042716newportminer

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HEALTHY LIVING AND LIFESTYLE SEE PAGES 1B-7B

The Newport Miner THE VOICE OF PEND OREILLE COUNTY SINCE 1901

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

www.pendoreillerivervalley.com

Volume 113, Number 13 | 2 Sections, 28 Pages 75¢

‘How will we make decisions?’ Natural Resource Committee starts work on county plan

BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – How should a group writing a natural resource plan make decisions? That was one of the questions that the Pend Oreille County’s Natural Resource committee will have to decide. It is not a small matter for a group tasked with writing a plan that expresses the county’s views on natural resource issues on public lands. One of the committee members, Matt Scott of Vaagen Brothers Lumber asked the question. He gave two examples, one of a way to get consensus

COURTESY PHOTO

Tree ends police chase A police chase ended when a truck crashed into a tree in Oldtown Sunday, April 24. Shania Truitt, 19, of Sandpoint was arrested at 2nd St. and Washington Ave. for eluding police, driving without privileges, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine, and an outstanding warrant. Bonner County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office did not return calls before deadline to comment further on the case. The Ford stopped when Truitt ran into a tree. Bonner County deputies received assistance from Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Department and Newport Fire Department.

SEE PLAN, 2A

Sacheen sewer working, more expensive than anticipated BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER

SACHEEN LAKE – It has taken more than six years but the Sacheen Lake sewer system is virtually completed. It has been a trying process, with a lawsuit, unexpected costs and an effort to disincorporate the district, along with neighbor dissention. But the system is now built and dozens of old septic systems have been taken offline with most of the sewage for Sacheen Lake ending up in one of three lagoons located off Rocky Gorge Road. Property owners started paying the $123.41 monthly fee in January. That’s for a full hookup. The cost of the $15 million system has grown quite a bit from the earlier estimates in the $7-8 million range. There have been a number of reasons for the cost

increase, not the least of which was a $1.5 million fix required after workers punched into the water table at the lagoon site. Sacheen Lake Sewer District commissioner Perry Pearman said the district initially wanted to have one grinder pump serve several households, but that wasn’t feasible. “It was too problematic as to who pays for the electricity,” he said. Pearman said initial estimates were made when the economy was down and contractors were willing to work for less. After the court case, that window had passed, he said, and prices had risen. The project isn’t quite finished yet, says district manager Sheila Pearman. Contractors Northwest, SEE SEWER, 13A

Work begins on Priest River intersection BY MICHELLE NEDVED OF THE MINER

PRIEST RIVER – Construction work began this week at the intersection of Highway 2 and 57, the sole traffic light in Priest River. The work is to improve pedestrian ramps and to make turning onto the northbound Highway 57 easier, especially for log trucks. According to Reed Hollinshead of the Idaho Transportation Department, the work includes adding a right-hand turn

bay for those travelers turning north on Highway 57, to head toward Priest Lake. Crews are installing a crosswalk indicator and push button to engage the walk signal. The existing pavement is being widened to improve the turning radius for vehicles. Pedestrian ramps will be upgraded to Americans with Disabilities Act standards, as well as traffic signal equipment. Pavement at the intersection will also be replaced. The work is slated to be finished by late May. Survey work

began April 14. Interstate Concrete & Asphalt of Sandpoint is the contractor on the $563,000 Priest River work. In November 2014, the “Jachetta” building, located on the northeast corner of the intersection, which had been purchased by ITD, was demolished in anticipation of this work. Last year, the city of Priest River reconfigured the intersection of Highway 2 and High Street just west of the city park. That intersection is now being landscaped.

MINER PHOTO|SOPHIA ALDOUS

Hurd wins Distinguished Young Woman Genevieve Hurd won the title of Priest River Distinguished Young Woman of 2017 (the year Hurd graduates) at the annual scholarship program Saturday, April 23. The program offers $6,650 in scholarship monies to deserving young women that are juniors in high school in the Priest River community, who prove themselves through academics, talent, self-expression and fitness. Heidi Jahnsen was chosen as alternate. Hurd won the interview, scholastic and self-expression awards, while Jahnsen won fitness and talent. Melissa Krampert won the Be Your Best Self award and Spirit of Distinguished Young Women. See more photos on page 8A.

B R I E F LY Cusick High School hosts blood drive May 4

Hospital bond election results online

Little Mermaid Jr. at Priest River Junior High

CUSICK – Inland Northwest Blood Center (INBC) is holding a blood drive at Cusick High School Wednesday, May 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Blood drive volunteers are led by Tim Pontius, who will be coordinating the event. INBC needs an average of 200 blood donors every day to meet the needs of more than 35 hospitals in the Inland Northwest. A single donation can save the lives of up to three people. For more information, contact Territory Manager Noreen Johnson at 509-991-2418.

NEWPORT – Results from Newport Hospital and Health Services $10 million, 25-year bond to build a new assisted living facility are posted at The Miner Online, www.PendOreilleRiverValley.com. Ballots were due to be postmarked or returned to the Pend Oreille County Auditor’s Office by 8 p.m. Tuesday, after The Miner went to press. The bond needs 60 percent approval to pass. The measure failed with 55 percent approval during the November general election.

PRIEST RIVER – The Little Mermaid Jr. will be performed at the Priest River Junior High School Friday, April 29 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 30 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. The play is based on Disney’s Broadway production and the 1989 motion picture. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s stories, Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. is a charming look at a beloved fairytale. Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for seniors. Priest River Junior High is located at 1020 Highway 2 in Priest River.

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CLASSIFIEDS

10B

OPINION

4A

RECORD

9B

SPORTS

9B-12B

LIFE

8B

POLICE REPORTS

9B

OBITUARIES

9B

PUBLIC NOTICES

11B-14B

SPRING HEALTH

1B-7B

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