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SAFETY | WELLNESS | CONVENIENCE | ANIMAL AId | informational
TAX PREPARATION
Informational (Seasonal)
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AARP Tax Aide volunteers (IRS-certified) offer FREE income tax preparation/assistance for low to moderate-income taxpayers of all ages during tax preparation season. (Membership in AARP not required.)
For 2024, here are the schedules for Feb 1 to April 15:​
LAKE CITY CENTER​
1916 Lakewood Dr., CdA
Call 208-665-7329 for app't
Mon-Fri, 9 am-3 pm
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RATHDRUM SENIOR CENTER
8037 Montana St., Rathdrum
Call 208-659-2464 for app't
Wed & Fri, 9 am-3 pm
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DALTON GARDENS CHURCH OF CHRIST
6439 N. 4th St, Dalton Gardens
763-569-0977
Walk-ins welcome; no app'ts
Mon thru Sat, 9 am-3 pm
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IDAHO HEALTH & WELFARE OFFICE
35 Wildcat Way, Kellogg
Call 208-659-1827 for app't
Thursdays, 9 am-3 pm
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snow removal
Informational
Snow removal is always a concern in North Idaho. However, the cities of Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Rathdrum, Hayden & Spirit Lake try to keep residents informed via their websites - some interactive.
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Learn when snow plows are moving into neighborhoods, what material/chemical is used, priorities, primary routes, driveway berms & more.
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Here are the links:
CITyLINK BUS
Convenience
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Transportation services are available at no cost to Kootenai & Benewah County rIders.
CITYLINK operates 4 routes, 7 days a week, including holidays, with over 150 stops.
CITYLINK buses have seating for 33 people, racks for bicycles & wheelchair lifts.
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For routes, Q&A, policies & contact info, click HERE or call 208-446-1616.
shiba - medicare
Wellness
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Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) offers at no cost, unbiased Medicare benefits info & assistance through workshops. If preferred, an app't can be set for one-on-one counseling at 2005 Ironwood Parkway, CdA, by calling 1-800-247-4422.
SHIBA is a service of Idaho Department of Insurance.
silver express bus
Convenience
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Traveling in the Silver Valley is FREE of charge with stops in Pinehurst, Smelterville, Kellogg, Osburn, Wallace & Mullan (with additonal stops in-between).
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Silver Express Shuttle bus runs Monday thru Friday in the Silver Valley on eastbound & westbound routes (3) times each weekday.
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Riders can travel to Coeur d'Alene on Tuesdays & Thursdays. For more info & schedules, call 1-855-495-7325 or click HERE.
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Silver Express Paratransit Service is also available for disabled persons not able to use the regular bus. Please call for more info
Kootenai health transport
Wellness
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For patients needing rides to & from appointments, KOOTENAI HEALTH provides FREE transportation.
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To schedule a ride, call 208-625-5030 at least 24 hours prior to pick-up time. Dispatcher will ask for date, time, address, phone # & any special needs such as a wheelchair
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Hours of operation are: Monday thru Friday for greater CdA area; & Tues/Thurs for Rathdrum area.
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Click HERE for more info & map.
LIFE JACKET
STATIONS
Safety
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"SAFE KIDS KOOTENAI COUNTY" aims to reduce accidental drownings, especially among children, by supplying & maintaining life jacket loaner stations at popular boat launches.
FREE of charge, the public can use & then return the U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFDs sized from infant to adult XL (with instructions on how to choose the proper one.)
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For more info, contact Donna Kalanick at 208-625-5722, or click HERE.
smart phones
Informational
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Receive FREE instruction on how to understand & navigate something so small, yet complicated (especially for seniors) - a smart phone.
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On the 1st Wednesday of each month, a class is held at LAKE CITY CENTER, 1916 Lakewood Dr., CdA, from 10-11 am.
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More info - 208-667-4628, or click HERE for link to activities schedule.
MEETING ROOMS
Convenience
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Some businesses offer FREE community meeting rooms. Each has requirements or purposes, so be sure to call stores for specifics.
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200 W, Hanley, CdA
208-762-4913
Area libraries: Athol, Hayden, Post Falls, Rathdrum, Spirit Lake, Harrison & Pinehurst
222 W. Neider Ave., Coeur d'Alene 208-665-4590
225 W. Canfield, Ste. B, CdA
208-772-6333
prescription
turn-in
Wellness
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Avoid accidental poisoning, overdose & abuse of prescription drugs. Dispose of meds, FREE of charge, which have expired or are not needed. Look for the "MedReturn Box" at these locations:
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COEUR D'ALENE POLICE DEPT.
3818 Schreiber Way, CdA
KOOTENAI CO. SHERIFF'S OFFICE
5500 N. Gov't Way, CdA
WALGREEN'S DRUG STORE
355 W. Appleway, CdA
POST FALLS POLICE DEPT.
1717 E. Polston Ave., PF
WALMART
3050 E. Mullan Ave., PF
MEDICINE MAN WEST
802 E. Medical Court, PF
SAFEWAY
161 W. Prairie Ave., Hayden
RATHDRUM POLICE DEPT.
8178 Main St., Rathdrum
SPIRIT LAKE POLICE DEPT.
6155 W. Maine St., Spirit Lake
COEUR D'ALENE TRIBAL POLICE
850 A St., Plummer
BENEWAH SHERIFF'S OFFICE
701 College Ave., St. Maries
SHOSHONE CO. SHERIFF'S OFFICE
717 Bank St., Wallace
SANDPOINT POLICE DEPT.
1123 Lake St., Sandpoint​
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See more info at IDAHO OFFICE OF DRUG POLICY.
idaho state police news
Informational
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Be knowledgeable. Sign up for news releases (traffic delays/accidents & more) from IDAHO STATE POLICE.
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Past reports have been archived & can be accessed as well. Sign up HERE.
alert! kootenai notifications
Informational
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Sign up for the FREE "Kootenai County Emergency Alert Program" - receive critical information on major forest fires, flooding, winter storms, road closures, evacuations of buildings/neighborhoods & more.
Time-sensitive messages will be sent wherever you specify - your home, mobile or business phones, email or text messages.
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"If we can't reach you, we can't alert you". Sign up HERE.
dog parks
Informational
Where are the dog parks? In Coeur d'Alene there are five:
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CENTRAL BARK DOG PARK, 3889 Nez Perce Rd.
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McEUEN PARK/DOG PARK, 504 E. Front Ave.
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CHERRY HILL DOG PARK, 1718 N. 15th St.
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RIVERSTONE DOG PARK, 1805 Tilford Lane
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ATLAS WATERFRONT DOG PARK, 2310 W. Suzanne Road
In Hayden, take "Fido" to:
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PAWFOOT DOG PARK, 1347 W. Lancaster Rd.
Rathdrum's dog parks are located here:
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THE BARKING LOT, 5750 W. Majestic Ave.
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THAYER FARMS DOG PARK, 8939 W. Range Dr.
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Read dog park rules, "petiquette", how to manage a situation & people etiquette HERE (thank you, TAILS Foundation!)
child car seat
INSPECTIONS
Safety
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SAFE START, a non-profit organization dedicated to child safety prevention education focused on safe infant sleep & child passenger safety, provides FREE car seat inspections at various locations throughout North Idaho.
App'ts are recommended, although not required. See schedules HERE, or text 844-619-2048 for app't, or for questions.
Also ask about Safe Start's new "Rural Education Outreach Program" & newly-established Safety Stations which are stocked with portable cribs & sleep sacks:
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Shoshone Fire District #1, 58738 Silver Valley Rd., Osburn
Car seat inspections are also offered FREE of charge at KOOTENAI HEALTH for new parents & caregivers.
The program exists to prevent unintentional childhood injury or death. Call 208-625-4642 to schedule an app't. Kootenai Health is located at 2003 Kootenai Health Way, CdA.
keeping SENIORS INDEPENDENT
Safety
Serving adults in Kootenai, Shoshone, Benewah, Bonner & Boundary counties, AREA AGENCY ON AGING OF NORTH IDAHO provides access to resources so that independence & a quality way of life can be maximized for
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Older adults
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Individuals with disabilities, &
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Vulnerable adults 18 years of age & older
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Services may include:
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Meals delivered to home
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Housekeeping tasks (may incur a co-payment)
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Family caregiver respite
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Adult protective services
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Long term care ombudsmen
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Medicare assistance & fraud monitoring
For more information, call 208-667-3179 or email infoassist@nic.edu. Area Agency on Aging of North Idaho has an office at 402 W. Canfield Ave., Ste 1, CdA.
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Don't forget 2-1-1 Idaho CareLine, a FREE statewide community Info & referral service, provided by the Dept. of Health & Welfare. HERE is the link, or call 1-800-926-2588.
COMPUTER HELP
Informational
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Tech help is available FREE at HAYDEN LIBRARY, 8385 N. Gov't Way, Hayden. 208-772-5612
Don't get frustrated by mobile devices – smart phone, tablet, e-reader, laptop, etc. Get help!
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COEUR D'ALENE LIBRARY offers "Book a Librarian" for help with tech issues such as downloading eBooks, setting up an email account & much more.
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For your convenience, schedule an appointment at 702 E. Front Ave., CdA. 208-769-2315
health care
Wellness
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Pregnant women & children ages 3-17 can receive dental care FREE or at minimal cost during Panhandle Health's "Dental Day" on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.
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Dental hygenists provide oral health checks, teeth cleaning, fluoride varnish & referrals.
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Appointments are limited, so call 208-415-5270 to schedule.
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PANHANDLE HEALTH DISTRICT also offers smoking cessation for teens, Hepatitis A & B vaccines, parenting classes, fitness classes, home health care, HIV testing & much more!
vacant homes
Safety
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"Vacation Check" is a FREE service for those who will be away from their homes who would like police officers to do routine checkcs.
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Make arrangements by calling POST FALLS POLICE department's non-emergency phone, 208-773-3517, or via form found HERE.
Provide a return date, emergency contact & info on expected visitors or vehicles which may be at residence during your absence.
SPIRIT LAKE POLICE also provides this FREE "Security Check" service. Find form HERE. Questions? 208-623-2701.
bookmobile
Convenience
Can't travel to a library? Let the full-service library-on-wheels come to you. Books & audiovisual materials will be onboard, or can be ordered.
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Did you know? Library cards are FREE!
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Look for COMMUNITY LIBRARY NETWORK's Bookmobile in your area - at schools, senior living facilities, fire stations; & at community events throughout the year. See the schedule HERE.
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Questions? Call 208-772-7405, 208-772-5612 (ext 119), or email bookmobile@communitylibrary.net.
power outages
Informational
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When the electricity goes out, wouldn't you like to know it if you're not home, & also when it will be restored?
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Sign up for alerts via text message or email, or download the app. This is a FREE service.
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AVISTA UTILITIES link is HERE. Avista also offers FREE home energy audits. Call 800-227-9187 for more info.
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KOOTENAI ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE link is HERE.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
PROGRAMS
Safety
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"Because safe neighborhood are everybody's business", proactive "Block Watch" programs exist in our communities. To find out more, or to organize one, contact:
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208-769-2320
208-773-3517
208-623-2701
208-687-0711
quit tobacco
Wellness
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Yes, you can do it...quit smoking! A FREE in-person program for teens is available.
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PANHANDLE HEALTH DISTRICT offers a no-cost teen "Quit Tobacco & E-Cigarette" course at various times which is designed to help teens quit an unhealthy habit, develop social skills, manage stress, set goals, eat nutritious food & exercise.
Need more info? Call 208-415-5206.
SENIOR COMPANIONS
Wellness
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"North Idaho Senior Companions" connects volunteers (age 55 or older) with homebound individuals who need person-to-person friendly support due to loneliness, illness or disability.
Weekly visits also provide respite for spouses/caregivers. Companions & clients are matched according to shared interests & experiences.
There is NO COST for this service, which is sponsored by PANHANDLE HEALTH DISTRICT, 8500 N. Atlas Rd., Hayden, 208-415-5177.
Volunteers receive a tax-free hourly stipend & mileage reimbursement.
disability action center
Wellness
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With the goal of promoting independence & equality for all individuals with disabilities, DISABILITY ACTION CENTER NW has an office at 3726 E. Mullan Ave., Post Falls; phone 208-457-3891.
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Services include:
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Peer support
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Living skills (managing finances, communication, daily tasks);
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Technology/computer (skills & access)
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In-home support
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Advocacy services for independent living, disability laws, accessible housing/transportation
"retire" flags
Convenience
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Time for a new flag? Take worn, faded & tattered American flags to POST FALLS POST 143 AMERICAN LEGION, 1138 E. Poleline Ave., for proper disposal.
Look for the "Flag Drop" receptical (resembles a red, white & blue mailbox). Info - 208-773-9054.
CRIME MAPS
Informational
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Sign up for the FREE "Crime Reports" map, available from KOOTENAI COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, which shows recent locations of car thefts, burglaries, assaults, sex offenders & more.
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KCSO also offers "Alert" mass emergency notifications for Kootenai County & from the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security. Sign up HERE or call 208-446-1300. Stay informed.
GENEALOGY
Informational
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If there's a void in your life - family members you're looking for & haven't found - Kootenai County Genealogical Society members are available each Wednesday at HAYDEN LIBRARY. Let them help you - no charge.
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Library location is 8385 N. Gov't Way, Hayden. 208-772-5612
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HAYDEN LAKE FAMILY HISTORY CENTER can also help FREE of charge. Hours vary, so call for an app't, 208-765-0150. Location is 2293 W. Hanley Ave., CdA.
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Get assistance completing the branches of family trees.
BIRD RESCUES
Animal Aid
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With a goal of returning injured raptors to the wild, BIRDS OF PREY NORTHWEST provides medical care to sick, injured & orphaned birds.
Headed by birds of prey biologist/expert Janie Veltkamp, the non-profit facility educates the public about raptors, their protection, & how they are critical to our ecosystem.
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For rescue emergency of an eagle, hawk, falcon or owl, call 208-245-1367 or 208-582-0797; or Idaho Fish & Game, 208-769-1414.
BICYCLE REGISTRATION
Safety
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FREE bicycle licensing is offered by POST FALLS POLICE DEPARTMENT so if bikes become lost or stolen, they can be returned to the rightful owners easier & quicker. (Unclaimed bicycles are eventually sold to auction after 90 days.)
Bicycle licenses are issued at the police department M-F, 8 am-5 pm. Bikes need to be taken to station, located at 1717 E. Polson Ave., Post Falls, 208-773-3517.
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Licensing can also be done online. More info HERE.