Our men and women in the military serve and sacrifice to protect not only the values Americans hold dear, but to protect current and future generations. So, it is ironic that those same individuals – injured as a result of that service -- are not supported by our nation to assist them in bri…
Idaho ranks seventh for having the worst drivers in the nation.
Petitioners have an uphill battle to fight in their efforts to recall Kooskia Mayor Charlotte Schilling.
Although the new federal rule for hospitals to list their prices on their web sites began Jan. 1, this may not be as big of a help to patients as it initially seems.
Governor Little has an exciting opportunity to take fresh eyes and innovation into addressing a long-standing problem concerning marijuana, make a policy that reflects the values and desires of its residents, and lead the nation in how this substance should be handled.
Recently the Moms Demand Action group formed in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley, which, according to news reports, is advocating to prevent unintentional firearm deaths among children by educating parents and gun owners about responsible gun storage.
Meetings are most often the drudgery we make of them. It’s time we reinvent how we conduct these to make them more informative, productive and better attended.
When purchasing local, you are essentially supporting yourself and your family. Repeat studies have shown that your local businesses give back to their communities at a far greater percentage than do national chains.
Idaho County is second to none in how it honors and recognizes its veterans; not just on holidays, but every day. It’s easy to be reminded of this during commemorative events, such as Veterans’ Day.
Juvenile crime records are under lock and key, and Idahoans as a whole are losers in this deal, the result of a state supreme court rule that exempts these from disclosure.
Idaho voters on Nov. 6 will be deciding on Proposition 2, Medicaid eligibility expansion. As part of the voters’ decision-making process, the Idaho County Free Press has compiled guest opinions and press releases from the past few months concerning the proposition.
Silly to ask? A waste of time, tax dollars? We’ve heard this referenced to advisory votes and the fire district formation being posed on the Nov. 6 ballot, and we’ll have to say we strongly disagree. Yes, the results are significant, but more importantly, raising such questions forces the community to engage in and dialog on issues it may otherwise ignore or sidestep.
Oh, the days. Halloween night is the only time it’s universally accepted to beg strangers for handouts. And it’s a fun time for kids to play dress-up and be someone or something else for this exciting evening. Yes, and then adults put their social politics baggage into the mix and screw up yet another fun time.
There are times when northern Idaho feels less a part of a state and more an extended backyard for our southern neighbors. This is one of those times.
The atmosphere for mass media today has become increasing hostile. The continued demonization of national print and broadcast journalists has trickled down to the regional and local levels.
Go have some fun at Oktoberfest. We insist. That’s an easy order, but we have an ulterior motive for saying so. Participation helps this, and other such community events, thrive and continue.
For those with disabilities, a rural area can be a difficult place to navigate as the resources and infrastructure is not present, consistent from place to place, or even readily available.
Mountain View School District 244 did the right thing Monday night. Even if it hurt a little.
The recent controversy with City of Kooskia and the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office is a good example of the importance of maintaining open communications.
We, too, favor government cost-cutting, but dismantling the local newspaper business would make local government less accountable to the people, not more. And that would end up costing local taxpayers a fortune in the long run.
How do we get more voter participation in elections? More than just Idaho County has experienced low voter turnout in recent elections (notably, 14 percent in the May 16 election), and a northern Idaho legislator is planning what will be her third run to push forward an election consolidation bill.
Next year, we can get back to party politics … as everyone is so excited about returning to that screaming monkey circus. But this year, let’s set the party names aside and work the 2017 nonpartisan elections together.
You can’t tell us the government doesn’t have $1 million kicking around the treasury somewhere that they could throw a bone to rural law enforcement. Specifically, to reinstate federal grant funding to provide DNA testing for law enforcement agencies across the nation.
Are congressional term limits an idea whose time has come? Whoa, not so fast. President Donald Trump rode into the White House on the wave of that public sentiment voicing “It’s time for a change.” Now, looking to strike while the iron is hot, Idaho’s Rep. Raul Labrador is introducing a term limits constitutional amendment for congressional members.
Proactive forward-thinking plans by Idaho Democrats in the wake of the 2016 General Election are an inspiration for a change in state party politics overall.
We must disagree, in part, with our county Republican friends in their disassociation last week with Senator Crapo for his decision to rescind his endorsement of GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump.
At issue – yet again — are millions in federal appropriations to rural communities, including Idaho County: PILT (Payment In Lieu of Taxes) and Secure Rural Schools (SRS) funding.
Is the candidate forum as we know it dead? Is public interest at such a low? Or is the tried and true method of finding more out about candidates in a public setting as relevant as a VHS player?
So the Idaho County Commission isn’t a big enough stage for Jim Chmelik? The District III commissioner’s decision to make a run for Idaho’s lieutenant governor shouldn’t be a surprise to those who voted the Cottonwood Republican into office, but they have all the right to be dismayed. His views have had generous access to this page, even allowing for the rhetoric to continue after his submissions went well beyond the well-being of Idaho County, an obvious attempt to build name recognition to Republicans statewide.
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