Alison Boggs

The Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene race is in 10 weeks and Tom Aylward hasn’t been able to run for a month. The 62-year-old, who has been training for the grueling race for nearly two years, has a nagging nerve irritation in his left foot. He got two cortisone shots last week to relieve the pain and plans to get another in a few weeks.

Two fighter jets from the U.S. Marines’ famed Black Sheep Squadron landed Friday at the Coeur d’Alene Airport/Pappy Boyington Field, coming at long last to recognize the airport’s renaming in honor of their most famous member. When executive officer Maj. Toby Moore and Capt. Dave Caribardi zoomed over in their gray AV-8B Harriers, it was the final acknowledgement for dozens of veterans on the ground who lobbied for more than a year to get their airport renamed for Boyington, a Coeur d’Alene native.

Two fighter jets from the U.S. Marines’ famed Black Sheep squadron landed today at the Coeur d’Alene Airport/Pappy Boyington Field, coming at long last to recognize the airport’s renaming in honor of their most famous member. When executive officer Maj. Toby Moore and Capt. Dave Caribardi zoomed over in their gray AV-8B Harriers, it was the final acknowledgement for dozens of veterans on the ground who lobbied the Kootenai County commissioners for more than a year to get their airport renamed for Boyington, a Coeur d’Alene native.

Visitors to North Idaho almost were deprived of a popular tourist attraction this summer – a Mississippi sternwheeler replica that offers cruises on the Spokane River from June through September. The River Queen cruise boat is owned by Red Lion Hotels and almost was docked for good this year after extensive rusting was discovered on its hull during routine maintenance inspections in the fall, said Pam Scott, the company’s director of corporate communications. Scott said Red Lion decided the cruises were too popular to end and is paying $35,000 to have the boat repaired.

The Inland Northwest’s five ski resorts will end regular operations Sunday, bidding farewell to a season that delivered above-average snowfall and increased business from skiers and snowboarders. “It’s been powder day after powder day after powder day,” said Sean Briggs, spokesman for Schweitzer Mountain Resort in Sandpoint, which still has more than 14 feet of snow on its peaks.

The Inland Northwest’s five ski resorts will end regular operations Sunday, bidding farewell to a season that delivered above-average snowfall and increased business from skiers and snowboarders. “It's been powder day after powder day after powder day,” said Sean Briggs, spokesman for Schweitzer Mountain Resort in Sandpoint, which still has more than 13 feet of snow on its peaks.

The Discovery Playground in Spokane Valley offers something for children of all abilities. The paths – made of grass, concrete or wood chips – all are accessible for wheelchairs. There are swings and slides and climbing rocks, but also hanging chimes, fragrant plants and textured walls to provide sensory stimulation for children who have brain disorders or who are physically limited.

Kootenai County Sheriff Rocky Watson will not seek re-election next year and will leave office after serving a total of 17 years. Watson was sheriff for one four-year term in the late 1970s, but was not re-elected. The Post Falls native and ex-Marine was appointed sheriff in 1999 following Pierce Clegg’s retirement. Watson was then elected to a full termin 2000 and re-elected in 2004 and 2008.

Tom Aylward chops red peppers, rinses baby spinach leaves and boils water for pasta. As he briefly sautés the vegetables in rosemary, garlic and olive oil, Aylward stands over the pan, stirring. “Mmmmm,” he says. “Doesn’t this look good?”

The lunch table at North Idaho College Children’s Center was a thriving classroom on Tuesday. At the 2-year-olds’ table, the children carefully scooped homemade chicken noodle soup into their bowls. When they wanted more, teachers reminded them to say “please.” And when they were done, they cleared their plates.

North Idaho’s two largest school districts will ask voters on March 8 for more money to help maintain operations at basic levels following two years of state budget cuts. “Just about everything that could be labeled discretionary is now gone,” said Hazel Bauman, superintendent of the Coeur d’Alene School District, which has cut $8.9 million from its budget over the past two years. “We’re really down to people at this point.”

The man and woman an Idaho State Police trooper shot on Feb. 7 after they rammed his patrol car were married, Kootenai County records show.