Steve Massey

A Gulf USA Corp. executive who blew the whistle on alleged bankruptcy fraud schemes last fall will stop fighting for his job in exchange for $25,000. Former chief executive officer William Purcell was scheduled to take the stand in federal bankruptcy court on Friday. But lawyers for Gulf and Purcell announced a settlement before trial began.

The city of Post Falls late Friday rejected a settlement with the Kootenai County Property Owners Association in a dispute over tax-increment financing. The deal would have scuttled a Feb. 7 election. But that election now will go forward. Voters will decide whether they should approve offers of tax assistance to developers.

Pensioners Harold Kurt, front, and Matt Buschbacher arrived Thursday morning at the Federal Building in Coeur d'Alene for the latest round in the Gulf USA Corp. bankruptcy hearing. Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review

A half dozen chronic pain sufferers pleaded with the Idaho State Board of Medicine late Wednesday to ease apprehension among doctors who prescribe narcotics. Jan Lambert, a Moscow resident, said she's resorted to driving to Canada, where she purchases over-the-counter painkillers that can legally be brought back across the border.

1. A workman clad in a paper suit and respirator stands in front of the old mercury precipitation building. Photo by Jesse Tinsley/The Spokesman-Review 2. Devices hung around the old smelter monitor the air for toxic dust during demolition.

Some parents say the Coeur d'Alene School Board pays too much attention to conservative activists, allowing them undue influence on school policy.

For dozens of North Idaho residents, the search for narcotics never ends. But these aren't drug addicts.

A judge on Thursday refused to block an election in Post Falls that lets voters decide whether they should approve offers of tax assistance to developers. The City of Post Falls sought to delay the election.

Concern over the impacts of growth on public schools once again has delayed approval of the city's long-term growth plan. At a Tuesday night City Council meeting, the Post Falls Comprehensive Plan was batted back to planners for several revisions. Topping the list of changes is a muchdebated paragraph that could protect schools from further overcrowding.

1. Past chamber presidents, from left, Jim Dickinson and Joe Doellefeld join incoming president Nora Sharp and director Kim Brown in the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce building. Photo by Jesse Tinsley/The Spokesman-Review 2. Susan Vrbas hopes the boom extends to her new business, an antique and gift store. Photo by Jesse Tinsley/The Spokesman-Review

1. Children at Seltice Elementary perform a skit with the theme "Kids come in special flavors." Photo by Jesse Tinsley/The Spokesman-Review 2. Among the many images in Jennifer Lamb's classroom at Seltice are these pictures designed to show the differences among people.

Bankrupt Gulf USA Corp. cut a last-minute deal with creditors Thursday to avoid a lapse in payments for its retirees' medical benefits. "There is a bit of an emergency here," said Gulf lawyer Larry May at a bankruptcy hearing in Coeur d'Alene. "We need these funds in the next several days."

Developers are hoping to build condominiums on this block at the Highlands Golf and Country Club in Post Falls. Photo by Jesse Tinsley/The Spokesman-Review

Post Falls on Thursday asked a judge to put off an election that could limit the city's ability to court large developers. The Kootenai County Property Owners Association is trying to force Post Falls to hold a citywide vote each time the city assists developers with tax-increment financing.

Rathdrum voters will decide whether the city should promise tax assistance to Micron Technology Inc. in order to lure a giant manufacturing plant. City attorney Rollie Watson said he's been directed to schedule a Feb. 7 advisory vote, asking residents whether Micron should be offered tax-increment financing. Kootenai County is among 13 finalists for a $1.3 billion Micron expansion plant. Five of seven county sites pitched by business recruiter Jobs Plus are in Rathdrum. Two sites are in Post Falls, where the City Council has resisted efforts to hold a vote on tax-increment financing.