(TIM RASSMUSSEN/Stevens County Prosecutor)

The Diversion program is up and running. We have identified several persons who can qualify and have invited them to join the program. The persons have responded with interest and we have signed contracts with some of them. The folks invited are those we think could best benefit and who could qualify. I have a meeting soon with the commissioners to ask for some flexibility in the fee structure in order to make sure we can serve as many folks as possible. We will see.

The program has also investigated starting a re-licensing program under the same umbrella. We are investigating the possibilities of using the existing re-licensing program from Spokane County to serve Stevens County folks. I hope it works out, because many people are caught in a trap of having their license suspended. They are unable to get the money to pay to get the license and unable to work because they do not have the license. Catch 22. More

(ROBERT NEIN/Chewelah Arts Guild)

Kevin Hekmatpanah has been the Music Director at Gonzaga University since 1994. (Courtesy photo)

MOUNTAIN OF TALENT: Orchestra will entertain Chewelah on May 18…

Sitting in a third grade music class in his home town of Chicago, Kevin Hekmatpanah heard one student after another say “violin” in answer to the teacher’s question: “what instrument would you like to play?”

“I had no idea what a cello was, but I wanted to be different,” said the conductor of Gonzaga Symphony, which will make its Music on the Mountain debut at Chewelah Peak on Saturday at 2 p.m.
That decision to begin cello lessons has shaped his entire life. It took him through music degrees at USC and Indiana University, hundreds of cello appearances worldwide and to the position—at age 30—of Music Director of the Gonzaga Orchestra in 1994.

Looking back, he is grateful for the people, places and opportunities that fueled his passion for music, the cello and conducting. They include his first teacher, a supportive grandmother who took him to concerts, and even his father, who questioned whether music could be a real profession. More

(BRANDON HANSEN/Chewelah Independent)

NAME CHANGE: Sand Canyon Airport changes name to Chewelah Municipal Airport…

It is official. The Sand Canyon Airport has changed its name to the Chewelah Municipal Airport. This comes after the Chewelah City Council voted and approved the name change earlier this year. Mayor Dorothy Knauss submitted the paperwork to WSDOT Aviation and the FAA.

“The ‘Sand Canyon Airport’ was viewed as an air park,” Knauss said. “The city intends, now that we own it, to develop it, add fuel, etc., so we think Chewelah Municipal Airport is more reflective of what it will be one day.” More

(JARED ARNOLD/Chewelah Independent)

A group of citizens presented a petition signed by close to 400 people that asks the county leaders to utilize provisions in state law that allows the use of dogs to hunt down the dangerous predators and kill them. (Jared Arnold photo)

COMMUNITY SPEAKS: Nearly 400 citizens petition sheriff, commissioners to protect public safety…

Dozens of frustrated Stevens County citizens packed the commissioners’ conference room last Tuesday morning, May 7, demanding the board and sheriff take action on the growing cougar problem in the county. The group also presented a petition signed by close to 400 people that asks the leaders to utilize provisions in state law that allows the use of dogs to hunt down the dangerous predators and kill them.

The petitioners showed a copy of a state law that allows local, state and federal agencies to hunt cougars, black bears, bobcat and lynx with the aid of dogs in order to protect livestock, pets, property or public safety. In normal hunting, the use of dogs for pursuing those animals is prohibited. More

(STAFF REPORTS/Chewelah Independent)

Washington has had 2,032 Bigfoot sightings…

Apparently Washington is the right place for Bigfoot hunters. The mythical creature has been seen often and all over the state, including around Chewelah. The Travel Channel ranked Washington as the No. 1 state for Bigfoot sightings. We’re not sure if that’s because Bigfoot enjoys the temperate climate, the rainy season, the deer and elk or perhaps the hot summers in Eastern Washington. More

Wilma the friendly goose, is the Waitts Lake resort mascot. (Derek Dobell photo)

STATE NEWS
Washington to offer public option in health insurance, first for the U.S.
Washington will be the first state to offer a public option when it comes to health insurance, as Gov. Jay Inslee is scheduled to sign the bill into law on Monday after the legislature approved the plan last month. The public plans will be up to 10 percent cheaper than private insurance and unlike existing government plans, Washington’s plans are avaliable for all residents regardless of income by 2021. Click here for the full story.  More

(PRESS RELEASE/Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation)

Tribe seeks compensation and injunctive relief for opioid crisis…

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation has filed a lawsuit on against major manufacturers and distributors of opioids, alleging devastating public health effects on Tribal communities. The Tribes has sued over 25 opioid-industry defendants in the action, which seeks both compensation for costs associated with the epidemic and injunctive relief.

National mass torts litigation firm Skikos, Crawford, Skikos, & Joseph LLP has filed the lawsuit in conjunction with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Office of the Reservation Attorney on behalf of the Tribes. The Tribes’ complaint, filed in federal court today, asserts claims against the defendants for allegedly marketing prescription opioids in a manner that fraudulently concealed and minimized their abuse and addiction risks, and failing to comply with federal prescription drug laws intended to prevent the diversion of prescription opioids and prevent their abuse. It seeks relief for the defendants’ alleged violation of federal RICO laws, deceptive trade practices, and fraudulent and negligent conduct. More

(PRESS RELEASE/NE Washington Health)

Colville residents will soon have increased access to dental services thanks to the upcoming expansion of NEW Health Colville Dental. NEW Health’s Colville dental expansion is made possible with an appropriation from the Washington State capital budget. This expansion project builds on the already comprehensive services of the NEW Health Colville Clinic, including medical and pharmacy; and expands dental to add more operatories.

“We are excited to be expanding in Colville,” states Desiree Sweeney, NEW Health Chief Executive Officer, “we have already outgrown our dental location and expanding services ensures that more community members have access to high quality dental care.” NEW Health Colville has also recently purchased lots at its current location to expand parking, and it is pursuing locations for this expansion project. NEW Health appreciates the continued support of Senator Short, Legislator Maycumber and Legislator Kretz in dental access for District 7.

Money raised goes to scholarships and running the fair…

The NE WA Fair Association is hosting its big 2019 Dinner and Auction on May 11 with doors opening at 5 p.m. at the fairground  in Colville and dinner served at 6 p.m.

The NE WA Fair is a mainstay in Stevens County with years of tradition and plenty of animals, food and booths on show during its run in the summer. The dinner will feature tri-tip, turkey and all the fixings at the NE WA Fairgrounds. Admission is $15 for adult, $5 for child (4 and under get in free) and $35 for family. Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner is at 6 p.m. and the silent and live auction is at 7 p.m.

The association holds this yearly fundraiser to raise money for the NE WA Fair and the scholarship funds that the NE WA gives out yearly.

(BRANDON HANSEN/Chewelah Independent)

Looking west at sunrise from the Salmo Mountain fire tower. This is Gypsy ridge. Salmo-Priest Wilderness. (Colville National Forest photo)

NEW FOREST PLAN: Leaders hope for more simplified plan…

A federal forest plan isn’t light reading by any stretch of the imagination, but it was the topic of discussion two weeks ago at SCC-Colville as the Colville National Forest held objection meetings for people with specific concerns about the new plan draft the federal agency had put forth in late 2018. Written objections already had to be submitted to the Forest Service in order to have a voice at the three-day, multi-meeting process.

The Colville National Forest Plan received significantly less objections than other new forest plans. After a 60-day period, the new plan, updating one from the 1980s, had about 20 objections. This pales in comparison to the forest plans for the Umatilla, Wallowa-Whitman and Malheur national Forests Plans which saw over 300 objections from a wide variety of individuals and organizations, reported the Spokesman-Review and Lewiston Tribune, resulting in the withdrawal of those plans. While there were different viewpoints, it appears groups attending the objection meetings in Colville left feeling like they had a path forward working with the Forest Service.
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