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The Newport Miner the voice of pend oreille county since 1901

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

www.pendoreillerivervalley.com

Volume 113, Number 40 | 2 Sections, 20 Pages 75¢

Murder victim a family man, missed by many Road rage allegedly led to murder of William ‘Bo’ Kirk

By Michelle Nedved Of The Miner

NEWPORT – “Bo’s just always silly. Huge heart. Family man.

He coached and went to all the games,” said Sharon Weber, William “Bo” Kirk’s mother-inlaw. Weber’s daughter Amanda married Bo more than 21 years

ago. “I didn’t realize how much he was the life of the party,” Weber said, choking back tears. Bo’s body was found Tuesday,

Oct. 25, shot to death near the Hayden Creek area of the Coeur d’Alene National Forest, after he went missing Saturday, Oct. 22. Since then, two men have

been taken into custody for his murder. David Hutto, 44, was booked into the Kootenai See Kirk, 2A

Fire districts ask voters for emergency medical tax

Levy lid lifts would allow for increased levy rates By Michelle Nedved Of The Miner

CUSICK – Voters in the town of Cusick and Pend Oreille Fire District Nos. 2, 4 and 5 are being asked to approve a handful of measures on the Nov. 8 ballot. Cusick voters will decide on a levy lid lift for fire and emergency medical services, and a proposal to annex the town of Cusick into Pend Oreille Fire District No. 4. If approved, the first proposition would fund fire See Fire, 2A

Miner photo|Sophia Aldous

Community development looking for new director By Sophia Aldous Of The Miner

NEWPORT – The search for a new Pend Oreille County Community Development Director hasn’t officially begun yet, but commissioners aim to change that by advertising the position next week, according to Pend Oreille County Commissioner Mike Manus. Manus cited the Washington State Supreme Court case, Whatcom County vs. Hirst, that

pertains to legal water availability and how counties manage it, as sidelining other issues the county is facing, particularly finding Lithgow’s replacement. “Hopefully we’ll get it done (advertising the position) next week,” Manus said. “We haven’t had anyone show interest in the position yet that I know of.” Mike Lithgow, who was the Pend Oreille See Development, 2A

Pend Oreille County Elections Deputy Stacey Hughes counts ballots Monday morning.

Plenty on Washington ballots

By Don Gronning Of The Miner

NEWPORT – The seemingly never ending election campaign will soon be over, with Washington voters turning in the last of their ballots Tuesday, Nov. 8, wrapping up one of the most contentious presidential races in memory. So far there has been about a 35 percent return of ballots, Pend Oreille County Auditor Marianne Nichols said. Of the 8,080 ballots that were sent out, 3,078 have been returned. The race for the District 5 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives between GOP incumbent Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Democrat Joe Pakootas is watched locally. Pakootas lost to McMorris Rodgers when the two faced off in 2014. We asked both candidates what they thought was the most import issue facing Pend Oreille County.

“I believe the most important issue for our small communities is the ability to create and sustain diverse economic development,” Pakootas wrote. “Rural towns have a tough time surviving the increased budget cuts being handed down from state and federal governments. These cuts mean crumbling infrastructure, schools, roads, bridges and transportation systems cannot be fixed or maintained, which is a devastating blow to their already faltering economies.” Pakootas says he would help provide resources, including financial subsidies, to help the Port of Pend Oreille to revitalize its rail services; expand affordable highspeed internet service; address the needs for ambulance services and restore rural healthcare services to Veterans. Pakootas says he would work to require companies to pay taxes on profits they earn and keep overseas. He says he would

support restructuring regulations that prohibit manufacturing companies from making a decent profit, stop the privatization of federal government services and utilize the post offices as a liaison between the VA, IRS and U.S. Forest Service to facilitate quicker responses. McMorris Rogers did not provide an answer. McMorris Rodgers was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2004. On her campaign website, she lists some of her accomplishments, which include her work on the Regulation from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, which would require any regulation with $100 million in economic impact to obtain Congressional approval; the Regulatory Accountability Act that requires federal agencies to consider the economic impact of new regulations and implement See Ballots, 2A

B rie f ly Who Let the Girls Out returns this Saturday

Band and choir concert Monday, Nov. 7

NEWPORT – The biannual Who Let the Girls Out celebration returns Saturday, Nov. 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event highlights local shopping, complete with treats and refreshments at each store. Participating businesses are Just Because, Shanty, My Favorite Things, Bushels, Into the Garden, Fleur De Lis, Treasures A to Z and Ben Franklin. Shoppers can pick up a punch card at any of the businesses and receive a stamp from each location, making them eligible for a gift drawing. For more information, check out their Facebook page or call 509-447-3160.

NEWPORT – The public is invited to the Newport High School’s Choir and Band concert Monday, Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Grizzly Den at Newport High School. This concert will feature singers and players from Newport High School. Admission is a suggested $5 that will go toward the band and choir program.

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Newport High School to honor veterans NEWPORT – The annual Newport High School Veterans Day assembly will be Thursday, Nov. 10, at 8:40 a.m. in the gymnasium. The Veterans Day assembly at 10 a.m. at Stratton 6B-7B

Elementary School will follow. All community members are invited to attend. Coffee and donuts will be available to veterans at 8 a.m. through the American Legion in the NHS cafeteria. The assembly includes music by the Newport High School band, the reading of names of former Newport High School students who serve din the military, and a presentation of a memorial wreath. If a community member has a name and a photo they would like added to the list and digital presentation, email or hand deliver them to Rhonda Burnham, NHS ASB Advisor at burnhamrhonda@ newportgriz.com.

Opinion

4a

Record

5B

sports

1B-3B

Life

4B

Police Reports

5B

Obituaries

5B

Public Notices

7B-10B

Senior Calendar

8A

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