It’s always amazing when angry citizens write letters without doing their homework. Kim Chenoweth’s letter [Oct. 14 issue] was nothing short of speculation that there is some sinister plot in the works aimed at making life easy for the people living in the City of Grangeville. If she had bee…

“Great leaders we have had, but we could not have had great leaders unless they had great people to follow.” -- Eleanor Roosevelt.

There’s a constitutional amendment on your ballot this fall, and to protect your representation in the Idaho Statehouse, you should vote ‘yes.’ This amendment, HJR 4, is a promise to you and every Idaho voter. The proposed amendment will permanently set the number of legislative districts in…

By Kathy Ackerman, Idaho County Clerk

Two letters to the editor last week got my attention. Both suggest that Idaho County residents are not taking COVID 19 seriously enough. “Mask up!” “The numbers are staggering!” and “I’m ashamed of this county for being so stubborn…”, are the sentiments expressed.

This October, teachers, counselors and education leaders across the state will be focused on a critical, collective effort: encouraging high school seniors to devote time to planning their educational and career dreams as part of Idaho’s “Next Steps Month.” 

Do you love children? Can you provide a temporary, safe, and nurturing home for a child in need? If you answered yes, please consider becoming a foster parent to one of the thousands of children currently in foster care in Idaho.

Two months ago, I wrote about how the University of Idaho had lent support to the Marxist Black Lives Matter, devoting a full webpage of “resources,” which includes mostly leftist propaganda. Since then, more of the university’s colleges have launched their own websites and issued their own …

A hundred years ago, in 1920, the United States came out of the First World War and celebrated a new decade and a changing world. The world was recovering from the Spanish flu pandemic, the automobile industry was beginning to take off, and Americans wrestled with Prohibition. The country wa…

Most of the inaccurate, partisan narrative regarding allegedly new changes at the United States Postal Service (USPS) are part of long-term efforts from multiple administrations to improve its solvency. The Postal Service is not being disassembled and no efforts are under way to hinder the e…

The angst many educators and parents have surrounding whether students should return to the classroom or learn on-line is not surprising given the news we receive every day about the coronavirus’ spread in our state. In fact, the same debate is raging across the country.

While the world has been rightly focused on containing the COVID-19 pandemic that originated in Wuhan, China, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has taken the opportunity to become increasingly belligerent on the international stage.

The Mountain View School Board trustees have received numerous e-mails from staff and patrons regarding our current budget dilemma. I appreciate those who are taking the time to both make suggestions as to cuts, and to tell us how proposed cuts would affect them, whether financially or in re…

The Idaho legislature will be considering a proposal during the upcoming special session that could create chaos and distrust in our state. At a minimum, it sends a message that is the exact opposite of what we should be communicating to our parents, educators, school districts, and communities.

Summers are beautiful in the Gem State. Idaho’s mountains, rivers, lakes and trails are beloved by the people who live here as well as the millions who visit every year. From attending forestry camp in McCall as a student at the University of Idaho, to summers spent hiking through the Cabine…

It feels like we are living in a time warp nearly six months after our lives were turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. At Idaho’s higher education institutions, the public health crisis forced administrators to furlough employees, eliminate positions and cut programs, while simultane…

As positivity rates of the dangerous COVID-19 virus continue to increase in many Idaho communities, the course of action for public schools in those areas is clear—school buildings in communities considered “hot spots” should remain closed and districts should shift to online instruction.

The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on June 30, 2020, to discuss the Judicial Conference of the United States’ most recent recommendations for more federal judgeships. The Judicial Conference has recommended a third judgeship for Idaho consistently since 2003. As a memb…

Dear parents, students and staff, thanks to many of you for the warm welcome!

Idaho just ended its fiscal year with a surplus nearly three times what was expected before COVID-19.

A 2016 report from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) indicates that more than four in five American Indian and Alaska Native women and men experience violence in their lifetimes;American Indian and Alaska Native women are also two times more likely than other groups to experience rape or …

History has shown that there are critical times where the actions of individual citizens have the biggest impact on outcomes for the whole community and country. We are currently in one of those times. With new confirmed Covid 19 infections in our communities and rapid exponential growth of …

Do you have chronic pain, and your life isn't what you need or want? Do you have family, friends, or your physician wanting you to reduce or stop your pain medications? Peg Gehring, FNP-BC, DPN, at St. Mary’s Hospital and Clinics wants you to know that there are options for you, and St. Mary…

The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in unprecedented change. Phrases like “self-quarantine” and “social distancing,” that were completely unheard of several months ago, are now a part of our daily vocabulary. As we adjust to this “new normal,” America’s sportsmen and women, a group that we are…

When there is a need for a major reform in our country, listening is the starting point for sound change. Recently, I had the opportunity to discuss proposed federal policy changes to address police use of force at a Senate Committee on the Judiciary hearing. The input of those who have work…

When someone suspects that they may have coronavirus, we hope that they immediately take steps to get tested so they know if they should self-isolate. Unfortunately, a growing number of Idaho children have difficulty getting tested and treated for coronavirus because they don’t have access t…

The celebration of Independence Day this year will be unlike any other.

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Idaho’s healthcare workers have stood ready to serve the needs of all Idahoans.

It seems that our students cannot get a break.

As an Idaho taxpayer and state representative, it is my priority to address the property tax problem that is crushing everyday Idahoans. Governor Little has proposed the use of pandemic relief funds for lowering property taxes related to emergency services. Let’s be clear: this is a temporar…

Idaho was given the chance to once again demonstrate our fiscally conservative values when President Donald Trump and the U.S. Congress directed $1.25 billion to all the smaller states, including Idaho, in federal coronavirus relief dollars.

As Congress works with the administration to consider the next phases of federal support to address the impacts of the pandemic, I am advocating for getting resources to smaller communities to ease recovery. Enacting a long-term solution for the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determ…

On May 13, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game closed fishing for spring chinook along the Clearwater River due to very low returns. The very next day, IDFG closed or restricted the season on parts of the Salmon and Little Salmon rivers. Tragically for all Idahoans, this has been the norm …

In recognition of Flag Day, I wrote this column weeks ago to commemorate our flag and national anthem.  Today, as our country grapples with division and some have used the flag in expressions of rage, I questioned whether to submit it.  However, I determined that especially now we should rem…

Our emergency response organizations are amazing!

As more and more businesses are opening their doors, many Idahoans have been eager to get out of the house and get back to work.

Idaho County property owners will be receiving their 2020 assessment notices next week. Even with the shutdown of many business due to coronavirus, Idaho County shows no signs of a depressed real estate market.

On May 8, 1945, Americans, with our allies around the world, celebrated Nazi Germany’s surrender ending World War II in Europe.  Many American troops stationed in Europe were soon after sent home or to the Pacific Theater.  Concentration Camps and communities across Europe were liberated, Ja…

Open a business now or stay the course? Sacrifice lives or sacrifice jobs? The issue is almost as fraught as the simple choice facing all of us: Do we wear a mask to protect others or go bare-faced in public?  

As lieutenant governor, I am one heartbeat away from the governor’s chair. I am also a small business owner. My family and I own four small businesses in the restaurant and automotive industries, employing hundreds of Idahoans. As a former member of the Idaho House of Representatives, I repr…

I’m writing to you from what we affectionately call the “Bunker.” The Bunker is the base from which, under normal circumstances, we coordinate the massive undertaking that is required to pull off an election at hundreds of polling places, each processing hundreds, if not thousands, of voters…

As Idaho recently marked National Crime Victims’ Rights Week 2020, it seemed the right time for me to share some insight and understanding into the mindset and challenges facing victims of domestic violence.

At the drop of a hat, Idaho students and teachers have had to completely change their education plans for the school year. They are creating lessons in the virtual world while they are burdened by one of our state’s biggest problems: bad internet. Now, more than ever, Idahoans need reliable …

Greetings Casey,

Idaho farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers are among those continuing to work hard every day to put food on our tables--despite the personal health threat of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, and enormous strain on the agricultural sector.  The intent of this column is to help clarif…

It came as a huge relief when Governor Little announced that the stay-at-home order would continue and that upcoming decisions to “re-open” business should be done based on the best scientific information available. Our current health care systems have not been overwhelmed yet thanks to most…

“After hearing about this virus for several weeks in the news, and still having very few positive test results, with only 3 cases attributed to Idaho County, it may be tempting to resume life as normal,” says Dr. Kelly McGrath, Chief Medical Officer at Clearwater Valley Hospital and Clinics.…