The County Lines

Thu., Oct. 15, 1998

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Othello

Local singers are preparing for the annual Othello Choral-Orchestra Society cantata. “The Wonders of His Love” will be performed Nov. 29 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stake center. Persons interested in joining the choir are invited to rehearsals at Pilgrim Lutheran Church at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Organizers ask that you call (509) 488-9796 to reserve a copy of the music.

Ferry County

Republic

The Republic Volunteer Fire Department is asking local residents not to start chimney fires on purpose. The department says it’s a common myth that an occasional chimney fire is a good way to clean creosote out of a chimney or stovepipe. But instead of letting fire do the “dirty work,” people should clean chimneys and stovepipes manually, the department says. A chimney fire can damage bricks and masonry, weakening the entire chimney.

Grant County

Mattawa

With a record apple harvest not yet completed, migrant workers here are living in makeshift housing, with many camping under the stars as temperatures dip. “These are people who came to work 10 or more exhausting hours a day, and when they’re finished, they don’t have a warm house or shower to go to,” said Roberto Maestas, a human rights activist.

Lincoln County

Odessa

After working as Odessa’s interim police chief for nine months, Kelly Watkins officially has been named to the post. Watkins, who has been on the local force for nine years, was the only officer to take and pass the most recent civil service exam. Other candidates supplied by the local Civil Service Commission were rejected by Mayor Denny McDaniel because they “lacked experience.”

Pend Oreille County

Newport

Local children will perform in “Beauty Lou and the Country Beast” on Saturday. Known as a “sagebrush fairy tale,” the play is being made possible by the Missoula Children’s Theatre, which provides two actor/directors and gives up to 50 children the opportunity to sing, dance and act. The show will begin at 7 p.m. at Sadie Halstead Middle School. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children and $15 for families.

Spokane County

Medical Lake

A free college fair, featuring representatives from more than 100 colleges and universities, will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 3 and from 9 a.m. to noon on Nov. 4 at the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds. For more information, contact Anne Thomas, assistant dean of admissions at Gonzaga University, at (509) 323-6510.

Stevens County

Colville

The Colville School District is focusing on spending its money locally. Addressing the local chamber of commerce, Superintendent Rick Cole gave a breakdown of the district’s local business dealings. According to Cole’s data, the district pays $10.9 million a year in local payroll. “For every dollar spent on payroll, the economic benefit to our community is multiplied by six,” he said. The district also spends $1.9 million for goods and services provided by more than 200 local vendors, Cole said.

Whitman County

Colfax

Mike Werner, director of Whitman County parks, reminds hunters that all county parks - Kamiak, Klemgard, Wawawai, Elberton and the Bill Chipman Palouse Trail - are designated as wildlife sanctuaries. Firearms are not allowed in the parks or on the trail, which are closed to hunting. Approximately 95 percent of Whitman County is privately owned, and hunters should get permission from landowners prior to hunting, Werner said. The general upland bird hunting season began last Saturday, and the big game season will open Saturday.

IDAHO

Benewah County

Fernwood

Tri-Community Library will sponsor a craft show and sale Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost for craft exhibitors is $10 with a table or $5 if they bring their own tables. Each exhibitor also is expected to donate an item to an hourly raffle. Proceeds will be used for library improvements. Fernwood is 20 miles southeast of St. Maries. For more information, call Joanne O’Dwyer at (208) 245-4883.

Bonner County

Sandpoint

Organizers of the proposed Sandpoint Charter School will hold a meeting for interested people at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Sandpoint High School. Organizers are trying to create a middle and high school next year that would feature small classes and experiential learning techniques.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

Boundary County Planning and Zoning Commission is working on a zoning and subdivision ordinance to replace an interim ordinance that has been in effect since 1994. At a recent joint meeting with county commissioners, concerns were raised about requirements for private roads, lands that are given to family members and restrictions on property owners. The proposed ordinance will be discussed at a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at 5:30 p.m. today in the county courthouse. Copies of the draft ordinance are available at the Boundary County Library and the planning and zoning office.

Kootenai County

Rathdrum

The city has hired two police officers, bringing the Rathdrum Police Department up to full force. Officers Brenda Smith and Darrell Oyler are undergoing field training. Smith will be a full-time patrol officer while Oyler will split his time between patrol and animal control.

Latah County

Kendrick

Kendrick School District will hold a plant facility levy election Tuesday. The $98,000 levy, which would run for 10 years, would not raise taxes because it would replace two levies that will expire next June. The district plans to use the money to buy five buses and re-roof the north side of the Kendrick High School classroom wing as well as the vocational agricultural building. The Juliaetta Elementary School also is a pressing concern. For more information, contact the Kendrick School District at (208) 289-4211.

Shoshone County

Kellogg

Kent Lunders, science and technology teacher at Kellogg Middle School, has received the Pacific Northwest Pollution Control Association’s Idaho Water Environment Education Award for 1998. The award recognizes outstanding teachers in the field of water education.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

“Till Help Arrives,” a free Red Cross adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation program, will be taught Oct. 24 at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital. Sessions will be at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., and interested people may arrive 15 minutes before the session. The course does not result in certification but teaches how to react until medical assistance arrives. For information, contact Steve and Marcia Mahoney at (406) 293-3452 or the American Red Cross Northwest Chapter in Kalispell, Mont., at (406) 752-6433. Groups of 10 or more wishing to take the course should call St. John’s Hospital at (406) 293-7761.

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