The County Lines

Sat., Oct. 17, 1998

WASHINGTON

Adams County Ritzville

Crediting a zero-tolerance policy on drugs and alcohol, the number of juvenile drug and alcohol arrests in Adams County jumped in 1997. According to the latest DSHS juvenile crime report, 148 juveniles were arrested on drug or alcohol charges last year, compared with 87 arrests in 1996.

Ferry County Republic

Ferry County commissioners will go to the dogs Oct. 26. After hearing numerous complaints about barking dogs in incorporated areas, the commissioners will hold a public hearing on their barking dog ordinance. Another public hearing, this one scheduled for Oct. 19, will address reducing the speed limit in Curlew from 25 mph to 20 mph.

Grant County Grand Coulee

FDR’s New Deal is still going strong in Grand Coulee, and local folks would like some help celebrating. In a tribute to the president who helped put an end to the Great Depression, the Grand Coulee Chamber of Commerce is holding FDR Days. A “Rags to Riches” dance and dinner will be held tonight. A hobo stew dinner will be served, followed by a big band era dance.

Lincoln County Davenport

The local City Council is zeroing in on the worst downtown sidewalks. With a list of six stretches of concrete, the council hopes to enact a resolution to have city crews fix the sidewalks and give the bill to property owners, if the property owners refuse to repair the walkways themselves. Landowners will have two months this spring to finish work. The council will hold a public hearing on Oct. 28 to get citizen input.

Pend Oreille County Newport

Further budget cuts at the Newport School District could be coming down the pike soon. Down 30 students at the start of school in September, the district reports it has lost another 30 kids as of the October count. The district expected a drop from 1,419 last year, and budgeted for 1,380 full-time students. Currently, 1,333 desks are full. That is bad news, as the state funds education based on the number of students.

Spokane County Freeman

The Spokane Valley YMCA is offering baby-sitting certification courses for teenagers at the YMCA day care in Freeman. Classes will be offered Oct. 28, Nov. 4 and Nov. 11 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Students will learn CPR, first aid and games to play with children. Classes are open to ages 11 to 14. For more information and to register, call the Valley YMCA at 927-1474.

Stevens County Colville

Twelve counts of child rape and child molestation against former Kettle Falls resident Nelson “Randy” LaRoche have been dropped. LaRoche, who claims charges were false, could have spent 23 years in prison if convicted. The charges were dropped because the victim’s mother did not want her daughter to have to testify in court.

Whitman County Uniontown

St. Boniface Church in Uniontown is holding a bazaar at the community building on Sunday. Dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and tickets cost $7 for adults, $3.50 for elementary children and $1 for pre-school children. Door prizes will include a $1,000 U.S. savings bond, $300 cash, 150 bushels of wheat, a Russian Easter egg and an adult bicycle.

IDAHO

Benewah County St. Maries

Hope Clopton, who died Sept. 4, designated three-fifths of her estate to the Benewah County Humane Society. According to court documents, Clopton’s estate does not exceed $500,000. Estate attorney Jerrold Park said the amount is still being determined, but the donation to the humane society will be well over $100,000. The humane society would use the money to build an animal shelter, and an animal control program also could be established.

Bonner County Priest River

Jeannie Dickmann has been selected as volunteer curator for the Priest River Museum and Timber Education Center in the Keystone House. As curator, Dickmann keeps records of the museum’s property and all items loaned by and to the museum. She also will make sure items are returned to their owners. The museum, located at Main and Wisconsin streets, is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is open to the public free of charge, but donations are accepted.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

The weather is cooling down and new and used coats, hats, gloves and mittens are needed for people without warm winter clothing. Items can be dropped off at the Community Thrift Store on Cody Street in Bonners Ferry. The thrift store will distribute the items for free to those in need.

Kootenai County Spirit Lake

Spirit Lake Fire Chief Duane Hughes turned over his title to Assistant Chief John DeBarnardi on Sept. 1. The change came after the district announced it wanted to fill the chief’s position full-time instead of part-time. The continued population growth in the district is the basis for the full-time position. Hughes is still employed part time by the fire district. DeBarnardi, who also serves as Spirit Lake City Council president and police commissioner, has been on the department as a volunteer for many years and has numerous hours of training in fire suppression.

Latah County Moscow

University of Idaho faculty members Ron Klimko, Catherine Schulhauser, William Wharton and Linda Wharton will present a free chamber music concert Sunday. The concert, which will consist of four musical selections by members, will begin at 8 p.m. in the Lionel Hampton School of Music Recital Hall.

Shoshone County Kellogg

Greenwood Cemetery officials have raised the reward to $500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for vandalism to the cemetery Sept. 29. Estimated damages to the cemetery is $4,000. Anyone with information should call the sheriff’s office at (208) 556-1114.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

Veteran’s Memorial Gym has been closed indefinitely as a precaution until a safety evaluation. The Montana Department of Health and Environmental Sciences and the consulting engineer for Flathead Valley Community College recommended the closure when questions arose about whether or not the floor tiles contain asbestos. FVCC, which leases the gym from Lincoln County, has had to displace classes and a banquet for the Libby Area Chamber of Commerce.

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