'She leaves no stone unturned'
BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 7 months AGO
Devin Weeks looks up and Rocky Owens looks on during a presentation at the Bob and Leona DeArmond Building on Friday, when Weeks received the Lewis-Clark State College Outstanding Coeur d’Alene Alumna award.
BILL BULEY/Press
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. | May 6, 2023 1:09 AM
COEUR d’ALENE — Growing up, Devin Weeks took to heart the words of her parents: She could do anything she set her sights on.
“I believed it,” Weeks said.
She put that belief into action.
The Coeur d’Alene High School graduate attended North Idaho College and earned a bachelor’s degree from Lewis-Clark State College in 2014. She soon joined The Press, first as an intern, then full time.
Since, she has received awards for her work and praise for her dedication and service to her community.
Weeks was honored Friday with the Lewis-Clark State College Outstanding Coeur d’Alene Alumna award.
“You help us all make Idaho a better place to live and it has been nothing short of remarkable,” said LCSC President Cynthia Pemberton during a reception for Coeur d’Alene graduates Friday in the Bob and Leona DeArmond Building. “Indeed, you represent what it truly means to be a Warrior for life.”
An emotional Weeks, with husband Josh and parents Richard and Vicki Heilman looking on, said she loves being a journalist and thanked the LCSC staff.
“This is a wonderful school. It’s such a great opportunity to make friends for life,” she said.
Rocky Owens, LCSC Coeur d’Alene Center director, said Weeks has put her education to good use, demonstrated strength of character, provided leadership in her profession and given much back to the community through volunteer work.
She did all that, he said, while constantly displaying a positive energy and joyful attitude.
“We’ve watched this from afar and have been really impressed to see her growth,” Owens said.
Weeks is respected "as a reporter who seeks the truth with compassion,” Pemberton said.
In her time with The Press she has covered education, arts, nonprofits, health and government — pretty much everything and anything — taking on tough issues.
“She leaves no stone unturned,” Pemberton said.
Press Managing Editor Maureen Dolan has known Weeks for a decade.
“Devin brings love and light to all she does,” Dolan wrote.
Weeks congratulated the LCSC Coeur d’Alene grads.
“I’m excited to report on what you do in the future,” she said.
She said she treasured her time at LCSC and said she and her adviser, the late Kathie Wilcox, who died in 2019, often quibbled over commas and colons as Weeks fought for sticking with The Associated Press stylebook.
"They were great arguments. She always won,” Weeks said as the crowd of about 50 laughed.
Weeks was pleased to receive the Outstanding Coeur d’Alene Alumna award.
“I want to say I am speechless by this honor," she said. "It might not seem like it, but I am.”
ARTICLES BY BILL BULEY
Companions Animal Center has adopted out nearly 2,000 dogs, cats in 2025
Companions Animal Center has adopted out nearly 2,000 dogs, cats in 2025
As if to prove it, signs on two kennel doors proclaim “I have been adopted! I’m currently waiting to be picked up by my new parents.” One is a timid black mastiff. But the shelter remains crowded. Monday, it has about 50 large dogs filling kennels, including in the new wing oped this year, and there is still a four-month waiting list with names of about 80 dogs that people are looking to surrender pets.
Post Falls man named director of ministry with global reach
Post Falls man named director of ministry with global reach
Grassi, a longtime hunter and fisherman, started what was originally called “Let’s Go Fishing Ministry, Inc.” with a focus on outdoors, men and God. It was later changed to “Men’s Ministry Catalyst." The emphasis was on helping men understand their role as defined in the Bible.
Nonprofit foundation helps family become homeowners for first time
Nonprofit foundation helps family become homeowners for first time
The Young Family’s Foundation launched about a year ago with a mission "to empower young, hardworking families to achieve the dream of home ownership. Even if a family saved $25,000, they would still be $19,000 short of the down payment needed to buy a $550,000 home, which is the median price in Kootenai County. It’s estimated that only about 20% of area households can afford to buy a home.