NEWPORT TOPS FREEMAN
OVER TIME, FREE THROWS SINK SCOTTIES 1B WINTER FUN AT PRIEST LAKE
SNOWSHOE SOFTBALL, SLED DOG RACES 4B
The Newport Miner THE VOICE OF PEND OREILLE COUNT Y SINCE 1901
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
www.pendoreillerivervalley.com
Volume 110, Number 49 | 2 Sections, 20 Pages
75¢
PUD turbine project nearing completion Additional repairs push costs past $100 million When the PUD started the project, the contractor Andritz Group and the PUD estimated the upgrades at a $68 million base contract. More than 40 change orders have raised the cost to more than $100 million and the final turbine is not yet completed. PUD General Manager John Jordan said the PUD knew of the $100 million costs once the fourth unit, the first to be upgraded, was pulled apart and they knew what they were in for in 2009. “We keep finding things that are prudent to be done,” PUD Chief Operating Officer Charles O’Hare said.
BY DESIREÉ HOOD OF THE MINER
FILE PHOTO
The PUD started upgrading the turbines in 2009 and the fourth and final unit to be upgraded is currently in disassembly. More than 40 change orders have increased the price of this project to more than $100 million.
IONE – The Pend Oreille Public Utility District is more than $32 million over the original base contract on the turbine upgrades at Box Canyon Dam, making the project cost more than $100 million because of change orders and defective equipment. The PUD has been upgrading the turbines since 2009 as part of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 50-year license on the hydroelectric project as well as making it ready for another 50 years of service.
He compared the overages to taking a car to a mechanic and when the mechanic opens the hood of the car, more issues tumble out that needed addressed. O’Hare said the contract had optional items that could be added if needed. There were also costs incurred from unforeseen items, such as replacing a discharge ring and defective hub parts. Assistant General Manager April Owen said that it was hard to see what the extra costs would be before the turbine project was started be-
SEE TURBINE, PAGE 2A
Battle at Moon Creek heads to court Homeowners and county named in federal lawsuit
BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER
DIAMOND LAKE – A dispute between Diamond Lake residents who are trying to lower WHAT’S NEXT: unusuORAL ARGUMENTS: ally high set for Thursday, Jan. water 16 at 2 p.m. in federal court in Spokane. and The arguments will residents be heard by Judge along Juarin Quakenbush the outat 2 p.m. let at the south end of the lake who object to spraying herbicide and
breaching the beaver dams is heading to federal court. The nine-member association called Friends of Moon Creek sued the Diamond Lake Improvement Association, Pend Oreille County’s Noxious Weed Control Board and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in federal court. Oral arguments will be heard by Judge Justin Quakenbush Thursday, Jan. 16, at 2 p.m. at the federal court-
COURTESY PHOTO|GEOFF JONES
The volunteers for Pend Oreille Valley Habitat for Humanity completed their seventh house and donated it to a family Sunday, Dec. 29. Board members said it took more than three years to complete this project.
Habitat may have hit last nail
SEE BATTLE, PAGE 10A
Jones has been a board member for eight years and will continue to
BY DESIREÉ HOOD OF THE MINER
Pot store address wrong, applicant says mistake BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER
NEWPORT – A man who applied for a retail marijuana license in the city of Newport used the address of existing businesses that he had no permission to use. Joe Rammell listed the address of SOS Pawn and Dollars and Deals. They are located at 300 W. Walnut St.,
property owned by Randy and Linda Parker. The 30-day window for marijuana licenses closed Dec. 20. The Liquor Control Board was still receiving license applications through the mail earlier this month, said Frank O’Dell, supervisor for marijuana licensing for the Liquor Control Board. SEE POT, PAGE 9A
NEWPORT – The Pend Oreille Valley Habitat for Humanity may be forced to stop serving the area because of lack of volunteers as well as the parent affiliate charging more money annually and requiring a house be built or improved every year. “Impossible for us,” board member Geoff Jones said of building one house a year. The local chapter dedicated its seventh house in December. The community support is not the best in this area and Jones said as of Feb. 1, the board will consist of three people, himself, Bill Holstein and Bobbie VandeVeer.
‘I think this unfairly penalizes small, all volunteer, rural affiliates like ours.’ Geoff Jones
Pend Oreille Valley Habitat for Humanity board member
serve as long as needed, he said. Jones said the parent affiliate Habitat for Humanity International is changing some of its policies and fees. The “Stewardship and Organizational Sustainability Initiative” is
applied to all Habitat for Humanity locations nationwide and the Pend Oreille Valley Habitat for Humanity group is expected to pay these new fees or they have the option to disaffiliate from the larger organization. Habitat for Humanity helps people have safe and affordable housing by working in partnership with the families and building a house. The houses are sold to the families at no profit or interest on the loans. They must repay the loans. The building costs are financed by a revolving fund called “The Fund for Humanity.” The original funds were donated by supporters and raised through fundraising. The fund revolves beSEE HABITAT, PAGE 2A
B R I E F LY Morning meeting set for Newport NEWPORT – The next meeting of the Newport City Council will take place at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21. The morning meeting happens each year in order to reconcile any 2013 bills that came in after the first of the year that need to be paid out of 2013 funds.
and goes through March 13. Brian Dansel is District 7’s newest legislator, winning the Senate seat held by John Smith, who was appointed after the retirement of Sen. Bob Morton. Also representing District 7 are Rep. Shelly Short, R-Addy, and Rep. Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda.
OLYMPIA – The Washington state Legislature will convene Monday, Jan. 13, in Olympia
Correction: Because of a reporting error, remarks made by planning commissioner Guy Thomas in a Dec. 25 story about planning commission appointments were incorrectly
Washington legislature convenes Monday
Bill Burnett resigns from City Council
NEWPORT – William Burnett is resigning from the Newport City Council effective Feb. 4. “As I enter my 70th year, family and personal interests increasingly take precedence with my time,” Burnett writes to the council in a letter dated Jan. 3. “I feel that these and other
EDIT
4A
PRIEST LAKE FESTIVAL
4B
LIFE
3B
RECORD
6B
SPORTS
1B-2B
CLASSIFIEDS
7B-8B
PUBLIC NOTICES
9B-10B
considerations negatively affected my participation last year and would only increase this year.” Burnett said he feels the council and community deserve greater commitment from council members. Burnett said he hopes the city will call him if he can be assistance for future endeavors. Burnett was “talked into” the vacant council position in January 2005 by Fred Anderson. SEE BRIEFLY, PAGE 10A
ho W ’ In Ch arge
s
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attributed to planning commissioner Don Comins, who was not in the area and did not make the remarks. We regret any confusion this caused.
WHO’S IN CHARGE
GOVERNMENT DIRECTORY PULL OUT NEXT WEEK