The Newport Miner Newspaper

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Poker Paddlers cruise in south county. 3A

The Newport Miner

Pend Oreille County Fair pictures. 6A

THE VOICE OF PEND OREILLE COUNT Y SINCE 1901

75¢

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

www.pendoreillerivervalley.com

Volume 109, Number 29 | 2 Sections, 18 Pages

County denies PUD crossing river Members recuse themselves after being contacted by PUD commissioner Larson BY MINER STAFF

NEWPORT – It’s unclear what will become of the power poles that were erected on the banks of the Pend Oreille River at Riverbend north of Cusick this summer or how service to 80 people will be improved. The Pend Oreille Public

Utility District (PUD) installed them to upgrade service without the proper permits, and now the county’s planning commission has denied alternative plans. The county’s shoreline plan does not allow overhead river spans unless the cost of alternatives is prohibitive, said John Stuart, one of the planning commission SEE PUD, 2A

Grant could help county remodel office building BY JANELLE ATYEO OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – Pend Oreille County commissioners are hoping a state grant will allow them to remodel a 1974 county building that is now vacant. During a time when the commissioners felt they needed more space before budget cutting and they were

told by the state to make a separate election counting room, they hired a consultant to make plans. Pend Oreille County offices were to be rearranged with at least one department making the move into the brick building on Garden Avenue. The Tri-County Health District, which paid the county rent, was SEE REMODEL, 2A

MINER PHOTO|DON GRONNING

Parade of tractors at county fair John Wittenmeyer of Ione was one of the 16 tractors on display at this year’s fair. There were four or five more tractors than usual. Crowds were down a little compared to last year, maybe because of hot weather. Temperatures were in the 90’s for most of the fair. See more pictures on page 6A.

Congresswoman swings through county McMorris Rodgers to speak at national Republican convention

BY JANELLE ATYEO OF THE MINER

BY FRED WILLENBROCK

METALINE – On Monday, Aug. 20, the first of two hydroelectric turbine runners will begin a 2,073-mile journey across America, headed for Seattle City Light’s Boundary Dam in north Pend Oreille County. The 181,000-pound oversized

OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – Congressional representatives’ annual summer visits to their districts have gone on since the country was founded and a horse took them home. They also have to run for office every two years so they must blend campaigning with checking on district issues. This time-honored tradition was continued last Wednesday when Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., came to Newport. A little campaign “meet and greet” was held along with discussions about the next session of Congress and local needs. A McMorris Rodgers visit gained some glitz from the fact that she is one of the rising stars in American politics and under any President will have influence in a town that only moves when pushed hard. Further recognition of this influence came Monday, when it was announced that McMorris Rodgers will speak at the Republican Convention in Tampa next Monday night. The theme is “We can do better.”

Boundary Dam getting new turbine runners “super load” requires a special 20-axle truck with police escort. The entire trip will take three weeks and will cross through 13 states starting at Weir American Hydro’s plant in York, Pa., and making its way through Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, MinSEE TURBINE, 2A

MINER PHOTO|DON GRONNING

Fifth District Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., was in Newport Wednesday, Aug. 15 to meet with constituents at Kelly Park. Here she listens to Ponderay Newsprint General Manager Derrick Lindgren and Newport/Priest River Rotary President Ken Shueman.

McMorris Rodgers is presumptive GOP presidential nominee Gov. Mitt Romney’s House Liaison and the highest ranking Republican woman in Congress. She is also vice-chairwoman of his campaign in Washington state.

McMorris Rodgers has regularly stood with Republican leaders on national television and has built more influence since first being elected to the House in 2004. She is currently serving her second term as Vice Chairwoman of the House Republican

|| Two Precinct Committee Officer races tied NEWPORT – Every two years the Democrats and Republicans scramble to get people to fill their precinct committee officer positions. Precinct committee officers are the grass roots of politics. PCOs have a voice within the parties and elect county party officers. There are two Republican PCO races that are tied in Pend Oreille County. In the Camden precinct in the south part of the county, Miina Skoog and Brent Phillipy each received 46 votes. In the Diamond Lake West precinct, Pend Oreille County Republican Party chairman Norris Boyd and Robert “Brad” Hansen are tied with 34 votes each. There will be a recount Wednesday, Aug. 22 at 2 p.m. in the elections office at the county courthouse.

Conference, where she is the only woman and the youngest member of the elected House Republican Leadership. Among her busy schedule Wednesday were meetings with SEE MCMORRIS, 2A

B R I E F LY

If the votes are still tied after the recount, a winner will be drawn.

Workshop will focus on high water at Diamond Lake DIAMOND LAKE – The Diamond Lake Improvement Association is hosting a workshop Thursday, Aug. 30 to discuss high water issues. Engineering geologist Steven Neugebauer, who spoke recently at a meeting of the local property rights group, will speak. Neugebauer’s company, SNR, has been conducting research on Diamond Lake, including the history of the area based on historic USGS topographic maps, historic air photographs, and other resources.

COURTESY PHOTO|WEIR AMERICAN HYDRO

This new turbine runner started its journey across the states this week, heading toward Boundary Dam.

||

Residents are invited to attend the free workshop to gain a better understanding of the dynamics of high water, to discuss concerns, and share information about the high water background and the current state of the problem. The workshop will take place from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Diamond Lake Fire Station, 325272 Highway 2. For more information contact Debbie Harkness at dharkness57@gmail.com.

Man killed in head on collision OLDTOWN – John R. Sullivan, 38, of Oldtown was killed Monday morning, Aug. 20, when he collided head on with a semi truck driven by Nolan S. Bearden, 45, of Palouse, Wash.

According to a news release from the Idaho State Police, Sullivan was traveling west in a 1988 Ford Bronco on Old Priest River Road just after midnight when he crossed the center line and struck Bearden’s vehicle. Sullivan wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. Beardan was not injured.

Man hospitalized after wreck NEWPORT – A 60 year old Oldtown man was in stable condition at Newport Hospital Monday, Aug. 21, after being injured in a single vehicle accident. Paul J. Ruczak was driving north on Highway 57 about 8:25 a.m. when the semi he was driving went off the road and struck several trees, according to a press release from the Idaho State Patrol.

SPORTS 2B - RECORD 4B - POLICE 4B - OPINION 4A - CLASSIFIEDS 5B-7B - PUBLIC NOTICES 7B - DOWN RIVER 7A - LIFE 3B - OBITUARIES 4B


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