Honestly, if you just glance at the headlines, you'd think Coeur d’Alene is nothing but a playground for billionaire developers and retirees with more money than sense. People see the rising towers on Sherman Avenue and assume the "old" Idaho is gone. But that's not exactly the whole story. Lately, local news cda idaho has been dominated by a shifting political guard, a bizarre legal case involving a fake tough guy, and some pretty serious talk about how much "impact" we can actually handle before the infrastructure snaps.
The Big Shakeup at City Hall
If you haven’t been paying attention to the council meetings, things just got a whole lot different. As of January 6, 2026, Dan Gookin is officially the Mayor. This isn't just a change in name; it's a massive shift in how the city is going to talk to its people. Gookin has been a bit of a lightning rod for years, often acting as the lone "no" vote on the council when he felt things were moving too fast or without enough transparency.
Now that he’s in the big chair, he’s already moving pieces on the board. He just nominated Dan Sheckler for Council Seat #3, which was the spot Gookin had to vacate to become Mayor. There were 23 people who applied for that one seat. That tells you something. People here aren't just complaining on Facebook anymore; they actually want a hand in the steering wheel. Sheckler was picked after a pretty intense interview process with three finalists, and the City Council is set to vote on confirming him this Tuesday, January 20.
And it’s not just the elected officials. We’re seeing a total changing of the guard in the city’s administrative backbone.
- Police Chief Lee White retired on January 14 after 11 years leading the department.
- City Administrator Troy Tymesen, who has basically been the engine under the hood for 25 years, is retiring in February.
- Fire Chief Tom Greif is also punching out come April.
That is a terrifying amount of institutional knowledge walking out the door at the same time. If you're a local, you should probably be watching who fills these shoes. These are the people who decide how your taxes are spent and how the city reacts when the next big growth spurt hits.
Why the "Area of Impact" Maps Actually Matter
You probably saw the news about Kootenai County and the local cities finalizing their "Areas of Impact" maps this month. It sounds like the most boring bureaucratic nonsense imaginable. It’s not. Basically, Idaho law forced these guys to draw lines in the dirt by the end of 2025 to figure out where cities like CDA, Hayden, and Post Falls are going to grow next.
Why should you care? Because for years, the city and the county have been bickering over who is responsible for the roads and the sewers in those "in-between" zones. These new maps, approved by the Kootenai County Commissioners, are supposed to stop the surprises. If you live on the edge of town, these maps decide if your quiet neighborhood is suddenly going to be annexed and turned into a high-density development. It’s about transparency. Or at least, that’s what they’re promising.
The Case of the Impatient Intimidator
We have to talk about Johnathan Manning. This story has been making the rounds in local news cda idaho circles because it’s just so incredibly North Idaho. Manning, a 55-year-old from Post Falls, just got slapped with a 15-year prison sentence.
Back in May, Manning was driving through Coeur d’Alene, swerving and flipping people off. He decided to follow one specific driver into a parking lot to "intimidate" him. He drove at the guy at high speed and then jumped out of his car to start screaming. The problem? The guy he was trying to scare was an undercover detective in an unmarked car.
Manning had meth in his system and three previous DUIs. The judge didn't go easy on him. He’ll be eligible for parole in five years, but it’s a stark reminder that even with all the new "luxury" vibes in town, we still have some very real, very gritty issues with public safety and substance abuse that don't make it into the tourism brochures.
The Housing Reality Check
Everyone wants to know if the market is finally going to crash. It’s the number one thing people search for when looking at local news cda idaho. The short answer? No. But it is getting weird.
As of late 2025, the median sale price for a home in CDA was sitting right around $593,000. That’s up 13.4% from a year ago. If you're coming from Seattle or LA, that sounds like a bargain. If you’re a local kid trying to buy your first house, it’s a nightmare. Interestingly, though, some data suggests things are "turning a corner." Mortgage rates have finally started to dip a bit, and we’re seeing more inventory. In December, there were about 77 homes sold, which is more than the previous year.
Rents are actually hovering around $1,733, which is actually lower than the national average. It’s a strange disconnect. Houses are expensive to buy, but renting isn't quite as soul-crushing as it is in Boise or Spokane right now.
Small Wins and Local Flavor
Amidst all the talk of "towers" and "traffic," there are still things that make this place feel like home. The Kootenai Environmental Alliance is pushing hard on their Climate Adaptation Project. They’re trying to show people that the warming lake isn’t just about "save the planet" stuff—it’s about the heavy metals in the lake sediment. When the water gets too warm and oxygen drops, those old mining chemicals can seep back into the water. That affects the fish, the tourism, and eventually, the property values.
Also, if you’re looking for something to do that isn't corporate, the CDA Public Library is hosting a film series. They're showing a documentary called "Trashed" this Saturday at 2 p.m. It’s part of a push to get people thinking about waste reduction. It's the kind of small-town community event that people worry we're losing.
What You Should Actually Do Now
If you live here or you're planning to move here, don't just complain about the traffic on I-90. Here is how you actually stay informed and involved:
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- Watch the City Council Meeting on January 20. It’s the first big test for Mayor Gookin’s new administration. You can watch it on the city’s website or show up in person at City Hall on Garden Avenue.
- Check the "Area of Impact" Maps. Go to the Kootenai County website and look at the new boundaries. If you live near the city limits, you need to see what’s planned for your backyard before the bulldozers show up.
- Support Local Arts. The CDA Arts Commission just handed out the first Art Spotlight CDA grants. Check out a local theatre production or a dance performance. If we don't support the "culture" part of the city, we’re just going to end up with a bunch of empty condos.
- Mind the Weather. We’re in the heart of winter. Black ice is real, and with the "inversion" patterns we've been seeing, the roads can turn into skating rinks in about ten minutes.
Coeur d'Alene is at a crossroads. It's not the hidden gem it was in the 90s, but it's not a lost cause either. Staying on top of the actual news—not just the rumors—is the only way to keep the "Lake City" from becoming just another expensive zip code.