Thu., Jan. 8, 2009
Gov. Butch Otter and legislative leaders say looming budget cuts will color the upcoming legislative session. "This is not the year to have a wish list," said House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star. Otter told reporters at the AP's legislative forum in Boise today that…
Wed., Jan. 7, 2009
Here's an example of the gloomy economic news that the Legislature's joint Economic Outlook & Revenue Assessment Committee is receiving as it holds two days of hearings on the state's economic outlook: Jane Wittmeyer, vice president of Idaho affairs for the Intermountain Forest Association, said,…
Tue., Jan. 6, 2009
Brad Little, 54, Idaho's new lieutenant governor, is a five-term state senator from Emmett. He's a University of Idaho graduate, owner/manager of a cattle ranch and farm, has served on many boards including the Idaho Community Foundation and the Idaho Woolgrowers Association, and is a…
Mon., Dec. 29, 2008
A district court went too far when it imposed a no-contact order on an offender that banned him from contacting any minor, including his own two young children, the Idaho Court of Appeals has ruled. No Idaho court had previously ruled on the issue, so…
Mon., Dec. 29, 2008
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter has appointed Twin Falls attorney Richard D. Greenwood to be a 4th District judge, replacing Judge Kathryn A. Sticklen, who is retiring. Interestingly, Otter passed over Greenwood for a 5th District judgeship in May of 2007, instead appointing 5th District Magistrate…
Thu., Dec. 25, 2008
It's been a good week so far at Boise's local non-profit ski resort, Bogus Basin. All lifts were running as of Tuesday. On Wednesday, the "Closed" signs that had festooned runs ranging from Liberty and Tiger to Upper Paradise disappeared, replaced by well-warranted "Caution" signs.…
Tue., Dec. 23, 2008
Here's a final last-minute gift for Boise skiers: Bogus Basin has opened its Superior Chair No. 3, bringing the mountain to full operation. So far, Chair 3 is open for day skiing only, but there's night skiing on the front side of the mountain (except…
Fri., Dec. 19, 2008
A new law allowing Idaho to enforce mandatory chain-up requirements on commercial trucks on snowy North Idaho passes has made a big difference in the past week, officials say. Prior to this year, Idaho had no chain requirements at all, and snowy spots like Lookout…
Fri., Dec. 19, 2008
Here's a holiday gift for Boise-area skiers and snowboarders: Bogus Basin has announced it'll open at least part of its backside - Pinecreek Chair No. 6 and Bitterroot Chair No. 5 - plus night skiing, all this Saturday. The non-profit ski resort had a rather…
Fri., Dec. 19, 2008
Idaho's state schools superintendent puts out a weekly e-mailed newsletter to school districts, and this week's edition adds a new feature: "Rumor has it." In it, "this week's rumor" is debunked - that millions in technology funding that school districts now receive through the Idaho…
Fri., Dec. 19, 2008
By the end of the day yesterday, exhausted Idaho State Police folks in North Idaho had this report on their storm toll, headed, "Interesting happenings and thank-you's." It was a day when Coeur d'Alene recorded 25 inches of snow in 24 hours, shattering the previous…
Thu., Dec. 18, 2008
The chairman of Idaho's Citizens Committee on Legislative Compensation says if the panel were to meet today, it'd likely reach a different decision, rather than recommending a 5 percent raise in state legislative salaries. "We made that decision last summer," Rich Jackson said today. "I…
Thu., Dec. 18, 2008
It's a mess up north, where 20 inches of snow has fallen at the Spokane Airport and as much as 30 inches at North Idaho locations like Athol. Most schools and government offices are closed, authorities are stretched to the max trying to deal with…
Thu., Dec. 18, 2008
When the Citizens Committee on Legislative Compensation made its recommendation in June for a 5 percent increase in Idaho legislative pay, it was the second two-year session in a row the panel had called for an increase. Before that, there were both no-increase recommendations and…
Thu., Dec. 18, 2008
Pay for legislators in Idaho actually is on the low end among the states, at $16,116 a year, though there are some quite a bit lower. That compares to $41,280 a year in Washington, and at the top end, $116,098 in California. Montana, on the…
Wed., Dec. 17, 2008
Back in June, a citizens committee recommended that state legislators get a 5 percent raise this year, from $16,116 to $16,921, effective this month. The committee's recommendation takes effect unless lawmakers reject it by concurrent resolution prior to the 25th day of the upcoming legislative…
Wed., Dec. 17, 2008
Meridian police say two cars that were parked and running, as their owners tried to warm them up on cold mornings, have been stolen so far this week. They've issued a theft warning, according to the AP, cautioning drivers to carry two sets of keys…
Wed., Dec. 17, 2008
How said. The makers of "Airborne" dietary supplements have agreed to change the way they market their products, as a result of a settlement with Idaho, 31 other states and the District of Columbia, according to Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden. The sad part: This…
Wed., Dec. 17, 2008
The overall consumer price index in the Treasure Valley dropped by 2.2 percent in November, according to Wells Fargo, which tracks it. That exceeded the national CPI drop for the month of 1.9 percent (or 1.7 percent seasonally adjusted). That national seasonally adjusted figure was…
Wed., Dec. 17, 2008
Idaho's top elected officials have agreed to freeze the rents they charge cabin owners on state lands for the next year. The narrow, 3-2 vote brought sighs of relief from cabin owners who crowded into the old courtroom where the state Land Board meets, some…
Sun., Aug. 17, 2008
After nearly thirty years in the news business (yes, I really did start writing for my hometown newspaper at the age of just 16), I like to think of myself as calm and fairly tough in the face of news of all types. I covered…
