BRIEFLY

NEW Health receives award from Baumgartner

NEWPORT — NEW Health, along with CEO Desiree Sweeney and its leadership team of Jacquelin Maycumber, Aaric Ross, Clint Hagen and Matt Akers, is receiving the Congressional Award for Excellence in Workforce Innovation from Congressman Baumgartner.

NEW Health clinics generate more than $58.6 million in annual economic impact, employ 189 fulltime staff and support 388 indirect jobs. Over the next decade, NEW Health is projected to create more than $667 million in economic value for the region. These positions are ladders out of poverty, anchors of stability and essential to breaking cycles of generational hardship, according to a NEW Health news release.

NEW Health is celebrating this achievement at its All Staff Event from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2 at the Mistequa Casino Hotel, 2555 Smith Rd. in Chewelah.

County offices closed Oct. 13

NEWPORT — Pend Oreille County offices will be closed to the public on Monday, Oct. 13 for an all-staff training day, with the exception of sheriff’s office and courts. This is scheduled as a workday for employees, but offices are closed to the public.

PUD celebrating Public Power Week

NEWPORT — The Pend Oreille Public Utility District is joining community-owned utilities nationwide in celebrating Public Power Week from Oct. 5-11.

Public Power Week is held annually to recognize the value of public power in primarily rural communities, including affordable rates, reliable service, local control and a strong community focus. To mark the occasion, PUD is offering free coffee, cookies and cocoa at its Newport office and at the Box Canyon Visitor’s Center throughout the week.

PUD is also introducing something new this year: Pops, Brats and Kilowatts, a family-friendly community event with free food, drinks and activities. Join PUD from 3:30-6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6 at the Newport office, or from 3:30-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9 at the Box Canyon Visitor’s Center. Customers will enjoy brats, sodas and games while connecting with PUD representatives and learning more about the benefits of a community-owned utility.

“Public power belongs to the people we serve and that’s what makes it special,” said Joe Hathaway, PUD public information officer, in a news release. “Public Power Week is about celebrating that connection and saying thank you to our customers.”

Pend Oreille County is one of more than 2,000 communities across the nation powered by public power.