City explores forming own utility by The Newport Miner

The Newport Miner THE VOICE OF PEND OREILLE COUNTY SINCE 1901

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

www.pendoreillerivervalley.com

Volume 117, Number 1 | 2 Sections, 16 Pages $1.00

City may ask voters: Form a new utility or stick with PUD? BY MICHELLE NEDVED OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – The Newport City Council heard Monday night what the options are if the council and voters decide they don’t want to continue their power agreement with the Pend Oreille Public Utility District. The council held a workshop during which Kim Gentle of GDS Associates Inc. explained how the city could go about offering its own utility to residents and businesses. Gentle is a Senior Project Manager for GDS Associates Inc., an engineering and consulting firm. She is a former employee of the Pend Oreille PUD, as well as Avista Utilities, and is the wife of John Gentle,

Pend Oreille County commissioner. Gentle explained to the council that since the non-exclusive franchise agreement between the city and the PUD is expiring this summer, the city has the right to explore its options to begin its own utility, the formation of which would have to be approved by voters. The city could renew the contract with the PUD at the 25-year term, which is what is expiring this summer, or could contract for shorter amounts of time. The city could form a utility and then do nothing at all, using their utility status as a negotiating tool with the PUD. Or the city could form a utility, put together its own set of contracts for everything from power supply to linemen, or form a utility and

hire the 200-plus people it would take to operate the utility separate from any outside contract. “There’s a lot of ways you can skin that cat,” Gentle said. The council needs to decide before Aug. 2 if they want the issue to go before voters in the November election. If the contract with the PUD expires and the council does nothing, the current situation would continue on until someone does something. City administrator Russ Pelleberg said as the city comes to the end of a long-term agreement, it needs to do its due diligence to find out if there are other options for supplying power. He said he was hearing from people

interested in coming to Newport who were “frankly having issues dealing with the PUD. We started looking around and then realized the contract was up.” It appears the entities who became frustrated with the PUD are bitcoin mining operations. The PUD has not engaged the city to renegotiate the contract. The council asked city attorney Laura McAloon to draft a letter to PUD Counsel Tyler Whitney, requesting a proposal to discuss at the next council workshop, Monday, June 7. “(Let’s) see what we can obtain from the other side of the coin, which would be the PUD,” mayor Shirley Sands said. SEE UTILITY, 2A

Allrise Capital bids most for PNC mill

County commissioners, EDC, Newport endorse bid over Kalispel Tribe

MINER PHOTO|DON GRONNING

BY DON GRONNING

Busy day at the market

OF THE MINER

SPOKANE – Allrise Capital, an Irvine, Calif., company, was the top bidder for the old Ponderay Newsprint Company site and equipment following a live auction Friday, April 23. After 60 some rounds of online bidding taking place over an hour and a half, Allrise was the highest bidder at $18.1 million, according to the declaration of Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee John Munding. The Kalispel Tribe stopped their bidding at $17.5 million. A third bidder, PPL Acquisition Group LLC, a liquidator, didn’t participate after the first round. Each of the bidders had put down $350,000 to be able to bid for the site and assets, with a $7.5 million opening bid. Munding said that the “highest and best” bid might not be the highest dollar amount. He asked both Allrise and the Kalispel Tribe to provide a two-page letter by Wednesday, April 28 saying why their bid was the “highest and best bid.” Allrise submitted their letter April 27. In SEE PNC, 2A

It was the first day of the Newport Famers Market Saturday, May 1, and business was hopping. The market is open every Saturday through October, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes vendors from Pend Oreille and Bonner counties. See more photos on 2B.

Candidate filing opens May 17 Many seats up for election

BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – Pend Oreille County candidate filing week opens Monday, May 17 and continues through Friday, May 21, with more that 60 positions up for grabs. All are nonpartisan positions. Appointed can-

didates hold many of the positions and those elections will be to fill out unexpired terms. Port of Pend Oreille In the Port of Pend Oreille District, commissioner district 2, a job held by Keith Peterson and the commissioner district 3 position held by Ryan Kiss are up for election. Town, city councils There are city and town council

positions up for election in all the incorporated cities and towns. In Newport there are two council positions, as well as the mayor up for grabs. Position 2, currently held by Nancy Hawks-Thompson and position 3, held by Jamie Sears are up for election, as is the mayor’s position, currently held by Shirley Sands, who announced she isn’t going to seek reelection. SEE FILING, 7A

B R I E F LY Heather Scott to visit Priest River

No dog kennel in Priest River

PRIEST RIVER – Idaho Rep. Heather Scott will be at the Priest River Event Center to give a legislative update Tuesday, May 11. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and seating is limited to 240 people. Scott will give an update and there will be time for questions and answers.

PRIEST RIVER – It looks like there won’t be a dog kennel coming to Priest River after all, City Planner Bryan Quayle told the Priest River Council at their April 3 meeting. Gerald and Deloris Milliron had applied for a conditional use permit from the city to allow them to construct a 30’ x 40’ single level commercial dog grooming and boarding

facility on their R-1 Residential Zoned property, generally located at 40 Eastside Road. The couple attended the April 19 council meeting to present their plan. Quayle said the Millirons had withdrawn their application for a conditional use permit, and no further action was necessary. Also during the meeting mayor Jim Martin said that the city was awarded an Idaho Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $500,000 for the Water System Improvements Project.

CLASSIFIEDS

OPINION

RECORD

LIFE

POLICE REPORTS

SPORTS

OBITUARIES

PUBLIC NOTICES

6B-8B

BOOSTER

SALUTE TO MEDICAL WORKERS SEE NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE

FROM PAGE ON E

| MAY 5, 2021

Bonner County Solid Waste asks voters to consider bond

The Newport Miner Serving Pend Oreille County, WA

Michelle Nedved Publisher

Jeanne Guscott Office Manager

Natalie Babcock

Assistant Office Manager

J. Lindsay Guscott Advertising Sales

Cindy Boober Advertising Sales

Don Gronning News Editor

Sophia Aldous Gem State Editor

Brad Thew Production

J. Louis Mullen Owner

DEADLINES

Lifestyle Page.......................Friday 12 Noon General News ................Monday 12 Noon Display Advertising............Monday 5 p.m. Classified Advertising............. Monday Noon Hot Box Advertising.............Tuesday Noon Legal Notices........................ Monday Noon BUSINESS HOURS 8:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. Monday-Friday 421 S. Spokane Ave., Newport, WA. YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION RATES Pend Oreille County, WA..........$28.90 West Bonner County and Spirit Lake, Idaho...............$28.90 Out-of-County & Elk...................$38.50 Single Copy...................................... $1.00

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Newport Miner, 421 S. Spokane Ave., Newport, WA. 99156. Telephone: 509-447-2433 E-mail: minersubscriptions @povn.com

Published weekly by Newport Miner, Inc., 421 S. Spokane Ave, Newport, WA. 99156. Periodical Postage paid at Newport, WA.; USPS No. 384400. LETTERS POLICY

We welcome letters to the editor. Letters should be typed and submitted to The Miner and Gem State Miner office no later than 5 p.m. Friday for publication the following Wednesday. No letter will be published unless it is signed by at least one individual, even if the letter represents the view of a group. The letter must include a telephone number and address for confirmation of authenticity. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. The Miner reserves the right to edit to conform to our publication style, policy and libel laws. Political letters will not be published the last issue prior an election. Letters will be printed as space allows. HOW TO CONTACT US

By Mail: 421 S. Spokane Ave. Newport, WA 99156 By FAX: (509) 447-9222 * 24-Hours Comments or Information By Phone: (509) 447-2433

Our editors and writers welcome your calls to discuss issues, coverage or story ideas. News minernews@povn.com Classified Ads minerclassifieds@povn.com Display Ads mineradvertising@povn.com Legal Ads minerlegals@povn.com Subscriptions minersubscriptions@povn.com

The

CONNECT WITH US

MinerOnline

The Miner Online www.pendoreillerivervalley.com FACEBOOK

www.facebook.com/MinerNews

TWITTER

www.twitter.com/MinerNews

THE NEWPORT MINER

Garbage sites need major maintenance BY SOPHIA ALDOUS OF THE MINER

PRIEST RIVER – Will Bonner County voters approve a Special Revenue Bond of $8,733,700 for the Bonner County Solid Waste System or toss the idea out with the trash? The answer will be clear after the May 18 election, but either way there are four disposal sites throughout the county that have, “substantial deficiencies,” according to solid waste department personnel. “We’re expecting volumes to grow one to two percent per year and right now our infrastructure will not support that,” solid waste staff engineer Spencer Ferguson said during An aerial photo of the Colburn solid waste transfer site’s tipping floor. a public hearing at the Priest River Event Center Tuesday, April 27. accumulate the funds, Household Hazard Waste is contracted with waste The bond would be solid waste director Bob building is inoperable. management in Arlingused to pay back a loan Howard said. He added Concrete retaining walls ton, Ore., until 2023. from USDA Rural Develthat the solid waste deat the Idaho Hill and Ferguson says the opment, which would be partment hauled 43,000 Dickensheet sites need to county has considered paid back in 10-15 years, tons of garbage in 2020. be repaired, as well as other disposal alternaaccording to the BonIn the Bonner County other site improvements, tives, such as taking ner County Solid Waste 2019 Capital Improveand the Dufort site solid waste to other webpage. The interest ments Plan, prepared by needs to be expanded to landfills like Missoula, rate on the loan would Great West Engineering accommodate the debut that it’s too far for a be an estimated 1.75%, of Boise, the Idaho Hill, mand. The county hopes direct haul. The county but that is not for certain Dufort, Dickensheet and to start construction in could build a landfill, until contractor bidding Colburn solid waste sites summer 2022. but finding the right is finished for the projects are identified as need“It’s shocking that site, permitting, developnext year. ing significant repair or people don’t know where ment and maintenance County officials say replacement. it goes once they drop of a new landfill is cost that the bond would not According to the plan, it in the (garbage) can,” prohibitive. Ferguson come with a fee increase the Colburn site’s tipBonner County Commis- added that additional and that solid waste fees ping floor is undersized, sioner Jeff Connelly said, recycling would not will remain the same the run-off is not fully adding that the county provide enough volume until the county recontained, traffic flow in spent $3.5 million last reduction to positively examines the matter in and around the facilyear in handling solid impact the county’s 2030. Without a loan it ity is poor, the building waste. solid waste stream. will take several years to is dilapidated and the Currently, the county “This addresses the

COURTESY PHOTO|SPENCER FERGUSON

situations in front of us and I feel like we have a good product,” Connelly said of solid waste services. “If (the bond) does fail, we can reduce the value of the loan and try again, or the nuclear option is to raise rates and look at dropping them once projects are done. There’s an emergency levy option, but I hope we never have to face that.” Another public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, May 11, 5:30 p.m. at the Blanchard Community Center. For more information, go to www.bonnercountyid. gov/departments/SolidWaste.

UTILITY: PUD will be asked for proposal to be discussed June 7 FROM PAGE 1

“Opening the lines of communication is very important. That’s how you get transparency,” councilman Mark Zorica said. Gentle and Pelleberg explained that if the city decided to forgo electricity services from the PUD, the infrastructure that is currently in place within the city limits would be purchased at fair market value, not necessarily ripped out as PUD general manager Colin Willenbrock said in The Miner last week. Gentle said she has completed nearly 10 similar projects where a municipality has decided to terminate a contract, or a contract has expired, and in none of those cases was the infrastructure removed. Entities across the United States are having the same discussions about their utility options, Gentle said. “This isn’t unique to Newport,” she said. A utility, such as the PUD, provides four different aspects of a load service, Gentle explained: regulatory and balancing authority, which is regulated by the federal government; a distribution system, which includes linemen who rectify power outages; power supply, where the power actually comes from; and the Energy Independence Act, renewable energy and carbon free energy. “This is all bundled from the PUD. They don’t talk

about these separately,” Gentle said. While the PUD does provide all of these aspects to residents and businesses in the city of Newport, they subcontract with various entities such as Avista, the Bonneville Power Administration, Seattle City Light and, most recently, Shell America. The city could do something similar and develop contracts for each of these parts of power production and maintenance. They could contract with Avista for power, and with the PUD for linemen, for example. Pelleberg and Gentle have been working on this issue for some time now. They explained Monday night that they did an analysis of what it would require for Newport to form its own utility and they believe the city could do it better than the PUD. “We know we can provide a better service at a better rate,” Pelleberg said, without explaining exactly how. “That information will come out,” he said. The council raised some concerns. Zorica asked what would happen if the city moved forward with the vote and for some reason it didn’t work out. “We can always negotiate a new franchise agreement,” Gentle said. Concerns over rising power costs and the future of the PUD were raised. “The PUD used to have the cheapest rates around. But it’s rising. And there’s no end in sight,” Pelleberg

said. Gentle warned that if the PUD ceased to exist and another entity took it over, the city would be at the mercy of that entity. “Do you want control over your destiny?” Gentle asked the council. “I can certainly see where your local residents would say ‘why didn’t you come to us?’” Zorica also asked about the risk of litigation. “It seems like the PUD is always in litigation,” he

said. McAloon explained that the city has every right to pursue its own utility. Monday’s discussion was a broad overview of the city’s options. Talks will continue. “(It will be) quite an educational experience for everyone involved,” Pelleberg said. “We’re going to have those deep down granular conversations,” Gentle explained. The city’s current power

load, in an average year, is 9.4 aMWh. Of that, 2.3 aMWh is residential, 2.31 is commercial and 4.85 is industrial. The industrial entities in the city of Newport include Safron, formerly known as Zodiac, an aeronautical factory located behind McDonalds; Krambu, located in the former Pend Oreille Playhouse building on Union, just west of Safeway’s gas station, and a block chain facility across Highway 2 from Audrey’s Restaurant.

OBITUARI ES Stephen A. Tyllia COEUR D’ALENE

The fifth of seven children, Stephen A. Tyllia was born to Frank and Lu Tyllia on Nov. 2, 1955, in Colville, Wash. and passed away in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on April 5, 2021, of an apparent heart attack. He was 65. A long time Cusick resident, Steve spent the last five years in Coeur d’Alene to be closer to family. Steve had many interests including chemistry, geology, a passion for fossil hunting, paleontology – anything dinosaur. An accomplished artist in several media, he was always sketching something. An avid sports fan – the Mariners, Seahawks and Gonzaga Bulldogs lost one of their biggest fans! He had a deep love

and respect for nature and a soft spot for any cat that needed love and a place to call home. Steve loved his family most of all. He cherished family gatherings – holidays, volleyball and birthdays – any excuse to get together. As he often said, “Family is everything.” We will remember him for his soft-spoken demeanor, his kind heart, sly sense of humor; and, through all of life’s struggles, his positive attitude. Preceded in death by his parents and brothers Joe, Ed and Matt Tyllia, Steve is survived by his sisters Wanda Clark, Chattaroy, Wash.; Mary Archer, Yamhill, Ore.; Martha (Roger) Philp, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and numerous nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at Newport Cemetery, Newport, Wash., May

14, 2021, at 11 a.m. Sherman-Campbell Funeral & Cremation Services in Newport is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guestbook at shermancampbell.com.

Alan D. Jones CUSICK

Pastor Alan D. Jones (96) of Cusick, Wash., passed away Tuesday, May 4 at Newport Community Hospital. A Graveside Service will be held Wednesday, May 12 at 11 a.m. at the Newport Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from noon to 5 p.m. at the funeral home. A full obituary will appear at a later date. Sherman-Campbell Funeral & Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.

The Newport Miner THE VOICE OF PEND OREILLE COUNTY SINCE 1901

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

www.pendoreillerivervalley.com

Volume 119, Number 20 | 2 Sections, 20 Pages $1.00

City power utility doubtful

GDS walks back feasibility; PUD, city move forward on franchise agreement ates. “We usually give an optimistic view and a pessimistic view.” Mara said the presentation given in May was only optimistic and there are too many unknowns to determine how feasible a city utility would be. “While it is possible, it is difficult,” Mara said. The city’s 25-year franchise agreement with Pend Oreille Public Utility District expires in August. The agreement, which was in place decades before the formal document was signed in 1996, laid out the terms in which the PUD

BY MICHELLE NEDVED OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – After nearly nine months and close to $36,000 in attorneys fees, the firm assisting the city of Newport in the possibility of creating its own power utility, walked back the feasibility of that actually happening during a wellattended city council meeting Monday night. “Our firm did a presentation back in May,” Executive Vice President Kevin Mara said of his firm GDS and Associ-

supplies power to the city of Newport, its residents and businesses. GDS Senior Project Manager Kim Gentle, a former employee of Pend Oreille PUD, gave the presentation in May. She is married to Pend Oreille County Commissioner John Gentle, who is the county’s liaison to the city and whose cell phone was logged into the Zoom meeting. Kim Gentle was not in attendance Monday night. She had been working with city administrator Russ Pelleberg on the proposal since at least Septem-

ber of 2020, according to documents acquired by The Miner through a public records request. Pelleberg was also not in attendance at Monday night’s meeting, as he is still on paid administrative leave, pending an employment investigation. To date, the city has paid $35,621 to Van Ness Feldman, a Seattle law firm hired by Pelleberg on Nov. 10, 2020. The city has not paid GDS or Gentle directly, according to city clerk Nickole North. SEE POWER, 2A

Ponderay newsprint mill sale closes

County gets back taxes BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER

NEWPORT - The sale of the assets of the bankrupt Ponderay Newsprint Company mill were completed Monday, June 7, with Allrise Capital, Inc. paying $18.13 million to the bankruptcy trustee. Pend Oreille County received $569,418 in back taxes on the property last week, in a check hand delivered by a local title company, county Treasurer Nicole Dice said. That paid for property taxes for the second half of 2020 and the first half of 2021. As permitted by the federal Bankruptcy Judge Frederick Corbit, Allrise could assign the pur-

MINER PHOTO|DON GRONNING

Working on RV park Newport’s water operator Shea Courtney works the shovel while Dan Rankin runs the back hoe. The pair were working on putting the finishing touches on Newport’s new RV park. The plan is to have the park ready to go by rodeo weekend. The RV park will have 20 spaces with water, sewer, power and WiFi, as well as a spot for an RV host. There will also be a sewer dump on site.

SEE MILL, 9A

‘Where’s the workforce?’

Vaccinated against COVID? Check if you’ve won in lottery

Counseling services struggles finding crisis responders

$250,000 awarded weekly, $1 million drawing July 17 BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER

NEWPORT - People who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 are being entered in a state lottery for cash prizes, including a $1 million drawing that will be held July 17. Other prizes will also be awarded. It’s

all part of the effort to get more people vaccinated in the state and vaccinated people don’t have to do anything to enter. According to information on the state’s lottery website (www.walottery.com/vaccination) people who have received at least one dose of any of the three COVID-19 vaccines are

automatically entered. People must be a resident of Washington and provide proof of residency to claim the prize. The “presumptive” winners will be contacted and will have to claim the prize within 72-hours. The drawings take

BY SOPHIA ALDOUS OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – In a frustrating trend across the nation for both behavioral health providers and the people that need those services, Pend

SEE LOTTERY, 2A

Oreille County Counseling Services (POCCS) has had to make the difficult decision to cut back its 24-hour designated crisis responder (DCR) hours, due to the limited SEE COUNSELING, 10A

B R I E F LY Circle Moon opens again this Friday SACHEEN LAKE – Circle Moon Theater premieres “Frivolity, Fancy and Fun,” this week, hosted by Northwoods Performing Arts. Performances are slated for June 11-12, 15, and 17-19. Tickets are $25 per person for dinner/show, or $12 for show only. Senior and youth tickets are $10. This year, show only tickets must be purchased in advance. Dining service begins at 6:30 p.m. and the curtain opens at 7:30 p.m. For tickets/ reservations call 208-448-1294, go to www.NorthwoodsPerformingArts.com, or visit Seeber’s Pharmacy in Newport. CLASSIFIEDS Follow LIFE us on Facebook OBITUARIES

Circle Moon Theater is located on Highway 211, 3-1/2 miles north of Highway 2.

Newport Rodeo, parade on NEWPORT – The 71st edition of the Newport Rodeo is happening this year, after a year’s cancelation because of COVID-19, says Newport Rodeo Association President Ray Hanson. “We’ll have the rodeo even if the governor says we can’t have any spectators,” he told the Newport City Council Monday night. The rodeo is set for Friday and Saturday nights, June 25-26. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association

OPINION

RECORD

POLICE REPORTS

SPORTS

1B, 6B

7A, 7B, 10B

PUBLIC NOTICES

SENIOR CALENDAR

will sanction the event this year. For most of its history, the Newport Rodeo has been a PRCA rodeo. Hanson says the rodeo will be as COVID safe as possible. He says it will follow the state guidelines, which requires a written COVID plan. There will be a rodeo parade Saturday, June 26. The state won’t allow any state road closures, so the parade won’t go down Washington Avenue, Hanson said. Instead it will take the route it did a few years ago and go down Spokane Street. The state will also requires a written COVID plan for the parade. For more information on the parade and rodeo see the rodeo website at www.newportrodeo.com.

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!

NEWPORT, SELKIRK, PEND OREILLE RIVER SCHOOL SEE PAGES 2B-3B

FROM PAGE ON E

| JUNE 9, 2021

The Newport Miner Serving Pend Oreille County, WA

Michelle Nedved Publisher

Jeanne Guscott Office Manager

Natalie Babcock

Assistant Office Manager

THE NEWPORT MINER

Slow down, pay attention police chief cautions Priest River bicyclist hit by car

J. Lindsay Guscott Advertising Sales

Cindy Boober Advertising Sales

Don Gronning News Editor

BY SOPHIA ALDOUS

Sophia Aldous

OF THE MINER

Gem State Editor

Brad Thew Production

J. Louis Mullen Owner

DEADLINES

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Newport Miner, 421 S. Spokane Ave., Newport, WA. 99156.

MINER PHOTO|SOPHIA ALDOUS

Telephone: 509-447-2433 E-mail: minersubscriptions @povn.com

Published weekly by Newport Miner, Inc., 421 S. Spokane Ave, Newport, WA. 99156. Periodical Postage paid at Newport, WA.; USPS No. 384400.

A bittersweet turning point Senior Madalyn Whitford passes out roses to her family members during Cusick High School graduation at the Kalispel Pow Wow grounds Friday, June 4. The ceremony was held in the cool of the evening and so fireworks could be set off in the graduates’ honor at the end. Valedictorian was Anwyn Anderberg and Salutatorian was Kari Hays. Read Cusick teacher Ryan Markel’s graduation speech in this week’s Opinion section.

PRIEST RIVER – A man struck by a car as he was riding his electrical bike (ebike) through Priest River Friday, June 4 declined to press charges according to Priest River Police Chief Drew McLain. According to McLain, the bicyclist, a 33-yearold Priest River resident was riding his ebike on 4th Street, traveling south around 4:53 p.m. At the same time a 2004 Honda CRV driven by an 81-yearold female, also of Priest River stopped at stop sign on Jefferson Street, heading west. McLain said the motorist continued on her way and didn’t look both ways to see the bicyclist approaching. “Luckily, he was watching her and knew that she didn’t see him, so he turned right to try and avoid her and laid his bike on its side,” McLain said. “As a result, she hit him, but not hard. The bike, though, was trapped under the car.” A nearby resident saw the collision and was able to get a jack and raise the car up to retrieve the bike. The bicyclist had road rash along his arms and declined medical attention. No ambulance or other emergency services were called to the scene. McLain said that since he was the officer that responded to the scene he asked the man if he wanted to press charges against the motorist, since she was in the wrong. The man reportedly replied that he did not want to press charges, just exchange insurance information with the driver so she would pay for his ebike, which was valued around $1,600. According to McLain, Idaho is now in what is called the 100 Deadliest Days, where traffic fatalities increase from Memorial Day to Labor Day. McLain said the most common causes are aggressive, distracted and impaired driving. “There’s been a few crashes so far this year, but thankfully no fatalities in town,” McLain said. “It’s a dangerous time of year, so we’re asking people to slow down and pay more attention, so everyone can relax and enjoy the weather.”

LETTERS POLICY

By Mail: 421 S. Spokane Ave. Newport, WA 99156 By FAX: (509) 447-9222 * 24-Hours Comments or Information By Phone: (509) 447-2433

The

CONNECT WITH US

MinerOnline

The Miner Online www.pendoreillerivervalley.com FACEBOOK

www.facebook.com/MinerNews

TWITTER

www.twitter.com/MinerNews

LOTTERY: Incarcerated, out-of-state people not eligible FROM PAGE 1

place every Tuesday in June and people will be contacted the next day. The drawing for the big jackpot of $1 million is July 13. In addition to the $250,000 being given away each Tuesday, there will be merchandise prizes, like Xboxes and tickets to sporting events, for anyone 18 and older who is vaccinated. People 12-17 can win a prize of Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) units. There will be drawings for minors on June 15 and June 22. There will be 15 prizes drawn each off those days. Each prize is valued at $12,200. Other lottery drawing days are June 8, 15, 22, 29 and July 13. Winners will be contacted by

phone, or the information listed in the state’s immunization records system. If a winner misses the call, the official will leave a voicemail identifying themselves and include a detailed message on what day and time the winner must call back, except for the GET winners. The federal taxes on these awards will be paid by the state. Otherwise, winners will be responsible for all taxes. The lottery doesn’t take any responsibility for errors or omissions. Incarcerated people are not eligible, nor are out of state residents. Also, according to the lottery website, “Some vaccine providers, such as the Veteran’s Administration, the Depart-

ment of Defense, and providers administering vaccinations outside of Washington, do not enter records into the Washington State Immunization Information System. The state of Washington, Washington’s Lottery, the Department of Health, and vaccine providers are not responsible for errors or omissions related to any person’s vaccination record.” The goal of the lottery is to get more people vaccinated. About 56% of people statewide are fully vaccinated and another 8% have started vaccinations. Gov. Inslee’s goal is to get to 70% vaccinated. If that rate is reached, the state may reopen faster than the June 30 date cur-

rently set. About 36% have not been vaccinated. In Pend Oreille County, fewer people have been fully vaccinated, only 30%, with another 4% beginning vaccinations, leaving 66% without vaccinations. The death rate from COVID-19 has climbed to nine in Pend Oreille County, with 24 active cases in the last 14 days, according to figures from Northeast Tri County Health District. There is one person hospitalized with COVID-19 at Newport hospital, according to hospital spokesperson Jenny Smith. While she didn’t give an age for the person hospitalized, she said in general younger people are getting sick enough to require hospitalization.

POWER: Council members allege bullying, fear mongering FROM PAGE 1

Mara told the council Monday night that there was information in Gentle’s presentation that was based on incomplete data. He explained that when they consult with an entity and determine whether the creation of a utility would be a merger, acquisition or startup, the decision is based on an existing asset evaluation. The evaluation that was presented in May was based on Google Earth rather than actual field work. “There was not a lot of field work done,” Mara said. The forecast work done on how much electricity the city would use was not done with input from the PUD. Instead, the number of meters within the city limits were counted. “Our initial estimate was a little aggressive,” Mara said. Councilman Mark Zorica asked Mara if he and Executive Consultant Gary Saleba, who was also on the Zoom meeting, had reviewed Gentle’s information before it was presented to the city in May. Mara said he had worked on the valuation, but that he had not seen the presentation. “We would like to review it. In this case, we did not. That’s why we’re here to clarify,” Mara said. Monday night was the first time the city met with PUD officials to discuss the future of the franchise agreement.

“We aren’t quite sure how we got to where we are tonight,” PUD commission chairman Curt Knapp said after calling his own board meeting to order. “We’ve always gotten along with the city.” Knapp detailed the ways in which the PUD is a community partner and said for the “health of the PUD and the county, we’d like to get the franchise agreement approved ASAP.” He said he wanted to correct any false narratives, but admitted the PUD can always do better at transparency and communication. PUD attorney Tyler Whitney had submitted a one-page franchise agreement extension earlier Monday to city attorney Laura McAloon, with blank spots left for a timeline. Councilmen Keith Campbell and Zorica both spoke to their relationship with the PUD and gave kudos to the hard work done by the linemen, but Zorica said he would not sign anything without first reading it, referencing the extension submitted by Whitney. “Will I sign it, once I read it? Most likely yes,” he said. The PUD had submitted a list of questions to McAloon but they were not disclosed or answered at the meeting. Whitney said he did not expect answers due to the pending investigation, apparently referencing Pelleberg. Councilwoman Jami Sears told the PUD officials she felt the questions were threatening and fear mongering. “They don’t come across as very nice,” she

said. Councilman Ken Smith said he had been bullied in the past by PUD personnel, including two people who were at the meeting, but he didn’t say who. “This city for far too long has been a good ol’ boy city,” he said. “We need to be able to do our due diligence and do our job. And if that ruffles feathers … then maybe there needs to be some changes on your side,” he told the PUD commissioners. PUD general manger Colin Willenbrock said he cannot speak to bullying or fear mongering and assured the city that was not the PUD’s intention. “Our concern is on process,” he said. “The city should do due diligence.” But, he said, the sudden talk from the city about starting its own utility has caused concern for many parties, including industrial customers and creditors regarding the PUD’s bond ratings. He and Knapp both explained that the PUD needs to protect its ratepayers, and if the city created its own utility, that would result in higher rates for the rest of the county. At the end of the two-hour meeting, with 41 people listening in via Zoom, the council asked McAloon to draft a new franchise agreement for review by the council at a future workshop. DON GRONNING CONTRIBUTED TO THE REPORTING IN THIS STORY.

The NewporT ewporT MiN Ner er the Voice of PeNd oreille couNty SiNce 1901

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

www.pendoreillerivervalley.com

Volume 119, Number 25 | 2 Sections, 16 Pages

$1.00

Council begins review of PUD utility franchise By Michelle Nedved of the MiNer

NEWPORT - The Newport City Council began reviewing the franchise agreement between the city and the Pend Oreille PUD at a workshop Tuesday, July 6, following the regular council meeting. The 25-year contract expires in August and allows for the PUD to provide power utilities to the city and its residents and businesses. Former city administrator Russ Pelleberg began working with consultant Kim Gentle and a Seattlebased attorney in September 2020, researching alternatives to the PUD providing power to the

city. City attorney Laura McAloon is expected to have a draft franchise agreement for the council to consider by Aug. 30. The council will then meet Sept. 7 to discuss. McAloon advised the council they shouldn’t approve the agreement until after the PUD takes action on it. Council member Jami Sears said she would like to see the agreement written to be re-approved every two years. Council member Ken Smith said to be fiscally responsible, the contract should be written to last at least 10 years. McAloon said it is see FRANCHISE, 2A

Courtesy photo

Escaping the heat This bear was captured on video by Greg Massey, a Stratton Elementary physical education teacher in Newport. Massey put up the pool at his Priest River cabin and this bear came by and stayed for about three hours. Massey’s video is posted on YouTube and the story was picked up by newspapers around the country. He even was approached by Good Morning America, the television show. “It’s crazy how fast this spread,” Massey says.

Pend Oreille County Fair back on

Zorica questions city personnel procedures By Michelle Nedved of the MiNer

NEWPORT - Asking on behalf of city residents, city councilman Mark Zorica asked a series of questions at the beginning of the regular council meeting Tuesday, July 6, pointed at employee hiring procedures and review

processes. “Who is running the city?” Zorica asked. Mayor Shirley Sands answered currently the city is run by her, city clerk Nickole North and attorneys Laura McAloon and Kendel Froese. Newport is without a city administrator after the resignation of Russ Pelleberg, who resigned

while he was on paid administrative leave pending an employment investigation. The next step, she explained, is to advertise for a city administrator, after some adjustments are made to the job description. Sands said the advertisements should go out in

By doN groNNiNg of the MiNer

see PERSoNNEl, 2A

Miner photo|Don GronninG

Preparing for the Wall About 15 volunteers were building a walkway and handrail in preparation for the Vietnam Memorial Wall at the Newport Cemetery. It will be there July 15-19. The opening ceremony will take place at Newport Cemetery Thursday, July 15, at 10 a.m. The Fallen Banner project will also be at the cemetery July 15-19 to honor fallen veterans and the Veterans Stand Down will take place at Newport High School Saturday, July 17.

CUSICK – The Pend Oreille County Fair will be back after a year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s set for Aug. 19-22. The theme is Sew it, Grow it, Show it. In addition to the fair and rodeo there will also be a car show, magic show, horse western games and the animal market sale. As it was in 2019, the rodeo will take place Friday and Saturday nights, starting at 7:30 p.m. For years the rodeo was a Saturday night, Sunday afternoon event. Fair secretary Joyce Montgomery says the Friday night rodeo in 2019 was well received. Animal entries are due Thursday, July 15, with entries forms available on the website. The fair board has new officers this year, with Glenn Miller serving as fair chairman, Steve Kiss as vice chairman, Montgomery as secretary and Barb Cordes and Searri Shipman serving as co-treasurers. Miller has been involved with the fair board for about 18 years. He’s also been a fair exhibitor. He figures he has more than 40 years experience with the Pend Oreille County Fair. “I’ve been exhibiting since I was 12,” he says. “I used to exhibit poultry and ducks in the small animal barn. Now I’m superintendent of the small animal barn.” The county did quite a bit of work on the fairgrounds. Workers replaced the big poles for the grandstands and put in

handrails and other features. As far as events go, the car show will take place Saturday, Aug. 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. That will be the same day as the livestock sale, which will be held starting at 3 p.m. The ProWest Rodeo will take place Friday and Saturday, Aug. 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. Admission price for the rodeo is $8 for adults and $2 for kids 12 and under. Children 3 and under are admitted free. The admission price for the fair, which doesn’t include rodeo admission, is also $8 for adults, youth 6-12 $2 and children 5 and under admitted free. The three Saturdays prior to the fair are workdays, with volunteers working 9 a.m. to noon as they prepare the final touches. Saturday, Aug. 7 is a 4-H workday. Local groups provide lunch for the workers. The fair office will be open those work Saturdays, as well as the week of the fair. Exhibitor numbers and hangtags are available during office hours. Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 16-17, the office will be open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18, it will be open 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18 is a judging day and the office will be open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Aug. 20-21, it will also be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 22, it will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Miller says if any exhibitors have questions, they should contact the superintendent in charge of their category. Contact information is on the website, at www.pocfair.com and on their Facebook page.

B r i e f ly all veterans welcome at stand down

local art at the library

NEWPORT – The third annual Newport Stand Down is Saturday, July 17 at Newport High School. The event is free to all veterans and their families. Typically, stand downs include haircuts, clothing repair, food assistance, important information on housing, job opportunities, and local businesses providing services to assist veterans. opening ceremonies. Volunteers from the Hospitality House and VA staff will be assisting. VA staff will observe local and CDC health guidelines during the pandemic. Newport High School is located at 1400 W. 5th Street.

NEWPORT – Evergreen Art Association is promoting local artists at area businesses. Randy Haa’s fused glasswork can be viewed at the Newport Library from Wednesday, July 14 to Tuesday, Aug. 10. Art by Gail Cory Betz, Kerry Carraher Engbarth and Ellen Bartel will also be on display. The Newport Library is located at 116 S. Washington Avenue and is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The library is closed on Mondays.

For more information about Evergreen Art Association, go to the “Friends Who Like Evergreen Art Association” Facebook page.

come talk with commissioner gentle METALINE – Pend Oreille County Commissioner John Gentle of District 1 will be available at American Pie in Metaline on Friday, July 16, 5-6:30 p.m. American Pie has will provide lemonade and iced tea. Gentle will then move to Plaza Pizza in Ione from 7-8:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend either or both meet and greets.

classifieds

OpiniOn

recOrd

life

pOlice repOrts

spOrts

OBituaries

puBlic nOtices

BOOser

Priest river scholarshiPs Selkirk’S New PriNciPal Page 3a

The NewporT MiNer Serving Pend oreille county, wa

Michelle Nedved publisher

Jeanne Guscott Office Manager

Natalie Babcock

assistant Office Manager

J. Lindsay Guscott advertising sales

Cindy Boober advertising sales

Don Gronning news editor

Sophia Aldous Gem state editor

Brad Thew production

J. Louis Mullen Owner

DEaDLInES

lifestyle Page......................friday 12 Noon General News ...............Monday 12 Noon display advertising ...........Monday 5 p.m. classified advertising ............ Monday Noon hot Box advertising ............tuesday Noon legal Notices ....................... Monday Noon BuSInESS hOuRS 8:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. Monday-friday 421 s. spokane ave., newport, Wa. YEaRLY SuBSCRIPTIOn RaTES pend Oreille county, Wa .........$28.90 West Bonner county and spirit lake, idaho...............$28.90 Out-of-county & elk ..................$38.50 single copy ..................................... $1.00

POSTMaSTER: send address changes to newport Miner, 421 s. spokane ave., newport, Wa. 99156. telephone: 509-447-2433 e-mail: minersubscriptions @povn.com

published weekly by newport Miner, inc., 421 s. spokane ave, newport, Wa. 99156. periodical postage paid at newport, Wa.; usps no. 384400. LETTERS POLICY

We welcome letters to the editor. letters should be typed and submitted to the Miner and Gem state Miner office no later than 5 p.m. friday for publication the following Wednesday. no letter will be published unless it is signed by at least one individual, even if the letter represents the view of a group. the letter must include a telephone number and address for confirmation of authenticity. letters should be no longer than 300 words. the Miner reserves the right to edit to conform to our publication style, policy and libel laws. political letters will not be published the last issue prior an election. letters will be printed as space allows. hOw TO COnTaCT uS

By Mail: 421 s. spokane ave. newport, Wa 99156 By faX: (509) 447-9222 * 24-Hours comments or information By phone: (509) 447-2433

Our editors and writers welcome your calls to discuss issues, coverage or story ideas. news minernews@povn.com Classified ads minerclassifieds@povn.com Display ads mineradvertising@povn.com Legal ads minerlegals@povn.com Subscriptions minersubscriptions@povn.com

The

froM Page oN e

| July 14, 2021

COnnECT wITh uS

MinerOnline

the Miner Online www.pendoreillerivervalley.com faceBOOK

www.facebook.com/Minernews

tWitter

www.twitter.com/Minernews

the newport Miner

Clocks a better hobby for Newport man By doN groNNiNg of the MiNer

NEWPORT – Terry Little likes clocks. It’s his hobby. “I was in my 60s before I knew I could have a hobby,” Little says outside his Newport apartment building. For a good part of his life, his hobby was drinking. He hasn’t had a drink in nearly 20 years now. “When you have a bad habit, it takes over everything,” he says. A couple years ago, long after he’d quit drinking, he was winding a friend’s grandfather clock in Newport and broke it. When he went to find a clock to replace it, he also found a cuckoo clock he liked in a second hand store in Priest River. “They wanted $75 for it,” he says. “I offered them $50 and they said all right.” He bought it and the next thing he knew he was researching the cuckoo clock. He found out it was made in the 1950s in West Germany. “It’s older than I am,” he says from his tidy apartment in Newport, where every hour, the cuckoo makes a sound. The clock brought back memories of his grandmother, who had a cuckoo clock. When he was a youngster in Spokane, he used to stay in Hillyard with his grandmother on

weekends. “I’d be at my grandmother’s and listen to the train whistle in the distance and the cuckoo clock,” Little remembers. “I’d always wanted one.” He decided to keep buying cocks. He discovered one of the clocks he acquired was made by Gustav Becker, one of the most accomplished West German clockmakers of the mid to late 1800s. Becker won the “Medaille d’Or” for design at the 1852 Silesia Trade Exposition in Silesia, Germany. His clocks became known for their quality workmanship and hand carved cases. Little has a couple Becker clocks. “At first I thought the West Germans made the best clocks,” he says. “But it’s really the Swiss who are known for making the best.” After getting the cuckoo clock, Little kept buying clocks he liked. He probably has a half dozen of them now. He has some on his wall, some in the closet, some in the kitchen. Some are in great condition and ready to sell, if he wanted to part with them, like the $1,500 desk clock he has in his bedroom. Others he’s working on restoring. He doesn’t particularly care if he sells them or not, he just likes having them and working on them. Little came to Newport

‘i’d be at my grandmother’s and listen to the train whistle in the distance and the cuckoo clock. “i’d always wanted one.’ Terry little

clock afficiando

Miner photo|Don GronninG

Terry little winds one of his old clocks. little started collecting and repairing clocks as a hobby about two years ago.

more than 20 years ago from Spokane. He had grown up in a family with seven children, a middle child. He had trouble sitting still in school, what would be called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) now. He left school in the third grade, before learning to read. “I taught myself,” he says. When he was about 14, he used to go hang out with the hobos in Hillyard. “They would drink wine and pass it around,” Little says, including to him. It was his first experience with drinking. Little, 66, has worked at a variety of jobs throughout his life, from taking people horseback riding, to janitorial work to gardening. He worked for the City of Spokane for a while. But eventually, alcohol addiction took over. He became estranged from his siblings, lost jobs and

more. “Drinking led me to be homeless,” he says. “I was basically a transient.” He was still drinking when he first arrived in Newport. “I was running from myself and a drinking problem,” he says. In Newport, he started to come to grips with the problems alcohol had caused him and his loved ones. “Drinking like that doesn’t just affect you, it affects your family,” he says. “For 20 or 30 years, my brothers wouldn’t talk to me.” So he decided to quit. “Basically, I was tired of all the pain in my life,” Little says. He says quitting alcohol meant realizing he had to take responsibility for his actions, that they had consequences. Once he fully realized that, he decided to quit. It wasn’t exactly a straight line to sobriety but close.

After he quit drinking, he would still find himself at the store buying beer. “I would go buy beer and bring it home and think about it and end up pouring it down the sink,” he says. “I did that for a couple of weeks.” That was nearly 20 years ago. He considers himself spiritual, although not steeped in religion. Little is a survivor. He was diagnosed with lung cancer several years ago and after undergoing radiation treatment, has been in remission for a number of years. He can be seen in Newport riding his bicycle around town. He was willing to tell his story for this article, to talk about and show his clocks, of course, but also to let people know they can change, that it is possible to recover from addiction. He’s living proof of that.

fraNchise: froM Page 1

typical for a franchise agreement to be written for longer terms, but the council can review it whenever they like. And it can be written so the city can research other options and ask voters if they want the city to start its own utility. The council reviewed the current contract, approved in 1996, that expires in August. McAloon said she would like to start a new contract from scratch, as much of the verbiage is

outdated. PUD Attorney Tyler Whitney has also been working on revising the current franchise agreement. Sears asked what issues the city has had with the current agreement with the PUD. “As far as I know, it’s been fine,” McAloon said. Mayor Shirley Sands said there hasn’t been a problem, that the city and the PUD work jointly on a lot of things.

Courtesy photo

Ready for a story? Shianne Mason, 8, reads to cats at Priest River Animal Rescue (PRAR). Mason volunteers at the shelter with her mom, Chelcy, and reads to the cats and socializes them while Chelcy works. “She knows everything about every cat there,” Chelcy says. “She’s actually helped with quite a few adoptions because she can give people lots of details on individual animals.” For more information about PRAR, go to www.pranimalrescue.org.

PersoNNel: froM Page 1

the next couple of weeks. Zorica asked what the procedure is to hire a city employee. North explained that full-time positions are advertised in the local newspapers, including The Miner, The Beacon and the Spokesman-Review, on AWC Job Net and in the case of wastewater treatment employees, a wastewater system job board. The city has hired four people in recent months, one of which was councilwoman Jami Sears who replaced Christian Meador when he moved out of the area. Two were full time positions that were advertised as explained and one was a part-time summer position. North said part-time

or summer positions are filled on a first-come, first serve basis by word of mouth, or through Rural Resources or a teenager looking for work. Those positions are not advertised, but often times the city personnel knows of someone who would be interested. Zorica asked if the city has a Human Resources Department, which North explained was her. If someone has an issue with her, they are to go to the city administrator. Since there isn’t one now, issues are to be taken to a direct supervisor. When Pelleberg became city administrator, he asked the city attorneys to review the employee handbook and update it to comply with

state, federal and the city’s policies. McAloon explained to Zorica that Pelleberg was expected to bring the handbook revisions before the council for final approval, but he didn’t. At the prior council meeting, held in June, the council, including Zorica requested a “red line” of the employee handbook, which would illustrate the changes that were made since the last time the council approved the handbook in November 2020. “When we discovered the most recent updates were not sent to the city council as required,” McAloon explained, Froese was asked to created the “red line” which will be given to the council

members this week. Zorica asked to see the changes Pelleberg had made to the handbook, questioning why those changes were not readily available. McAloon explained that Pelleberg did not make any changes to the handbook; instead he asked for the attorneys to update the handbook to comply with state, federal and local laws. Those updates were made and approved by Pelleberg, instead of going before the council as required. “There have been multiple revisions to the handbook (since November 2020),” McAloon said. “What we realized is that not all of the edits went before the council. That is what Kendel is working on.”

At the last council meeting in June, Froese was directed to deliver a red-line version before the second meeting in July, which will be held on July 19. McAloon said the red-line was expected to be in council members’ hands by July 7. Zorica’s final question was regarding personnel reviews. North said the previous city attorney, Tom Metzger, did away with regular personnel reviews. Zorica asked why Pelleberg was given an evaluation. North explained that during the probation period of any new employee, reviews are given at 30 days, 60 days and one year, as explained in the employee handbook, approved by the council.

Viewpoint

| July 14, 2021

our opinion

ThE minER

leTTe rS poliCy We welcome letters to the editor. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. Letters should be typed and submitted to The Miner office no later than 5 p.m. Friday for publication the following Wednesday. No letter will be published unless it is signed by at least one individual, even if the letter represents the view of a group. The letter must include a telephone number and address for authentication. The Miner reserves the right to edit letters. Political letters will not be published the last issue before an election. Letters will be printed as space allows.

Utility exploration waste of time, money

t’s been nearly a year since now-former city administrator Russ Pelleberg began working with consultants and attorneys, spending more than $35,000 of taxpayer money - appropriations approved by the city council and mayor whether they knew it or not - in an effort to find a better alternative to the Pend Oreille PUD providing power services to the city, its residents and businesses. It will be a full year since that work began before the city council has a draft of what its members would like to see in the franchise agreement between the city and the PUD. The council just began asking questions of city attorney Laura McAloon last week, about what is in the current franchise agreement that was approved 25 years ago this August. Kim Gentle, the consultant that Pelleberg began discussions with in September 2020, presented to the council in April a rather optimistic view of what the city going it alone would look like, a sentiment her bosses at GDS and Associates walked back during a council meeting in May, the same meeting where the PUD suggested the council approve a new franchise agreement that basically extends the current one. Council members at that May meeting expressed exacerbation at the audacity of the PUD to expect them to approve a contract without reading it. Council members also reiterated it was their due diligence to pursue any and all possibilities for power utilities in the city of Newport. We agree. If there is the, albeit slim, chance there’s a better alternative than the PUD, we want the council to pursue it. And a 25-year contract is a big deal, one that should be considered carefully with the city’s best interests in mind. But that is not what has happened. Instead, city administrator Russ Pelleberg pursued an unrealistic and lofty plot to work around open conversation and negotiations, with little to no communication with the council, the mayor, the public or the PUD. Why anyone thought a contract with Avista, or the city creating and staffing its own utility, or any of the other pipe-dream options presented by Pelleberg and Gentle would actually work is beyond us. But what’s really grating is that the council, it seems, hadn’t even read the current franchise agreement until last week. They haven’t written down their thoughts and goals on what they would like in a franchise agreement to share with their attorney until a brief discussion last Tuesday. It seems councilman Mark Zorica has put more thought into pointed questions about employee policies that he approved than he has about power utilities. We agree the PUD took the contract with the city for granted. We agree that the list of 25 questions submitted to the council by the PUD was both patronizing and unnecessary. But we also think the city’s approach to blindsiding the PUD with a press release announcing their pursuing alternatives to the PUD as unprofessional and underhanded. We’re relieved that since the honest conversation between the council, PUD commissioners and staff and GDS and Associates - sans Pelleberg and Gentle in May, both entities seem to be on the correct path of honestly negotiating the agreement between the city of Newport and the Pend Oreille PUD. Sometimes the status quo really is the best option. Hopefully, moving forward, we can remember we’re all part of the same community. Let’s act like it. -MCN

COVID losses trivialized by Inslee’s remarks by Sen. Shelly ShorT

Over the last 16 months, each one of us has suffered through the endless chaos and uncertainty of COVID-19 and the seemingly endless monarchical restrictions that have affected every facet of our lives. Quite frankly, putting what I’m thinking into words is difficult without getting emotional. We’ve all borne witness personally in some way – sick and dying loved ones (not just from COVID); economic insecurity; the effect of long-term isolation from family, friends, church and helping each other in time of need; loss of personal freedom; watching individuals and families struggle with job loss or the collapse of their businesses; watching our children wrestle with isolation from school, teachers and friends; and, increased depression, anxiety and suicide ideation. So it was particularly appalling when the governor, who in responding to Q13 Fox reporter Brandi Kruse’s recent question regarding emergency powers reform, said, “I’m not sure I want to reform a system that won the Super Bowl.” Perhaps the governor meant his comment to be funny and clever. Instead, his comment was offensive sEE short, 5A

we b Com m e nTS We welcome comment on select stories on our web site. You may comment anonymously. We will review comments before posting and we reserve the right to omit or edit comments. If you want to comment only to our writers and editors, let us know that you do not want your comment published.

yo u r o p i n i o n helpful angels among us To the editor, I want to thank several very kind ladies who ran to my rescue in crossing Washington Avenue when I was experiencing some physical distress. Thanks to Mrs. Monk who took me to my appointment and the very helpful staff at Denise Stewart’s office. Also thanks to a most gracious lady who brought me home after my appointment. In spite of all the bad and discouraging news and comments about our world, there are helpful angels among us. Thanks to all of you for making my day. -Faith McClenny Newport

how is abortion different from slavery? To the editor, Regarding the current discussion of abortion, I would like to weigh in: As most people hold their beliefs firmly, and will not be swayed by a political or religious argument for life, I propose that the abortion argument should be considered a civil and human rights issue. We are horrified by the history of slavery, and of the current problem with human trafficking (modern-day slavery). There were those during the Civil War who hotly defended slavery as good for the country. Black people and Native Americans were legally seen as only partially human, thus had no intrinsic value, and could be bought, sold, abused and killed at will. It is hard for us today to imagine this kind of inhumanity. In the same way, many today consider an unborn

baby as only partially human, with no rights. How is this different from slavery? Scientists have known for years that life begins at conception. Even the single-cell embryo has all the genetic material present of a complete human being. The fact that the DNA is completely unique, proves that the child is not “a woman’s own body.” The child in the womb is a precious, innocent life, which should be afforded all the civil and human rights we afford to the most vulnerable of us in society. Looking back at our history, no one now disputes the civil rights of Blacks, Native Americans, and those with disabilities. Will we someday look back, and be horrified at how we blatantly withheld the rights of the pre-born? -Karen Campbell Usk

Country in a downhill slide To the editor, This is about athletes kneeling during the National Anthem. It really upsets me. They show disrespect for the flag, and actually for America. It’s an absolute disrespect to war veterans. I used to be a die-hard football fan, but when they kneeled, not anymore. I see America in a downhill slide, socially, and morally. It’s even OK to riot, break into stores, loot, blockade streets, even to kill, etc. It seems like more and more people want something for nothing and our government under Joe Biden is sure doing it. Unfortunately, under Joe Biden, we are becoming a socialist country. Now there is even a plan in the White House to tax the assets of

reAde r’S poll Visit The Miner Online to answer our readers’ poll question through Monday afternoon. Find it on the right-hand side of the page at www.pendoreillerivervalley.com. The results will be printed next week on this page. You need not be a subscriber to participate. If you have any ideas for future readers’ poll questions, submit them at minernews@povn. com.

American champion sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson tested positive for marijuana and was suspended 30 days and will not be allowed to compete in the 2021 Olympics, which start July 23. She said the stress of losing her biological mother combined with the pressure of competing contributed to her using marijuana. Should Sha’Carri Richardson have been prohibited from competing in the Olympics for marijuana use? Yes, she knew the rules and what was at stake. No, marijuana is not a performance enhancing drug.

older people when they die. I call it the death tax. Look it up. Biden now wants the government to go door to door to get people vaccinated. However, with his open border policy the illegals just walk into the USA and he’s not concerned about them being vaccinated. Hard to believe we have someone that stupid in the White House. Trump said “America first.” Biden believes illegals first. He will need all of the illegal votes he can get! I was going to turn all my guns over to the government; but when I did a background check and none of them were mentally stable I kept my guns. -Curtis Bedore Blanchard

Glad to have a president with a heart To the editor, I read the letter that our right wing letter writer continues to write on a weekly basis (‘Biden doesn’t get it’ Curtis Bedore, June 30), outside of my house so my husband would not hear me yelling swear words as I read this latest insanity. We all know that you love Trump and all that he stands for. (Trump) sickens me. He has taken so many lives by his ignorance and failure to acknowledge COVID and the dangers it took on the world. Lives were lost when he encouraged his crazy followers to storm the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. That day will never be forgotten. He was thrilled when this happened. The rest of the world was shocked and horrified as people died and their lives were threatened. What kind of dumb person can

continue to support this kind of craziness and the people that refuse to do anything about it? You seem to love the ideas that Democrats came up with years ago, and so do the white supremacists. You have a computer or access to the internet. Check these things out, and find out what is really happening. Mr. Bedore, you never fail to amaze me at your ability to get things all wrong. I am so glad we have a president who can talk simple words and has a heart and cares about the other people and even those that are on the other side of the aisle. Take some time, and go on the internet and find out what you are talking about before you write another insane letter. -Jeannie Hutchins Newport

CoVid and natural selection To the editor, Presently over 99% of the people that are dying because of COVID-19 are unvaccinated. The majority of present infections are caused by the more virulent delta strain. The people that think it is all a hoax, it never was a threat in our isolated area, the vaccine is dangerous, and on and on are the people at risk. The longer they remain unvaccinated, the more opportunity the virus has to mutate as it spreads and potentially becomes lethal. In terms of natural selection it is very, very interesting. -John Kinney Metaline Falls sEE letters, 5A

r e A d e r ’ S p o l l r e S u lT S Should collegiate student athletes be allowed to earn money from their sports?

59%

41%

No. An education is compensation enough.

Total votes: 17

Yes, the NSCAA makes millions off student athletes.