(STAFF REPORTS/Chewelah Independent)

Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers along with Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, announced an investment of $3.9 million from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to expand broadband to nearly 3,000 underserved homes and businesses in Stevens County.

McMorris Rodgers is fresh off a broadband workshop in Stevens County where she suggested using TV whitespace as a way to bring high-speed internet to the region as well.

As part of the funding, local provider Declaration Networks Group will provide broadband internet access to 40% of the 2,929 unserved homes and businesses in Stevens County in the next three years, and reach complete buildout in the sixth year. The funding comes via the FCC’s Connect America Fund Phase II auction.

(PRESS RELEASE/Stevens County Cattlemen)

Groups urge calling sheriff if a predator attacks…

A pair of local organizations concerned with the climbing numbers of predators in Stevens County have recently sponsored a billboard urging residents to call their local sheriff if they experience a predator attack.

The Stevens County Cattlemen’s Association, in partnership with the Northeast Washington Wildlife Group, recently sponsored a billboard along HWY 395 with the messaging, “Predator attack? Fight back! Call your local sheriff!”

SCCA President Scott Nielsen said the message is needed so citizens understand their best resource for addressing predator attacks is the local sheriff, not the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.

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(BRANDON HANSEN/Chewelah Independent)

The Stevens County Ambulance Training Center was packed last Thursday for the Improve Broadband in Rural Washington workshop in Colville. (Brandon Hansen photo)

IN SEARCH OF SPEED: Rural NE Washington leaders discuss challenges and solutions of bringing broadband to rural areas…

With leaders from both the state legislature, the county and U.S. Congress, the Stevens County Ambulance Training Center because something of a hub for the Improve Broadband in Rural Washington workshop in Colville on Thursday.

State Rep. Jacquelin Maycumber recounted the danger that can happen when NE Washington isn’t properly served by data services. When the Stickpin Fire was burning near Boulder Creek, Maycumber, an assistant for Senator Bob Morton met with incident command to take stock of the situation.

“The commander said he didn’t know what was going on; there was no radio, there was no reception up there, they couldn’t communicate and had no idea what they were looking at,” Maycumber told the crowd at the packed Stevens County Ambulance Center. More

(STAFF REPORTS/Chewelah Independent)

Cause of accident is being ruled fatigue…

A Valley woman was killed this morning at roughly 8:30 a.m. when her silver BMW X3 rolled over on State Route 231 one mile north of Valley. According to Washington State Patrol reports, 48 year-old Rebecca Kimball passed away when her southbound vehicle drifted to the southbound shoulder and then rolled, coming to rest in the ditch.

According to the Washington State Patrol, the cause of the accident was fatigue. Drugs and alcohol were not involved in the accident.

Kimball’s family has been contact about the accident.

(JARED ARNOLD/Chewelah Independent)

The Chewelah Golf and Country Club was victim of a theft. (File photo)

STOLEN GOLF CLUBS: Matthew Sitton sentenced to 24 months parole for stealing golf clubs…

The man who was caught on video in June taking golf clubs and frozen steaks from the Chewelah Golf and Country Club has pled guilty and was sentenced on July 23.

Matthew G. Sitton, 35, of Chewelah pled guilty to Trafficking Stolen Property First Degree and Theft Second Degree in Stevens County Superior Court. A third charge of Theft Third Degree was dismissed. More

(BRANDON HANSEN/Chewelah Independent)

Firefighters face a variety of challenges when wildland fires hit, including heat, terrain, wildlife and keeping camp clean. (Courtesy photo)

EVENTFUL AUGUST: Rains help slow down Williams Flats Fire near Keller, but bring flash floods and more lightning…

Over a wild few days in Northeastern Washington, firefighters saw triple digit temperatures, then massive thunderstorms producing thousands of strikes statewide, followed by torrential rains that caused flash floods at the Williams Flat Fire location on the Colville Indian Reservation.

Rains were so heavy it set a historical record at the Spokane International Airport with .36 inches of precipitation. Many areas around Chewelah received over an inch of rain. This was good and bad news for firefighters. While the precipitation certainly slowed the fire down, a crew of 64 firefighters had to spend the night on the line at the Williams Flats Fire due to flash flooding caused by 1.36 inches of rain which bogged down the one route back to the fire’s command post. Some slept in vehicles or found areas of cover, and thankfully there were no injuries from the storm despite the lightning. More