The County Lines
WASHINGTON
ADAMS COUNTY Ritzville
A state grant for $166,655 is making recycling easier. Adams County will use the money to expand its paper recycling program, begin collecting household hazardous waste and update its Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan.
In addition, a $40,000 grant was awarded to the county health district to implement solid waste laws.
FERRY COUNTY Republic
The annual 4-H Fashion Review contest is today. Sewing students will show off their latest creations at the Ferry County Fairgrounds outdoor stage starting at 10 a.m. Foods/nutrition and clothing judging will begin after the fashion show, around noon.
The public is invited to attend, and refreshments will be served.
GRANT COUNTY Quincy
The Nature Conservancy recently purchased 3,400 acres of shrub-steppe habitat northeast of Quincy. The nonprofit land conservation group paid $2.2 million for the rolling Beezley Hills, home to sage sparrows, loggerhead shrikes, sage thrashers, hedgehog cactus and white-tailed jack rabbits.
Because shrub-steppe cannot support major wildlife, few large tracts such as this are available to preserve.
LINCOLN COUNTY Wilbur
Hoping to put a tight lid on vandalism in the local park, the Wilbur City Council is considering a curfew. Citizens are asked to comment on the proposal at a public meeting tonight at 8 at City Hall.
Recent vandalism, which included throwing picnic tables in the creek, breaking sprinkler heads and crushing a handmade tongue-in-groove wooden historical marker, has prompted the council to look at closing the park from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. People who want to use the park during that time could get a permit.
PEND OREILLE COUNTY Cusick
The Cusick School District is relying on a volunteer bond election committee to get information to voters. The district proposed the $2.4 million measure to upgrade Bess Herian Elementary School and Adam Wike Gymnasium.
The district said if the Nov. 3 bond is successful, about $400,000 in state matching funds should go toward the project.
SPOKANE COUNTY Spokane Valley
The Valley Library is closing next week for carpeting, painting and some repairs. Doors will be closed on the main Spokane Valley library Aug. 24 through Sept. 11. Money for the repairs comes from the library improvement bond that voters approved in 1996.
How will they move all those thousands of books? Special book stack-moving equipment is on the way from Portland, said Mike Wirt, Spokane County Library District director.
STEVENS COUNTY Kettle Falls
Looking for a fun weekend getaway? Try “A Local Folk Fest” in Kettle Falls. The Saturday event will feature music by the Kettle River Players, Justin Johnson and Caroll & Moe. Other attractions will include storyteller Linda Smith, a falconry demonstration and classic car show. The event starts at 1 p.m. at the Kettle Falls Historical Center on Highway 395.
WHITMAN COUNTY Colfax
The Whitman County Community Action Center is celebrating its 10th birthday today from 3:30 to 5 p.m., at the Perkins House Museum in Colfax. Center volunteers and program coordinators will speak about the agency, which serves low-income residents and a variety of other community needs.
Refreshments will be served. For more information, call (509) 334-9147.
IDAHO
BENEWAH COUNTY St. Maries
County crews have completed work on a new parking lot at Sixth and Jefferson - the former site of the Odd Fellows Hall, which recently was demolished.
The area now will offer parking for employees of the Benewah Community Hospital and the courthouse, providing additional customer parking on the street, as well as better access to the hospital.
BONNER COUNTY Sandpoint
A group of Bonner County citizens announced its support of a new organization for county offices in the November election. The People for Sensible Government candidates are Dale Van Stone and Brian Orr for commissioner positions, Marie Scott for county clerk, Shannon Syth for treasurer, Jim Boatwright for assessor and Dave Coffelt for coroner. People for Sensible Government is nonpartisan. For more information, call Debbie Ferguson at (208) 263-5105.
BOUNDARY COUNTY Bonners Ferry
The Boundary Community Hospital is offering certification classes for nurses. The class, offered in conjunction with North Idaho College, begins Sept. 8. For more information, call the Boundary Community Hospital Education Department at (208) 267-3141.
KOOTENAI COUNTY Coeur d’Alene
Several volunteers are needed for two organizations. United Way of Kootenai County is seeking volunteers to help with campaign activities which includes clerical work, promotions and coordinating events. For more information, call Gail at (208) 667-8112. Big Brothers/Big Sisters of North Idaho, a United Way agency, needs a volunteer to answer phones and perform general clerical work in its downtown office for a few hours during the day. For more information, call Barbara at (208) 667-0975.
LATAH COUNTY Deary
A Whitepine School District facilities study suggests the large Latah County district should consolidate Troy and Deary high schools and close the K-3 elementary school in Bovill to save money. The report gave three scenarios for restructuring the district, which included proposals for constructing new school buildings. The options will be discussed in public meetings over the next month and at a workshop meeting with the school board Sept. 21.
SHOSHONE COUNTY Wallace
The Wallace Public Library will continue to be closed today and Wednesday for repairs included in the building restoration project. The bookdrop has been moved near the sidewalk to accommodate the repairs, however, overdue books will be disregarded this week.
MONTANA
LINCOLN COUNTY Libby
World-renowned classical pianist Calvin Permenter will perform Aug. 23 at 2 p.m. at the Assembly of God Church. A recipient of several competitive performance awards, Permenter is associate director of music and director of keyboard studies at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo. He has studied extensively in France and is an honors graduate of the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music at Drake University. Permenter is the first performing artist in a series of concerts coming to Libby.