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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

The County Lines

WASHINGTON

ADAMS COUNTY Othello

Bringing neighbors together to fight crime, the annual Othello People Against Crime Together (PACT) celebration is scheduled for today. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. with a parade and include a softball game, contests in the park and an address on crime prevention from Adams County reserve deputy Bob Guerrero. The event will be capped off by the Flashlight Walk, which gets under way at 9 p.m.

FERRY COUNTY Curlew

Local thespians, here’s your chance at the marquee! Auditions are now open for the Kettle Valley Theater, aka “The Stage in the Sticks,” production of “Harvey.” Interested folks are invited to the Curlew Civic Hall on Aug. 6 at 6 p.m. to vie for parts. Roles for 12 men and women are available, as well as jobs behind the scenes. Rehearsals begin Aug. 13 and run every Tuesday and Thursday evening until the performance in November.

GRANT COUNTY Ephrata

Grant National Bank will keep its name despite a buyout by Spokane’s United Security Bancorporation. Acquiring the local financial institution for approximately $10 million of its own stock, USBN adds $32 million in total assets, $28 million in deposits and $21 million in loans with the acquisition of Grant National. The staff and board of directors of Grant National will remain intact.

LINCOLN COUNTY Harrington

Two Sprague women have teamed up to keep the town of Harrington in fresh, hot buns. Staci Bewick and Connie McGrath have taken over Lord’s Valley Specialty Breads, which closed in June. Former owner JoAnn Warner, who built the wholesale business on local ingredients and tried and true recipes, put the bakery up for sale to spend more time with her family. New owners Bewick and McGrath say although they have no baking experience, they have plenty of help. Warner will be taking a few months to teach them some tricks.

PEND OREILLE Newport

Local green thumbs are getting some well-deserved recognition on the annual Art in the Garden tour. On the calendar for Saturday, the tour features local homes where gardeners have gone the extra mile. “The purpose is to share tips about working successfully with the county’s soil and varied climates,” said Janet Kiser of the WSU Extension. Highlights of the tour include ponds, rock transformations, sculpture, and tree and shrub placement. For reservations, call 447-2401.

SPOKANE COUNTY Cheney

“Don’t be Square, Come to the Fair,” is the fitting slogan for the annual West Plains Community Fair. Getting under way Friday, the fair includes a horse show, animal exhibits, dog and cat competitions, food and fun. A family-friendly event, look for games, contests and entertainment for all. Festivities will be held at the Cheney Rodeo Grounds opening at 8 a.m. through Sunday.

STEVENS COUNTY Colville

Forgoing a party for his 55th birthday, local butcher Don Olson decided to live life to its fullest - at 14,410 feet. As a present to himself, Olson took the challenge and climbed Mount Rainier. An avid climber, he reached the 10,000-foot level at age 50, so he decided going the distance at 55 would be no problem. “I didn’t think it was something I wanted to try and do when I turned 60,” Olson says.

WHITMAN COUNTY Tekoa

A 1994 Tekoa High School graduate is setting the world on fire. Kendra Chase recently graduated magna cum laude from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. A member of the honor society, she earned her bachelor of business administration in business economics and public policy. Chase was then commissioned into the U.S. Air Force. After training at Lackland AFB in Texas, she will be stationed in Yokota, Japan. She is the daughter of Cal and Cathy Chase of Tekoa.

IDAHO

BENEWAH COUNTY St. Maries

Clubs and organizations will now have to pay a user fee when occupying St. Maries Central Park. Groups that reserve the park will pay $50 per day and organizations who use the park for two or three months of the year will pay $300 per year. City Manager Lee Provance proposed the user fee as a way to supplement the park maintenance budget. For more information, contact City Hall at 245-2577.

BONNER COUNTY Sandpoint

Construction on Upper Pack River Road No. 231 and Grouse Creek Road will continue today through Friday. There is still access to Chimney Rock and Fault Lake, but access to Beehive and Harrison Lakes will be delayed during hours of construction. Both roads will have delays averaging 30 minutes, except when large culverts are removed and replaced. At those times, delays can be as long as four hours. Construction hours are between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Larry Elliot at 263-5111.

BOUNDARY COUNTY Bonners Ferry

Vendors are needed for the “Farmer’s Wife” Farmer’s Market, open every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at North Hill next to Caribou Creek Log Homes. Cost for vending includes a $5 insurance fee and 7 percent of daily sales. Items for sale at the Farmer’s Wife include fresh produce, baked goods and various craft items. For further information, call Brooke Huestis at 267-6035.

KOOTENAI COUNTY Coeur d’Alene

American Red Cross Panhandle Chapter is seeking young adults to serve as role models for teenagers. A mentor list is being compiled for volunteers willing to work with, guide and encourage personal growth in teens in Kootenai, Benewah and Shoshone counties. For further information, call Andrea Carter at 664-5414.

LATAH COUNTY Moscow

A blood drive will be held Friday in Room 2B at the Latah County Courthouse from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Fraternal Order of Police is sponsoring the drive. For further information, call (208) 285-1002.

SHOSHONE COUNTY Kellogg

Central Shoshone County Water District is asking its customers to follow a watering schedule in order to reserve supply sources for fire protection during August. The schedule allows morning watering from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and evening watering from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. In addition, the district is asking customers not to let water run in streets or sidewalks and hand soak flowers and shrubs. For more information call Mac Pooler at 786-9141.

MONTANA

LINCOLN COUNTY Libby

Representatives of the Montana Department of Transportation were in Libby recently to discuss lower speed limits and other safety measures in Lincoln County. Local residents, police and government officials’ primary concerns are the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and Bowkers Street at the bottom of Whiskey Hill; Highway 37 from Pipe Creek Road north past Mac’s Market to Florence Road; and U.S. 2 in the area around Happy’s Inn. However, a study will need to be undertaken before speed limits can be changed.