The County Lines

Wed., July 22, 1998

WASHINGTON

ADAMS COUNTY Ritzville

Visiting Judge Wallis Friel found an Othello man guilty of second-degree assault even though he did not actually strike the victim. Alvaro Mendoza, 20, a reputed gang member, was convicted of taking part in a fight where a man was hit in the head with a metal baseball bat. “The court has sent a clear message that if you engage in criminal activity, you are liable for the conduct of your cohorts even if they do something crazy like hit someone over the head with a baseball bat,” county Prosecutor David Sandhaus said.

FERRY COUNTY Curlew

Richard Boxleitner, director of the Curlew Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center, received the Honor Award for Personal and Professional Excellence from the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. He was recognized for establishment of academic programs that link colleges and other organizations with the Job Corps.

GRANT COUNTY Ephrata

Grant County commissioners fired Long Range Planning Department director Otto Miller and voted to dissolve the department, citing staff resignations and public dissatisfaction. In its place, the commissioners are creating the Department of Community Development, headed by Dave Nelson, which will focus on rebuilding relationships between the county and cities.

LINCOLN COUNTY Davenport

The arson trial of former Almira restaurateur Thomas Biss is scheduled to begin today with jury selection in Lincoln County Superior Court. Accused of torching his popular eatery Bubba’s Steakhouse, Biss has been awaiting trial for two months. It was postponed at the request of the lead investigator, sheriff’s Detective Jerry Lane, who needed to care for his ailing wife.

PEND OREILLE COUNTY Newport

With reserves running low due to a decline in student numbers, the Newport School Board has voted to take out a $400,000 operating loan. The district will discuss the loan and its percentage rates at its July 28 meeting.

SPOKANE COUNTY Rockford

The Rockford Historical Society plans to open a museum in the new Rockford Community Building at the town park. Wiring, insulation, drywall and other donated items are needed to complete the building’s north wing for the museum. For more information, call 291-4250.

STEVENS COUNTY Springdale

Bob Tillman is patrolling the streets as town marshal. The third marshal since Mayor Dan Hite took office in January, Tillman says he plans a long stay in Springdale. Tillman has 18 years of law enforcement.

WHITMAN COUNTY Lamont

Stephanie Swannack has been awarded a $1,000 academic scholarship from the Association of American Agricultural Insurers. Based on scholastic achievement and community involvement, the scholarships are awarded annually to students committed to rural America and pursuing agricultural careers. Swannack plans to attend the University of Washington this fall.

IDAHO

BENEWAH COUNTY St. Maries

Registration for the Forest Insect and Disease Field Day scheduled for July 31 in St. Maries is due Tuesday. The one-day workshop will teach participants about a wide range of insects, diseases and parasitic plants that impair the growth of trees and forests in North Idaho. Experts will be available to discuss methods of dealing with the problems. For registration information, call the University of Idaho’s Benewah County extension office at (208) 245-2422. For program content questions, call Chris Schenpf at (208) 667-6426.

BONNER COUNTY Sandpoint

Donations of CDs, cassettes and videos are needed for the fifth annual Play It Again Panida Music Swap and Shop on Saturday. For every 10 items donated, participants will receive a coupon redeemable for one used recording on sale day. Proceeds from the sale go toward the Panida scholarship fund. For more information, call Karen or Bill at (208) 263-9191.

BOUNDARY COUNTY Bonners Ferry

The Boundary County Auto License Department announced two license plate reservation periods: Aug. 3 through Nov. 13 for reservation numbers belonging to the current registrant only, and Oct. 5 through Nov. 13 to reserve license numbers that have been expired for more than one year. The reservation fee is $1.50 per plate number. Plates eligible for reservation are for passenger cars, motor homes, non-commercial limited farm trucks and travel trailers. For more information, call Linda Alt at (208) 267-7613.

KOOTENAI COUNTY Coeur d’Alene

The Idaho Transportation Department announced the start of a seal coating operation today on the following state highways: Idaho 58, Idaho 41 and Idaho 53. The project is expected to take about two weeks. For more information, call Barbara Babic at (208) 772-1288.

LATAH COUNTY Potlatch

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved a $14,250 grant to stabilize the stream banks of Deep Creek. State and local sources will share the remainder of the $19,000 project costs to prevent future flooding of the creek, which empties into the Palouse River. A combination of vegetation management and other methods will be used.

SHOSHONE COUNTY Kellogg

Despite a normal water supply, Central Shoshone County Water District officials have asked customers to preserve water. Suggestions include not letting water run in streets and driveways, watering lawns only once a week and avoiding the heat of the day. They also ask that residents shut off watering by 9 p.m. to allow the system’s tanks to refill overnight.

MONTANA

LINCOLN COUNTY Libby

The permitting process for the proposed Treasure Mountain ski area has been delayed until mid- to late-1999 at the earliest, project coordinator Carolyn Stamy said. Causes of the delay include the environmental impact statement being completed later than expected and the proposed moratorium on road building in roadless areas.

This sidebar appeared with the story: SEND US YOUR TIPS 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.

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