Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

The County Lines

WASHINGTON

ADAMS COUNTY

Ritzville

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a string of rural burglaries in western Adams County. Thieves recently broke into a trailer near the Batum Missile Silo site and stole a generator, sleeping bags, office equipment and power tools. Total value is estimated at $2,422. The thieves seem interested in power tools, gasoline and large appliances.

FERRY COUNTY

Republic

Book lovers are invited to a book sale today. Hosted by Friends of the Republic Library, the sale will raise money to complete a library addition. Residents are donating books to the sale, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the library. The Friends report only $30,000 is needed to finish the project.

GRANT COUNTY

Ephrata

The smell of burning rubber will again waft over Ephrata during the summer months as auto racing returns to the basin. Central Park Raceway, formerly State Central Speedway, will be back in business in 1999 thanks to new owner Freddy Rantz. Rantz is planning three local classes with staggered schedules and booking of traveling groups.

LINCOLN COUNTY

Davenport

With new rural addresses assigned so that 911 dispatchers immediately know where calls for help are coming from, local residents are confused about their zip codes. Although the first five numbers, which indicate the town, will not change, those using zip-plus-four will be assigned a new set of four digits soon. The Spokane Addressing Management System will assign the numbers, which indicate new delivery routes.

PEND OREILLE COUNTY

Metaline Falls

The historic Cutter Theatre has received a $3,500 grant from the Washington Commission for the Humanities for a project called “How Livings are Made in the Metalines.” The project includes pictures and exhibits of northern Pend Oreille County employment throughout history, and will be a permanent display.

SPOKANE COUNTY

Chattaroy

Marine Pfc. Nicholas J. Spolski, son of Andrew and Melinda Spolski of Chattaroy, recently completed basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. During the 12-week training course, Spolski received instruction in first aid, combat water survival, marksmanship and weapons training.

STEVENS COUNTY

Chewelah

Three homes were destroyed recently in separate fires. The first torched a mobile home north of Colville on Dec. 18. The following night, an unoccupied home north of Chewelah burned to the ground, followed by a cabin near Orient that went up in flames Dec. 20.

WHITMAN COUNTY

Pullman

Nominations are being sought for service awards to be presented at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. birthday celebration Jan. 19 at the Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum. Pullman community members, university staff, faculty and students are eligible for the awards, which are based on commitment to the ideals of Martin Luther King Jr., and contributions made to the Palouse’s multicultural students and ethnic communities. Deadline for nominations is Jan. 8. Forms can be obtained by calling the offices of multicultural students at (509) 335-7852.

IDAHO

BENEWAH COUNTY

St. Maries

St. Maries Police Chief Fred Cruzan said he will enforce the city’s parking ordinance, something that was done infrequently in the past. This month, city patrol officers issued 30 parking citations. City police received calls about vehicles parked at intersections and will enforce parking laws in those areas. Cruzan said violations have become more frequent due to the influx of traffic in town.

BONNER COUNTY

Oldtown

The Oldtown City Council will consider a proposed agreement between the city and the Rotary Club for a waterfront park on the east side of the Pend Oreille River at Oldtown. A bicycle trial system also is being proposed between Oldtown and Sandpoint. The city will own the property, but the club will handle maintenance and have the right to use the park building for meetings.

BOUNDARY COUNTY

Bonners Ferry

The Knights of Pythias annual hoop shoot will be Saturday, Jan. 9, 8:30 a.m., at the Bonners Ferry High School. The contest is free and open to boys and girls in grades three through eight. Trophies and basketballs will be awarded to the top shooters. Information: (208) 267-7267.

KOOTENAI COUNTY

Coeur d’Alene

Kootenai County Disaster Services will provide sandbags to all participating fire departments for distribution to residents. People living in areas under a National Weather Service flood watch can request up to 100 sandbags at no charge. Residents can contact any fire department to set up a time to pick up sandbags. Where a flood watch is not in effect, a fee will be charged for sandbags.

LATAH COUNTY

Moscow

The University of Idaho’s first December commencement graduated 647 students. Robin Lynn Davisson of Coeur d’Alene was one of 11 students to receive her juris doctor degree from the UI Law School.

SHOSHONE COUNTY

Kellogg

Insulspan Idaho of Kellogg received the grand prize for excellence in home design for the 1998 House Beautiful Home Building Competition. Insulspan’s award was for the panels created for a 2,600-square-foot home designed by Howard Holtzman on Lake Michigan. The home also took grand prize in the category of architecture. The awards were presented at the Building Systems Council annual industry conference’s award banquet in North Carolina.

MONTANA

LINCOLN COUNTY

Libby

Former Sanders County Attorney Robert Slomski has been selected to replace Jim Wheelis as deputy to Lincoln County Attorney Bernie Cassidy. Slomski was one on five who applied for the position. He was hired based on his experience and ability to move into the position with a minimum of training. Slomski served eight years as deputy county attorney in Missoula.

Some of the information in County Lines comes from readers’ tips and from community newspapers. For items outside Spokane County, send your tips by fax to County Lines, (509) 459-5482, by mail to County Lines, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-2160, or by e-mail to news@spokesman.com. For items in Spokane County, send tips to Voices, The Spokesman-Review, same fax number and mail or e-mail addresses.