Erica Curless

As drivers sped across the Mullan Road railroad crossing in downtown Coeur d'Alene Thursday afternoon, not a single one looked to see if a train was coming. That's exactly why city officials are overjoyed that the seldom-used tracks are finally leaving town.

Bringing good-paying jobs to North Idaho, reducing taxes and the Democrats' struggle to provide more balance in the Republican-dominated Legislature were the topics of Wednesday night's North Idaho College Young Republicans candidate forum. About 100 people attended the gathering that put 11 legislative candidates for District 4 and 5, which include Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene, in the spotlight at NIC's Student Union.

Imagine houses covering Rathdrum Prairie, ritzy residential developments taking over the treed hillsides and a backdrop for Lake Coeur d'Alene of solid rooftops. Not the pristine image that draws thousands of people to Kootenai County each year. And that's why a movement to protect and preserve the area's natural attractions has ignited.

SANDPOINT – Vacation for Jerry Hammon is taking a 12-hour road trip with seven Shire draft horses. Some people think that's crazy, especially because Hammon's job is traveling with the world-renowned Budweiser Clydesdale teams.

A rare combination of environmentalists, builders and land developers stood at the base of Tubbs Hill on Wednesday morning and agreed. These individuals agree that they normally don't agree on much. Yet they gathered in the drizzle to voice their disgust at how Kootenai County wants to change its rules for how to divide and classify land.

Coeur d'Alene Animal Shelter volunteers returned $2,700 to the Watson Agency on Wednesday, clearing up a misunderstanding that closed the shelter for two days and put the fate of the animals in jeopardy. The dispute was sparked when volunteers decided to turn the animal shelter into a nonprofit agency so it could attract more donations from local residents and businesses uncomfortable giving to a for-profit business like Watson Agency.

Homes at the base of Canfield Mountain are a good trade-off for a 22-acre city park and a solution to Coeur d'Alene's water pressure woes, developers told city officials Tuesday night. Yet neighbors, many of whom are members of Canfield Mountain Alliance, argued the proposed city park is useless – too steep and with too many access problems. They presented a petition with 886 signatures in opposition and said the city's development and zoning rules are aimed at protecting natural landmarks like Canfield Mountain, not covering them in upscale homes.