Parting Shot -- 4.15.16
A Donald Trump supporter flexes his muscles with the words "Build The Wall" written on them as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally, Friday, in Plattsburgh, N.Y.
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2016
Tax Day Wild Card -- 4.15.16
OK, I know that this isn't the drop-dead Tax Day this year. Monday is. But I filed my taxes -- federal and state -- just before midnight last night. And I'm happy about that. Mrs. O was getting nervous that I waited too long. But I took a nap. Cleared my head of the mental detritus that lingers from a day of blogging. And set to work.
Democrats won't endorse Kunishige
Kootenai County Democratic Chair Paula Neils announced today that the Democratic Central Committee voted to declare its non-support of the candidate for Kootenai County Sheriff on the Democratic ballot, Tina Kunishiga. Local Democrats view Kunishige's decision to run as a Democrat strategic to avoid 3-way GOPrimary race.
Scanner Traffic (PM) -- 4.15.16
Scanner Traffic for Friday PM (23 items & counting + link to AM Scanner Traffic with 16 more items includes crash between train and semi @ Seltice Way and Pleasant View (or Beck Road).
Cutline Contest -- Time2Vote
The Cutline Contest today features a scene from the testy Democratic debate between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders in New York. Thursday Winner: Nic.
Viva la Mica forum difference
Woody McEvers, a Coeur d'Alene council member who was instrumental in setting up Coeur d'Alene's public TV station, attended his first candidates' forum at Mica Grange last night. He found the way the rural grange folks ran their forum different and interesting. He came away with an appreciation for the divide b/n rural and urban issues.
HucksOnline interviews Clive Strong
At 3:15 p.m. today, Huckleberries will interview Clive Strong, the chief of AG Lawrence Wasden's Natural Resources Division. Clive, who began work in the AG's office in 1983, is one of five individuals running for the Idaho Supreme Court vacancy created by the retirement of Jim Jones.
Letter: Fess up, Brent Regan
In a letter to the Coeur d'Alene Press, Reid Harlocker of Hayden takes Brent Regan, chairman of the Idaho Freedom Foundation board to task. Regan recently wrote an op-ed article for the Press defending IFF's controversial Freedom Index, which gave F-minuses to almost half of the conservative Legislature and A's to the worst legislators.
District 4: Where they stand
Here's how most of the candidates for legislative office in District 4 (Coeur d'Alene) answered a yes-and-no questionnaire on 12 questions for the Coeur d'Alene Press' voter guide, which was published today. You'll notice that Republican Kathy Sims and Democrat Kristi Milan failed to return their questionnaires.
Quotable Quote
"One middle-aged white guy introducing 2 other middle-aged white guys. Guess that's why they call this the Cracker Building" -- Jess Walter ("Beautiful Ruins") introducing fellow authors Shawn Vestal ("Godforsaken Idaho" and now "Daredevils") and Samuel Ligon ("Wonderland"), inside the Washington Cracker Building in Spokane.
Scorecard: Private property rights
Too many of our local legislators bellyache about the feds owning too much public land in Idaho. They want to take it back. Sandy Patano of North Idaho PAC points out that Idaho never owned the land. And the movement to "take back" federal land can have a negative effect on private property rights.
Silver Cup hydro races canceled
Coeur d Alene Silver Cup General Manager Keith Allen has announced the Coeur d’Alene Silver Cup H1 Unlimited Hydroplane race will work towards hosting a race in 2017 but not in 2016. “We have been working with our sponsors and local community representatives’ right up until the 11th hour to add the Silver Cup to the H1 2016 schedule,” said Allen.
6 pols fail CdA Press 'courage test'
In a comment today, Mike Patrick, managing editor of the Coeur d'Alene Press, rips 6 individuals -- 5 Republicans and a Democrat -- who refused to fill out a yes-or-no questionnaire of 12 tough questions. The six -- Barbieri, Vick, Mendive, Cheatham, Sims and Democrat Kristi Milan -- were denied profiles in the guide (which you can find below).
AM Scanner Traffic -- 4.15.16
Scanner Traffic for Friday AM (16 items & counting) includes red Dodge Ram pickup hitting deer on freeway near Spokane Street/Post Falls exit.
Repub covertly films Idaho GOP chair
A Republican central committeeman covertly filmed the head of Idaho's GOP in an effort to bolster his claims that a secret society had been formed to oust certain members from party positions. The video didn't reveal direct evidence of a secret society, but did show the top GOP official criticizing prominent Republicans. (Q: Are these guys nuts?)
AM Headlines -- 4.15.16
The daily roundup of AM Headlines includes a feature by SReporter Scott Maben on the upcoming 3rd Youth Water Summit at UI. Also: Idaho Records/Coeur d'Alene Press, Group mulls transit authority ballot plan/Press, Woman arrested for carrying gun while drunk/Press, Support pours in for injured Sandpoint man/KREM 2 + more ...
Poll: Sheriff Wolfinger all the way
In Thursday's poll, Hucks Nation overwhelmingly supported incumbent Ben Wolfinger's re-election bid for Kootenai County sheriff, with two "constitutional sheriff" candidates finishing well back in second and third places. Today's Poll: How did you prepare your income tax returns this year?
14 Reasons: Why Sims must go
I found two more reasons why House District 4B voters shouldn't supports the re-election of state Rep. Kathy Sims, R-Coeur d'Alene: She fought an important $3M appropriation from the city of Coeur d'Alene to help build the Kroc Center. She refused to fill out a questionnaire for the Coeur d'Alene Press voter guide.
Jeers to guy who ignores dying kids
In his weekly Cheers & Jeers column, Opinion Editor Marty Trillhaase JEERS Idaho Senate Health and Welfare Committee Chairman Sen. Lee Heider, R-Twin Falls. Heider? He's the clueless legislator who refused to have a hearing on a bill to reform Idaho's faith-healng loophole. The loophole allows parents to refuse medicine for ill kids.
Risch in place to help small business
Small businesses that are struggling with federal regulations could gain an ally in January if Idaho Sen. Jim Risch becomes chairman of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. Risch, who is two years into his second term in the U.S. Senate, is the ranking Republican on the 19-member committee.
5 refuse to answer Press questionnaire
The Coeur d'Alene Press has provided a valuable service today by publishing a 35-page voter guide to introduce you to candidates, ranging from the Kootenai County sheriff to candidates for legislative seats. However, the usual suspects refused to answer a Press questionnaire: Barbieri, Vick, Mendive, Cheatham & Sims. Oh my.
Mica Grange forum
At a candidates' forum at the Mica Grange last night, the six candidates for two Kootenai County commissioner seats are shown listening to a question from the audience.
Levy would upgrade PF library
A levy of almost $5M would benefit 7 Kootenai County area libraries and the Bookmobile, including improvements to the Post Falls Library. The levy, spread over three years, is estimated to cost $16.65 per year for taxpayers with a home valued at $200,000.
Patty Duke service Saturday
The memorial service for Anna Marie Pearce is set for 11 a.m. Saturday at Lake City Community Church in Coeur d'Alene. Pearce, known also by her stage name, Patty Duke, died in Coeur d'Alene March 29. She was 69YO. KHQ will stream the service live tomorrow.
City seeks to keep privies in check
The city of Coeur d'Alene's Planning Commission unanimously made an ordinance recommendation that will keep the locations, maintenance and use of Porta Potties in check. Previously, the city didn't really have an ordinance that regulated Porta Potties, or portable toilets.
D.F. Oliveria started Huckleberries Online on Feb. 16, 2004. Oliveria's Sunday print Huckleberries is a past winner of the national Herb Caen Memorial Column contest.