newport basketball on a winning streak see page 2b
The Newport Miner the voice of pend oreille county since 1901
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
www.pendoreillerivervalley.com
Volume 112, Number 52 | 2 Sections, 20 Pages 75¢
State fines Zodiac $1.3 million after explosion By Don Gronning Of The Miner
TUMWATER – The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries has hit Zodiac Cabin & Structures Support LLC with a $1.3 million fine – the second largest in state history – for workplace safety and health violations following last July’s explosion at its carbon See zodiac, 2A
Newsprint Co. seeks court ruling over contracts By Don Gronning Of The Miner
NEWPORT – Ponderay Newsprint Co. answered the PUD’s breach of contract claim by filing suit in Spokane County Superior Court, seeking to have a judge declare whether or not the Newsprint Co. is in breach of the power contracts. PUD General Manager Colin Willenbrock
Miner Photo|Sophia Aldous
Dance instructor Anne Chamberlain (left) teaches a student the Tango at Create Art Center in Newport Friday, Jan. 15.
had claimed that the newsprint company’s projected power use for 2017 showed a use so low that the newsprint company wasn’t going to be in business in 2017. The newsprint company submits four-year projections of power use each year. Willenbrock claimed the low projection was a breach of contract that terminated the See Ponderay, 10A
Local tango classes show off footwork, teach courtesy By Sophia Aldous Of The Miner
NEWPORT – Where are the men? That’s the unspoken question at the Tango class Friday, Jan. 15 at Create Art Center, because only women showed up for the class. They aren’t perturbed by lack of male counterparts, though – these ladies came to dance, and have a good time learning. A few brave individuals take the lead (no pun intended) alongside ballroom dance instructor Anne Chamberlain. Chamberlain, who has been teaching ballroom dance for more than 15 years, says dance is a lost art that is meant for everyone.
“You used to go to a dance and actually dance,” Chamberlain said. “Men, women – everyone did it. It’s not just good for you physically, but it teaches courtesy that you take off of the dance floor as well.” The dance class is every Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Create for a $5 fee. That evenings pupils are comprised of Sherie Clipson, a local businesswoman and avid dancer, and a group of retired employees of the Newport School District: Sally White, Barbara Bell, Jennifer Ellersick and Roberta Clausen. The group is taking a cruise to the Caribbean together in April and decided to brush up on their footwork via Chamberlain’s classes, since See tango, 2A
Need for volunteer firefighters is high By Sophia Aldous Of The Miner
Miner photo|Sophia Aldous
War of Waters lets Spartans out to fight A Spartan puts the moves on his Timberlake opponent at War of the Waters Thursday, Jan. 14 at Priest River Lamanna High School. The wrestling meet preceded Battle of the Buck, the annual basketball game that encourages school spirit and community pride (see photos in this week’s newspaper). Though Priest River lost to the Timberlake Tigers, the shouts and cheers of encouragement from the Priest River crowd spurred the Spartans on.
NEWPORT – Speaking to the chiefs of the various fire districts in Pend Oreille and Bonner counties, one thing is especially apparent – they could all use more volunteers. “They are hard to come by,” says Mike Nokes, Chief of South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue (SPOFR). “The effort and energy it takes can be difficult to maintain.” Currently, SPOFR has 50 volunteers, the City of Newport Fire Department (NFD) has 14 (one is retiring this year), and the West Pend Oreille Fire District in Bonner County (WPOFD) has 45. While there are certain criteria to becoming a volunteer, every fire district is different, added Nokes. Be-
sides, volunteering doesn’t mean just fighting fires. “We have people who are strictly EMTs, people that only fight wildland fires, people that only respond to house calls – everyone is on a different plane. There isn’t exactly a one size fits all.” Rob Owen, Newport Fire Department Chief, and WPOFD Chief Les Kokanos echoed that sentiment. The NFD meets twice a month to discuss department business and training opportunities, but Owen understands why some of the volunteers can’t make it to all of the meetings. “We have some guys that work in the evenings, or they are seasonal workers and they are out on their jobs in the summer,” Owen said. “We See firefighters, 2A
B r i e f ly Artist spotlight on Priest River Gallery PRIEST RIVER – The Artisan Gallery in Priest River is featuring the artwork of Peggy Tessema Compton, among many others. Compton is a native of Western Washington and currently resides in the Northern Idaho area. She has been painting for most of her life and has won many awards, as well as illustrated several books. She has her artwork in several hospitals, colleges and private collections from Alaska to New York. Her work can be viewed at the Artisan Gallery, 53
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Wisconsin St., one block south of Highway 2, at the corner of High Street, in Priest River.
Family Library Night at Stratton Elementary Jan. 27 NEWPORT – Stratton Elementary School will host Family Library Night, Jan. 27, 6-7:30 p.m. The public is invited to participate in Literary Karaoke, enjoy snowman cakes and hot cocoa, make a beaded snowman necklace, and bring a story or poem to read on the karaoke machine.
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Priest River Chamber of Commerce meeting Jan. 26 PRIEST RIVER – The general meeting for the Priest River Chamber of Commerce will be Tuesday, Jan. 26 at the Beardmore Building. There will be appetizers at 5:30 p.m. provided by chamber board members. The Priest River Citizen of the Year and President’s award will be presented. Announcements for 2016 schedules and events will be discussed.
Opinion
4a
Record
6b
sports
1b-3b
Life
8a
Police Reports
6b
Obituaries
6b
Public Notices
7b-10b
anniversary of businesses
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