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The Newport Miner the voice of pend oreille county since 1901

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

www.pendoreillerivervalley.com

Volume 113, Number 38 | 2 Sections, 20 Pages 75¢

Eugene leads in county commission fundraising By Don Gronning Of The Miner

NEWPORT – Pend Oreille County Board of Commissioners candidate Bob Eugene has emerged as the leading fundraiser in the race for county commissioner. Eugene, a Democrat, has raised $13,705 and spent $9,962, according to the state Public Finance Disclosure Commission (www.pdc. wa.gov). His Republican opponent, incumbent Karen Skoog, has raised $5,487 and spent $4,141. The two are in a race for the District 1 seat in the southern part of the county. In the other county commissioner race for the District 3 seat in the northern part of the county, incumbent Steve Kiss and Ronald J. Hampton, both Republicans, have agreed not to raise or spend more than $5,000, according to Lori Anderson of the Public Finance Disclosure Commission. Because of that, they don’t file updates with the commission. She said they also agreed to accept no more than $500 from any individual donor. Eugene’s biggest donors included two $1,000 contributions from the 7th LD Democratic Central Committee. He received $500 donations from three unions – the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council No. 5, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1439 and the Washington Education Association Political Action Committee. He also received smaller contributions from three other unions – $300 from the Spokane Regional Labor Council, $250 from the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters and $250 from the Spokane Regional Labor CounSee Funding, 2A

Miner photo|Sophia Aldous

Jean Wells of the League of Women Voters, shows the 15 second warning to a candidate. The candidates night was attended by a couple dozen people Monday, Oct. 17.

Candidates forum civil, informative

By Don Gronning Of The Miner

NEWPORT – Eleven candidates for various elected positions answered questions and made a case why voters should choose them during a candidates forum held at Newport High School Monday

night. All four candidates for Pend Oreille County Commission – RJ Hampton, Steve Kiss, Karen Skoog and Bob Eugene – appeared, as did the four judicial candidates, Pat Monasmith, C. Olivia Irwin, Jessica Taylor Reeves and Terry Williams. State Reps. Shelly Short and Joel

Pend Oreille County Commissioner, District 1

What current issue would you like to see the commission handle differently than it currently is? Eugene said the biggest current issue, which has been floating around for the last couple of years, is the effort to acquire federal lands locally. “I presented the commissioners in June Eugene 2014 an analysis of their resolution that they were considering,” and pointed out its flaws. He said it would be an unfunded mandate if lands currently managed by the Forest Service were managed by the state. Tri-County Health District has cut back on

Karen Skoog Party: Prefers Republican Age: 52 Residence: Elk Occupation: co-owner Sunvek, family roofing business Elected office: Pend Oreille County Commissioner, elected 2012

OLDTOWN - Due to a lack of consistent, economical log supply, Tri-Pro Forest Products, Inc.-Orofino division has been closed. The mill has been operating in the area since 2007. According to a press release from IFG, “It has been difficult this year to keep the plant running and from this point forward, the log supply will only become worse. We sincerely regret this outcome and are solemnly aware of the impact the plant closure will have on families and the community as a whole.”

What current issue would you like to see the commission handle differently than it currently is? Skoog said there’s not an issue she would like to see the county handle differently, Skoog but she is concerned about water rights and a recent court decision was is not good for counties in Washington state. She explained that water in Washington is owned by people. The Department of Ecology manages the water. The latest court case was lost by Whatcom County, and the case opens counties up to the risk of being sued if they give any building permits.

See Eugene, 2A

See Forum, 9A

Orofino Mill closes doors, Oldtown looks to pick up the slack

The Pend Oreille County Commissioner District 3 race will be featured in next week’s issue of The Miner.

Bob Eugene Party: Prefers Democratic Age: 67 Residence: Diamond Lake Occupation: Retired, Underwriters Laboratories and City of Spokane Building Department

Kretz and PUD commissioner Rick Larson also took questions. Short and Larson are unopposed. Kretz’ opponent, Mike Foster, was a no show. After opening statements, candidates took questions from Miner

See Skoog, 2A

In related news, Idaho Forest Group (IFG) and Tri-Pro Forest Products have entered into a custom remanufacturing agreement in which Tri-Pro will use its expertise in value added production at its remanufacturing facility in Oldtown to exclusively produce specialty products for IFG. IFG assumes all procurement, inventory, and sales and marketing of all Tri-Pro’s Cedar and Douglas fir product lines. Idaho Forest Group is See Tri pro, 2A

B r i e f ly High winds cause power outages for over 400 customers METALINE FALLS - A power outage due to high winds affected about 400 customers in the Metaline Falls area Friday, Oct. 14. The outage was first reported around 6:45 a.m. There were a few small outages in the southern portion of the county, according to Pend Oreille Public Utilities District (PUD). PUD line crews worked throughout the day to restore power to all customers around 9:30 a.m. All of the outages were related to the wind and trees/limbs falling into the power lines.

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Free food distribution Oct. 20

NEWPORT – There will be a free food distribution Thursday, Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon at American Lutheran Church, 332801 Highway 2 in Newport. Sponsored by the American Lutheran Church and Pend Oreille County Thrivent members, the event provides free produce and nutritious perishable products from 2nd Harvest Foods. The distribution is open to all members of the public and no appointment or documentation is needed. The event will be held outside in rain or shine, so dress accordingly. 6B-10B

Candlelight vigil addresses domestic violence

NEWPORT – There will be a Domestic Violence Candlelight Vigil Thursday, Oct. 20, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Centennial Plaza Gazebo in the middle of town, next to the Newport Historical Society and Greater Newport Area Chamber of Commerce. Attendees are encouraged to light a candle for someone they know or even themselves. Share stories, hear stories and be a voice to help stop Domestic Violence in the community. For more information, contact 509-447-2274.

Opinion

4a

Record

5B

sports

1B-3B

Life

4B

Police Reports

5B

Obituaries

5B

Public Notices

7B-10B

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