Author: Lisa Grigg
Regional news
- Troy Insurance Agency, with locations in Lewiston and Moscow, has entered into a partnership to collaborate with Leavitt Group. Leavitt currently operates in 11 offices in Idaho, including Leavitt Inland Pacific Insurance Services in Moscow. Source: Leavitt Group
Clearwater County
- Clearwater Valley Veterinary Clinic has announced plans to close the business to the public at the end of 2024 due to owner retirement. Source: Clearwater Tribune
- Material Girls quilt shop has opened their new location in the former Sears building in Orofino. Source: Clearwater Tribune
- Senator Jim Risch named Innovative Electric Services of Orofino as Idaho’s Small Business of the Month for October. Source: KOZE
Idaho County
- Salmon River Joint School District is experiencing the highest K-12 enrollment of the past decade with over 170 students district wide. The growth is coming from a mixture of residents migrating to the area as well as some formerly homeschooled students returning. Source: Idaho County Free Press
- Killgore Adventures has opened Kirby Creek Lodge outside of Riggins. Accessible only by boat, the lodge boasts six guest rooms and an on-site chef. Source: Killgore Adventures
Latah County
- The city of Bovill completed the 2024 Community Health Academy and will receive a $20,000 grant towards a health and wellness project within the community. Source: Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health
- The Garden Community School in Potlatch has announced plans to open a second child care location in Moscow in November 2024. Source: The Garden Community School
- Lombard Conrad Architects, of Boise, has been hired to study the feasibility of a new elementary school on city-owned land in south Moscow. Source: Lewiston Tribune
- Latah County Jail has recently been found to be outside of state code for fire sprinklers, electrical systems and door size. The county commissioners have asked the Latah County Sheriff to prepare cost estimates and decide how to proceed. Source: Pullman Radio
- Red Star Coffee Company received approval from the Idaho State Board of Education to build a drive-through coffee hut in a current parking lot managed by the University of Idaho. The company will next seek approval by the city of Moscow. Source: Lewiston Tribune
Nez Perce County
- Lewis-Clark State College (LCSC) was awarded a $940,000 five-year SPARC grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The SPARC program will be run in partnership with the Lewiston School District and teach students with disabilities, ages 18-21, skills such as independence, employment and success. Students will attend an academic program each morning and train at worksites in the afternoon. Funding includes the hiring of a new employment coordinator. Source: Lewis-Clark State College
- LCSC has partnered with Idaho State University (ISU) to offer ISU’s accredited paramedic education program on LCSC’s campus. ISU offers a four-semester paramedic science certificate or associate’s degree. LCSC and ISU are active partners for educating pharmacy students, physician assistants and a master of science in athletic training for LCSC students. Source: Lewiston Tribune
- LCSC has completed final requirements of the Prison Education Program (PEP) to become the first Idaho institution to receive approval by the U.S. Department of Education. The completion allows its 130 incarcerated students throughout Idaho to be eligible for Pell Grants. LCSC is one of 11 approved PEP programs in the nation and is one of only three, offering both associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. Source: Lewis-Clark State College
- Joseph Regional Medical Center was designated as a Level II Stroke Center by Idaho’s Time Sensitive Emergency System. Source: St. Joseph Regional Medical Center
Openings
- Tabby’s, coffee shop and bubble waffles food truck, Orofino.
- Style Revival, consignment clothing, Lewiston.
- Renewed Spaces Cleaning, Lewiston.
- Salty Soirees, event coordinator, Lewiston.
- Wolf Meadows, wedding venue, Helmer.
- Hopper’s Pizza Take and Bake, Grangeville.
- Happy Tails Resort, relocated to a new location in Grangeville.
- Hello Gorgeous Salon, Lewiston.
- Kalon Co. Esthetics and Body Sculpting, Lewiston.
- Canyon Inn, has reopened under new ownership, Peck.
Closings
- Northfork Café, Ahsahka.
- The Clothes Line, Lewiston.
This Idaho Department of Labor project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY25 as part of the Workforce Information grant (40%) and state/nonfederal funds (60%) totaling $885,703.
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.
Region
- In early September, the U.S. Drought Monitor downgraded most of the north central region from D1 Moderate Drought to D2 Severe Drought as dry conditions persist. Source: US Drought Monitor
- Wheat harvest in north central Idaho has been challenging due to extremely low market prices that could realistically result in operational losses for local farmers. Winter wheat had above average yields while spring wheat varied from below-to-average yields. Weather was listed as the top issue for the 2024 crop season. Source: PNW Co-Op
- A shortage of referees and officials is resulting in regional fall volleyball and football games being rescheduled and potentially canceled throughout the region. Source: Lewiston Tribune, KOZE, Idaho County Free Press
- Local government outlooks for the next fiscal year:
- Latah County is seeing budget increases for employee salaries, June 2025 Kohberger trial expenses, and grants covering internet broadband deployment offset by predicted lower revenue distributions from sales taxes and alcohol.
- The city of Moscow will increase property taxes by 4% and add three new paid paramedic/firefighter positions, $5 million toward the construction of a new city shop facility and proposed 4% cost of living increase to city staff. The city eliminated six positions in Fiscal Year 2024 that will remain vacant and unfunded for the upcoming year.
- Nez Perce County will purchase a microwave simulcast repeater for improved emergency communications, add a cybersecurity position, and pay final completion bills of the newly constructed county courthouse.
- The city of Lewiston plans to cut unfilled positions (transit driver, groundskeeper, administrative assistant and arborist) and reduce cash reserves to keep property tax rates flat in the upcoming year. It may look to hire more police officers for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
North Central
- The Nez Perce Tribe was awarded a $37 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to install solar power infrastructure, improve residential weatherization, complete wood stove replacements and electric vehicle networks. Source: KOZE, EPA, Lewiston Tribune
- Gwen Fire Summary: The U.S. Forest Service reported a lightning bust on July 24th with over 3,000 lightning strikes that ignited 69 known wildfires throughout north central Idaho. 30-40 miles per hour wind gusts on July 25th resulted in the Gwen Fire quickly raging through nearly 29,000 acres of Nez Perce and Latah counties. Over 160 structures, including 38 primary residences, were destroyed. The fire closed parts of both Highway 3 and Highway 12 for over three days and resulted in an evacuation order for the entire City of Juliaetta.
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