Competitors are the from the Double J Dog Ranch near Hauser.

The quiet of a winter night on Hauser Lake turned into a wildlife spectacle Wednesday after a deer crashed through the thin ice and rescuers jumped into action.

Earl Hauser, a longtime Hauser Lake pilot, was honored with a pair of awards for 50 blemish-free years as an active pilot and an aircraft mechanic, a combination of experience rarely seen in the world of general aviation.

Recently spotted at Hauser Lake, the American white pelican is just passing through. With a 9-foot wingspan, this pelican is one of the largest birds in North America, according to Audubon Society. Lindell Haggin, Spokane Audubon Society member, said they are impressive birds.

Crystal Hanson of Hauser Lake doesn’t want to sleep. Sleep brings dreams. She’d rather stay awake than risk reliving images of scrambling around with the survivors of the deadliest mass shooting in the nation’s history.

A North Idaho man pleaded guilty Wednesday to killing a Spokane woman and dumping her body in a slough near Hauser Lake last year.

Hauser Lake residents are buzzing about their newest neighbors - five river otters that have taken up residence in the lake. Otter populations are healthy and expanding in the Idaho Panhandle.

Spokane police arrested a man last week and extradited him to Idaho, where he is accused of having a connection to the suspicious death of a woman whose body was found partially submerged in a slough near Hauser Lake. Patrick Neil McGhee, 47, is a Hauser resident. He is accused of failing to notify law enforcement of the death of 55-year-old Kelly Lynne Sallee. His bond is set at $250,000.

A man was arrested last week in connection to the suspicious death of a Spokane woman whose body was found partially submerged in a slough in Hauser Lake, Idaho. Spokane police arrested Patrick Neil McGhee, 47, in connection to the death of Kelly Lynne Sallee, 55, who was found June 11 in a slough off the west side of Hauser Lake Road.

Obama gun flap boosts habitat OUTTAX – State fish and wildlife agencies across the country are direct beneficiaries of the unprecedented spike in firearms sales spurred by President Obama’s 2008 election.

Last weekend’s free ice-fishing event at Hauser Lake, organized by Idaho Fish and Game, was a chilling success in luring people of all ages to try the sport. Although agency staffers and three helpers from Cabela’s were signed to run the event, Idaho Fish and Game officials gave a big special thanks for service beyond the call of duty to the three sportsmen. They were ice fishing at the lake when they saw the organizers being overwhelmed by people eager to borrow fishing gear from the Take Me Fishing trailer.