The County Lines

Thu., Sept. 24, 1998

WASHINGTON

ADAMS COUNTY

Ritzville

Although patient numbers are traditionally low this time of year, the overall outlook for East Adams Rural Hospital is positive, officials say. Patient stays numbered 18 in July, with clinic visits tallying 811, both lower than last year. Emergency room visits were up with more than 97 patients treated in August. The hospital district is on track to be debt-free by Dec. 1, said hospital administrator Jim Parrish. “This will give us a good bond rating in case the need for a major project comes along,” he said.

FERRY COUNTY

Republic

The Fall Mountain Bike Festival is this weekend at Swan Lake Campground just south of Republic. Mountain bikes, canoe rides and camping are free Saturday and Sunday. Prizes are in store for winners of the mountain bike events. For further information, contact the Republic Ranger District at (509) 775-3305.

GRANT COUNTY

Coulee City

Pack up the family, the SunBanks Blues Festival is coming. The festival Friday through Sunday features five blues performances on the scenic north shore of Sun Lakes. Music and camping for three days is $60 in advance, with lower rates for those not choosing to pitch a tent. Daily admission is $20. For more information, call (509) 633-3786.

LINCOLN COUNTY

Harrington

The annual Fall Festival, complete with parade, barbecue and family games, is Saturday. The parade starts at 10:30 a.m. with the barbecue following. On Friday, artist Donald “Putt” Putman will give a lecture and slide presentation of his works. An auction of signed prints will benefit the Harrington Opera House Society.

PEND OREILLE COUNTY

Newport

The city will hold a community barbecue Saturday to celebrate completion of its downtown street and sidewalk revitalization project. The barbecue also will feature live entertainment and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Centennial Plaza at 11 a.m. Construction on Highway 2 through the heart of Newport has been going on all summer, and detour-weary residents are glad to see it finished.

SPOKANE COUNTY

Spangle

People age 60 or older can get a free comprehensive health screening from the Spokane Regional Health District on Tuesday at Spangle Community Church, 305 Second. Health screenings include hearing and vision tests, diabetes, weight and height measurements and anemia tests. Appointments are required. For more information, call 324-1648.

STEVENS COUNTY

Colville

People wishing to cut firewood in the Colville National Forest have been given the go-ahead. Forest officials have lifted the ban on logging operations and firewood cutting. Power saws, cable yarding, blasting and welding or cutting of metal at loading sites is now allowed. As a precaution, those using a power saw must stay in the area for one hour to look for possible flames.

WHITMAN COUNTY

Pullman

Palouse Habitat for Humanity is holding its fifth Walk-a-Thon on Sunday. Noon registration is at Wal-Mart, and the walk will proceed along the Chipman trail to Valley Cement near Pullman, and back again. The proceeds from this campaign will go toward property and building construction in Moscow, Idaho, on two parcels of land donated there.

IDAHO

BENEWAH COUNTY

St. Maries

The St. Maries High school board decided last week to charge students a fee for driver’s training. The school has never done so in the past, and the board is working to develop a policy so the fee can be waived for students who cannot afford it.

BONNER COUNTY

Sandpoint

Next month, Bonner County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue volunteers will take over duties of extricating accident victims outside city limits. The change comes after the Sandpoint City Council decided this year to limit emergency response of firefighters to inside city limits.

BOUNDARY COUNTY

Bonners Ferry

Bonners Ferry High School will host a Parents in School evening Monday at 6 p.m. The night is designed to better acquaint parents and voters with what is being taught in school. Visitors will have an opportunity to attend 15-minute classes.

KOOTENAI COUNTY

Post Falls

Volleyball is starting at the Post Falls Parks and Recreation Department. The department is offering six-player co-ed teams in either a recreational league or a competitive league. Games start Oct. 12. The department must receive completed team registration packets by Sept. 30 at 5 p.m. For more information or a packet, call the parks and recreation office at 773-0539.

LATAH COUNTY

Moscow

The University of Idaho Student Union was honored with a Green Star award for its in-house recycling and waste reduction efforts. The student union has reduced its trash collection costs through recycling. The north-central Idaho Green Star Program is designed to help business and government agencies reduce waste, increase energy efficiency and prevent pollution.

SHOSHONE COUNTY

Silver Valley

The Idaho Department of Lands is implementing road closures on state endowment lands administered by the St. Joe Area. The closures will be in effect from Oct. 1 to June 1 and are designed to reduce erosion and sedimentation, minimize road maintenance expenses and improve wildlife security. Recreational use of the roads will be limited to hiking, ATVs, motorcycle and horseback use.

MONTANA

LINCOLN COUNTY

Libby

Libby Dam will cut back hours of visitor service Oct. 1. The top of the dam will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Access of the boat ramp via Forest Development Road 228 will remain open 24 hours a day, while gates to the Souse Gulch shelter areas will close after Oct. 1.

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