012815newportminer by The Newport Miner

ANNIVERSARY

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OLDEST AND YOUNGEST SERVING THE COMMUNITY PAGES 3B-5B

The Newport Miner THE VOICE OF PEND OREILLE COUNT Y SINCE 1901

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

www.pendoreillerivervalley.com

Volume 111, Number 52 | 2 Sections, 20 Pages 75¢

Fire departments need volunteers

Cusick considering sharing with Fire District 4; Newport mayor warns volunteers BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – Fire districts and departments throughout the area get by on volunteer help and people are finding less time to volunteer. Fire departments and districts are looking for ways to stretch resources. Cusick Mayor Bob Spencer has firefighting equipment, including two fire engines and two first response vehicles. He has a fire station. What he doesn’t have is firefighters. The Cusick Fire Department is down to two SEE FIRE, 2A

Public testimony complete on Old Boys Ranch rezone BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER

CUSICK – Tuesday, Jan. 20, Pend Oreille County planning commissioner wrapped up the public comment portion of the comprehensive land use map adjustment needed to rezone the Old Boys Ranch for a master planned com-

munity. Planning commissioners will meet Tuesday, Jan. 27, to deliberate. If needed, they will also deliberate Feb. 10. The developers, Wasatch and Associates, would like to rezone 430 acres in the north part of the county from natural resource SEE REZONE, 10A

staff members using binoculars between Albeni Falls Dam and Box Canyon Dam. This survey was conducted as one of many of the requirements given to the PUD by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the Box Canyon Dam license.

COURTESY PHOTO|GARY ODELL

This bald eagle is perched above the Pend Oreille River. It was one of 71 counted by the Pend Oreille Public Utility District staff, Jan. 20. The survey was done by boat with PUD natural resource

71 bald eagles enjoy scenic river Eagles stay year around BY DESIREE HOOD OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – The Pend Oreille Public Utility District natural resource staff counted 71 bald eagles, Jan. 20, one shy of a tie for the record. Four golden eagles were also spotted. The survey was conducted by boat with PUD natural resource staff members using binoculars between Albeni Falls Dam and Box Canyon Dam, a 55-mile stretch of the Pend

Oreille River. “Our eagle population is non-migratory, and the birds here now are the birds we have year around,” PUD officials stated in a press release. “We don’t have any fish spawning runs that attract eagles here from other regions.” The eagles can be found in close proximity to an active nesting territory along the river, and there were 28 active nests in 2014, according to the press release. For 2015, 71 eagles made the official count, an increase from 69

American Legion names Theal State Educator of the Year

in 2014. The highest count was in 2013, when 72 eagles were spotted, however, one is of unknown age. The trend is increasing from several years ago, when 70 were spotted in 2012, 62 in 2011, 39 in 2010, 45 in 2009 and 31 in 2008. “This wonderful trend is something witnessed all across North America as a result of better herbicide and pesticide practices, a ban on lead shot and many other conservation efforts,” officials said. SEE EAGLES, 2A

Surplus water rights could aid farmers, communities

BY DESIREÉ HOOD

BY ALICE DAY

OF THE MINER

WNPA OLYMPIA NEWS BUREAU

NEWPORT – Sadie Halstead Middle School Counselor Sarah Theal was chosen as the 2013-2014 Educator of the Year by the American Legion, Department of Washington, Thursday, Jan. 22. “We recognize an educator who has gone above and beyond,” said Loren Sperry, chairman of the education committee. “She stuck out kind of like a sore finger.” Theal is the Counselor at Sadie Halstead Middle School. Previously, she was an Intervention/Prevention SEE TEACHER, 2A

OLYMPIA – Farmers, private businesses and neighboring communities could have more access to water if legislators succeed in requiring state agencies to lease surplus water rights on public land. In prior sessions, some lawmakers have tried to push through legislation allowing local communities to tap into state-held water rights. Rep. Brian Blake, D-Aberdeen, prime sponsor of House Bill 1000, said his proposal is an effort to have a conversation with the agencies about potential revenue from leasing unused water rights managed by the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW). Co-sponsored by Rep. Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda, and Rep. Vincent Buys, R-Lynden, the bill would require WDFW to inventory and identify water rights that are not used for beneficial purposes such as agriculture, irrigation and livestock, and lease surplus water rights to the public at a

MINER PHOTO|DESIREÉ HOOD

Sarah Theal, right, was chosen as the American Legion State Teacher of the Year, Thursday, Jan. 22. She accepted the award from David Hodgeboom, state commander, pictured, and Loren Sperry, education chairman.

SEE SURPLUS, 2A

B R I E F LY Snowmobile plowing for north county areas IONE – The Pend Oreille County Parks Board and the Forest Service have agreed on plowing five parking areas in the north end of the county to make access for snowmobile enthusiasts. “(The Parks Board) allocated up to $5,000 for the season,” said Pend Oreille County Commissioner Steve Kiss. “These are places we plowed in the past at times, but didn’t have a formal agreement.” Kiss said the area on Sullivan Creek Road from the county road toward the East Sullivan Campground boat launch will be plowed. He said this area could handle up

CLASSIFIEDS

to 10 vehicles. “It’s kind of a big sweeping turnaround,” Kiss said. The area near the Harvey Creek pit on Monumental Mountain will be plowed. Kiss said this is a Forest Service gravel pit. Hanks Butte, west of Ione off of Greenhouse Road will see plowing and small areas include the end of Dry Canyon and Paupac Road, and side spots on the road will be plowed near the Harvey Creek and Sullivan Lake inlet. Kiss said the areas will be plowed on a “low priority” and only done “as the crews have time.”

8B-10B

Newport lets pot moratorium expire

NEWPORT – At their regular meeting Tuesday, Jan. 20, the Newport City Council agreed to let the moratorium on marijuana businesses expire. The council had placed a six month moratorium on marijuana businesses within the city limits while they studied the effect of the law. It was time to renew the moratorium if they wanted to, with the necessary legal advertising. City administrator Ray King said that the recreational SEE BRIEFLY, 2A

OPINION

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FROM PAGE ON E

| JANUARY 28, 2015

The Newport Miner Serving Pend Oreille County, WA

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FIRE: Most districts do not have full time paid chiefs He said it is an opportunity for smaller agencies to combine resources. A few years ago several fire districts were rolled into the South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue. Knaack says that SPOFR has about 50 volunteers because it has a bigger pool to pull from. Having a paid fire chief may also have something to do with it. SPOFR, Fire District 4 and the West Pend Oreille Fire Districts have paid chiefs. However, most fire districts and departments don’t have full time paid fire chiefs, including Newport. Knaack says that Fire District 4 has 27 volunteers. That’s down from 34 or 35 this time a year ago. Some moved away, he said. In Newport, city firefighters got a letter from Mayor Shirley Sands reminding them to attend trainings. “I am concerned that only a few individuals have been coming to meet-

BRIEFLY

on calls. Owen says this is the first volunteers. letter that has been sent Spencer says he is lookto all Newport firefighters ing into ways for firefightsince he became chief in ers to share resources 2013. Newport used to kick – both equipment and out volunteers when they personnel. missed too many meetings. “I’m exploring possiThat isn’t the case now, bilities,” Spencer says. He Owen said. notes Cusick, like all Pend “We have to walk a fine Oreille County fire departline when we only have 14 ments and districts, has people,” he said. mutual aid agreements Les Kokanos, chief of the with other districts, agreeWest Pend Oreille Fire Disments to come to each trict, says his department other’s aid. has a fairly stable group of “We’re covered, both for volunteers. He has a core of medical and fire,” Spencer about 20 volunteers, with said. He also has a mutual about 45 people signed up. aid agreement with the “We’re always open for Kalispel Tribe. a couple more,” he says. Cusick approached Pend Kokanos has been with the Oreille Fire District No. 4 fire department 35 years. to help with coverage, said The district covers western Nick Knaack, fire chief for Bonner County, including District 4. Knaack says the city of Priest River. Cusick isn’t alone in need“Volunteers come and ing more volunteers. go,” Kokanos said. “All of a “Over the last couple sudden you’ll get a bunch, decades people have been then they’ll peter out.” working more and volunKokanos said getting teering less,” Knaack says. volunteers during the day can be a problem. “There are still some employers who won’t let their employees off work to fight fires,” he said. Kokanos said West FROM PAGE 1 uses, such as fish-habitat director of government Pend Oreille firefightand groundwater preserva- relations at Washington ers called for aid for a comparable market rate. tion, ecosystem mainteFarm Bureau and Trinfire that caused about Revenues raised would nance and hydropower gen- ity Stucker, secretary and $300,000 damage at accumulate in the Habitat eration. These water rights treasurer at the Okanogan Tri Pro Forest ProdEnhancement and Leasing cannot be relinquished or County Farm Bureau said ucts near Oldtown Account that then could lost if they are not used for they aren’t happy with a Dec. 29. be used to support regional out-of-stream purposes. subsection of the bill that Fire District 4 refisheries enhancement However, Wishart says this would allow WDFW to use sponded and Newgroups, for production at bill would require WDFW money in the proposed port sent a couple state hatcheries, or to acto lease all unused water habitat account to acquire firefighters. quire or enhance habitat for rights, including water that more land for habitat. “Once we got there, endangered species. is seemingly being unused Okanogan County and we saw there were In a public hearing in the in streams. other counties in Eastern others there,” Owen House Agriculture and Nat“We’ve over-appropriated Washington already have said. ural Resources Committee many streams around the a high percentage of land Jan. 14, some organizations state, and that’s why we under state and federal expressed concerns with the need to be very careful in ownership, so the prospect language of the bill. making these decisions that of adding more doesn’t Bruce Wishart, lobbydetermine we have enough make sense, Sheffels said. ist on behalf of the Center water left in the stream,” In addition, Stucker for Environmental Law Wishart said. suggested the bill could be and Policy and the Sierra Clay Sprague, lands diviimproved by adding a secClub spoke against the bill, sion manager for WDFW, tion that prioritizes agriculclaiming if implemented, said the department supture’s access to these water WDFW would be forced ports the concept of keeping rights because a majority FROM PAGE 1 to lease all unused water a better inventory of its wa- of the lands purchased by rights, including in-stream ter rights usage. However, WDFW were used for agriwater rights currently the department would need culture. The eagles spotted were perched on trees conservmaintained in the state’s to determine what portion No committee action has ing energy, or being “lazy” Trust Water Rights Proof water rights should be re- been taken on the proposal. in the human world, gram. tained to restore in-stream ALICE DAY IS AN INTERN officials said. The trees Unused water rights curflows to meet the agency’s WITH THE WASHINGTON rently can be placed in the habitat objectives. were medium to large with NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASprominent branches, not trust program for in-stream Evan Sheffels, associate SOCIATION. near other trees, mainly Ponderosa pine and cottonwoods. “They also like to utilize the many remnant pilings that are reminders of the FROM PAGE 1 organizations, including Pend Oreille by-gone sawmills, heydays County Counseling, Youth Emergency of the Pend Oreille River Specialist, employed by ESD 101, providServices and Child Protective Services. Valley’s past,” officials said. ing services in the Newport School District “(Theal) is a rare individual with endless The eagles are evenly for nine years. compassion for students,” Burcham said. distributed along the river, “(Theal) is always positive, a great probAmerican Legion chooses one or two with slightly more dense lem solver and is willing to do whatever teachers each year and honors them for concentrations between it takes to help students or staff,” Sadie Cusick and the Riverbend ‘(Theal) is a rare individual Principal Janet Burcham said. “She is one area. This is a main area of the cornerstones of our middle school for waterfowl populations, with endless compassion and her enthusiasm for student-centered which is the bulk of the activities makes her loved by all.” eagles’ food this time of for students.’ Theal has participated in many comyear. munity and student activities, including “During this survey, Janet Burcham starting the Students Against Destructive we witnessed two adults Sadie Halstead Middle School Principal Decisions (SADD) program with 30-40 harassing a duck. We saw students participating monthly. She thousands of diving ducks helped bring the Washington Drug Free their service to education and the commuand Canada geese,” ofYouth (WDFY) program to the district, nity. Each post across the state can submit ficials said. “At other times with about 88 percent of sixth through two applicants for the award. of the year, the bulk of eighth grade students as members. Theal was nominated by the Medical their diet is made up of fish. Theal also helped train more than 50 Lake Post. Many of the fish they eat high school students and community Sperry said Theal was the only teacher are stolen from ospreys in members to be mentors in the Big Brother chosen for the 2013-2014 school year. an act called kleptoparasitBig Sister Mentoring Program, with 53 The Educator of the Year program has ism.” current mentors. been an American Legion tradition for There are two classificaShe works with several community more than a decade. tions of eagles, mature and FROM PAGE 1

ings and performing the required training to be in compliance with the Washington State Board of Volunteer Firefighters,” she wrote in the Jan. 15 letter. She went on to warn that not making meetings and trainings could jeopardize fire pension credits for those who qualify. Sands says she sends out letters like that periodically. Newport Fire Chief Rob Owen said that trainings are held the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. “It’s impossible for us to pick a time when everyone can come,” he said. He is involved in coaching and other volunteers are involved in other activities. Owen said that Newport has 14 firefighters. “It seems like we lose two or three and get one,” he said. The trainings are important, for practice, but also to analyze their response

SURPLUS: Concerns have been voiced

FROM PAGE 1

marijuana market seems to be working itself out but that the medical marijuana market was still a mess. He said that Newport zoning has taken marijuana businesses into account, confining them to industrial areas.

Newport High School locked down NEWPORT – Newport High School had a fourlegged visitor searching for drugs Tuesday, at about 10 a.m., causing a “modified lockdown.” Principal Troy Whittle said they had the drug dog come to the school and search for drugs. He put the school on a “modified lockdown” so the students were not in the hallways with the dog. “We just didn’t want kids running around while the drug dog was out,” Whittle said. Whittle said they have the dog come through the school a couple times a year to sniff for drugs. A parent of a high school student said the school district did not notify the children or the parents about the drug dog’s visit or the reasons he was called to sniff. Superintendent Dave Smith did not return calls before press time.

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EAGLES: Spotted perched on trees

TEACHER: In the district for 9 years

immature. Eagles become mature after the age of four and a half, and will take a mate. The head of an eagle will also turn white after this age. “Eagles will typically live to be around 20 years old, and they mate for life. If one dies, the remaining eagle will select another mate,” officials said. An immature eagle is all brown in color and may appear larger in size than a mature eagle because of their feather size. The feathers are often referred to as “training feathers,” officials said. This survey was conducted as one of many of the requirements given to the PUD by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the Box Canyon Dam license. Federal, state, local and tribal entities oversee the many wildlife and habitat components of the Box license. In addition to this survey, the PUD performs two helicopter surveys annually to monitor nest activity and success. The flights are coordinated with other required activities, such as stream restoration and powerline inspections, officials said.

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Wednesday Thursday Partly sunny

Mostly cloudy

37/31

38/29

Friday

Saturday

Partly sunny

37/28

Sunday

Cloudy, chance rain and snow

36/29

L A ST W E E K

Monday

Cloudy, chance rain and snow

39/30

Tuesday Partly sunny

42/30

Source: National Weather Service and Accuweather.com, Newport, WA

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L A ST YEAR

Jan. 19 20 21 22 23 24

High Low Prec. Snow 43 32 - 39 31 - 33 29 .04” 38 22 - 33 25 - .05” 37 33 - Source: Albeni Falls Dam

This week last year we saw a bit of snow, sun mid week, and got a few clouds to finish out our week. The region receive minimal snow this week. The highs for the week at 36 degrees, and the nights held the week’s low at a cold 18 degrees.

THE MINER

JANUARY 28, 2015 |

AARP tax help starts Feb. 6

B R I E F LY Learn about Washington energy code at workshop

NEWPORT – The AARP Taxaide program will start Friday, Feb. 6, at Newport’s Hospitality House from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The program will be open every Friday until the end of tax season. People are asked to bring all their information needed to complete their return: Social Security cards for all members of the household, work related W-2s, retirement 1099Rs, education information, child care, any information for schedule A to increase your standard deduction and your final report on stockbrokers account. People should be aware of the changes for the Affordable Care Act, which calls for more paperwork for some. People who have insurance through Medicare, Medicaid, an employer or any insurance which constitutes minimum essential coverage are a checkmark away from the deduction. People who have gone through the market place exchange will receive a 1095A in the mail that they will need to bring. The ACA is hands on learning, even for tax preparers who have some training with it. For more information call Karen at 208-428-7007.

OLDTOWN – People can learn about the Washington State Energy Code Overview at a workshop Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Albeni Falls Building Supply in Oldtown. The event is sponsored by the Washington State University Energy Program, Pend Oreille County Community Development and Albeni Falls Building Supply. Gary Nordeen of the WSU Energy Program will speak. A review of the code is from 9 a.m. to noon, and ventilation and indoor air quality requirements will be reviewed from 1-4 p.m. The event is free.

Newport offers free preschool screenings NEWPORT – The Newport School District will offer free preschool screenings, Wednesday, Feb. 4 for children 0-5 years of age. The district provides special programs and some are available to preschoolers with special needs at no cost to the parent. Identifying a child’s special needs early will help the child reach their full learning potential. The screening includes cognitive thinking, communication, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, vision and hearing. For more information or to schedule a screening, contact Keri Leslie at 509447-3167, ext. 4507.

Snowmobile enthusiasts gather at Priest Lake PRIEST LAKE – The Washington State Snowmobile Association Winter Rendezvous will be held Friday through Monday, Feb. 13-16 at Hills Resort at Priest Lake. The weekend includes guided rides of the 400 miles of trails on the snowmobile system around Priest Lake. Photo contests, dinner buffets, special speakers, raffles, bingo and a polar bear plunge will also occur. Russ Brown, chairman for the West Bonner Groomer Association and Committee, said about 125 people attend the annual event, held at Lake Chelan last year. For more information, email wayne.pjsmith@ gmail.com.

MINER PHOTO|DON GRONNING

ABOVE: Pend Oreille County deputy prosecutor Jeremy Schmidt told the jury Wright’s business was selling drugs. He is shown here pulling on plastic gloves before handling bindles in his closing argument.

Jury convicts for meth distribution, possession of stolen vehicles BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – It took a jury about two hours to convict William J. Wright, 62, of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and four counts of possession of stolen vehicles after a three day trial that ended Thursday, Jan. 22. He was taken into custody following the trial. Sentencing is set for Feb. 5. Wright was also charged with possession with intent to distribute hydrocodone but that charge was dismissed after Pend Oreille County Superior Court Judge Allen Nielsen ruled there was insufficient evidence to prove it was hydrocodone. It was not sent to a crime lab for identification. The case resulted from a search warrant served on Wright and his Coyote Trail residence in October 2013. Law enforcement found four stolen vehicles, 1.6 grams

PEND OREILLE COUNTY HOTEL MOTEL TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE has two vacant positions. The Committee consists of members representing a business that will collect the tax and members involved in tourism or promotional activities. The open positions are for those that qualify as a collector of funds or a business that is involved in tourism or promotional activities. Informational statements for the above volunteer positions available on the County website at: www.pendoreilleco.org or at the Commissioners’ Office, 625 W. 4th St., PO Box 5025, Newport, WA 99156. Please send a letter of interest along with an Informational Statement to the address listed above. For additional information, please call 509-447-4119.

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of meth, pills thought to be hydrocodone, several dozen small plastic bindles, some marked with smiley faces, some with eight ball stickers. Wright was arrested. He had been free on $20,000 bail until Thursday. Deputy prosecutor Jeremy Schmidt called six witnesses during the trial, including four deputies, a man who testified to buying meth from Wright and a person from the state crime lab. Defense attorney Doug Phelps didn’t call any witnesses. Wright did not testify. Schmidt told the jury in closing arguments that Wright made his living selling meth. “Wright’s business was selling drugs,” Schmidt said. He said the sheer number of bindles that were found, the testimony from the man who said he bought meth from Wright several times and the meth and spoon that were found were

enough to prove Wright was a meth dealer. As to the stolen vehicles, Schmidt said Wright knew the vehicles were stolen. One was parked next to his car and he had a stolen license plate in his car. Schmidt acknowledged that he made a plea deal with Charles Castro, the man who testified against Wright. In exchange for his testimony, Castro’s felony charges of possession of meth and being a felon in possession of a firearm were reduced to soliciting to posses meth. Defense attorney Doug Phelps said Castro was not credible, that he had every reason to lie, as he was looking at returning to prison. Castro provided testimony that led to the search warrant after he was caught fleeing a car that had a gun and meth in it. Phelps said Castro told law enforcement that there would be guns at Wright‘s place, that he had

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seen a “grapefruit sized” meth rock and that they would likely find money under a concrete slab on the property. When they served the search warrant two days after Castro’s arrest, law enforcement officers found 1.6 grams of meth and a couple hundred dollars hidden in a book. That was not enough to show meth

NEWPORT – The Pend Oreille Public Utility District purchased more than 10 acres of land near Blueslide in mid-December, in anticipation of a substation needed in the area. “The land is ideally situated for a future substation based on its proximity to existing facilities, infrastructure and road access,” said Colin Willenbrock, PUD Assistant General Manager, Production and Legal. April Owen, PUD Assistant General Manager, Distribution and Finance, said the line from Box Canyon Dam to the Cusick substation is very long and a substation in the middle would

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RIGHT: William J. Wright is pictured in court at his trial last week. He was convicted of five felonies Thursday after a jury trial. He will be sentenced Feb. 5.

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Viewpoint

OUR OPINION

THE MINER

LETTE RS POLICY

Define basic education first

he debate over funding public education in Washington has been made too complicated for decades. It’s time to simplify the mechanism and ban the myriad of special interest groups from the system. We believe that the state legislature with only the assistance of the Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction – using school district input – should define basic education. The legislature and governor should then fully fund that amount. Local school districts should then sell their taxpayers on any additional needs of their districts by passing special levies. This is actually how the law reads but is only a distant memory for school officials. School officials reading this are laughing at the naïveté demonstrated by this proposal. They are well aware of the messy intervention of many special interest groups and government “do-gooders.” It started with the federal government cutting funds to states where schools didn’t meet what they decided were the basic standards. Then the Washington State Supreme Court weighed in demanding that the legislature fully fund schools – even without a clear definition of what that would be. So the legislature, with the assistance of lobbyists from every corner of the education world, created the start of a definition by passing House Bill 2776. The initiative crazy folks decided to jump in last year without considering that they may hurt the fully funded goals of the others by passing a law that forces schools to reduce class size. This was Initiative 1351. The Supreme Court didn’t go away. They have added to their judicial duties the over site of state schools and threatening legislators. Remember the court wants basic education funded without any clear definition of basic education. The court also doesn’t seem to care how the state pays for this – even if it means deep cuts to state programs. Maybe the Supreme Court budget should get the knife first. The court also doesn’t seem to care that the other option is increased taxes – maybe again the new taxes should begin on judges’ and state officials’ salaries. There are too many special interest groups and government entities involved in this problem for a good solution to evolve. Let the professional educators, without outside influences of any kind, show us what basic education really is. Get the federal government, courts and lobbyists out of the room. Get a good definition and then the state should fully fund it. --FJW

Congress needs to fix outdated federal No Child Left Behind education law Few issues are more important to Washington state families than making sure every student has access to a quality education so they can leave school prepared to work hard and Sen. Patty succeed. I hear Murray about this from D-Wash. parents, from business owners and even from students themselves. We have so many teachers and principals across our state doing amazing work to reach this goal but, unfortunately, the federal government’s education law, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), is hindering these efforts and needs to be fixed. So, in the coming months, I am going to be working hard to make sure parents across Washington state have an education law that works for their students and schools. As we’ve seen firsthand here in Washington state, NCLB has proved to be a deeply broken law. It set high standards for schools, but then failed to invest in the resources they needed

to meet those standards. It prescribed one-size-fits-all remedies that didn’t work for students and communities. And it punished schools that couldn’t meet unrealistic requirements with penalties that ended up not helping, or actually hurting, students and schools. The law is so bad that the U.S. Department of Education began issuing waivers to exempt states from the law’s requirements. Washington state had received a waiver but lost it last year. As a result, Washington now has less flexibility in how to use roughly $40 million in federal money for education. So as we get to work in Congress on rewriting this broken law, here’s what I am going to be fighting for on behalf of Washington state students: First, I am going to do everything I can to make sure schools get the investments they need to provide all of their students with a high-quality education. If teachers and principals don’t have the training, resources and support they need to SEE LAW, 5A

We welcome letters to the editor. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. Letters should be typed and submitted to The Miner office no later than 5 p.m. Friday for publication the following Wednesday. No letter will be published unless it is signed by at least one individual, even if the letter represents the view of a group. The letter must include a telephone number and address for authentication. The Miner reserves the right to edit letters. Political letters will not be published the last issue before an election. Letters will be printed as space allows.

WE B COM M E NTS We welcome comment on select stories on our web site. You may comment anonymously. We will review comments before posting and we reserve the right to omit or edit comments. If you want to comment only to our writers and editors, let us know that you do not want your comment published.

YO U R O P I N I O N ‘A Republic, if you can keep it’ To the editor: During the founding of our Constitution, the motto was, “eternal vigilance is the price we pay for liberty.” We the people need to be involved, educated and engaged, in order to maintain our liberties that are enumerated in the Constitution. Personal liberty requires personal responsibility. If we have true Democracy, then when over half of a classroom decides that lefthanded students should be thrown out, the majority of students have the right to do that, and the teacher would help them with this action. In a Democracy, you have no rights against the majority. Any rights can change at any time, depending on who has the majority. In a Republic, you elect representatives. They are responsible to act in accordance with pre-stated rules, like, the rights of an individual. The teacher, as a representative of authority, is obliged to protect the left-handed students, because they have rights that even the majority cannot take away. We have an incredibly wonderful form of government that many nations envy. Our Founders had done an immense amount of research on Democracies. They found that they had always failed. Our Constitutional Republic was difficult to achieve, and was paid for with much blood, sweat and tears. Furthermore, to maintain

it requires this eternal vigilance. So, educate yourself on the current issues, and please contact your legislators and let them know of your concerns. http://legislature.idaho.gov/about/ contactbydistrict.cfm “Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.” -Thomas Jefferson “Outside Independence Hall when the Constitutional Convention of 1787 ended, Mrs. Powel of Philadelphia asked Benjamin Franklin, “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” With no hesitation whatsoever, Franklin responded, “A republic, if you can keep it.” http://quotes.liberty-tree. ca/quote_blog/Benjamin. Franklin.Quote.21EA -Maureen Paterson Priest River

More taxpayers needed for expanded government To the editor: The simple math Rich Clark listed in his last letter indicates that he lives on a small river on lot and wants the land behind him to remain zoned 20 acres per lot. At some point the land behind waterfront gets developed as every day we have more people without any increase in the land available for habitation. So it’s only a question of time. Every day government becomes more expensive and without increased taxpayers, the government becomes less affordable. At some point the remaining

READE R’S POLL Visit The Miner Online to answer our readers’ poll question through Monday afternoon. Find it on the right-hand side of the page at www.PendOreilleRiverValley.com. The results will be printed next week on this page. You need not be a subscriber to participate. If you have any ideas for future readers’ poll questions, submit them at theminer@povn.com.

Much controversy followed the AFC Championship game between the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts after it was discovered 11 of the 12 footballs used by New England quarterback Tom Brady were deflated by 2 pounds per square inch. The Patriots won the game 45-7, sending them to the Super Bowl this weekend against the Seattle Seahawks. No one in the New England organization has owned up to the gaff, which made the balls easier to throw and catch, including head coach Bill Belichick and Brady. This isn’t the first time the Patriots have been caught in what appears to be cheating. What do you think the consequences should be for what has been dubbed “Deflate Gate”? The Patriots should have to forfeit their bid to the Super Bowl. The Patriots and Colts should replay the championship game. Monetary fines and draft pick penalties should do it. The Patriots aren’t at fault here. This is just another case of people hating the Patriots because they’re so good. I don’t care either way. Don’t we have more important things to worry about?

taxpayers can’t sustain the government and your dream of rural lifestyle will come to an end. I have no objection to the property owners in the north end of Pend Oreille County keeping their dream of a rural lifestyle. What I object to and find offensive is that they have a long history of opposing development where I live. They have opposed lowering the 5-acre per lot size to 2-1/2 acres twice. They live 30 miles from my property and want to tell me what I can and can’t do with it just because they own waterfront property or NR land. I understand that owning waterfront property gives some citizens special status and privilege as they dominate the planning process and rule making for development. We have spent hundreds of thousands of tax dollars accommodating the special interests of waterfront property owners. A large developer has the financial resources to play the development roadblock game. I really object to paying for the public side of this game of wills with my property taxes and the increasing fees and costs. So if you want to do math, then divide 20 acres into four five acre lots and you will have four PUD meters and at least eight more patients for the public hospital district. -Pete Scobby Newport

Help bring a trail to north Idaho To the editor: There are many things you can do on a trail. You can walk your pet goose, you can ride a horse, you can skateboard or just plain walk and run. We are working on designing

a trail from Oldtown to Dover and we need you. As students in Priest River, we would like you to help with this process. The Priest Community Forest Connection (PCFC) is spearheading this trail project. They have been working with us. We students have turned in 118 surveys so far. We’ve designed trail mile markers, trash cans, benches and other trail amenities. It is really important that we get the larger community’s ideas and opinions. There is a simple way to do this: take the 2 to 3 minute long survey on the PCFC website: www.communityforests.com. Picture yourself walking on this amazing trail following the Pend Oreille River knowing you helped plan and implement this important project. We are hoping to break ground in the spring. Taking this survey will help us find funding and build the trail that you are hoping for. And finally think of how much you will be helping us, the students that are working so hard to bring this trail to reality. -Mikayla Edwards Oldtown -Zack Edwards Oldtown -Lupita Landeros Priest River -Serena Archer Priest River -Keala Arche Priest River

Thanks for plowing Sullivan Lake To the editor: We would like to thank everyone involved in getting the roads, turnoffs and parking areas plowed at Sullivan Lake. Really appreciated. -John and Lorna Larson Sullivan Lake

R E A D E R ’ S P O L L R E S U LT S Did you watch the Seahawks and what did you think of it? No, but I wish I had. A TD pass to an offensive tackle, an successful onside kick, a two point conversion and a TD pass on the first possession in OT. I hope Seattle didn’t use up all its luck.

No, I don’t care about Seattle – the city or the football team.

12% 21% 67%

Total Votes: 24

Yes, but I wished I didn’t. Green Bay should have won, the Sea-hawks just got lucky.

Yes, I watched but I still can’t believe it. It was the most exciting game ever.

THE MINER

JANUARY 28, 2015 |

Changes to PUD outage response BY DESIREÉ HOOD OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – The Pend Oreille Public Utility District will implement a new Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system to improve customer service for outages and high call volume times during the month of February. The system is designed to handle the large number of calls the PUD receives during an outage, making it possible to receive all calls rather than only being able to handle a few. IT Director Rhonda Thomas said with multiple customer service representatives, most calls go unanswered during widespread power outages. Thomas said the new system will be put into “outage mode” when there are known outages in the

county. She said the system will prompt customers to press one on their phone if the customer is reporting an outage. “The system will gather the information for their outage based on their phone number,” Thomas said. “For after hours and weekend calls, the system will provide information stating the PUD is closed and prompt the customer to press two if they have an emergency or need to report an outage.” Behind the scenes, the IVR system will interact with the customer information system (CIS) using the phone number the customer is calling from, as well as log detailed call information into a separate database for outage management and crew dispatch. An option will be given to provide an account

LAW FROM PAGE 4A

PATTY MURRAY IS THE SENIOR U.S. SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON STATE AND THE TOP DEMOCRAT ON THE SENATE HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, AND PENSIONS COMMITTEE.

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advance their skills and help their students succeed, then very little else we do will matter. Second, I’ll be fighting to expand access to early childhood education. Seattle and Washington state have led the way on this front, and it’s time the federal government pitches in so more kids in our state and across the country can start kindergarten on strong footing. Third, while NCLB is broken and needs to be overhauled, it had the noble goal of making sure all children get a quality public education, no matter where they live, how they learn or how much money their parents make. So while we should fix NCLB, we can’t afford to stop holding states and schools accountable for the education of their students. Measuring a student’s growth from year to year is one of the most important tools we have to make sure schools are preparing students for future success, and it is too important for our country to simply take on faith. Accountability in education is a civil-rights issue because those likeliest to fall through the cracks are kids from poor neighborhoods, children of color and students with disabilities, all of whom want nothing more than an opportunity to work hard and succeed. It’s also an economic issue because

students today are the future workers needed to fill jobs for local businesses in a competitive global economy. So we need to make sure students are college and career ready. Republicans may control Congress, but I am ready to work with anyone willing to help me break through the gridlock and dysfunction and move beyond this broken law in a way that works for Washington state students and communities. Bipartisan work is possible, even during the most partisan times. Last year, I was proud to work with Republicans on a budget deal that prevented another government shutdown, restored critical investments in education, jobs and research, and moved us away from the constant crises that were devastating the economy. It wasn’t easy, but if both sides are willing to step out of their partisan corners and put the families and communities they represent first, it’s possible. And when it comes to fixing our broken education law, it’s imperative. So I will be back in the other Washington fighting for a solution, and I am hopeful that Congress can come together to fix this law and deliver on the promise of a quality education for all.

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number if the phone number the customer is calling from is not the number in the database. Either method allows the PUD to expedite outage reports. Thomas said it is helpful for customers to update phone number information with the Customer Service Representatives. PUD customers who have changed phone numbers or would like to add mobile phone numbers are asked to call 509-447-3137 or email csr@popud.org with updated phone numbers. Thomas said there is no outgoing message to alert customers of outages, however, information will be posted on the PUD website in a timely manner. She said the PUD is looking at other forms of media to get the message out.

Voters want lower class sizes Districts, legislature struggles to pay for it

BY ALICE DAY WNPA OLYMPIA NEWS BUREAU

OLYMPIA – School districts around Washington are priming their fiscal pumps in coming weeks, asking local constituents to support special maintenance and operations tax propositions to maintain current programs, as well as bond measures to support facilities development and transportation needs. Meanwhile, at the state Capitol, lawmakers have yet to come to grips in the early days of the 2015 legislative session with education financing plans to meet the state Supreme Court’s mandate that they must fully fund basic education as defined in the state constitution. Legislators and Gov. Jay

Inslee agree that education is and should be the dominant issue before them this session. They do not agree, however, on a means and method to resolve the dilemma: finding the dollars to avoid a Supreme Court contempt order, the result of the Legislature’s failure to meet the terms the court has set for basic education funding. School districts, excluding Pend Oreille County districts, are holding levy and bond elections in February so they are able to maintain current operating levels while the Legislature continues to struggle with its role and responsibility to support basic-education programs. Added to the education funding challenge is the voter-approved Class Size

Reduction Measure – Initiative 1351 – passed in November. That measure requires the state to lower class sizes in grades K-12, and adds additional teachers and support staff in order to do so. The Office of Financial Management estimates implementing I-1351 could cost the state $4.7 billion through fiscal year 2019 and an additional $1.9 billion each year thereafter. The initiative did not include a funding source and has a four-year phase-in, with 50 percent implementation in the 2015-2017 biennium and 100 percent implementation in 2018-2019. Local school districts, however, would have an additional fiscal challenge to meet the I-1351 mandate.

Pend Oreille County has commission openings NEWPORT – There are a number of volunteer openings on Pend Oreille County boards and commissions, including: • Three openings on the Pend Oreille County Planning Commission, two from Commissioner District 2, in the center part of the county. Applicants must live in the district. One District 2 position is to complete a four-year term that expires Dec. 31, 2017, and

the other is to complete a four-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2018. The other planning commission opening is from Commissioner District 1, in the south part of the county. It is to serve a four-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2018. Anyone interested in serving is invited to provide an information statement to the county commissioners. • Two openings on the Civil Service Commission, one to complete a six year

CORRECTION In last week’s issue, it was incorrectly reported that a computer was taken during the burglary at Boundary Computer Radio Shack in Newport, Dec. 24. There was about $300 in Christmas toys taken during the burglary. Diamond Lake had an increase in burglaries from 35 in 2013 to 41 in 2014. The area covered under Diamond Lake for the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Department includes most of the south part of Pend Oreille County from the lake to the Spokane County line. The Miner regrets any confusion this may have caused.

term ending Dec. 31, 2017, and one for a six year term ending expiring Dec. 31, 2020. The three member Civil Service Commission meets monthly. Commissioners must be a U.S. citizen, a registered voter and a resident of Pend Oreille County for at least two years. The civil service commission deals with upholding the merit system of employment for county deputy sheriffs and others employees of the sheriff. • Two openings on the Noxious Weed Control Board, for four-year terms. The vacancies are in District 3, which includes the Dalkena, Cusick and Riverbend areas and District 5, in the northwest corner of the county, from Tiger to Metaline Falls. The applicant must make

their living in agriculture. The weed board develops and manages weed board policies. The board meets every other month. • One opening for an alternate on the Pend Oreille County Library Board of Trustees. The term is five years. Informational statements for the volunteer positions are available on the county website at: www.pendoreilleco.org or at the Commissioners’ Office, at 625 W. 4th St. in Newport. The mailing address is P.O. Box 5025, Newport, WA 99156. Interested applicants should send a letter of interest along with an Informational Statement to the address listed above. For additional information, call 509-447-4119.

Only 9 days left till store closes

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(509) 447-5913 306 S. Washington Ave., Newport

| JANUARY 28, 2015

Road restrictions in place NEWPORT – Most Pend Oreille County roads are on Stage 2 road restrictions, according to the Pend Oreille County Road Department. Stage 2 limits speed to 30 mph, hauling is allowed only between midnight and 9 a.m. and the load cannot exceed 100 percent of the vehicle’s gross weight. Restrictions affect vehicles in Classes 2, 3 and 4, not ordinary passenger cars and trucks. They affect school busses, garbage trucks, utility vehicles and other heavy haulers. The combination of freezing temperatures followed by warm weather has caused the roads to break up earlier than usual this year. In District 1, in the south part of the county, all paved surfaces are on Stage 2 restrictions.

In District 2, in mid county, most roads are on Stage 2, except for the Flowery Trail Corridor, from Bartlett Road to Highway 20, including portions of Westside Calispel and McKinsey roads, which are under Stage 3 restrictions. Under Stage 3, there are load restrictions based on tire width, the speed limit is 30 mph, and hauling is allowed only from midnight to 9 a.m. The Usk Bridge is limited to one truck at a time, legal limit only. In District 3, in the north county, all roads are Stage 1. Stage 1 is unrestricted legal hauling. Most roads are on Stage 1 year round. Check for further updates at the county’s website at www.pendoreilleco. org/county/current_road_restrictions. asp or call the road information hotline at 509-447-6464.

THE MINER

PUD

WRIGHT

FROM PAGE 3A

help, mainly for redundancy. The area is also expected to grow some in the upcoming years, Owen said. The land sits next to an existing river crossing and transmission lines, offering the PUD different accesses to the land. The land cost $70,000 and will be held for future use, Willenbrock said, adding the land was offered under market value. The cost of the land came out of the electrical system budget, but will not impact ratepayers or the electrical budget as this purchase was years in planning, Owen said. “The opportunity arose but we have been looking for several years,” Owen said.

dealing, Phelps said. “If Wright was a drug dealer, they would have found more money, more drugs,” he said in his closing arguments. He argued that there was no evidence to show that the meth that was found was Wright’s, it could have belonged to a woman present during the raid who had a syringe in her purse, he said. It was found in a VCR. Neither was there evidence to show Wright knew that the vehicles were stolen, he said. In the end the jury convicted Wright of the five felonies. Depending on his countable criminal history, he faces a standard sentencing range of between five and 10 years in prison when sentenced, Schmidt said. Schmidt said he appreciated the jury’s verdict. “We had a very good jury that I believe had a good perspective,” he said. “I was impressed by their ability to see the whole picture.”

BUSINESS

Hankel House offers coffee, breakfast items BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER

OLDTOWN – Linda Hankel opened Hankel House Coffee Roaster and Café last December in the former Station 2:41 near Highway 2 and Idaho Avenue in Oldtown. Hankel You can get a cup of coffee or pounds of coffee at Hankel House. “I have been roasting here a couple of years,” Hankel says. She estimates she roasts about 800 pounds of coffee a month. She took classes in

coffee roasting in Sandpoint and Seattle to learn how to roast coffee. Selecting the right coffee and roasting it correctly isn’t easy, she says. “It takes a knack,” Hankel says. “There’s a lot of trial and error.” She features an organic house blend at the café and her coffee is carried by Bushels in Newport and Mitchell’s Harvest Foods in Priest River, as well as by Rosauers in Spokane. You can buy it in bulk at Oldtown Family Foods. In addition to coffee, Hankel House offers breakfast items – bagels and muffins, oatmeal and breakfast

Attention Contractors and Homeowner Builders! Energy Code Workshop

sandwiches. For lunch, she has sandwiches, salads and wraps. She offers a $6 lunch special. There is space available for meetings at Hankel House. Hankel, 47, grew up in Elk, where she and her husband, David, make their home today. They have six grown children and eight grandchildren. She enjoys backpacking and hiking and some of her photographs from hiking

trips are on display at the café. She works as a Headstart teacher in Newport. She doesn’t yet have any employees at Hankel House but she does have friends who help out with the business. Hankel House Coffee Roaster and Café is open Monday through Saturday, from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. She plans a Grand Opening in February. 208-437-2032.

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includes up to 5 qts of oil, filter and 12 point service check. Must bring in coupon. Monday - Friday. By appointment please. Good thru Jan. 31, 2015

Wed., Feb. 18 th 9 am - Noon: Energy Code Overview 1 - 4 pm: Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Requirements Rotary Club Hall

68 Old Diamond Mill Road Southeast of the Oldtown Bridge (Oldtown Boat Launch) Oldtown, ID

Information: Mike Lithgow • 509-447-6457 Sponsored by: WSU Energy Program Pend Oreille County Community Development Albeni Falls Building Supply

The Road Division of Pend Oreille County sands and snowplows about 480 miles of maintained County Roads from three maintenance facilities: Newport(D1), Usk (D2) and Ione(D3). Road maintenance personnel provide snow and ice control services during the winter season. Equipment available includes: snowplows, sander trucks and graders. The road crews will work during normal work hours 6:00 am-2:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Snow and ice control priorities will be collector and school bus routes first, then to other roads as time permits.

We are encouraging everyone to prepare and plan ahead for winter driving conditions.

PLOWING

BERM ACROSS DRIVEWAY

Snow plowing of non-maintained County roads, easement/private roads and driveways will not be performed by County crews.

SANDING

The County’s primary objective is to keep all roads open for safe travel. Whenever possible the operators try to minimize the size of the snow berm across driveways and private roads. However, the blade can only hold so much snow. The County does not have the resources available to remove snow berms from driveways and private roads.

SNOW STORAGE

The County uses sand mixed with road salt to improve traction on ice and to help the sand adhere to the road surface and prevent storage piles from freezing.

Whenever possible the snow is stored behind the ditch line on the right-of-way. After the initial plow out graders will return and push snow back with a wing blade making room to plow succeeding snowfalls when time permits.

YOU CAN HELP Winter road maintenance is expensive, dangerous and time consuming. There are several ways the public can help make the County’s job safer and more cost effective: • Children love to watch snow removal operations- the large equipment, noise, lights and activity can be very exciting. Although operators are glad to have people watch, everyone should be cautioned to stay a safe distance away. The concentration required for efficient snow removal combined with the noise and types of equipment used means the operator may not see small children close by and an accident could result. Please encourage children not to build tunnels, forts or play in snow berms along the roadsides. • Residents who remove snow from their driveways or sidewalks are reminded that State Law prohibits placing snow or ice on any public road or sidewalk in a manner that impedes vehicle or pedestrian traffic or makes it unsafe. • If residents have vehicles parked on a roadway and there is a snowfall, please move it immediately. If you don’t it will most likely be bermed in and it will be your responsibility to shovel it out or the vehicle may be towed away if it creates a traffic hazard. • Any snowplowing obstructions such as rocks, fences, or planters within the roads right of way, should be removed for winter. Not only can they be destroyed by snow removal operations, they can

do substantial damage to snow plows. Owners of such obstructions are at risk should the County’s equipment by unnecessarily damaged. • Please place garbage cans a least ten feet inside driveway from the roadway edge. This will prevent hitting them or operators having to veer around them and not completely plowing the route. • Snow from resident’s property should not be stacked over the ends of culverts or drainage structures. Rapid warming cycles in winter could result in blocked ditches being unable to drain and local flooding could occur. • Mail boxes are occasionally damaged during snow removal operations. Damage due to poor construction, such as rotting posts or improper location, will be the responsibility of the property owner/resident. • Snow removal operations require the use of large, heavy, and noisy equipment used during periods of darkness usually accompanied by limited visibility caused by falling snow. Pend Oreille County operators are carefully trained and safety is stressed at all times. Drivers of automobiles should follow at a safe distance.

For further information, please call the Road Division’s Hot line at (509) 447-6464 or Public Works Main Office (509)447-4513, M-F 8 am to 4:30 pm. Please see www.accuweather.com for Current Conditions in the County

THE MINER

BUSINESS

JANUARY 28, 2015 |

Shooting, camping supplies sold in Ione BY DESIREÉ HOOD OF THE MINER

COURTESY PHOTO|JONATHAN JOHNSON

Jonathan and Ladina Johnson recently opened Ione Airport General Store.

IONE – North county residents can now purchase camping and shooting supplies, books, vitamins, essential oils, herbs and spices at the Ione Airport General Store. “The stuff that’s hard to get up here,” owner Jonathan Johnson said. “We are trying to cater to the (doomsday) preppers. There’s a lot of them up here.” Johnson and his wife Ladina opened the Ione Airport General Store, located at 2111 Highway 31, in October, their

first business venture on their own. They have been married 30 years and have two children and two grandchildren. After spending most of his childhood in Ione, Calif., Johnson visited Kettle Falls almost a decade ago with a former co-worker and his wife, and the couple could not resist a trip over the Tiger Pass to see the other “Ione.” Purchasing some land was the next step toward becoming a Pend Oreille resident and they moved to Ione permanently five years ago. “When the market fell out in Califor-

nia, we decided to move up here and start over,” Johnson said. “It was just a coincidence that Ione was up here.” He was a plumber for 30 years and a contractor for 13 years, both of which he is now retired. He said when he got to Ione, it was so cold that the materials he stored in his truck for working froze, showing a need for a career change. They opened the store “out of pocket,” Johnson said, and are going forward “one day at a time.” The store is closed on Sunday and Wednesday, and open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. the rest of the days. 509442-4999

Cork and Barrel Public House opening this week in Newport BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – The Cork and Barrel Public House, located on Washington Avenue next to Newport City Hall, will be open just in time for Super Bowl Sunday. “We’ll have a Super Bowl party, with a projection big screen television,” head chef and co-owner Greg Wyrobek says. He and his wife, Stephanie, and Mark and Rhonda Thornton own the bar and restaurant. Wyrobek operated the Usk Grill before he decided to open up The Cork and Barrel Public House in Newport. The restaurant and bar, located in the old Michael’s restaurant, has undergone a complete remodel, with a new bar, new furniture, new paint and new lighting.

“The custom lighting was put in by Ben and Amy Huntington,” Wyrobek says. “It’s all LED.” Wyrobek plans a soft opening Friday, with the grand opening Feb. 1, on Super Bowl Sunday. In addition to the large projection television, there will be four other televisions, he says. The bar will feature wine and specialty whiskey drinks. Wyrobek says the restaurant food could be summed up as comfort food with a twist. Caramelized pork chops fits that category. The burger buns will be handmade from his grandmother’s recipe. In fact, virtually everything served will be made from scratch. “The only thing frozen coming from this kitchen are the beer glasses,” he says. Wyrobek, 32, got his start

cooking at Stoneridge when he was 14. “The morning cook didn’t show up,” he remembers. Wyrobek was working as a dishwasher at the time. The owner came in and asked if he knew how to cook an egg. “I said sure and have been cooking ever since,” he says. In addition to the restaurant and bar, Wyrobek says he will also offer catering

and private parties. There is a room large enough to hold business meetings, he said. The business will employ eight to 10 people. The restaurant at the Cork and Barrel

Wiggett’s Marketplace

Public House will be open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Greg and Stephanie Wyrobek grew up in Pend

Oreille County and attended Newport High School. The Cork and Barrel Public House didn’t yet have a phone number as the newspaper went to press.

Vaagen Bros. Lumber, Inc.

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Your Valentine will love it! Steppenwolf

Also Featuring THE SKIVVIES and FIRECREEK

Coming to Newport May 23rd, 2015 • 2pm Ellersick Field Newport High School Advance Tickets $4000 Available at:

Owen’s Grocery & Deli • Seeber’s Pharmacy The Miner • Youth Emergency Services Curley’s at Hauser Junction Online at www.yesteensupport.org

A Benefit Concert for Y.E.S. Advertisement paid for by Pend Oreille County Hotel/Motel Tax

| JANUARY 28, 2015

THE MINER

Every person has abilities. Every person is unique. Every person has a story. If you know someone who is living with the challenges of Alzheimer’s or dementia, we invite you to learn more about Luther Park at Sandpoint’s memory care community.

Join us for a complimentary lunch, tour our community, meet our staff and see for yourself why Luther Park at Sandpoint was voted Best Senior Community for five consecutive years Phone Karla at 208-265-3557 for more details or stop by for a tour.

www.oxarc.com Sandpoint Coeur d’Alene

3530 Ramsey Rd., 208-765-3311 300 McGhee Rd. 208-263-1016

Keep in touch to stay young at heart For seniors, keeping in touch with friends, family and caregivers is important to maintain an active social life and remain independent. The number of seniors — and the need to find creative ways to be mindful of their care — is on the rise. With nearly seven million Americans providing support as long-distance caregivers, according to the National Institute on Aging, staying in touch is especially important. Email, cell phones and texting are some of the ways technology is helping people stay connected today. These tools can be especially useful for seniors living away from friends and

family or for those who aren’t able to travel as much as they used to. One affordable option is a complete phone system, such as VTech CareLine, which has no monthly fee. Offering a wearable pendant, one-button or voice-activated dialing, big buttons and volume booster, CareLine has features designed with seniors in mind. For more information about keeping seniors safely connected via a phone system, visit www.vtechphones.com/ careline. Seniors today are staying active, spending time with friends and family outside of their home, rekindling old passions and exploring

new activities that keep them on the move. Even for seniors who aren’t able to be as active, changes in scenery, like a neighborhood walk or visit to the park, are great ways to get fresh air, uplift spirits and live a healthier life. Since transportation can sometimes be a challenge, especially for seniors who rely on caregivers who work full-time, there are numerous organizations that provide transportation resources for seniors to assist in getting them safely to doctor’s appointments, organized activities at local community centers, shopping excursions and more. Your local Area Agency on Aging is a good

resource to begin researching options in your area. Find your local agency at www.n4a.org. Selecting a senior phone A phone system can provide valuable security and peace of mind for seniors living alone and the loved ones who are responsible for their care. To get the maximum benefit of a phone system designed for seniors, experts recommend shopping for the following features: Conversations are easier to hear and understand when you can adjust the volume of incoming sound. Look for units that can be adjusted by up to 40 decibels.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday Friday

a.m.: Coffee Hour at 19 • 8Hospitality House

21 • 8 a.m.: Coffee Hour at

Senior Activities January/February

Sunday

• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Hospitality House Open for Activities • Noon: Potluck at Hospitality House