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The Newport Miner THE VOICE OF PEND OREILLE COUNTY SINCE 1901

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

www.pendoreillerivervalley.com

Volume 113, Number 18 | 2 Sections, 20 Pages 75¢

Both shooting suspects in custody Held on other charges

BY DON GRONNING AND SOPHIA ALDOUS OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – The man suspected of shooting at a Bonner County deputy May 9 before the suspect and another man escaped on foot has been caught. Patrick Geaudreau, 27, of Oldtown, was arrested by Bonner County deputies during a traffic stop in Blanchard Wednesday, May 25, more than two weeks after he and Steven Michael Gervasi, 25, were identified as the two men who fled from deputies in the night in the Elmers Loop area of south Pend Oreille County. Geaudreau was arrested on warrants for felony kidnapping, aggravated battery and attempted strangulation, as well as a probation violation, according to information from the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office. The kidnapping, battery and SEE SUSPECTS, 2A

New long term care slated for 2018 BY MICHELLE NEDVED

MINER PHOTOS|SOPHIA ALDOUS

In respect of the fallen Right: Korean War veteran Bill McNutt salutes as taps are played during the Memorial Day ceremony at Newport Cemetery Monday, May 30. The Cusick American Legion Post 217, American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Knights of Columbus and Newport Cemetery collaborated to hold a ceremony honoring the men and women of the armed forces that lost their lives during service to their country. Also pictured: The Firing Squad Honor Guard gives a 21-gun salute.

Hall of Justice to get new fence BY SOPHIA ALDOUS OF THE MINER

OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – The process is underway to build a new assisted living and memory care facility in Newport to replace the current Long Term Care next door to Newport Hospital. Requests for proposals for design of the facility went out in mid-May, according to district CEO Tom Wilbur. Proposals are due June 10, and the project will be ready to bid in nine to 10 months. Ground will break about this time in 2017 and the project will be done by Spring 2018. “And we’d be really, really happy,” Wilbur said. Voters approved the construction bond in a special election in April, passing it by more than 62 percent. A supermajority of 60 percent was needed for approval. The bond will cost between 53 cents and 65 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, meaning a homeowner with a $200,000 home would pay between $2,593 and $2,673 over the life of the bond, depending on if it lasts 20 or 25 years. That is equal to $107 to $130 per year. The bond will be used to build a facility next to the district’s River Mountain Village, an assisted living facility located on Second Street and Spokane Avenue. The facility would house the residents of the current Long Term Care, located next to Newport Hospital, at a higher level of care than River Mountain Village. SEE CARE, 2A

NEWPORT – The Hall of Justice is slated to get a new security fence, as soon as the project goes to bid. According to Pend Oreille County Public Works Director Sam Castro, that should be in the next 60 days. The Hall of Justice, which houses the Pend Oreille County jail and courthouse, is located at 229 S. Garden Ave., in Newport. “In the secondary containment, which is the fence around the Hall of Justice, I feel that we should have a system that keeps our school and the community at

large safe,” Castro said, referring to the jail’s proximity to Newport School District sites. “That’s not to say that it isn’t safe now, but we’re looking at what more could be done to reinforce and bolster that security.” Castro said he wasn’t sure on the age of the current fence, which is chain link. A solid budget hasn’t been set for the project yet either, as Public Works looks at the best options to present to county commissioners in regards to what the final project layout will look like. The sheriff has requested that plans include room for a 40-foot by 60-foot shop to house vehicles that have SEE FENCE, 2A

Road rage charges elevated BY SOPHIA ALDOUS OF THE MINER

OLDTOWN – An Oldtown resident has been charged with felony battery in Bonner County Magistrate Court last week after allegedly using his truck to bump into a 12-year-old boy on an all-terrain vehicle. Stephen Michael Moore, 60, was originally charged with felony assault, according to court documents, but the state advised the court Wednesday, May 25, that it

would be elevating the charges. Moore’s attorney, Deputy Public Defender Susie Jensen objected to continuing with preliminary hearings, adding that the amended complaint would cause undue prejudice against her client. Roger Hanlon, Bonner County Deputy Prosecutor, countered that the factual information in the case remained the same. According to court records, the alleged victim reported to sheriff’s deputies that Moore followed him

to his home as he drove on his ATV on May 6, threatening to kill him if he continued to speed through the neighborhood. The boy told deputies that Moore used his truck to bump the ATV the boy was riding, causing the ATV to lurch forward several feet, but the boy was not injured. The youth reported that he was afraid and that Moore might try to hurt him. Magistrate Judge Justin Julian ultimately ordered the hearing be rescheduled for Wednesday, June 8.

B R I E F LY Listening session on Forest Plan revision June 2 USK – A “listening session” for people to give feedback to Colville National Forest officials on the draft revised plan and draft environmental impact statement for the forest will take place Thursday, June 2, at the Camas Center for Community Wellness, from 6-8 p.m. The recorded comments on the draft plan and DEIS will be included as formal comments and project record. “These meetings are being held to accommodate community requests for an opportunity to provide

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CLASSIFIEDS

verbal comment on the record,” Colville Forest Supervisor Rodney Smoldon said. “Verbal comments of up to two minutes each will be captured and transcribed by a court reporter. We’ll live-stream and record these sessions where we have the capability to do so, to enable those who cannot attend the opportunity to watch online,” Smoldon said. There will not be a formal presentation by the Forest Service. The purpose for the session is to capture the public’s verbal comments. The Forest Service will not respond to comments during the meeting to give 7B-8B

more time for people to speak. The comment period ends July 5.

Blanchard Community family picnic, game day June 4 BLANCHARD – A free family picnic and game day will be held at the Blanchard Community Church Saturday, June 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a free lunch and games for all ages. You can find out more at www.blanchardcommunitychurch.com or call 208-448-1232.

OPINION

4A

RECORD

6B

SPORTS

1B

LIFE

2B

POLICE REPORTS

6B

OBITUARIES

6B

PUBLIC NOTICES

9B-10B

HISTORY PROJECT

7A-8A

GRADUATIONS START THIS WEEK SEE PAGES 5A, 6A, 4B


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