The County Lines

Adams County

Ritzville

For the fifth time in six years, the Ritzville High School Future Farmers of America team has won a national championship. The team finished first in the Agricultural Issues Career Development event at the national convention in Kansas City, Mo. The team investigated the federal Conservation Reserve Program and its effects on the state economy. The team is led by advisor Mike Schrag.

Ferry County

Republic

Although children don’t come with instruction books, the Northeast Tri-County Health District has a few things you may want to know. Nurse Kay Scamahorn will be holding childbirth classes, including Lamaze, newborn child care and prenatal and postpartum problems and solutions. The class is for mothers expecting between December and March. For information, call (800) 876-3319.

Grant County

Ephrata

Getting ready to combat the Y2K computer bug, the Grant County Public Utility District is upgrading and replacing necessary equipment. Key to this project are potential power generation problems at the district’s Priest Rapids and Wanapum dams.

Lincoln County

Harrington

The school district is saying goodbye to business manager Carol Gillespie. Gillespie has accepted the business manager post at Reardan High School. Reardan will allow Gillespie to work both places for a time to train her replacement and be trained for her new job. She has been at Harrington since last spring.

Pend Oreille County

Usk

After not seeing each other for 61 years, two of Usk’s most decorated veterans returned home last month. Retired colonels Robert B. Cobb and Jennie Wren Fea were in town to donate display cases to the Pend Oreille County Historical Museum. They grew up in Usk, graduated from Cusick High and have spent their lives in the military. Cobb lives in Alabama, Fea in Oregon.

Spokane County

Airway Heights

The Airway Heights Community Center is holding an open house Monday evening from 4 to 6 to show off its expanded facility. The center is at 13th and Lundstrom. Refreshments will be served.

Stevens County

Chewelah

Local residents are keeping pets and small children close to home as a number of cougar sightings have been confirmed in recent weeks. One resident reported the big cats have poached several head of sheep. Those living in secluded or brushy areas are asked to take extra caution.

Whitman County

Colfax

A local student with a heart for agriculture’s future has won a $1,000 scholarship. Abbie Kammerzell, 17, placed second in the prepared public speaking contest at the national FFA Convention in Kansas City, Mo. Speaking about a new strain of perennial soft white wheat that could revolutionize farming, Kammerzell bested 46 other contestants. She is the daughter of Barbara Schluneger and Tom Kammerzell, both of Colfax.

IDAHO

Benewah County

Fernwood

Nominations for candidates for the Fernwood Water and Sewer District are open from Dec. 1 to Jan. 1 with the election Feb. 2, 1999. Three positions are open. Candidates must be 21 years of age and and live in the district. Names of interested candidates can be mailed to Box 215, Fernwood, ID 83830. For information call (208) 245-3554.

Bonner County

Sandpoint

The Clark Fork Pend Oreille Wetlands Trust is seeking applications from individuals or groups for its spring grant awards. The Trust will be awarding $175,000 in grants, which will be based upon detailed criteria available in the application package. Deadline for application is Feb. 1, 1999, with grants awarded in March 1999. Application packages are available by contacting the Clark Fork Pend Oreille Wetlands Trust, Sandpoint City Hall, 1123 Lake St., Sandpoint, ID 83864. For information, call (208) 263-3317.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

The Kootenai River Inn will complete an expansion of 18 guest rooms, an indoor pool and a new gaming room by the end of the year or early January. The Kootenai Tribal Council broke ground on the project with crews pouring concrete this week. The expansion will create up to 10 more jobs.

Kootenai County

Coeur d’Alene

Following the Christmas Light Parade and Lighting Ceremony Nov. 27, COEURIMBA, Coeur d’Alene’s Marimba Band, will play from 6-8 p.m. at 317 Sherman Ave. The concert will benefit the local food bank and victims of Hurricane Mitch. Donations of money or food will be accepted.

Latah County

Moscow

Organizations needing financial assistance for public projects exploring local history, literature, archaeology or other humanities disciplines are invited to contact the Idaho Humanities Council for possible funding in the winter. The deadline for applications is Dec. 15 for written drafts and Jan. 15 for completed proposals. For guidelines, forms and a copy of the most recent newsletter call (888) 345-5346.

Shoshone County

Silver Valley

The Silver Valley Kiwanis Club is conducting its Florida citrus fruit sale through Dec. 5. Fruit ordered will be delivered in time for Christmas. Navel oranges and pink grapefruit are available in 20- and 40-pound boxes for $18 and $22 per box. Mixed boxes of oranges and grapefruit are $18 and mixed boxes of oranges, grapefruit and apples are available for $22.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

Deputy Lincoln County Attorney Jim Wheelis has accepted a job with the Montana attorney general’s office in Helena. In the attorney general’s civil department, Wheelis will represent the state in civil cases and administrative hearings, and will conduct some administrative hearings. Wheelis will work at the Lincoln County Courthouse through Dec. 18. A replacement has not been selected.