The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Ritzville

Kelly Kadlec, a Ritzville High graduate, was chosen to be the featured artist for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation of Spokane. His art will be displayed at their offices throughout 1999. The foundation also will promote his work at its annual program. Kadlec was the 1994 Idaho Ducks Unlimited Sponsored Artist of the Year.

Ferry County

Republic

The local volunteer fire department already has responded to several grass fires this season. Because the area still is very dry, the fire department is issuing a warning to grass burners. Residents are asked to burn in the evenings with a running hose on hand. It also asks those planning to burn to notify the sheriff’s department.

Grant County

Ephrata

While Y2K has cost many companies thousands of dollars to prepare for, the Grant County PUD may see a long-term savings. Because the utility will have to isolate itself from the regional power grid, the PUD no longer will have to pay Bonneville Power Administration’s wheeling and transmission fees for Wanapum and Priest Rapids dams. The project will cost $3 million, but will pay for itself in less than four years.

Lincoln County

Wilbur

Kristen Bahr was crowned Miss Wilbur at a recent pageant. Also presented with tiaras were Princesses Alayna Rivera, Mikki Kunz and Cassi Arroyo. The girls will act as official ambassadors of Wilbur for the 1999 parade season.

Pend Oreille County

Usk

North-south rail and highway traffic on state Highway 20 could be in trouble if problems with Blueslide Hill are not addressed. The hillside is slowly sliding toward the river. Engineers hope to determine why, and find ways to stop the descent. County engineers, the Port of Pend Oreille, and state Department of Transportation are jointly studying the area. The section of road in question is between Tiger and Cusick.

Spokane County

Spokane

A company called PulseWorks wants to install a ride-film-theater simulator called Morphus at the Pavilion in Riverfront Park. The company is seeking a three-year contract.

Stevens County

Colville

Aladdin Steel Products/Aladdin Hearth Products is constructing a new 132,000-square-foot building. The plant will be on Highway 395 northwest of city limits near Haney Lumber Supply. The project costs $9 million. Aladdin is the industry leader in construction of wood, gas and pellet stoves.

Whitman County

Colfax

Retired southeast Spokane County farmer Glenn Leitz recently published “A History of Waverly and Pioneer Life Along This Part of Hangman Creek,” a 70-page history of the region. The book was published at Cougar Graphics in Colfax, with help from E.B. Publishing in Garfield. Leitz was able to incorporate more than 50 rare pictures and graphics into the book, which tells a variety of local tales such as how Hangman Creek got its name.

IDAHO

Benewah County

St. Maries

The University of Idaho extension service and the Idaho Department of Lands is offering a fire safety workshop April 15. The workshop will show rural homeowners how to make their homes less likely to burn and be more easily accessed by firefighters by modifying their homes and landscapes. The workshop will begin at 7 p.m. at the Federal Building. Cost is $5. For information, call (208) 245-2422.

Bonner County

Sandpoint

A forestry contest sponsored by the Bonner Soil Conservation District, the Idaho Department of Lands and the U.S. Forest Service is scheduled for May 13 on Ray and Fairy Delay’s farm in Careywood. Foresters will compete in various fields, such as timber cruising, plant identification and map reading. Preregistration is required by April 21. For more information, contact Jean Seymour at the Idaho Department of Lands, (208) 263-5104.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

Boundary County property tax payers who qualify for the circuit break exemption have until April 15 to apply. Applicants must own the home and have used it as their primary residence in 1998. Applications and a list of eligibility requirements are available at the Boundary County assessor’s office during regular business hours. For information, call (208) 267-3301.

Kootenai County

Coeur d’Alene

The International Chili Society and the Panhandle Chapter of the American Red Cross are coming together in a chili cook-off, salsa contest and craft show to raise money for disaster services. The event will be held April 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Casino. An ICS-sanctioned $1,000 first prize will go to the best chili chef and a $100 first prize will be awarded to the non-ICS member winner. Participants can sign up at the Red Cross. To registration, call (208) 664-5414.

Latah County

Moscow

Four finalists have been named in the search for a dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Idaho: Lex Akers, director of the Division of Engineering; William Gregroy, the senior associate dean of the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at the University of West Virginia; Steve Shelton, a professor of civil engineering at the University of New Mexico; and David Thompson, a professor and chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of New Mexico. The candidates will be interviewed later this month and by constituent groups in Coeur d’Alene, Boise and Idaho Falls. The new dean will replace Richard Jacobson, who will step down.

Shoshone County

Wallace

The Sixth Street Melodrama will hold auditions Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 7 p.m., at the Melodrama. “The Old Cookie Shop” and “Unhand Her, You Villain!” are the featured plays for the summer. The Melodrama is seeking actors and actresses age 16 and up. Singing or dancing talent is also helpful. For information, call Audrey Smith at (208) 752-3081.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

The buildings of Flathead Valley Community College’s extension campus in Lincoln County are in need of repair. In a letter addressed to the college president, maintenance supervisor Steve Shuey outlined the campus’s problems, including asbestos, window repair, heating repair, ceiling repair and a need to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. An alternative to repairing the building would be to move into the former forest headquarters building on Highway 2.