Good morning, Post Falls.

Jacob Priddy, an 11-year-old local, asked his birthday party guests for donations instead of gifts and raised $130 for American Legion Post 143—he presented the money to Commander Jim Culpepper after decorating his donation box with an American Flag and a fighter plane.

Doree Handford, a mother of six and childbirth educator, has spent 20 years supporting families and founded A Parent’s Paradise to help stressed parents find rest and guidance.

She also organizes the Coeur d'Alene Mom Prom on April 12 to raise funds for services that help parents during life’s big changes — offering a much-needed support network for families in our community.

Bob Amos, an 87-year-old veteran from Hayden, reflects on his Marine Corps service as he led Detachment Tango during Operation Frequent Wind in 1975 — a mission that rescued over 8,000 refugees from Saigon.

Today, on National Vietnam War Veterans Day, he recalled how he convinced his commanders to let him join the high-stakes mission and earn a Navy Commendation Medal for his leadership.

Coeur d’Alene Resort held a groundbreaking this week for Sherman Tower, its largest expansion in decades, as plans call for a 15-story structure adding 139 rooms and a 180-seat restaurant with a rooftop bar—set to be complete in April.

The project will also add 200 jobs and aims to boost tourism with minimal disruption during peak summer.

Post Falls Police responded to a hit-and-run collision at the intersection of Spokane Street and 11th Avenue around 3:10 p.m. Thursday when a woman driving a white SUV struck an 11-year-old in the crosswalk—leaving the child with minor injuries.

Coeur d'Alene School District elementary librarians held their third annual Idaho Battle of the Books district tournament Tuesday evening & Sorensen's team, The Girls Plus George, won first place with a traveling trophy & donations from Figpickles Toy Emporium & Mrs. Honeypeeps Sweetshop. Teams from Atlas, Ramsey, Winton & Sorensen elementary schools will send two teams to the regional tournament on April 12 at the East Bonner County Public Library in Sandpoint.

At Lakes Middle School, Principal Jeff Bengtson and teachers Citali Sanchez Zuniga and Michelle Biediger were honored on Thursday during a lively assembly for their outstanding work in the classroom.

Zuniga (Rookie Educator of the Year) was recognized along with Biediger as Educator of the Year and Bengtson as Administrator of the Year amid confetti and cheering from students.

A Senate committee advanced Senate Bill 1198 that would ban required or incentivized DEI courses and training at public universities and colleges—now the bill is headed to the Senate floor for a vote.

If passed, it will allow enforcement by the attorney general and let students or staff sue institutions that do not fix violations within 30 days.

Defensive Tactics ARCON Instructor Course - Post Falls

This course trains law enforcement personnel to instruct others in ARCON Defensive Tactics techniques, requiring prior experience and specific training prerequisites.

Easter Egg Extravaganza

1-2:10 p.m. — Q'emiln Park — Free entry — Celebrate Easter with exciting egg hunts and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny.

Easter Brunch Cruise

11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. — Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises — Enjoy a delicious buffet while cruising on the serene lake waters this Easter.