Regional news

• Both Lewis-Clark State College and the University of Idaho reported strong enrollment numbers for the Spring 2025 semester. Compared to Spring 2024, Lewis-Clark State College reported more than 300 additional students while the University of Idaho reported over 400 more enrollments. Source: Lewiston Tribune

• The LC Valley Food project is a new online food hub pilot that will connect a mix of local producers while creating a single pick-up point for consumers. Source: KOZE

• St. Mary’s Health and Clearwater Valley Health have launched a new 3D mobile mammography program. The mobile unit will rotate between clinic locations in Cottonwood, Grangeville, Orofino and Kamiah. Source: Idaho County Free Press

Nez Perce County

• Reliance Ministries of Lewiston has purchased a home that will serve as a Reliance House for pregnant mothers and babies. The 22-month residential program is set up to allow mothers to break cycles of crisis while pursuing independence and success. Source: KOZE

Idaho County

• Idaho County Airport has opened a new pilot’s lounge offering Wi-Fi, restrooms and a place to rest. Source: Idaho County Free Press

• Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) is working to open a Resale Store in Grangeville to support their animal shelter. Source: ARF

• The new Salmon River Safe Haven Resource Center nonprofit in Riggins will provide assistance to domestic violence victims. Source:

Latah County

• Latah County Commissioners signed an emergency disaster declaration in early March following flooding events during the last week of February. The combination of still frozen ground, elevated temperatures, melting snow and high levels of precipitation washed out roadways. It also flooded parks and neighborhoods. Source: Lewiston Tribune

• Paradise Creek Bicycles has transitioned from a retail storefront to offering mobile bike maintenance services. Source: Paradise Creek Bicycles

• Latah Recovery Center has opened the Whitman Recovery Community Center in Pullman, Washington, for people recovering from substance use and facing behavioral health issues. The Latah Recovery Center has been in operation in Moscow for 10 years. Source: KXLY

• The National Science Foundation awarded a $4.5 million grant to the University of Idaho to develop open source artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help institutions manage grants and contracts more effectively. If successful, the program will complete monotonous and time-consuming administrative tasks while staff is better able to focus resources on strategic responsibilities. The project will initially partner with the University of Idaho and the University of Southern Utah, with plans to expand to additional data-drive research institutions. Source: National Science Foundation

• The University of Idaho received a $350,000 grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust for extra cold walk-in freezers for cryopreservation of perishable biological samples. This follows a $550,000 grant award in 2024 from the same organization for a chemical ionization mass spectrometer at the Ecoflux lab in Moscow. Source: Pullman Radio

• The Latah County Library District received a $10,000 grant from the American Library Association to help fund automatic doors for ADA compliance at the Kendrick branch. Source: Lewiston Tribune

Clearwater County

• Around five gallons of hydraulic oil were spilled into the north fork of the Clearwater River from a hydro plant operated by the Idaho Department of Water Resources. Cleanup is in process and no fish mortalities are expected. Source: Daily Fly

• The Rex Theater in Orofino is under new ownership. Future plans include movies, live performances, and workshop and conference space for public and private events. The Rex originally opened in 1914 as Orofino’s first theater. Source: Daily Fly

• The Orofino City Council approved spending $350,000 for two portions of the Cured-In-Place Pipe project that will be completed by C&L Water Solutions. The project will address the city’s aging sanitary sewer lines. Source: Clearwater Tribune

Lewis County

• The Prairie River Library District recently hired a branch manager in Nezperce and the library has resumed regular operating hours. Source: Nezperce City Council

Openings

• NRH Construction, Grangeville

• Freedom Hard Plumbing, Kamiah

• Wild Heart Designs, Cottonwood

• Malama Smoothies and Coffee Co, Lewiston

• F Street Bar, Lewiston

• Pepper’s Taco Truck, Grangeville

• White Bird Store and Liquor, White Bird

• Amigos Mexican Food Restaurant, Riggins

• Innovative Electric Services is under new ownership, Orofino

Closings

• Wooden Nickel sports bar, Lewiston

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