041818newportminer

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The Newport Miner the voice of pend oreille county since 1901

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

www.pendoreillerivervalley.com

Volume 116, Number 12 | 2 Sections, 20 Pages $1.00

Chronic absenteeism an issue for school districts By Sophia Aldous Of The Miner

NEWPORT – Those who think modern day school districts meddle too much in the affairs of parents and their children might consider former community pillar and teacher Sadie Halstead, the namesake of Newport’s middle school. According to District Court Judge Phil Van de Veer, Halstead lobbied the court to put a parent of a chronically absent student in jail for 30 days. “I was looking through old court cases; I think it was in the 1950s,” Van de Veer said. “I thought it was interesting, and it was obviously something she felt very passionate about.” According to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), a student who misses 10 percent or more of their school days, which equals at least two days a month, for any reason, is considered chronically absent. Chronically absent students are more likely to fall behind academically and less likely to graduate from high school. Though the approach to chronic absenteeism is a little See Truancy, 2A

Courtesy photo

Not everyone hates the rain

With all the rain and mud this time of year, many people might be down in the dumps. However, if you are a chocolate lab, you have a different take on the weather. This 10-month-old enjoys a game of fetch in Pend Oreille County.

Water fix top accomplishment 7th District legislators talk Hirst, rainy day fund, education By Don Gronning Of The Miner

NEWPORT – Crafting a legislative fix to the Supreme Court’s Hirst decision was the most important thing accomplished during the short 60-day legislative session, Rep. Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda, said when he and 7th District legislators Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy, and Rep. Jacquelin Maycumber, RRepublic, stopped by The Miner office last week. “That was the biggest impact to rural Washington,” Kretz said. “That was our number one focus.” The legislature had been trying to find an answer for the Supreme Court’s Hirst decision, which required counties to make an independent decision about legal water availability if a well was going to be the main water source for a new residence. Prior to that, counties had relied on the state Department of Ecology to make the decision

Newport High School to switch to five period days By Sophia Aldous Of The Miner

on water availability. If Ecology didn’t disapprove, counties could issue building permits. The practical result of the 2016 Hirst decision was that lenders were reluctant to finance new homes and some counties were skittish about issuing building permits for new residences that wanted to drill a well. “We heard from people all over because it wasn’t just the building part, it was the financing part,” Maycumber said. “There were a number of banks that started pulling away from doing residential loans.” Kretz said the Legislature had been working on a “Hirst fix” for more than a year. They almost achieved it in the previous extended legislative session, he said, but the deal fell through. The Legislature took it up again in the short session, coupling it with capital See legislators, 2A

NEWPORT – The Newport School Board voted to change Newport High School’s schedule from six period days to five period days starting in the 2018-2019 school year. The decision was made at the Monday, April 16 board meeting. The research looking into the possibility of changing to five period days began in 2016. According

to Newport High School Principal Troy Whittle, five period days will allow for more elective offerings and for students to earn a total of 30 credits. Per Washington State law, high school students have to have a minimum of 24 credits in order to graduate. Currently, NHS only offers 24 credits. “It doesn’t leave any wiggle room; if they fail one class they are off to summer school,” said Whittle. “With this new setup, we could have interventions when

we start to see students whose grades are slipping toward failing a class.” Whittle added that the only financial impact to the district would be moving a part-time teacher to a full-time position. Electives that could be added to NHS’s curriculum with fiveperiod days include History of War Through Film, French, radio marketing, drama, food and fitSee Newport, 2A

Miner photo|Don Gronning

Newest peace officer Newport’s newest policeman was sworn in at the regular council meeting Monday night. Ryan Nuvill, 41, comes to the Newport PD from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. Prior to that he served 21 years in the Marine Corps, teaching close quarters combat for the last three years. He is pictured here with his son, Hudson, 13.

B r i e f ly Back Country Horsemen welcome you NEWPORT – North East Back Country Horsemen of Washington (NEBCHW) are slated to meet Saturday, April 21, 6 p.m. for a general meeting with potluck and guest speakers. Kevin Hupp and Ferren Young, from Lincoln County Extension Office will share a PowerPoint presentation about poisonous and toxic plants. The public is welcome. Come to the Clayton Grange, 4478 Railroad

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Ave., in Clayton. There will be a board meeting Tuesday, May 1 at 6 p.m. at Pizza Factory, 619 S. Fir, Deer Park. All are welcome. On Saturday, May 19, 6 p.m. there will be another meeting and potluck at the Clayton Grange. The public is invited to meet other like-minded horse riders. Visit www.nebchw.com for more information and upcoming events.

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Opinion

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Record

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4B

Police Reports

5B

sports

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Public Notices

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Booster

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Community Garden kickoff April 26 PRIEST RIVER – The Priest River Community Garden will be having its kickoff meeting Thursday, April 26, at the Priest River Library. The meeting will begin at 5 p.m.; late arrivals are welcome. If interested in learning about the garden, plan to attend. For more information, and to rent a plot, contact Arletta at Priest River City Hall at 208-448-2123.

Fishing season begins April 28 Guides hit the streets next week


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