Idaho

Imaginations flourish at Invent Idaho regionals

Published

2 years ago

January 29, 2024

Imaginations flourish at Invent Idaho regionals

COEUR d’ALENE — Nearly 160 students from across North Idaho showed and told about their inventions, creations, gadgets and gizmos at the North Idaho Regional Invent Idaho competition, which was Jan. 19-21 at the Silver Lake Mall.

Invent Idaho regional coordinator Rachel Schwam, whose own daughters are Invent Idaho alumni, said the event was a huge success.

“I am incredibly proud and inspired to see the creativity, uniqueness and inspiration behind these student inventors and believe the future is looking bright,” Schwam said Friday.

Launched in 1989, Invent Idaho is an annual event that invites students in grades one through eight to innovate new products, games, tools and other projects that could help solve some kind of problem. The categories are: Working models, which includes inventions that actually work; non-working models, for inventions that are too large, expensive or technical to build — blueprints and models are required; gadgets and games, including novel devices or toys that entertain or educate, as well as original board, computer and other digital games and sports or athletic games; adaptations, which improves an idea that already exists; and Jules Verne, for projects that could fit into other categories but are too futuristic or fanciful to be judged against more practical inventions.

Schwam shared a big congratulations to all students who competed in the regional contest and gave a shout-out to teachers, facilitators and parents who gave guidance and direction while encouraging their students to think outside of the box.

“I am looking forward to next year and thankful for the support within the community,” Schwam said.

Students who advanced will participate March 1-2 in the Invent Idaho State Finals at the University of Idaho in Moscow with a chance to compete at the national level later this year.

Info: inventidaho.com

Here are the names of Kootenai County students who placed in the North Idaho Regional Invent Idaho:

ADAPTATIONS

• BEST OF CATEGORY: Nora Owen, grades 5-6, Coeur d’Alene School District, “The Perfect Fit Safety System”

Grades 1-2
• Second place: Henry Barnett, grade 1-2, Coeur d’Alene School District, “The Super Vacuum”
• Third place: Daisy Johnson, grade 2, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, “Pillow Blower”
Grades 3-4
• First place: Lilly Haug, grade 3-4, Coeur d’Alene School District, “Pot Stir”
• Second place: Grayson Mueller, grade 4, Summit Christian Academy, “Light Hanging Kit 2,000”
Grades 5-6
• First place: Brooklyn Caywood, grade 6, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, “CP Lighter”
• Third place: Allison McCormick, grade 6, Lakeland Middle School, “The No Choke Seatbelt”

GADGETS AND GAMES

• BEST OF CATEGORY: Lucas Schultz, grades 7-8, Coeur d’Alene School District, “Virtual Music Teacher”

Grades 1-2
• First place: Everett Talbot, grades 1-2, Coeur d’Alene School District, “Dog Poop Cleaner”
• Second place: Ben Harding, grades 1-2, Coeur d’Alene School District, “Car Crash!”
Grades 3-4
• First place: Magnolia Kim, grades 3-4, Coeur d’Alene School District, “Bunnyland”
• Second place: Marina Myers, grades 3-4, Coeur d’Alene School District, “Forest Trails”
Grades 5-6
• Second place: Cannon Randklev, grades 5-6, Coeur d’Alene School District, “Will You Survive?”

JULES VERNE

• BEST OF CATEGORY: Hollyn Kramer, grade 5, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, “Glypho-Seek”

Grades 3-4
• First place: Finn Kirkbride, grades 3-4, Coeur d’Alene School District, “Air Trip”
• Third place: Hadley Wood, grades 3-4, Coeur d’Alene School District, “Animal Paloosa”
Grades 5-6
• First place: Preston Pool, grades 5-6, Coeur d’Alene School District, “EDISON”
• Second place: Micah Brumbach, grade 5, Summit Christian Academy, “Cavity Cop”
• Third place: Levi Clark, grades 5-6, Coeur d’Alene School District, “Super Mars Space Crane”
Grades 7-8
• First place: Augustus Brown, grade 7, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, “Starway”

NON-WORKING MODELS

BEST OF CATEGORY: Wilhelmina Kim, grades 5-6, Coeur d’Alene School District, “The No Spotty Potty”
Grades 1-2
• Second place: Daniel Paul, grade 2, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, “Back Massager Shirt”
• Third place: Eastman Alexis, grade 2, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, “Cart Kickstand”
Grades 3-4
• First place: Ellie Fulton and Brynn Boland, grades 3-4, Coeur d’Alene School District, “The Jumping Jump Rope”
• Cora Mihara, grade 4, Betty Kiefer Elementary, “The Only Extraordinary Rake”
Grades 5-6
• Third place: Charlie Asper, grade 6, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, “Drive-Dry”
Grades 7-8
• First place: Ava Keppner, grade 7, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, “Safe Gear”
• Second place: Amelia Thompson, grade 7, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, “Snow Safe”
• Third place: Ella Cook, grade 7, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, “Wag Trak”

WORKING MODELS

BEST OF CATEGORY: Emily Laddy, grades 5-6, Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy, “Snuggled Up”

Grades 1-2
• First place: Clarice Jensen, grade 2, John Brown Elementary, “The Apple Machine”
• Second place: Curran Oswald, grade 2, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, “The Grass Cleaner”
• Third place: Josephine Willingham, grade 2, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, “The Paw Perfection”
Grades 3-4
• First place: Wesleigh Haas, grades 3-4, Coeur d’Alene School District, “The Murphy Drawer”
• Second place: Maverick Sargent, grade 4, Summit Christian Academy, “Lake Safe”
• Third place: Solomon Hernandez, grade 3, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, “Cuecomcat”
Grades 5-6
• First place: Lily Yang, grade 6, North Idaho STEM Charter, “The Triple Mitt”
• Third place: Lauryn Romey, grades 5-6, Coeur d’Alene School District, “Snap Socks”
Grades 7-8
• First place: Nolan Vogan, grade 8, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, “Non-Dispute”

BEST OF SHOW, GRADES 5-8
• Elizabeth McCormick, grades 7-8 Lakeland Middle School, “Drink-A-Drop”

PEOPLE’S CHOICE
• Henry Barnett, grades 1-2, Coeur d’Alene School District, “The Super Vacuum”

Wilhelmina Kim of the Coeur d’Alene School District won best of category in fifth and sixth grades for her non-working model invention, the “No Spotty Potty,” during the 2024 North Idaho Regional Invent Idaho competition. Students who placed will advance to the state competition March 1-2 in Moscow.

Lucas Schultz of the Coeur d’Alene School District won best of category for seventh and eighth grades for his invention, “Virtual Music Teacher,” during the Invent Idaho North Idaho Regional competition awards ceremony Sunday at the Silver Lake Mall. Nearly 160 students participated in the three-day competition.

Henry Barnett from the Coeur d’Alene School District won people’s choice in grades one and two for his invention, “The Super Vacuum,” during the North Idaho Regional Invent Idaho competition, held Jan. 19-21 at the Silver Lake Mall.

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Idaho

Charges dropped against BYU-Idaho student accused of kidnapping baby at Costco – East Idaho News

Published

12 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Charges dropped against BYU-Idaho student accused of kidnapping baby at Costco – East Idaho News

Bonneville County Prosecutor Randy Neal describes a new video from Costco over the incident involving an alleged kidnapping prior to Thanksgiving. | Daniel V. Ramirez, EastIdahoNews.com

IDAHO FALLS — Weeks after a BYU-Idaho student was accused of kidnapping a baby from Costco, the Bonneville County Prosecutor announced Thursday afternoon that charges will be dismissed.

During a news conference, Prosecutor Randy Neal showed three videos from inside Costco during the alleged incident on Nov. 24, which led to Michael Raine, 24, being charged with felony second-degree kidnapping.

According to court documents, Raine was looking at books inside the store and a cart with a baby was nearby.

RELATED | BYU-Idaho student accused of kidnapping 4-week-old baby in Costco

The document states that Raine “looked around” and then grabbed the cart and walked away.

The issue for officials was what occurred once Raine rounded the corner with the cart and the baby.

Neal said the new video shows Raine walking away with the cart, and the baby’s mother finding him almost immediately. The prosecutor explained that when pursuing cases, a prosecutor reviews the evidence and determines whether, beyond a reasonable doubt, the action was a crime.

“For a prosecutor, the analysis is whether there is a rational basis for someone to conclude, beyond a reasonable doubt, that they are to a moral certainty, that this is a crime? I don’t think that we can say that,” Neal said.

Neal said the surveillance videos from Costco show that Raine had no intention of running away with that cart.

WATCH COSTCO SURVEILLANCE VIDEO HERE:

The other aspect is that Raine didn’t leave the store after the incident, which, according to the documents, indicates the student had purchased items and eaten at the food court.

Looking at the reasons for Raine’s arrest, Idaho Falls Police Chief Bryce Johnson said at the time, there was only one single video, and based on what was seen, Raine’s actions were found to be suspicious.

Another factor that influenced Raine’s arrest was his trip to the United States Marine Corps Recruiting station in Boise on Nov. 25.

“The detectives were consulting with the prosecutors and made the proper decision at that time in the interest of public safety, based on probable cause, to make that arrest,” Johnson said. “That just doesn’t end the case. There’s a requirement to keep on going.”

Johnson and Neal discussed how detectives met with the mother of the baby and went over the events in a cognitive interview. Neal said this type of interview is a narrative recount of the events by the victim, without any questions being asked.

“Often, the mind will just start filling in pieces in order to make it make sense to them,” Neal said.

Detectives worked on recreating the incident at Costco with the mother, but Neal said some of the mother’s version of events were inaccurate in terms of the cart placement and other minor details.

Neal said Natalie Millett was told charges have been dropped.

Victim Impact Statement from Natalie Millett. | Courtesy Bonneville County Prosecuting Attorney

In a statement to the media, Millett said the event has caused the emotional pain that words can’t describe and will impact her for life.

“I believe it was miraculous that I ran in the right direction and recovered my baby swiftly, but the outcome could have been so different had I not listened to my intuition and impressions that day,” Millett said.

After being informed that the charges against Raine would be dismissed, Millett stated that she does feel at peace because she has done everything in her power.

One of the major talking points of the conference and in Millett’s statement is the reaction and comments from social media that have attacked her and made egregious remarks about people involved.

“To sit in your basement and write poison is just really disgusting. It’s just inappropriate,” Neal said.