Regional news

Nez Perce County

• Clearwater Paper is laying off 23 Lewiston employees and eliminating approximately 50 additional vacant positions. The layoffs are potentially the result of high operating costs combined with soft paperboard prices. The company experienced significant unplanned operating losses in 2024 that include the January deep freeze event (resulting in operational losses exceeding $15 million, of which $10.5 million was covered by insurance proceeds) and a $322,000 civil penalty imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency for unreported chlorine releases throughout 2019-2021. Source: Lewiston Tribune, Clearwater Paper

Idaho County

• The Idaho County Probations Office Annual Juvenile Justice Report listed 44 juvenile felonies in 2024 compared to 12 in 2023. Idaho County does not currently have any facilities to hold juveniles and pays Nez Perce County for the use of its jail. Source: Idaho County Free Press

• Elite Heating and Cooling in Grangeville will be expanding its offerings to include plumbing services and installations in spring 2025. Source: Elite Heating and Cooling

• Elk City experienced a three-day power outage as a result of a fallen tree. Source: Idaho County Free Press

• The City of Kooskia had a record of 375 ambulance responses in 2024. By comparison, there were 252 responses in 2020, 309 responses in 2021 and 354 in 2022. Source: Idaho County Free Press

• Free online American Sign Language classes are being offered to the Riggins community through Oklahoma School for the Deaf from February-June 2025. Source: Idaho County Free Press

Latah County

• The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a civil lawsuit that claims investment firm KKR did not comply with antitrust laws in its 2021 acquisition of EMSI. After the acquisition, KKR consolidated EMSI and Burning Glass into the company now known as Lightcast. The suit highlights that KKR failed to file 28 premerger documents, allowing the company to close transactions without appropriate government review. Source: Lewiston Tribune, U.S. Justice Department

• The University of Idaho is launching an energy institute with a program focus on cybersecurity, sustainability and global energy systems. The institute will operate within the College of Engineering and will offer certificates, minors and full degree programs. The institute will work to expand partnerships with local electricity providers. Source: Lewiston Tribune

• Gritman Medical Center has two construction projects in process – a new central sterile room for its surgical instruments and a fifth operating room within the surgery department. The total project cost is estimated at $5 million and will be paid through tax-exempt revenue bonds. Source: Lewiston Tribune

• Viola Water and Sewer District was awarded a $35,000 planning grant by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. The remaining $35,000 will be funded by the city. Source: Idaho Department of Environmental Quality

• The City of Juliaetta is accepting bids for the new wastewater treatment plant. Source: City of Juliaetta

• The City of Moscow Fire Department responded to a record high 3,002 incidents throughout 2024. This includes 2,208 emergency medical services and 794 fire incidents. There was also a 10% rise from 2023 and a 6% increase from the previous record of 2,828 calls in 2021. Source: City of Moscow

• One Palouse (also known as Palouse Knowledge Corridor) has dissolved operations after serving as a resource hub for local entrepreneurs over the last three years. The nonprofit was a combination of economic development entities representing both Latah County in Idaho and Whitman County in Washington. A nonprofit located in Spokane, Washington will continue to operate the Inland Northwest Connect website. Source: Latah County Commissioners

Clearwater County

• Orofino’s Clearwater Community Complex will soon be under construction with an estimated completion date of 2026. The $4.9 million complex will replace the existing pool with an eight-lane competition pool and a recreation and lesson pool. The project is being funded through donations, grants and sponsorships. Source: Clearwater Progress

• Orofino School District #171 was awarded a $24,000 grant to be directed toward child nutrition and technology updates. The funding will be used for an upgraded warehouse security system, monitor and audio system for the Timberline cafeteria and renewal of software licenses related to the menu planning program. Source: Clearwater Tribune

• U.S. Bank will be closing its Orofino location by April 30. U.S. Bank currently operates 49 locations throughout Idaho, including nearby Lewiston, Moscow and Grangeville. Source: U.S. Bank

Lewis County

• American Freedom Defense of Greencreek acquired Prairie Imperial Bowl in Craigmont. Prairie Imperial Bowl will operate under the new name of AFD Alley. Source: American Freedom Defense

• Going forward, the level of Winchester Lake will be three feet lower than usual due to removal of breakaway walls on the Winchester Lake Dam spillway. The dam and spillway are scheduled to be updated over the next five years and return the lake to normal levels at that time. Source: Idaho Fish and Game

• Upriver Youth Leadership Council was granted a $10,000 Mini-Grant from the Idaho State Liquor Division to implement a Virtual Reality Alcohol Awareness Program. The program will educate youth about the risks of underage and excessive drinking through engaging virtual reality experiences. Source: Upriver Youth Leadership Council

Openings

• The Mango Tree restaurant, Lewiston

• Advantage Advertising is under new ownership, Lewiston

• Shattuck Brewery of Elk River opened Shattuck West taproom, Moscow

• First Bank of Pizza and Pastry opened under new ownership, Juliaetta

• Johnson’s General Store, Potlatch

• Numberz LLC bookkeeping services, Orofino

• Mama Bear Daycare, Lewiston

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