The Newport Miner the voice of pend oreille county since 1901
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
www.pendoreillerivervalley.com
Volume 117, Number 8 | 2 Sections, 20 Pages $1.00
Oldtown Shopko closing this June
Company declared bankruptcy By Sophia Aldous Of The Miner
OLDTOWN – After less than
three years in business the Oldtown Hometown Shopko is closing for good coming in early June, among 363 other Shopko stores across the country. The retailer declared bankruptcy in January 2019 and closed about 100 stores at the time. “This is not the outcome that we had hoped for when
we started our restructuring efforts,” chief executive officer Russ Steinhorst said in a statement. Competition from online retail giants like Amazon and debt contributed to the bankruptcy filing, with Shopko reporting assets of less than $1 billion. The Shopko in Oldtown was built in 2016 and opened in
November of that year. It was branded as a “Hometown” store in the company’s efforts to appeal to smaller rural communities. There are between 25-30 full-time and part-time positions at the store. Gordon Brothers, an investment company based in Boston, Mass. will oversee the stores’ liquidation, which
is expected to start this week and take 10-12 weeks. Founded by a pharmacist in 1962 in Green Bay, Wis., Shopko went public in 1991, and was purchased for $1.1 billion by private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners in 2005. The company operates 363 stores in 24 states under varying formats.
Fun at the Stratton Carnival Children and their families gathered en mass at Stratton Elementary to join in the fun at the annual carnival Friday, March 15. There were fun and games to be had for the whole family. Peyton Patterson, left, and Paityn Zimmerman are clearly enjoying themselves as they emerge from the bouncy maze that was just one of the fun things to do at the carnival. See more photos on page 3B.
Miner photo|Caneel Johnson
Planning commission tables rezone
By Don Gronning Of The Miner
CUSICK – The Pend Oreille County Planning Commission
tabled a proposal by the county to do away with the public land zone and change all properties not owned by public entities into other clas-
sifications. The commissioners took the action at their regular meeting Tuesday, March 15. Planning commissioners discussed and
voted on four comprehensive plan amendments. Public testimony was taken at the JanuSee Commission, 2A
Stop light study part of plan City council approves Newport’s six-year transportation plan By Caneel Johnson
City comprehensive plan underway By Caneel Johnson Of The Miner
NEWPORT – At this point the city of Newport is not going to change the Urban Growth Area. They are going to work on updating the comprehensive plan first. “We will be looking at inven-
torying all the lands in the city that will support growth,” city administrator Russ Pelleberg said. “That will dictate whether there is need or not to change the UGA.” The Growth Management Act requires cities and counties to have a comprehensive plan
that is updated every eight years with optional annual updates. The city last updated its comprehensive plan in May 2011, according to city clerk/treasurer Nickole North. The city plans to have a draft of its comprehensive
Of The Miner
NEWPORT – The six year transportation plan was approved at the Newport City Council meeting Monday, March 18. “The plan covers most of the streets one way or another and some sidewalks,” said David North, city public works director. The first two projects on the plan are paid for, North said. The first project is on Pine Street from Union Avenue to State Avenue and Highway 41 from Pine Street to First Street. Planning for the project will begin in April and
See City, 2A
See Council, 2A
B r i e f ly Celebrate Newport Rodeo Queen Saturday
Bear spray class March 25
NEWPORT – The Newport Rodeo Queen banquet and auction is Saturday, March 23, at 5 p.m. at the Riverbank Restaurant in Oldtown. Emily Sprague is the Newport Rodeo Queen for 2019. Doors open at 5 p.m. with a social hour. Dinner is at 6 p.m. and the auction will follow. Dinner tickets are $15.
CUSICK – The Pend Oreille County Sportsman’s Club is putting on a free bear spray training class Monday, March 25, at the American Legion in Cusick, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. “People should plan on staying for the whole time,” Tom Petrie said. He said there was room for 25 people but he would like people to call him to register at 509-671-0315. Instructors will go over how to use the spray as well
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as teaching first aid for accidental spaying. People who complete the class will get a container of bear spray.
All Pend Oreille County roads under Stage 3 restrictions NEWPORT – Hauling on Pend Oreille County roads is only allowed from midnight to 9 a.m. due to spring breakup. All roads are under Stage 3 restrictions, meaning that speed lmits are 30 mph or less as posted.
classifieds
7B
Opinion
4a
Record
6B
Life
5B
Police Reports
6B
sports
1B
6B, 9B
Public Notices
8B-9B
Booster
3B
Obituaries
Easter coloring contest Check out April 3 issue Win an easter basket!