The County Lines

Wed., Sept. 30, 1998

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Hatton

After a weekend of smiling, riding and waving, Othello Rodeo Queen Lacey Palmer is home. The Lind High School junior was crowned rodeo queen last week. She won honors in the speech and horsemanship portions of the pageant, with Princess Cyndi Weber of Royal City taking the poise and appearance award. Palmer is the daughter of Dell and Linda Palmer of Hatton.

Ferry County

Republic

It’s retro day at Republic High School. Celebrating Homecoming week, RHS Tiger fans will be dressed in 70’s garb for disco inferno day. Thursday will be a black tie affair with “Royal Ball” as the attire theme. Friday is black and orange day, with the homecoming parade winding through downtown at 3 p.m. The football game against Sprague-Harrington is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Grant County

Ephrata

Nearly a month past its extended deadline, the 100-bed Grant County Satellite Jail in Ephrata is still not ready for prisoners. Architect William Buursma updated county commissioners on the project last week, saying he had contacted Mathews Construction of Moses Lake. “I think they could finish in two weeks if they’re in a mind to do it,” Buursma said. The concrete building, which could go online by mid-October, will replace the tent jail in downtown Ephrata.

Lincoln County

Wilbur

Stating he was “really, really mad,” Peter J. Stoothoff, 19, of Wilbur, told local police he ransacked the Wilbur Park on July 29. Stoothoff was arrested last week and charged with one count of first degree malicious mischief. In the tirade, picnic tables, sprinkler heads, garbage cans, a water meter and a phone booth were damaged. A historic wooden sign also was trashed.

Pend Oreille County

Ione

Giving folks a chance to see the changing seasons first-hand, the North Pend Oreille Valley Lions Excursion Train has announced its fall schedule. The train will run Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 3-4 and 17-18. The tour runs from Ione to Metaline Falls and back, with 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. departures. For information, call (509) 442-3397.

Spokane County

Spangle

The Liberty School Board is accepting applications for a board member representing District 5, the area north of Gibbs Road. Applications will be accepted until Oct. 15. The school board will conduct a special meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 22 at Liberty High School to interview applicants. For applications and more information, call 245-3223.

Stevens County

Chewelah

The local school board recently discussed improvement in fourth-grade test scores. The Washington Assessment of Student Learning tests were taken last spring. Local fourth-graders ranked one point below the state average in reading and math. In writing, they scored 27 percent, while statewide averages tallied 31 percent. Listening skills were the bright spot, with local kids earning 88.8 percent, compared with the state average of 80 percent.

Whitman County

Pullman

Jazz lovers are invited to the Washington State University Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Big Band concert Oct. 6. On the agenda are new arrangements of jazz standards “Invitation” and “Giant Steps,” and an a capella version of “Somewhere” from the Broadway musical “West Side Story.” The concert begins at 8 p.m. in Bryan Hall Auditorium. Admission is free.

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