(Staff Reports)

Stevens County unemployment rate second-highest in state…

The unemployment numbers for May are out and the rates are quite good across the country. While the Tri-County area has lagged behind the rest of the state in economic numbers, this May did provide the third straight month where the unemployment dropped in Stevens County. The rate went from eight percent in April to seven percent in May.

Still that rate is the second-highest in the state, well below  Ferry County’s 12 percent unemployment rate. 2018 has not been a good year for the neighboring county, as unemployment rates are two to three percent higher than the previous three years. More

(By Brandon Hansen/Chewelah Independent)

When taking the Chewelah City Pool shell out, a hole was found under the structure, which would have complicated repairs. (Courtesy photo)

City says demolition reveals large gap under pool shell…

During demolition of the Chewelah City Pool, an empty space about the size of a regular bedroom was found. While the cause of this hole isn’t completely known, either water leaking from pipes eroded the ground, or settling from dirt by the Chewelah Creek, caused pipes to sheer off.

“We didn’t know it was that bad but we kind of suspected it,” Chewelah City Administrator Mike Frizzell said.

This finding was announced at the last Chewelah City Council Meeting on June 6. More

(Brandon Hansen/Chewelah Independent)

Route being rebuilt, crest of hill being lowered for visibility…

Ehorn Lane has long been an important route in Chewelah, cutting around Jenkins Junior/Senior High School and allowing drivers to go from Main Ave. to Lincoln without having to go on the highway, or heading up Flowery Trail for the ski hill.

Now it’s getting some heavy work done to it as part of a million-dollar project thanks to state and federal funds. Currently closed to through traffic, the familiar route has been getting worked on by Baumann Brothers and subcontractors for weeks now. More

(By Stevens County Prosecutor Tim Rasmussen) 

Jumping Bail

Billie Allen Jones was behind the wheel of his car about 7 p.m. in October 2016 when he was driving toward Spokane along Hwy 291 in the Tum Tum area of Stevens County. He was with two of his friends. They had been smoking marijuana and Jones had been using heroin and a little methamphetamine earlier in the day. He maintained he was not impaired, but the blood test did not agree.

Driving after using drugs was not new to Mr. Jones. He had been convicted of DUI in 2009 and had also been charged with DUI in 2008, but that charge had been reduced to Negligent Driving. He had never been punished very much for these driving offenses and did not take them very seriously. More

Here is Remember When for June 21, 2018…

More

(By Colin Haffner/Chewelah Independent)

Speedy Tire Lube and Detail has moved to the old Ranch Hand building in Chewelah. (Brandon Hansen photo)

Ranch Hand building now home to tire and lube center…

There’s a good chance you may need some automotive maintenance or repairs in the near future. For those of you who like the service at Speedy’s Tire & Lube, you won’t find them in their old location at the Roy’s Chevron.

The owners, Rone and Boh Katzer, recently came by an opportunity to purchase the old supermarket building behing Safeway and moved the operation into the new building this past May. More

(Press Release from Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers)

McMorris Rodgers says she supports the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act…

On Tuesday, Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) released the following statement on legislation she is working on to fix the issue of family separation at the southern border.

“As I said yesterday, I do not believe the government should separate children from parents who are awaiting adjudication for breaking federal immigration law. As Americans, the land of freedom and opportunity, as a people who are warriors for human rights and human dignity, these policies are inconsistent with our nation’s values and everything we stand for. If the administration will not change this policy on their own, then Congress must act to change the underlying law to ensure separation does not happen during the prosecution process. More

(By Colin Haffner/Chewelah Independent)

Renee Holaday one of five running for SC position…

Property and water rights activist Rene’ Holaday is one of five candidates making a run for the Stevens County Commissioner Position 2 seat in this year’s upcoming election.

Holaday, who served as President of the Stevens County Property Rights Group for four years, among other leadership roles, is actively involved as a committee member for the Liberty (51st) State movement. She is running because she feels she can be an effective leader for the community.

This is Holaday’s second time going for a County Commissioner position. Her previous attempt came in 2010, with similar concerns about property and water rights. More

Here are court records for Stevens County courts for June 21, 2018.

More

Here is the honor roll for the spring quarter…

More