The County Lines

Thu., Sept. 10, 1998

WASHINGTON

ADAMS COUNTY Ritzville

The city of Ritzville is stymied by a Burlington Northern railroad request to update crossing signals within the city limits. The city is looking at a price tag of $113,000 for upgraded equipment so BN trains can increase their speed in town. Mayor Kirk Danekas told the council the city doesn’t have the money to comply with the railroad’s request. The council will keep on top of the issue as state funds may become available for the crossing upgrades. BN’s portion of the total cost is $37,740.

FERRY COUNTY Republic

Getting a leg up on learning, Ferry County youngsters are invited to enroll in the Head Start/ECEAP programs. A preschool program for children ages 3 through 5, Head Start/ECEAP will be at the local Presbyterian church. Enrollment is based on financial need. Children with documented disabilities are included in the program regardless of family income. For information, contact Marna Friend at (509) 775-2009.

GRANT COUNTY Ephrata

The Ephrata School District is discussing ways to reduce problems with students just off school property with closing campus as a last resort. Admitting problems at “smoker’s corner” are not going away, principal Gary Carlton told the school board he will take measures to help control litter and traffic congestion caused by teens on residential property adjacent to the high school. Trash cans, a no-parking zone, and swifter communication with parents of offenders is on the agenda, with a video surveillance system also a possibility.

LINCOLN COUNTY Odessa

Calling all Odessa Tiger football fans! The school district needs help updating and repairing the wooden grandstands at the football field. A Saturday work day is scheduled to scrape, paint and repair broken boards in “The Tiger Dome,” as it’s known. Those who don’t consider themselves handy are asked to help in other ways. “We always need food for lunch to feed the hungry crew,” Superintendent Warren Reeves said. Those wishing to help are asked to call the school at (509) 982-2668.

PEND OREILLE COUNTY Usk

In an attempt to fight juvenile illiteracy, the Pend Oreille County First Book committee is raising money for its second book purchase. First Book is a program to give books to children not likely to have books of their own. Last year, needy children in Selkirk, Cusick and Newport received free books. Matching funds up to $1,700 are available. To make a donation, write First Book, c/o Bernice Shivley, 1482 Green Road, Newport, WA 99156.

SPOKANE COUNTY Medical Lake

Tuesday nights are homework nights at the Dora Burt Community Center. A tutor is available at the center after 6 p.m. to help students.

STEVENS COUNTY Colville

Items of interest are still being accepted for what is hoped to be the first of many Kettle Falls Historical Center auctions. Goods and services are being sought to raise money for the museum. Auction coordinators are hoping donations will be dropped off by Sunday. The auction is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 20, at the Historical Center. Bidding starts at 1 p.m. with both silent and verbal auctions. The historical center is just off U.S. Highway 395 by taking a right before the Lake Roosevelt Bridge and the turn to state Highway 25.

WHITMAN COUNTY Pullman

Jaci Davis, daughter of Jack and Nina Davis of Pullman, will present a piano concert at Simpson United Methodist Church on Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. The program will offer music by Mozart, Liszt, Ravel, Debussy and Prokofiev. A reception will follow. Jaci studied piano for a decade with the late Ruby Bailey Ronald and has performed throughout the West and Midwest. The concert is a benefit for the nondenominational religious retreat “Strength for the Journey,” which provides spiritual and social support for persons living with AIDS.

IDAHO

BENEWAH COUNTY St. Maries

The St. Maries Rodeo will be Sept. 12 and 13 on the property of Pete Nemeth three miles east of St. Maries on the St. Joe Road. More than 100 participants are expected to take part in events including saddle bronc riding, bareback, pole bending, mutton busting, roping, steer riding, goat tying and bull riding. Girls age 15 and older can compete for the title of queen of the rodeo. Interested girls can call Ireta Remsburg at 689-3203.

BONNER COUNTY Sandpoint

Weekly contra dancing is held Saturday evenings at the Sandpoint Community Center. Instruction starts at 7:30 p.m. and the dance begins at 8 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for kids. Wear indoor shoes.

BOUNDARY COUNTY Bonners Ferry

The Boundary First Care Clinic has closed as of Aug. 19. The closure of the clinic was due in part to the number of physicians and specialists leaving the community. The clinic, however, will only close its doors temporarily.

KOOTENAI COUNTY Rathdrum

Rathdrum 4-H member Kristi Wilson recently earned the Idaho Horsemanship Award, the highest youth horse award in the state of Idaho. The purpose of the award is to honor the most talented youth riders. It tests the youth’s riding ability and knowledge of equine subjects with written and performance phases. The award is in memory of Myrn L. and Andrew Little Jr. and is endorsed by the Idaho Youth Horse Council and the Cooperative Extension System of the University of Idaho.

LATAH COUNTY Moscow

University of Idaho professor and chairman of the Department of Economics S. (Ghazi) Ghazanfar is a contributing scholar in Public Broadcasting Service documentary. The three-part series is tentatively titled, “West and the Islamic Civilization.”

Ghazanfar is one of 17 international scholars contributing material for the documentary and he is also assisting in editing the script for accuracy.

SHOSHONE COUNTY Silver Valley

The Shoshone County Fire Prevention Co-op would like to remind the public that burning permits are required until Oct. 20. The Silver Valley has received a little moisture, but people need to check with their local fire department to find out if permits are being issued when they wish to burn.

MONTANA

LINCOLN COUNTY Libby

Noranda Minerals Corp. recently issued a petition to the state Department of Environmental Quality proposing to change the status of a portion of upper Libby Creek from the state’s list of threatened and impaired bodies of water. Comments concerning the proposals, including data the department should consider in making its decision, should be mailed to Public Comments, Department of Environmental Quality, Monitoring and Data Management Bureau, 2209 Phoenix Ave., Helena, MT 59620-0901.

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