The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County
Othello
Expanding services to a growing community, the Othello Community Hospital is opening bids today for a second wing.
Adding 51,000 square feet, the two-story wing will cost the district $12 million. The expansion will provide more room for existing services such as emergency and labor and delivery; increase the number of patient rooms; and will add a second surgery suite and orthopedics. Ground should be broken in the next two weeks.
Ferry County
Republic
The celebration of a century was a whopping success.
An estimated 800 Republic High School graduates attended the centennial reunion July 25. Tiger grads from across the country braved 100-degree temperatures to pay homage to their alma mater and get reacquainted with old friends.
Festivities included tours, barbecues, pictures, a dance and a pancake breakfast.
Grant County
Coulee City
Although the search for the body of Eric J. Woodard of Union is ongoing, Deep Lake reopened Monday, Aug. 2, for swimming and boating.
Woodard, 20, drowned July 5, after a 150-foot dive into Deep Lake below Dry Falls. Closed to the public since the accident for health and public safety reasons, the Sun Lakes State Park ranger station gave up hoping the warm temperatures would raise the body.
More than 90-feet deep, water temperatures at the bottom of Deep Lake hover around 46 degrees.
Lincoln County
Almira
With the first truckload of grain coming into the Almira Farmers’ Warehouse on July 18, harvest is well under way.
According to manager Jim Bafus, yields have been averaging 50 to 80 bushels per acre “depending on who got the rain and when.” Reports say crops south of Almira are clean with high test weights. Loads from farther north are lower in weight and cleanliness.
Bafus reported none of his growers are selling their grain due to low prices.
Pend Oreille County
Diamond Lake
A petition by a local man to set the level of Diamond Lake has been put on the waiting list of Superior Court Judge Rebecca Baker. Baker sent the petition back to Bob Morris last month asking him to get more information before she would set a public hearing.
Morris asked Baker to set the lake level at 2,338.79 feet above sea level, 2.66 feet lower than the Diamond Lake Water and Sewer District needs to alleviate flooding.
Morris must give all affected landowners notice of the petition before a public hearing will be scheduled.
Spokane County
Elk
Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Darwin M. Triplett, son of Jo Anne Smith of Elk, recently helped the guided missile frigate USS Vandegrift win its second consecutive Pacific Fleet 1997 Wellness Award.
The award is given to the command that has made the most significant contribution to improving daily life and health of crew members.
Stevens County
Colville
Looking for a break from the heat? Mount Carmel Hospital invites all citizens to its annual ice cream social today from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Hospital Prayer Park.
The Dominican Sisters will be honored. The Woodland Dixieland Band will provide entertainment.
Whitman County
Pullman
Season passes for the Reaney Park Pool began selling at half price this week. The pool is open from 12:15 to 7:30 p.m. daily. After Aug. 23, the pool will be open on an abbreviated schedule through Labor Day. Pool passes are available at Pullman’s parks and recreation office in city hall.
IDAHO
Benewah County
Plummer
The fire July 17 at Rayonier Mill has caused a loss in property tax revenue.
Commissioners lowered the assessment of Rayonier’s property in Plummer when they voted to cut the bill by $1.3 million. That translates into a $13,000 reduction in Rayonier’s tax bill.
Bonner County
Sandpoint
The city of Sandpoint has formed a steering committee to organize a downtown revitalization project, which it hopes will bring many businesses and property owners together to develop a shared vision.
Sandpoint Planning Director Kevin Clegg said the committee is trying to solicit a wide degree of public input on the revitalization in order to gain diverse opinions.
Boundary County
Bonners Ferry
A Kindergarten School Bus Safety Special for children going to school for the first time will be Aug. 19 at the Boundary County Library. Children and their parents will watch a video about school bus safety and take a ride on a school bus.
The event will run from 1 to 2 p.m. There is no charge. For more information, call Beth Byars at (208) 276-3750.
Kootenai County
Coeur d’Alene
The public is welcome at a meeting of the Democratic Club this Friday that will address charter schools. Idaho Education Association spokesperson Sue Scott will speak on the new mandate for education reform.
The meeting will begin at noon at the Iron Horse Restaurant in Coeur d’Alene. For more information, call Fred Glienna at (208) 667-6973.
Latah County
Moscow
Sam Froes, director of the UI Institute for Materials and Advanced Processes and a professor in the Metallurgical and Mining Engineering Department, has won an international award recognizing his teaching.
Froes won the 1998 Materials Engineering Institute Instructor of Merit Award from the ASM International Society.
Shoshone County
Pinehurst
Ten of Pinehurst Elementary School’s windows were broken late last week. Police believe someone was on the school grounds Thursday night or early Friday morning and threw rocks through the windows.
It will cost about $500 to replace the glass, according to police reports.
Anyone with information on the vandalism is asked to contact the Pinehurst Police Department at (208) 682-3662.
MONTANA
Lincoln County
Libby
The fourth annual Loggers Oldtime Football Game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday on Logger Field at Libby High School. Any former player for any school or team is welcome. The game will be a regulation contest with four quarters and full contact. Sign-up begins at noon in the Libby High School gym. Equipment will be handed out during registration. For more information, call Cam Foote at (406) 293-6077 or Rick Brossman at (406) 293-8465.