121615newportminer

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Winter sports preview

meet your grizzlies, rangers and Panthers pages 5B-8B

The Newport Miner the voice of pend oreille county since 1901

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

www.pendoreillerivervalley.com

Volume 112, Number 49 | 2 Sections, 24 Pages 75¢

Hospital, counseling combine care By Sophia Aldous Of The Miner

NEWPORT – Traditionally, the physical and mental are two fields that have been separated in the medical field. That is changing in Pend Oreille County, where Pend Oreille County Counseling and the Newport Hospital District have teamed up to provide counseling in clinic settings in order to improve the coordination of physical and behavioral health services for Medicaid and low-income populations. “Mental health benefits are not something that is usually available through health insurance,” says Denise Weiss, a Registered Nurse for Newport Hospital and Health Services. Weiss works in conjunction with Mark Stenzel, Pend Oreille County Counseling therapist. The duo, along with several other health care providers and five counselors that rotate between Family Health Center and the hospital, focuses on the link between mental illness and its effects on the body, and how patients can get treatment for See care, 2A

Miner photo|Sophia Aldous

Holiday Concert heralds the season The annual Holiday Concert was held at Sadie Halstead Middle School Monday, Dec. 14. Conducted by band director Greg Schuh, the event featured SHMS bands, the Newport High School Choir (some of its members pictured above)

Pend Oreille County finishing budget No road levy shift for second year By Don Gronning Of The Miner

NEWPORT – Pend Oreille County Commissioners are putting the finishing touches on a $10.571 million 2016 budget. A budget hearing is set for Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 2 p.m. in the county courthouse at 625 W. Fourth Ave. in Newport, after which the commissioners are expected to adopt the budget. As revenue comes in, including

higher than projected sales tax revenues, county commissioners have been able to trim a $1.4 million deficit to an $800,000 to $900,000 deficit, according to auditor Marianne Nichols. “We got some extra sales tax, including an extra $100,000 last week,” she said. County commissioners had budgeted for $800,000 in sales tax. So far this year the county has collected $1,057,117 in sales tax.

County commission chairman Steve Kiss said revenues were not looking good earlier in the year. “At midyear we were looking at quite a shortfall,” he said. As the year went on, more sales tax and other revenue started to come in. That meant for the second year there would be no road levy shift. “We’re proud of that,” Kiss said. He said commissioners had made a commitment to avoid a road See budget, 2A

and the Newport High School Concert Band. The ensembles performed holiday music, like the theme from The Polar Express, Carol of the Bells, and Procession of the Kings, among others.

B.C. cyclist files $10 million claim against county By Don Gronning Of The Miner

NEWPORT – A Canadian motorcyclist who was injured when he lost control of his motorcycle when he hit some gravel on Sullivan Lake Road

has filed a $10 million claim against Pend Oreille County, both with the county and in U.S. District Court. The complaint alleges that David Brent Vickers of Salt Springs Island,

See cyclist, 11A

Winter fishing abounds for the holidays and beyond

Hometown Christmas

By Roger Phillips Idaho Fish and Game public information specialist

This little girl was more than ready to have her picture taken with Santa and Mrs. Clause during Hometown Christmas Saturday, Dec. 12 in Newport. Families came and went at the Hospitality House downtown for free cookies, hot chocolate and to get their holiday photos taken. The event was put on by the Greater Newport Area Chamber of Commerce.

COEUR D’ALENE – Just in time for Christmas – no, it’s not a present, or even a stocking stuffer, but it may be better than Aunt Jennie’s fruitcake. These are places to go fishing during the holidays. Idaho Fish and Game’s regional fish managers have provided some suggestions for winter fishing. These spots may be your favorite fishing holes, places you never heard about, overlooked, or just never got around to trying during winter.

Some spots listed are geared toward ice fishing, but not all. Ice fishing in much of the state was stalled in early December due to warm, wet weather, but ice fishing will hopefully resume when cold temperatures return. To get more information about each of these places listed below, including maps, go to the Fishing Planner on Idaho Fish and Game’s website at www.fishandgame.idaho.gov. Several northern Idaho lakes offer good ice fishing for northern pike when ice conditions are favorable. These toothy predators are exciting to fish for and anglers have the chance

See fish, 2A

Miner photo|Sophia Aldous

B r i e f ly PUD officers remain NEWPORT – The Pend Oreille Public Utility District commissioners serve two-year terms as officers, according to their rules, said Curt Knapp, PUD commissioner. That means commissioners will retain their positions another year. Rick Larsen serves as president, Dan Peterson serves as vice president and Curt Knapp serves as secretary.

Priest River DMV holiday hours PRIEST RIVER – The Department of Motor Vehicles office in Priest River will have an extended lunch Tuesday,

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Dec. 22, with the office closed from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for a holiday party. The office will close early Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Hours on those days are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with lunch from 1-2 p.m. Call 208-448-0746 for information.

Pick up Tree of Angels gifts Saturday NEWPORT – Families receiving gifts from the Tree of Angels are to pick up those items Saturday, Dec. 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mountain West Bank in Newport. Trees have been set up around town with tags for

classifieds Life Obituaries

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Opinion

each child needing a gift this holiday season. Those gifts are filled by community members and given to parents unwrapped.

Idaho median income increased in 2014, poverty declined BOISE - As Idaho’s median income grew by 2 percent, the number of people living at the poverty level decreased slightly from 15.6 percent to 14.8 percent in 2014, the U.S. See briefly, 2A

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Record

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sports

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Police Reports

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Public Notices

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Gift Guide 1b-4b

Christmas church Directory See page 12A


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