Erik C. Makrush, a newly appointed board member to the Nampa Classical Academy, has been appointed chairman of the Public Relations Committee. It was issued Sunday night. I'm sharing it here, unedited.

— Vickie

Nampa Classical Academy looking forward to addressing Public Charter School Commission on November 12th.

Nampa Classical Academy's school board is taking proactive measures...read more

Here's the audio to the Tuesday night board meeting for Nampa Classical Academy. The founders appointed three new members — all parents of children who attend the academy. Reporter Jon Meyer attended the meeting and wrote this story.Jon also took this photo of the new board members. They are:

Left: Erik Makrush.

Center: Terrence LaMasters.

Right: James Lorenzen.

For a very...read more

PLACERVILLE, California (AP) - Joyous, miraculous news that a little girl kidnapped nearly two decades ago was found alive gave way Thursday to the horrifying details of how police say she has lived all those years: kept in captivity by a convicted rapist in his backyard and forced to bear two of his children

Jaycee Lee Dugard, who was 11 in 1991 when she was snatched from her school bus stop, was...read more

The Hawaii football coach dropped a derogatory gay bomb when talking about Notre Dame today. Dave Southorn and Sports Editor Phil Dailey were among the first to break the story from Salt Lake.

Should the press "cover" for him? Absolutely not. That would be as bad as the coach saying what he said. KBOI's Nate Shelman takes the conversation to the airwaves today at 4. I'll be...read more

Nampa insurance agent George Dahlinger garnered a mention in The Politico for his guest opinion that the Idaho Press-Tribune published.

The reference was made in connection with a propsal to create a federal insurance regulator.

"Big out-of-state firms might benefit from such legislation, but Idaho consumers would be losers if the radical 'solution' supported by Rep. Minnick...read more

The hunt for missing 8-year-old Robert Manwill continues. Idaho Statesman digs up revealing court documents that lays out a trail of tragedy. Kudos to reporters Patrick Orr and Cynthia Sewell.

On the fifth day of an exhaustive search for a missing Boise boy, court documents revealed a family tale of abuse, tragedy and more. Robert Manwill's mother is on probation for fracturing the skull of Robert's infant half brother, a boy the state removed from her custody.

The...read more

Health care spending fluctuates widely across the country. The Associated Press has created an interactive look at costs associated with health care for each state. It's broken down by overall spending, hospital costs and premiums.

Idaho's numbers look good compared to other states. Here's a breakdown of Idaho numbers:

• 2007 hospital expenses per day for inpatients: $1,643, $53 below the national average.
• 2004 total health care spending per capita: $4,444, $839 below the national average.
• 2004 total spending as a percent of value of goods and services: 13% vs. the national number of 13.30%.
• 2006 single premium costs per enrolled employee of employer-based medical insurance: $3,573 — $545 less than the national average.

Take a look at the inactive graphic and see how other states rank. Some...read more

I've pasted below the comments regarding our Friday story about the God & Country flyover that was turned down because Christianity was a focus.

I blogged about it last week. We've had more than 40 comments, and it's by far the hottest issue we've ever had when it comes to debates in the "commenting section."

Nate Shelman of KBOI radio will focus on this...read more

There's a pretty interesting story about the military barring reporter Heath Druzin from covering a military unit that he had previously spent time with in Iraq. Heath used to work for the Idaho Statesman.

Stars and Stripes weighs in from both sides:

Mosul unit wrong to bar Stripes reporter

Army bars Stars and Stripes reporter from covering 1st Cav unit in Mosul

What do you think...read more

Here's a good New York Times story on the economy in the Treasure Valley:

I just love this: "BOISE, a metropolitan area of 600,000 people set in the high desert, is as good a place as any to try to figure this out. In many respects, the local economy presents a microcosm of the recent American experience, making it a useful laboratory.

A former trading post on the Oregon Trail, Boise now has microbreweries, coffee houses and bohemian chic boutiques inhabiting brick storefronts downtown. Beefy men in chamois shirts debate fishing tackle over steins of beer, while others with goatees and pierced lips sip chai lattes and discuss herbal medicine ..."

For the whole story, click here....read more

I have a solid group of reporters and editors I work with, and they raise good questions every day — even for me.

As details of sexual battery charges against a one-time Canyon County sheriff's deputy became clearer, reporter Bryan Dooley raised an issue. It became increasingly clear that an adult female would also be arrested and charged with involvement with the incident.

At that point...read more

Here are links to stories I mentioned in my Sunday column.

From hurt to hope:Domestic abuse survivor finds success at Hope's Door by Sharon Strauss

Domestic violence victims need your help more than ever by Brenda Cameron of Hope's Door

Help raise funds, attend Touch 1 Life Fashion Show

You can help by attending the second annual Touch 1 Life Fashion Show Thursday...read more

Why does one business closure warrant Page 1 and another one publishes on the Business page?

We ask those questions when we decide what goes on the front page because we anticipate that readers may pose that question as well.

Last week we reported that Helen's Gifts & Flowers, a 28-year mainstay in Nampa's Karcher Mall, will shut its doors for good May 31. The 240-word story was published...read more

We reported in our story today and online Tuesday that the court documents connected to the embezzlement of Canyon County money had been sealed. We registered a complaint and we received a note from 3rd District Trial Court Administrator Dan Kessler.

Apparently the records were not sealed, but there was an order to keep it confidential because of a pending arrest. Here's what Mr. Kessler said...read more

It's Cavalcade Day. A 94-page magazine featuring 11 Idahoans is in your Idaho Press-Tribune today. Here's a link to our Web component where we have video and slideshows. It's a great "coffee table" piece and a terrific read. Here's what one person wrote this morning:

I have just spent the past few hours reading Cavalcade 2000. Congratulations to you and your associates...read more

BOISE (AP) - A spokeswoman for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games says Vice President Joe Biden is expected to visit Idaho next week, near the close of the seven-day event for disabled athletes.

Kirsten Suto Seckler says organizers are still working with the White House on the exact date of Biden's visit and how he will participate.

The games start Saturday and run through next Friday...read more

My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising...read more

Did those dudes surf spuds or sugar beets?

According to reader Don, those objects are sugar beets. But the guys making their debut at X-Dance today with their surfing film are quoted saying "We did stupid things like surf down a pile of potatoes in Idaho and a little waterfall in Massachusetts, we saw a 6 legged cow in Kansas and ate Cougar in Arizona, it was an amazing trip."

"Morning...read more

Avid outdoorsman and Outdoors Editor Glen Bruderer is taking his expertise to the Web with a new blog. We hope to get our other writers involved — and you, too — to go beyond what we provide in the printed publication. Let Glen know what you think.

...read more

The newsroom — reporters, photographers and other editors — will maintain 2C etc. It's live.

...read more

VAY, Idaho (AP) _ A sign erected by a northern Idaho landowner that advertises a "free public hanging" of President-elect Barack Obama and several other political figures is being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service.
Bonner County Sheriff Elaine Savage said she and a Secret Service agent from Spokane, Wash., planned to take a firsthand look at the sign put up by Ken Germana.
"That's...read more

By JOCELYN NOVECK, AP National Writer
NEW YORK (AP) _ Given the historic election we've all just experienced, it's hard to remember back to last week, let alone June 2007, when Barack Obama was a true underdog, polling way behind front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton.

That's when a 32-year-old ad executive came up with an idea for a new Web video. Seeking something catchy to launch a new site, barelypolitical.com...read more

 By John Miller of the Associated Press
BOISE - Congressman-elect Walt Minnick says western and northern Idaho voters who chose him over one-term incumbent Republican Bill Sali need only look one state southward to see how a Democratic lawmaker can be effective in a largely GOP state.
U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, has won five times by focusing on constituent services - and by appearing to break...read more

By JOHN MILLER
Associated Press Writer
BOISE(AP) _ About a third of the 653,000 Idaho voters this year cast absentee ballots, a phenomenon that powered record turnout but raised concern among some Republican lawmakers that mass voting before Election Day is disruptive and disadvantages some candidates.
Although Oregon has adopted vote-by-mail and only two Washington state counties still open polling...read more

Idaho Rep.-elect Minnick names chief of staff

BOISE (AP) - U.S. Rep.-elect Walt Minnick has named Isaac Squyres as his chief of staff.
Squyres, 35, who grew up in Boise and worked for Minnick during the Democrat's unsuccessful 1996 race against U.S. Sen. Larry Craig, has been employed at lobbying firm Gallatin Public Affairs.
Gallatin Public Affairs' president in Idaho is Marc Johnson, the press...read more

Daryl Crandall, a Republican Owyhee County deputy, has won the highly controversial race for Owyhee County sheriff. The unofficial results, according to Crandall at nearly 11 p.m., show he garnered 2,315 votes and incumbent and write-in candidate Sheriff Gary Aman received 1,599 votes.
When asked for his reaction, Crandall left the answer up to supporters gathered with him. They responded with a hearty...read more

We have a great Web page with numbers being updated for individual races in Canyon, Gem and Owyhee counties. We'll be up all night posting as results come in.

As expected, Mike Simpson is the winner of the U.S. House race for the 2nd District seat and Republican Jim Risch has won the U.S. Senate race. He will take over Larry Craig's seat.

It's too early for results in the Minnick-Sali race. Canyon...read more

Report also says ABC's "World News" had more balance than NBC and CBS evening news shows

By DAVID BAUDER, AP Television Writer
NEW YORK (AP) _ John McCain supporters who believe they haven't gotten a fair shake from the media during the Republican's candidacy against Barack Obama have a new study to point to.
Comments made by sources, voters, reporters and anchors that aired on ABC, CBS...read more

By Vickie Holbrook

In the scheme of political news, this is pretty cool.
Idaho first lady Lori Otter clearly has a mind of her own. She made a personal contribution to Democratic candidate Byron Yankey in his race against Steve Kren, who was appointed to the Legislature by the governor himself.
Is there a little political war going on in the Otter household? No, not at all.
Byron Yankey, a well...read more

Are you a staunch supporter of John McCain? Has Barack Obama got you excited about the prospect for change? Or are you still trying to decide which candidate can best lead the nation?
The Idaho Press-Tribune wants to hear from people willing to let us know how you think the candidates perform in the presidential debates as the election approaches.
If it goes on as planned, Friday's debate will broadcast...read more

The story of a Nampa man who says he was asked to leave the Western Idaho Fair because his disabled wife disturbed people nearby is our main package on the front page Friday.
It's a troubling situation and critical that we get as much information as possible about what happened. Reporter Sharon Strauss spent most of her day talking to people involved. The end result: A classic case of two parties...read more

By David Woolsey
Over at his kind-of anonoblog, Nampan Chris offers commentary on politics, food, drink, nightlife and Canyon County in general under the name "the unequivocal notion."
Every so often, the foodie will take a swipe at an Idaho Press-Tribune dining feature. A few examples to check out yourself:
• TGI Fridays
• Medium-well ribeye
And maybe here...
• Restaurant atmosphere
The...read more

By David Woolsey

We received this e-mail today.

"Will you please stop showing the license plate numbers on the pictures you take of automobile crash sites, especially if someone is fatally injured, etc, I think this is such a poor and insensitive way to report the accident, who knows who sees this and for whatever reason did not know about the accident and your paper gets to break the news to someone their loved one has been injured or even worse killed."

Vickie...read more

By David Woolsey
At the Idaho Press-Tribune, my job is to manage the local news report. I assign stories, oversee our breaking news efforts at idahopress.com, work with the multimedia editor to align print and visuals, edit copy and help make sure everything comes together in the busy hours from midafternoon to midnight.
I also act as a gatekeeper of content for both our print and online editions...read more