(PRESS RELEASE/Paideia Senior High School)

Congratulations to Paideia Senior Sam Palmer who earned the title of State Champion at the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) State Bullseye Tournament on March 9. Sam competed against 70 other high school boys, and shot a 287/300. This represented an improvement of 21 points over last year’s performance. Sam also placed 2nd in the State 3D Tournament.

Sam will represent Paideia HS and the state of Washington, for a second year, at the National tournament scheduled for April 26-28 in Salt Lake City, Utah where he will compete against over a thousand other high school aged boys. Overall, the PHS team showed great improvement over last year as almost every member logged a personal best score.

Kudos to Issac Cook, Mandy Farneman and Hannah Kircher who were all just one arrow’s worth of points away from also qualifying for Nationals. Coach Cox was excited about the performance of the PHS archery team stating, “This is the most dedicated and enthusiastic group of student athletes I’ve coached while being a part of this program. The kids worked extremely hard this season and next year looks to be just as exciting.” Eleven of the student-athletes competing for Paideia High School are also earning college credit for the experience. This opportunity was made possible through the Running Start – College in the High School program partnership with Central Washington University.

(COLIN HAFFNER/Chewelah Independent)

NEW BUSINESS: Board members talk about continued budget work with minimal disruptions…

Superintendent Rich McFarland made a pair of staff recognitions at the most recent school board meeting on April 17. McFarland first acknowledged Jennifer Mott, an assistant at Gess Elementary. Mott was commended for her hard work, support and dedication in carrying out her job at Gess. The second recognition went to Jenkins Jr./Sr. High School Athletic Director Rocky Verbeck for his years of dedicated service, leadership, loyalty and coaching. Verbeck will be leaving his role to assume a similar role in the Marysville School District.

The board then moved on to approval of the consent agenda, with a brief note that a teacher hire on the agenda was to replace a retiring teacher in the 2019-20 school year.

Reports came next. Chair Loretta Burkey spoke briefly about the board’s continuing work on how to get through the current budget issues with minimal disruptions, noting they have been working through different scenarios and how they could play out. Judy Bean reiterated the importance of getting standards training for the board scheduled. She stated they are waiting to hear back about when that can be scheduled. Other board members stated they would prefer to wait on the training as one board position remains open and three members are up for re-election soon.
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(BRANDON HANSEN/Chewelah Independent)

SILVER LINING IN SALE: Ownership of Silver Mountain Resort in Idaho acquires 49 Degrees North

Speculation about the sale of 49 Degrees North has swirled around town for weeks, and on Monday, the ski resort announced a change in ownership.

The Chewelah-based ski resort was acquired by the related ownership of Silver Mountain for an undisclosed price, but will still operate as an independent entity and John Eminger will continue to be general manager.

“We’re incredibly excited for this new opportunity and are looking ahead to some amazing projects and developments,” 49 Degrees North Director of Public Relations Emily McDaniel said.
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(STAFF REPORTS/Chewelah Independent)

The American Revolution started on April 19, 1775.

With tensions rising between American colonies and the British government over a variety of issues, the colonists in Massachusetts kicked off the revolution this week in 1775. On April 19, at about 5 a.m., 700 British troops attempting to capture revolutionary leaders in Lexington were met by 77 armed minutemen under Captain John Parker in the town’s common green. The British ordered the colonists to disperse and while some Americans began to leave the green, a shot was fired from a musket and the brief Battle of Lexington had begun. Eight Americans were killed while one British soldier was injured. Unremarkable by numbers, the battle marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War which lasted from 1775 to 1785 ending in victory for the colonists and the establishment of the United States of America by the thirteen colonies that were previously under British rule.

(PRESS RELEASE/49 Degrees North)

49 Degrees North acquired on April 19…

49° North Mountain Resort located on Chewelah Mountain in Northeast Washington is proud to announce a change in ownership. For the last 85 years, Chewelah Mountain and 49° North has had several generations of long-term owners and managers. On April 19, 2019 the next generation of ownership acquired 49° North, when CMR Lands LLC acquired all of the assets for an undisclosed price. 49° North and Silver Mountain resorts will now have related ownership but will operate as independent entities. The management team at 49° North Mountain Resort will remain intact with John Eminger continuing as the General Manager after 23 years as the owner and operator. The management of both areas are looking forward to the synergies created between the resorts that will benefit passholders and guests.

“It has been an honor over the last two decades to be part of increasing the size of the ski area. We have grown from 905 acres to nearly 2,250 acres, created a Nordic trail system with 9 miles of trails, opened a new summit to lift assisted skiing, created over 35 new trails and glades in two basins and added new lifts.  It is all a testament to the well developed winter community in Chewelah” notes Eminger. “This transition in ownership will allow for continued improvements and growth, especially in skier experience on and off the snow. We look to increase passholder benefits, remodel the lodge, add a new conveyor carpet to the beginner area, upgrade lifts and add new grooming equipment.”
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(PRESS RELEASE/Nothing to Lose Productions)

It has been said that laughter is the best medicine. Research has shown that laughing gives a boost to your immune system, lowers stress, decreases pain, helps prevent heart disease and burns calories. Of course, the social benefits of laughter could possibly be the answer to world peace or even political discord.

Nothing to Lose Productions will present their second Comedy Show on Friday, April 26, at 8 p.m. Brandon Hansen and Scott Schlafman will host an evening of hilarious skits and comedy routines presented by a cast of characters from our community at large. If you missed last year’s event, you can get on board this year and boost your immune system as well as the efforts to renovate the Chewelah Center for the Performing Arts.

Tickets are available at Aker’s, Valley Drug, Quartzite Brewery and the Independent with all proceeds being donated to the Center. Refreshments will be served; beer and wine are available for purchase. This is a 21 and older event. Tickets may also be purchased at the door which opens at 7:30 p.m. Come and watch some comedy and be well!

Old and new bridges near old Kettle Falls, Washington, April 26, 1941. – Columbia Basin Clearing Project; Caption: Seen at the lower left is the old highway bridge soon to be removed since it is too low for the rising reservoir. Slightly upstream are two new bridges under final states of construction, the closer being the highway structure and the next the railroad structure, both being cantilever type. In the lower right the railroad under crossing is shown where the new railway passes under the new highway at this point. The Kettle Falls in the background which have been great scenic attraction will be forever covered by backwater during the latter part of May or early June. (PHOTO AND INFORMATION COURTESY OF U of WA Libraries Special Collections/DAM117)

Inland Northwest’s last Pearl Harbor attack survivor passes away
Coeur d’Alene’s Ray Garland, the Inland Northwest’s last survivor of the Pearl Harbor that sparked World War II, passed away Thursday at age 96. Garland was part of the Lilac City Chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, which had 125 members in the mid-90s and in 2016 had just two members. Click here for the full story. More

(STAFF REPORTS/Chewelah Independent)

According to reports by KREM, a student was arrested with a gun at Colville Junior High School on Friday at 12:25 p.m. by Colville Police. The student was a male and had put the gun in his locker. The staff found out when another student told them about the issue.

The student is now in custody.

READ THE FULL STORY FROM KREM HERE.

The Chewelah School District board and administration held a community forum on March 27 to discuss the financial state of the district and upcoming budget cuts. The following are questions submitted by attendees during and after the meeting, along with answers from the administration: More

(KELLIE TRUDEAU/Chewelah Independent)

Winning the Pinewood Derby races was third-grader Kellan Landers, pictured here with pack leader Joe Trudeau. (Kellie Trudeau photo)

PINEWOOD DERBY MADNESS: Local Cub Scout Pack breaks out their fastest racers for March 28 event…

It was a fun evening for Chewelah Cub Scout Pack 998 as 12 scouts competed in the Pinewood Derby on March 28 at Gess Elementary to see who had the fastest downhill racer.

Kellan Landers (third grade) finished in first place, Brian Trudeau (first grade) finished second and Jesse Grubb (kindergarten) finished in third.

The handmade cars are less than seven inches long and less than five ounces in weight. They race on a four-lane, 42-foot wooden track, competing in each lane at least once to determine the fastest overall. Each heat takes about three seconds from start to finish. Cub Scouts, with help from a trusted adult, build their cars at home before the derby using the Scouts BSA approved pinewood derby kit. The Chewelah Scouts received an official kit from Santa Claus at their Christmas party in December. More