Commission reaffirms ballots need election day postmarks

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin election officials told local clerks Friday to abide by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that absentee ballots postmarked no later than election day will count as they prepare to tally results from the state's spring election.

EDC launches economic development plan

MOSES LAKE - Since forming in 1991, the Grant County Economic Development Council has helped about 27 businesses either move to the area or expand their existing sites.

Region's grizzly bear population stable

BONNERS FERRY — Two grizzly bear mortalities this year did not impact the long term stable population trend of grizzly bears in the Selkirk Mountains and the Cabinet-Yaak recovery areas, according to the 2014 Autumn Cabinet-Yaak and Selkirk Mountains Grizzly Bear Ecosystems Update.

Glow-stick party to benefit young patient

West Valley School will be the site of the “Ultimate Kids ’80s Glow Stick Dance Party” Saturday as a benefit of 2-year-old Thelma Mae Briney, who is undergoing treatment for an aggressive and rare form of cancer.

Are free security products safe?

Ask the Propellerheads

Dear PropellerHeads: My friend told me to stop paying for Windows PC security and use one of the free products out there. Is it safe?

Weak appraisals fuel slow recovery

You have noted our frustration with the slow recovery in the rural areas of our Multiple Listing Service geography. The increased number of sales in those areas, unlike the more densely populated ones, have not pulled their prices from the post boom doldrums.

Thank you, veterans! Dealing with post-traumatic stress

I want to take this time to thank the men and women of uniform — the military, police officers, paramedics, fire fighters, first responders at disaster sites, and all that risk their lives for our benefit. I have never served in any similar capacity. I don’t know what it feels like to watch a building or a car blow up via bomb or fire, or to hear the screams of those who succumb. I don’t know what it feels like to have adrenaline running intensely for hours or days on end as the enemy is or may be close by. I don’t know what it feels like to see someone shot or die violently. And I don’t know what it is like to see my home in shambles because of a tornado, a storm or a devastating earthquake. I am grateful that that is not my lot. I am grateful that there are those who are willing to sacrifice the comforts we so take for granted so that my freedom and my life is preserved.

Off to a great start

Hampered by the lowest inventory in years our local real estate market keeps moving. Lack of available homes though have slowed some areas yet price increases reflect that — at least in the lower priced homes — sellers are in the driver’s seat. We are still showing 17 percent fewer site-built homes available than at this time last year and those homes are selling 41 percent faster. Last year’s average days on market was 220 days. This year the average is 120 days, which means an already low inventory is being absorbed quickly leaving us with only about 3.7 months of available housing in some price ranges.

Stable grizzly population reported for Selkirk area

BONNERS FERRY - Two grizzly bear deaths this year did not affect the long-term stable population trend of grizzly bears in the Selkirk Mountains and the Cabinet-Yaak recovery areas, according to the 2014 Autumn Cabinet-Yaak and Selkirk Mountains Grizzly Bear Ecosystems Update.

A battle is brewing

You already know that an algorithm determined by data you submit to a real estate website will result in a less-than-accurate guesstimate of your property’s worth. Some For Sale by Owner properties may in fact be sold for less than their true value when sellers use these Automated Valuation Models (AVM) to determine how much to sell for. These sites often rely on less-than-complete data to provide the value as determined by their automated Comparable Market Analysis. In states like Idaho where sold price data is confidential outside the parties involved, these guesstimates may be egregiously erroneous.

High temps knock down snowpack

Snowpack in Northwest Montana took a hit during April, a month in which high temperatures in Kalispell averaged 8 degrees above normal, driving record melting in some mountain areas.

How one woman experienced Ground Zero

Early on Sept. 11, 2001, we in the West were jolted into the news coverage of an event that was unfolding in lower Manhattan — one that simply could not be comprehended.  

P&Z: 'BearTaria' site may violate county ordinances

Boundary County Planning and Zoning issued a formal complaint to Owen Benjamin last week, detailing potential land use violations for his Moyie River property.

Hungary's military finds mission in life for abused dog

During an on-site inspection, the officers found Logan confined to a one-meter (3-foot) chain and suffering from malnourishment

ARYAN VISIT RESISTED

Spokesman for white supremacist group says Hayden Lake has sentimental value

Civil rights group opposes planned Aryan gathering in Hayden Lake

Students will transition to remote learning

BONNERS FERRY — According to a press release from the Boundary County School District, the soft closure of the Boundary County Schools will begin April 6 and continue to April 20 at the earliest.

Montana anglers and water users win with LWCF

The waning winter season gives me the chance to not only be thankful for all Montana has to offer but also to look forward to the new adventures on our state’s waterways that are just around the corner. Many of us can recall at least one story involving a special day or days on one of Montana’s world class streams, rivers, and lakes. We should all feel thankful to live in a state with so many beautiful waterways and an outdoor heritage deeply rooted in abundant public access.

Officials lift, ease fire restrictions across northwest Montana

The order, which was approved by fire managers and county commissions, took effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday.

Montana anglers and water users win with LWCF

The waning winter season gives me the chance to not only be thankful for all Montana has to offer but also to look forward to the new adventures on our state’s waterways that are just around the corner. Many of us can recall at least one story involving a special day or days on one of Montana’s world class streams, rivers, and lakes. We should all feel thankful to live in a state with so many beautiful waterways and an outdoor heritage deeply rooted in abundant public access.

How one woman experienced Ground Zero

Early on Sept. 11, 2001, we in the West were jolted into the news coverage of an event that was unfolding in lower Manhattan — one that simply could not be comprehended.