Plugged back in
BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 7 months AGO
Bill Buley covers the city of Coeur d'Alene for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He has worked here since January 2020, after spending seven years on Kauai as editor-in-chief of The Garden Island newspaper. He enjoys running. | November 17, 2021 1:09 AM
Power was restored Tuesday to most homes and businesses that lost electricity during Monday's windstorm, which produced gusts of more than 60 mph in North Idaho.
Avista reported early Tuesday it had restored power to roughly 32,000, or about 94%, of the 34,000 customers who lost power at the height of the storm Monday evening.
Nearly all remaining customers had power restored by end of day Tuesday.
"The storm impacted both transmission and distribution lines, causing damage throughout Avista’s Washington and Idaho service territory," a press release said.
The majority of the remaining outages were in areas most impacted by the high winds. Most outages were caused when branches and trees hit power lines.
There were a few fallen trees, toppled trash cans and torn tarps left behind Tuesday morning. Otherwise, there were few signs of the storm that lasted several hours.
By early Tuesday afternoon, Avista's power outage map showed only eight outages in the Coeur d'Alene, Huetter and Post Falls areas affecting fewer than 50 customers.
Kootenai Electric Cooperative had several thousand customers without power Monday. Crews made good progress Tuesday and by early afternoon it had about 115 members experiencing outages and 26 separate outages.
"In addition, we have another 17 areas on the system not causing outages but in need of repairs, such as a tree on a line," a release said.
KEC expected to have power restored by 10 p.m., with the exception of those members who have meter base or service mast damage, which will require an electrician to repair.
Colder temperatures are expected this week, and the area could see snow on Friday.
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The Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber’s “Home of the Brave” parade included nearly 100 entries, with floats, bands, cheerleaders, veterans, and a good number of dogs. But what started the parade is what led all to stand and applaud: Two riderless horses representing the lives of fallen firefighters John Morrison and Frank Garwood, who were shot and killed on an ambush target while responding to an intentionally set fire at Canfield Mountain on Sunday.

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Frank Harwood remembered for leadership, service with KCFR
Holley said he knew early on whatever he did in his career, he “needed to do it how frank was doing it.” Many looked up to Harwood. “He always hit the mark,” Holley said.

'He had our back'
Firefighters reflect on John Morrison
The 52-year-old Morrison was with the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department for 28 years. He was a big man, about 6 feet, 4 inches tall, who exuded a calm confidence that put those around him at ease in any situation they faced.