The County Lines
WASHINGTON
ADAMS COUNTY
Othello
Solving the Rodeo Lake problem is a top priority for local lawmakers. With 46 home lots in the development, which suffers from poor drainage and fluctuating water levels, officials are looking to buy the homes and property to make a wildlife park. The county assessor’s office says the area was valued at $876,700 in 1998. Othello building official Curt Andrews says the property is worth $500,000 using county assessment figures.
FERRY COUNTY
Republic
With winter setting in, the Republic TV Association is taking steps to keep cabin fever at bay. The association added three new channels to its offerings: American Movie Classics, Home & Garden and the Military Channel.
Subscribers to basic cable service have 20 channels, with 37 channels for the “spoiled” viewer.
GRANT COUNTY
Royal City
Local roper Jason Stewart recently competed at the National Finals Rodeo in Colorado Springs, Colo. Stewart, who usually ropes with Bucky Campbell of Prosser, was paired with a new partner, Kyle Lockett of Ivanhoe, Calif., A 5-foot-11-inch, 175-pound header, Stewart qualified for the NFR in 13th place with $41,288 earned.
LINCOLN COUNTY
Davenport A rural mail carrier from Creston has been found mentally fit to stand trial. Ken Side will stand before a jury on Jan. 6 in Davenport. Side allegedly threatened to kill Superior Court Judge Phil Borst after Borst remanded Side to anger management counseling. Side, who made the threats to a mental health official during his counseling sessions, allegedly threatened to “take out” his postal supervisors and any police trying to arrest him.
PEND OREILLE COUNTY
Newport
County commissioners say they won’t have to dip into reserve funds to make their proposed 1999 budget work. The county received a windfall of $110,000 from PILT monies on government lands. Sales tax equalization funds of $200,000 from the state and the estimated increase in impact payments from Seattle City Light should be enough to pay the bills.
SPOKANE COUNTY
Deer Park
Deer Park’s Doug McGill was voted the Great Northern League football coach of the year by a panel of peers. McGill led the Stags to their first playoff birth in six years.
STEVENS COUNTY
Colville
The city street department is reminding folks that plows are called out only if 2 or more inches of snow have fallen. This year, in an attempt to keep spring dust problems in check, the city will be using a chemical de-icer instead of traction sand. Although the chemical is more expensive than sand, Mayor Duane Scott says it’s “worth the investment,” for clean streets come spring.
WHITMAN COUNTY
Pullman
Pullman Transit will be running on reduced service for Christmas break today through Dec. 31. A and D routes will be operating from 6:50 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. Pullman transit will be closed Christmas Day and Jan. 1. There will be normal Saturday service on Dec. 26.
IDAHO
BENEWAH COUNTY
St. Maries
The St. Maries City Council is accepting resumes or letters of intent for an opening on the city council. The seat became vacant after George Currier retired. Residents who have lived in St. Maries more than 30 days and are registered voters may apply for the position. The successful candidate will fill the position until the November 1999 election.
BONNER COUNTY
Sandpoint
The Bureau of Land Management has announced a Dec. 30 deadline for miners to file a document that allows them to keep their claim. The document is for miners who filed a Maintenance Fee Payment Waiver Certification last year. Forms, along with a fee of $5 per claim, can be mailed with a postmark no later than Dec. 30 to the BLM State Office, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, Boise, ID 83709.
BOUNDARY COUNTY
Bonners Ferry
Boundary County commissioners will meet in special session Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. to accept public comment on the proposed Boundary County Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance. Copies of the proposed ordinance are available at the Planning and Zoning office or at the Boundary County Library. Written comments can be sent to Planning and Zoning, P.O. Box 419, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805. Comments can be sent by e-mail to bcplng@dmi.net.
KOOTENAI COUNTY
Coeur d’Alene
Idaho residents not enrolled in a health benefit plan will have the opportunity to do so beginning Jan. 1. The Individual Health Insurance Availability Act requires insurance companies to open enrollment for 45 days twice a year, regardless of health status or claims experience.
LATAH COUNTY
Moscow
Bob West, assistant superintendent at the Moscow School District, will be the chief deputy for Idaho’s new state schools superintendent. Marilyn Howard, the Moscow principal who ousted Republican Anne Fox in November, takes office Jan. 4.
SHOSHONE COUNTY
Kellogg
Shoshone Medical Center is working to have a workplace drug prevention program to help residents in the Silver Valley. The Silver Valley Substance Abuse Prevention Program will provide a high quality program to establish drug- and alcohol-free work environments. The program will provide drug and alcohol testing, substance abuse education and education about drugs and their effects for employees, and education for employers to recognize impaired individuals. For information on the program, call Bob Burnett at (208) 682-3298 or Margie Capparelli at (208) 786-4201.
MONTANA
LINCOLN COUNTY
Libby
Donations are needed to continue the Caring Program for Children. The program has more than 500 Montana children, including 29 from Lincoln County, on a waiting list to receive basic health care. The foundation helps meet health care needs of children whose families cannot afford health insurance but do not qualify for government assistance. To make a contribution or for information, call coordinator Tracey Koder at 1-800-447-7828, ext. 3414, or write to: Caring Program for Children, P.O. Box 872, Helena, MT 59624-0872.