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SAFETY | WELLNESS | CONVENIENCE | ANIMAL AId | informational
idaho state police news
Informational
Be knowledgeable. Sign up for news releases (traffic delays/accidents & more) from IDAHO STATE POLICE.
Past reports have been archived & can be accessed as well. Sign up HERE.
health care
Wellness
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.
Dental hygenists provide oral health checks, teeth cleaning, fluoride varnish & referrals from 10 am-7 pm.
Appointments are limited to the first 11 participants, so call 208-415-5270 to schedule.
PANHANDLE HEALTH DISTRICT also offers smoking cessation for teens, Hepatitis A & B vaccines, parenting classes, fitness classes, home health care, HIV testing & much more!
child car seat
INSPECTIONS
Safety
Car seat inspections are 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 appointment.
KOOTENAI HEALTH is located at 2003 Kootenai Health Way, Coeur d'Alene.
Car seats are also inspected via scheduled app't FREE of charge by INLAND NW SIDS SUID FOUNDATION "Safe Start Program"
1130 N. 4th St., Coeur d'Alene, ID
alert! kootenai notifications
Informational
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.
"If we can't reach you, we can't alert you". Sign up HERE.
keeping seniors safe/secure
Safety
For seniors struggling to stay safe & secure in their homes, ELDERHELP OF NORTH IDAHO comes to the rescue, thanks to caring volunteers willing to help.
Projects may include: installation of handrails/grab bars, minor roof or plumbing leaks, flooring repairs, locks on doors/windows, smoke detectors, firewood, snow shoveling, handicap ramps & yard maintencce.
Seniors needing help should call the hotline, 208-661-8870. This service is at no cost to seniors with limited resources.
COMPUTER HELP
Informational
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!
COEUR D'ALENE LIBRARY offers "Book a Librarian" for help with tech issues such as downloading eBooks, setting up an email account & much more.
For your convenience, schedule an appointment at 702 E. Front Ave., CdA. 208-769-2315
vacant homes
Safety
"Vacation Check" is a FREE service for those who will be away from their homes who would like police officers to do routine checkcs.
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.
TAX PREPARATION
Informational (Seasonal)
Have a trained AARP tax preparer do your taxes FREE of charge, January - April of each year at various locations in North idaho.
This service is designed for seniors as well as low-income taxpayers of all ages.
For 2021, call any of these locations for app't times: Lake City Center (app'ts full); Harding Center, CdA, 208-446-6997; Rathdrum Senior Center, 208-687-2028; Post Falls Senior Center, 208-773-9582; & Kellogg, 208-786-9010.
More info HERE.
snow removal
Informational
Snow removal is always a concern in North Idaho. However, the cities of Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls & Rathdrum try to keep residents informed via their websites - some interactive.
Learn when snow plows are moving into neighborhoods, what material/chemical is used, priorities, primary routes, driveway berms & more.
Here are the links:
CITyLINK BUS
Convenience
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.
For routes, Q&A, policies & contact info, click HERE or call 208-446-1616.
smart phones
Informational
Receive FREE instruction on how to understand & navigate something so small, yet complicated (especially for seniors) - a smart phone.
On the 1st Wednesday of each month, a class is held at LAKE CITY CENTER, 1916 Lakewood Dr., CdA, from 10-11 am.
More info - 208-667-4628, or click HERE for link to activities schedule.
MEETING ROOMS
Convenience
Some businesses offer FREE community meeting rooms. Each has requirements or purposes, so be sure to call stores for specifics.
200 W, Hanley, Coeur d'Alene
208-762-4913.
222 W. Neider Ave., Coeur d'Alene 208-665-4590
225 W. Canfield, Ste. B, Coeur d'Alene
208-772-6333
shiba - medicare
Wellness
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.
prescription
turn-in
Wellness
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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8093 N. Cornerstone Dr., Hayden; 208-762-9355
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805 E. Polston Ave., Post Falls; 208-773-7732
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3818 Schreiber Way, Coeur d'Alene (lobby); 208-769-2320
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1717 E. Polston Ave., Post Falls (lobby); 208-773-3517
LIFE JACKET
STATIONS
Safety
"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.)
For more info, contact Donna Kalanick at 208-625-5722, or click HERE.
power outages
Informational
CRIME MAPS
Informational
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.
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.
SENIOR COMPANIONS
Wellness
"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.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
PROGRAMS
Safety
"Because safe neighborhood are everybody's business", proactive "Block Watch" programs exist in our communities. To find out more, or to organize one, contact:
208-769-2320
208-773-3517
208-623-2701
208-687-0711
GENEALOGY
Informational
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 from 1-4 pm at HAYDEN LIBRARY. Let them help you - no charge.
Get assistance completing the branches of family trees.
HAYDEN LIBRARY is located at 8385 N. Gov't Way, Hayden. Phone 208-772-5612. Find more programs HERE.
BIRD RESCUES
Animal Aid
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.
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
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.
Licensing can also be done online. More info HERE.