Idaho open primary initiative made final stretch
Supporters of a ballot initiative that would open Idaho’s primary elections to all voters made there final push to gather signatures before the May 1 deadline.
Teen arrested in Rathdrum for Las Vegas murder
Arrest made early Saturday morning.
NIC hit with another ratings downgrade
Moody’s Investor Service has again downgraded North Idaho College’s issuer and revenue bond ratings, an action that affects about $8.4 million in rated debt.
Cd’A teen pleads not guilty to providing support to ISIS
Trial set for May 28
Trial set for May 28
Feds: Cd’A man tried to provide support, resources to ISIS
Man allegedly planned to attack local churches
Authorities arrested an 18-year-old Coeur d’Alene man who had allegedly “pledged his allegiance to ISIS” and planned to attack people at local churches using guns, knives and fire, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Doctor: Death scene was staged
Kendy Howard’s death “bears the hallmarks of a staged crime scene,” doctors said in court Friday.
Athol woman didn’t die from gunshot, medical examiner says
Police and death investigators said Kendy Howard’s death appeared suspicious from the beginning.
Rumpler sues North Idaho College, trustees
Laura Rumpler, North Idaho College’s former chief communications officer, is suing the college, alleging trustees violated the terms of her employment contract and Idaho’s employment laws and deprived her of due process rights.
Veterans: Don’t feed the ‘claim sharks’
Sharks are circling local veterans. They’re not out for blood, but for a cut of disability compensation benefits.
NIC ordered to turn over Swayne report
A judge ordered North Idaho College to turn over an investigative report to college president Nick Swayne by 5 p.m. Monday.
NIC's accreditation crisis, by the numbers
One year after an attempt by the board majority at North Idaho College to oust President Nick Swayne, the college remains under a show-cause sanction, the last step before loss of accreditation.
Swayne sues NIC for investigative report
North Idaho College President Nick Swayne has filed a lawsuit against NIC, asking the court to compel the college to turn over an investigative report that has been at the center of heated debate on the board of trustees.
$53 million property value error to delay tax notices
Some taxing districts are affected by the mistake
A typo resulting in a multimillion dollar property value assessment error is expected to affect multiple taxing districts in Kootenai County and delay the distribution of property tax notices.
No answers after Spirit Lake shooting
More than week after a woman died amid an “officer-involved shooting” in Spirit Lake, city and county officials remain tight-lipped.
Jail sentence for former teacher
Keylon pleaded guilty to 'engaging in sexual conduct' with student
A former Lake City High School teacher who pleaded guilty to “engaging in sexual contact” with a 15-year-old student more than a decade ago will spend four months in jail.
NIC board hires Boyles, keeps Macomber on as well
North Idaho College has two attorneys for the foreseeable future.
NIC board hires Boyles, keeps Macomber on as well
North Idaho College has two attorneys for the foreseeable future.
Judge dismisses some claims in NIC trustee lawsuit
A Kootenai County judge has dismissed most of the claims in a civil lawsuit against three North Idaho College trustees, but claims focused on the contracts of the college’s former attorney and former interim president survive.
Patriot Front trial starts today
Five members of the white nationalist group Patriot Front are expected to stand trial this week for allegedly planning to violently disrupt a Pride celebration in Coeur d’Alene City Park.
North Idaho College remains under show cause
North Idaho College remains accredited for the time being, though its show cause status has been extended and the college will remain under “heightened monitoring.”
Patriot Front trials set for July
More than a year after their arrest for allegedly planning to violently disrupt a Pride celebration in Coeur d’Alene City Park, six members of white nationalist hate group Patriot Front are expected to stand trial.
North Idaho College awaits accreditation decision
The fate of North Idaho College is in the hands of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities as the commission deliberates whether NIC will retain accreditation.
Swayne wins reinstatement lawsuit
North Idaho College President Nick Swayne won permanent reinstatement Friday.
No charges for fatal shooting
A Priest River man who fatally shot a suspected car burglar outside a shopping center last month will face no criminal charges.
NIC trustee asks State Board of Ed to intervene
With a decision about North Idaho College’s accreditation on the horizon and board dysfunction continuing, one trustee has asked the Idaho State Board of Education to intervene in the hopes of saving NIC.
Several accreditation outcomes possible for NIC
The fate of North Idaho College is expected to be revealed in July, when the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities announces whether it will retain accreditation. If the college loses accreditation, it may be impossible to regain.
NIC trustees hire new attorney
North Idaho College trustees conducted business Wednesday night, hiring new legal counsel for the college, taking a first look at the proposed budget for fiscal year 2024 and approving tenure for faculty members.
NIC releases Macomber report
A report issued by North Idaho College attorney Art Macomber recommended that trustees nullify President Nick Swayne’s employment contract due to an open meeting law violation that allegedly occurred the day Swayne was hired.
NIC trustees nullify Swayne’s contract
▶️ Audio story available. North Idaho College trustees voted 3-2 Monday night to nullify the contract of President Nick Swayne but said he will continue as active president “until the board decides otherwise.”
Former state trooper charged with murder
A former Idaho State Police officer has been charged with killing his wife. Daniel Charles Howard, 57, of Athol, was arrested Friday night and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the 2021 death of his wife, 48-year-old Kendy Howard. Jail records indicate that Daniel Howard also faces a felony domestic battery charge.
Emails show NIC trustees, lawyer planned meetings in private
Emails reveal that North Idaho College attorney Art Macomber and trustees Greg McKenzie, Todd Banducci and Mike Waggoner used personal email addresses to secretly prepare for the public meetings where the board majority hired Macomber and ousted NIC President Nick Swayne.
Emails show NIC trustees, lawyer planned meetings in private
Emails reveal that North Idaho College attorney Art Macomber and trustees Greg McKenzie, Todd Banducci and Mike Waggoner used personal email addresses to secretly prepare for the public meetings where the board majority hired Macomber and ousted NIC President Nick Swayne.
NIC responds to community questions
As the deadline to respond to its accreditor approaches, North Idaho College leaders fielded questions from the community on Thursday. Around 100 people filled the Lake Coeur d’Alene Room in the Student Union Building on campus for a community focus group organized by Kootenai County’s four chambers of commerce.
Legislators decline to settle delinquent property tax dispute
State legislators declined to settle a dispute over whether counties or cities get to keep the fees and interest charged on delinquent property taxes. The House Revenue and Taxation Committee considered House Bill 150 this week, which would require counties to distribute a proportional share of collected penalties and interest to the taxing districts.
Bill to offset U of I costs from student murders passes House
North Idaho lawmakers opposed legislation to help cover costs of security, police, student counseling and more
COEUR d’ALENE — A bill that would provide the University of Idaho with $1 million to help offset some of the costs resulting from the murder of four college students last November was passed Thursday by the Idaho House of Representatives and is headed for a Senate vote. House Bill 222 passed the House by a vote of 56-14 and was opposed by North Idaho House members. It provides funds to partially reimburse the university for increased campus security and Idaho State Police patrols, student counseling, a vigil and other expenses in the wake of the murders of Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen.
JFAC recommends more funding for pay raises for community colleges
Legislators on the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee rejected budgetary items related to administrative hires at North Idaho College, instead embracing Gov. Brad Little’s recommendation to spread the requested money across Idaho’s four community colleges.
Woman charged with trafficking meth
A Montana woman is in jail on $100,000 bail after police said they found hundreds of fentanyl pills in her vehicle. Rebecca Piper, 40, of Missoula, Mont., is charged with trafficking methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance, both felonies.
Man gets prison for threatening to shoot school and police
Almost a year after his actions led to an armed standoff near Dalton Gardens Elementary School, a local man was sentenced Thursday to prison. Robert J. Green, 40, was convicted in December of three counts of aggravated assault on police with a deadly weapon and one count of threatening violence upon school grounds.
Internet crimes costly for Idahoans
Idahoans aged 50 and older lost more than $10.7 million to internet crimes in 2021, according to a report from the FBI. The real losses may be much higher than what are currently known. Many victims of internet crimes are reluctant to notify law enforcement. “They’re embarrassed because they feel like they should’ve known better,” said Coeur d’Alene Police Capt. Dave Hagar.
Interim president added to NIC lawsuit
A previously filed lawsuit now alleges that North Idaho College trustees lacked authority to hire interim president Greg South and that South has received “unjust enrichment” as a result.
NIC amends accreditation response letter
North Idaho College sent an amended response to a warning letter issued last month by its accrediting organization in order to correct an error.
Cd’A Airport could see commercial flights
Community members gathered Thursday night at the Stancraft Jet Center to learn about the possibility of a commercial terminal at the Coeur d’Alene Airport. The informational meeting was hosted by Stancraft and Avports, an airport operations management company based in Virginia, which has proposed the development of a commercial use passenger terminal.
NIC interim president receives 18-month contract
North Idaho College has committed to paying a minimum of $465,000 per year to its two presidents.
NIC attorney subpoenas employees, former trustees
North Idaho College attorney Art Macomber issued 15 subpoenas this week to college employees, former trustees and others, seeking documents, emails, public record requests and other digital records related to the hiring of NIC President Nick Swayne.
DNA, other evidence led investigators to Kohberger
Affidavit reveals details of police work done ahead of arrest
Investigators said they used DNA evidence, phone records and surveillance footage to link murder suspect Bryan Kohberger to the killings of four University of Idaho students, according to newly unsealed court documents.
Post Falls chase ends in fatal shooting
Police apparently shot and killed a person suspected of intentionally driving a pickup truck into patrol vehicles Thursday in Post Falls.
Blogger's attorney responds to defamation lawsuit
A local blogger who accused a drag performer of indecent exposure has responded to a defamation lawsuit filed against her, denying the accusations.
Community reacts to North Idaho College turmoil
Community members on and off the North Idaho College campus are responding to two fiery meetings of the board of trustees this week. A divided board voted Thursday to place President Nick Swayne on administrative leave and invite former wrestling coach and interim president Michael Sebaaly to replace him.
NIC's Swayne placed on administrative leave
The North Idaho College board of trustees voted Thursday to place President Nick Swayne on immediate administrative leave and ask Michael Sebaaly, the former interim president, to return as acting president.
Patriot Front member pleads guilty to disturbing the peace
A man accused of planning to violently disrupt a Pride celebration in Coeur d’Alene City Park will serve no jail time after pleading guilty to disturbing the peace. Alexander N. Sisenstein, 27, of Midvale, Utah, entered a written guilty plea Monday to the misdemeanor offense, which is punishable by a maximum of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. He was originally charged with conspiracy to riot, also a misdemeanor.