The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County Ritzville
County tax statements have been mailed to 17,000 taxpayers throughout Adams County. For 1999, the county should collect $987,774,856. The money goes for state school collection, county government and all other junior taxing districts. The treasurer’s office urges all taxpayers to return the new payment stub with the check. The stub is the only way to identify which parcel of land the payment is for.
Ferry County Republic
The Ferry County Food Bank is sponsoring a community garden. Local gardeners, novices and masters alike, may “rent” a $15 spot to grow veggies for their needy neighbors. The food bank hopes to keep a hearty supply of fresh vegetables on the shelves this summer. To stake your claim, call Colleen Miller at (509) 775-2439.
Grant County Moses Lake
The Sunspiced workers strike is over. Last October, 85 workers went on strike to protest pay cuts. Sunspiced, hit by a lagging market for fresh-packed potato products, says it was forced to cut wages. The union accepted an offer identical to the one it rejected last fall. Benefits remain the same, but wages are rolled back.
Lincoln County Davenport
Local teen Josh Chrisman is a cowboy through and through. He’s just proven himself at the B&M Roping Series in Ellensburg. Chrisman won the top prize, a commemorative saddle, by scoring the most team-roping points over a five-week period. He earned $1,500 by scoring 77 points. A senior at Davenport High, Chrisman will start on the regional roping and rodeo circuit this spring.
Pend Oreille County Newport
The investigation of former Pend Oreille County District Court Judge Charles Baechler is entering its sixth month. Baechler is accused of stalking and raping a woman who appeared as a defendant in his courtroom. Washington State Patrol Capt. Eric Robertson says his office is reviewing evidence gathered in the case, which opened last October.
Spokane County Cheney
The Inland Northwest Blood Center and Cheney Kiwanis will have a blood drive from noon to 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Fire District 3 station on Presley Drive. Blood center officials note a shortage in types O and A blood.
Stevens County Colville
Just weeks before the spring planting season, the owners of Hedrick’s Greenhouse saw much of their nursery stock go up in flames. An ember from a smoldering slash pile started the blaze, which destroyed two fiberglass greenhouses and their contents. Colville firefighters were quick to the scene, but the damage had already been done. Owner Chuck Hedrick estimated damage at $50,000.
Whitman County St. John
St. John-Endicott School District is screening preschool children on Tuesday in St. John, and on April 20 in Endicott. The screening assesses children from birth to age 5 for special educational needs. Vision, speech, language, hearing and developmental checks are included.
IDAHO
Benewah County St. Maries
Repairs to the crib wall near the St. Maries Complex will begin April 19. The city of St. Maries has been awarded a $215,000 grant from the Army Corps of Engineers for the project. The wall protects the complex and several other businesses and homes from flooding. Work is expected to be completed within a week.
Bonner County Sandpoint
The Sandpoint Farmer’s Market will begin May 1. The Farmer’s Market will be open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon and Wednesdays from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Live music will be performed by local artists and a food fest will be featured on the first Saturday of each month. For information or to reserve a booth, call (208) 263-2844 or (208) 263-3538.
Boundary County Bonners Ferry
Due to spring breakup, hauling has been prohibited on a number of Boundary County roads until further notice. Other road closures are anticipated as conditions worsen. Before hauling on any county road, call Boundary County Road and Bridge at (208) 267-3838.
Kootenai County Harrison
The Harrison Chamber of Commerce is looking for loads of logs to be donated for a raffle. Proceeds from the raffle will be used to purchase fireworks for Harrison’s Fourth of July fireworks show. Anyone interested in donating a truckload of firewood logs can contact the Chamber of Commerce.
Latah County Moscow
Activities are planned at the University of Idaho to mark Sexual Assault Awareness Week, Monday through Friday. The Sigma Chi fraternity will sponsor a white ribbon campaign Monday as a public statement by men against violence to women. The fourth annual Break the Silence Safety March will begin at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The Play “Why Not? I Bought You Dinner?” will be performed Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Administration Auditorium. For information, contact the Women’s Center at (208) 885-6616.
Shoshone County Kellogg
The Shoshone County Mining and Smelting Museum will have its annual membership meeting Thursday. New officers and directors for 1999 will be elected. The museum season begins May 28 and will run daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through September. The meeting will be at 7 p.m. in the basement of the Staff House Museum.
MONTANA
Lincoln County Libby
Libby School Board trustees Lee Disney and Roxanne Parker were re-elected last week. In Troy, trustees Chris Reichert and Teresa Barkel will return to the Troy School Board. Troy voters also allowed the district to reduce general fund excess reserves by $15,000 for both the elementary school and high school.