Show the love for local news

Tomorrow, April 9, is Local News Day. I realize I’m preaching to the choir since if you’re reading this you already recognize the value of your local newspaper. At this often-chaotic moment in time there’s a comfortable familiarity with a product that’s the result of dedicated newsgatherers and professional journalists, people who live in the community they report on and write about.

Our communities have changed and evolved considerably since my first day at the Coeur d’Alene Press in 1986 when the paper was published in an afternoon edition. In 1988 the Press converted to a morning edition, which certainly had a major effect on the circulation department and the paper boy on a bicycle concept of delivery.

I recall a promotion at that transition time when a coffee mug and a newspaper were hand-delivered to downtown businesses. In fact, I still have one of those 38-year-old “We deliver you a good morning” promo mugs.

So here we are in 2026 and the technology of producing a newspaper has evolved light years since we used fax machines and physically pasted up each story and headline on grid paper. Exacto knives and border tape were the tools of the trade, and real film and a darkroom to produce the photos every day.

Four decades since my first day at The Press some things remain, a new generation of dedicated professionals who believe in the importance of connecting the community. I must admit it makes me smile to think that some of those in the newsroom today weren’t even born yet when I started. They cannot imagine what it was like pre-computer to produce a daily paper. I likewise cannot imagine what it’s like now to work in a busy digital newsroom, in a news environment that’s constantly evolving.

I file this column electronically each week and am rarely at The Press office. I’ve not met many current newsroom staffers in person. So, tomorrow morning from 8 to 10 a.m., I plan to attend the Local News Day “Coffee with the Editor” to meet some of the people who bring us the newspaper each day. Editor Bill Buley and I go way back, but I’m looking forward to putting faces to the names I read in story bylines and photo credits. I encourage you to join me!

215 N. Second St. in Coeur d’Alene.

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I recently spent a couple of days and several hours reviewing and scoring 35 academic and professional/technical scholarship applications in my role serving on Kootenai Electric’s Trust Board. What an eclectic and accomplished group of young people from all of our area schools. When our full board meets to determine the 2026 recipients, it won’t be an easy task.

I’d also like to give kudos to the teachers and councilors of these students for taking the time and care to provide thoughtful and detailed letters of recommendation. I know they spend much of their own time doing this important aspect of scholarship applications for many students. Thanks all.

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Decent weather is finally upon us, so expect that motorcycles will be out on the roads in greater numbers. Advice for drivers on four wheels any time of the year, for the love of God and your fellow man, put your cellphones away while you’re driving. Focus, pay attention and respect speed limits. Share the road!

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Happy Main Street birthdays today to Amy Bartoo, Pat Hughes, Greg Prado, Kevin Kram, Veldon Lee and Shanna Riske. Tomorrow, Nicole Medlock, Jodi McKenzie, Kimber Gates, John Hayes, Caleb Peck, Carol Graham, Joan Nowoj-Phelps and Tom Messina will toast to another year. On Friday, Dianna Scott, Sandra Borg, Darin McEvers, Sharon Finnerty, Kathryn Rosia and Nancy Benjamin put on their birthday hats. Lonna Duncan, Idella Mansfield (50!), Doreen Johnson and DiAnna Macklin are April 11 birthday girls. On Sunday, Mallary Jaurez, Connie Monk, Russell Heitstuman and Kevin Reed blow out the candles. Chloe Hudson, Angelina Pischner, Evalyn Adams, Kathy Behm and Corbin Messina will celebrate on Monday. Phil Damiano, Mark Robitaille, Stacey Mann and Dana Shapland mark another year Tuesday.

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Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and a former publisher/editor with the Hagadone Newspaper division. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press. Kerri can be reached on Facebook or via email at [email protected].