The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County Othello

Families are invited to the annual Read-In on Thursday. The event features community leaders reading their favorite stories and sharing information about their careers. The event, which includes ice cream and door prizes, starts at 6:30 p.m. at Scootney Springs Gym.

Ferry County Republic

Taxpayers who suffered damages from last May’s floods may receive a refund. By amending 1997 federal tax returns, individuals and businesses can claim those losses. Ferry and Stevens counties were recently designated as a federal disaster area, which makes citizens eligible for the tax break. Those not wishing to amend their 1997 taxes can claim the loss on their 1998 form.

Grant County Moses Lake

Agreeing that the local fire department is shorthanded, the Moses Lake City Council will hire two more firefighters. The department has seen a sharp increase in fire inspections since 1990. One of the new hires will be an administrator.

Lincoln County Odessa

Construction of a $6.1 million sewer project is under way. One of the few towns in Washington without a sewer system, Odessa has seen little industrial or residential growth. The town of nearly 1,000 has accepted a series of loans and grants from the Rural Development Department of the United States Department of Agriculture for the project. Ground was broken at the treatment plant site last week.

Pend Oreille County Metaline Falls

Tonight is the final performance for the Selkirk School District’s annual Shakespeare play. More than 45 students will take to the stage at 7:30 p.m. for “Macbeth” in the Cutter Theatre. This is the seventh year the students have tackled the challenge of Shakespeare.

Spokane County Cheney

Mayor Amy Jo Sooy will conduct a regional search for a new city administrator. She wanted to promote Parks Director Bob Hudson to the post, but council members and citizens asked her to seek other candidates. Sooy said the issue was becoming too controversial, so she agreed to the search, which could take six months. Hudson, the interim administrator, will continue double duty. He is expected to be a candidate for permanent administrator, Sooy said.

Stevens County Springdale

The City Council recently passed a resolution making “cat calls, outbursts, cheering, booing, heckling and other annoyances” during council meetings a misdemeanor.

Whitman County Moscow/Pullman

Flu shots will be available Wednesday in the Palouse Mall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $5, and Medicare recipients should bring cards. Pneumonia vaccines are available for $15.

IDAHO

Benewah County St. Maries

St. Maries School District students will not be in school Friday. District staff will attend a professional development presentation from Foster Cline, an international school consultant and lecturer. Classes will resume Monday.

Bonner County Sandpoint

Instructors at Studio One will begin an acro-tumbling class for ages 7 and up on Wednesday. Classes will be held Wednesdays from 2:30-3:30 p.m. and 3:30-4:30 p.m. through Dec. 16. Beginning MTV jazz for teens will begin Friday and be held Fridays through Dec. 18 from 4-5:15 p.m. Class fee is $36, with a $3 discount for city residents. Register at the Recreation Department, 1123 Lake St., or call (208) 263-3613.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

Work from Bonners Ferry artists is needed for the Healing Through the Arts display Nov. 21-22 at the Sandpoint Community Hall. For information, call Ellis Akre at (208) 267-3560.

Kootenai County Post Falls

The Post Falls High School Senior Class Auction will be Saturday in the high school gym. A preview of the items will begin at 6:30 p.m., and the live auction starts at 7 p.m. More than $1,000 in gifts, merchandise and services will be auctioned. Proceeds will benefit the alcohol/drug-free graduation party for the PFHS class of 1999. For information, call (208) 773-3270, (208) 773-7092 or (208) 773-4681.

Latah County Moscow

The Eggan Youth Center is open Saturdays from 3-9 p.m. The center has two pool tables, ping pong, Nintendo games, a television, a stereo and a lighted outdoor basketball court. On Saturday, soda and pizza by the slice will be available for 50 cents per slice. The Eggan Youth Center is located at 1515 East D Street in Moscow.

Shoshone County Kellogg

First Baptist Church of Kellogg will welcome Dennis Jarnagin as its new pastor today. Jarnagin has been a full-time minister since March 1997, and has worked for Morrison-Knudsen in Oak Ridge, Tenn., and Portsmouth, Ohio. He served eight years as a bi-vocational pastor.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

The comment period on a proposal to list the Canada lynx as a “threatened” species in the lower 48 states has been extended until Nov. 16. The July 8 proposal originally was extended form Sept. 30 to Oct. 14 to accommodate the meeting schedule of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. The lynx is the subject of a study in Lincoln County’s Yaak River Valley and other places in the northern tier states and Canada. Written comments should be sent by Nov. 16 to Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Montana Field Office, 100 N. Park Ave., Suite 320, Helena, MT 59601. For information on the proposal, contact field supervisor Kemper McMaster at the address above or by phone at (406) 449-5225.