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Merry Christmas The Newport Miner

THE VOICE OF PEND OREILLE COUNT Y SINCE 1901

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Wednesday, December 25, 2013

www.pendoreillerivervalley.com

Volume 110, Number 47 | 2 Sections, 24 Pages

Pot license applications increasing here BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – Pend Oreille County has at least two applicants to sell retail marijuana, including one in Newport. The deadline to apply for marijuana licenses was Friday, Dec. 20. The state Liquor Control Board updates its database of applicants every Tuesday. Through Dec. 17, there were nine producer applications, four processor license applications and two retailer license applications. Officials expect marijuana sales to begin by May. Joe Rammell, 65, of Bellevue has made several trips to Newport to scout a location for a retail marijuana operation. He says he was happy to see there were only two applying for Pend Oreille County’s two retail locations. Every county in the state was allocated retail licenses, based on population. Pend Oreille County was given two. The competition for retail li-

censes in more populated parts of the state has been fierce, Rammell says. “It’s a dog fight over in Seattle,” Rammell says. “There are way more applicants than permits.” The state plans on issuing 334 retail licenses statewide. When there is more than one qualified applicant, a lottery will be held. Rammell says he chose Newport for a couple reasons. “I was already looking for a retirement home in the area for the last couple years,” he says. He wanted to supplement his retirement income and operating a pot shop seemed like a good plan. Rammell says he hasn’t found a definite location yet, although he has chosen Mary Jane’s Weed as a name for his business. “I have five locations I’m looking at,” he says. While a location is required for the application, that can be changed

OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – The Friday and Saturday Kaltran route from Newport to Airway Heights will be discontinued Feb. 1, Kalispel tribal spokesperson April Pierre said. “The run was started as a trial,” Pierre said. While there was some ridership on the Friday and Saturday run, it wasn’t enough to sustain the route, she said. The route was started in May 2012. Kaltran will be closed through Jan. 5 for the holidays, although there will be an Airway Heights run Dec. 31, leaving the Eagles bus stop at 4 p.m. and returning at 11 p.m. Jan. 1, the bus will return from Northern Quest Resort and Casino, according to a post on the Kaltran Facebook page. Fare is $2.50 each way.

BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER

hundreds of man hours needed to organize the program. The Sharing Tree consists of a handful of artificial Christmas trees set up around town, with ages and wish lists for boys and girls who wouldn’t otherwise receive a Christmas gift. Their parents or guardians sign them up, noting what size of clothing, diapers, shoes and coats the children need, and if it’s OK for a toy to be purchased too. They also

NEWPORT – Pend Oreille County commissioners have interviewed candidates for three planning commission terms that expire this year, with an eye to making some changes, according to county commission chairman Mike Manus. “Sometimes change is good,” “Sometimes Manus change is said. “There good.” has been some Mike Manus dissatisPend Oreille County faction Commissioner with the planning commission within the community.” Planning commission members were asked not to elect a chair until after the appointments, said Don Comins, who is one of three District 2 representatives. Comins said that he is concerned that the planning commission may become more political. “The planning commission is not supposed to be partisan,” Comins said. “I’m afraid it will become partisan.” Planning commission members whose terms are expiring include Steve Wilson, Steve Bennett and Susan Hobbs. They all applied to be reap- W H AT N E X T: point- COMMISSIONERS ed to PLAN TO make an the appointment Moncomday, Dec. 30. mission. Planning commission members are appointed to four-year terms. Applicants completed informational statements dealing with involvement in the community, asked what they believe is the planning commission’s role in the community, asked how they work as a team member and to give examples of how they have dealt with contrary

SEE SHARING, 2A

SEE PLANNING, 2A

SEE POT, 2A

Kaltran discontinuing Newport-Airway Heights run BY DON GRONNING

County planning commission appears headed for shakeup

Kaltran will still run its Usk to Spokane route Mondays through Thursdays. That route runs four times a day, starting at 4:40 a.m. The last bus leaving Spokane leaves Walmart at the North Division Y at 6:20 p.m. Fare is $1 each way. Special Mobility Services is running from Spokane to Sandpoint Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, going through Newport and Priest River. Fare is $3 each way to Newport, 50 cents between Newport and Priest River, $1.50 from Priest River to Sandpoint and $5 from Spokane to Sandpoint. The SMS shuttle leaves Spokane at 6 a.m. from Bank of America at Howard and Riverside; is scheduled to leave the Newport Safeway at 8 a.m., SEE KALTRAN, 2A

NEWPORT BRANCH 1ST PLACE PEND OREILLE COUNTY CHRISTOPHER MACKEY-BESS HERIAN ELEMENTARY

Community rallies to save Christmas Sharing Tree a success BY MICHELLE NEDVED OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – Two-hundredand-seventy-eight children received Christmas gifts this season thanks to the community outpouring to save the Sharing Tree, an annual tradition that was on the brink of being canceled. Speerheaded by Mountain West Bank in Newport, with support of various companies, organizations and individuals, the Sharing

|| Albeni Falls raises water OLDTOWN – The Army Corps of Engineers increased the outflow of Albeni Falls Dam from 12,000 cubic feet per second to 14,000 cfs, Friday, Dec. 13. The elevation of Lake Pend Oreille is being managed within a half foot of 2,051-2,051.5 feet, per winter operating measures. The current elevation is 2,051.49 feet. The dam produces more than 200 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually, and at its peak, can produce more than 42.6 megawatts. This is enough power to supply about 15,000 homes with power and the Bonneville Power Administration markets the electricity for members of the Pacific

Tree went on for 2013, after the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) announced it was canceled due to lack of volunteers and space. DSHS has traditionally organized the event, and the last three years it was housed at the Newport Community Colleges of Spokane Center. This year, however, the community college couldn’t do it. Pat McGuinty said the college volunteered on a temporary basis and wasn’t able to continue to offer the three classrooms and

B R I E F LY

Northwest. The Army Corps of Engineers state this power production saves the U.S. from buying 4.9 million barrels of oil annually.

Motocross growing in county NEWPORT – Area resident Don Hunt and a group of volunteers opened a Motocross course in 2005 hoping to bring a little piece of a growing industry into Pend Oreille County. Hunt recently applied for a conditional use permit to keep operating the track, with a hearing planned for January 2014 regarding the permit. “I am hoping we can keep it going but I guess we will find out soon,” Hunt said. He said this permit was a new condition for the track and they have completed the paperwork to get the process started.

Hunt said the 1.2-mile track hosts races that average about $35 per rider. The typical race has more than 100 riders participate and Hunt said the racers spend money in the local economy when they come to town by purchasing gas, food and shopping. “We bring in riders from all over the northwest,” Hunt said. “It is becoming one of the top rated tracks in the northwest.” For more information, check the track website at www.newportmx.com.

Habitat for Humanity builds house for local family NEWPORT – The Pend Oreille Valley Habitat for Humanity has completed construction on a new house

on Sixth and State streets in Newport, for a local family with three young children who are currently living in inadequate, unstable housing. A dedication ceremony will be Sunday, Dec. 29 at 1:30 p.m. and is open to the public. As with all Habitat homes, it was built with as much volunteer labor and donated materials as possible, and then sold to the family at cost, via a no-interest mortgage. The money received for this house will then be put to use building the next home. Habitat can use as much help as possible. Anyone interested in volunteering can e-mail habitat@povn. com or call 509-447-0102. They can also be found on Facebook under Pend Oreille Valley Habitat for Humanity.

SPORTS 1B - RECORD 12B - POLICE 12B - OPINION 4A - CLASSIFIEDS 6A-10A - PUBLIC NOTICES 6A-10A - DOWN RIVER 11A - LIFE 2B - OBITUARIES 12B