Friday, July 25

Shoshone County jail bookings
Arrests and bookings for Shoshone County jail.
THANKS: Businesses support community
I’ve lived in the Silver Valley for 60 years and have never been so appreciative of the businesses from Rose Lake to Mullan. Their contributions for the Silver Valley Community Resource Center Spring Fling Silent Auction to raise funds for the Community Lead Health Center demonstrates community support and unity that families, former workers, children, new residents want and deserve.

SMC Foundation seeks community support for upcoming golf fundraiser
The Shoshone Medical Center Foundation is seeking community support for its upcoming Golf Event Fundraiser at The Pinehurst Golf Course.

WSD seeks public input for potential civic auditorium site use
For years, the Wallace School District (WSD) has sought ways to revitalize the Civic Auditorium, but with little success. Now, new findings about the building’s condition and the high cost of repairs may chart a controversial course for its future.

Sherry Lynn Distefano, 56
Sherry Lynn Distefano, 56, of Pinehurst, Idaho, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2025, at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Sherry was born on Feb. 7, 1969, in Bainbridge, MD, a daughter of Ron and Mary Gamet.

Youth football underway in Shoshone County
Last week, 40 middle school athletes hit the field for a four-day football camp hosted by the Kellogg Junior Tackle Football Program. The camp ran from July 14–17 on the upper fields behind Kellogg High School.

SCSO, county officials clash over wages
A meeting between the Shoshone County Commissioners and administrators from the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) grew contentious at times as discussions over the department’s pay structure resumed from the previous week.

Robert 'Rob' Wayne Archer, 66
The love of my life, Robert “Rob” Wayne Archer, age 66, passed away July 13, 2025 at the Schneidmiller House in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho due to complications after being cured of cancer. Rob was born March 16, 1959 to Grant and Sue Archer.
Tuesday, July 22

Shoshone County jail bookings
Arrests and bookings for Shoshone County jail.

Charges filed in Silver Valley newborn-for-trade case
Two Silver Valley women are facing felony charges after authorities uncovered an agreement involving the custody exchange of a newborn.

Kellogg man convicted in Kootenai County poaching case
Thanks to a tip submitted through the Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) hotline, a Kellogg man has been convicted of a felony for the unlawful killing, possession, and wasting of a bull moose near Wolf Lodge Saddle in Kootenai County.

3 on 3 basketball this weekend in Kellogg
Organizers are expecting over 200 teams at this year’s SilverHoops 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, once again eyeing the record for most teams in a single year.

THE DIRT: Understanding Permits for Working Near Water in the Coeur d’Alene Basin
Working near water in the Coeur d’Alene Basin often requires obtaining one or more permits, particularly when wetlands are involved.

SCSO, commissioners examining department's pay sturctures
As Shoshone County enters its annual budget planning season, administrators from the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) recently met with county commissioners to propose several changes to the department’s pay structure.
Friday, July 18

Roy Mortensen, 75
Roy Eugene Mortensen, aged 75, peacefully departed this life on July 5, 2025, at his residence near Saint Maries, Idaho, after a four-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Born on August 18, 1949, in Salem, Oregon, Roy exemplified a kind and humorous spirit throughout his life.
Road closures for powerline work to begin next week
This closure is necessary as Avista crews work to convert overhead power lines to underground.

Kellogg grad to speak on deep space exploration
Selkirk Alliance for Science has invited Sue Linch, spacecraft manager for the Lockheed Martin Lunar Exploration Campaign, to speak at a Power of Science presentation on “Why We Explore Deep Space.”

Pottsville Seven project nearing an end
Since 2021, the Pottsville Seven have tackled the restoration of East Shoshone Park one project at a time. Now, they’re nearing the finish line.

City tackles tree replanting after sudden removal
City officials in Kellogg are working to replace dozens of trees that mysteriously died over the past two years, leaving noticeable gaps in some of the town’s most visible areas.

Lois Mae Erickson, 90
Lois Mae Erickson, 90. Lois Mae Erickson was born in Ohio County, Kentucky, to Cephas Issac and Ora Lee Vance. She was the fifth of six children. Lois passed peacefully on June 14, 2025,

Sharon Hiatt, 85
Sharon Joanne Hiatt, 85, of Hayden Lake, Idaho, passed away on July 8, 2025. Sharon was born on March 29, 1940, to Helena Marie Mellang and E. Richard Smith in Kansas City, Missouri.
Tuesday, July 15
Restrictions lifted for Moon Pass
17 months after a rockslide wiped out a section of road over Monn Pass, the road is open without any restrictions.

Aging bridge to be removed
Last week, county commissioners approved a bid to remove the aging bridge near the mouth of Moon Gulch. Spanning Moon Creek, the bridge provides access to several homes on the east side.

Validation denied, access granted?
Shoshone County road dispute adds new complexity
A recent decision from the Idaho Supreme Court may have raised more questions than it answered regarding one of Shoshone County’s most contentious legal disputes.

Eva Marie Truean, 65
Eva Marie Truean, 65, of Wallace, Idaho, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister passed away peacefully on July 8th, 2025, at Silverton Health and Rehabilitation after a courageous battle with cancer. Eva was born on November 25, 1959, in Wallace, Idaho,

Karen Ruth Dupuis, 81
Karen Ruth Dupuis, 81, of Pinehurst, Idaho, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and lifelong resident of the Silver Valley, passed away on July 9, 2025, at Pinehurst Senior Living of Cascadia in Pinehurst, Idaho.
Friday, July 11

Delays Expected on Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes During Cataldo Bridge Work
Trail users near Cataldo should anticipate brief, intermittent delays on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes starting as early as next week due to construction on the I-90 bridge overhead.

Silver Valley man who threatened CDA legislator to be sentenced this month
A Silver Valley man accused of threatening a state official is set to be sentenced later this month after accepting plea agreement.

Caroline Arlene Christmann, 90
Caroline Arlene Christmann, 90, of Kellogg, ID, passed away on July 6, 2025, at Mountain Valley of Cascadia Health and Rehabilitation in Kellogg, ID

Popular show returns to Sixth Street
One of Sixth Street Theater’s most popular productions is back on stage for the company’s 42nd season – just in time for a milestone celebration.

Kellogg library opens doors at 'new' building
After months of preparation, the Kellogg Public Library officially opened its doors at a new location along the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes earlier this week.

Cheryl Lang, 79
Cheryl Ann Lang, 79, passed away peacefully at Hospice House of north Idaho, after a brief battle with cancer on July 2, 2025. Cheryl was born March 20, 1946, to Kenneth and Orine Sperry in Wallace, Idaho.
Wednesday, July 9

Data breach affecting SCSO email
The Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office is experiencing email outages following a reported data breach at the cloud hosting and IT company it uses to host the online service.
Tuesday, July 8

Shoshone County jail bookings
Arrests and bookings for Shoshone County jail.

Shoshone County Sheriff on 30-day medical leave
Shoshone County Sheriff Holly Lindsey has taken a leave of absence according to a release from the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office.
THE DIRT: Waterfront properties
Idaho waters, including rivers, lakes, and streams are designated as state property which is meant to be enjoyed by all and are therefore protected under state and federal regulations including the Clean Water Act.

Gary Ross, 82
In Loving Memory of Gary Norlen Ross U.S. Coast Guard (Retired) November 18, 1942 – April 25, 2025

Shoshone County greenlights big money for green spaces
Last week, the Shoshone County Commissioners approved a $300,000 reinvestment of funds into the county’s parks department to begin the process of modernizing the deteriorating facilities.

BLM to sell Shoshone County timber
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is offering the Gentle Annie Timber Sale, totaling approximately 493,000 board feet, for commercial thinning on 100 acres near Mullan, east of Kellogg in Shoshone County.

Wallace Music Fest this weekend
The second annual Wallace Music Fest is this weekend, and organizers are excited to watch their new festival grow.

Nolan Edward Webb, 73
Nolan Edward Webb, age 73, passed away from natural causes on Friday, June 20, 2025, at his home in Smelterville, Idaho. Nolan was born on July 4, 1951, in Fort Belknap, Montana.

Hollis 'Holly' J. Anderson-Haldi, 74
Hollis “Holly” J. Anderson-Haldi, 74, of Wallace, Idaho, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2025, at Silverton of Cascadia Health and Rehabilitation in Silverton, Idaho. Holly was born on January 19, 1951, in Butte, Mont., the daughter of the late William and Irene (Pipel) Anderson.
Friday, July 4

Shawn Tyler Wickenhagen, 37
Shawn Tyler Wickenhagen, 37, of Post Falls, Idaho, passed away on June 28, 2025, at his home in Post Falls. Shawn was born on November 4, 1987, in Silverton, Idaho, the son of Mark Wickenhagen and Teena Gulledge.
Thursday, July 3

Shoshone County jail bookings
Arrests and bookings for Shoshone County jail.

Long-awaited bridge project to begin in Pinehurst
The nearly 60-year-old bridge connecting Pinehurst to the Bauman’s Addition area of Kingston over Pine Creek is set to receive a brand-new deck, replacing the current one that is beyond repair.

Mountain West Bank continues work at Nine Mile Cemetery
For the second year in a row, the team from Mountain West Bank (MWB) made the short trip up Nine Mile Road to care for Wallace’s historic Nine Mile Cemetery.

County considering St. Joe River Road work
Last week, the Shoshone County Commissioners met with Public Works Director Jessica Stutzke to discuss the 23-mile stretch of road between Avery and Calder.
Tuesday, July 1

Fire officials urge safety during coming days
As the Fourth of July approaches, local and state agencies are urging the public to celebrate safely—especially in fire-prone areas like North Idaho.

Kellogg hosting Fourth of July Kickoff celebration
Those looking to get a jump on the holiday weekend are going to love Kellogg’s Fourth of July Kickoff celebration this Thursday.

Shoshone County leaders offer messages of support following tragedy
The shocking acts of violence committed against the city of Coeur d’Alene and its first responders on Sunday afternoon sent shockwaves across the nation. In neighboring Shoshone County, elected officials, law enforcement, and EMS personnel are standing in solidarity with their counterparts in Kootenai County.

Shoshone County jail bookings
Arrests and bookings for Shoshone County jail.

Kenyon (Kenny) Davis, 65
Kenyon “Kenny” Lloyd Davis February 21, 1960 – May 25, 2025
Moon Pass project delayed
Last week, Shoshone County Public Works Director Jessica Stutzke announced that a few snags have pushed back the completion of the stabilization project along Moon Pass.