Ellington

Constance Smith, 77

Constance Smith, 77, passed away May 15, 2025, in Spokane Valley, Wash. Born April 17, 1948, Kellogg, Idaho. Constance dedicated her life to nurturing her family and community, embodying the very essence of caring and compassion.

MEDICAID: Who are our representatives working for?

Both Senators Crapo and Risch voted to gut Medicaid which is how many children get health insurance, gut SNAP, gut food stamps, gut WIC, but still voted to allow those making over $500 million a year to get a tax cut. Who are these people working for?

Family completes late author’s book on schoolhouses

Not many people know that there were more than 100 schools and school buildings along the Coeur d’Alene River... But Marvin Lake was the exception to most people.

Woody appointed chief at OPD

Earlier this month, Jason Woody was officially sworn in as the new Police Chief of Osburn, bringing more than two decades of law enforcement experience to the role.

Washington man facing aggravated DUI charge following holiday weekend crash

A Cheney man is facing multiple felony charges after an alcohol-related crash over Memorial Day weekend sent two people to the hospital.

Lawrence "Brad" Moon, 57

Lawrence Bradford Moon: known to all as Brad, left this world peacefully on May 26th at the North Idaho Hospice House, just 57 years young.

John Guy Branz, 82

Dr. John Guy Branz, 82, of Wallace, ID, passed away on May 23, 2025, at the Schneidmiller Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. John was born on July 24, 1942, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, Wash., the son of Louis and Santina Branz of Gem, Idaho.

Shoshone County jail bookings

Arrests and bookings for Shoshone County jail.

THE DIRT: Work begins throughout the CDA Basin

With our pleasant early spring weather, construction season is well underway in the Silver Valley. The Coeur d’Alene Trust (CDA Trust), under the direction of the Environmental Protection Agency, has several projects taking place in the Coeur d’Alene Basin this season. In the Upper and Lower Basins, cleanup work will continue to address contamination, reduce exposure to people and wildlife, and improve water quality.

The epic career of Scott Miller

For nearly four decades, Scott Miller has been working with athletes of all ages and skill levels, but at this point, simply calling him a coach feels like a disservice. Through all of the navigating of both emotional highs and lows of high-level competition, Miller became so much more to so many.

"An incredibly personal endeavor"

Brooks Hotel to celebrate major milestone in ongoing renovation project

Ongoing work at the Brooks Hotel has reached another major milestone, according to owner Emily Nelson.

Shoshone County jail bookings

Arrests and bookings for Shoshone County jail.

Memorial Day ceremonies being performed in Kootenai, Shoshone counties

Memorial Day will be observed on May 26 with several ceremonies taking place throughout Kootenai and Shoshone counties.

Patricia 'Patty' Sue Allen, 76

Patricia “Patty” Sue Allen, 76, of Kellogg, Idaho, passed away on May 18, 2025, from complications of pneumonia. Born in the Denver, CO area on March 12, 1949, Patty grew up in a loving family with her parents, Thomas and Betty Downey, and her older brother, Tom.

JROTC cadets prepare for Memorial Day ceremonies

Students in the Marine Corps JROTC Program at Kellogg High School have been busy over the past few days as they prepare for Memorial Day.

Robert "Bob" McKay, Jr., 81

Robert “Bob” Ellis McKay Jr. was born on December 23, 1943 to Ada Louise Tompkins McKay and Robert Ellis McKay Sr. in Hartford, Connecticut.

Gary William Woody, 79

Gary William Woody, 79, of Pinehurst, Idaho, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother, passed away on May 18, 2025, at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, surrounded by his family. Gary was born on October 12, 1945, in Wendell, Idaho, son of the late William “Billy” Woody and Elaine (Bingham) Woody.

Kennaugh, Hickman, and Bauman win during abbreviated election season

Voters from seven of Shoshone County’s 14 polling precincts were asked to cast ballots in just two elections earlier this week.

Memorial Day ceremonies taking place in Kootenai, Shoshone counties

Memorial Day ceremonies in the area

Shoshone County jail bookings

Arrests and bookings for Shoshone County jail.

Opening night celebration at Staff House

Several new displays and exhibits will receive their first looks during the Shoshone County Mining and Smelting Museum’s season-opening gala, later this week.

New field offers new opportunity for Silver Valley youth baseball

A special group of dads and more than a few generous businesses have given Silver Valley kids a quality place to play baseball with the “new” Pastime Park.

KHS math teacher wins school and district teacher awards

Kellogg High School teacher Megan Cline was named both KHS and Kellogg School District Teacher of the Year and was honored during a special assembly last week at KHS.

Silver Valley Sports: May 12 - 18

Spring sports wrap up at state tournaments.

Moon Pass open with restrictions

Moon Pass is open for the season, but there are few additional rules for those driving it.

Shoshone County jail bookings

Arrests and bookings for Shoshone County jail.

James "Jim" Everett Terrill, 91

James Everett Terrill of Hayden, Idaho, passed away at Kootenai Health Hospital on May 8, 2025, at the age of 91. Jim was born on November 21, 1933, in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Clifton "Cliff" Edd Shove, 67

Clifton Edd Shove (Cliff), aged 67, was born February 1, 1958, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to Carlena R. and Donald A. Shove Sr., passing away May 10, 2025, in Wallace, Idaho, due to an ATV accident.

Quiet reflections

Shasta Groene's childhood friend recalls life after tragedy

20 years ago, the unthinkable happened. The triple homicide and kidnapping of two young children from a home near Wolf Lodge stopped North Idaho and much of the nation in its tracks. 47 days later, 8-year-old Shasta Groene was identified and rescued at a Coeur d’Alene restaurant, and the man responsible was arrested.

Carol Ann (Jaeger) Poulson, 89

Carol Anne (Jaeger) Poulson, 89, of Spokane Valley, Wash., (formerly of Kellogg and Hermiston, Oregon), passed away January 29, 2025, at home. Carol was born in Kellogg on July 18, 1935

Navigating seasonal allergies in North Idaho

Spring has sprung, and there’s a certain feeling in the air as the sun begins to shine and things start turning green again.

Ronald Leroy Spaulding, 79

Ronald Leroy Spaulding, 79, of Pinehurst, Idaho, passed away peacefully on April 24, 2025, surrounded by his family. Ronald was born on May 31, 1945, in, Orange County Calif.,

John Lawrence Nelson, 76

John Lawrence Nelson, 76, of Mullan, Idaho, passed away on May 3, 2025, at his home in Mullan. John was born on April 24, 1949, in Wallace, Idaho, a son of the late John and Aurora (Marra) Nelson. John was alternatively known as “Tennessee Tuxedo” to his friends.

Silver Valley Sports: May 5 - 11

Kellogg track sends 10 athletes to state meet, Wallace sending two following district competitions.

Depot Day shatters registration records

It was a record-breaking year for the Inland Northwest’s longest running car show, as Depot Day brought hundreds of class cars and thousands of people to look at them.

THE DIRT: Recreating Safely in the Bunker Hill Superfund Site

While the region offers hiking, biking, fishing, and ATV/side by side/Motorcycle riding, these activities should be approached with caution due to lead and other heavy metals in the soil and water.

Body of missing man found after ATV accident

A multi-day search involving several local law enforcement agencies ended tragically after search and rescue located the body of Clifton Shove.

'Motherhood takes many shapes and forms'

Mother’s Day had come and gone and Whitney Wonderlich was left wishing and wanting to be a mother with dwindling hopes. “My husband and I had started to try and have kids and we weren’t able to,” she recalled.

Shoshone County jail bookings

Arrests and jail bookings for Shoshone County.

Favorite things about the Silver Valley: Old Mission State Park

At the western entrance to the Silver Valley sits the Mission of the Sacred Heart, the crown jewel of Old Mission State Park. While technically sitting in Kootenai County, Silver Valley residents have an attachment to the Mission beyond what most of their neighbors to the west experience. Mary Davis is one such resident.

Brenda Simpson, 73

Brenda Gayle Simpson (Stafford). June 11, 1951 – May 3, 2025

"At the end of the day, you still have to play"

Kellogg heads to golf state for 22nd consecutive year

For more than two decades, there has been one constant in North Idaho athletics... Boys golf at Kellogg High School.

John Clinton Pickard, 86

John Clinton Pickard, 88, of Cataldo, Idaho, passed away on April 15, 2025, at his home in Cataldo, Idaho. John was born on September 26, 1936, in Weiser, Idaho, a son of the late Harold and H. Margaret (Neely) Pickard.

James 'Keith' Sanders, 86

James “Keith” Sanders, 86, of Mullan, Idaho, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on May 4, 2025, at his home with his loving family by his side. Keith was born on May 6, 1938, in Leicester, England.

Cat Wranglers celebrate successful fundraiser

The Silver Valley Cat Wranglers have a little bit of breathing room thanks to a recent fundraiser that went above and beyond for the local feline rescue group.

Shoshone County jail bookings

Arrests and bookings for Shoshone County jail.

Barbara Hall Romine, 90

Barbara, the oldest of three children, was born to Evan and Verla (Hazeltine) Hall on December 5, 1934, in Moscow, Idaho. She passed away on March 15, 2025, at the age of 90.

Community gathers for 53rd Sunshine Mine memorial

Every year, on May 2, the Silver Valley pauses for an hour and remembers the 91 men who perished in the Sunshine Mine Disaster of 1972.

Silver Valley Sports: April 28 - May 4

Kellogg golf, Wallace's Miller headed to state; Wildcat softball wins loser-out; Track athletes compete at district all-star meet; Kellogg baseball ends season.

Living water

Just over one year ago, the Silver Valley was hit hard following the loss of Real Life Ministeries’ Pastor Gene Jacobs, but over the past few weeks, the church and community came up with a wonderful way to honor Jacobs’ legacy.

Shoshone County jail bookings

Arrests and bookings for Shoshone County jail.

KSD to stay on 4-day schedule next year

Board elects to continue pilot program through 2025/26 school year.

The Kellogg School District is extending its pilot four-day school week into next school year, according to Superintendent Lance Pearson.

Idella R. Wegner (Dingman), 89

Idella Roberta Wegner (Dingman) was born in Beulah, N.D., on Sept. 23, 1935, and moved to Billings, Mont., when she was 5 ½ years old, then moved to Kellogg, Idaho, in July of 1946, where she went to school.

KHS musicians show out at jazz festival

Students in Kellogg High School’s jazz choir were recently recognized as one of the best groups in the region after winning at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival at the University of Idaho.

Wendi Marie Preston, 52

Wendi Marie Preston, 52, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, passed away on April 21, 2025, in Silverton, Idaho, after a long battle with multiple sclerosis. Wendi was born on January 3, 1973, in Battle Creek, MI,

Becki Sue Benjamin, 70

Becki Sue Benjamin, 70, of Osborn, Idaho, was released from her struggle on the evening of April 24, 2025. She was born on July 21, 1954, to John and Golda Brayman in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho,

Wyatt Earp celebration this weekend in Murray

Something unique is happening this weekend in the former seat of Shoshone County.