The County Lines
WASHINGTON
ADAMS COUNTY Washtucna
Local swimmer Willie Hodgson has eight gold medals hanging around his neck. Hodgson, a member of the Endicott-LaCrosse-Washtucna Swim Team, anchored his team in an undefeated season. Competing in the 11-and-over bracket, Hodgson brought home gold in the freestyle, breast stroke, back stroke, butterfly and individual medley at a recent event in Colfax. He also helped earn two relay wins. His sister Marcie earned gold in five events, with one silver.
FERRY COUNTY Republic
When the town pays good money to beautify an area, it doesn’t let anyone mar the scenery. Election signs for local political candidates have been removed at the top of Clark Avenue, aka Watertank Hill. It seems several thousand dollars were spent to beautify the area, so the signs are officially out. Candidates can pick up their signs at the city shop.
GRANT COUNTY Mattawa
With apple harvest under way, the “Bucket Ladies” are hard at it. Rhonda Corrick, Janet King and Janet Falkenhagen are well known for their 5-gallon buckets filled with life’s little necessities. Bleach, soap, toilet paper, garbage bags, toothbrushes and paste, bleach and the like, are passed out to help farm laborers living in temporary housing. The women, members of the North Columbia Community Action Council Inc., also provide information on area food banks and vaccination vouchers. More than 275 buckets have been given out in Mattawa this year.
LINCOLN COUNTY Reardan
The Reardan-Edwall School District has scheduled the annual HIV/AIDS prevention education parent meeting for Wednesday. The meeting, an opportunity to preview class materials and videos on HIV and AIDS, will take place at 7 p.m. in the grade school library. Parents not wanting their children in this program are, by law, required to attend and sign a release to get their child out.
PEND OREILLE COUNTY Newport
Bill Clark is officially wearing the silver star for the city of Newport. Clark, named chief of police July 31, is charged with rebuilding a much-maligned department. Currently, he commands only one full-time officer. Clark, a state certified sniper, has 28 years of law enforcement experience, most recently with Franklin County.
SPOKANE COUNTY Spokane Valley
A volunteer work party will tackle cleanup and maintenance of the trails at Liberty Lake County Park today and Sunday. Organizers from the Inland Empire Chapter of Backcountry Horsemen say there’s a job for every volunteer. Bring your tools and your lunch. The horsemen will have animals to pack the loads up the trail. Meet at 8 a.m. at the main trailhead by the campground in Liberty Lake Park.
STEVENS COUNTY Colville
Although the voters defeated it last April, the Colville School District has committed to re-running a $1.9 million bond issue. Hoping to update the junior high building, the district has put the measure on Tuesday’s ballot. The upgrade would not only bring the circa 1974 structure up to accessibility codes, but includes new plumbing and electrical. The building has already endured a roof collapse and a fire in its 25-year history.
WHITMAN COUNTY Colfax
A film crew recorded scenes this week at the Palouse Empire Threshing Bee for an 1880s-era feature film. The Spokane crew will continue filming Sept. 21 at several Whitman County locations, including Latah and Lamont.
IDAHO
BENEWAH COUNTY Harrison
Two of five water samples collected recently from the city of Harrison tested positive for coliform bacteria. City officials are not ruling out the possibility of a collection error, but are urging citizens to boil tap water for one minute before consumption. The city will retest the water within a week.
BONNER COUNTY Sandpoint
Bonner County commissioners approved a $90 residential solid waste fee. It is the same fee used in the 1998-99 budget, and $5 lower than last year. The resolution also included a $1 reduction for commercial and industrial users.
BOUNDARY COUNTY Bonners Ferry
Calls to the Boundary County Sheriff’s Department indicate that black bears in the area have become more aggressive. Several calls concern bears on the playground at Evergreen School. Also, a horse in the Meadow Creek area had to be killed after a bear-related accident.
KOOTENAI COUNTY Coeur d’Alene
The Children’s Health Insurance Program will have a public meeting Oct. 5 at the Fox Auditorium, 200 Lincoln Way in Coeur d’Alene. The task force will present a package of preliminary recommendations that includes a proposal to raise the income eligibility level to 175 percent of the federal poverty level. People who cannot attend the meeting can submit comments to Children’s Health Insurance Task Force, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, 450 West State Street, Boise, ID 83720-0036. Comments also can be faxed to (208) 334-5531.
LATAH COUNTY Moscow
The University of Idaho will celebrate its annual Dads’ Weekend Sept. 18-19 at the Moscow campus. Events begin Friday with registration from noon to 5 p.m. at the Student Union Building. Campus tours, theater events, a Texas-style barbecue and a golf tournament are among scheduled events. For more information, call the UI Alumni Association office at 208-885-6154.
SHOSHONE COUNTY Silver Valley
Burn permits are required in the Silver Valley until Oct. 20. The Silver Valley has received a little moisture, but people need to check with local fire departments to see if permits are being issued.
MONTANA
LINCOLN COUNTY Libby
An open house is scheduled for Thursday for the new computer lab at Libby High School. The open house will begin at 6:30 p.m. The Internet-accessible computer lab officially will open Sept. 21. It will be available to students, businesses and the general public.