I missed this nugget in the Coeur d'Alene Press story. Attorney Jeremy Morris of Hayden was planning a showdown with the homeowners association last spring, before moving into his new home. Also, he developed a strategy with another attorney to gain national attention for his battle with the HOA:

In March, The Press featured Morris, who is an attorney, in a Lifestyles section article. At that time, he was preparing to move to his current address and was already readying for a showdown with his homeowners association over Christmas displays in his yard.

When the letters from the homeowners association's attorney, Scott L. Poorman of Hayden, got too serious, Morris knew he had a media strategy — developed with another attorney's help — to turn this into a national story. He would play the role of defender of Christians and Christmas. The homeowners association — the Grinch.

An Oct. 26 letter from Poorman said the event would significantly interfere with the quiet enjoyment of other property owners.

"In addition you have not requested or received approval from the association for the lights, music, exotic animals and other 'live acts' that you plan to present," Poorman wrote. "Dolly the Camel is not an ordinary household pet and is not allowed to be kept on your property for any period of time."

That letter was the final straw, and triggered activation of Morris's media strategy. He wanted this incident in the spotlight. Nationally.

So how did Fox News find out about a squabble between a homeowner just outside Hayden and his homeowners association? How about the Spokesman-Review? KREM-2?

"After receiving Mr. Poorman's letter, well, that triggered stage one of the media strategy," Morris said Thursday afternoon. "So we contacted Fox News." Full story here.