Local teams advance see pages 1B-2B
The Newport Miner the voice of pend oreille county since 1901
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
www.pendoreillerivervalley.com
Volume 113, Number 16 | 2 Sections, 20 Pages 75¢
PUD considers rate increase
Could increase $6.70 a month for average customer By Don Gronning Of The Miner
NEWPORT – Pend Oreille PUD residential customers could see their rates rise by about $6.70 a month if PUD commissioners follow staff recommendations presented at the public hearing Tuesday, May 17. No members of the public testified. PUD commissioners are expected to make a decision at either the June 7 or June 21 meeting. Staff is recommending a $5 a month increase to the basic charge that applies to all customers regardless of how much electricity they use. There is an automatic increase of $0.0007 per kilowatt hour – about $1.40 a month for an average resi-
‘We want everyone to pay their fair share and to know their neighbors are doing the same.’
Miner photo|Sophia Aldous
Heading to state Hearty cheers and celebratory hugs were in order after Newport beat Medical Lake last Tuesday to land a spot in the district championship game. In the picture volunteer coach Thomas Cass embraces back up goal keeper Mitchell Cunningham. Newport went on to win the Northeast A League District Championship and is heading to state. See story on 1B.
Resource group may meet indefinitely
Capehart hits hole in one
County waits to hire ‘coordination’ expert
By Don Gronning Of The Miner
By Don Gronning
Colin Willenbrock
PRIEST RIVER – Frank Capehart had just purchased his season pass at The Ranch Club golf course in Priest River Thursday, May 10, before heading out to the first hole with his golfing buddies, OB Scott and Roland Cox. Capehart, 87, lined up to T-off with Scott, 89, and Cox 81, watching. He was using his new No. 3 hybrid driver, sort of a combination between a 3-iron and a fairway wood. Capehart felt like he hit the ball pretty good and that was confirmed when he heard his friends yelling “It’s going in the hole, it’s going in!” “They got more excited than I did,” Capehart said of his first hole in one, hit on the 134-yard first hole at the Ranch Club. They finished out the round – with Capehart
Of The Miner
PUD General Manager
dence. That will go into effect July 1, as will any increase approved for the base rate. The proposed increase is one of several increases designed to capture some of the PUD’s fixed cost for infrastructure, as well as to rebuild reserves after the windstorms the last two years. PUD officials anticipate it will take two and a half or three years to rebuild the reserves. PUD General Manager Colin Willenbrock said rate increases in recent years haven’t kept up with fixed costs. That’s partially because of the weather – warm winters mean not as much electricity use and therefore not as much money to the PUD. Previous rate increases were tied to how much electricity customers used. The proposed increase to the basic rate will generate about $480,000 annually and See pud, 2A
CUSICK – Pend Oreille County’s natural resource subcommittee selected a chairperson and decided to meet at least once a month – the first Tuesday of the month – at Cusick. A dozen of the 23-member committee held their second meeting Tuesday, May 10. Mike Lithgow, county community development director, is facilitating the meetings. He told the group that being a member is a big commitment. “If you’re not able to make that commitment, please reconsider your See resource, 2A
Skill center brings options to Pend Oreille County students By Sophia Aldous Of The Miner
NEWPORT – It looks like there could be more options for students in Pend Oreille County with the advent of a satellite skill center in Newport that teaches skills like aeromechanics and small engine repair. The project is the brainchild of the Kalispel Tribe, Newport School District, and Cusick School District. “It would expand our vocational offerings,” says Newport School District Superintendent Dave Smith,
See capehart, 2A
adding that the new center would provide continuing education and more resources for students in alternative school programs. The proposed site for he center is the PUD CNS building behind Safeway. The center, which would partner with Newtech Skill Center of Spokane to offer the programs, would provide classes on how to diagnose, maintain, repair, and fine tune a wide range of vehicles alongside ASE Master Techni-
Miner photo|Don Gronning
See SKILL, 2A
Capehart at his Newport home.
B r i e f ly Beekeepers at Live & Learn May 21
Free food distribution May 19
Climate change talk June 9
PRIEST RIVER – The West Plains Beekeepers Association will return by popular demand for a Live & Learn presentation at the Priest River Library Saturday, May 21 at 10 a.m. Joe and Marilyn return to offer beginners and skilled beekeepers advice and guidance on the care and keeping of bees. They have wonderful experiences and stories to share, all to benefit bees and beekeepers alike. Call 208 448-2207 or email library@westbonnerlibrary.org for more information or check the library website at www.westbonner.lili.org for additional programs throughout the year.
NEWPORT – The American Lutheran Church and Pend Oreille County Thrivent members will host a free produce and grocery distribution for all families in need Thursday, May 19, in the parking lot of the American Lutheran Church from 10 a.m. – noon. Those attending should bring a box for their food. The church is located at 332801 S.R. Hwy. 2 in Newport. For more information, call Nicole Smoot at 509671-1432 or the 24-hour Mobile Food Bank Information Line at 509-252-6270.
BLANCHARD – “Common Ground: A local Approach to Climate Change,” is the name of a discussion set for Thursday, June 9, at 7 p.m. at the Blanchard Community Center at 8685 Rusho Lane in Blanchard. Bill Irving, who has a masters degree in environmental arts and sciences, and Lee Koffler, known locally as Blanchard’s Electric Car Guy, will be featured speakers. There will be refreshments. For more information, contact Cheryl at 208-661-4904.
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Get your car ready for spring See next week’s issue of the miner