The County Lines

Thu., Dec. 31, 1998

WASHINGTON

Adams County Ritzville

East Adams Rural Hospital will enter the new year debt-free. The hospital district reports it has retired its long-term debt with a lump sum payment of $378,940. This is the first time since 1967 the hospital has been debt-free. To stay in operation, East Adams was forced to borrow money in 1982, 1988 and 1992.

Ferry County Republic

Temperatures in the high country went subzero during mid-December. Local weather hound Dick Slagle reports a high of 29 degrees Dec. 16. The low for the week was one below zero Dec. 20. Slagle says only .06 of an inch of moisture fell between Dec. 15 and 21.

Grant County Moses Lake

Steven B. Smith, pleaded guilty to the first-degree murder of Hazel Alston of Moses Lake. Alston was kidnapped and murdered Dec. 12, 1995. The sentence range for first-degree murder is 20 years to life. Smith will be sentenced Feb. 9.

Lincoln County Wilbur

Attempting to repay loans for recent water system improvements, the Wilbur City Council approved a water rate increase. Starting Jan. 1, residents will pay $32.81, an additional $11 on their monthly bill. The total cost for water, sewer and garbage service in Wilbur will be $79.92.

Pend Oreille County Newport

After a judge deemed it unconstitutional, city fathers have rewritten the local dog ordinance. The ordinance now says it’s illegal to have a dog in the city for more than 30 days per year without a license. The debate started in 1996 when Leonard Browning of Spirit Lake was arrested for refusing to buy a license for his dog while visiting his girlfriend in Newport.

Spokane County Spokane

A Beanie Baby trade will be held Jan. 9 and 10 at the Spokane Valley Mall, 14700 E. Indiana. Rare, retired and new Beanies will be available. Call (509) 926-3700 for more information.

Stevens County Chewelah

With the NBA lockout, the hottest hoops around were being played at the Jenkins High School gym. That’s where the city of Chewelah team, led by Mayor Ron McCoy, took on the city of Colville firefighters Dec. 18. The game raised $232 for Christmas presents for needy foster children.

Whitman County Pullman

Pullman businesses are being encouraged to sign up to host a student for Pullman’s Job Shadow Day on Groundhog Day, Feb. 2. The partnership program between the Pullman School District, city of Pullman and the Pullman Chamber of Commerce places 50 students in the workplace for a firsthand look at how the skills they learn in school are relevant to the real world. The day consists of a three-hour job shadow from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., followed by a chamber luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m. Contact the Pullman Chamber of Commerce to sign up at (509) 334-3565.

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