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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

The County Lines

WASHINGTON

ADAMS COUNTY

Ritzville

County commissioners have put public defender contracts out to bid. With the current contract expiring soon, commissioners hope to pay a group of three defenders $225,000 per year for District and Superior court criminal matters. Prosecutor David Sandhaus says the bid process is positive. “It gives the commissioners an opportunity to ensure the county gets the best legal representation at a fair cost for people charged with crimes,” he said.

FERRY COUNTY

Curlew

The local high school Spanish club is looking to take a field trip - to Mexico City. The three-student club and its teacher are starting to raise money for the trip, which includes visits to a variety of cultural and historical sites. Those wishing to put any of the students to work are invited to call Sally Kaatz at (509)779-4931. Donations are also gladly accepted.

GRANT COUNTY

Electric City

After 10 years, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is realizing its goal of a management plan for Banks Lake.

The lake’s primary function is storing irrigation water for the Columbia Basin. But the draft plan is looking at other uses, including recreation and how it fits into the big picture of function and preservation. Those with questions or suggestions are invited to a public meeting Wednesday at Coulee City Elementary School at 6:30 p.m.

LINCOLN COUNTY

Wilbur

Elementary school students in this rural farm town will get a rare musical opportunity this week. The Spokane Symphony Orchestra will perform live in the elementary court Wednesday. The Symphony is touring rural towns courtesy of a grant. They will perform at 9 a.m. for grades K-3, and at 10 a.m. for fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders.

PEND OREILLE COUNTY

Metaline Falls

Who says teenagers and Shakespeare don’t mix? Selkirk Theatre Arts director Tara Leininger says the two are a great combination. Preparing their production of “Macbeth,” the students are working hard. “They have gone beyond the stereotype that Shakespeare is too difficult for either teenagers or the audience,” she says. Nearly 50 kids are involved in the play, which stars Daniel Hubert and Anna Kinney as Macbeth and wife.

SPOKANE COUNTY

Medical Lake

The local school district is hoping the city will chip in on renovation work at Medical Lake High School. District officials have asked the city to invest in sound and light equipment for the school’s new auditorium, which is often used by the community.

STEVENS COUNTY

Chewelah

With temperatures dipping, St. Joseph’s Hospital is heading up its annual coat and blanket drive. Hoping to give warm clothes and bedding to needy Chewelah-area folks, the hospital is asking for used coats, hats, scarves, boots and blankets in good condition. The hospital staff will clean the items. Please bring winter wear to the St. Joseph’s lobby.

WHITMAN COUNTY

Pullman

Tim Wise, nationally known speaker and author of “Little White Lies: The Truth about Affirmative Action and Reverse Discrimination,” will speak Wednesday at 8 p.m. at the WSU CUB auditorium. Wise’s speech is one of a series of events planned Wednesday to raise awareness about Initiative 200. The schedule of events includes a noon rally on the Glenn Terrel Mall, afternoon workshops with two Northwest human rights activists, and a 5 p.m. motorcade from the CUB to the Gladish Community Center.

IDAHO

BENEWAH COUNTY

St. Maries

Benewah County dispatchers Sandra Anxo, Barbara Vineyard and Sherry Harpole have been certified as emergency medical dispatchers. The dispatchers can now relay first-aid procedures for head injuries, choking, cardiac arrest and other situations on emergency calls.

BONNER COUNTY

Priest River

Members of the Priest River Managing Information in Rural America team are collecting information about the community as a requirement for a Kellogg Foundation grant. The grant is given to educate people so they can develop their communities. After a series of meetings and training sessions, Priest River and four other communities are scheduled to receive $15,000 each to address problems that interfere with community development.

BOUNDARY COUNTY

Bonners Ferry

Students in kindergarten through sixth grade are invited to learn about the adventures of the Bible in the Awana Club. The club meets every Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Community Fellowship Church in Bonners Ferry. For information, call Diane at (208) 267-2755 after 4 p.m.

KOOTENAI COUNTY

Rathdrum

The United Church of Rathdrum will hold its final smorgasbord of the season Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. The smorgasbord, which raises money for the church, costs $5 for adults, $2.50 for children ages four to 12, and is free for children three and under. The church is located at 1552 McCartney Street.

LATAH COUNTY

Moscow

Eighth-grade students from 15 Region II schools learned how to prevent violence, drugs and other problems at the fourth annual North Idaho Youth for Justice summit Thursday in Moscow. Students created action plans for their schools addressing issues from drugs and unsafe buildings to school spirit and mutual respect. The summit, in conjunction with the WeTip program, encouraged students to alert authorities when someone they know is in trouble.

SHOSHONE COUNTY

Wallace

Wallace High School’s multimedia class will present “A Day in the Life of a Wallace High School Student” during Wednesday’s Chamber of Commerce meeting at noon at the Wallace Elks. The project will demonstrate the talents and capabilities of students in producing multimedia projects for distribution on CD-ROM. Students are currently working on a tourism CD for the Silver Valley that can be mailed to individuals requesting information about the area.

Students will present a proposal seeking chamber endorsement of the project. Cost of materials for the project is $150.

MONTANA

LINCOLN COUNTY

Libby

The Lincoln County Youth Soccer Association will hold its final meeting of the season Thursday at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held in the community meeting room of First National Bank. Coaches, parents of players and other interested individuals are encouraged to attend. Topics of discussion will include the inaugural varsity soccer season, the soccer program in Lincoln County and suggestions for next season.