Looking back on top stories in the Press in 2025

Two firefighters killed, one injured in shooting on Canfield Mountain

Fire engineers John Morrison and Frank Harwood lost their lives in an ambush-style shooting June 29 on Canfield Mountain. 

A third, engineer Dave Tysdal, was shot in the back and sustained severe injuries that included a collapsed lung, shattered ribs and spinal swelling.

Authorities identified the suspect as Wess Roley, 20. He was ultimately found dead on the mountain from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Roley is believed to have intentionally set a fire on Canfield Mountain and then fired upon firefighters shortly after they arrived at the dirt parking lot area of Nettleton Gulch Road. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including federal authorities, responded to the incident, totaling around 300 personnel.

Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris called the shooting "a total ambush." Investigators were unable to identify a motive.

Private celebrations of life for Morrison and Harwood were held July 10 and 11, respectively. 

Thousands of community members had lined Sherman Avenue as separate processions carried the fallen firefighters from English Funeral Chapel to the Hagadone Event Center, where firefighters and over 100 bagpipers from local and nationwide fire departments had gathered. 

Tysdal returned home to North Idaho just before Christmas after an extended stay at a specialty rehab facility in Colorado. He has been diagnosed with a C8 AIS B spinal cord injury and is continuing follow-up care and therapy locally.

Chaos at legislative town hall draws national attention

A legislative town hall event descended into chaos in February after a woman was forcibly removed by private security personnel. 

The incident quickly went viral and gained national attention as videos of the woman, identified as Teresa Borrenpohl of Post Falls, being removed by plainclothes security officers circulated online. 

Videos showed Borrenpohl repeatedly speaking out of turn before being confronted by Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris. When Borrenpohl refused to leave, three plainclothes men affiliated with private security firm LEAR Asset Management dragged her from her seat and out of the Coeur d'Alene High School auditorium.

Footage of the removal quickly spread online, drawing national attention and debate over the use of force and the role of private security at such an event. Within days, city prosecutors dismissed a misdemeanor citation initially issued to Borrenpohl, and the city of Coeur d’Alene revoked the security firm’s business license for violating identification requirements.

In the weeks that followed, prosecutors filed misdemeanor charges against members of the security team, while Borrenpohl filed a tort claim seeking millions in damages. 

The Idaho Attorney General in November declined to pursue criminal charges against Norris, concluding that he acted within his authority and there was insufficient evidence of criminal misconduct.

Earlier this month, the Kootenai County Magistrate Court signed dismissal orders for LEAR employees Jesse Jones, Christofer Berg, Alexander Trouette and Russell Dunne. 

The men faced charges of battery and false imprisonment, both misdemeanors, while Trouette also faced charges for violations of the security agent uniform and duties. Berg and Dunne also received citations for violations of security agent uniform requirements and for breaches of security agent duties. 

LEAR Asset Management owner Paul Trouette was convicted by a jury trial on Dec. 18 of two counts of battery against other town hall attendees, though not against Borrenpohl herself, in addition to security uniform and duties violations.

Bryan Kohberger sentenced to life for the murders of four University of Idaho students

Judge Steven Hippler ordered Bryan Kohberger to serve four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole for four counts of first-degree murder in the November 2022 stabbing deaths in Moscow of University of Idaho students Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin. The judge also imposed a 10-year sentence for burglary and assessed $270,000 in fines and civil penalties. 

Kohberger, 30, pleaded guilty to the murders in July, weeks before his trial was set to begin, in a deal to avoid the death penalty. He waived his right to appeal as part of the plea agreement and declined to speak in court before receiving his sentence. 

A knife sheath left near Mogen’s body had a single source of male DNA on the button snap, investigators said, and surveillance videos showed a white Hyundai Elantra near the rental home around the time of the murders. 

Police used genetic genealogy to identify Kohberger as a possible suspect and accessed cellphone data to pinpoint his movements the night of the killings. Online shopping records showed Kohberger had purchased a military-style knife months earlier, along with a sheath like the one at the home. 

Kohberger was arrested in Pennsylvania about six weeks after the killings.

Gookin defeats McEvers for Coeur d'Alene mayor; other races bring mayoral shake-ups

Longtime Coeur d'Alene City Councilman Dan Gookin beat incumbent Woody McEvers in November's race for mayor. 

Gookin found a following in his role as a man of the people, opposing tax hikes, vowing to protect neighborhoods and supporting small businesses.

McEvers had served on the City Council since 2002 before being appointed mayor last year when Jim Hammond resigned. When this year ends, it will be his first time in more than two decades that he won't be an elected city leader.

Post Falls also elected a new mayor; City Councilor Randy Westlund won the city's mayoral race, ousting incumbent Rob Jacobson. 

Westlund attributed his win to knocking on a lot of doors, advertising, and not losing sight of his reason for running. 

“Other campaigns focused on the negative. We focused on the positive and what we want to do and having a bright future in the city,” he said. 

The city of Spirit Lake will also welcome a new mayor as City Councilor Charlene Phipps beat incumbent Jeremy Cowperthwaite.

Silverwood to usher in 'new chapter' under new ownership

Georgia-based Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation is acquiring Silverwood Theme Park. Silverwood announced the transaction in November.

The two parties have signed an "exclusive term sheet," which outlines the terms and conditions of a potential business agreement.

Herschend is the world’s largest family-held themed-attractions company, with 49 North American properties in its portfolio, including Dollywood Parks and Resorts, Silver Dollar City Parks and Resorts, and the Harlem Globetrotters.

Herschend CEO Andrew Wexler called the acquisition “a continuation of a legacy.”

“We are honored that the Norton family has trusted us to carry their vision forward and excited to welcome the Silverwood hosts and guests to Herschend,” Wexler said.

Founded in 1988 by Gary Norton, Silverwood saw three generations of the Norton family at its helm for over 35 years.

The 400-acre park houses more than 70 rides and attractions, including Boulder Beach Water Park, and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. It is the largest theme park and water park in the Pacific Northwest.

Falling tree kills a man during a December windstorm

A windstorm during the first half of December killed Kent Butler, 55, of Fernan Village and caused mass power outages across North Idaho and Eastern Washington.

“It's a very unfortunate incident related to the wind," Kootenai County Undersheriff Brett Nelson said. "Simply put, a tree fell and entered a residence and came to rest upon a male who was asleep, which ultimately led to his death.” 

Others rescued in the Theis Lane home escaped without serious injury, KCSO said. 

At the height of the storm, wind speeds surpassed those recorded during the historic 2015 event, leaving about 80,000 Avista electric customers without power, Avista said.

Kootenai Electric Cooperative reported that more than 7,000 of its customers were affected.

Key Cd'A personnel approved for buyout program

Earlier this month, the Coeur d’Alene City Council unanimously approved 24 employees, including City Administrator Troy Tymesen and Parks Director Bill Greenwood, for a voluntary separation incentive program designed to reduce personnel costs by encouraging early retirements or separations. 

Tymesen and Greenwood are leaving in early 2026, and others, such as Police Chief Lee White and Fire Chief Tom Greif, have previously announced retirements. 

The program expects to save the city nearly $200,000 over the next three years with additional future savings as high-salary positions are replaced or left open. 

Neighboring communities saw similar shake-ups in 2025.

Earlier this year, Rathdrum Police Chief Tomi McLean announced her retirement after 33 years in law enforcement. Dan Haley, formerly a detective with the Coeur d'Alene Police Department, was sworn in as the city's new police chief in October. 

Similarly, Post Falls Police Chief Greg McLean announced his retirement in October after more than three decades of service. Capt. Jason Mealer has since served as interim chief of police as the city seeks a permanent replacement.

Hagadone Hospitality breaks ground on Sherman Tower

Hagadone Hospitality officially broke ground on The Sherman Tower on March 25.

The project will add 139 rooms between First and Second streets along Sherman Avenue. The development promises to become a dynamic social hub for locals and tourists alike.  

The 15-story Sherman Tower will have three luxury suites, a modern Mexican seafood and steak restaurant, and a rooftop bar with retractable glass walls. Single-loaded corridors will give every room a view of Lake Coeur d’Alene.

The project is estimated to be complete by May of 2027.

Lakeland Joint School District passes two-year replacement levy

Susan M. Stratton, 77, died after being attacked Sept. 18 in her home on Skyline Drive. 

Stratton had reportedly sustained severe and life-threatening injuries in the attack, and responding agencies found a significant amount of blood at the scene.

“Detectives remain actively engaged in the investigation and believe the assault was a deliberate, isolated act,” said a news release issued by the Coeur d’Alene Police Department. 

No arrests were made, but police have identified a person of interest and are seeking the community’s assistance in uncovering additional video footage or physical evidence. 

    Employees of private security firm LEAR Asset Management dragged Post Falls resident Teresa Borrenpohl out of a town hall meeting on Feb. 22.

    Bryan Kohberger appears at the Ada County Courthouse, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Boise.
  

    Gookin

   The Timber Terror Roller Coaster and famous Silverwood sign are seen here in this file photo.
 

    Kent Butler, 55, was killed in the historic windstorm on Dec. 17 when a tree crashed into his home in Fernan Village.
  

    Tymesen
  

    A rendering of the Hagadone Corporation's 15-story Sherman Tower is pictured. The building at First Street and Sherman Avenue is expected to be finished in May 2027.

    FILE - Lakeland Superintendent Lisa Arnold and Lakeland High junior Jacqueline Gallus answer levy questions in March at a Rathdrum Chamber of Commerce luncheon.