The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County Washtucna
When the state Parks Commission announced that it might close Lyons Ferry Park next year, students in a Washtucna High civics class took action. Upset at the prospect of losing their summer recreation spot, the students met with park representatives recently to discuss the issue. In that meeting, the class learned the state would be financing the Columbia Plateau Trail through the area.
Ferry County Curlew
The Curlew School Book Fair starting Saturday and continuing through Dec. 11 features a host of children’s books. And the purchase of a book entitles the shopper to another book of equal or lesser value. The fair will be held at the school during school hours and at halftime of all basketball games.
Grant County Quincy
Folks traveling Interstate 90 this holiday season will be treated to Christmas spirit Scott Lybbert-style. Lybbert, a Quincy farmworker, is credited with starting a light show along the freeway. The lights, mounted on fences and irrigation circles, are shaped like Santa and his team, as well as stars, angels and trees. Lybbert’s display has been featured on “Good Morning America.”
Lincoln County Wilbur
Lt. Gov. Brad Owen will join join local law officers and others to serve the annual Christmas on the Hill charity dinner at the home of Jan Wigen today. Four meals are scheduled, beginning at 11:15 a.m., and 208 diners, who already made reservations, are expected. Last year’s dinner raised $3,300 to help build playground equipment and install playing field lights in Wilbur.
Pend Oreille County Ione
Postal authorities are looking for information in a string of recent mailbox bashings. At least 21 mailboxes were vandalized with a baseball bat or pipe. Some were destroyed, while most were bent or damaged.
Spokane County Deer Park
The Deer Park School District will be one of 53 in the state to get help from the federal government for Internet access for students. Deer Park will get $17,660 of the $2.3 million set aside for schools. The discounted rate - known as the E-rate - provides schools reduced rates for Internet access as part of the 1996 Telecommunications Act.
Stevens County Colville
Are Stevens County agencies ready for 2000? Michael Blackmon, risk specialist and safety officer for the county, says it is “painfully clear that Stevens County faces a monumental task of preparing for the year 2000.” Blackmon, part of Stevens County Task Force 2000, says the courthouse, jail, annex, 911 and ambulance services and all their backup systems should be looked at first.
Whitman County Pullman
The Pullman Chamber of Commerce encourages residents to shop locally to support local charities. Participating businesses will be donating a percentage of the sales through Dec. 14 to either Pullman Child Welfare or United Way of Pullman. Participating businesses will be recognized by a red “Shop from the Heart” flier in their window.
IDAHO
Benewah County Plummer
A Plummer man’s home was destroyed by fire on the morning of Nov. 20. A heater ignited blankets in a bedroom at the home of Jack Masephol. Because he was not clothed, Masephol refused to leave his home until someone passed him some clothing. The mobile home was a total loss, but no one was injured in the blaze.
Bonner County Sandpoint
Sandpoint Airport and Merritt Field in Priest River passed safety inspections by the Idaho Transportation Department’s aeronautics divisions. State inspectors found both airports to be in good shape, but noted that lights identifying the end of a runway were out of service at Sandpoint Airport and tall weeds were obscuring reflectors for Merritt Field’s turnarounds.
Boundary County Bonners Ferry
Dr. Marty Becker, author of “Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul,” will be signing books at Bonner Books in Bonners Ferry from 1-2 p.m. Dec. 12. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each book that day will be donated to the Second Chance Animal Adoption Volunteers.
Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene
Authors of the North Idaho College book “A Patchwork of Praise” will hold a book-signing Sunday.
The 98-page book of essays written by current and former NIC students details six decades of life at the college. The authors will be at The Bookseller, 311 Sherman Ave., from noon to 4 p.m.
The book is also available for $8.98 at the college alumni office.
Latah County Moscow
Second District Judge John Stegner dismissed indecent exposure charges Monday against three women arrested for walking topless in Moscow last July. The judge ruled that the city’s indecent exposure ordinance, which states, “No person shall willfully expose his or her person or private parts thereof,” is unconstitutionally vague.
Shoshone County Wallace
The Wallace Senior Center will hold its annual Pie and Coffee Day Dec. 5 as part of the Yuletide Lighting Festival. The event will be 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the center, 621 Bank St., in Wallace. Pie and coffee will be available for $1.25, along with a craft table and a raffle table.
MONTANA
Lincoln County Libby
A Biblical study tour to Israel is scheduled for Jan. 30 through Feb. 8. The tour will include a day in Amsterdam, along with visits to areas of Israel including Jerusalem, the Sea of Galilee region, Bethlehem, the Valley of Armageddon and the Dead Sea area. Dr. Dale Pederson, a veteran Biblical study tour leader and Sr. Pastor at Faith Bible Church in Libby, will host the tour. For information, contact Dr. Pederson at (406) 293-7441 or Box 667, Libby, MT 59923.