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Winter looks pretty in Eastern Washington. (Tara Dollar photo)
AREA NEWS
Avista & Hydro One agree to terminate merger agreement
Avista and Hydro One announced Wednesday that the companies have mutually agreed to terminate their merger agreement. Hydro One will be required to pay Avista a $103 million termination fee under the terms of the merger agreement. Click here for the full story. More
Spokane Valley Representatives Bob McCaslin and Matt Shea (who is the leader of the 51st state movement) have submitted House Bill 1509 which would create the new state of Liberty out of eastern Washington. The two lawmakers proposed a similar proposal in 2016 and 2017.
The idea is nothing new as splitting the state was suggested by lawmakers in 1915, 1985, 1991, 2005 and 2015 as well. These proposals never got far and other than getting some headlines the last two proposals did not gain much traction with lawmakers.
The bill’s text proposes transition committees for various policy areas including government functions, infrastructure, debt, elections, transportation, education, natural resources, labor, agriculture and more. Each committee would be comprised of four state legislators and one expert, consultant, or other support staff. More
Selkirk wiggled by Inchelium with a strong fourth quarter that propelled them to a 53-26 victory.
The Rangers (10-7, 9-3) took the slimmest of leads over the Hornets (10-6, 7-4) into the fourth quarter, leading Inchelium 32-31 after three. A 21-15 fourth quarter helped Selkirk breathe easier en route to the win.
Jenna Couch had 17 points for Selkirk, and Whitney Dawson added in 17 points of her own in the win. Inchelium was led by Rylee Desautel with 16 points. Selkirk will head off to Odessa for a Jan. 25 game at 6 p.m. More
Selkirk took an early lead at home and never relinquished it on their way to a 75-65 win over Inchelium.
The Rangers (10-7, 9-3) took an 8 point lead over the Hornets (10-6, 8-4) into the half and did just enough to hold onto that lead the rest of the way, breaking a tie with Inchelium and taking over possession of third place in the league.
Selkirk was led in scoring by Jay Link with 19 points, while Ryan Zimmerman and Zach Curran added 16 and 15, respectively. Robert McKinney had a game high 20 points for Inchelium in the loss. Selkirk travels to take on Odessa Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m. More
Wolves have been a hot topic in Stevens County, but also in other NW states as well. The issue of deterring wolves from attacking cattle is the million-dollar question for both the Department of Fish and Wildlife and NE Washington ranchers.
A Jackson County, Oregon rancher has found a novel deterrent in his efforts to keep the predators away from his cattle. Ted Birdseye is now using a lime-green inflatable dancer that you would usually see in a used car lot or strip mall. He employed this measure after wolves attacked and killed five calves and one guard dog.
Powered by a generator, it blows air into a balloon which wiggles and jumps in the air. It is also lit up and Birdseye told The Mail newspaper in Medford that it looks like an alien at night.
Birdeye said why he is unsure if it will be a long-term wolf deterrent is has worked the first two nights. The rancher said after putting up the inflatable dancers he’s had the best sleep in months as there was no howling or barking going on near his cattle. More
The collision of three vehicles north of Chewelah last Wednesday, Jan. 16, was apparently caused by a drunk driver according an updated report by the Washington State Patrol. The collision sent three people to area hospitals after an accident near Kramer Road on Highway 395.
The accident happened at about 5:26 p.m. when 40-year-d Albert Petry of Northport was travelling northbound in a Chevrolet Malibu when he struck a Ford Focus driven by 21-year-old Allison MacDonald of Priest River, Idaho. Petry’s Malibu then his a Ford Aerostar van that was occupied by 66-year-old Gary Burch of Addy and 85-year-old Larry Burch of Inchelium. Both were transported to the Chewelah hospital as a precaution.
Petry was transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center with injuries. WSP said that Petry is facing DUI charges.
MacDonald was uninjured in the crash.
Lori Larsen has taken over as Stevens County Auditor. (Courtesy photo)
Lori Larsen has never been known to take things easy.
Mother of several, youth group leader, school board member and former school administrator has worn many hats through the years and in 2019 she got a new one.
Larsen became the new auditor for Stevens County when she defeated Tim Gray in the 2018 general election. She is the first new person in the role in several decades.
With a staff of 12 to oversee, Larsen said she has been easing into the job and has not tried to disrupt the way people have been doing their jobs for years under Gray.
“I have been pleased with the reception from the staff and at the courthouse,” Larsen said. More
Firefighters work on a house fire on Old Springdale Road late Sunday Night in Stevens County. Both Fire District 1 and Fire District 4 units battled the blaze. (Courtesy photo)
While winter may be cold and wet, that doesn’t mean a firefighters job is done.
On late Sunday night, Fire District 1 responded to a house fire on Old Springdale Road after neighbors saw the blaze and called 911. Fire District 4 also responded as mutual aid on the call.
The house was unoccupied and the cause of the fire is under investigation. Shortly after finishing their assist with the house fire, Fire District 4 units were called to Waitts Lake Road just outside of Valley after a logging truck clipped a low-hanging power line over the roadway. More
Members of the Womens March take to Highway 395 on Saturday in Chewelah. (Brandon Hansen photo)
Shortly after the election of current president Donald Trump, the Womens March in 2017 showcased big crowds throughout the U.S., protesting several issues dealing with the country. While the march has seen some controversy since then, several people from Chewelah continue to march every year despite the town’s small population and rural setting, not to mention cold January temperatures.
Last Saturday, the marchers were at it again on the snowy, slushy streets of Chewelah, bringing signs, waves, smiles and even dogs.
“There are many issues that continue to challenge us,” march organizer Susanne Griepp said. “These have an impact on all of us. These are what keep marchers marching.Those of us who march here in Chewelah feel and see those impacts, and know how important the real work is; beyond the bickering and partisanship, the antics and lies, there is very important and pressing work to be done right now.”
More
The Chewelah School Board approved an extension of Chewelah Superintendent Rich McFarland through the 2021-22 school year, while also approving the recently agreed upon 2018-19 classified staff agreement.
The agreement which was agreed upon last week, includes a .5 percent raise across the board and received unanimous approval by the school board.
January’s Chewelah School Board meeting took place Jan. 16 in the Gess Elementary library.
The meeting began with the standard flag salute and approvals of the agenda and previous month’s minutes before getting to public comments. More