Ken Olsen

Will Cupid be displaced by a Trojan? Don't giggle. The North Idaho AIDS Coalition is hitting the bars tonight, spreading a little prevention for sexually transmitted diseases. Three-hundred lucky people will receive a baggie that includes three condoms and a bright pink piece of paper that reads: "When you give the gift of love, make sure it's wrapped properly."

Despite overwhelming public opposition to a library and botanical gardens that would displace popular McEuen Field, the Coeur d'Alene Public Library board avoided taking a stand Thursday afternoon. That means the Lake City's hottest political issue bounces back to the Parks and Recreation Commission, at least in the eyes of the library board. The library board wanted to make the public aware of the offer of a generous potential gift and has done so. "My view is it is not up to us to do anything," said Scott Reed, a library board member.

Duane Hagadone, owner of The Coeur d'Alene Resort, displays plans for a botanical garden and library complex at what is now McEuen Field. Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review

(From For the Record, February 13, 1997): Richard LeFrancis, who testifed regarding the proposed library and botanical gardens in Coeur d'Alene Tuesday evening, is not a retired Air Force colonel. The speaker was misidentified in a Wednesday article.

Paquin

Significant public interest in a proposal to turn McEuen Field into the Hagadone Public Library and Botanical Gardens has prompted city officials to find larger quarters for a Tuesday night forum. The Parks and Recreation Commission hearing, scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, has been moved to the Bonner Room of North Idaho College's Student Union Building. The Library Board will present its proposal and then take comments. The Parks and Recreation Commission decided "let's take this to the community and see what they think," said Doug Eastwood, the department's director. "This is a forum to solicit information."

An attack on federal logging road construction as a corporate subsidy may put U.S. Sen. Larry Craig at odds with his reputation as a fiscal conservative. Two weeks ago the Stop Corporate Welfare Coalition unveiled a 15-point hit list of federal expenditures, from water projects to federal highway demonstration projects. The group also wants to stop Forest Service spending on logging roads. The group estimates taxpayers would save $100 million over the next five years if people who benefit the most by the roads - logging companies and recreational users - pay for them up front. As it stands, timber companies build the roads and, in exchange, are given enough public timber to cover the estimated cost of construction.

Out-of-state contributors will be tapped to help retire U.S. Sen. Larry Craig's $168,000 campaign debt. "People in Idaho were so supportive and gave in record numbers," said Mike Reynoldson, Craig's 1996 campaign manager. "I think we will focus on people outside the state."

Diamond Parking enforcement employee Fred Raap checks for violators Monday along Sherman Avenue in Coeur 'Alene. Photo by Shawn Jacobson/The Spokesman-Review

McEuen Field is one of the most underused places in town, but a new library and botanical gardens will change that, Duane B. Hagadone said Friday. He estimated that only 5 percent of the community now uses the south Coeur d'Alene's park and playing field.

One of south Coeur d'Alene's most popular public recreational areas - McEuen Field - could become home to the Hagadone Public Library and Botanical Gardens. That's the latest proposal from Lake City businessman Duane Hagadone and the Coeur d'Alene Library Foundation. The facilities would be located just east of Hagadone's Coeur d'Alene Resort complex.

Considering the victim, these burglars are skating on thin ice. Sometime in the past 10 days, thieves used snowmobiles to get to cabins on the west side of lower Twin Lake. The burglars took two chain saws, a CD player, a VCR and a battery charger from a cabin and a shop belonging to Kootenai County District Judge Gary Haman.

The Athol, Idaho, Fire Department's luck is the unwitting poster child for plowing driveways. It spent $300 to get its fire engine unstuck Sunday night, just one bad side effect of trying to put out a house fire in the middle of the winter.

Lifetime Mullan resident Betty Wolfe can't remember ever having so much snow to battle. Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review

1. Recognition for a hero. Vernon Baker is surrounded by the media Monday after he received the Medal of Honor from President Clinton. The award was bestowed for actions during World War II. Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review 2. President Clinton and Sandra Johnson applaud Vernon Baker on Monday after he received the Medal of Honor for heroism in Italy during World War II.

1. Colin Powell, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, gestures as he shares a moment with Vernon Baker during a Sunday night reception prior to today's Medal of Honor ceremony. Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review 2. During his flight to Washington, D.C., for today's Medal of Honor ceremony, Baker took time for a comforting chat with Perry Black. Traveling alone from Lewiston to Minnesota, a nervous Black was told "There's a real war hero on this plane." Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review

Colin Powell hailed Vernon Baker Sunday night as an inspirational hero who helped pave the way for Powell to become the nation's top military officer. "I came along at a time when most of the barriers were down in the Army," Powell said following a reception honoring Baker.

The Blackwell Island development is good to go ahead as long as it meets several conditions, the City Council decided Tuesday night. The council rejected an appeal of the final development plan, filed by the Rural Kootenai Organization, and gave its final blessing to a proposed 200-unit recreational vehicle park.

Ski free Saturday. This is not a joke. This is not an advertisement to induce you to purchase other goods. This is the 10th-annual chance to go cross-country skiing free of charge in Idaho state parks as well as Park N' Ski areas groomed by the state.

The controversial Blackwell Island development will be the topic of more heated public debate tonight. Final plans for a recreational vehicle park don't address water quality, wetlands protection, and storm-water problems on the island, according to the Rural Kootenai Organization.

Sever a major highway on the eve of the Legislature opening and suddenly one of Idaho's most ignored problems becomes more important to lawmakers. Hours after lawmakers convene Monday, the House Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on U.S. Highway 95, which in some places is as much river bottom and avalanche chute as it is road. The Senate Transportation Committee will be invited to the hearing, said Rep. Jim Kempton, R-Albion and committee chairman.

1. Alex Huber of Cataldo prepares to pump out another load of water from a Pinehurst parking lot Thursday. He estimated seven loads with his pumper truck to get the job done. Photo by Jesse Tinsley/The Spokesman-Review 2. Wardner, Idaho, Mayor Chuck Peterson shows the storm drain he had to climb down to remove debris blocking drainage of the town's main street.

Vernon Baker credits U.S. Sens. Dirk Kempthorne and Larry Craig for the embassy's change of heart. Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review

Vernon Baker's proudest day also may be one of his most disappointing.