered by the Legislature, support would be offered up to children from birth to age 5 who have “special needs.” Of course, the Department of Health and Welfare insists that such an expansion of its role isn’t an expansion at all, that the words “special needs” are merely a kinder, gentler way of describing an array of human frailties in which the government may offer support. And those children who are at risk? Why, that includes every possible combination of ailment under the sun/Wayne Hoffman, Idaho Freedom Foundation. 
— the media’s use of the acronym “GOP” to describe the Republican Party. I know it makes things easier for copy editors like me in an era of narrowed web widths, but simply: Isn’t “Grand Old Party” a form of editorializing? (And “Just because it’s always been done that way” isn’t a legit response …) 
Fire crews are investigating a small plane crash at the Boise Airport that resulted in the death of 
Rebekah's testimony: “My husband and I have adopted two children through the foster care system. My daughter has been receiving PSR services for almost two years now.” The youngster struggles, she said. “Without the PSR services … we would not have been able to maintain her in our home.” Over the summer, Casey said, her daughter suffered a crisis, and was unable to obtain additional psycho-social rehabilitation services due to the new 5-hour cap on such services for children. “Instead we were forced to consider medicating our 4-year-old daughter, when therapy services would have been sufficient,” Casey told lawmakers. 
awfully close. Yet voters trust this man to fly to New York City and handle hundreds of million of dollars? Here's what a legislative audit of Crane's affairs reports: Crane expects the taxpayer to buy his gas when he commutes between his Nampa home and Boise. No problem, says Canyon County Prosecutor Bryan Taylor. After auditors referred the case to Taylor, he concluded state travel policies - which bar state employees from charging taxpayers for commuting costs — don't apply to elected officials. That's only an interpretation. Even if Crane's behavior is legal, fleecing the taxpayers at the gas pump isn't right, nor is it common/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. 
fundamentally from mainstream Christianity — both in regards to narrative and theology. For example, Mormons believe that Jesus Christ literally came to America following the resurrection (Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi, 11). As for his wealth, most aren’t so concerned about how much he has; rather, it’s about how he got it, and even more so, his obliviousness to the lives of those who have less. Doing right by doing well: Mitt Romney’s idea of virtuous living. Still, I suggest there’s something more to the story. Mitt Romney is in and of what some Mormon historians refer to as the “Modern Era”/Robert Herold, Inlander. 
on the interstate early Thursday? “I just always wanted to do that,” he said, according to the police report. John C. Hughes, 55, is accused of trying to evade a police patrol just to see what it would be like, police reported. Hughes likely found out it involved severe tire damage, because police used “stop sticks” to deflate his tires to get him to stop, according to the report. Hughes was arrested without further incident and faces a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving while eluding police. Investigators say Hughes wasn’t intoxicated and they didn’t find drugs or other contraband in his vehicle/John Grant Emeigh, Butte Standard.
decision to cut breast-screening grants to Planned Parenthood. “We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women's lives,” a Komen statement said. As first reported by The Associated Press on Tuesday, Komen had adopted criteria excluding Planned Parenthood from grants because it was under government investigation, notably a probe launched in Congress at the urging of anti-abortion groups. Komen said Friday it would change the criteria so it wouldn't apply to such investigations/Associated Press. 
classroom and as a principal. He’s a former city councilor, former mayor, former city administrator, has been elected three times to the Idaho Senate and served on the Idaho Board of Education. He’s intelligent, thoughtful and respected. Decades in the community will make him effective from Day 1. Yep, I can sure see why people would question his qualifications.
value education. The remaining will be dumped into a public babysitting service where it is a virtual hell. The kids won’t care or try and will be abusive, defiant, disruptive, as will the parents, if there are even any parents. The poor teachers, if you can get any, will be underpaid and criticized as failing the kids and thus not earning the measly salary that they are getting. Until the politicians attack the real problem of poor parenting and attach real accountability to parents, the kids who are failing now will continue to fail.
Rep. Bob Nonini declared the same day that he will campaign for Hammond's seat instead. “I wanted to get it out there. I've been thinking about it and talking to Sen. Hammond for weeks,” said Nonini, who has won four elections and served eight years in the state House. After six years as chair of the House Education Committee, Nonini said, he felt it was time to move forward and let another House member take on that role. “If I'm successful running for Senate, I'll give up my seniority, obviously, but I just think it's the natural progression for me,” the Coeur d'Alene Republican said. “I think I could do a good job over there”/Alecia Warren, Coeur d'Alene Press. 
Jacob William Dorn. Dorn is being sought based on a Kootenai County felony warrant charging Dorn with Failure to Appear on Felony Drug Possession Charges. This is a $75,000 bond, United States extradition warrant. Dorn is a white male, 25 years old, 5’11 tall, 210 lbs with blue eyes and blonde hair. Dorn was last known to be living in the Hayden area. Anyone with information regarding this subject or other fugitives being sought for violent crimes should call the NIVCTF at 208-665-1471. The identity of callers will remain confidential and reward money is available.
stamp recipients are receiving benefits, but are not required to do anything to help themselves get back into the workforce. Of the 235,000 Idahoans on food stamps, 40 percent of them, or about 93,000, are non-disabled adults without children. A portion of them, about 22,000, are not required to do any work searches or job applications to take part in the program. These 22,000 are without jobs and don’t qualify for unemployment benefits, which require recipients to be actively seeking work in order to receive money/Dustin Hurst, Idaho Reporter. 
contest — Lois Duncan. Dunno if Lois is a blurker or commenter. But she's going to receive a $50 gift card to the Davenport Hotel. Which is the same prize that's being offered this week. Sorry no Super Bowl tickets or all-expense-paid trips to the opening of the Seattle Mariners spring training in Arizona. Oh well. Quizmeister Geoff is still working on secondary raffle prizes. You can take the weekly test
he wants to stop spending so much time away from his wife, kids and grandkids. “I'm missing my grandkids' plays and baseball games,” he said. “Five years from now, nobody's going to remember what I did here, but my grandkids will remember that I was there.” Hammond said he plans to apply for the upcoming opening for president at North Idaho College, as well as looking at other options that will keep him closer to home and family. “I have not applied, but I intend to,” he said/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise.
firm K12 Inc. — which contributed $44,000 to Luna’s re-election bid in 2010. But in a Statesman editorial board meeting this morning, Luna praised K12’s work in Idaho, providing curriculum materials to the online 
R-Idaho, for him to quit, saying he’s not to blame for the scandal. Holder testified for four tense hours to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Affairs about “Fast and Furious.” It was a botched operation in which the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives let illegal weapons flow across the border into Mexico and into hands of criminals as part of a failed sting operation meant to track the guns and nab drug lords. Some Republicans on the committee suggested that Holder was engaged in a cover-up and had been misleading Congress. “Because you have been grossly incompetent in the way that you have prepared before coming to Congress, I think you should resign,” Labrador said/Sean Cockerham, Idaho Statesman. 
skull. Cigarette burns. Pulled hair,” he cleared his throat. “She died a very agonizing, slow, painful death at the hands of her parents.” “She” was 2-year-old Vanessa Behan, and her death prompted Bialkowsky to found a safe haven for children at risk. On Jan. 9, the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery celebrated its 25th anniversary. Since 1982, more than 67,500 children have found refuge here/Cindy Hval, SR. 
gone) and also a groovy baked potato situation. I remember thinking it was so totally oddball that their burger patties were square and the bun was round, it nearly blew my mind. Like trying to push a square peg into a round hole, only upside down and reversed and much more delicious. The novelty value of the square patty clearly worked well, and I remember always having to spend a lot of time hanging out in the winding labyrinth of pole barriers set up on front of the order counter behind a large crowd of hungry strangers. It was always worth the wait, because even as a young one, I could recognize that there was something different about Wendy's food, something that set it apart from other shady burger chains/OrangeTV, Get Out! North Idaho. 
decision,” Hammond confirmed this afternoon. Meanwhile, Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d'Alene, has decided to seek Hammond's Senate seat. Hammond, a third-term senator, is the current chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee; Nonini, who's in his fourth term, is the chairman of the House Education Committee/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
Affairs Committee hearing Wednesday on a bill to prohibit camping on the Capitol Mall.The legislation was prompted by the Occupy Boise encampment, which has been located across from the Statehouse since November. “Do you really think if Jesus was in your chairs right now, he'd vote to evict these people?” Buschert asked. “Freedom of speech and the right to peacefully protest are incredibly precious rights. These people aren't holding riots They're a shining beacon to people around the world. If you summarily kick them out, what message will you be sending?”/William L. Spence, Lewiston Tribune. 
woman bicyclist who was hit while riding in the wrong direction this morning at I-90 & H95: “What can we do to convince bicyclists that they must ride WITH traffic, not against it? It’s a confounding problem.” As a bicyclist myself, I've noticed that most bicyclists ride with the traffic, as they are suppose to do. But occasionally one doesn't which is a bit nerve-wracking for law-abiding bicyclists.
all were enacted by voters through initiatives or referenda. “I think that any time you raise taxes you take a little bit of people's freedom,” Vick said. “I just think it should be a little harder to do.” Vick, R-Dalton Gardens, told the House State Affairs Committee this morning, “What you need to know is that these kinds of things are very popular with the voters.” Committee members had lots of questions about Vick's proposal, however. “Idaho is different,” said Rep. Eric Anderson, R-Priest Lake. “We aren't out there raising taxes as much as some of these states”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
apartment near the Brigham Young University-Idaho campus and gave her a hug before fleeing. The Post Register reports (
the organization is having to defending itself against a rumor that they say is disrupting sales of their biggest fund raiser - cookies. The rumor started two years ago and connects the Girl Scouts to Planned Parenthood. The CEO of the Silver Sage Girl Scouts Council, Shelli Rambo Roberson says the rumor has been fueled by social media sites and blogs, and for some reason, it's gaining traction this year/Ty Brennan, KTVB. 
members is drawing strong opposition this morning from all three of the colleges, North Idaho College, the College of Southern Idaho and the College of Western Idaho. … NIC trustee and former State Board of Education President Judy Meyer (pictured) told the lawmakers on behalf of the NIC board, “We are unanimously opposed to HB 411. We believe there is no need for this legislation.” Regional representation has never been an issue the three times she's run for the NIC board, Meyer said. “Five members is a good working number. … There's no need to grow government in these lean times”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
With today's smartphones, more people are taking their work and personal lives wherever they go — even to the toilet. A new study of mobile phone habits shows 75 percent of people have texted, emailed, used apps or surfed the web while nature calls.More than 90 percent of people between 28 and 35 will return a call or text while sitting on the toilet. One in five men joined a conference call while sitting on the toilet, despite the possibility of people on the other end hearing noises or accidentally hitting the FaceTime video conferencing button/Neal Augenstein, WTop. 
Dundee was best known for being in Ali’s corner for almost his entire career, but those in boxing also knew him as an ambassador for boxing and a figure of integrity in a sport that often lacked it. He died with his family surrounding him, said son, Jimmy Dundee, but not before being able to attend Ali’s 70th birthday bash in Louisville, Ky., last month. “It was the way he wanted to go,” Jimmy Dundee said. “He did everything he wanted to do”/Tim Dahlberg, New York Post. 
predicting six more weeks of winter. But, at this rate, that might not be so bad. The groundhog made his “prediction” on Gobbler's Knob, a tiny hill in the town for which he's named about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. 
this year he says will directly create dozens of jobs statewide; on Wednesday, his bill unanimously passed the House. Henderson meant it a year ago when he decided to give up his coveted seat on the Legislature’s budget committee to focus more on economic development. “I want to find ways to help our existing industries – help them expand into the domestic markets, help them expand into new markets, so they can retain their present workforce and hopefully expand it, so we can get more money into the local economies,” he said then/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. 
“conservative” Spokane City Council agreed unanimously that medical marijuana should be legal and available to those who need it. So give council members big hookah huzzahs for standing up to the federal government’s pot paranoia. Being weed free means my knowledge on this subject is limited to Seth Rogen movies. But I know enough to see medical marijuana as the municipal bong, I mean, boon we’ve all been praying for. Until they were so rudely shut down by the feds last year, medical marijuana dispensaries were about to become an even bigger growth industry than towing cars out of Browne’s Addition/Doug Clark, SR. 
earning a degree in Resource Recreation and Tourism from the U of I, Ryan was a third round draft pick by the Giants in the 1997 NFL Draft. He played in the 2001 Super Bowl XXXV, where the Giants lost to the Ravens 34-7. Ryan practiced with the New England Patriots in 2002 before retiring from the game and moving back to North Idaho to make a life. So what could be better than having an authentic connection to both teams taking the field on Sunday? Actually Ryan had been hoping for a re-match between the Giants and the Ravens this year - with a different outcome, of course/Kerri Thoreson, Main Street, Coeur d'Alene Press. 
I-90 billboard that tonight's Powerball jackpot is $170 million. So on the way home I stopped at a gas mart to buy a ticket. The clerk told me good luck and I joked that my odds of winning were greatly enhanced by having a ticket. She laughed and said she hoped she brought me good luck since a year ago she sold the winning Mega Millions ticket worth about $90 million to the Rathdrum bank clerk. I promised her that if I had the winning ticket I'd take her on a tropical cruise. That's a promise I'd sure enjoy keeping.”
“aggressive” in promoting a $14 million levy election slated for March 13. Mission accomplished. In the last few days, the Boise School District has sent out school levy literature home with students in their report cards. The literature, yellow tri-fold pamphlets, discuss the district’s “need” for levy passage and talks about how Boise’s schools would be harmed if voters don’t approve the measure. Also included with the pamphlet is an absentee ballot request form/Dustin Hurst, Idaho Reporter. 
appointee who replaced Sen. Joe Stegner, R-Lewiston, who took a job as the chief lobbyist for the University of Idaho. The non-controversial measure, HB 356, came from the state Tax Commission and clarifies application procedures for property tax exemptions; it had earlier passed the House unanimously. As is the Senate custom, to Johnson's surprise, nearly every senator voted against the bill - then they rose, one by one, and changed their votes to yes. After the bill had passed overwhelmingly, Johnson said, “I need a sweat towel right now, thank you”/Betsy Russell, 
residents in El Rancho Mobile Home Park received a six-month notice of the park's closure. “It's heartbreaking,” said Brigham, who has lived in the 70-lot, 8.7-acre park at the northwest corner of Highway 41 and Mullan for 14 years. “I worry about what all the families in here are going to do.” Residents were told to move out by July 31. Brigham said many of the residents are unemployed, can't afford much more than their $260-per-month lot rent and won't be able to move their homes because the structures are too old or the people can't muster the estimated $4,500 moving cost/Brian Walker, Coeur d'Alene Press. 
to pay down the national debt. Congressman Labrador will return approximately $300,000 or 21 percent of the money his office was allotted for Fiscal Year 2011. In a letter addressed to Speaker Boehner, eight conservative freshman members said: “We understand that regular order prescribes the unused portions of our MRAs to languish in a shared fund for two years before being transferred to the Treasury. Following this procedure at a time when our public debt surpasses the size of our very economy makes little fiscal sense and is a poor representation of this House’s commitment to fiscal responsibility”/Ellen L. Carmichael, press secretary of Congressman Raul Labrador. 
consider how many times they've said that about Attorney General Lawrence Wasden.Their latest challenge to Wasden followed the Supreme Court nixing the commission's original plan to realign Idaho's population growth to its 35 legislative districts, sending the panel back to work on a new mock-up. House Speaker Lawerence Denney, R-Midvale, and Idaho GOP Chairman Norm Semanko tried to fire their appointees, former state Reps. Dolores Crow, R-Nampa, and Randy Hansen, R-Twin Falls.After Denney and Semanko lost, the six-member panel went back to work and adopted a new plan. But the court didn't say Denney and Semanko were wrong. It tossed the case because the attorney representing the speaker and the chairman dropped the ball/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. 
return the U.S. to the gold standard for the purpose of destroying our economy, one can’t help but wonder how their understanding of economics is so infantile. While the gold standard kind of worked for a couple of hundred years (the multiple Panics of the 19th century notwithstanding), a dim-witted undergraduate with a dull pencil could easily show how it wouldn’t work in a world without lots of free land for an expanding population, large new gold finds, and no other currency backed by gold would result in the vast majority of our money being held overseas and no money for us to spend in the U.S. Can you not see this? (AP file photo)
Falls Press) concerning a warrant issued for my arrest, please my response; A ticket was issued to my Marina for sale of liquor on August 9, 2011. August 8, 2011, my Brother Tom died of cancer. Marina help sold two beers to officers August 9, 2011. For leaving the dock and store unattended help was released. Notified of ticket just prior to November pre trial, which was a surprise. My Brother Bill died of cancer after Thanksgiving and funeral mid December. I called prosecutors office requesting a continuance. Prosecutor did not call back, so assumed continued. I was shocked today when notified of warrant.” (SR file photo: Kathy Plonka)
right-to-work state and prohibit labor contracts requiring workers to pay union representation fees. As the streets of Indianapolis bustled with Super Bowl festivities, hundreds of union members gathered at the Statehouse to protest the legislation and planned a downtown rally that they hoped would point a national spotlight on what is happening in the state. Indiana would be the first state in a decade to enact a right-to-work law prohibiting labor contracts that require workers to pay union representation fees/Associated Press. 
Thursday brings that annual moment called Groundhog Day, when people look to a lowly brown rodent (and whether it casts a shadow) to forecast whether the winter will be long or quickly over. How smart are humans to pay attention to such a tradition? Some questions are just as well left unasked. But whether you're longing for more snow, or less cold, in the weeks ahead, we think you'll enjoy this Groundhog Day quiz/Mark Trumbull, Christian Science Monitor. 
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