The County Lines
WASHINGTON
ADAMS COUNTY Washtucna
Hoping to give local folks a taste of the Gospel, well-known Christian singers “The Breshears” will perform free of charge Saturday at the Washtucna Community Church. Jerrel and Janice Brashear write and perform all their own music. They have been traveling the nation for 26 years with an average of 250 concerts annually.
FERRY COUNTY Republic
Fiddlers for miles around are putting rosin on the bow as the fourth annual Northeast Washington Fiddle Contest is just around the corner. On the calendar for Saturday and Sunday, the event kicks off with the Small Fry (under 9) competition at 9 a.m., followed by music from all age groups. The free event features a “Strut Yer Stuff” program, which gives fiddlers a chance to play tunes not heard in competition.
GRANT COUNTY Royal City
Cystic fibrosis sufferer Jason Montgomery, 20, is hoping a double-lung transplant will save his life. Montgomery, whose family lives in Royal City, must relocate to central California to be near Stanford University’s Medical Center for the transplant. Unfortunately, the move will be expensive and the Montgomerys are asking for financial help. Anyone who wants to help offset relocation and medical costs is directed to any US Bank branch to give to the Montgomery Transplant Fund, which is in the name of Jason’s mother, Peggy.
LINCOLN COUNTY Davenport
Looking at the effects of Referendum 47, the Washington Institute Foundation found Lincoln County to be quite tax-friendly. Referendum 47 was designed to make counties hold property tax increases to the rate of inflation. According to the study, Lincoln County’s tax increase of 1.6 percent in 1998 was among the lowest in the state. The report also stated 22 of 39 counties have a substantial need to increase taxes above the 1.9 percent inflation rate.
PEND OREILLE COUNTY Cusick
It’s never too early to plan a trip to the Pend Oreille County Fair. On the calendar for Aug. 20-23, the celebration includes exhibits, a car show, western entertainment, market animal sale, music, games and food. A highlight of the fair is the annual Cusick Rodeo. The ropin’ and ridin’ gets under way Aug. 22 at 7:30 p.m. and continues Aug. 23 at 1:30 p.m.
SPOKANE COUNTY Spokane
Valley Valleyfest organizers continue to seek volunteers and donations for the Spokane Valley’s annual community bash at Terrace View Park. The Sept. 26 event is free and includes a fun run, parade, craft and science booths, musical entertainment and other activities. For volunteer information, call 922-1766. To donate, call 924-3800.
STEVENS COUNTY Valley
The Valley Fair is a must-see for the entire family this weekend. Events include a fun run, entertainment and games and booths. The fair also has traditional exhibits and livestock judging. Look for the antique car show and parade, which add to the fair’s charm. The fairgrounds are 50 miles north of Spokane on Highway 231 toward Waitts Lake.
WHITMAN COUNTY Pullman
Ryan Smaha of Pullman recently graduated from Northfield Mount Hermon School. A Massachusetts independent college-prep school, Northfield Mount Hermon was established in 1879. While at that institution, Smaha was a member of the varsity football and Alpine skiing teams. He is the son of Mark Smaha of Pullman, and Rebecca Frei of Moscow, Idaho. Smaha will attend Eastern Oregon State College in LaGrande, Ore., in the fall.
IDAHO
BENEWAH COUNTY St. Maries
The Benewah County Horse Show is scheduled for today through Sunday at the Benewah County Fairgrounds. Aletha Salen from Latah County and Kristie Wilson from Kootenai County will compete in the Idaho Sportsmanship Award Performance Test at 1 p.m. today. The District One Horse Show on Saturday is open to the top two blue ribbon winners in Benewah, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah and Nez Perce counties. The competition begins at 9 a.m. All 4-H horse members may participate in the All-District Classic Horse Show at 8 a.m. on Sunday. For more information, contact the Benewah County Extension office at 245-2422.
BONNER COUNTY Sandpoint
Two North Idaho Community Express buses were destroyed by flames late Wednesday. No injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire at the corner of Church and Fifth Streets.
BOUNDARY COUNTY Bonners Ferry
Registration for the Boundary County Community 4-H Style Show is due by Aug. 18. Participants do not have to belong to 4-H. The event will be at 7 p.m. on Aug. 26 in the Boundary Fairgrounds Indoor Arena. For registration information, call Joan at the Boundary County Extension Office at 267-3235.
KOOTENAI COUNTY Coeur d’Alene
For the seventh year, Kootenai County area firefighters will be at five intersections urging motorists to support muscular dystrophy research this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Fill the Boot campaign raised more than $30,000 last year when community members put their spare change into firefighters’ boots. The money collected goes to the Muscular Dystrophy Association for research and patient care. Collections will be taken at the Outlet Mall in Post Falls, Appleway and Government Way in Coeur d’Alene, Government Way and Hayden Ave. in Hayden, Highway 41 and Highway 53 in Rathdrum, and Highway 97 at Beauty Bay Creek Road on the east side of Lake Coeur d’Alene. For more information, call Catherine Ward at 765-1200, ext. 1270 or Jennifer Kosareff at 765-1200, ext. 1271.
LATAH COUNTY Moscow
Candace Gingrich, U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s sister, will be at the Moscow Community Center from 1-2 p.m. today with Oregon activist Donna Red Wing. Gingrich’s stop is part of a three-week tour of the Northwest and is sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian and gay political organization. Local human rights advocates helped organize the visit by Gingrich.
SHOSHONE COUNTY Wallace
The Wallace Public Library Foundation received a $25,000 grant from the Steele-Reese Foundation to restore the library. The grant will round out the funds needed for the exterior restoration of the library, said Joe Grismer, WPLF project director. An additional $45,000 will need to be raised for interior work.
MONTANA
LINCOLN COUNTY Libby
Felony charges have been filed against a man accused of submitting counterfeit ticket vouchers for reimbursement at a Lincoln County video gambling casino. Curtis Paul Peterson faces charges of tampering with a video gambling machine, which is a felony, and misdemeanor theft in connection with the incident last summer at the Stateline House west of Troy.