EPA to set up ambient air stations in 6 spots

The Environmental Protection Agency plans to set up ambient air stations in six locations around Libby in an ongoing effort to test for asbestos.

Othello School Board approves property purchase

OTHELLO — The Othello School Board has approved an agreement to purchase 81.14 acres of land along 14th Street and Lee Road. The district will pay $2.4 million to the current owner, Terra Gold Farms. The draft agreement was approved during the regular board meeting Monday. The land is located at Lee Road between Seventh and 14th streets. Assistant superintendent Gina Bullis said there are no plans to build on the property now, but district officials plan to keep it as a site for any additional schools. The sale should be completed by the end of January. In other business, a discussion of a site visit to Wahitis Elementary prompted questions about traffic on 14th Street. Construction closed part of 14th Street during the spring, summer and fall, including the stretch in front of Wahitis Elementary. Prior to construction the road had a four-way stop outside Scootney Springs Elementary, but the stop signs were removed during construction and haven’t been replaced. Board member Juan Garza said he had received inquiries about the stop signs, and whether they would be reinstalled. “It sounds to me like they (the stop sign removals) are permanent, right? It’s going to stay that way.” Bullis said she had received inquiries too, and had asked city officials about them, including a question at the Othello City Council meeting earlier Monday evening. City manager Wade Faris told her, Bullis said, the city wasn’t required to reinstall them. The original purpose was to eliminate some of the congestion on 14th, Cemetery and Ash streets when kids and parents were coming and going from Scootney Springs. City officials think the extra lanes will accommodate any congestion, she said. Board member Mike Garza said the stop signs were installed as the result of a traffic study conducted by the district at the city’s request. He asked if the city had done an additional traffic study prior to removal. Bullis said city officials didn’t give a reason for the change. Mike Garza also asked if city officials planned to paint crosswalks across 14th Street at Wahitis Elementary. “I noticed there are no crosswalk designations across 14th” at the school, he said. Bullis said she would ask city officials.

New screening sites added in Col. Falls, West Glacier

Kalispell Regional Healthcare has launched two additional COVID-19 respiratory screening facilities in the valley in an effort to expand opportunities for individuals to be tested throughout the upcoming tourist season.

Community comes together to build group home in Ronan

Several dozen volunteers were swarming the building site for Jake's House during the second weekend of August, carrying boards, sweeping concrete, putting in floor joists, wheeling equipment about and installing a subfloor.

Ghost Rials Inn makes impression

A local Alberton bed and breakfast has been nationally recognized for its hospitality through the Web site

WMS history tour a trip of tradition

Whitefish Middle School eighth graders took a whirlwind history tour of Western Montana earlier this month — a tradition that is marking its 45th anniversary this year.

AP News in Brief at 6:04 p.m. EDT

`Like I just got out of jail!': States ease their lockdowns

EPA wants to delete a portion of Libby Superfund site from Superfund list

Comments will be accepted through March 18.

State agency takes comments on septage disposal plan

A private septic service company is seeking state approval to use a West Valley property for the disposal of septage on agricultural fields.

Mood of the nation

An uneasy economy, and those living through it

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Here was Chas Kaufmann's life before the Great Recession: $28,000 in restaurant tabs in a year, cruises, house parties with fireworks. His Mr. Gutter business was booming in the Pennsylvania Poconos.

Park visitation down, but picking up with better weather

Hungry Horse News

Park visitation down, but picking up with better weather

Hungry Horse News

Holiday Marketplace at The Coeur d'Alene Resort this weekend

Twenty vendors will offer festive goods at limited capacity market

Vendors will offer festive goods at limited capacity market in The Resort this weekend

Zappos tries something new: sell 1 shoe instead of 2

NEW YORK (AP) — Zappos is trying out new ways to sell shoes: allow shoppers to buy a single shoe at a time or purchase a pair in two different sizes.

Zappos tries something new: sell 1 shoe instead of 2

NEW YORK (AP) — Zappos is trying out new ways to sell shoes: allow shoppers to buy a single shoe at a time or purchase a pair in two different sizes.

Zappos tries something new: sell 1 shoe instead of 2

NEW YORK (AP) — Zappos is trying out new ways to sell shoes: allow shoppers to buy a single shoe at a time or purchase a pair in two different sizes.

Zappos tries something new: sell 1 shoe instead of 2

NEW YORK (AP) — Zappos is trying out new ways to sell shoes: allow shoppers to buy a single shoe at a time or purchase a pair in two different sizes.

Great Cloth Diaper Change is Saturday

The Great Cloth Diaper Change is taking place again Saturday in Coeur d'Alene.

Mayors ready to ring

Bloem, Jacobson, Widmyer to raise Red Kettle funds

For the final time as mayor, Sandi Bloem will kick off Mayors' Day at the Red Kettle, at 10 a.m. today at Fred Meyer in Coeur d'Alene. Bloem will be followed by Post Falls Mayor-Elect Ron Jacobson at 11, and Coeur d'Alene Mayor-Elect Steve Widmyer at 2 p.m.

County budget calls for slight tax increase

The Flathead County Commissioners approved an $81.2 million final budget for the 2014 fiscal year. There were no public comments during the Aug. 28 public hearing prior to the vote.