The Newport Miner the voice of pend oreille county since 1901
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
www.pendoreillerivervalley.com
Volume 114, Number 4 | 2 Sections, 16 Pages $1.00
Chickenpox crops up again at Newport Neighboring West Bonner reports no outbreaks By Sophia Aldous Of The Miner
NEWPORT – Two more cases of chickenpox, also known as varicella, were reported in the Newport School District (NSD) after the initial outbreak that began Jan. 27 and caused 25 students to be excluded from attendance. The exclusion is a period of 21 days. The two new cases were confirmed Saturday, Feb. 11. That makes three confirmed cases in the district so far. As of Friday, Feb. 3, 17 of the 25 children had returned to school and only eight were still on an exclusion basis. At that time NSD nurse Beth Anheier said that if no further cases of chickenpox See Chickenpox, 8A
Courtesy photo|Eileen Napier
Fall in line, ladies Alp the Akbash leads a line of Romney and Romney-cross sheep back to the barn at Ramstead Ranch, located in north Pend Oreille County near Ione. The Akbash is a Turkish breed of livestock guardian dog. The ranch is preparing to host a free sheep shearing event open to the public Saturday, March 4. For more information, check out their Facebook page www.facebook.com/ RamsteadRanch.
All three school districts pass levies
Proposed church camp draws opposition By Don Gronning Of The Miner
NEWPORT – Some neighbors are expressing concern about a church camp, proposed to be built on 80 acres off Telephone Road just south of Newport. The project by the Slavic Baptist Church in Spokane proposes building a 200-bed dormitory building and a kitchen/dining/chapel building for a recreational use open Bible camp, in the first phase of the project in the first year.
The project hopes to tie in to the Diamond Lake Water and Sewer District, according to the conditional use permit application. After construction, the camp would be used about four weeks a year, according to the application, with about 40 vehicle trips per day then. The project is going through the conditional use permit process, which has a public comment component. See Camp, 2A
By Sophia Aldous Of The Miner
NEWPORT – The three school districts in Pend Oreille County received a “Happy Valentine’s Day” from their respective communities when all three maintenance and operations levies passed Tuesday, Feb. 14 in a special election. Each levy passed
with more than a 50-percent majority. In Washington state, levies are required to have voter approval of 50-percent plus one in order to pass. These are the latest unofficial results for the special elections held in Newport, Cusick and Selkirk School See levies, 2A
Study of wolves’ effects on other wildlife underway
Mini plungers The annual Priest River Polar Plunge was held Saturday, Feb. 18, a fundraiser for the local Special Olympics team, organized by Michelle Schultz. It was cold. Ice and snow covered parts of the Pend Oreille River at the Bonner Park West, as brave souls rushed in – and out – of the frigid water.
Miner photo|Michelle Nedved
OLYMPIA -- The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the University of Washington (UW) have launched a collaborative study to determine how eight years of growth in the state’s wolf population is affecting other wildlife species. The study, scheduled to last at least five years, will assess the health of deer and elk herds in northeast Washington, where they support hunting and other recreational opportunities while providing prey for wolves and other predators. “The experience in other western states shows that wolves and other predators may affect the size and behavior of deer and elk herds,” said Eric Gardner, head of the WDFW Wildlife Program.
“We want to take a closer look at the situation here in Washington State as our own wolf population continues to grow.” Researchers will also examine the response to wolves by other predators, especially cougars, said Gardner, noting that the study will dovetail with an ongoing research project on moose in northeast Washington. As of June 2016, WDFW had confirmed the presence of 19 wolf packs and at least 90 wolves in Washington State – up from a single pack with five wolves in 2008. Most of the growth in the state’s wolf population has occurred in northSee Wolves, 2A
B r i e f ly Seventh District legislators host telephone town hall Feb. 23 OLYMPIA - Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy, and Reps. Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda, and Jacquelin Maycumber, RRepublic, will host a telephone town hall meeting for 7th District constituents Thursday, Feb. 23. The community conversation, which is similar to a call-in radio format, will begin at 6 p.m. and last an hour. The lawmakers will take questions and provide their perspectives on the 2017 legislative session. To participate, constituents can call (509) 724-2970 at 6 p.m. Once connected, listen in and press * (star) on the telephone keypad to ask questions. Participants can take part in answering poll questions,
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listen to their neighbors and leave a message for lawmakers. The 2017 legislative session began Jan. 9 and will continue until April 23.
March 31 deadline for One Act Play Festival entries NEWPORT – Playwrights should take note: the deadline for entry for the Pend Oreille Players Association’s One Act Play Festival is Friday, March 31, 11 p.m. The festival is an annual event that takes place July 14 and 15. Plays must be no more than 20 minutes in length. Due to stage limitations, small casts (1-6) and simple sets are required. Plays must be family friendly, no strong language. 5B-8B
A playwright may submit multiple plays. Submissions may be paper or electronic. For paper submissions, submit three copies of the manuscript with no author identification. Submit one cover page with complete author identification and bio: Name, address with zip code; phone number with area code; email, fax, and title of the play. Enclose a check for $6 entry fee for each play submitted, made payable to POPA. Mail to Pend Oreille Players Assoc. OAPF 236 S. Union Newport, WA 99156. Electronic submissions can be emailed as an attachment to mail@pendoreilleplayers.org. Author identification and bio should be a separate attachment. Pay $9 entry and printing fee using the TICKETS button at the top of the website page at www.pendoreilleplayers.org/ one-act-play-festival-entry.
Opinion
4a
Record
4B
sports
1B-2B
Life
3B
Police Reports
4B
Obituaries
4B
Public Notices
5B-8B
Newport/Oldtown City Map On stands next week