The County Lines
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ADAMS COUNTY Ritzville
Othello resident Diego Roque Arias recently was convicted of possession of cocaine after a traffic stop in January. The cocaine in Arias’ possession, police said, was a trace amount found on his driver’s license and a dollar bill found in the vehicle. State Patrolman Greg Monroe said he stopped the vehicle Arias was driving after a tip the driver had a suspended license. The decision is being appealed as Arias’ public defender, Dennis Morgan of Ritzville, said the stop was illegal. Adams County Prosecutor David Sandhaus said he is gratified by the conviction because it “establishes that a person can be convicted for possession even if they only have an unusable trace amount of drugs on them.”
FERRY COUNTY Republic
Grant County residents Gregory Haynes of Warden and James Denton of Moses Lake were sentenced to six years each in prison in U.S. District Court last week for their role in a multi-million dollar Warden-area marijuana-growing operation. Busted in July 1997, the duo’s 2,000 plants were discovered and their businesses, Desert Lakes Batting Cages and J&J Crushing, were seized under suspicion of being used to launder drug money. Now, assets of both businesses will be sold to pay off creditors, with any leftover funds going to the Department of Justice. Appealing their sentences, the pair remain free under court supervision.
LINCOLN COUNTY Odessa
Working to get its proposed sewer project off the ground, the Odessa City Council voted to accept a bid for Phase 1 of the wastewater treatment facility. Although the bid came in $436,267 over what was estimated, the council believes it can negotiate a lower cost with Williams Brothers of Spokane. The council is hoping to receive a block grant from the Farm Home Administration to pay for the facility. Construction could be under way as soon as Sept. 1.
PEND OREILLE COUNTY Diamond Lake
He may be legally blind, but Diamond Lake resident Gerald “Al” Thorne is one heck of a biker. A veteran who is nearly sightless, Thorne, 47, is riding his bicycle from Spokane to Iowa City, Iowa, to attend a golf tournament for the blind. Known as a T.E.E. event, the tournament provides sightless vets with training, exposure and experience in golfing. The 2,600-mile trip is Thorne’s way of showing disabled people they can be active and participate in the community.
SPOKANE COUNTY Spokane
Video stores and libraries are offering free checkout of a new environmental video on grasscycling - leaving clippings on the lawn. The 15-minute video explains the hows and whys. Call the Recycling Hotline at 747-0242 for addresses and numbers of participating video stores and libraries.
STEVENS COUNTY Colville
If local rowing enthusiasts have their way, there will be a new type of boat on Lake Roosevelt soon. Hoping to form a regional crew team, college crew coaches will meet with interested athletes Friday at 7 p.m. at Woody’s American Grill. Organizer Neil Thompson said a nationally competitive rowing program here is not a pipe dream. He is looking for willing participants and sponsors to bring the sport to the area. Not only does a rowing program bring economic opportunities to the area, Thompson says kids can benefit directly because of “the opportunity to seek college scholarships throughout the nation.”
WHITMAN COUNTY Colfax
Whitman County Sheriff Steve Tomson warned residents of extreme fire danger in all parts of the county this week. Campfires are prohibited at all county parks and Corps of Engineers recreational areas along the Snake River. Only gas-fired stoves and grills should be used and only with extreme caution. Motorists should not park vehicles in dry grass or brush.
IDAHO
BENEWAH COUNTY St. Maries
The newly established Computer Corral offers all types of computer service and repair, including installation and maintenance of computer systems. Owner J.W. Carrington moved to St. Maries from Spokane in early April and previously worked at The Paperhouse. Computer Corral is at 229 Homer Drive, adjacent to Riverbend Laundry. For more information, call Carrington at (208) 245-7903.
BONNER COUNTY Priest River
Two Priest River residents were struck by lightning in Wyoming’s Snowy Range Monday afternoon. Katherine Ann Wylie, 51, and Elden Gregory, 61, were hiking about two miles west of Lewis Lake when the storm moved in, officials said. Gregory told authorities Wylie was about 15 feet in front of him when the lightning struck both of them and knocked him unconscious. Gregory was taken to Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie, Wyo., where he was listed in stable condition.
BOUNDARY COUNTY Bonners Ferry
Boundary Community Hospital will offer Private Duty Services in addition to Home Health Care services. The new program offers both caretaking services, such as assisting in errands, and skilled nursing. Certified nurses aides, homemaker attendants and registered nurses all are available, depending on the needs of the patient. Private Duty Services is expected to be available early next week. For more information, call (208) 267-0671.
KOOTENAI COUNTY Coeur d’Alene
Idaho Drug Free Youth and the Kootenai County Substance Abuse Council are sponsoring a teens-only summer cruise from 8 to 10 p.m. tonight. Boarding begins at 7:30 p.m. at Independence Point. Tickets can be purchased at the Long Ear, 2920 N. Government Way, or at the boat for $3. For more information, call Amy Bartoo at (208) 664-4339.
LATAH COUNTY Moscow
On Wednesday, the Moscow Food Co-op announced plans to move to a larger location at the present Third Street Market site near the post office.
The lease with Geoff Beckett, owner of the Post Office Square shopping center, was signed Tuesday. The larger site will allow for an expanded deli, additional products and more parking, General Manager Kenna Eaton said. Third Street Market owner Mark Deleve plans to open a convenience store in an adjacent location. The co-op will continue at its present location through Dec. 31 and open its new doors Jan. 5, 1999.
SHOSHONE COUNTY Smelterville
The Smelterville City Council rejected an appeal by Gary Waters to continue operating a transfer station in Government Gulch. The vote reaffirmed a decision by the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission. Waters did not apply for a special-use permit for the transfer station when the zoning of the lot changed from a holding district to light manufacturing, which violates Smelterville planning and zoning guidelines.
MONTANA
LINCOLN COUNTY Libby
A free baby sitter’s clinic for boys and girls ages 11 and up is scheduled for Aug. 17 and 18 at Families in Partnership. The one-day class will run from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Participants must preregister by Friday. For additional information, call (406)293-6242.