Members of the Couer d'Alene Police Department were honored on Tuesday, April 2nd for their service and dedication to their positions. Nine officers were recognized in the ceremony as well as two police department members who are not sworn officers.

Members of the Report Writing Unit were acknowledged twice in the evening. The unit was given the Distinguished Unit Citation Award as well as the Letter Commendation for their efforts and professionalism.

Officers Eric Johnson, Lee Morgan and John Kelly were honored with the Life Saving Award for their actions that saved a woman's life when she lost consciousness in their patrol car. Chief Wayne Longo also received a Life Saving Award stemming from an incident where he provided assistance and comfort to a man suffering a gun shot wound to the head. The E.R. doctor attributes the man's survival to Longo's actions.

Lynda Kloptaek was recognized for her administrative efforts with the Non-Sworn Member of the Year Award. Kloptaek is the Investigation Division Secretary. The Volunteer Member of the Year Award went to Carmen LaRosa who has dedicated over 1500 hours of his time to the department since 2008.

A northern Idaho Republican group says they will aggressively campaign for two seats on the Kootenai Hospital District Board of Trustees with the goal of adding conservative voices on how public money is spent.

Jeff Ward of the Kootenai County Reagan Republicans tells the Coeur d'Alene Press that the days of uncontested elections for even the smallest nonpartisan taxing districts are over.

He says the taxing districts control hundreds of millions of tax dollars and the group wants to make sure the boards have conservative ideas.

He says two candidates for the hospital board are members of the Kootenai County Reagan Republicans. They are Donna Montgomery and Jim Pierce.

Montgomery says she's a hand-up and not a hand-out type of person.

Sandpoint, ID - Schweitzer Mountain Resort has announced the extension of the ski season one extra week, with the new closing date falling on Sunday, March 14. A combination of excellent snow and weather conditions has prompted the resort to offer this extra week of operation.

“This year conditions came together perfectly for us to operate for an additional week,” said Schweitzer President and CEO Tom Chasse. “We’re thrilled to offer this extended season to our guests.”

Even though the season has been prolonged, Tropical Daze, Schweitzer’s annual spring celebration, will stay on its original dates of Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7. Events for the weekend include the Rubber Ducky Derby, pond skimming in the village, the ever popular Downhill Dummy Derby on lower JR run, live music and a boom box party in Taps Lounge, family friendly pirate themed activities throughout the village and much more.

“Tropical Daze is a great way to celebrate the change in weather and welcome in spring skiing,” Chasse said.