When the starting gate bell sounds at Churchill Downs next weekend, some 150 women in the crowd will be wearing the creations of Diane Siverson, a Post Falls hat-maker. Siverson, 64, became a milliner eight years ago, initially creating hats targeted to Red Hat Society members. Now she’s selling 250 to 300 hats a year and the biggest segment of that business is Kentucky Derby hats. The Derby is a fashion parade, with women showing off spring dresses and elaborate headdresses, much as Royal Ascot is in England. Other racetracks in the United States have also adopted the hat-centric tradition in various forms. Siverson began selling to that market when she and her husband, Ron, created a website for her Lady Diane Hats. The hats range from small “fascinators” that were popularized by the wedding of the former Kate Middleton and Prince William last year, to a monumental creation that looks like a feathery wedding cake/Addy Hatch, SR. More here. (Kathy Plonka's SR photo: Diane Siverson creates and sells custom-made hats from her home in Post Falls)

Question: Can you describe the fanciest hat you own?

Authorities reported Thursday they located the body of man reported missing earlier this week. Investigators said they found the body of Jason Tallon, 35, at the end of Ashraf Court.  A citizen was walking their dog in the area found Tallon and called police.  Once authorities arrived on scene, Tallon was found behind a fence just below some railroad tracks. Police said Tallon was last seen walking away from a friend’s home in the early morning hours of April 14.  It was reported to investigators Tallon suffered from deep depression/KREM. More here. (Originally posted on PM Scanner Traffic at 4:57 p.m. Wednesday here)

With the Mega Millions jackpot reaching a record high of $540 million dollars, thousands of people across the Inland Northwest are shelling out big bucks for a chance to strike it rich. Jen Gass, a clerk at Ady's Convenience and Car Wash in Post Falls said she sold almost $4,000 dollars worth of lotto tickets on Thursday. “They come in and they are like 'I want a hundred dollar in Mega Millions' it's crazy,” she said. “You get asked to kiss a ticket or blow on it for good luck, people are strange,” she said/Annie Bishop, KXLY. More here.

Question: Have you purchased more than $10 worth of Mega Millions tickets?

Post Falls Landing developer Harry Green (pictured) has a warrant out for his arrest, in addition to being sued and facing bankruptcy. Kootenai County records show Green, 63, is wanted for failure to appear for selling alcohol without a license at the marina of the 33-acre, multi-use project on the Spokane River next to the Post Falls Dam. The Landing has been billed as an anchor for the city center. Green's bond is $5,000 and the warrant was issued on Jan. 12. “If he would be contacted today (by police), he'd be arrested and booked into jail,” Post Falls Police Chief Scot Haug said. Wanted persons also have the option of seeing a judge to “quash” their warrants through the court process/Brian Walker, Coeur d'Alene Press. More here. (SR file photo: Kathy Plonka)

Question: Harry Green's dream to transform the old Louisiana Pacific mill site into a downtown proper for Post Falls never materialized. How could things go so far south for him?

As a little girl growing up in Spokane,  Kari Turnbough learned to cook on a woodstove in her Grandma Zula’s kitchen. While her new Post Falls restaurant, appropriately called Grandma Zula's Kitchen, isn’t an exact replica, it does include a woodstove. And knick-knacks on the walls. Water is served in mason jars. And menu items are homemade, comfort-food goodness. “My grandma loved cooking for people, and I think I inherited that trait,” says Turnbough. That means from-scratch baked goods — wheat bread, rye, sourdough, sandwich buns, even biscuits (wheat or white), with homemade gravy ($5-$7). Griddlecakes are made with real buttermilk ($4-$7) while the Johnny Apple Cakes include red applesauce and a honey-cream cheese topping ($7)/Carrie Scozzaro, Inlander. More here. (Carrie Scozzaro photo: Italian omelet at Grandma Zulas Kitchen) H/T: Get Out! North Idaho.

Question: What was your Grandma's first name?

The dust of Iraq still clung to the items crammed inside Spc. Blythe Briggs’ rucksack when she landed thousands of miles away in chilly Spokane. “I feel bad for her,” her brother, Austin Briggs, 20, said before she deplaned at Spokane International Airport late Friday. “She’s going to have climate shock.” Briggs, a 25-year-old Army medic with the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, of Fort Hood, Texas, was among the last American soldiers to leave Iraq as the nearly 9-year-old war came to a close. When she arrived in Spokane, she exchanged a tight embrace with her mother, Ruth Briggs. “I’m back,” she told her mother as the two hugged. “I told you I’d make it”/Chelsea Bannach, SR. More here. (SR photo)

DFO: My niece “Hannah Banana” (family nickname) is staying in Post Falls for a couple of weeks with her parents after finishing her second tour of duty in the Mideast (Afghanistan & Iraq). Army Reserve Capt. Hannah Banana gave her parents, grandmother, & brother flags that had flown on Blackhawk helicopters in those war zones for Christmas. It was great to watch them open those wonderful gifts. It was greater still to have her back and in one piece. Best. Christmas. Present. Of all.

Question: Have you had a friend of loved one who recently returned from a tour of duty in either Iraq or Afghanistan?

POST FALLS, Idaho — The developer of a multi-use project planned along the Spokane River in downtown Post Falls has filed for bankruptcy in federal court.

The Coeur d'Alene Press reports ( http://bit.ly/9WpCD5) that developer Harry Green's company Point at Post Falls, LLC, filed Chapter 11 papers Monday.

The decision forced the cancellation of an auction sale and foreclosure process.

Green unveiled plans for the development about 10 years ago, and at the time it was seen by some officials as a new hub for the city's downtown.

The plan called for a mix of condos with retail shops, a hotel and amphitheater. But only two condo buildings have been built.

The Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency also reimbursed developers about $1.9 million for streets and other infrastructure in hopes of sparking more growth.

H/t powderfarmer Thoughts?

With Washington gearing up to privatize its liquor sales by June, Idaho state officials are worried about losing sales at their state-run liquor stores along the Washington-Idaho border and have tabled plans for new state liquor stores in Oldtown and Post Falls. ”I think we will continue to remain competitive,” said Idaho State Liquor Division Director Jeff Anderson, “but we really don’t know.” Last year, Idaho’s liquor division distributed $50 million in profits to the state’s general fund, cities, counties and courts. For now, Anderson said, Idaho won’t add any new stores, and will instead try to “get more out of the stores we have.” At least 13 of Idaho’s state liquor stores are within 15 miles of the Idaho-Washington border/Betsy Russell, SR. More here. (SR photo: Kathy Plonka)

Question: Should Idaho privatize liquor sales, too?

“This is a good place,” said Larry Motari, 53, on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 about the new warming shelter located in an unused warehouse at Ground Force Manufacturing in Post Falls. See Alison Boggs' SR story about the new warming center here. (SR photo/Kathy Plonka)

• It's official: WSU hires Mike Leach as new football coach/Vince Grippi, SR
• Judge delays sentencing in MLK Day backpack bomber case/KREM2
• Labrador: 'Time to end (energy) subsidies is now/Kevin Richert, Statesman
• New Idaho business filings decline to 2003 levels/Emilie Ritter Saunders, StateImpact
• Idaho Commerce Department adds Ronk as new PR officer/Betsy Russell, EOB
• Underemployed? 97000 other Idahoans are, too, according to state/Statesman
• Young female falls from River Park Square parking garage/Rob Kauder, KXLY
• Idaho court upholds Kootenai County dismissal of strangulation case/CdA Press
• Rathdrum man sentenced to 7 years for sexual abuse/Meghann Cuniff, Sirens & Gavels
• Idaho wants to end program for patients w/end-stage renal disease/Betsy Russell, EOB

The body of a woman who has been missing since Nov. 10 was found this morning in the Spokane River below the debris gate of the Avista Dam in Post Falls. The body of Cheryl A. Corbett, 61, of Post Falls, was recovered by the Kootenai County Sheriff's Dive Rescue Team after being discovered at about 10:30. The remains were positively identified by the Post Falls Police Department, and Corbett's family was notified.
According to police reports, there were no outward signs of trauma to the body. An autopsy is planned.

Crime fighting has gone high-tech and mobile in Post Falls. Citizens can now report criminal activity via text messages and email. Police say the system - being piloted in this area by PFPD — is not intended to replace 911. If residents need emergency assistance, 911 is still the preferred and fastest way to communicate. But texting or e-mailing crime has advantages, including for hearing impaired citizens who will not have to rely on a relay service or TDD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf), if a person can't speak for whatever reason during a crime and the appeal to younger people. “Whether you like it or not, it's obvious that the future of communication is texting,” Chief Scot Haug said/Brian Walker, Press. More here.

Question: Should the Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County Sheriff's Department also allow residents to provide  crime tips via email & text?

Kage Mann: I was looking at the election numbers and did you know that the direction of Huetter was made by only FOUR voters. Four out of only 40 registered in the town. Talk about voter apathy.

Baseball has the “Mendosa Line,” named after former Seattle Mariners player Mario Mendoza, whose lifetime MLB batting average over 9 seasons hovered a little above .200. No one wants to be hitting “below the Mendoza Line,” which means you're batting less than .200, which is border-line dreadful. Several North Idaho communities fell well below 20% (.200) re: voter turnout last Tuesday, including Huetter's dreadful 10% in which 4 of 40 registered voters bothered to cast ballots to decide who would run the small town for the next two to four years. So let's see who fell below the “Huetter line.” Spirit Lake did at 9.8% turnout. Athol did at 9.4% turnout. And Hauser did at 6.9% turnout. Voters in those towns could say there were no contested races to drive them to the polls. Which makes Post Falls, with a 14.8% turnout look even worse. Post Falls had three contested races. If Post Falls was the exact same size as Huetter, a 14.8% turnout would mean that 6 people voted. F'shame.

Question: Would you rather see people vote for the sake of voting and boosting turnout? Or see smaller turnouts with only informed voters casting ballots?

Post Falls Mayor Clay Larkin suffered nose and facial injuries on Wednesday night after a fall at a local store when he caught his foot on a curb. A doctor told Larkin that it is believed the mayor broke his nose, but it won't be known for sure until the swelling goes down. “Cosmetically, my face is ready for Halloween,” Larkin said/Coeur d'Alene Press. More here.

As part of National Fire Prevention Week, off-duty firefighters have teamed up with Domino's in Post Falls to help make sure that people in the area have fully functioning fire alarms. If they do, their pizza is free.”We are here to check your smoke detectors. If you would like us to and if they are working Domino's has graciously picked up your tab for your pizza,” Troy Speziale with the Kootenai County Fire Department said. The arrival of the firefighters in a 1940s fire truck caught some Domino's customers, like Ryan Matheny, by surprise.”We decided not to cook tonight, then you got 5 people by your door, the house is a mess,” Ryan Matheny said.But good news for Ryan, he got a free pizza because all of his smoke detectors worked/Kylie Cruz, KXLY. More here.

Question: When did you last check your smoke detector? Do you have a working fire extinguisher in your house?

The 1933 Ford three-window coupe that has spun on top of the Hot Rod Cafe for the past 14 years stopped on Wednesday. The cafe, an icon and regional destination along Interstate 90, closed at 11 a.m. due to sagging business. “It's absolutely brutal,” said teary-eyed owner Rob Elder. “It's the most difficult day of my life. My whole life has been wrapped in this business. “I just hope people remember what it was and what it did more than anything. We've had a lot of support over the years.” The cafe employed 40. Over the summer - with temporary, seasonal help - about 70 worked at the business. At its summer peak five years ago, about 125 worked at the cafe/Brian Walker, Coeur d'Alene Press. More here. (Liz Kishimoto SR file photo: Rob Elder at beginning of business in 1998)

Question: What does the closing of Hot Rod Cafe mean to you?

HucksOnline has heard from a close source that owner Rob Elder closed Hot Rod Cafe this morning. Which confirms the rumor first reported in the comments section by IdBarrelRacer: “Heard that Hot Rod Cafe in Post Falls closed permanently effective immediately.. Can’t help but wonder the details on that one. Thought they were always pretty busy when I’ve eaten there.” And: “Got it on good authority.. came from a friend that showed up to work there this am & they had an employee meeting. Sounds like they didn’t offer any specifics, just that they were closing.” The word started leaking out after groups who meet at Hot Rod Cafe were told today that they had to find another location to meet.

Comment: Post Falls Councilwoman Kerri Thoreson commented on my Facebook wall: “This makes me sad. Rob opened Hot Rod Cafe in 1998 and has had a long career in the hospitality business. I believe he started out as a dishwasher at the North Shore when he was a teen. He was successful with Crickets in downtown CdA before investing in the Hot Rod Cafe 14 years ago. Hate to see his staff lose their jobs and that beautiful restaurant shuttered. Sad day for sure.”

Item: River cleanup riles residents: EPA opts out of local meeting to discuss issue/Brian Walker, Press

More Info: Citizens have noticed what cleaning up the Spokane River — as the feds want — could mean to their sewer bills and growth. They think it stinks. Craig Wilcox, Todd Christensen and Len Crosby have started a grassroots effort called Citizens for Affordable Sewer Rates. The group, the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce and some local businesses had organized a meeting for Sept. 28 in Post Falls to discuss implications of a proposed river cleanup plan.

Question: What do you make of the EPA backing out of a meeting with local residents to discuss cost implications of new rules for discharge permits?

On her Facebook wall, Post Falls Councilwoman Kerri Thoreson writes (and provides photos) of the reception of the National Guardsman returning from Iraq to the Post Falls Armory last night. The last 30 Guardsmen in two buses were snagged behind a large pileup on I-90 near Ellensburg, Wash. Writes Kerri: “After waiting on pins and needles all afternoon for the busses carrying the last of the 116th finally home, I got the call that they were about 30 minutes out. I headed onto I-90 for the National Guard Armory and had to pull off to catch my breath. The sight of the ladder truck, firefighters and a flag draped over the Idaho Street overpass brought tears to my eyes.” And: “There were over three dozen citizens lining Seltice in front of the armory holding large flags and more than 100 family and friends with flags and signs lining the parking lot.” Among those returning were KCFR Division Chief Dan Ryan and Kerri's nephe, Dallas Rankin Scharf. More photos here.

• KXLY video

Item: Smokey's story Coming soon to a TV near you: Horse, Post Falls owner to appear on national reality TV series/Brian Walker, Coeur d'Alene Press

More Info: After BB's Smokey Dun collided head on with another horse last year, owner Diane Robson said her decision to put him down was “immediate.” “There was no question in my mind that he had broken his shoulder,” Robson said of the accident during opening ceremonies of the Spokane Interstate Rodeo. But Smokey had other ideas.

Question: Have you ever had to make a tough decision to put down a pet that was injured or extremely sick?

One of the main courses offered at Fleur de Sel is the duck sausage and duck leg confit, featuring sun-dried tomato and fennel ragout, along with a green peppercorn demi-glace..

Approachable and close to home, Fleur de Sel brings the best of French dining to the area.

Perched above Post Falls in a space shared with Highlands Day Spa, the restaurant is unassuming and yet elegant. It may seem an unlikely place for such a fine cuisine.

As we savored the impossibly smooth milk chocolate gelato while watching night fall through the tall windows, it gave me the unexpected feeling that I could be almost anywhere in the world. Lorie Hutson, SR

What is your favorite ethnic cuisine?