The Newport Miner the voice of pend oreille county since 1901
Wednesday, NOVEMBER 8, 2017
www.pendoreillerivervalley.com
Volume 115, Number 41 | 2 Sections, 20 Pages $1.00
Anti-smelter proponents take it to local government By Sophia Aldous Of The Miner
NEWPORT – Emotions ran high at two separate Pend Oreille County meetings regarding one looming issue: the proposed silicon smelter by HiTest Sands, Inc. Local residents and representatives of the Citizens Against the Newport Silicon Smelter (CANSS) attended a meeting Wednesday, Nov. 1 between Pend Oreille County department heads, 7th Legislative District Senator Shelly Short, and 7th District Representative Jacquelin Maycomber. The meetings allow local government to meet with state lawmakers to discuss issues pertaining to their individual departments. However, citizens that attended the meeting were upset that Short and Maycomber, who represent Pend Oreille, Stevens, and Ferry counties, did not stay afterward to address their concerns regarding the multi-million dollar smelter. “You saw the representatives run away; they don’t want to talk to us,” resident Axel Hiesener said after the meeting. “Light needs to be shed on this and we just want our lawmakers to listen to what we have to say.” If permitting for the plant goes through, it would be built roughly a mile south of the U.S. Highway 2-Idaho state Route 41 junction on 186 acres. “We don’t want you or your smelter,” one woman yelled at Short after the meeting, slamming a “No Smelter” sign on the table where Short had been sitting as she rose to leave. “Take it back to Addy.” Short, who is from Addy, has been a proponent of the See smelter, 2A
Miner photo|Sophia Aldous
Constituents opposing the proposed HiTest smelter site in Newport confront Pend Oreille County Commissioner Steve Kiss after a meeting last Wednesday.
Local veteran passes after returning from Honor Flight
Sands could keep seat, Cusick mayoral race close
By Sophia Aldous
NEWPORT – The initial results for Pend Oreille County are in for the general election, with the polls closing promptly at 8 p.m. on Tuesday. In 7th Legislative District races, it appears Pend Oreille County voters want incumbent state Sen. Shelly Short to stay in office. Short, a Republican, received 2,008 votes to Democrat Karen Hardy’s
Of The Miner
NEWPORT – It is hard to quantify service in the Armed Forces into a memorial, but the Honor Flight might come the closest. Several local veterans recently traveled via Honor Flight to Washington D.C. to visit various war memorials on the National Mall. The flight departed Monday, Oct. 23 from the Spokane International Airport and returned late in the evening on Tuesday, Oct. 24. Among them was Newport resident Jay Cline, who served in World War II in the Philippines, joining the merchant Marines when he was 17 years old. The trip to Washington DC was a timely one. Cline, 90, passed away Oct. 29 in the arms of his wife, Phyllis. “He was still alert and had his senses about him,” Phyllis Cline said of her husband’s journey on the Honor Flight. “He was apprehensive at first, because of his health, but once he found out they could accommodate him, he was determined to go.” Honor Flights are conducted by nonprofit organizations whose goal is to transport as many United States military veterans as possible to see the memorials in Washington D.C. of the respective war Courtesy photo|JoAnn Bell they fought in at no cost to the veterans. Keith Bell and Jay Cline return to Spokane Oct. 24 after the Honor Flight to WashKeith Bell, a physician assistant at
See election, 2A
County rejects Newport offer for law enforcement City has to form own force or contract elsewhere By Don Gronning Of The Miner
NEWPORT – After Newport City Council members Keith Campbell and Mark Zorica and Mayor Shirley Sands met with Pend Oreille County Commissioners Monday to discuss a law enforcement contract, Sheriff Alan Botzheim and the county commission rejected the city’s offer during an executive session Tuesday, Nov. 7. “After a thoughtful and thorough review of all
ington D.C. Around 100 veterans traveled on last month’s Honor Flight.
See honor flight, 10A
See CITY, 10A
B r i e f ly Christmas Arts and Crafts sale at Stratton NEWPORT – The Christmas Arts and Crafts Sale returns to Stratton Elementary School Saturday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Along with a variety of craft vendors and merchants, Santa Claus will be on site for photos. For more information, call 509-447-0656.
Leave food out for the Scouts to collect PRIEST RIVER – Be sure to assist local scouts with their
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food drive Saturday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m. in Priest River and 9 a.m. in Newport and Oldtown. Local Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts will be canvassing residential areas looking for bags of donated food. To help, leave a bag or two of nonperishable food by your front door so Scouts can collect and deliver them to a local food bank. For more information or if your house gets missed, call Brad Mingay at 208-448-2875 in Priest River or Steve Price at 509-447-2287 in Newport and Oldtown. Participating Scout groups are Troops and Packs 604, 603, 630 and 696 7B-8B
Learn about Youth Emergency Services NEWPORT – Youth Emergency Services, YES, is holding an informational meeting Wednesday, Nov. 15, at Newport High School, for those interested in learning about the agency, and about being a host home for homeless youth in Pend Oreille County. The meeting is at 6 p.m. in the Newport High School library. Dinner will be provided, and childcare is available. Anyone needing childcare should RSVP 24 hours in advance by calling YES at 509-447-1125.
Opinion
4a
Record
6B
3B
Police Reports
6B
sports
1B-2B
6B, 10B
Public Notices
8B-10B
Get your party on! Holiday Party planner Next week’s issue