The County Lines

WASHINGTON

ADAMS COUNTY Ritzville

Under a state-imposed deadline to construct a sewer, the city has run into a major roadblock by failing to obtain a state Centennial Clean Water Fund loan. Hoping to keep the sewer project on track, city engineer Tom Haggarty suggested applying for a federal loan through the Farmers Home Administration. But that idea was voted down by the City Council, so the city will wait until February to reapply for a state centennial loan.

FERRY COUNTY Republic

Rallying to get the county fairgrounds in shape for the Sept. 4 opening of the fair, local residents and businesses have given more than $10,000 for an emergency makeover of the flood-damaged facilities. The Colville Confederated Tribes gave $5,000 to the cause. Other donations, in the form of heavy machinery and trucks, saved the county thousands of dollars in reconstruction costs. Work will continue even after the fair ends.

GRANT COUNTY Royal City

Citizens of Royal City will long remember Sept. 1. On that date, sewer rates will jump $7 per unit per month. Hoping to sock away enough money to obtain federal funding, the Royal City Council is looking to make extensive upgrades to the town’s aging sewer system. Most households will pay $38.50 per month for sewer usage. Councilwoman Donna Smith said she cast the tie-breaking vote for the $7 increase because she felt the city should “bite the bullet.”

LINCOLN COUNTY Davenport

One juvenile has been charged and other arrests are possible after police discovered marijuana and drug paraphernalia at a local home last week. Obtaining a search warrant Aug. 17 after an incident the night before had piqued suspicions that a certain residence was a source of drugs, Davenport police officers, with the help of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department, went through the home. The case has been submitted to the county prosecutor’s office.

PEND OREILLE COUNTY Newport

The Newport City Council will choose one of three candidates to fill the council seat vacated by Paul Hillestad. Candidates are Ted Holden, Terry Gardner and Ken Smith. The decision is expected to be made at the Sept. 14 council meeting.

SPOKANE COUNTY Deer Park

According to state officials’ estimates, Deer Park’s population has increased by 1 percent - from 2,890 residents in 1997 to 2,920 this year. That figure is only an estimate, however; the population count won’t be official until the 2000 census.

STEVENS COUNTY Colville

Home educators will have an opportunity to buy and sell textbooks and other educational materials at a curriculum sale Friday. The sale is in the Colville Library basement from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and will include textbooks, learning tools and games, children’s and classic literature, teaching aids and reference materials. Those who want to register items to be sold should contact Sid Stecker at (509) 684-6495.

WHITMAN COUNTY Colfax

A painting by watercolor artist Roberta Tiemann of Colfax has been accepted into the Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society’s national exhibition. The painting, “The Antique Shop,” shows the exterior of Palouse’s St. Elmo’s Antiques and will be shown at the Kenan Center Gallery in Lockport, N.Y., from Oct. 4 through Nov. 15.

IDAHO

BENEWAH COUNTY St. Maries

A St. Maries drag racer placed first in the American Hot Rod Association world finals at Spokane Raceway Park earlier this month. Randy Reynolds received enough prize money to cover his race expenses.

BONNER COUNTY Sandpoint

North Idaho Country Barter Fair is requesting a special permit to conduct the fair Sept. 18-19 at the North Park of North Idaho Country Resort. Bonner County commissioners will have a public hearing Sept. 10 at 1:45 p.m. at the Bonner County Courthouse in Sandpoint. Written comments should be received by the Bonner County Planning Department at least 10 days before the hearing. Contact Patti Rahn at 265-1458.

BOUNDARY COUNTY Bonners Ferry

The Wildlife Building at the Boundary County Fairgrounds will be open for the fair beginning Thursday after electrical problems shut it down last month.

KOOTENAI COUNTY Post Falls

Post Falls is awaiting an additional $500,000 to finish improvements to the bike path on Seltice Way. Earlier this year, bonds were sold to raise $1.2 million for the path that stretches between Seltice and Pleasant View Road. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of October.

LATAH COUNTY Moscow

The Latah Soil and Water Conservation District is trying to fill four vacant district board positions this fall. District supervisors provide public information programs about conservation issues and help address natural resource problems and solutions. Candidacy declarations must be filed by Sept. 1. Call (208) 882-0507 for more information.

SHOSHONE COUNTY Kellogg

The West Shoshone Hospital board of trustees has three new members. Silver Mountain general manager Terry Turnbow, county coroner and funeral director Lonnie Duce and registered nurse Marjorie Roose were named to the board recently.

MONTANA

LINCOLN COUNTY Libby

The buy, sell or trade Libby Gun Show will be at Veterans Memorial Gym in Libby this weekend. Setup will be Friday from noon to 9 p.m., and the show will run Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $2 each day or $3 for both days. Children under age 10 will be admitted free with their parents.