The Latest: Masks now required for all of Australian state

MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia’s coronavirus hot spot of Victoria state is making mask wearing compulsory statewide after reporting a new daily high of 723 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Virus seizes markets and business as usual hits a wall

Global markets and businesses big and small opened the week to a landscape seemingly altered by the coronavirus pandemic. National retail chains have closed all stores. Banks are taking steps to keep cash on hand, lots of it. Markets in Asia, Europe and the U.S. are plunging. Following is a quick look at how the outbreak is impacting the financial and business sector, as well as millions of workers and customers.

Virus seizes markets and business as usual hits a wall

Global markets and businesses big and small opened the week to a landscape seemingly altered by the coronavirus pandemic. National retail chains have closed all stores. Banks are taking steps to keep cash on hand, lots of it. Markets in Asia, Europe and the U.S. are plunging. Following is a quick look at how the outbreak is impacting the financial and business sector, as well as millions of workers and customers.

DUI emphasis patrols begin

The North Idaho DUI Task Force will hit the streets and the waterways to stop impaired drivers — but before making any arrests, police hope to prevent them.

Grass fire threatened homes in Evergreen

Firefighters on Monday spared an Evergreen home from an advancing grass fire in Lions Park, officials said.

Mary Havercroft running for North Idaho College board

Mary Havercroft is running for the Zone 5 seat on North Idaho College’s board of trustees.

Ephrata schools opt to lock up phones

EPHRATA – Students at the Ephrata High and Ephrata Middle schools will be securing their phones in locked boxes during classes starting this fall. Ephrata School District Superintendent Ken Murray said the move is to help students focus in class.

Officers close down two Ephrata area marijuana operations

EPHRATA – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday that it had shut down two large illegal marijuana growing operations on Thursday. “Detectives say the sites were part of a large and organized illegal drug enterprise,” The announcement read.

Columbia Falls boys cruise to win over Ronan

COLUMBIA FALLS — Bjorn Pedersen scored 12 of his game-high 19 points in the first half and the Columbia Falls Wildcats controlled the game for a Northwest A win over the Ronan Chiefs 57-37 Friday night.

Lakers A split a pair with Helena

Down to their final three outs, Beau Schultz hit a 2-run single for a 10-9 walk-off win for the Kalispell A Lakers over the Helena Reps in game one of a doubleheader in American Legion baseball on Saturday.

Ephrata Legion Post and Auxiliary to host fundraiser to support youth civics

EPHRATA – The American Legion Post 28 and Auxiliary will host a fundraiser to support students who will be participating in Boys State and Girls State, according to the post’s Jane Montaney.

Post Falls man gets prison for eighth lifetime DUI

After his eighth lifetime DUI, Post Falls resident Jeffrey A. Jeske received a prison sentence, according to the Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Sun Road now in winter status

Glacier National Park announced Friday the Going-to-the-Sun Road is now in winter status. That means people can travel by foot up the road at their own risk, but no bicycles are allowed over-the-snow. Currently much of the road at low elevations is snow-free, but expect ice and snow in higher terrain and no guardrails on the road in some places.

WEATHER: Feb. 18 – Feb. 24, 2026

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. Northwest wind around 7 mph becoming south in the afternoon. A 20% chance of snow after 10 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. North wind 6 to 10 mph.

Hagar deserving of police chief title

This is town that supports police, not just with word, but with money. Coeur d’Alene invests heavily in police, to the tune of a budget of more than $20 million and a staff of more than 100.

WEATHER: March 6-12, 2026

Friday: 20% chance of rain before 10 a.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 56. South wind 6-9 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy at night, low around 42. SW wind 8-10 mph.

WEATHER: March 10-16, 2026

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 47. West wind 8-16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. A 20% chance of nighttime rain and snow before 2 a.m., then a slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Southwest wind 10-15 mph.

WEATHER: March 13-19, 2026

Friday: Rain and snow likely before 2 p.m., then a slight chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 49. Southwest wind 6-9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no snow accumulation expected. A 40% chance of rain and snow before 8pm, then a chance of rain between 8pm & 11 p.m., then a chance of rain and snow after 11 p.m. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 30. West wind 7-9 mph.

EDIT: Shoshone County needs stability, not partisanship, in the sheriff's office

Bigfork tennis splits with Stevensville

Stevensville boys 4, Bigfork 3