GHOST TOWNS OF PEND OREILLE VALLEY READ THIS AND MORE IN HORIZON MAGAZINE
The Newport Miner THE VOICE OF PEND OREILLE COUNT Y SINCE 1901
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
www.pendoreillerivervalley.com
Volume 111, Number 9 | 2 Sections, 20 Pages
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Counties can revert to pre Growth Management Governor signs legislation crafted by Dansel, Kretz BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER
OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill Monday, March 31, that would allow four small counties, including Pend Oreille, to revert back to the way they planned before the Growth Management Act was implemented by the Legislature in
1990. Or not, depending on how Engrossed House Bill 1224 is interpreted. “There is potential for confusion about what the legislation does,” said Gregg Dohrn, a professor of planning at Eastern Washington University. He is also a paid county planning department consultant. The legislation can be viewed in a straightforward manner to allow four small counties to plan the way they planned before they decided to fully plan under the Growth Management Act. In addition to Pend Oreille County, Ferry, Garfield and Columbia counties will be able to take advantage of the
reduced planning requirements. Each of the counties has less than 20,000 people. Dohrn said that the bill should be called a “revert back” bill, meaning counties could revert back to how they planned before GMA. “Opting out” is a misnomer, as there still would be a requirement for critical areas ordinances, protection of natural resource lands and comprehensive plans, as well as the Shoreline Management Act. But if the county decides to revert back, disputes would SEE GROWTH, 10A
Group chooses Newport principal BY DESIREÉ HOOD OF THE MINER
NEWPORT – Superintendent Dave Smith said the principal interview committee is recommending to the board of directors Troy Whittle, 40, for the position after a committee and public interview process Wednesday, March 26. Whittle was one of four candidates interviewed. The school board needs to approve the hiring, Tuesday, April 22, before the
‘There is great opportunities for kids.’ Troy Whittle
Principal candidate
final job offer will be made. “We are pretty happy,” Smith said. “I received great recommendations about his work in his current district.” Smith said Whittle has good experience and had several good references. He said there was good feedback from students, staff and the community about the candidate. Whittle is currently the
secondary principal at Columbia High School in the White Salmon Valley School District, in the Columbia River Gorge. Smith said Columbia High School has students and staff demonstrating leadership, it has a good environment and is very student engaging, which are traits Smith would like to have in Newport. “The WHAT’S NEXT: comBOARD MEETS mittee WHITTLE: Tuesday, April 22, 5 p.m. saw real strengths in the direction he was taking his school, parallel to where we want to go,” Smith said. “He was just very well rounded.” Once the board approves of the candidate, Whittle told Smith he would resign from his current district. A contract would not be completed with Newport until July, Smith said. Current principal Dennis Matson’s salary is about $84,457. He had about 11 years experience during the 2012-2013 school year, according to state school records. Whittle also has 11 years experience and made SEE PRINCIPAL, 2A
COURTESY PHOTO|KAREN SKOOG
The eagle looked like a goner when it was found in a pasture in Elk. It was brought to Pend Oreille County commissioner Karen Skoog. Skoog, her husband John and Dr. Renee King took the bird to the Mt. Spokane Veterinary Hospital. Here Dr. Jocelyn Woodd, John Skoog and Dr. King are pictured with the bird Saturday, March 29.
Eagle survives suspected botulism
BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER
SPOKANE – This eagle looked near death when it was found in a pasture in Elk Saturday, March 29. “Saturday afternoon a neighbor told us another neighbor had found an eagle he thought was dead,” Pend Oreille County Commissioner Karen Skoog said. He had contacted
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. They said they would be out to pick it up on Monday, however, on closer examination he thought it was alive, Skoog said. “My husband went get the eagle and bring it to Dr. Renee King, who is a small animal veterinarian in our neighborhood.” They went online to find the nearest wildlife rehabilitator SEE EAGLE, 2A
County jail work planned
State Reps talk forest, planning, education MINER PHOTO|DON GRONNING
7th District Representatives Shelly Short R- Addy and Joel Kretz RWauconda, stopped by The Miner to talk about the recently concluded legislative session. They were both happy the Growth Management legislation to allow small counties to plan differently passed as they were that the state will return more federal funds to school districts. They also expressed interest in a movement to allow states to take back federal forest land. Kretz predicted a separation of powers showdown over the state Supreme Court’s decision to require specific dollar amounts for education. He says you can’t obligate future legislatures.
BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER
NEWPORT – Ten new beds could be added to the Pend Oreille County jail by reconfiguring its design, Pend Oreille County Public Works Director Sam Castro told county commissioners Monday, March 31. Castro told the commissioners $100,000, which represents the county’s total capital projects budget for 2014, would cover the immediate needs at the jail, which include camera repairs and replacement, as well as the remodel. The reconfiguration could be done for about $70,000, Castro said. The county staff SEE JAIL, 2A
B R I E F LY Metaline Falls to hold public meeting on water system METALINE FALLS – The Town Council of Metaline Falls will hold a public meeting to discuss a consultant to complete a feasibility study regarding the town acquiring the water system, Tuesday, April 15, at 7 p.m. The water system is owned and operated by the Pend Oreille Public Utility District. The Mayor of Metaline Falls Tara Leininger said the public is invited to attend. All customers of the water system, both inside and outside of the city limits, are encouraged to come
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CLASSIFIEDS
to the meeting. The town and the PUD have been discussing an acquisition since September 2013. PUD staff held a meeting in Metaline Falls Saturday, March 22, to discuss the water system costs and options for operating it. That meeting was continued until Tuesday, March 25, for the town officials to hold further discussion. Sixteen area residents attended this meeting. “We are interested, we are serious, but we still have to make a decision if it is in the consumers’ and the town’s best interest,” Leininger said following the Saturday meeting. Call the town clerk at 509-446-2211 for more information.
7B-10B
Driver dies when car flips near Davis Lake NEWPORT – A 40-year-old Spokane woman died when she lost control of her car six miles south of Usk, and it rolled, landing in a creek on its roof, Friday, March 28 at about 3 a.m. Barbara Pierre was traveling southbound on Highway 211 near Davis Lake, driving what is believed to be a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am. The vehicle was totaled and her passenger, 49-year-old Scott Edward, also of Spokane, was injured and SEE BRIEFLY, 2A
OPINION
4A
RECORD
6B
SPORTS
1B-2B
LIFE
3B
POLICE REPORTS
6B
OBITUARIES
6B
PUBLIC NOTICES
8B-9B
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