(By Jamie Henneman/Chewelah Independent)

The body of a man that was found near Northport last month has been identified as a Canadian man who died in a jet ski accident in Trail, British Columbia. Jeffrey David Bauder, 28, was found by fishermen just south of the China Bend Vineyards in the Columbia River on June 28. Bauder was reported missing after he fell off a jet ski in Trail on May 9. According to information from the Stevens County Coroner’s Office, it was reported that Bauder was not wearing a life jacket and the two other men who were with him were recovered by search and rescue. Bauder’s body has been returned to his family in B.C.

(By Jamie Henneman/Chewelah Independent) 

CLICK HERE FOR THE STEVENS COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FACEBOOK PAGE

Stevens County Emergency Management recently launched a county Facebook page to help keep residents up to date on emergencies in the area. The page can be found on Facebook under “Stevens County Emergency Management” and will include emergency info for Stevens County and surrounding counties, according to Stevens County Emergency Management Director Jim Caruso.

Caruso said the page, which currently has over 1,100 “likes,” was created to provide the public with another information resource regarding emergencies.
More

(By Washington DNR) 

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today the following changes in fire danger rating and Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPL) on DNR-protected lands around the state. More

(By Brandon Hansen/Chewelah Independent)

This baby racoon is one of four racoons being rescued by Wayward Creatures. (Brandon Hansen photo)

Wayward Creatures tends to wild animals of all types in need of rescue and healing…

It should come to no surprise to anyone living in Stevens County that there are a few wild animals around.

Like any living creature, sometimes these animals can become sick or injured, and for some lucky ones they find their way to Wayward Creatures Wild Relief Agency which is operated by Dr. Jessica Adams, the owner of the Chewelah Veterinary Clinic.

“It started when I was an associate veterinarian and people would bring in animals with fixable problems but wouldn’t have the money for them,” Adams said.

After graduating from Washington State University, Adams was an associate at the Chewelah Veterinary Clinic from 2005 until 2011. She found herself trying to rescue these animals unable to be taken care of by their owners and trying to rescue wild animals brought into the clinic. Care wasn’t cheap for somebody paying for the care of these animals alone, however, and that’s why Adams formed the Wayward Creatures Relief Agency. More

(By Brandon Hansen/Chewelah Independent)

Also discusses new fire station at golf course, upholds marijuana ban…

After a presentation by mayoral candidate Bob Belknap and local businesswoman Debbie Akers, the Chewelah City Council voted unanimously to place a two-year moratorium on demolishing the city’s swimming pool with the understanding that a local group would form to further study the condition of the facility and develop a plan to rehabilitate it at no cost to the city. The council’s decision was followed by a loud round of applause from the large group that had gathered at the meeting in support of the pool.

In his comments, Belknap gave the council a brief history of the swimming pool along with findings from engineer Mike Leisch, which concluded that the shell of the pool is in “sound” condition and that needed repairs to the mechanical systems could be made by volunteers working with the guidance of Leisch.

Leisch previously worked 17 years for the city of Oakland where he, among many other duties, maintained and repaired six pools in that city.

“[Leisch’s] initial findings concur with the Pool World assessment that the shell is in sound condition. He asserts that the leaks can be repaired and, given his experience and skill set, he goes further, stating that the repairs could be made by almost any labor force, including volunteers, with the requisite knowledge base, which he is willing to spend time helping the community acquire,” Belknap said to the council. A 2013 report to the city from Pool World of Spokane had estimated that repair costs could be as much as $400,000, which led to the city’s decision to shutter the pool at that time. More

(By Brandon Hansen/Chewelah Independent)

K9 helcopter training at Deer Park Airport using Spokane’s Air one. (Ed Broberg photo/edbroberg.com)

Chewelah K9 assists Stevens County detectives…

Chewelah Police’s newest addition is already making a difference out on the streets.

Chewelah officer Matt Miller and K9 Rebel tracked down their first suspect recently, assisting detectives from the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office, who were serving a search warrant.

The detectives were serving the warrant on Garden Spot Road with three suspects inside a house. One of the suspects ran into the woods with a rifle and detectives were unable to locate him. Chewelah officers Miller and Rebel were called in to look for the suspect.

Rebel alerted Miller to a brushy area and the Chewelah officer announced to the suspect that he would release the dog and it would bite. This caused the suspect to surrender without incident. The suspect denied having a gun, but Rebel did an “article search” and authorities were able to find a rifle lying in the grass. This allowed authorities to charge the suspect with an additional crime.

Rebel is already one well-versed dog, having gone through 10 weeks and 600 hours of training to become a valuable resource for the Chewelah Police Department and other agencies.

Since beginning service, Rebel has already helped find narcotics on approximately 25 traffic stops in and around Chewelah.

Rebel was purchased for us by an anonymous donor and all of Rebel’s training has been at no cost to the City of Chewelah.

The Chewelah School Board of Directors has two seats that are being contested in the 2017 election. Here is a rundown of each candidate who responded to The Independent’s email inquiry. More