The County Lines

WASHINGTON

ADAMS COUNTY

Othello

A bilingual state trooper is under investigation by the State Patrol for possible electioneering during the September primary election. Abe Ramirez, who allegedly responded to a citizen’s call for an interpreter at a local polling place, supported sheriff candidate Robert Guererro. Citizens in Othello, which is 55 percent Hispanic, are angry no interpreters were available at some polling places. The state is not required to provide interpreters, but the county auditor will find one if notified of a need.

FERRY COUNTY

Republic

Motorists on Sherman Pass between Republic and Tonasket were treated to snow on the roadway last week. The highway, which was closed for five months after being washed out by heavy rains in May, was recently opened. Sporting new blacktop in places, the road is exceptionally slick. Early morning frost is already causing black ice, and caution is recommended.

GRANT COUNTY

Soap Lake

The City Council is looking into a request from the Soap Lake Masquers acting troupe to build a theater. Hoping to use city-owned property, the Masquers are looking to raise $300,000 over the next two years to build a 113-seat theater that they can lease from the city. Already, $70,000 has been pledged to the project. Currently, the troupe uses a makeshift theater.

LINCOLN COUNTY

Wilbur

Local police have added a pair of arrests to their recent crusade against drug dealings. Bernard and Kristina Beauchamp of Wilbur were booked into the Lincoln County Jail and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell. Local officers have made 11 drug arrests in recent weeks.

PEND OREILLE COUNTY

Newport

Looking to complete your high school education? Free GED classes are being offered in Newport by the Community Colleges of Spokane. Classes are in the post office building. Students may enroll at any time. For more information, call (509) 447-3553.

SPOKANE COUNTY

Deer Park

City Clerk/Treasurer Chris McCoy and Finance Director Sheila Creekmore received the 1998 Professional Finance Award from the Washington Finance Officers’ Association. The award is given to WFOA members who demonstrate professional service and continue their education.

STEVENS COUNTY

Colville

Longtime city Treasurer Ann Berger is turning off her calculator for good. Berger’s last day on the job will be Friday. Berger worked her way into City Hall by working for free, then working her way up the ladder. She’s been the treasurer since 1982. She says she and husband of 45 years, Keith, will enjoy her retirement.

Kettle Falls

Students looking for an alternative to the local high school can now be served through the Kettle Falls Individual Education program. Students learn at their own pace. All grade levels work together in English, math, science, history and current world problems. Elective classes such as shop and foreign languages are still conducted at the high school.

WHITMAN COUNTY

Palouse

Open house tours of Palouse Cove housing for seniors will be today and Oct. 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. The 11-unit complex is situated in the South Hill neighborhood of Palouse. Each apartment includes one bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and living room. Each household must have a member who is 62 or older and have moderate or lower incomes. For more information and a brochure, contact Community Action Center at (509) 334-9147 or 1-800-482-3991.

IDAHO

BENEWAH COUNTY

St. Maries

Carrie Scott and Shelley McGregor were elected to the Kiddie Korner Preschool board of directors at the September meeting. They replace Larise Bailey and Bev Katovich, who both recently resigned. Currently 36 3- and 4-year-old children are enrolled in Kiddie Korner Preschool, a nonprofit preschool.

BONNER COUNTY

Priest River

Residents and businesses in Priest River have a new phone prefix: 428. Until this year, 448 was the lone prefix in town. No telephone numbers need to be changed because of the addition of another prefix, according to GTE. But some businesses will need to reprogram their telephone systems.

BOUNDARY COUNTY

Bonners Ferry

The Hall Mountain Volunteer Fire Association recently purchased the emergency vehicle Support One. The vehicle was modified by the association to deliver a range of fire and rescue backup equipment directly to the site of an emergency. Support One includes medical supplies, a stretcher, extra blankets, spare oxygen bottles, a generator and auxiliary lights, and other rescue supplies.

KOOTENAI COUNTY

Rathdrum

The Rathdrum Library is holding a book discussion program Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. at the library. The first selection to be considered will be Annie Proulx’s “The Shipping News.” The library has copies of the book, so people interested can get a copy to read before the program. Space for the discussion is limited. Sign up at the library or by calling (208) 687-1029.

LATAH COUNTY

Moscow

As part of AgDays, the University of Idaho is holding a chili cook-off Friday. The cook-off will begin at 10 a.m. at Memorial Gym and the University Classroom Center. For information, call (208) 885-7694.

SHOSHONE COUNTY

Silver Valley

A flatbed trailer missing for several weeks was recovered this weekend after being spotted by a U.S. Forest Service law enforcement crew. The trailer was found near Marble Creek Camp No. 3 up the St. Joe drainage. The trailer was stolen from the home of John Crane in Cataldo Oct. 3. Crane picked up the trailer, which had minimal damage, from authorities Monday.

MONTANA

LINCOLN COUNTY

Libby

October enrollment at Libby Public Schools is down 31 students from the average computed on last year’s two official counts. If the current enrollment of 1,937 students stays down until the February count, the district will get about $122,000 less than last year from state funding. To keep enrollment up, Lincoln County Campus may start taking Libby High School students seeking degrees for college courses next semester. Libby Superintendent Kirby Maki believes this would make students want to stay in school.