The Newport Miner THE VOICE OF PEND OREILLE COUNTY SINCE 1901
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
www.pendoreillerivervalley.com
Volume 113, Number 28 | 2 Sections, 16 Pages 75¢
Evaluation pileup People in jail longer for lack of drug, mental health evaluation BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER
NEWPORT – Just how can prisoners who have been ordered by a judge to get a substance abuse evaluation get one when the county counseling services doesn’t have enough people to do the evaluations or enough money to pay for them? That was the problem a group of judges, attorneys, and other county elected officials got together over pizza a couple weeks ago to try to figure out how to solve. Annabelle Payne, head of Pend Oreille County Counseling Services, said she didn’t have the counselors to do the evaluations, as the caseload has doubled since April. SEE DRUGS, 2A
Wolves still a fanged issue BY SOPHIA ALDOUS OF THE MINER
NEWPORT – There have been no wolf depredations of livestock in Pend Oreille County, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Ask Pend Oreille County Commissioner Karen Skoog, and she will say plainly that that there have been no confirmed depredations, but that wolves are here and the public has the right to keep tabs on them. “It’s about being able to provide answers and information to residents
MINER PHOTO|SOPHIA ALDOUS
Sun sets on another successful powwow A dancer’s outfit catches the rays of the setting sun at the 41st annual Kalispel Powwow Saturday, Aug. 6 in Usk. The public was invited to the three-day event, which included dancing, a flag ceremony, softball tournament, vendors and a canoe ceremony. See photos of the canoe ceremony on page 6A.
12-hour event raises funds to fight cancer OF THE MINER
NEWPORT – The annual Pend Oreille Valley Relay for Life returns to Newport High School, starting at 6:30 p.m.
SEE WOLVES, 2A
Skoog’s lead increases, Taylor, Williams advance
Relay for Life starts Friday BY SOPHIA ALDOUS
here in Pend Oreille County,” Skoog says. “The more information we have on collared wolves and where they are, the more we can try to prevent humans and wolves impacting each other.” Commissioners recently approved Resolution No. 2016-7 which states that the WDFW is obligated under state law to post all predatory wildlife interactions on its website, including reported human safety confrontations or sightings, as well as known details of reported depre-
BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER
Friday, Aug. 12 and ending at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13. The 24-hour event is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society and benefits local cancer patients.
NEWPORT – Karen Skoog, the incumbent Pend Oreille County commissioner from District 1, increased her lead as more votes came in after the first count Aug. 2. Skoog, a Republican, and Bob Eugene, a
SEE RELAY, 8A
Democrat, will advance to the general election in November. Another Republican, Norris Boyd, finished a distant third. Tuesday Skoog led with 509 votes to 466 for Eugene and 262 for Boyd. Skoog said she thinks the vote indicates the public recognizes the board works well
together. “We’re improving roads and roofs,” she said, noting new roofs on the Hall of Justice and Garden Avenue buildings. She says she is looking forward to being at the Pend Oreille County Fair. Eugene said he’s happy to
SEE ELECTION, 2A
B R I E F LY ShopKo a little behind schedule OLDTOWN – Construction of Shopko in Oldtown is a bit behind schedule, but the plan is to still open in September, according to the city’s planner Bryan Quayle. The Oldtown Council discussed the new construction during its meeting Monday night. Utilities have yet to be installed, and will be buried underground, so paving of the parking lot and streets hasn’t been scheduled yet. An O’Reily Auto Parts store will also move into Oldtown, next to Shopko, but Quayle doesn’t believe that will happen this year.
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The city’s new sign ordinance was used to process the signage for the development. “I think you’ll be pleased,” Quayle told the council. “It’s won’t be too large. No flashing lights.”
Health Center open house this Friday NEWPORT – The newly constructed Newport Health Center will be the site of a ribbon cutting and open house Friday, Aug. 12, 12:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. The ribbon cutting will start promptly at 12:30, followed by public tours of the center every 15 minutes until 4 p.m. Newport Hospital 6B-7B
and Health Services Foundation will provide refreshments.
Blood drive set for Newport NEWPORT – Residents can donate blood Thursday, Aug. 18, from 12:30-5:30 p.m. at the United Church of Christ in Newport. The Inland Northwest Blood Center, along with volunteers led by Chris Dechenne are coordinating the blood drive. The church is located on the corner of Spokane and Third.
OPINION
4A
RECORD
5B
SPORTS
2B
LIFE
1B
POLICE REPORTS
5B
OBITUARIES
5B
PUBLIC NOTICES
7B-8B
PEND OREILLE COUNTY FAIR STARTS NEXT WEEK CHECK OUT AUG. 17 ISSUE