Today I’m offering ONE LUCKY READER the opportunity of a lifetime. I’m talking about a chance to ride shotgun in my 1967 Oldsmobile Vista Guzzler as we travel to wild and crazy … North Idaho. That’s right. At a mutually acceptable date, we will leave Spokane for this less-regulated land where Republicans outnumber the wood ticks. First stop is the bawdy hamlet of Stateline, where we will skip the strip joint and focus instead on a certain convenience store where I will buy my contest winner a jumbo box of that “banned in nanny Washington” Cascade dish soap. Then it’s off to Post Falls for a cheap booze run. (Sorry. Due to editor concerns, the winner must spring for his or her own hooch.) Once we’re loaded with suds and liquor, we will aim for Coeur d’Alene, where we will gorge on Hudson’s hamburgers. (Yep, I’m buying. Just don’t embarrass me by trying to order fries, or you’ll find yourself walking back to Spokane)Doug Clark, SR. More here.

Question: What do you think of Clark's itinerary for a road trip to North Idaho?

The Senate has adopted proposed new ethics rules in a straight party-line vote, 28-7. In his closing debate, Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis said, “There's a lot that was said in opposition to the bill that I agree with.” But he said a public ethics process before probable cause has been determined “does not … preserve reputations against frivolous allegations.” He said, “When we make it part of the public discourse, let's at least have confidence that we've met a probable cause standard, and if we have, then it should be part of the public discourse”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

DFO: This 28-7 party-line vote means all five North Idaho GOP senators supported the secret ethics tribunals. Extremely bad form, Shawn Keough, Joyce Broadsword, Steve Vick, John Goedde & Jim Hammond. What was the need to rush this through in the closing hours of the 2012 Legislature?

Question: Does this issue matter to you?

Paul Matthews re: “North Idaho or northern Idaho?”: It is a common courtesy to allow an individual to define his/ her own term of address, as in “please call me Paul” or “Mr. Matthews will be fine” I think everybody here prefers North Idaho. I have always been vaguely insulted by people like our Governor who make a point of saying “northern” Idaho. Reminds me of the kind of insecure people who call a person “chief” or “sport” or “boy.”

Question: Do you think Gov. Butch Otter knows or cares that residents of this region prefer that it be called “North Idaho”?

In responding to an issue raised by DeePee re: Idaho going back to Mountain Standard/Daylight Time, Lew2nl asks whether we live in North Idaho or northern Idaho. We haven't discussed this issue for awhile, so I'll post it out here with this caveat: The Lewiston Tribune (where I worked from 1982-84) labels the 10 northernmost Idaho counties “northern Idaho.” The SR calls the 5 northernmost counties “North Idaho.” Politicians from Boise, like Gov. Butch Otter, refers to the Panhandle as “northern Idaho.” And I've always called the southern counties “Sufferin' Idaho” because they don't have the beauty of North Idaho.

Question: So what do you call the 5 northernmost Idaho counties?

Rohnin Randles, 13, of Rathdrum, won the spelling bee in the Lakeland School District. He's headed to the regional bee on March 17 for a chance to win a trip to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.  Fifty-one fourth- though eighth-graders from North Idaho will compete in a regional bee on St. Patrick's Day. Jody Lawrence-Turner/SR tells you what it takes to be a spelling bee champion here. (SR photo: Kathy Plonka)

Question: Do you have what it takes to be a spelling bee champion?

A political rivalry between two would-be Idaho governors, a fight over where Washington's capital should be, 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. More here. (Jesse Tinsley SR file photo: A stone marker and sign sit at the Fourth of July pass commemorating the road built from Missoula to Walla Walla in 1862 under Capt. John Mullan's supervision)

• Bill would ban tanning beds for minors
• Thayn's '8 in 6' plan passes House 58-12
• House panel takes up oil/gas drilling legislation
• Idaho biz, ag groups talk economic incentives w/committees
• Whitehead on truck fees: Would 'look after interests of industry/ITD
• Senate R's caucus, then next further amendments to anti-Occupy bill

Question: Would you North Idahoans want to be part of Washington state?

Duane Rasmussen: This blog does not represent the general thought in North Idaho. The blog is predominantly influenced by Liberals. Before they are shouted down, a few conservatives are allowed to speak, primarily for the purpose of giving the Liberals something off of which to bounce their diatribes. Sort of like keeping a few mice alive so they can be fed to the snakes. Another analogy might be the feeding of Christians to lions. Many people in North Idaho are appalled by what goes on in this blog. It is difficult to get Conservatives to even look at this blog once they have seen it the first time. It has become a safe place for the counter culture to present its views.

Question: Does HucksOnline reflect North Idaho?

A group of north Idaho political and business leaders agreed unanimously Wednesday that Idaho should avoid creating a state health insurance exchange and should instead wait for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on the Obamacare lawsuit of which Idaho is a plaintiff. The leaders unanimously backed a resolution that says, in part, that “it is not in the best interest of the state for any state official to participate in planning or establishing health insurance exchanges as provided for in the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” and that Congress should “defund planning grants to the states for the establishment of PPACA health insurance exchanges by the states.” The resolution is signed by members of the major political groups in north Idaho including Tea Party, Pachyderm clubs, Reagan Republicans, United Conservatives of North Idaho, North Idaho Political Action Committee, Kootenai County Republicans and Kootenai County Republican Women/Wayne Hoffman, Idaho Freedom Foundation. More here.

Question: Do you agree with the North Idaho Republican groups re: the health care exchange?

Many of the wolves in northeastern Washington moved in naturally from Idaho.  But the Gem State is a dangerous place for the wolves to return. A radio-collared wolf from the Diamond Pack in east-central Pend Oreille County was killed Dec. 20 by a trapper in North Idaho a few hundred yards east of the stateline. Trappers have reported taking at least six wolves in the Idaho Panhandle during the state's first trapping season, which started Nov. 15 and runs through March 15.  Hunters have reported taking 28 wolves so far this season in the Panhandle, counting the one checked in at Coeur d'Alene on Tuesday. Statewide, hunters have tagged at least 173 wolves in Idaho so far this season and trappers have reported taking 24/Rich Landers, SR. More here.

Other Rich Landers/SR Outdoors blog posts:

• Survey: 27 wolves including 3 breeding pairs in Washington
• Snow-starved Bogus eliminates jobs, cuts pay
• Ice fishing possible but be careful out there
• Sportsmen help USFS buy land overlooking Lake Pend Oreille
• Idaho Panhandle releases draft forest plan for public comment
• Idaho Park N'Ski area offers free access Saturday

Question: Do you consider a statewide kill of 173 wolves in Idaho so far this year to be a reasonable harvest number?

RE: Randy Weaver fan in Washougal, Wash., shootout/Hate Watch

Investigators have recovered two human bodies and four deceased dogs from the ruins of a Washougal home that burned to the ground Wednesday morning as a man fired handguns and rifles to keep emergency responders away, Clark County authorities said. Authorities have not identified the two deceased adults nor have they revealed a possible motive for the events that led to their deaths inside the home at 3275 F Place. However, family and friends of the homeowners, Steven and Leona Stanbary, indicated on their Facebook pages that the husband and wife, along with Leona Stanbary’s twin sister, perished Wednesday/Ray Legendre and Paul Suarez, Columbian. More here. (A police car's shattered window is shown Thursday in Washougal, Wash. (AP photo/Rick Bowmer)

• Also: Man associated with North Idaho supremacists may have died in fire/Mike Prager, SR

Question: Does this story give you a better appreciation for the violent tendencies inherent in some of the white supremacists who once called North Idaho home?

Hydroplanes will return to North Idaho this weekend for several events.

On Thursday, both unlimited and limited hydros will be on display at Red Lion Templin’s Hotel on the River in Post Falls.

The event, which also features live music and a buffet, begins at 4 p.m. Vintage unlimited boats on display will include the Miss Wahoo, Miss Burien and Oh Boy Oberto; kids can sit in the cockpits and have their photos taken. More here.

Are you a hydroplane fan?

In Esquire's Politics Blog Thursday, essayist Charles P. Pierce provides a lengthy review of the history of white supremacism in North Idaho as well as the MLK Day bomb attempt. He writes: “Both (Norm) Gissel and (Tony) Stewart have noticed an increasing — and increasingly familiar — level of agitation in the air, even though what was left of the Aryan Nations splintered further recently when a power struggle broke out between two men, Paul Mullet and Gerard O'Brien, both of whom claim to be the true successor to Richard Butler. (Mullet seems to have won out, at least for the moment.) What's left of the movement seems to be made up either of small units, or a collection of lone-wolf operators. It has still been enough to set the region on edge. Entire blog post here.

Reaction?

Item: Hospice House set to open: Idaho's first inpatient hospice facility to be dedicated next week/Maureen Dolan, Coeur d'Alene Press

More Info: Simple, peaceful, comfortable, homelike. Those were the design goals for planners of Hospice of North Idaho's new Hospice House facility at 2290 W. Prairie Ave. A preview tour taken Tuesday revealed an ambiance that hits all the marks. After 10 months of construction and years of planning, workers this week are putting the final touches on a building that feels safe, solid and tranquil. “It's going to be beautiful,” said Amanda Miller, director of community development for Hospice of North Idaho. Hospice House will be the first inpatient hospice facility in the state of Idaho.

Question: Has your family been helped by Hospice? Do you care to tell us about it?

North Idaho Sens. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint (left), and Joyce Broadsword (right), R-Sagle, have submitted a proposed redistricting plan for North Idaho that they say addresses concerns they've heard from their constituents, particularly about the current oddly-shaped District 2; you can see the plan here. Addressing only the North Idaho Panhandle, it does away with the backward-C-shaped District 2 in favor of a more compact District 2 that combines southern Bonner County with northern Kootenai County, including the Athol area. A new District 3 would take in the Post Falls area, and a new District 4 the Coeur d'Alene area. a new District 5 would include all of Benewah and Shoshone counties, the southern portion of Kootenai County including the Coeur d'Alene Reservation, and most of Latah County except for the Moscow area/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Question: The redistricting plan offered by Sens. Shawn Keough & Joyce Broadsword makes sense. Does it have a chance?

• Weekend Poll: Butch Otter, our governor from southern Idaho, likes to think of the five northernmost counties as “northern Idaho.” Overwhelmingly, however, that's not how we consider ourselves. 195 of 232 respondents (84.05%) to a weekend poll say they live in “North Idaho” not “northern Idaho.” Only 32 of 232 (13.79%) agree with Butch that this region should be called northern Idaho. 5 were undecided.
• Today's Poll: How would you rate the fireworks in your neighborhood last night?

• Thursday Poll: A near supermajority approves of the use of trapping to reduce the number of wolves in Idaho. 74 of 116 (65.18%) agree with the decision to trap troublesome Elk City area wolves. 40 of 116 (34.48%) oppose the use of trapping to kill wolves. 2 were undecided.
• Weekend Question: How do you refer to the 5 northernmost counties: North Idaho or northern Idaho?

At the KEA Blog, Terry Harris writes: “New lines for Congressional districts are not likely to affect north Idaho, as the entire panhandle is expected to remain in the 1st Congressional district. However, new lines in legislative districts are likely to shift significantly. Census data shows a significant migration away from rural areas and into more urban and suburban areas.  Kootenai County and the Rathdrum Prairie cities kept pace with Idaho’s overall growth, but Shoshone and Clearwater Counties lost residents and Boundary, Bonner and Benewah counties grew at a somewhat slower rate than the rest of the state. The result is that the more rural panhandle — consisting of Districts 1 through 8 — has lost about half of a legislative district.”

• The Commission will be holding hearings throughout the state, and hearings in North Idaho are scheduled for this Wednesday. (Sandpoint from 2-4 pm at the Sandpoint High School Auditorium, Coeur d’Alene’s from 7-9 pm at Meyers Health and Sciences Building at NIC.)

Question: Wouldn't it be a hoot if District 2 is realigned to force Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol, or his other 2 District 3 playmates to run against the current District 2 legislators, including Rep. Dick Harwood, R-St. Maries?

“Regarding the North Idaho/Northern Idaho debate,” wrote Shannon Bahr-Allert. “When I was visiting Pocatello last summer we were watching the local TV station and they refer to 'Eastern Idaho's biggest Ford dealership' or 'Eastern Idaho's best weather coverage' yada yada yada. I turned to my friend and said that up north we refer to Eastern Idaho as 'Montana' ”/Paul Turner, The Slice blog.

Question: Who should decide whether it's North Idaho or northern Idaho?

Item: Median age jumps in N. Idaho census data: Vacation homes also multiplied since 2000/Alison Boggs, SR

More Info: North Idaho is going gray faster than the rest of the state, numbers released this week by the U.S. Census Bureau show. The median age in each of Idaho’s five northern counties rose much more over the past 10 years than did the statewide average. In Kootenai County, the median age rose from 36 in 2000 to almost 39 in 2010. In Bonner County, the jump was from 40.8 to 45.8. In Shoshone County, it went from 41.8 to 46.2. In Boundary County, it rose from 38.3 to 42.8 and in Benewah County, from 39.2 to 44.8. Statewide, the median age in 2010 was 34.6, up from 33.2 in 2000.

Question: How has a higher percentage of older folks affected North Idaho?

At Get Out North Idaho OTV says the Inlander's Cheap Eats issue was all well and good  “but what about those times when you've got hundred dollar bills burning in your pocket like a bad rash and you're trying to impress the date you hired from an escort service? Or even when you want to treat your old battle ax to something fancier than Zip's Drive in on Valentine's Day?”

So he's compiled a brief list of Expensive Eats in North Idaho.

On his list: Syringa, Wolf Lodge Steakhouse and Beverly's.

Where do you like to dine when you're in the mood to splurge? What do you order?