Urban renewal workshop today

Sandpoint An urban renewal workshop featuring the executive director of the Lake City Development Corp. is scheduled for 4 p.m. today in the Sandpoint City Council Chambers.

Tony Berns has been the director of Coeur d’Alene’s urban renewal agency since 2001. The city of Coeur d’Alene established its first urban renewal district in 1997.

The City Council adopted a resolution May 18 to establish an urban renewal agency and set boundaries for a district that includes the area north of Walnut Street to the northern city limits, bounded on the west by the BNSF Railway and on the east by Boyer Avenue.

In June, the City Council approved the mayor’s appointment of John Corn, Debbie Meaux, Nancy Hadley, Mark Williams and Eric Paull to the urban renewal development board.

The workshop is open to the public.

National lab director outlines ambitions

Boise John Grossenbacher, director of the Idaho National Laboratory, says he wants to double revenue – to $1 billion – in the next 10 years.

“We aren’t world leaders – yet. We don’t have a Nobel Prize winner – yet. But we have a terrific base here,” said Grossenbacher, a former Navy vice admiral who took over the lab’s top job in February.

Grossenbacher outlined his goals for the U.S. Department of Energy’s nuclear reactor research lab in eastern Idaho during a Tuesday luncheon hosted by the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce. He said the laboratory’s future was tied to a new focus on growth, research and cooperation with other research institutions.

Revenue will increase as the lab wins more federal contracts and collaborates with businesses, he said.

“We want to turn that place upside down. We want people to say, ‘How would we live without it?’ ” Grossenbacher said.

Soldier back from Iraq receives Purple Heart

Moscow, Idaho A 22-year-old Idaho National Guard soldier has been awarded a Purple Heart for injuries he received in Iraq.

Gov. Dirk Kempthorne presented the award to Nicholas Bosse on Tuesday during a ceremony at East City Park.

“I present this to you on behalf of a grateful nation,” Kempthorne said, telling the audience, “This is an American hero.”

Bosse’s legs were shattered last April when the armored Humvee he was riding in was struck by a roadside bomb. The Humvee driver died; two other soldiers were wounded. Bosse was hit by at least two pieces of shrapnel. One – the size of his fist – went through both thighs. The other shattered his lower left leg.

Bosse, who attended the ceremony in a wheelchair, said it will take him about a year to walk again.