Law Enforcement Torch Run Expands to More North Idaho Communities
The Law Enforcement Torch Run benefiting Idaho Special Olympics is making its way through North Idaho this week, with stops in Post Falls, Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint, Rathdrum, and Shoshone County as part of a statewide effort to champion inclusion and awareness for people with disabilities.
Flame of Hope Travels Through Kootenai County and Beyond
The Post Falls leg of the event is scheduled for Tuesday at 10 a.m., with participants running a roughly one-mile stretch along the North Idaho Centennial Trail between Grassland Avenue and Vandal Street, finishing at the Post Falls Police Department substation at 1717 E. Polston Ave. in the Tedder Business Center.
Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement officers carry the Flame of Hope together in pairs, handing off the torch relay-style to the next duo along the route. The symbolic flame will visit more than 20 Idaho communities before the culminating event.
Full North Idaho Schedule
Additional stops across the region are scheduled as follows:
Sunday, May 11:
— Bonners Ferry, 9 a.m.: Liberty Gas Station at 6856 S. Main St. to Boundary County Middle School at 6577 Main St.
— Sandpoint, noon: Long Bridge North End to Long Bridge South End.
— Rathdrum, 3 p.m.: Rathdrum City Park at 15456 N. Latah St. to Les Schwab Tire Center at 13500 W. Highway 53.
Monday, May 12:
— Shoshone County, 1 p.m.: Wallace I-90 Exit 63 pullout to the Wallace Visitor Center at Exit 61.
Governor Brad Little participated in the 2025 edition of the Torch Run alongside officers from the Shelley Police Department, underscoring the event’s statewide significance and the partnership between Idaho law enforcement and the Special Olympics program.
Idaho Special Olympics Summer Games Ahead
The statewide Torch Run builds momentum toward the Idaho Special Olympics State Summer Games, set for May 29 and 30 in Nampa. The multi-day games bring together athletes from communities across Idaho to compete and celebrate athletic achievement.
The expansion of the Torch Run to additional North Idaho stops this year reflects growing community engagement in the Panhandle region. Events like this align with the broader spirit of civic pride found throughout Kootenai County — the same spirit on display in community efforts like the Museum of North Idaho’s walking tours highlighting Coeur d’Alene’s history and pioneer roots.
How to Get Involved
Residents throughout the North Idaho Panhandle are encouraged to turn out along the routes to cheer on participating athletes and officers. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is open for community observation at all listed locations. For those looking to support Idaho Special Olympics more broadly, information on volunteering and donations is available through the Idaho Special Olympics organization.
Community events and public safety partnerships remain a cornerstone of life across Kootenai County. For more coverage of local public safety news, including the recent appointment of Jon Fugitt as Coeur d’Alene’s new Fire Chief, follow Kootenai County News for ongoing updates.