August 14, 2026                   Vol. 22 Issue 96

Breaking news (8-14-26, 6:15 p.m.)
Injury crash US 12 near SH 3 junction, blocks traffic for about 2 1/2 hours
Idaho State Police is investigating a two-vehicle crash that occurred at 11:08 a.m. at US Highway 12 milepost 15 at the State Highway 3 junction in Nez Perce County. See the report...

Breaking news (8-14-26)
Fire danger prompts Stage 1 Fire Restrictions across North Central Idaho
KAMIAH - Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will be in effect for both the East and West Zones of the Grangeville Fire Restrictions Area until further notice. See the info...

Breaking news (8-14-26, 2 p.m.)
Fire destroys camper, shed on Cougar Ridge Dr.
A fire destroyed a camper and shed at 619 Cougar Ridge Dr. Thursday night, according to Evergreen Rural Fire District Chief Robert Lewis. See the report...

Mile Marker 50 Fire contained, US 12 fully opened
GREER - The Mile Marker 50 Fire upriver from Orofino was declared contained Thursday night and U.S. Highway 12 fully opened in both directions. See the update...

Air Quality forecast to improve, burn ban lifted
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality has lifted the burn ban in Clearwater and Idaho counties outside the Nez Perce Indian Reservation due to improved air quality conditions. See the info and graphics...

Orofino Lumberjack Day roughly five weeks away
Orofino Lumberjack Days is roughly five weeks away and these are the questions being frequently asked on our Facebook page or website. See the article...

Budget is subject of County Commissioner's regular session
Clearwater County Clerk/Treasurer JoAnn Davis reviewed the budget with the Clearwater County Commissioners during their regular session Aug. 3. See the report...

Regular School Board meeting scheduled August 17
See the agenda...

Obituary:
Sherrie Ann Hesler Ball Parra, 79, formerly of Weippe...

IDFG seeks information regarding cow elk shot, wasted in Unit 11A
Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers are seeking information about a cow elk that was shot and left to waste on private property in Clearwater County, unit 11A. See the article and photo...

2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree selected on NPCNF Salmon River Ranger District
KAMIAH-The 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree has been selected on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. The tree, which will stand in front of the Nation's Capitol in Washington, D.C., is an 80-foot-tall grand fir located on the Salmon River Ranger District. See the article and photo...

Breaking news (8-13-26)
US 12 near Greer fully reopen Thursday night
GREER - U.S. Highway 12 west of Greer was fully reopened at 8 p.m. Thursday night after fire activity from the Mile Marker 50 Fire prompted closures and pilot car operations through the area, according to Idaho Transportation Department. See the report...

Breaking news (8-13-26, 10:30 a.m.)
Mile Marker 50 Fire near Greer held at 7 acres, US 12 open to one-lane traffic
GREER -- Mile Marker 50 Fire upriver from Orofino, west of Greer, was held at 7 acres overnight and U.S. Highway 12 has been opened to one lane, alternating traffic with a pilot car. See the report...

Breaking news (8-12-26, 8:15 p.m.)
Wildfire closes US 12 between mileposts 49-51
GREER- A new fire start has shut down U.S. Highway 12 on the Clearwater River upstream from Orofino from mile markers 49-51, according to Idaho Transportation Department. See the report...

OES receives donation for inclusive playground equipment
Orofino Elementary School has received a $75,000 donation for inclusive playground equipment. See the info and photo...

Applications being taken for County Planning and Zoning Commissions vacancy
Clearwater County Commissioners are accepting applications for vacancies on the Clearwater County Planning and Zoning Commission. See the article...

Joint School District 171 supporting students to thrive
Our Joint School District 171 Food Pantry Summer Program offered participating students and their families, summer meals from June 17th, 2026 to our last day of distribution on August 5, 2026. See the article and photo...

Orofino Rotary makes donation to Innovia Foundation
Nolan Glueckert with Innovia Foundation was our guest speaker last Friday. He's visited several times throughout the past several years as we've watched the foundation grow and the ways it can be used to benefit our community. We are sorry to hear he is relocating to the Spokane area, and hope he'll remain in touch. See the column and photo...

Outage required for Avista customers in Weippe
SPOKANE, Wash. -- Approximately 719 Avista customers in Weippe, and the surrounding areas will experience a power outage starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. on August 19. See the info...

Summer Biking Safety: Protecting young riders important
Summer has arrived, school is out, and children across our community are making the most of their freedom. See the column...

Childhood screen detects mental health risks
Children who experience traumatic events have a higher risk of health and mental health disorders.See the column...

Looking for a gift or collectible, special photos or frames, need faster Internet, a new roof, technology help?
Check out our Directory Page and see who might have the technology help, remedies for holes in your roof, faster Internet, that special photo, frame or gift. See the page...

Looking for faster internet?
Check Classifieds...

We Have a Winner!
Join us for our 690th Clearwater History Trivia, a special feature to celebrate Clearwater Country's history and heritage. See the winner, answer and clues...

We Have a Winner!
Join us for our 689th Clearwater History Trivia, a special feature to celebrate Clearwater Country's history and heritage. See the answer, winner and clues...

We Need Your Memories!
Join us for our 618th Clearwater History Trivia, a special feature to celebrate Clearwater Country's history and heritage. See how to help....

"All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost." --- JRR Tolkien, from "The Fellowship of the Ring"