Remembering

At Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens, Nick Farina
of the Young Marines of North Idaho rang the
bell as the name of each veteran who passed away this year
was read.

Memorial Day dawned sunny and warm with ceremonies throughout the county well-attended. I attended three ... at the Third St. Bell with VFW Post 889, at Evergreen Cemetery with American Legion Post 143 and at Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens with the Marine Corps League, Pappy Boyington Detachment 966. There's an album of photos HERE that celebrate the people and patriotism of our communites. Sincere thank you to the veterans who volunteer to organize and participate in the ceremonies that educate and remind us all of their contributions.

Soggy weekend on tap

The waters of Coeur d'Alene Lake and rivers in north Idaho have been on the rise, as evidenced by this photograph on Blackwell Island near the Cedars Floating Restaurant shows. A story about the flooding HERE from the Coeur d'Alene Press and an album of photographs I took in the Coeur d'Alene area on Thursday evening HERE.

Where's the Beach?

The visual of the flooding up river from Lake Coeur d'Alene is apparent with this Monday morning view of city beach. The water is nearly to the lifeguard stands with debris washing ashore. The several steps at Independence Point are mostly submerged.

Until They All Come Home

When the package of bracelets arrived on my doorstep in 2009,
I was overcome with the emotion of seeing the names of real
soldiers, real families who still waited and the reality of their
lives on hold ... until their sons, brothers, husbands
would finally come home.
Photo: Kerri Thoreson

In 2009 Main Street readers supported the National League of POW/MIA Families by ordering the iconic silver bracelets which debuted in 1970. Paul Coy of Post Falls contacted me then about replacing one he'd worn for decades that bore the name of Sgt. Donnie Shue. Sgt. Shue had been missing in combat in Vietnam since 1969.
Sgt. Shue came home on April 29, 2011. His story is in this week's Main Street HERE.

All Elections are Special

Today a "special" election is being held for highway district commissioners and school board trustees. With new election consolidation laws in effect the process is slightly different than in years past. Citizens will vote at their regular polling precincts but not all will have elections in their specific zone or district. The Kootenai County election website HERE can answer your questions on candidates and polling places. To talk to an election staffer call 446-1651.
VOTE!

The End of Innocence

One year after the murders, this modest Wolf Lodge home belied the
horror that was visited about the family who lived there. It's since
been torn down.

It was six years ago today that the Groene and McKenzie families, and our community, discovered that pure evil exists. With the murder of Brenda Groene, her middle school-age son, Slade and finance` Mark McKenzie and the kidnapping of her two youngest children, Dylan and Shasta, our collective hearts were broken. The rejoicing for Shasta's return was tempered by the discovery of her brother's body. Unimaginable. For the column I wrote back in 2005, click HERE.

Love Birds

Elmer Currie takes his sweetheart of seven decades for a twirl on the dance floor at the Lake City Senior Center on Saturday. Elmer and Bernie mark their 70th wedding anniversary today. More about their celebration in Main Street HERE.

Main Street Birthday Club

Add your birthday to the Main Street Birthday Club at the link HERE. I'll include your birthday in the Coeur d'Alene Press Main Street on Wednesdays and daily on KVNI AM1080!

Sunshine on the way

It's been a wet spring in North Idaho but on Monday evening on I-90 westbound into Post Falls, the sun broke through the clouds while raindrops fell. Sunshine is in our future for a few days at least.

Celebrating Youth!

Emily Danforth received recognition on Thursday evening for writing a grant for an anti-smoking campaign which she's presented to a number of groups. Congratulations to Emily and all of the incredible young people in our community.
A list of Mayor's Youth Awards recipients in the Coeur d'Alene Press HERE.

Close Shave at the County

Kootenai County Assessor Mike McDowell and Residential Appraiser Manager Darin Krier (both pictured) took one for the team Tuesday morning, following through with the pledge to shave their heads, mustaches and beard if $1,500 was raised for a good cause. When Gary Logsdon took an early retirement as a residential appraiser due to a medical condition, with months until disability pay kicks in, his friends and co-workers set out to raise some financial cushion for him. McDowell and Krier raised $1,600 and earlier this month, Deputy Assessor Rich Houser raised $1,045 and received a buzz cut.

Main Street column from Coeur d'Alene Press HERE. More photos from the head shaving festivities HERE.