The County Lines

(From For the Record: September 2, 1998, Spokane edition, and September 3, 1998, Idaho edition): Water rate increase approval: A water rate increase in Metaline Falls, Wash., was approved by the Pend Oreille Public Utility District No. 1, not the Metaline Falls City Council, as reported in a County Lines item Monday.

WASHINGTON

ADAMS COUNTY

Ritzville

Coach Mike Lynch welcomed 43 Ritzville Bronco football players to pre-season camp last week. These young men are gearing up for a tough road ahead in the Bi-County League. Of this year’s recruits, only 10 are returning lettermen, with six returning starters on offense and eight returning starters on defense. Junior Justin Heider will be taking the snaps for the Broncos, with senior Dustan Arlt moving to running back.

FERRY COUNTY

Republic

Affirming that the U.S. Forest Service has adequately prepared environmental documentation, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals authorized the Republic Ranger District of the Colville National Forest to move forward with the Santim and Alec timber sales. These sales have been delayed for more than three years because of lawsuits and appeals. Approximately 500 acres of timber are planned for harvest in the two sales, some of which will be harvested by helicopter.

GRANT COUNTY

Moses Lake

While most folks purchase their homes through real estate agents, residents of Moses Lake can find housing through their local Rite Aid pharmacy. Needing to clear a lot for construction of the pharmacy and strip mall, The Summit Group, which is handling development, is looking to have two single-family houses moved from the site. The homes must be moved from the site intact by Sept. 15 to meet with construction deadlines. All offers will be entertained, although the company would also be pleased to see these homes go to a good cause.

LINCOLN COUNTY

Reardan

Reardan can’t ever get enough of a good thing. After using asphalt grindings from area Department of Transportation road work to pave local streets, Reardan City Manager Bruce Johnson announced the DOT has agreed to give the town another asphalt freebie. Currently working on the highway between Reardan and Edwall, the DOT is dumping its unwanted rock directly on streets in Reardan. Over 1,000 tons of paving material will be donated to the city from this project.

PEND OREILLE COUNTY

Metaline Falls

Metaline Falls residents are finding a cup of water could be worth its weight in gold. Approving a $15 per household water system rate increase, the City Council set the residential water base fee at $50. Although several residents complained, Public Utilities Director Larry Weis told the public the small local population is the real culprit. “What we have is a small customer base to provide the continued capital expenses to keep the system maintained, and it is expensive,” he said. By comparison, Newport water users pay $44.50, with Diamond Lake residents forking out $50 monthly for water.

SPOKANE COUNTY

Fairfield

Fairfield received two state Department of Health grants totaling $5,200 for new emergency response equipment. A grant for $1,200 will be used to purchase a polystyrene carrier, an immobilization device and a traction splint. The city plans to buy a defibrillator with another $4,000 grant, said city councilwoman and EMS officer Gerry McLean.

STEVENS COUNTY

Barstow

Expert teddy bear creator Tina Matney will be holding an open house this weekend to honor that cuddly, lovable stuffed animal. On display will be a plethora of bears, all of which Matney has molded with her own hands. An avid bear collector, Matney began sewing her own and has developed a signature style. Her creations are sold in Arizona, New York and the Hallmark Shop in Colville. The event, which includes refreshments, runs Sept. 4-5, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For directions, call (509) 738-2760.

WHITMAN COUNTY

Pullman

Neill Public Library will be closed Sept. 5-7 for Labor Day. Regular fall hours begin Sept. 8. In the fall, library hours are Monday-Wednesday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Thursday and Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. For more information, call (509) 334-4555.

IDAHO

BENEWAH COUNTY

St. Maries

The proposed budget for Benewah County is 9 percent higher than last year and includes a 3 percent pay increase for county employees. Final decisions on the county budget will be made at the Sept. 8 county commissioners meeting. The city of St. Maries, which held its budget hearing Aug. 18, expects a 6 percent increase in spending this year.

BOUNDARY COUNTY

Bonners Ferry

The fourth annual Labor Day Tennis Tournament is Friday at the Boundary County fairgrounds. The tournament will run a week and is sponsored by the Kootenai River Inn. Interested players can call (208) 267-7370 for more information.

KOOTENAI COUNTY

Coeur d’Alene

Five companies made bids for Kootenai County waste hauling service. County commissioners opened bidding last Tuesday and are expected to decide this week.

LATAH COUNTY

Moscow

The Moscow Community Theatre is collecting prose and poetry from local authors to perform during the Reader’s Theatre presentations titled “Portraits of the Palouse,” Oct. 1-10. Palouse writers are asked to submit no more than two original pieces of prose or poetry depicting some aspect of life on the Palouse. Please include name, address, phone number and e-mail. Send to annak@moscow.com or MCT at P.O. Box 9072, Moscow, ID 83843. Pieces will be selected and authors will be notified by 5 p.m. on Sept. 5. Call (208) 882-4731 for more information.

SHOSHONE COUNTY

Kellogg

A new church opened its doors in Kellogg on Aug. 23. Silver Valley Church of the Nazarene, led by Pastor Steve Morley, is located at Main and Division in Kellogg. Morley moved to the area with his family from Anaheim, Calif.

MONTANA

LINCOLN COUNTY

Libby

The latest monitoring report released by the Forest Service for the Kootenai National Forest shows that a downturn in timber production could make it difficult for the area to offset economic downturns such as mine or mill closings. The report covers 1988-97 - the first 10 years of the Kootenai National Forest Plan, which was approved in 1987.