Mecca development promises pilgrims better hajj this year

MECCA, Saudi Arabia - A dozen glittering skyscrapers tower over Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, boasting hotel rooms with 24-hour butler service and luxury marble bathrooms. Below, throngs of Muslims perform the annual hajj pilgrimage, many of them impoverished, sleeping in the streets.

Longtime downtown business Camera Corral ready to move

After 63 years downtown, Camera Corral Digital Photo Lab is moving to Suite 109 of Harbor Plaza on Northwest Boulevard. The official address is the former location of Cafe Soul at 610 W. Hubbard St.

Thursday

The Whitefish High School drama department will present the comedy “Rumors” at the Whitefish Middle School auditorium on Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 12-14, beginning at 7 p.m. Written by nationally known playwright Neil Simon and directed by locals Kelliann Blackburn and Wendy McFadden, “Rumors” is a farce in two acts centered on four couples at the home of a deputy New York City mayor and his wife to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. After the host shoots himself in the earlobe and his wife goes missing, his lawyer, played by Eric Weaver, along with his wife, played by Kelsey McFeely, begin a cover up that gets progressively more difficult to sustain as other guests arrive, played by Joseph Harris, Anna Wendt, Ian Sterchi, Kayleen Stone, Sean Ringer and Brooke O’Briant. Tickets are $5 students and $8 adults pre-sold by cast members and available at the door.

Thursday

The Whitefish High School drama department will present the comedy “Rumors” at the Whitefish Middle School auditorium on Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 12-14, beginning at 7 p.m. Written by nationally known playwright Neil Simon and directed by locals Kelliann Blackburn and Wendy McFadden, “Rumors” is a farce in two acts centered on four couples at the home of a deputy New York City mayor and his wife to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. After the host shoots himself in the earlobe and his wife goes missing, his lawyer, played by Eric Weaver, along with his wife, played by Kelsey McFeely, begin a cover up that gets progressively more difficult to sustain as other guests arrive, played by Joseph Harris, Anna Wendt, Ian Sterchi, Kayleen Stone, Sean Ringer and Brooke O’Briant. Tickets are $5 students and $8 adults pre-sold by cast members and available at the door.

Landmark jewelry store to close after 110 years

Lisa Schwantes and roughly a dozen of her daredevil young friends hopped a train that summer day and rode a boxcar from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Whitefish.

Legals for November, 22 2023

NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE

Grant County has issued a Determination of Non-Significance

Agencies differ on opinion

EPA drafts decision; commissioners seek meeting at DEQ

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is on the cusp of letting Troy deal with its three-year-old massive wood debris pile. However, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality says not so fast.

The Latest: British govt insists virus measures are needed

LONDON — The British government is warning lawmakers who oppose strict coronavirus restrictions that the measures are the only way to avoid a surge that will overwhelm the health system.

Legals for April, 4 2023

EPA oversight at CFAC site critical

I have been watching the events around the Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant unfold with great concern. The issue hits right at home, as I am raising my two boys just outside of Columbia Falls, and have worked as a university researcher on water quality and rivers for over a decade. To me, the best solution to the CFAC issue is a cleaned up site, and a thriving Columbia Falls community. Those go hand-in-hand, and the Environemtal Protection Agency is the best ally we have to hold Glencore, and the other responsible parties, accountable for cleaning up the property.  

Vann's stores facing closure

Vann’s Inc., the appliance and electronics store that filed for bankruptcy last month to reorganize its finances, asked the court to convert the bankruptcy to a liquidation and has given its employees 60-day layoff notices.

Colorado suspect got assault weapon 6 days before shooting

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — The suspect accused of opening fire inside a crowded Colorado supermarket was a 21-year-old man who purchased an assault weapon less than a week earlier, authorities said Tuesday, a day after the attack that killed 10 people, including a police officer.

The Latest: Pakistan to keep mosques open during Ramadan

The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.

Legals February 8, 2017

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Bonner County Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 2, 2017, in the 1st Floor Conference Room of the Bonner County Administration Building, 1500 Highway 2, Sandpoint, Idaho, to consider the following request: File CM803-16 - Modification of Conditional Use Permit -West Bonner Library District is seeking a conditional use permit modification approval for the placement of a new manufactured building. The library received a previous conditional use permit in 2004. The site contains the library and parking. The site is located in the Spirit Lake Community, off of Highway 2, in Section 25, Township 56 North, Range 5 West, B.M. The site is zoned Suburban. Any person needing special accommodations to participate in the public hearing should contact the Bonner County Planning Department at (208) 265-1458 at least 48 hours before the hearing. Written statements exceeding 1 standard letter-sized, single-spaced page must be submitted to the planning department no later than 5 days prior to the public hearing. Written statements longer than the 1 standard page will not be accepted at the public hearing. Comments can be sent to the Bonner County Planning Department at 1500 Highway 2, Suite 208, Sandpoint, Idaho 83864; faxed to (208) 265-1463 or e-mailed to [email protected]. Additional information is available at the planning department. Staff reports are available at the planning department or may be viewed at http://bonnercounty.us/projects/ 7 days prior to the scheduled hearing. Any affected person as defined by Idaho Code, Title 67, Chapter 65, may present an appeal to the Board of County Commissions from any final decision by the Bonner County Planning and Zoning Commission. (Bonner County Revised Code, Section 12-262) SNP LEGAL 4399 FEB 8, 2017

NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF MITIGATED DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE

Grant County Public Works is removing the existing Stratford Rd. NE Crab Creek crossing, realigning Stratford Rd., and constructing a new crossing further downstream.

Law enforcement and court records

Lake County District Court, Judge Christopher presiding

Time to kiss those summer annuals goodbye

My Garden Path

So far, I've had no frost in my yard in SE Post Falls. Of course, I'm writing this a week ahead of publication, so I could be all wet by then!

4 hospitalized after shooting at Alabama shopping mall

HOOVER, Ala. (AP) — A shooting at an Alabama shopping mall left at least four people hospitalized Friday afternoon, police said.

Voters to decide $4 million bond request

The Somers Rural Fire District is asking for voter approval of a $4 million bond issue to build a new fire hall, with ballots to be sent out to registered voters in the district on July 12 for a July 30 mail-ballot election.