Legals for August, 21 2025

Ritzville’s new chief has spent a lifetime in the police arena

RITZVILLE — On the wall behind Ritzville Police Chief Mike Suniga’s desk, there’s a quote from Theodore Roosevelt. “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better,” it reads in part. “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who … does actually strive to do the deeds.”

Volunteer's work spans decades at North Idaho State Fair

Volunteer's work spans decades at North Idaho State Fair

Merry Ruth Dingman knows a thing or two about ‘keeping tradition alive.’

Crapo: Housing top issue in Idaho

Senator emphasizes deregulation, tax incentives as possible solutions

Crapo said Tuesday that his office has been reviewing a housing survey conducted between March 31 and May 31, and noted affordability of housing emerged as a top issue. Of the 5,000 Idahoans who responded, many said that local wages did not keep pace with escalating costs of housing, according to a summary of preliminary results from Crapo’s office. Specific numbers were not yet available, Crapo’s staff said.

Texas declares measles outbreak over

Health officials in Texas have declared the state's measles outbreak over. The virus sickened 762 people since late January. Nearly 100 were hospitalized and two children died. State health data shows that the last outbreak-related measles case in Texas was on July 1. The cases were linked to outbreaks in Canada and Mexico and jumped to other states in the U.S. Measles is prevented by vaccine. State officials say they will keep monitoring for new cases. They credit testing, vaccination, monitoring and education with helping to end the outbreak.

Legals for August, 20 2025

Bigfork School Board to review policies on flags, religious instruction

The Bigfork School Board this week will discuss a new policy on displaying flags on school property and a new draft on guidelines for release time for religious instruction.

Fundraiser planned for Bigfork Fire Department

The Friends of Bigfork Fire Department holds its annual FUN-draising event on Friday, Sept. 5, starting at 5 p.m. at the Harbor Village Pavilion in Eagle Bend.

Kalispell Public Schools to operate on $90.7M budget

Kalispell Public Schools will have a total of $90.7 million to operate for the 2025-26 school year, encompassing a stable high school budget and an elementary district budget that will be tight.

Viva Las Vegas: Cats, Griz to play in Vegas

ESPN Events on Monday announced a pair of future Vegas Kickoff Classic games at Allegiant Stadium that match up the top FCS programs from the Big Sky Conference and Missouri Valley Football Conference. Montana State will take on North Dakota State in 2027, and Montana will face South Dakota State in 2029

Eureka berm jumper sentenced for damaging place of worship

The person told deputy Bo Pitman a man came into their office seeking help to get his truck out of a snow berm.

Eagles women's soccer earns first win

CHENEY – The Eastern Washington women’s soccer team picked up their first win of the season on Sunday with a final score of 2-1 over the Southern Utah Thunderbirds, according to a statement by EWU athletics. “Two fantastic goals in the second half really put us in control,” said Eastern Head Coach Missy Strasburg. “Credit to Kam for a huge save at 2-0—that was a momentum-shifting moment. If that goes in, it's a completely different game with confidence swinging their way. That mindset, that grit in the final minutes of a tight game, says a lot.”

Big Sky announced for future Vegas Kickoff games

MOSES LAKE — On Monday, ESPN Events announced Big Sky Conference’s Montana and Montana State for future matchups in the Vegas Kickoff Classic. The kickoff event takes place in Allegiant stadium in Las Vegas. “We’re thrilled to have Montana, Montana State and Big Sky football showcased on ESPN as part of the Vegas Kickoff Classic,” Big Sky Conference Commissioner Tom Wistrcill said. “Labor Day Weekend is one of college football’s great traditions, and these games will demonstrate that the FCS can deliver marquee matchups in world-class destinations like Las Vegas, while creating a one-of-a-kind experience for our fans.”

Kootenai County organizations look to legislators to help with housing

Partnership outlines recommendations that could create options, reduce costs

Thursday’s meeting also included testimony from the Panhandle Affordable Housing Alliance, City of Post Falls, North Idaho Building Contractors Association and the Idaho Chapter of the American Planning Association. “If we want to stay a healthy state and a robust state, we must address this issue,” said Maggie Lyons, executive director of the Panhandle Affordable Housing Alliance.

Northwest Notes Aug. 19, 2025

Notes on college football, college basketball.

THE FRONT ROW with MARK NELKE: The Best way to get Eastern Washington football back to being EWU football again

"We’ve got to worry about stopping people on third down first, and if those dominoes happen, then there’s a chance to be more successful from a record standout,” Best said. “ ... we have the players to do it, we just have to be able to do it more consistently when the lights get a little brighter.”

Cone Crossing serves up smiles on Rathdrum's Main Street

A new ice cream shop, called Cone Crossing, is already bringing smiles to Rathdrum’s Main Street.

OPINION: Every school, public or private, should have to prove its worth

House Bill 93 — Idaho’s new education choice program — is already shaking things up. And that’s a good thing.

Little calls on state agencies to cut budgets by 3%

Executive order excludes K-12 public schools from the cuts

The Idaho Legislature during the 2025 session approved more than $400 million in anticipated annual revenue reductions from tax cuts and credits, and another $50 million toward a tax credit for private education and tuition costs. Most of those reductions will go into effect in the current fiscal year.

Kidnapping suspect receives suspended sentence after pleading out

A Browning man arrested in Flathead County for allegedly kidnapping his ex-girlfriend from Missoula in 2024 received a suspended sentence earlier this year.