052516newportminer

Page 1

SPEND MEMORIAL DAY AT PRIEST LAKE

SEE EVENT SCHEDULE ON PAGE 7B-8B

The Newport Miner THE VOICE OF PEND OREILLE COUNTY SINCE 1901

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

www.pendoreillerivervalley.com

Volume 113, Number 17 | 2 Sections, 24 Pages 75¢

County commissioners face challengers in election BY SOPHIA ALDOUS AND DON GRONNING OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – Both Pend Oreille County Commissioners running for reelection this year face challengers. The most contested race is for the Commissioner 1 seat, a partisan office with a four-year term. Incumbent Republican Karen Skoog of Elk is seeking reelection, with challengers Bob Eugene, a Democrat, and Norris Boyd, a Republican, both of Newport, also on the ballot. In Washington, races with more than two candidates are narrowed in the top two primary, which takes place Aug. 2, with the top two vote getters moving on regardless of political party. Steve Kiss, the incumbent county commissioner for District 3, will face RJ Hampton of Usk, who prefers the Republican Party. Since there are only two candidates, they will be in the General Election in November. Incumbent PUD commissioner Rick Larson did not have an opponent for his north county seat. He will serve another six year term. The chance to file for political office in Pend Oreille County ended May 20, marking the end of the weeklong filing period, a precursor to the Aug. 2 primary election. Libertarian candidate Mike Foster from Newport, is running against Republican Joel Kretz of Wauconda for the position of state representative position 2, which is a partisan office with a two-year term. Rep. Shelly Short, Republican incumbent who holds the position 1 state representative position, did not draw a challenger. Newport resident Donna Rae Lands is running against incumbent Patty Murray, the Democratic U.S. Senator from Seattle. Lands, who prefers the Conservative party, is running against 15 other candidates. U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., is be-

MINER PHOTOS|SOPHIA ALDOUS

A royal feast Students of Newport School District’s Highly Capable Program held their annual medieval feast Thursday, May 19, at Stratton Elementary, complete with wild game stew, decorations and costumes, all enjoyed by candlelight. Top: Sophia Stott and Lily Taylor have some fruit appetizers before stew. Bottom: Joe Pierson with his son, Jeff Pierson (as King Phillip II).

SEE COUNTY, 2A

Kretz, Short talk fire, education BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – State Reps. Joel Kretz, R-Washtucna, and Shelly Short, R-Addy, said there were gains made in fire fighting training and education during the extended legislative session that concluded March 30. “We worked on fire and made some progress,” Kretz said in an interview at The Miner Monday, May 16. He and Short were touring the district and both stopped in. Kretz said the legislative session was too short to get a lot done. “We got some smaller things done,” he said. Kretz said a big omnibus bill that would have provided more funding for fire prevention and training crashed on the last day of the session. Kretz said he took key parts of that proposal and worked it into the House

Looking at development around Diamond Lake

budget. He said there will be more first responder training with the state Department of Natural Resources, new brush trucks and aerial assets for fire fighting. Short said the training is a big deal. She said they met with firefighters from around the district and some of the suggestions came from local fire districts. Kretz said there were three “pile-up projects” funded. Pile up projects are projects in which thinning, prescribed burning and other methods of wildfire reduction are used. Short said a second part of the bill dealing with redundant emergency communications wasn’t passed this year. She said she had been working with Joann Boggs, Pend Oreille County Emergency Management Deputy Director. “We saw

SEE TALK, 2A

BY SOPHIA ALDOUS OF THE MINER

DIAMOND LAKE – During the research to determine the feasibility of creating a sub-area plan for Diamond Lake, Community Development Director Mike Lithgow came across an opportunity for some technical assistance. A group of graduate students under the guidance of Professor Gregg Dohrn at Eastern Washington University (EWU) will be assisting on the project, starting in September. A subarea plan is a type of longrange plan that is prepared for a limited geographic area within a community. These can be focused on neighborhoods, corridors, downtowns or special districts. Subarea plans are generally consistent with a comprehensive plan, but typically

provide a higher level of detail in the analysis and recommendations. The Urban and Regional Planning program at EWU has a graduate student project opening this fall. Dohrn and his students have assisted both Pend Oreille County and the City of Newport on numerous projects. “All of these projects have turned out incredibly well,” says Lithgow. The students have a 20-week block of time allocated to assist with this project. To prepare for this project Community Development has engaged the Pend Oreille County GIS Department (mapping), Diamond Lake Improvement Association, Diamond Lake Water and Sewer commissioner Ray King and Diamond Lake resident Fred

SEE LAKE, 2A

B R I E F LY Memorial Day holiday closes government offices NEWPORT – Government offices, including schools, will be closed Monday, May 30, in honor of Memorial Day. The Miner Newspaper office will also be closed. The deadline for classified ads is Friday, May 27 at 2 p.m. The Hot Box deadline remains 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 31.

Skoog seeks re-election NEWPORT – Karen Skoog, Pend Oreille County commissioner for District 1, is the latest person to enter the race.

Follow us on Facebook

“The last few years has brought some important improvements to the infrastructure of this county,” she said. “I am grateful to be working with an excellent team of county commissioners and dedicated county staff. Together we have been able to keep the funds for roads where they belong and additionally support our sheriff’s budget. I came into Skoog office promising public safety and it is still a priority.” Skoog said she is committed to listening to people’s concerns, studying the issues and seeking principled solu-

CLASSIFIEDS LIFE OBITUARIES

10B-11B

tions. This commitment has meant researching topics and developing relationships with the agencies and leaders that impact our county, she said. Skoog will post locations and times for small public gatherings she plans on her website and Facebook page. People are invited to contact her with any questions about the campaign at 509-847-9764 or follow her on Facebook: facebook.com/Karen4commissioner or online at karenskoog.com. She will face Democrat Bob Eugene and Republican Norris Boyd in the top two primary election.

OPINION

4A

RECORD

9B

7A

POLICE REPORTS

9B

SPORTS

5B-6B

19B

PUBLIC NOTICES

11B-12B

CAR CARE

1B-4B

GET YOUR CAR READY FOR SUMMER SEE CAR CARE PAGES 1B-4B


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.