Parting Shot -- 2.7.17 11
The Parting Shot today features new Education Secretary Betsy DeVos leaning down to greet children and other guests following her swearing in ceremony administered by Vice President Mike Pence in the White House complex.
TUESDAY, FEB. 7, 2017
Wild Card/Tuesday -- 2.7.16 29
Commenter Stitch told me yesterday that s/he's planning to attend Blogfest 2018. Which is fine IF there is a Blogfest 2018. No one knows what tomorrow holds. And Mrs. O has been placing travel brochures all over the dining room table. I'm fairly sure, God willing, that we're going to get through 2017 together. But 2018?
PM Scanner Traffic -- 2.7.17
Scanner Traffic for Tuesday PM (12 items & counting + link to AM Scanner Traffic with 17 more items) includes Post Falls man who accidentally shot himself in chest ...
Cutline Contest -- time2vote 7
The Cutline Contest today features a woman looking through night-vision glasses at the hunting fair in Dortmund, Germany. Monday Winner (tie) -- gitrdun & DFO.
PFHS crash victims identified
The occupants in the car that collided with a train this morning in Post Falls have been identified as Post Falls High students Jacob Brockus, 17, and Mikelli Villasenor, 15. Villasenor died, while Brockus, who was the driver, is in fair condition at Kootenai Health. The two were on their way to a band event. Brian Walker/Press reports.
Trustee Hearn to seek re-election
Coeur d'Alene school Trustee Tom Hearn told Facebook Friends that he will seek re-election to his Zone 5 seat. Three trustees are ending their first terms: Hearn, Christa Hazel and Dave Eubanks.
Otter defends Christian preference 7
Gov. Butch Otter Tuesday defended his support for the U.S. giving preference to Christian refugees over those of other faiths, telling reporters that he distinguished between preference and discrimination in the executive order on immigration issued last week by President Donald Trump.
Huckleberry Friends -- 2.7.16
The daily roundup of links from the Huckleberries Online social media begins with a horse owned by Marianne Love/Slight Detour having a belly full of snow. Also: Your weekly planner/On Tap, A little regulatory shell game/Fort Boise, Snow day -- and I still got it/Simple Mind, More Openings: Almodorvar & Oscar shorts/7 Blog ...
Labrador wants to dump Ed department 8
Today, U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, introduced H.R. 899, a bill to abolish the federal Department of Education. The bill, which is one sentence long, states, “The Department of Education shall terminate on December 31, 2018.” Idaho Congressman Raul Labrador is one of the original co-sponsors of the bill.
IEA prez: 'Wrong on so many levels' 9
Penni Cyr, president of the Idaho Education Association, says the appointment and confirmation of Betsy DeVos and Education secretary in the Trump cabinet is "wrong on so many levels."
Update: Post Falls train-car accident kills girl, badly injures 17YO boy 12
The driver of the car, a 17-year-old male, was “very seriously” injured and transported to Kootenai Health hospital, said Post Falls Police Chief Scott Haug. The two were driving north in a Chevrolet passenger car on Spokane Street about 6 a.m. when the train struck their car on the driver’s side.
House rejects anti-touch tab bill
The House has voted overwhelmingly against HB 28 to ban the Idaho Lottery’s electronic touch-tab machines, killing it on an 18-52 vote.
Otter weighs in on DeVos 2
Hours before President Trump’s most controversial Cabinet pick survived a historic Senate vote, Gov. Butch Otter had little to say Tuesday morning about her. “I don’t know that much about (Betsy) DeVos,” Otter told reporters. "All I know is what I've either heard or read, and that's fairly limited."
Marianne: Keep your chin up 11
Marianne Love/Slight Detour has a message of hope for all her friends, family, teacher colleagues and students who are upset at the confirmation of Betsy DeVos as President Trump's Education secretary: "you have been taught to use your minds and the tools you acquired as students and as teachers. Continue to do so from this from this day forth."
AM Scanner Traffic -- 2.7.16
Scanner Traffic for Tuesday AM (17 items & counting) includes note that the railroad cross at Spokane St/Stagecoach, Post Falls has reopened after fatal crash this morning that killed a teen girl and badly injured a teen boy ...
FuzzyOne: Mary can care for herself 2
A newby who goes by the pseudonym FuzzyOne posts: "It is unfortunate that the opportunity for public servants such as Senator Souza to listen to her constituents is seen as a confrontation by Mr. Oliveria and Mr. Regan." FuzzyOne sez s/he looks forward to a re-scheduled forum in the near future.
Katrina: Slip on the ice, there goes the pinky finger 7
In "The Klutz Chronicles: Chapter 89," Katrina Wright Swaim of Coeur d'Alene describes the agony of a winter slip on ice that blew her pinky finger up to the size of a sausage. It could have been worse. Question: Have you slipped on ice and fallen this winter? Much damage?
Poll: No priority for Christian refugees 4
In the Monday poll, a supermajority of Hucks Nation disagreed with Idaho Gov. Butch Otter that persecuted Christians should be the top priority in refugee relocation to Idaho. Today's Poll: Do you agree with the Senate confirmation of Betsy DeVos as Education secretary?
VP Pence casts tie-breaker in DeVos' confirmation 32
The Senate has confirmed school choice activist Betsy DeVos as Education secretary, with Vice President Mike Pence breaking a 50-50 tie. The Senate historian says it was the first time a vice president had to break a tie on a Cabinet nomination.
Wedeln: Oh, come on 2
Reacting to caution in Coeur d'Alene Press story that we should take it easy re: splashing through puddles from melting snow, Wedeln comments: "That's complete nonsense. I love to splash and have for years." He then lists several items that could/should be observed in an "overly careful life."
Winter perspective from Kage Mann 4
Kage Mann, who has lived in North Idaho for some time, is amazed at all the whining about Winter 2017 from Inland Northwesterners. The tough winter, he says, means and end to drought and more ...
AM: Raccoon poop brings suit
AM Headlines begin with a woman suing the city of Spokane for a run-down building that, she says, has attracted raccoons and destroyed her business. Also: Idaho attracts retirees, others/Press,Snow causes Boundary Co emergency/SR, 3 Lewiston fugitives back in custody/Tribune, School levy elections in county March 14/Press ...
Mendive & Co fill District 3 House seat 1
If you wonder how many Mendives does it take to fill a House of Representatives set in the Idaho Legislature this year, the answer is three -- the elected one (Ron), his wife, Sherlene, and his son, Dirk. Mendive is expected to return to work next week after recuperating from knee-replacement surgery.
You can't wish away US Constitution
In an editorial for the Moscow-Pullman Daily News, Devin Rokyta targets an attempt by state Rep. Paul Shepherd, R-Riggins, to nullify federal laws that Idaho doesn't like. In 2014, Shepherd led a fruitless effort to nullify federal environmental laws and EPA rules and orders in Idaho.
Clark: Fed up with Winter 2017 7
"Before we get to today’s “How Freaking Fed Up with the Winter of 2017 Are You?” quiz," writes Doug Clark, "a story of survival torn from the pages of real life: On Friday, after the first of several weekend snow dumps, I went outside to clear the latest avalanche covering my driveway, and fell down hard in a runaway snow-thrower mishap." ...
D.F. Oliveria started Huckleberries Online on Feb. 16, 2004. Oliveria's Sunday print Huckleberries is a past winner of the national Herb Caen Memorial Column contest.