Lake life april 2017

Presorted Standard | US Postage Paid Newport, WA | Permit No. 18 | ECRWWS

Celebrating Life at Diamond Lake and Sacheen Lake Volume 6, Issue 1

High Water on Diamond Lake

April 2017

Stay Safe on the Water

Locals on Honor Flight

EDITOR’S NOTE

W The market changes.

Are you prepared?

Anthony C Newcomb Financial Advisor

e just re-read last year’s Editor’s Note from the April issue of Lake Life.

Boy things are different this year. Last year’s talked about how warm it was outside, feeling more like June than April.

This year, April feels more like March. Opening of lowland lake fishing season on Saturday, April 22, was too cold for good fishing. Plenty of people still came out, but numbers were definitely down.

With a cooler spring and super wet winter, the ground is soft and water levels are high. We start this issue of Lake Life with a story about water levels on Diamond Lake that are reminiscent of 2012, when a no wake zone was implemented to save property.

Bob Lutz, our resident climatologist at Sacheen Lake explains why it’s so wet out there, and promises to tell us next month if we can expect more of this, or if we’ll actually get some warm temperatures anytime soon.

We hope you enjoy Lake Life.

-MCN

.

7407 N Division St Suite E Spokane, WA 99208 509-468-5290 www.edwardjones.com

Member SIPC

PRECISION PROPELLER, INC Darren • Colton Ph. • (509) 489-7765 1-800-735-6318 Fax • (509) 489-7766 5626 N. Freya Spokane, WA 99217 www.precisionpropco.com

Factory Authorized Propeller Service All Makes Heliarc Welding Michigan Distributor Jet Impeller Repair Fully Certified by NMPA Meeting Your Propeller Needs Since 1962

Keep it Local

Diagnostic Specialists Service for ALL makes and models Deisels

Published: April 2017 Publisher: Michelle Nedved Writers & editors: Don Gronning and Sophia Aldous Advertising: Lindsay Guscott, Cindy Boober and Micki Brass LAKE LIFE is published monthly in April, May, June, July and August as a supplement to The Newport Miner and Gem State Miner, 421 S. Spokane, Newport WA 99156.

TELEPHONE: 509-447-2433 E-MAIL: minernews@povn.com, mineradvertising@povn.com FAX: 509-447-9222

Reproduction of articles & photographs is prohibited without permission of the Publisher.

The Miner Online: www.pendoreillerivervalley.com

If you want to receive Lake Life in your mail contact The Miner at 509-447-2433.

Diamond Lake Deli & More, LLC • ICE cold beer • Ice • • TAKE & BAKE PIZZA W E • Broasted Chicken • N (Call & Order)

Non Ethonol Gasoline Fishing Licenses • Tackle

Open 7-7 Daily 325182 Hwy 2. Diamond Lake 208-448-0112 • 40 High St., Priest River • Mon-Fri: 8-5 PAGE 2

See all issues at:

About the cover Courtesy photo|Lauren Molitor

Lauren Molitor jogs along the road around Diamond Lake in the early morning spring sun. Molitor and her husband, Chris, make frequent visits to Diamond Lake for relaxation and recreation. See more Diamond Lake photos on Molitor’s blog at www.thepnwblonde.com.

509•447•3886

April Lake Life

Local lakes contemplate ‘No Wake’ zones

By Sophia Aldous Of The miner

DIAMOND LAKE – With plenty of snow and spring run off, residents on local lakes, particularly Diamond Lake and Sacheen Lake, are contemplating No Wake Zones. Some are in favor and some are against. The final decision rests in the hands of the Pend Oreille County Commissioners and Pend Oreille County Sheriff, but neither is in a rush to make a decision, says Pend Oreille County Commissioner Karen Skoog.

“There have been no official votes on it, though we’ve heard from both sides regarding the issue,” says Skoog. “We’ll most likely wait to make any decision after Friday’s town hall meeting.”

A Town Hall meeting will be held with Pend Oreille County Commissioners at the Boat Launch Restaurant in Diamond Lake Friday, April 28, at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend and address the No Wake Zone issue, as well as other See high water, 16A Miner photoS|Don Gronning

“No wake” signs stand ready at the Diamond Lake boat launch should county commissioners give the go ahead for a No Wake Zone. There is a public meeting with commissioner Friday, April 28, at 7 p.m. at the Boat Launch Restaurant at Diamond Lake to discuss wake zones.

April Lake Life

PAGE 3

ABR, CRS, GRI, SRS, SRES

SOLD! SOLD!

I take “For Sale”

to SOLD!!

DIAMOND LAKE: This Gorgeous 3 Bed, 3 Bath Craftsman Home offers a Guest House, a Gorgeous 100 FT FLAT Sandy Beach, 24 x 24 Shop, Gourmet Kitchen, Privacy & Sunset Views. By appt, please.

MLS# 201714563

DIAMOND LAKE: This 5 Bed, 2 Bath home sits on a 50 FT Sandy Beach, Gourmet Kitchen, Large Master Suite, Private Dock, Hot tub, Trex Decks, Parking & more. Priced to sell at $385,000 MLS# 201711916

DIAMOND LAKE: This 3 Bed, 1 Bath home offers unobstructable lake & sunset views!

Enjoy a Remodeled & Kitchen & Bathroom, a garage, Fenced back yard & more.

Priced to sell, $249,000 MLS# 201711542

DIAMOND LAKE: Great 2 Bed Home, Boat Slip, Beach Access. $129,000. MLS# 201712909

DIAMOND LAKE: Bring your builder! This is one of the last FLAT LOTS left on the lake! 50 FT, Boat Dock, Located in great “no wake” bay. Price to sell. MLS# 201624555

PEND OREILLE RIVER: Great MH on Riverbend Loop in Cusick with privacy galore!

This nice, deep lot offers 3/4 of an acre.

Mature trees, Dock. Ready for summer fun or bring your builder! MLS# 201627173

Coming soon: Primary Waterfront Homes on Newman Lake, Sacheen Lake & the Pend Oreille River Looking for a completely private hunting paradise? This 40 acre parcel has a hunting cabin & wildlife galore! Contact Shannon for more details on these properties.

See these listings & other WATERFRONT properties at:

www.WANT-WATERFRONT.com

PAGE 4

Scan this QR code to see my inventory

Master Gardener Plant Sale April 29 The 19th annual WSU/ Pend Oreille County Master Gardener Plant Sale will be held Saturday, April 29, at the Stratton Elementary School Gymnasium at 1201 W. Fifth St. in Newport. Doors will open at 9 a.m. and the sale will go until noon or until plants are sold out, whichever comes first.

Master Gardeners have put their plant growing expertise and enthusiasm to good use this late winter and early spring to bring only the best and healthiest plants to this sale. There will be veggie starts, herbs, annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, and berries for sale.

Master Gardeners have also been busy gathering donations from the community for a raffle. Tickets for the raffle will be sold all morning the day of the sale – $1 each.

Participants do not have to be present to win. The winning tickets will be drawn the morning of the sale.

Proceeds from this plant sale will be used to fund a long list of Master Gardener educational projects including plant clinics, the garden tour and dinner, the new demonstration garden located just west of the WSU/Pend Oreille County Extension Office, SNAP Ed schoolyard programs at all County elementary schools, and other educational and gardening programs, classes, and displays for the residents of Pend Oreille County.

For further information concerning the plant sale or other gardening programs contact the WSU Extension Office in Newport at 227-A S. Garden Avenue, 509-447-2401.

April Lake Life

WEATHER BABBLE

Winter Review Record setting rainfall in Pend Oreille County

By Bob Lutz Climatologist, Sacheen Lake

SACHEEN LAKE – Do you feel a bit like a duck, with a web-like material growing between your toes, and an overwhelming sense that you should trade your wheeled vehicle in for some sort Lutz of an amphibious vessel? Well, you are not alone!

This unusually wet spring of course is coming in right after an extremely active fall and winter season making some of us wonder if this coast-like weather will ever come to an end!

Now for those that follow the Weather Babble on a regular basis, the weather of the past few months should have come as no surprise as we were indeed expecting a rather active winter. There were however a couple surprises thrown into the mix by Ma Nature just to keep us on our webbed toes.

The first being the record rainfall that pounded the area in October.

We saw totals come in just shy of 10 inches for the month, shattering all-time monthly records all over the region.

That same moist and mild Pacific pattern also flooded the area with unseasonably warm air, which served to delay the onset of the first accumulating snows by several weeks.

Arctic air finally began to invade the area in early December, and with the already saturated soil and lack of snow cover, we saw ice penetrate into the ground faster and April Lake Life

deeper than a ground squirrel on steroids. Once the snowflakes began to fall in mid December, it was game on.

Waves of Arctic air then collided with numerous Pacific disturbances, generating the start of what turned out to be a rather deep low elevation snowpack. This snowpack also became rather dense and moisture-laden due to the lack of any significant melting throughout the winter months.

When some rains finally arrived later in the season, the ground acted like a gigantic freezer. This resulted in our second surprise of the winter, which was near record icing. In fact, the ground ice was some of the worst and longest lasting I have seen in years. This made for an extended period of tough “human” travel as some of us had difficulties remaining totally upright when walking around outdoors. In our neighborhood, a few of us even turned our tractor buckets into jackhammers and deicer spreaders in order to combat the slimy surface.

That deep ground ice was also slow to melt, and that combined with more record rain and deep snow packs a

few weeks ago resulted in some rather unusual early flooding along with numerous landslides.

The snow totals for the winter season, while certainly not record-breaking, were the heaviest we have seen in some five years. Totals in the lower elevation snow-belt regions came in at around 105 inches, with well over 100 percent of normal snowpack in the surrounding mountains.

As for the combined liquid precipitation totals, (rain and melted snow) it should come as no surprise that this too shattered all-time records. For the meteorological water year, which begins Oct 1, we here in south Pend Oreille County have waded through an unprecedented 34.37 inches of moisture for the six month period ending March 31.

In the next issue of Weather Babble, I’ll let you know whether or not you should follow-up with that amphibious vehicle purchase, or if you should stock up on the sunscreen for the summer season. In the meantime …

Stay dry!

You can follow Lutz online at www.climatehawk.org.

G&M Boat & RV Storage

n r e L h akes t r o N Dock & Barge

Kevin Hansen (208) 428-0505 • (208) 290-2319

DOCKS - NEW & REBUILD PILE DRIVING WATER FRONT ENHANCEMENT RIPRAP/ SAND & GRAVEL

92 Jorgens Rd. 509•671•2228 George Weisbarth owner

BARGE SERVICE

RCE-4625 PAGE 5

Take the home water test.

Y

N

Rusty-Red stains on sinks, lavatories, etc.

Blue-Green stains on sinks, lavatories, etc.

Soap crud ring on bathtubs, showers Rotten egg odor Soaps lose suds quickly Chrome fittings etched or being eaten away Rusty stains on clothing, linens, etc.

Excessive spotting of dishes and silverware Black stains on silverware Tastes and/or odors in drinking water

If you answered “YES” to one or more of these questions, call “The Water Professionals” at Fogle Pump & Supply!

We’re the water problem solvers!

WHO TO CONTACT Pend Oreille County Website: pendoreilleco.org

Commissioners 509-447-4119 District 1: Chairwoman Karen Skoog (2020) District 2: Member Mike Manus (2018) District 3: Vice Chairman Steve Kiss (2020) Four-year terms Annual salary: $53,945.28 P.O. Box 5025, Newport, WA 99156 Board meets every Monday and Tuesday at 9 a.m. in commissioners’ office, main floor of the courthouse.

Public Works Department 509-447-4513 Fax: 509-447-5890 Director of Public Works: Sam Castro • Road Division, 509-4474513 P.O. Box 5040, Newport, WA 99156 • Solid Waste Division, 509447-4513 P.O. Box 5041, Newport WA 99156

Board of Equalization 509-447-2712 Fax: 509-447-0595 P.O. Box 5018, Newport WA 99156 Board: Margie Fedderly, Mary Cates, Richard Miller, Bob Sanborn, alternative Clerk: Rhonda Cary

Community Development Department 509-447-4821 • Planning Commission John Stuart, Norris Boyd, Donald Comins, Dan Mueller, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Dennis See CONTACT, 14 PAGE 6

April Lake Life

Follow rules for a safe burn season

By Mike Nokes, Fire Chief South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue

This time of year the most common question I get is “can I burn?”

The answer is yes and if you follow the rules listed below you will have a safe burn season.

• Call 1-800Nokes 323-burn before you burn to make sure the burn season is still open, and call Pend Oreille Fire Dispatch at 4473151 Ext. 2 to inform them you’re burning so they do not send fire resources to check on your burn pile.

• Burn one pile at a time no larger than 10 feet x 10 feet

in Pend Oreille County during Department of Natural Resources Rule Burn Oct. 16 through June 30; 4 feet x 4 feet x 3 feet July 1 through Oct. 15 when burn season is open.

• Only natural vegetation may be burned.

• Burn barrels are illegal.

• Never leave your fire unattended.

• Do not burn when it is windy.

• Always have a water source available to extinguish the fire.

• Always ensure the fire is out and cold to the touch.

If you are burring bigger piles, more than one at a time, or land clearing you must contact DNR and get a permit to burn from DNR

before you burn.

If you have a fire get away from you, do not wait to call 911. Most people try to extinguish the fire themselves first. Take the 30 seconds to call 911 and get help coming. We would much rather get there and have you tell us you put the fire out, then let the fire grow for 10 minutes while someone tries to put it out. The sooner fire resources get there the less likely we are to have a large fire in our area.

If you have any questions on burning, or if you would be interested in serving your community as a member of the volunteer fire district please contact me at 509447-5305, or online at www. spofr.org.

How do I know if the Hull Identification Number needs to be replaced?

The vast majority of vessels registered in Washington have HIN numbers that comply with the new Coast April Lake Life

Guard standards. If your vessel’s HIN does not comply with the new standard, the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) already sent you a letter in late March with instructions.

Individuals who received this notification will not be able to register, renew or title a vessel until the HIN is updated. A vessel with a

Just west of Downtown Spokane

Exit 276 from 1-90

4201 S Grove Rd, Spokane 509-747-1862 www.westsideracing.com

New federal standards for hull identification number for vessels The United States Coast Guard is beginning to enforce a new federal standard that may require about 19,000 Washington vessel owners to change the Hull Identification Number (HIN) on their vessels. The HIN is a unique identifier for each vessel. The U.S. Coast Guard is making these changes to: • Improve boating safety efforts • Enhance law enforcement capabilities • Promote the US Coast Guard’s strategic goals of maritime safety and security.

The Inland Northwest’s Premier Powersport Dealer

*TM and the BRP logo are trademarks of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its affiliates

noncompliant HIN cannot be renewed online. Vessel owners who were not notified by mail can renew normally.

How do I get a new HIN? If the HIN on your vessel does not conform to the new federal standards, you must visit a Vehicle Licensing Office. The office will See ID, 10

Floors & More, Inc. Water Clean-Up • Dry Out • Restore Kevin Johnson • 24/7 Emergency Service 208-255-9580 Idaho RCE-12308 • Washington FLOORM197431

Dick Bockemuehl

Waterfront Specialist 509 951-4390 dickb@21waterfront.com www.parade-of-lakes.com www.21waterfront.com

Pend Oreille & Bonner County Waterfront Specialist PAGE 7

Cold weather makes slow ope

Lake Life photo|Don Gronning

Above: The boat launch at Diamond Lake got used on opening day Saturday, April 22. Below: Wildlife officials talk with fishermen Saturday. According to the creel count by WDFW, 27 anglers caught 35 fish on opening day at Diamond Lake. There were likely more fish than that caught, but that’s what officials counted. They said fishing was slower than most openers because of the late spring.

Lake Life photo|Don Gronning

Right: Tom Fredenberg of Sacheen Lake shows off some rainbows he caught at Diamond Lake on power eggs.

T

he opening day of the fishing seaso saw anglers taking fish out of Diam and Sacheen Lakes, but because of cold, wet winter, fishing was slow opening day, says Madonna Luers of the Washingto Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“That means there’s a lot of good fishing ahead of us,” she said. Opening day this ye was more like March. Some veteran fishers have stayed away knowing it was a little ea for a lot of action.

But there were plenty of fish planted at Diamond Lake, including 300 jumbo rainb trout released – fish a pound or larger. The were 21,500 fish planted in April, ranging size from 1/10 to ½ pound. There were also 25,000 planted last May and June, with a s lar sized plant planned for this coming Ma

PAGE 8

April Lake Life

ening day, better fishing later

on mond f the g on

Lake Life photo|Don Gronning

Jason Butler of Diamond Lake was out bright and early Saturday. “I got my first fish at 6,� he said. He had three by mid morning.

Lake Life photos| Don Gronning

ear s may arly

Left: Tom Fredenberg shows one of the three-pound rainbows he caught on opening day.

bow ere g in o simiay.

Right: Motorists must have a Discover Pass to use the Diamond Lake Boat Launch.

April Lake Life

PAGE 9

ID From Page 7

issue you a new Certificate of Ownership and generate a HIN that is compliant with the standards. There are no titling fees assessed if the title transaction is due solely to issuing a compliant HIN. What if my HIN doesn’t match the letter from DOL? Bring a photo or rubbing of the current HIN with you to the Vehicle Licensing Office.

If the current HIN does not match the vessel record in DOL files, the record will be updated.

What do I need to do with my boat once I have a new HIN? Vessel owners required to update their HIN numbers already have received instructions about how to comply with the new Coast Guard requirements.

Under these new requirements, two identical HINs must be permanently affixed to a vessel with a nonconforming HIN. It is recommended that the original HIN not be removed, covered-up or otherwise defaced but that the assigned HIN should be applied adjacent to the original HIN. You must use methods (such as decals, engraved plates, embossing) that permanently fix the HIN to the vessel.

208.443.2193

www.copperbayconstruction.com NOW SERVING THE PEND OREILLE VALLEY PAGE 10

Questions?

If you have any questions, review the material on the Department of Licensing website at www.dol.wa.gov, contact the DOL Customer Service Center at 360-9023770 or CustomerCare@dol. wa.gov, or contact your local Vehicle Licensing Office (a list is available at the DOL website).

April Lake Life

HOW TO DISPOSE OF LATEX PAINT

LATEX PAINT

At home, remove paint can lid and place can in a warm spot to dry out, OR add a claybased kitty litter, sawdust or soil to the LATEX paint. Stir daily to break the “skin” and allow the rest to dry out.

When the LATEX paint is DRY or in a semisolid state, dispose of LATEX paint can (keep the lids off) with your regular garbage.

Pend Oreille Public Works Department at (509) 671-6147.

Aluminum Docks, Ramps, & Swim Ladders

S-K Marine

509-445-1406 Cusick, WA

Courtesy photo|Jeffrey Neuberger

Veterans Fred Lenhart and John Delay took part in an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. April 17-18. In the front row are Fred Lenhart (Korean War Vet), Maria Pence (guardian), in the back row are John Delay Jr. (guardian), John Delay (WWII Vet), Greg Meyer, Stephen Sommer, Darrell Wehr, Ed Zupich and Frank Capehart.

Lenhart, Delay visit D.C. via Honor Flight

World War II veteran John Delay and Korean War veteran Fred Lenhart visited Washington D.C. April 17-18 on the well known Honor Flight.

The Pend Oreille County Knights of Columbus No. 14628, Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Assembly No. 3063, the American Legion Post (Cusick) No. 217, and the Inland Northwest Honor Flight program co-sponsored two guardians to assist Delay and Lenhart, on their visit to war memorials in Washington, D.C. The Inland Northwest Honor Flight program provides transport for war veterans from eastern Washington and northern Idaho to Washington, D.C. to visit those memorials April Lake Life

dedicated to honor their services and sacrifices. Volunteers act as guardians on the trips

‘It is our honor and patriot mission to assist worthy veterans ... so the veterans have a more to enjoyable experience visiting our national war memorials.’

Greg Meyer Knights of Columbus American Legion

to Washington, D.C. to ensure that the veterans have a safe and enjoyable trip. “It is our honor and patriot mission to

assist worthy veterans by funding the expenses of guardians so the veterans have a more to enjoyable experience visiting our national war memorials,” said Greg Meyer a member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion and lead of the sponsorship program which started in summer 2016.

The next honor flight is scheduled this fall and the groups are looking forward to sending two more local veterans. Contact Greg Meyer (509-863-8386) for application. Contributions are being accepted for that flight by the American Legion Post 217 at Cusick or Knights of Columbus, P. O. Box 494, Newport, WA 99156.

Your Scuba Diving Adventure Begins With Us Over 25 yr experience

Sales • Classes Rentals • PADI Scubapro Spokanes’ largest scuba inventory www.atlantisaquatics.net

16717 E. Sprague (509) 534-2144

Caring for Family and Friends Since 1910

For Assistance in:

• Pre-Planning & Pre-Payment Plans • Funerals • Monuments Cremations (Performed Locally)

All occasion room w/kitchenette for any party or gathering.

Call to inquire.

Sherman-Knapp FuneralLocally Home & Crematory Owned & Operated

(208) 448-1012 118 Wisconsin Street • Priest River

(509) 447-3118 423 W. 2nd Street • Newport PAGE 11

ld”

We W

or

il

Rock Your “ W l

Concrete Aggregate Excavation

Our Mud’s For You

Sherman an Rock & Concrete Con (509) 447-4214 • Hwy 20 • Newport

BEN FRANKLIN® Mon - Sat 8 am - 7 pm Sun 9 am - 6 pm

• Convenience • Sa����� • Variety (208) 437-4822

201 East 4th Street North • Oldtown

BenFranklinVariety.com facebook.com/bfoldtown

www.angelanewcomb.johnlscott.com

ANGELA NEWCOMB Broker Top Producer

(509) 671-2088

Serving My Neighbors & Friends

ELITE 2009-2016 CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE AWARD

angelanewcomb@johnlscott.com

Licensed • Bonded • New Construction • Remodels/Repairs

No bragging, no boasting. . . Just Good Service. .

Consistently providing the best in Service • Quality • Price Serving the area for over 22 years! Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning.

2nd and 3rd generation experience on hand. Offices in Oldtown & Deer Park

Deer Park

Oldtown

(208) 437-1085 (877) 437-1085 (509) 276-2721 ID Lic: 11072 • WA Lic: NORTHSP02551

PAGE 12

Managing COPD during allergy season For many people, spring allergy season is a nuisance. But for individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, it can be serious.

COPD is a term used to describe progressive lung diseases that cause air-flow blockages and breathing problems. Symptoms of COPD can include a persistent cough, a cough with mucus, shortness of breath, and wheezing.

For individuals who live with both COPD and allergies, these symptoms may worsen during allergy season. A 2012 study by Johns Hopkins Allergy and Asthma Center showed that people who had COPD and seasonal allergies suffered worsened respiratory symptoms such as coughing and wheezing, and were more likely to need medical attention for their symptoms.

“Although some of the symptoms of allergies and COPD can be similar, they are very different diseases and should be treated as such,” says Dr. Kevin Strait, Medical Director of Northern Idaho Advanced Care Hospital.

Allergy symptoms occur when a person’s immune system reacts to pollen or other allergens that have been inhaled. The immune system produces histamines, which can cause allergy symptoms by stimulating nerves, glands and blood vessels in the upper and lower respiratory tracts and increasing swelling and secretions. Swelling and secretions can limit the airway, and cause coughing and mucus production. This can lead to COPD exacerbations or episodes where symptoms become worse than usual and persist for several days.

“In short, allergies combined with COPD produce a double attack on an individual’s respiratory system,” Strait says, “and any extra condition that makes breathing more difficult for an individual with COPD can be

concerning.”

Because of this, Strait says that the best defense may be a good offense for individuals with both allergies and COPD. “Talk to your doctor,” he says. “Your physician can help you develop a plan to limit the effects of

‘Talk to your doctor. Your physician can help you develop a plan to limit the effects of spring allergens on your COPD so you can experience a higher quality of life.’

Dr. Kevin Strait Medical Director, Northern Idaho Advanced Care Hospital

spring allergens on your COPD so you can experience a higher quality of life.”

In addition, Strait also suggests making lifestyle adjustments to help avoid triggers that can worsen symptoms. These include: • Limit or avoid going outside when pollen count is the highest, usually from 5-10 a.m. or when it’s excessively dry and hot. Often local weather channels will provide pollen counts. Also, the weather channel (weather. com) provides local allergy trackers.

• Change your clothes after being outside so that pollen isn’t transferred into your house.

• Keep your windows closed when pollen counts are high.

• Wear a mask when doing yard work.

• Replace the filters in your air conditioning units in your home on a regular basis.

• Use an air filter in your car that is specifically designed to keep allergens out.

• Dust and vacuum your house. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.

The Nifty Fifties opens this week at Circle Moon SACHEEN LAKE – “The Nifty Fifties: A Musical Comedy Tribute to the 1950s” will be presented April 27-29 and May 4-6 at the Circle Moon Theatre at 3642 N. Highway

211. People can enjoy a dinner and show for $25 or the show only for $12. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. and the show at 7:30 p.m. The Sunday, May 6 performance will be an af-

ternoon show, with no dinner offered.

Find out more online at www.northwoodsperformingarts.com or call 208-4481294.

April Lake Life

FIND YOUR PERFECT COLOR.

26 Looking Back

TOP RATED BY A LEADING CONSUMER MAGAZINE

A historical photo of Camp Diamond on Diamond Lake. Have more information? Want to share a historical photo? Call The Miner at 509-447-2433.

Tips to keep your child safe around water this summer Few things are as much fun as splashing around at the beach or in a backyard pool, but not every child is confident about taking the plunge.

“For some children, the idea of getting in the water and trying to swim can be a bit frightening,” says K.J. Hales, author of It’s Hard to Swim, the second and most recent addition to the Life’s Little Lessons by Ellie the Wienerdog educational picture book series (www.ellietheweinerdog. com).

“But with the proper positive reinforcement, they can overcome their fears and discover just how much fun swimming can be.”

May is National Water Safety Month, a good time for parents to consider teaching their children how to swim.

April Lake Life

The American Academy of Pediatrics supports swimming lessons for most children 4 years and older. Water safety classes can also reduce the risk of drowning in younger children, the pediatrics group reports, but advises that because children develop at different rates, not all will be ready to swim at the same age.

Hales, who offers teachers’ guides and educational activities to go along with the lessons in her books, says she chose swimming as one of Ellie the Wienerdog’s adventures because it’s a valuable skill that all children should learn.

“Most children are around water in some form, whether it’s a pool, a river, a pond, a lake or the ocean,” she says.

“So learning to swim isn’t just for fun. It’s also important for safety.”

The Pediatric Academy cites several water-safety tips for parents, including: • Never – even for a moment – leave small children alone or in the care of another young child while in bathtubs, pools, spas or wading pools, or near irrigation ditches or standing water.

• Empty water from buckets and other containers immediately after use.

• To prevent drowning in toilets, young children should not be left alone in the bathroom.

• Closely supervise children in and around water. With infants, toddlers and weak See WATER, 16

SELKIRK K “YOUR HOMETOWN DIFFERENCE” East end of the Oldtown bridge, Oldtown, Idaho - 208.437.5669 Open 7 days a week from 7am to 6pm

Pend Oreille County

Public Utility District “Quality Service at Low Cost”

www.popud.org

509-447-3137

509-242-3137

Artisan Wood A od Silas Dahlin 509-671-0047 Floors silasdahlin@gmail.com

Lukas Dahlin 208-301-8922 lukerdahlin@gmail.com

Lic.# SELKIWL843RW PAGE 13

CONTACT LLC

Serving Washington & Idaho since 2000

A C O N S T R U C T I O N C O M PA N Y

E L E G A N C E

C O M F O R T

F U N C T I O N

remodels additions

From Page 6

Osweiler, Paul Edgren, Judy Ashton and Bill Kemp.

Meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the Cusick Community Center for business, and on the fourth Tuesday of each month for workshops, starting at 6 p.m. • Park board members: Jeanetta Taulor, Dave Gruver, Mark Bender, Donald Comins, Greg Jakeman and Dwight Opp. There is a vacant seat in Districts 1.

Meets the third Wednesday of every month at 2 p.m. in the Cusick Community Center.

Public Utility District No. 1

509-447-5541 / 509-671-0406

www.varnoconstruction.com WA Lic# VARNOL*896K6 ID Lic# RCE-32589

509-447-3137 Fax: 509-447-5824 Website: www.popud.org To report an outage, call 509-447-3137, 509-446-3137, or 509-242-3137.

General Manager: F. Colin

Willenbrock

Water District

Diamond Lake Water & Sewer District

509-447-4641 8272 Fertile Valley Rd., Sacheen Lake, WA 99156 Located at Sacheen Lake in southern Pend Oreille County. The district’s new sewer collection and treatment system serves the majority of the lakefront properties. The district continue to investigate connecting more homes to the system. The district also continues to work on lake water quality and lake level issues as well as milfoil control.

The district owns and maintains the Myers/Harter Sanctuary, located near the corner of Highway 211 and Fertile Valley Road.

Commissioners: position 1 Perry Pearman (2017), position 2 is Mike Quick (2017), position 3 Peggy Johnsen (2019) Commissioner stipend: 0 District Manager: Sheila Pearman Commissioners meet at Sacheen Lake Fire Station, Highway 211, on the second Wednesday of the month at 5 p.m.

509-447-4660 Fax: 509-447-0180 172 South Shore Diamond Lake Road, Newport, WA 99156-9300 Operates water and sewer systems around Diamond Lake.

Commissioners (six-year term): chairman Bob Graham (2017), Secretary Richard Swan (2016), Ray King (2019) Commissioner stipend: $70 per meeting Board meets on the first and third Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the district office.

Office open Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Maintenance hours are daily, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

In addition, they can be reached by telephone after hours for emergencies.

Sacheen Lake Sewer &

May the FISH be with you.

EXW LI \RX VOLS RQ D URFN LPSDOH \RXU ÀQJHU RU FDWFK D ÀVKKRRN WR WKH H\H we’re here for you! * +RXU (PHUJHQF\ &DUH * )DPLO\ 3UDFWLFH &OLQLF

* 'LDJQRVWLF ,PDJLQJ * 6XUJHU\ $QHVWKHVLD

NEWPORT HOSPITAL & HEALTH SERVICES

: 3LQH 6W 1HZSRUW :$ ‡ ‡ 1HZSRUW+RVSLWDO$QG+HDOWK RUJ PAGE 14

South Pend Oreille Fire & Rescue 325272 Highway 2, Newport, WA 99156 Website: www.spofr.org Serving south Pend Oreille County including Diamond Lake, Sacheen Lake, Deer Valley, Camden and Fertile Valley areas.

Chief: Mike Nokes 509-4475305 Annual salary: $72,930 Commissioners: Gary Wilkey 509-447-0744, Finance Officer Randy Miller 509-292-8065, Galen Hansen 509-292-9458, Vice Chairman Karen Johnston 509-939-7714, Chairman Harry Egland 509-936-0524 Commissioner stipend: $100 per meeting Commissioners meet the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at Diamond Lake Station.

April Lake Life

County working through approval of ambulance district

By Michelle Nedved Of The Miner

NEWPORT – Pend Oreille County commissioners want to make sure everyone is on board before approving a county-wide emergency services district. The commissioners are gathering approval from the city of Newport, towns throughout Pend Oreille County and the various fire districts.

An EMS Council was formed to discuss the formation of a district that could levy a tax to pay for ambulance services throughout the county. Any tax levy would need voter approval.

Currently American Medical Response, a Spokane company, is based out of the South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue station at Diamond Lake, on call about 10 hours a day.

That should soon increase to 24-hour coverage, commissioner Mike Manus said.

Once AMR is operating 24 hours, they will be able to gather data to determine what kind of tax levy would be needed to make ambulance service financially viable in Pend Oreille County.

“The reason we need the district is because of current Medicaid and Medicare (reimbursement) rates, it’s not sustainable, without having some other money to back fill,” Manus said.

The issue came to a head last year with the closure of Newport Ambulance, a privately-owned company in Oldtown that provided advanced life support ambulance services in the Pend Oreille and Bonner counties.

Since the closure of Newport Ambulance in September, coverage has landed on the shoulders of fire districts, April Lake Life

many of which are staffed with volunteers, and the Kalispel Tribe of Indians.

“Almost every fire department or district has chosen to be responsible for providing EMS services to their respective areas, but at this time have no way of recouping these expenses, and no way to pay for initial or ongoing training of EMS responders, except through general tax funds collected specifically for fire protection,” EMS Council President Scott Doughty wrote in a letter to the various fire districts in the county. “We also have no legally binding contracts for services such as private ambulance transport for 911 and Inter-facility transports. This leaves the county vulnerable to another situation like we currently face.”

Newport Towing is looking to get into the ambulance business. Manus said owner John Jackson bought an ambulance and is working to get a transport license. According to Manus, Newport Towing has up to 20 employees ready to go, and they would backup AMR. A call to Jackson was not immediately returned.

Manus speculates that once an ambulance district is formed by the county

commissioners, and voters approve a tax levy, the county could put out a request for proposals from private companies, such as AMR, to operate in the county. Such a company could bill for services, and then receive tax money to back fill expenses.

As Manus points out, ambulance services compensated solely on billing isn’t a viable model. Medicare and Medicaid reimburses only a fraction of what’s billed, and people without insurance can’t always pay.

Pend Oreille County is one of only four counties in the state of Washington that doesn’t have an ambulance district, including Franklin, Columbia and Garfield. The remaining 35 counties have varying models.

Seven counties have districts that cover the entire county. Seven counties have hospital districts with EMS levies, though Newport Hospital CEO Tom Wilbur said that’s not a viable option in Pend Oreille County.

Fifteen counties have an EMS district with 90-plus percent coverage of the county general property tax valuation. Eleven have an EMS district with less than 50 percent of their general tax valuation covered.

Serving The Area With. . .

Electric Heating & Furnace Repair Air Conditioning • Refrigeration Hot Water Tank Repair Appliance Repair - All Makes & Models

N ewport

APPLIANCE SERVICE (509) 671-1075

Steve Kroening

River City Electrical

RCE

New Construction • Customs • Remodels • Shops • Garages • Barns

FREE Estimates • References Available Matt

(509) 671-2276

Jared

(509) 220-8714

Lic# RIVERCE886B7

Lifetime Guarantee Loaner Cars All Insurance Accepted Free Estimates

“Like it never happened” Newport, WA • 509-447-4225 www.rogersbodyandframe.com

Hey locals, check out our same day rates Just for you at

innathelake.com

Rooms with a view of Beautiful Diamond Lake 509-447-5772 PAGE 15

HIGH WATER | Not to 2012 levels yet From Page 3

Hillside Tram By

WANNA LIFT SYSTEMS

Turn Your View Property Into Waterfront Call for a FREE On-Site Evaluation

Half the fun is getting there!

1-800-594-2353 208-664-1893

wannaliftsystems.com

Need dependable help with YARDWORK? • Mowing • Trimming • Spring Clean Up • Pruning • Flower Beds • Sprinkler Repair

concerns.

A No Wake Zone is an area where vessels must travel slow enough that the wake does not cause possible injury or damage to other persons, boats, or property, usually at or below idle speed.

Specifically as it pertains to local lakes, there has been some concern that the high lake levels will exacerbate flooding in houses built near the shoreline.

However, some resident think that the answer isn’t a No Wake Zone.

“The lake isn’t as high as it was in 2012, the last time we had a No Wake Zone,” says Paul Moore, Vice President of the Diamond Lake Improvement Association. “Lake levels are actually starting to go down. Most of the snow around the lake is gone except for a few patches here and there.”

According to Moore, the levels for Diamond Lake in 2012 were over 2,343 feet.

This year the lake levels are

at the 2,342 mark.

Moore was one of several Diamond Lake residents, including Dan Holman, Doug Gorder and LeRoy Leland all wrote to Pend Oreille County Commissioners in the last week of March and the first week of April to voice their opposition to a No Wake Zone. Skoog says she has received phone calls form residents requesting that a No Wake Zone be implemented.

“There’s a couple of us that take lake level readings, including at the Northshore Road culvert, and it’s all volunteer,” says Holman, also a member of the Diamond Lake Improvement Association.

“I get a lot of calls about the lake levels, but there’s nothing we can do officially.

The final decision is up to our elected officials. We just keep track of things because we live here, we love it here and we want to take care of it.”

At the April 17 commissioners’ meeting at the Pend Oreille County hearing room

Sacheen Lake Association President Don Hill was present to speak about the lake levels and requested a No Wake Zone on Sacheen Lake.

The restriction would be lifted as soon as lake levels go down, says Hill.

“We (Sacheen Lake Association) have a mission that includes protecting recreation and the environment,” says Hill.

“We’re trying to find a balance between protecting the lake and enjoying the gift that it is to live on it.”

The gauge that monitors the lake levels is at the pier adjacent to Fertile Valley Road. It is currently at 9.4 decimal feet. Hill says boat recreation would be more ideal if the gauge was at 7.9.

Otherwise, he contends that boat traffic on the lake will cause shoreline and property damage, along with siltation.

“No one says you can’t play on the water; that’s why most of us live at the lake,” Hill says. “We want to safeguard what we have, though.”

Richard 20 years experience

WATER | Do not use air-filled swim aids

Wild Coyote Lawn Services

From Page 13

208-610-1223

Service • Installation • Certified

509 • 671 • 6952 509 • 447 • 4962

Newport, WA

AMERICAN EAGLE HVAC Heating • Cooling • Refrigeration

SERVING RVING G YOU O LOCALLY LOCAL

Bonded • Licensed • Insured in WA & ID PAGE 16

swimmers, an adult should be within an arm’s length.

With older children and better swimmers, an adult should be focused on the child and not distracted by other activities.

Bath seats cannot substitute for adult supervision.

• If children are in out-ofhome child care, ask about exposure to water and the ratio of adults to children.

• If you have a pool, install a four-sided fence that is at least 4-feet high to limit access to the pool. The fence should

be hard to climb (not chainlink) and have a self-latching, self-closing gate. Families may consider pool alarms and rigid pool covers as additional layers of protection, but neither can take the place of a fence.

• Parents, caregivers and pool owners should learn CPR. • Do not use air-filled swimming aids (such as inflatable arm bands) in place of life jackets. They can deflate and are not designed to keep swimmers safe.

• All children should wear

a life jacket when riding in a boat. Small children and nonswimmers should also wear one at water’s edge, such as on a river bank or pier.

“When Ellie finally swims, she realizes that learning something new is wonderful and if you give it a try, you can do anything you wish,” Hales says.

“This is a lesson I hope all children will take to heart, not only when learning to swim, but also when facing any challenge that comes their way.”

April Lake Life