Our KXLY crew was the first on the scene, thanks to an impulsive thought many weeks before the standoff began. We had been through that area doing a story on a new natural gas pipeline being placed from Canada through the Inland Northwest.

At the end of that day we stopped into a local establishment in Naples, very near Ruby Creek Road.  Chatting with one of the locals, I gave him a card and told him to call us "if anything exciting ever happened."

Then one afternoon came a call from a young man talking about gunshots and a firefight and police suddenly swarming all around Ruby Creek. He had kept my card.

During those initial hours, we could not have imagined that we and all of the other news reporters arriving from Spokane, Seattle, Boston, New York, Canada, and elsewhere would remain for nine days and nights amid such suspense and, at times, frightening drama.

It quickly became apparent that much of the world's attention was suddenly focused on this small corner of North Idaho. Many of the hours spent at the now famous roadblock were very tense and, as the days wore on, draining. 

It happened so long ago, it feels - for some - like ancient history. 20 years ago, federal agents descended on a home near Naples, Idaho. For the world, it was a show of force - a battle between the government and a family that did not trust it. But, for Sara Weaver, that old cabin on Ruby Ridge was home.

I've known about Ruby Ridge for years, but didn't really know much about what happened until I moved to the Inland Northwest. I picked up a copy of Jess Walters' book about the incident - and, knew instantly there was a story to be done. Now that I knew what happened then, I wanted to know what happened next. I googled Sara Weaver - and, found the story.

The summer line up for Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre is out for all to see. If you’re a fan of musical theatre, you’ll love the season because it’s a mix of classics and even newer productions.

Ellen Travolta will be playing the part of Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly! Travolta’s real life husband will be featured in the production as well as Horace Vandergelder who is the nemesis/love interest for Dolly. Could be cute. That opens in June.

The above video is from the 1969 film of Hello, Dolly! We couldn’t resist the song “Put On Your Sunday Clothes”.

For July, it’s a little hotter so of course Ring of Fire fits in nicely there. It’s similar to the movie that came out about Johnny Cash, but it’s in musical form.

They’re calling it a jukebox style musical, which was an unknown term to us but we looked it up. Apparently it’s when the performance repertoire is made up of previously released songs. That’s what you’ll expect from that show.

Next on the list, they’re doing Spamalot and there was much rejoicing. Yay.