Once dubbed one of the richest counties in the state, Shoshone County is now looking at how to scale back services as federal timber money evaporates. Its schools face the same issue. "We are on full alert," said newly elected County Commissioner Mike Fitzgerald. "I came in this morning and sat down with all of the elected officials with the understanding that this is the beginning of a process." The county and its three school districts are bracing for a major reduction in Secure Rural School funding, which combined totaled a little more than $2 million last year. They are anticipating receiving less than 10 percent of that amount this year. In Kellogg School District alone, the SRS program paid the district a little more than $397,000 last year. Art Krulitz, chairman of the board of trustees, said this year he only expects to see about $28,000/Jeff Selle, Coeur d'Alene Press. More here.

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