CONGRATULATIONS!
NEWPORT GRADUATES 8A SELKIRK, HLCA GRADUATES 6A CUSICK GRADUATES 7A
The Newport Miner THE VOICE OF PEND OREILLE COUNT Y SINCE 1901
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
www.pendoreillerivervalley.com
Volume 111, Number 18 | 2 Sections, 20 Pages 75¢
ATV riders get more loops and trails Forest Service signs South End project BY DESIREÉ HOOD OF THE MINER
NEWPORT – The Colville National Forest may see an
abundance of new All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) in the future, as CNF Supervisor Laura Jo West signed the South End ATV project, Saturday, May 31, that would open up more than 200 miles of loops and connecting roads for ATV riders, County Commissioner Mike
Manus said. The Forest Service, Manus, Stevens County Commissioners and environmental groups have met five times in the past few months to discuss the impacts this plan will have on the Colville National Forest. In the end, nine out of 10
objections were resolved, Manus said. Manus said the objection process would be ongoing. “We are going to continue our collaborative group,” Manus said. “It was a great process.” David Heflick with Conservation
Northwest said one of the outstanding objections is they wanted to see a pilot program implemented to “test it” instead of the program going out as a whole. “The pilot route we had proposed SEE ATV, 2A
Comprehensive plan needed for north county development Working group formed, will meet June 12 BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER
NEWPORT – A proposed north county development that would allow commercial activity on lands designated as natural resource lands cannot be taken out of that designation without a change to the county’s comprehensive plan. That’s the decision of county prosecutor Tom Metzger, who also serves as the county’s civil attorney, following an executive session held Tuesday, May 27. The session was closed because of possible litigation over the rezone. Now the process will go
back to the planning commission, which considers changes to the comprehensive plan once a year. They will look at this in the next year. Nathan Smith of the law firm Witherspoon and Kelley was in the executive session. Smith is a land use specialist hired by Metzger. Metzger said after the executive session that critics of the development had brought forth concerns and the county sought Smith’s technical advice. The proposed rezone of more than 430 acres in the north part of Pend Oreille County could eventually lead to an equestrian themed development, with as many as 80 residential lots clustered in a portion of the property, along with commercial ac-
FILE PHOTO
River showing flood potential Box Canyon Dam has ceased power production and opened the gates wide for run of the river flows, Monday, May 26, to help with potential flooding coming from the spring runoff of the snowpack at Lake Pend Oreille. Mark Cleveland, PUD Power Production Manager, said this should not have an effect on the rate payers and the PUD budgets for a few weeks of no production in their annual budget. See flood story on page 2.
SEE PLAN, 2A
Parks policy problems continue BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER
NEWPORT – Newport public works supervisor Dave North asked a group of people waving pro union signs to not walk on the grass and not put their wire legged signs in the ground at TJ Kelly Park Tuesday, May 27. That set off a mini firestorm over interpretation of the Newport City Parks policy. “It’s freedom of speech, is it not?” said Sue Johnson, a nurse who is also a Service Employees International Union member. She said the rally, attended by nine people, was to highlight Labor History month. Johnson then called city clerk Nickole Schutte and had a heated discussion, she said. “I asked if she was going to have us arrested,” Johnson said. Schutte said SEE PARK, 9A
PUD board votes on rate increase June 17 BY DESIREÉ HOOD OF THE MINER
COURTESY PHOTO|SUE JOHNSON
This group of union supporters gathered at TJ Kelly Park Tuesday, May 27 to call attention to the importance of unions during Labor History month. The group was asked by a city official not to walk on the grass and not to put their signs in the ground. The sign waving was clearly a protected activity, city attorney Tom Metzger said. Asking the group to leave was a misunderstanding, he said.
NEWPORT – The Pend Oreille Public Utility District Board of Commissioners is discussing a 2.55 percent rate increase to take effect in July, because inflation and operating costs are going up. The Board of Commissioners will decide on the increase, Tuesday, June 17 at their regular board meeting. The proposed increase is showing at 3 percent, however, the PUD is estimating the costs of power from Boundary Dam,
operated by Seattle City Light, to decrease by 0.45 percent. The PUD powers almost all of the residences and businesses in the county from Boundary Dam as part of a contractual agreement. “A measure of general inflation is up 2 percent from April of this year to April of last year,” PUD Treasurer Sarah Holderman said. “One percent inflation will increase District costs by $186,000 annually. The proposed 3 percent district rate increase will generate approximately $400,000 in one year.” The rate increase SEE PUD, 2A
B R I E F LY Sacheen Lake sewer bids could be awarded soon SACHEEN LAKE – The bids for the three schedules of the Sacheen Lake sewer project were opened May 20, 21 and 22. Kevin Koesel of Sewell Engineering, who is working on the project, said the bids came in at about $9.6 million, which was within the budget. The bids came in more in line with the projections this time. All bids were rejected last year when they came in $2.5 million over budget. The total cost of the project is expected to be about $12.2 million, which includes some equipment the district will buy.
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Koesel said Sacheen Lake Sewer and Water District commissioners could award the bids at their regular meeting Wednesday, June 4, at 7 p.m. at the Sacheen Lake Fire Station. Koesel said that if things work as planned, construction could start in July, with the project to be completed in 2015.
Sheriff’s office warns of fraudulent phone calls SANDPOINT – The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of a fraud being perpetrated by indi7B-9B
viduals saying they are employees of the county. According to the sheriff’s office, one or more individuals are attempting to defraud citizens in the area by telephoning area residents and representing themselves as employees of Bonner County Sheriff’s Office. They ask for a named individual in the household. When that person comes to the phone they are told that they have missed their scheduled jury duty assignment and they can avoid jail time only by paying a sum of money. If you receive such a call, contact the sheriff’s office at 208-263-8417.
OPINION
4A
RECORD
6B
SPORTS
2B
LIFE
1B
POLICE REPORTS
6B
OBITUARIES
6B
PUBLIC NOTICES
9B-10B
SUMMER SURVIVAL
4B-5B
SURVIVE THE SUMMER LOTS OF ACTIVITIES SEE PAGES 4B-5B