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Newport man dies in vehicle collision
MOSES LAKE — A Newport man died last week in a vehicle collision 3 miles east of Moses Lake.
Joseph L. Rammell, 77, of Newport was driving west on Interstate 90 around 2:25 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9 when he failed to stop at the stop sign at Exit 182 and Road O.
Meanwhile, Jose A. Martinez, 62, was driving north on Road O and approaching the Road O and Exit 182 intersection. When Rammel drove through the intersection, Martinez’s vehicle collided into the side of his.
Rammel, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene. Martinez was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured.
Both vehicles suffered reportable damage, according to a Washington State Patrol press memo.
ISP extends trooper application deadline
LEWISTON — The Idaho State Police has extended the application deadline for its next trooper training academy as the agency continues to address staffing needs, particularly in District 1 around Coeur d’Alene and District 2 around Lewiston.
The new deadline to apply is Friday, Oct. 17, and the next training academy begins in January 2026 in Meridian.
ISP’s hiring process includes a written exam, physical fitness test, oral interview, background investigation and medical and psychological evaluations. Qualified applicants must be American citizens, be at least 21 years old, hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent, possess or be eligible for an Idaho driver’s license and successfully pass all required background checks.
Recruits who complete these steps will be paid employees during the 22-week training academy. To apply, visit www. statecareers.idaho.gov/ jobs/16400897-idahostate- police-trooper.
County PUD conducting customer survey
NEWPORT — The Pend Oreille Public Utility District is asking for customer feedback in a new survey that will guide the PUD’s compliance with state clean energy laws.
The survey is part of the Clean Energy Implementation Plan, which the state requires utilities to complete every four years under the Clean Energy Transformation Act. The law mandates a transition to carbon-free electricity by 2045.
“This is about making sure the citizens of this great county have a say in how we meet these state mandates,” said Joe Hathaway, PUD public information officer, in a news release. “The more feedback we receive, the better we can represent our community’s priorities.”
The PUD is conducting the survey through Nov. 1. It is under five minutes long, anonymous and available on the PUD’s website at www.popud.org. A Spanish version of the survey is also available.
Customers are asked about which energy sources they prefer, what community values should guide planning and what challenges are faced by vulnerable populations in Pend Oreille County.
