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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Ritzville

Those checking out a book at Carnegie Library in downtown Ritzville are advised to watch for falling bricks. The vintage building needs new mortar. Library Foundation member Nanci Harder told the City Council of a preliminary estimate of $12 per square foot. The group is researching grant funds for the repairs, and to make the building accessible to the disabled.

Ferry County

Republic

Local residents with business to do in Colville should mark all Tuesdays on their calendar. That’s the day the Northeast Washington Rural Resources bus will run between Republic and Colville. The morning bus will pick up riders at The Other Place restaurant at 7:40 a.m. Riders can catch the bus home from Colville at 3:25 p.m. at Borderline Stage. For information, call 1-800-776-9026.

Grant County

Wilson Creek

It’s official. Scott Mortimer of Wilson Creek School has been honored as the best agriculture teacher in Washington state. Mortimer was selected as “AgriScience Teacher of the Year” for the overall success of his program. He was judged on professional development, student projects, classroom and lab teaching, and the success of his students in career development activities.

Lincoln County

Davenport

A group of parents is calling for random drug testing of students at the local high school. Corrine Allen, who says she routinely tests her son “to be sure he’s clean,” will bring the issue before the school board tonight. Principal Harold Patterson pledged to ask students for input.

Pend Oreille County

Newport

No stranger to local health care, Tom Garrett accepted an appointment to the Pend Oreille Public Hospital District board of directors. Human resources director for Ponderay Newsprint, Garrett credits his mother for his knowledge of local hospital needs. Roberta Garrett, who died last spring, spent 25 years as nurse administrator of Metaline’s Mt. Linton Hospital.

Spokane County

Deer Park

Preschool storytime will be held Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Deer Park Library, 316 E. Crawford. The library is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

Stevens County

Chewelah

The power structure at City Hall is still being debated by the Chewelah City Council. After ousting City Manager William Provost in August, Mayor Ron McCoy proposed becoming more “hands on.” Asking to take over most of Provost’s duties and hire a finance manager, McCoy is looking to be paid $35,000 annually. The council is still considering the proposition.

Whitman County

Pullman

Despite two weapons violations reported during the last school year, Pullman School Superintendent Doug Nelson assured the board recently that students there are safe. The board was presented with disciplinary reports from the past three years. Assault and sexual harassment reports are increasing, but Nelson says district officials are working hard to increase awareness and be strict with enforcement. Neither weapons violation involved a gun.

IDAHO

Benewah County

St. Maries

Bicycles and bicycle parts are needed as donations for the Elks Christmas Basket distribution in December. The recycled adult and children’s bicycles are available at Bill Taylor’s Cherry Creek home throughout the year, but the demand for children’s bicycles increases at Christmas. To donate contact Taylor at (208) 245-3177 or Owen Lounsbury at (208) 245-4848.

Bonner County

Priest River

The city of Priest River is looking for citizens to serve on a Fair Housing Act Committee to receive public input and help establish a Fair Housing Plan for the city. City Clerk Doug Hooper has been named fair housing officer. The committee is part of new state and federal requirements for a community development block grant to upgrade the city’s wastewater treatment plant. Citizens can volunteer for the committee by calling city hall.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

The Boundary County Library is holding a “Monstrous Reading Adventure” each Tuesday during October. The program will begin Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. for kids ages 4 to 6. The program will cover topics from dinosaurs to monster cookies. Sign up at the library or call (208) 267-3750.

Kootenai County

Coeur d’Alene

The Coeur d’Alene Chapter of the Idaho Writer’s League is hosting its 35th annual conference, “Reflections on the Lake,” Oct. 1-3 at the Coeur d’Alene Inn. The conference will consist of eight hourlong workshops, an informal reception Thursday evening, an awards banquet and two awards luncheons. Participants may register for individual workshops or the entire conference. For information, contact Judith Farrey at (208) 623-2123 or Betty Rohrscheib at (208) 772-3705.

Latah County

Moscow

Moscow public school teachers have started the new academic year without a union contract. A federal mediator will be called in by mid-October to help settle the dispute, which hinges in part on compensation.

Shoshone County

Osburn

An Osburn Fire Department crew earlier this month took third place in a relay competition in the Spokane Valley Fire Department firefighters combat challenge, behind the Boise Fire Department and the Spokane Fire Department. Osburn did not place any team members in the individual competition. All proceeds and entry fees from the competition benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

Linda Beaulieu has been appointed the new executive director of the Libby Area Chamber of Commerce. She fills the vacancy left by Marillee Brown, who announced her resignation in late July. Brown left the chamber to spend more time with her family. Beaulieu has extensive experience in fund raising, marketing and public relations.

TO SUBMIT Some of the information in County Lines comes from readers’ tips and from community newspapers. For items outside Spokane County, send your tips by fax to County Lines, (509) 459-5482, by mail to County Lines, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-2160, or by e-mail to news@spokesman.com. For items in Spokane County, send tips to Voices, The Spokesman-Review, same fax number and mail or e-mail addresses.