032719NewportMiner

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The Newport Miner the voice of pend oreille county since 1901

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

www.pendoreillerivervalley.com

Women of Washington Leading the country in women politicians By Caneel Johnson Of The Miner

NEWPORT – “Washington has a long history of electing women. Perhaps it is our pioneering spirit,” says Cathy McMorris Rodgers. “It is a great place to be a woman in politics.” McMorris Rodgers is the 200th woman elected to the House of Representatives out of 11,000 members. Twenty-five percent of congress is female, and she urges more women to get involved. “If I can do it, you can do it,” McMorris Rodgers said. “Don’t let fear or doubt hold you back.” The majority of voters are women, she said. “Women are at the heart of the fabric of society,” McMorris Rodgers said. “When society is torn they feel it most.” Washington state has a history of women leaders. Washington was the fifth state

to give women the right to vote in 1910. For 12 years between 1993 and 2004 Washington was No. 1 in the country for the percentage of women politicians in the United States, according to the Center for American Women and Politics. In 1999 and 2000, 40.8 percent of politicians in the state were women, same as today. Since 1975 Washington has been rated in the top five for female politicians 30 times. This year we are fourth. Today both of our senators are women; there are five congresswomen, two female elected executives, 20 female state senators and 40 female state House members. State Sen. Shelly Short is the leader for the Republican Caucus in Washington State. “It is a tremendous honor to be the voice for the people I represent,” Short said. “I use every opportunity I have to make a difference.” Short’s advice to those thinking of running for office is, “Never give up. It is the hardest thing you See women, 9A

Volume 117, Number 9 | 2 Sections, 20 Pages $1.00

Miner photo|Caneel Johnson

Daniel Smith, one of the new investors and operators of OK Lanes in Oldtown, familiarizes himself with the equipment and how it works Saturday, March 23.

Open it and they will come

By Caneel Johnson Of The Miner

OLDTOWN – Samantha and Daniel Smith are determined to see that the OK Lanes bowling alley

stays open. “I heard it was up for sale and said I would take it before I thought about it,” Samantha says. The place holds many memories for them, which is why they are

thinking of changing the name to Memory Lane. “I grew up in Newport, and my grandfather used to bring me See Bowling, 2A

Plans for WRIA 55 should ensure viability By Caneel Johnson Of The Miner

NEWPORT – The Little Spokane watershed known as Water Resource Inventory Area 55 is being inventoried and plans are being

made to ensure its future viability. Pend Oreille, Stevens and Spokane counties must ensure that there is enough water in the Little Spokane for both economic growth and fish. “There are not enough

water rights in the Little Spokane to offset future growth over the next 20 years,” said Mike Hermensen, water resource manager for Spokane County. Water rights are important in a watershed

like WRIA 55. A 2016 Washington Supreme Court decision changed how counties approved building permits that relied on wells as a water source. The See WRIA, 2A

Volunteers Count: Millie Brumbaugh recognized By Sophia Aldous Of The Miner

Miner photo|Sophia Aldous

Millie Brumbaugh gasps, as she is surprised with a check for $1,000 for the Pend Oreille Players Association as part of Volunteers Count, presented by Robyn Nance of KXLY and Kristen Piscopo of STCU.

NEWPORT – “What is going on in here?” Millie Brumbaugh asked, as she was led into a room full of family, friends and a television camera at the Spokane Community College’s Newport site last Thursday. The room erupted in applause and smiles as Brumbaugh, Artistic Director of the Pend Oreille Playhouse, was surprised by KXLY and STCU at her workplace when they announced her as one of seven winners for Volunteers Count. Volunteers Count is an annual collaboration between KXLY and STCU that highlights community volunteers in the region. Brumbaugh was nominated by friend and fellow playhouse volunteer Kristi Bell and was the only person involved in the arts that won the

nomination. KXLY Good Morning Northwest anchor Robyn Nance and STCU’s Kristen Piscopo presented Brumbaugh with a $1,000 check to go toward the Pend Oreille Players Association. “I can’t lie, this is quite nice,” Brumbaugh said. She works at the community college as an instructor and was unaware that she had been nominated, or that her family, friends and local news outlets were gathered just several doors down from her classroom to surprise her. “I dreamed that I told her, and when I woke up I was afraid that I had,” joked Brumbaugh’s husband, Rocky, who had kept her win and subsequent surprise a secret from his wife for the past two See players, 10A

B r i e f ly Looking for vendors for Usk Spring Bazaar

Aging and Long Term Care needs input

USK – The Usk Community Club will be hosting its annual Spring Bazaar April 27 at the Community Center in Usk, 2442 Black Road. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will be homemade pies, cinnamon and caramel rolls, brownies, soups, chili and chilidogs. There will be a variety of homemade crafts created by local crafters and artisans. Table rental is $10 and $5 for a second table. The public is encouraged to attend. For more information call Barb Pankey at 509-6712521, Barb McGill at 509-445-1433 or Frances Hupp at 509-445-1223.

NEWPORT – Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington is hosting a community planning meeting for Pend Oreille County Thursday, April 4 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Hospitality House, located at 216 S. Washington Ave., in Newport. The meeting will discuss services available and will gather input from the public on what services are needed. For more information contact 509-458-2509. Persons with disabilities who need special accommodations may contact Khristina Scheideler at least five days before the meeting. Persons deaf or hard of hearing

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may contact the Washington Relay Services at 7-1-1.

Casino grand opening celebration CUSICK – The Kalispel Casino will be holding its grand opening celebration April 12-14. There will be live music from Scotia Road Friday, April 12 from 5-8 p.m. as well as specials on food and discount fuel and $500 giveaways hourly. The casino offers 120 new games; Wetlands, a family restaurant and The Slough, a bar that offers pool tables and shuffleboard. Sign up early for Camas Rewards March 27-30 or April 4-7 in the lobby.

classifieds

7B

Opinion

4a

Record

6B

Life

5B

Police Reports

6B

sports

1B-2B

Obituaries

6B

Public Notices

8B-10B

Booster

3B

Soggy spring delays Sports

See page 1B for sports coverage Spring Sports Preview next week


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