041118newportminer

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The Newport Miner the voice of pend oreille county since 1901

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

www.pendoreillerivervalley.com

Volume 116, Number 11 | 2 Sections, 16 Pages $1.00

‘Big rebuilding year’ for Newport area chamber By Michelle Nedved Of The Miner

NEWPORT – The Greater Newport Area Chamber of Commerce is moving full steam ahead after being on the brink of disbanding just last year. There’s a new board in place, a group dedicated to serving the business community of Newport, Oldtown, Usk, Cusick and Diamond Lake, and helping out with those community events we’ve all grown to love. “We’re just trying to get back out there,” said chamber president Nicole Cardin of Newport Alarm. “We’re just doing our very best.” Newport Alarm is owned by Alex and Tina Stanton, who also own ExBabylon and built the four-bay commercial building on the north end of Newport a couple years ago. The chamber’s new vice president is Brandi Fowler, who works at

Miner photo|Don Gronning

Wish I could do that over A semi truck driver trying to turn around got stuck, blocking Highway 2 for a time between Newport and Priest River Monday, April 9. A tow truck pulled him out and traffic was able to move again after about a 30-minute delay.

See Chamber, 2A

IDFG eyes making Priest River colder

Ben Franklin demo delayed by asbestos By Michelle Nedved Of The Miner

OLDTOWN – The demolition of the former Ben Franklin store in Oldtown to make way for a new Burger King is delayed due to extensive asbestos found in the structure, city planner Brian Quayle told Oldtown City Council Monday night. The process of removal and demolition has been handed over to the state of Idaho, which is common, “when it’s that extensive,” Quayle said. The building permit for Burger King, which includes permitting for the demolition of the current structure, is expected to arrive at the city in the next couple of weeks. Once received, city staff can approve the permit. Quayle contracts with the city of Oldtown and can approve the permit without it having to go before city council. Much of the asbestos is in the heating and cooling system, confined in the duct work under the floor. “It’s somewhat con-

By Michelle Nedved Of The Miner

PRIEST RIVER – Thanks to $70,000 in funding, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game is conducting pre-engineering work and a feasibility study to figure out how to make Priest River colder, as told to the Lakes Commission Friday morning in Priest River. The lowering of water temperatures would protect native fish, improve water quality and enhance the fishery, according to Kiira Siitari, a biologist with IDFG who spoke Friday to a packed room in the Beardmore Building. “Keeping those temperatures low are one of the first steps, in my

tained already,” Quayle said. The structure was built in 1973. The asbestos cannot all be removed at the same time. Some demolition will have to be done to access some of it. The owners of the Ben Franklin/Burger King site was in communication with the owner of the Dollar Tree, which is next door in an attached building and the local manager of Dollar Tree was made the point of contact. “There’s good local communication going on,” Quayle said. Also at Monday night’s meeting, the council approved a business license for a The Cowboy Pit, a barbecue restaurant to open in the former muffler shop located just north of OK Lanes bowling alley. Most recently it was home to Lion of Judah, a coffee and waffle house. The applicant operates a restaurant in Blanchard. They plan to have dining inside the building and outside in good weather.

opinion,” Siitari said about habitat quality in Priest River. The Priest River Bypass Concept would take siphon water from the bottom of Priest Lake, where temperatures are low and healthy, and dump the water into the Priest River. Currently, water spills over Outlet Dam into the river when water levels are high, but that is the warmest water. “(It’s) just using a different portion of the water from the lake. This would not affect water levels,” Siitari said. The $70,000 funding is part of the Clark Fork settlement agreement involving Avista Utilities and the Clark Fork hydro project relicensing.

Siitari compared the Priest Lake situation to what occurred at Sullivan Lake in Pend Oreille County, where a cold water intake was installed to lower the temperatures of the Pend Oreille River for improved habitat quality. That project cost $4.1 million. While the cooler water in the Priest River will benefit the ecology, it will also boost the economy, according to IDFG. Economic revenue from sport fishing in the Coeur d’Alene River and St. Joe River are estimated at $3.1 million and $4.1 million, respectively, per year. This is part of a larger project improving the entire Priest River and Priest Lake watershed, includ-

Be a part of Evergreen Arts juried art show NEWPORT – Evergreen Art Association is sponsoring an Open Juried Art Show, April 18-20, at 335 S. Washington St., in Newport, next door to Owens Grocery and Deli. The event will be open to the public April 19 and 20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. This show is open to all area artists. Artists may submit up two pieces of original two-dimensional work of any medium except digital photography. Entries must have been completed within the last two years. Registration for the show must

be received by April 14, and forms may be obtained via email: iris@povn.com. The non-refundable entry fee for adults 18 and older is $20 for one and $30 for two works of art. Youth may enter for free. Jurist for the show will be Terry Lee, internationally known artist from Coeur d’Alene, who will also present an oil workshop on Thursday, April 19, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., at Create Art Center, 900 West 4th St., Newport. The cost of the workshop is $45 and registration must be received

by April 11. For more information, contact Robert Karr, workshop coordinator, at 509-671-1539. Items must be hand-delivered to Exhibition Place, 335 S. Washington, Newport, on April 18, 1-5 p.m., and picked up on Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. A label including title of artwork, artist’s name, phone number, and price of work must be attached to the back of each piece submitted. All hanging pieces must have wire hangers. Awards will be presented at a reception on Thursday,

April 19, 5 – 7:30 p.m. Registration for the workshop must be received by April 11 to ensure a place, and allow organizers time to get the necessary supplies (one 8x10 canvas board will be supplied for a special exercise). Students need to provide own oils, brushes, and canvas. A specific supply list will be furnished prior to the workshop. For more information, contact Robert Karr, workshop coordinator, at 509-671-1539 or iris@ povn.com.

B r i e f ly Library Community Meetings Scheduled for Newport, Cusick

May 1 at 6 p.m. Meetings in Metaline Falls, Ione, and the Diamond Lake area will be held in mid-to-late May with dates and locations announced later this month. Additional locations may be added if requested. Questions can be directed to Library Director Mandy Walters at 800-366-3654 x 55 or director@pocld.org.

NEWPORT – As a part of the Pend Oreille County Library District’s strategic planning process, community meetings will be held throughout the county in order to solicit public input. Discussion topics will include trends in libraries and what services, spaces, resources, and programs residents would like to see locally. Newport’s community meeting will be held at the Newport Library on Thursday, April 12, at 6 p.m. Cusick’s is scheduled at the Calispel Valley Library on

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North county smelter forum April 19 METALINE FALLS – A forum to discuss the proposed HiTest Silicon Smelter will be held at the Cutter Theatre, 302 Park St., Thursday, April 19, 6-8 p.m. Deane 6B

Opinion

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Record

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Police Reports

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sports

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Public Notices

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Booster

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Osterman with the Kalispel Tribe of Indians and Responsible Growth NE Washington will host the event, which is open to all members of the public.

Town hall meeting in Priest River Wednesday PRIEST RIVER – Bonner County Commissioners are hosting a Town Hall Meeting regarding Eastriver Spur Road and Bridge, Wednesday, April 11, 6:30 p.m. at the Priest River Events Center, located at 5399 Highway 2. There will be a brief informational segment followed by a question and answer session.

Fishing season

Starts this month Guides on stands soon


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