012418newportminer

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The Newport Miner the voice of pend oreille county since 1901

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

www.pendoreillerivervalley.com

Volume 115, Number 52 | 2 Sections, 16 Pages $1.00

Botzheim to retire, Carman to run for sheriff By Don Gronning Of The Miner

IONE – Two north county residents made announcements on their Facebook pages about their plans for the Pend Oreille County sheriff position. Two-term Pend Oreille County Sheriff Alan Botzheim, 53, announced his retirement on his now deleted Alan Botzheim for Sheriff Facebook page. “This month I will complete my 31st year with the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office and start working toward my 32nd,” Botzheim wrote. He said that from the time people begin working, most look forward to retirement. “I am no different and have dreamt about the day that I could spend more time with family, friends and especially our grandkids.” A couple days after he made the announcement, former Pend Oreille County Sheriff deputy Jon Carman, 43, announced his candidacy for sheriff. He will run as a Republican. Botzheim is also a Republican.

Miner photo|Sophia Aldous

Getting to know you Helen “Nana” Stargel, a volunteer for Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS), holds Jensen Fisher, 4 months, while his mom, Sara Fisher of Newport gets some social time in with other mothers. A non-profit group that provides area mothers with emotional support, MOPS meets at Pine Ridge Community Church in Newport the first and third Monday of every month, from 9 to 11 a.m.

See botzheim, 2A

Drone could give Public Works a bird’s eye view

Newport Council approves hiring two more officers Interim Newport Police Chief Mark Duxbury told the council that at least one more officer was needed and preferably two. It will take four to six weeks to hire after the person is selected, Duxbury said. There are background checks and physicals to take,

By Don Gronning Of The Miner

NEWPORT – The Newport City Council gave preliminary approval to move ahead with advertising for and eventually hiring of two additional police officers at its meeting Friday, Jan 12.

By Sophia Aldous Of The Miner

NEWPORT – The Pend Oreille County Public Works department is perched on the cusp of a new tech era with the possibility of purchasing a drone. The request to purchase the drone hasn’t yet been made to the board of commissioners by Public Works Director Sam Castro, but he said he would like to do so as soon as possible. If approved, funding would come from the road department and cost between $7,000 to $10,000 for a flying drone, equipment and certification. The exact model of the drone public

he said and he wants another officer by June and a third officer by July. Duxbury said there has been quite a bit of interest shown by officers working for other agencies that are interested in working See Council, 8A

works would purchase if the request were approved hasn’t been decided yet. The airborne devices allow high vantage points for surveillance and photos. The unmanned aerial system would be used for public safety and engineering Castro said. “The board of commissioners was wary at first in regards to drone usage, and I think that was wise of them,” said Castro, citing a personal incident last summer when a recreational drone operator flew a drone over Castro’s home without permission. “I was upset. I felt like it was a violation of my space, so to speak. We (Public See drones, 2A

North pend Oreille Valley Lions Club isn’t done riding the rails New fundraiser first of its kind in Northeast Washington By Sophia Aldous Of The Miner

IONE – There’s no denying the tenacity of the North Pend Oreille Valley (NPOV) Lions Club. When the club had to give up their longtime fundraiser of excursion train rides from Ione to Metaline

Falls last year due to the federal government deciding that the section of track wasn’t worth maintaining just for the popular rides, there was questions as to what the Lions Club would do. Train cars weren’t allowed on the section of track anymore, no ifs, ands, or buts and

a fundraiser that helped sustain a club and surrounding communities since its inception 35 years ago was suddenly gone. Then, last spring, an idea blossomed—train cars weren’t allowed on the tracks, but what about rail bikes? “We were looking at

something the community would support and what could draw tourism,” said NPOV Lions Club Public Relations Chair Gayle Pollock. “We think it will be attractive to tourists and maybe a different clientele.” Rail bikes are pedal powered contraptions that

allow people to bicycle along railroad tracks. The rail bikes can be single seats, double seats, or four-seaters, the latter of which the Lion’s Club are building themselves. There will be ten rail bikes in all that seat four people apiece. The route will start at the Ione Train

Depot and head south on the track three miles to Dennis Road before turning around and heading north, stopping at Box Canyon Dam just before the trestle bridge that crosses the Pend Oreille River into Metaline Falls. See Lions, 2A

B r i e f ly Newport looking for Alumni Hall of Fame nominations NEWPORT – Do you know any Newport Grizzly alumni that have gone on to do great things? Newport High School is seeking nominations for the Newport High School Alumni Hall of Fame. The purpose of the Newport High School Hall of Fame is to honor the accomplishment of former Grizzlies while showing current students what is possible for their futures. Nomination packets are available in the district and high school offices as well as on the Newport High School website at www.newport.wednet.edu/Page/252. Find the Alumni Hall of Fame link for the packet. After being reviewed by the nomination committee, a

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maximum of three recipients each year will be honored at the annual all-school alumni luncheon and with a plaque placed at Newport High School. Check out the nomination packet for criteria and honor a former Grizzly. Nominations are due by Feb. 16.

Free AARP tax service starts February NEWPORT – It’s that time of year again to start thinking about taxes. AARP tax aide sites will be open starting the first week of February in Newport, Priest River, Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry. As always, it is a free service for low to moderate income clients. Newport Hospitality House will be open for the ser-

vice on Fridays, walk-ins welcome. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Priest River and Bonners Ferry hours will be posted later. Taxpayers need to bring photo ID and Social Security cards for all family members. If married and filing jointly, both spouses must be present. Also bring 2017 federal and state tax returns and current tax documents – W-2s, 1099s (interest, dividend, pension or IRA distributions) and evidence of medical insurance. Volunteers do not do returns with rental income or anything with depreciation. Volunteer greeters are always needed to help. They will not be asked to actually file taxes. For more information, call Karen at 208-597-3236.

classifieds

5B

Opinion

4a

Record

4B

Life

3B

Police Reports

4B

sports

1B-2B

Obituaries

4B

Public Notices

6B-8B

Anniversary salute To local businesses See next week’s issue


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