Here are the best local resources to track local cases of Covid.
CdA Schools:https://www.cdaschools.org/covid
Panhandle Health District Dashboard: https://panhandlehealthdistrict.org/covid-19/dashboard/
Panhandle Updated numbers: https://panhandlehealthdistrict.org/covid-19/
Kootenai Health Inpatient Data: https://www.kh.org/covid-19/
In Kootenai Health’s published response in the Press Sunday, September 26th, the hospital claims the intent of Dr. Carroll’s meeting with Rotary and the corresponding article was “to provide everyone with as clear and up-to-date information as possible to help them make decisions about mitigations, such as vaccinations, masks, and updated social distancing.”
Unfortunately updated information is missing. Clear and up to date information should have included how many kids under age 18 have already had Covid. What is the actual vaccination rate among middle and high schoolers? The information from Dr. Carroll states a 15% vaccination rate but appears to be an assumption. How many kids have been hospitalized at Kootenai since the pandemic began? How many children have been transferred due to our lack of a PICU? How many kids have been hospitalized recently? Is it getting worse? What is the current rate of hospitalization among children under age 18?
34 patients under age 18 have been hospitalized during the pandemic. None have died. 3,587 cases among the same demographics (1%) including 401 confirmed cases in Sept and 80 suspected. 2,700 kids in Kootenai County have already been confirmed or suspected by PHD. Kootenai Health now includes pediatric covid inpatient numbers on the website with a current count of two.
Since we do not have a PICU in Kootenai Health, perhaps the Rotary presentation was intended to encourage members to open their checkbooks. Given that the hospital only required a numerical correction and did not comment on the tone, timing, nor title of the article it seems Mr. MacPhee’s harsh criticism may be warranted. Hopefully Kootenai Health and Dr. Carroll can provide us some useful up-to-date information rather than projections that fail to take into account local and current data.
Sources claim multistory condos will be developed at the former US Bank building at 302 E Sherman adjacent to the Coeur d’Alene Resort Shops. One source indicates half of the condos are already spoken for even though a proposal has not gone through planning and zoning commission. The property is zoned DC, downtown core, and has a building height limit ranging from 75 to 220 feet. Public records indicate the former US Bank building at 302 E Sherman Ave is owned by Front Row Propereties LLC which ties back to local developer Tom Anderl. Downtown Core zoning requirements are here.
Coeur d’Alene Park and Rec Commission delays approving upgraded park due to lack of portapotty or other restrooms.
Slated to get a $275,000 upgrade one of downtown CdA’s gems, Sherman Park Square could have gravel paths replaced by grass, concrete additional trees and a water feature. The park is proposed to be a centennial celebration of Rotary’s impact on the city and highlighted by their generous donation, and renamed Coeur d’Alene Rotary Centennial Park.
The current park was converted from a building after a devastating fire in 1980 and remained privately owned until recently. The owners recently sold the park to a public/private partnership between ignitecda, the cities urban renewal agency, and the local Rotary chapter. Rotary is poised to invest an additional $275,000 in upgrades prior to transferring ownership to the city.
Park and Rec commissioners voiced concerns over lack of lavatory options in the 7884 sq ft park and determined that loss of parking stalls would be concerning. Parks and Rec director is concerned about the water feature maintenance and possibilities of soap pranks which have happened to the K27 Memorial at McEuen Park once over the last several years.
A historic home on Military Dr is demolished, today, after severe damage from the wind storm.
The property is on a corner and a double lot.
A view of the damage prior to demolition.
Prior to tree removal
Many Large trees were lost and additional trees were removed out of caution.
Luckily these cars were empty at the time of the storm.
Meet Steve Widmyer, CdA’s Mayor.
A long time resident of Sander’s Beach neighborhood, businessman, accountant, real estate investor, developer, husband, father, and civil servant, Steve Widmyer has lived an interesting life–the quintessential American Dream. This is the first in a three part series on Steve. Here we highlight the mayor.
The Mayor
As mayor, Steve’s door/email is always open. If inadequate, issues related to city business may be brought to his (and council’s) attention in person by any member of the public for three minutes during bimonthly city council meetings. With public comment topics ranging from UFO’s, Sasquatch, parking problems, and noise complaints, he likely never knows what to expect. Our favorite public comment interaction during the mayor’s past six years in office originate from a recent city council meeting when brilliant Harvard-educated attorney and community activist, David Lyons, attempts to voice concerns in an potentially inappropriate manner. Regardless of the validity of this public comment, the mayor’s response displays diplomacy, leadership, and concern for the well-being of his team.
Our next two posts about the mayor will highlight his rise to prominence and the scrutiny he faces as he continues to follow his passions of real estate development and revitalization of CdA.
Watch our favorite 3 minutes here.
When I heard my dad wasn’t going to be here on Monday (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day #Noschool), I immediately thought about all the video games we would play. But knowing my dad, I quickly thought about how he could make it just the opposite! He suggested that we try “going out” to Hudson’s by ourselves. Now I personally thought that was a great idea.
He showed us a clip (below) of a news channel talking about free-range parenting. He told us to remember a lot of the things people said, how they looked at us, and overall how it felt. On top of that, he also suggested that we get haircuts because our mom was coming home from a trip. That gave me brief hesitation. But our dad booked our appointments and we went to bed, knowing the next day would be fantastic.
As we were walking to Hudson’s people just thought we were taking a stroll. When we entered people didn’t give us weird looks. I assumed this was because they had all grown up going with friends or siblings to the arcade or any other place. We were treated like normal people who were buying a hamburger. I was glad it didn’t get weird.
As we were exiting I remember someone saying, “Oh, are you guys having a brother lunch? That’s so cool!” Later, we walked to The Innovation Den to get our hair cut at Maverick’s Mens Hair. This was interesting because haircuts cost a lot of money whereas burgers are cheaper. We told them that our dad had sent us and they obviously wanted to get paid, so they did our haircuts. If there is one thing that I’ll say about free-range parenting, It’s that it’s awesome!
-Alex (11)
Rumors of riots and looting reached CdA. Protests were peaceful. Hundreds of citizens presented with tactical gear and weapons under the guise of protecting the city.
Over $90,000 in taxes were spent by ignitecda, the local urban renewal agency, on a traffic study near the Riverstone development. Additional street access into Riverstone is being contemplated. Early city schematics showed LaCrosse Ave extending into Bellerive Lane (see image below with one proposal highlighted in red and further below an early city schematic showing the same connection).
While this version of a street extension minimizes impact on the currently “pending”
approximately 7 acre parcel, it is the wrong connection to make into Riverstone from NW Blvd.
The most logical connection is from Lacrosse to Lakewood. Neighboring property owners were polled and petitioned for a Lacrosse/Lakewood connection as shown below in green:
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