The County Lines
WASHINGTON
ADAMS COUNTY
The numbers are in, and for area schools they aren’t as positive as many had hoped. The Ritzville School District counted 427 students roaming the halls Aug. 31, with 154 of them in grades 9-12. This number is down from last year. The Washtucna School District also dropped. A total of 109 pupils reported for school last week, with 41 of them in the high school. At the Lind schools, the numbers were more steady with 244 students, 94 of them in high school, enrolled for the 1998-99 school year. This is just one student short of last year’s opening day tally.
FERRY COUNTY
Republic
With financial help from a recent charity auction, the bell will continue to toll at the landmark Republic Catholic Church. The auction, which raised $4,200, featured more than 100 items from oil paintings to a couch won by a local person on “The Price is Right.” In addition to the auction profits, local donations of $1,400 are making the restoration project a possibility. The bell tower and steeple, in dire need of repair, have been a Ferry County landmark since 1913.
GRANT COUNTY
Royal City
It’s time for local residents to face the music and help the Royal High School Marching Band raise money for new uniforms. The band is looking to raise $31,000 to purchase 80 uniforms, plus 25 color guard outfits and travel bags for all. The band will be holding fund-raisers throughout the fall.
LINCOLN COUNTY
Creston
The annual Creston Alumni Association banquet is fast approaching. The reunion for all local high school graduates will be Saturday. From 3 to 5:30 p.m., participants will tour the Creston School and enjoy a time to reminisce with classmates and look at historical displays of past classes. Dinner will be held at the school at 5:30 p.m., with a dance following at Deb’s Cafe.
PEND OREILLE COUNTY
Metaline Falls
People who lived through World War II both at home and abroad are invited to participate in a special evening of living history. In conjunction with a potluck dinner, area folks are asked to tell of their memories of WWII at the Cutter Theater. Those attending are encouraged to bring pictures and mementos to share. The living history is designed to compliment the current exhibit of WWII posters called “Produce for Victory: Posters on the American Home Front, 1941-45.” That exhibit, on loan from the Smithsonian Institution, runs through Oct. 2.
SPOKANE COUNTY
Deer Park
A quartet of Deer Park residents participated in spring graduation ceremonies at Eastern Washington University. Earning bachelor degrees were Chris M. Blair, Angela M. Price, Jody R. Schulz and Carol Rasmussen.
STEVENS COUNTY
Colville
Hoping to give students “a safe campus that promotes mutual respect and positive school spirit,” the Colville School District has adopted a closed campus policy. Students will be required to remain on campus throughout the school day, which officials hope will alleviate tardiness and skipping of afternoon classes. Also a change, students driving to school will pay $4 for an assigned parking spot. Those paying the fee will also be responsible for keeping their parking space clean.
WHITMAN COUNTY
Pullman
Abayomi “AJ” Adejokun, who is working on a master’s in business administration, has been named graduate student ombudsman for Washington State University. He has more than eight years of managerial and leadership experience, including six years of advanced academic personnel management and conflict resolution training.
IDAHO
BENEWAH COUNTY
Tensed
Tensed is attempting to promote a diverse business community. Last year, the Idaho Department of Commerce and Tensed’s City Council began seeking a way to expand the town’s economy, provide jobs and add to the city’s tax base. Tensed, population of 90, has received a $21,750 federal grant to fund the remodeling of the Community Center, where the new businesses will reside.
BONNER COUNTY
Sandpoint
The Sandpoint City Council will further discuss the city’s sign code at a Sept. 16 meeting. Amendments proposed would restrict signs to five feet in height and loosen restrictions on neon use. Another amendment would remove a prohibition on using the colors yellow and white for sign backgrounds. The amendments are gaining support from the city’s planning commission, Sandpoint’s downtown association and the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce.
BOUNDARY COUNTY
Bonners Ferry
The County Arts Classic and Antique Collection Show will be held at Boundary County Fairgrounds Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is $2. For more information, call Maryanne Duarte (208) 267-7350.
KOOTENAI COUNTY
Coeur d’Alene
North Idaho College hosts the class “Learning to Live with Epilepsy,” Friday, 6 p.m., in Winton Hall. David Bettis, a Boise Pediatric Neurologist, offers the class for friends, parents, teachers and victims of the disease to learn of how to deal with some of the symptoms. For more information, call (208) 765-9443.
LATAH COUNTY
Moscow
Moscow High School’s Back-to-School Night is set for Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium. parents will follow their students’ class schedules and meet with teachers. The night will also include an opportunity to ask questions about the school and extracurricular activities. A coffee hour will follow in the commons.
SHOSHONE COUNTY
Wallace
The latest unemployment statistics for Shoshone County from the Idaho Department of Labor show an increase in the county’s unemployment rate for August. For July of this year, the county’s unemployment rate was 8.7 percent, but the figures for August jumped to 10.1 percent.
MONTANA
LINCOLN COUNTY
Libby
Samuel Peal Jr. was sentenced to 10 years in prison, plus 10 years probation, for arson last week. Peal pleaded guilty to the arson charge that destroyed Libby’s Pizza Hut in 1996. He was ordered to pay $462,390 restitution for the fire. According to court documents, Peal started the fire by unhooking a propane line and setting coats and some cardboard boxes on fire. He entered through the drive-through window.