The Latest: Texas 1st state to surpass 1 million virus cases

AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas has become the first U.S. state with more than 1 million confirmed coronavirus cases.

Longtime truck company expanding to new facilities

MOSES LAKE — A truck-shaped frame bearing photos hangs on the wall of John Wright's office.

Our fall lineup

Despite the relentless heat, fall is approaching, and along with it we will resume our wonderful and successful partnership with Fleur de Sel in Post Falls on winemaker dinners. And what a lineup it is! Since we first started working with Fleur de Sel on our dinners two years ago, we have hosted some blockbuster evenings. Chef Laurent Zirotti and Patricia Zirotti, his wife and co-owner, do a consistently great job, firmly establishing the restaurant atop the list here in North Idaho. Laurent always does some of his most creative work for our wine dinners, and the service provided by Patricia's wait staff is seamless, professional and efficient. We look forward to some great food and wine from now until the end of the year.

FAST FIVE James Casper helps people build their lives

Meet James Casper, who was born and raised in Idaho Falls. He and his wife moved

New Mexico governor anticipates special legislative session

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the need for a special legislative session to revise a recently signed state budget, address public health needs and provide economic relief in response to the coronavirus pandemic, as local infections continued to climb on Thursday.

Fourth afterglow - living close to the lake

Like many local residents this past week, our family enjoyed the July 4th festivities and parade in downtown Coeur d’Alene. The lakefront, city park and eclectic mix of shops and restaurants that stretches over to McEuen Park, the library and beyond is a vacationer’s dream, and we get to enjoy it all without dropping cash on lodging and travel expenses.

Randy Puetz

Local golf pro encourages consistent practice

MOSES LAKE — It turns out golf is in Randy Puetz’s blood.

Bell Event Studio

New event venue aims to offer customized celebrations

MOSES LAKE — Some people really love to plan parties. And some people, well, really don’t. The ladies at Bell Event Studio aim to take the stress off the latter group. “We want to be a one-stop-shop,” said Christine Villareal-Ontiveros, co-owner of the business, located at 108 W. Third Ave. in Moses Lake. “We decided to offer … a party venue that also offered full decorating and staff services such as cleaning, security, and waitstaff.” In other words, she explained...

Thai mass shooting that killed 29 lasted 16 hours

BANGKOK (AP) — A soldier angry about a land dispute went on a 16-hour shooting rampage in northeastern Thailand,

The Latest: Biden won't end pandemic travel restrictions

PHOENIX (AP) — WASHINGOTN — President-elect Joe Biden’s incoming White House press secretary says his administration does not intend to lift coronavirus travel restrictions for Europe, the U.K., Ireland and Brazil.

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FRIDAY, April 1

Flooring business spruces up downtown corner

When Paul Roybal purchased a historic 21,000-square-foot space in downtown Kalispell, he was well aware of how much work it would take to make it a proper home for Roybal’s Abbey Carpet and Floor.

NCAA Tournament will be played without fans in Spokane and elsewhere

The NCAA made the unprecedented move Wednesday of requiring all men’s and women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament games to be played in mostly empty arenas.

Pumpkin patch harvested in a hurry

Saving the squash

Emergency picking was far from sweet, but the owners and crew at Sweet Pickin's Pumpkin Patch saved a good part of the crop from freezing.

Idaho Timber shutting its plant

Sixteen employees of Idaho Timber of Montana in Whitefish lost their jobs last week as the company makes plans to permanently shut down its manufacturing plant.

Flathead County Sheriff's deputies

Flathead County Sheriff's deputies were contacted about a counterfeiting complaint Monday but no details were available.

Somers sentries

Sue Snyder’s home in the heart of Somers is a landmark and a conversation piece.

A son's remembrance: Honoring a father, a soldier, a generation

In 1958, I was born to Dick and Eunice Blackburn as their third and youngest son. Named David Thomas Blackburn, I joined my older brothers, Richard and Joe, as first-generation baby boomers. Just as my father, I was born and raised in the peaceful countryside of Bedford, Pa.

Spring means its time to start being "bear-aware"

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Wildlife information Specialist Danielle Oyler will host a virtual bear aware presentation at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 4.

Your mission: Get found on the web

Whether you’re a surgeon, an auto mechanic or a food truck operator, people are looking for your business on the internet. While word of mouth is a great source of new business, it’s not enough in an increasingly competitive North Idaho market. Simply put, if your business is not optimized for local online search, you are missing out on a significant number of potential customers.