The County Lines

WASHINGTON

ADAMS COUNTY

Hatton

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating ongoing vandalism at the Hatton rest area. Graffiti and other mischief has occurred for four consecutive weeks between 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and 5 a.m. on Wednesdays. The department is hoping anyone with information on these occurrences will call (509) 659-1122.

FERRY COUNTY

Republic

County residents will pay some $3,659,106 in real estate taxes to the county treasurer this year. The assessor’s office recently mailed out tax notices, so money should come rolling in soon. Only 16 percent of land in the county is publicly owned, which hurts the bottom line. This year’s total is up from 1998, when $3,503,136 was collected.

GRANT COUNTY

Ephrata

Despite statistics showing hundreds of local kids go hungry during summer vacation, the Ephrata School Board rejected sponsoring a summer food program. The district declined the program saying it lacked available cooking facilities, as well as money for administrative costs. Officials said they will continue to monitor the need in case they can do more in the future.

LINCOLN COUNTY

Reardan

Graduation from Reardan High School just got a little tougher. The local school board decided to enforce its policy of requiring students to pass a competency exam in 10th grade to graduate. In recent years, the district let those who failed the test take a study skills course to even the score. Now, students are required to pass the study skills course and take the test until they pass to earn a diploma.

PEND OREILLE COUNTY

Newport

Alisha Wright can’t help but smile. She was recently proclaimed Newport’s Junior Miss. Wright received a $500 scholarship to the college of her choice and a medallion. She also won medallions for Youth Fitness and Creative and Performing Arts. Runner up in the contest was Courtney Weber.

SPOKANE COUNTY

Chattaroy

Sarah Davenport, the 1998 Riverside High School salutatorian, was named to the President’s List at Western Washington University for the winter quarter with a 4.0 grade point average.

STEVENS COUNTY

Colville

Those planning spring projects and property improvements within the city limits might want to call City Hall first. Local ordinances require permits for many building projects including fences and decks. The county has different requirements, and both the city and county urge all embarking on home improvements to call before swinging that hammer.

WHITMAN COUNTY

St. John

Jan Anderson is one hearty soul. A contract mail carrier for Whitman County, Anderson rises at 4:40 a.m. to fetch bags of mail in Spokane and arrives home at 6 p.m. He’s racked up 1,650,000 miles over 30 years of bringing good news, bad news and lots of bills to the towns of St. John, Steptoe, Spangle, Rosalia and Maldin. He’s on his seventh delivery vehicle.

IDAHO

BENEWAH COUNTY

St. Maries

Benewah County’s new comprehensive plan, two years in the making, is now available for review. County commissioners scheduled a public hearing for 5 p.m. April 26 at the courthouse to gather public input on the 44-page plan. The county’s current plan was drafted in the 1970s. The plan establishes goals and objectives used to guide the county’s decisions affecting growth and development.

BONNER COUNTY

Clark Fork

“Wildflowers in Watercolor,” a class by Barbara Janus, will be April 24 at the Clark Fork Field Campus. The class includes instruction on watercolor techniques, composition and design. Class size is limited to 16, and cost is $19. Checks can be mailed to: Edie Kinucan, UI Clark Fork Field Campus, Box 87, Clark Fork, ID 83811.

BOUNDARY COUNTY

Bonners Ferry

The Boundary County Community Kitchen, in conjunction with United Methodist Church of Bonners Ferry, is offering free lunch to residents every Thursday. Lunch is served at noon at the church. While the lunches are free, donations are accepted.

KOOTENAI COUNTY

Worley

The fourth annual Basics in Babysitting program, sponsored by the Worley Fire District, will be April 22 at the Worley Ambulance Building. The program will begin at 8:15 a.m. for local sixth- through eighth-grade students. Participants will take a pediatric care course for CPR, first aid training, and learn fire and stranger safety. For more information, call Gayle Dyer at (208) 686-1545 or (208) 686-1258.

LATAH COUNTY

Moscow

Second District Judge John Stegner denied a Moscow man’s request for a temporary injunction to stop work on the city swimming pool Wednesday. John Wenders claims Moscow voters were promised a different pool when they passed a $3.275 million bond in May than is planned for construction now. Wender is a University of Idaho economics professor who publicly opposes the pool because he felt it was extravagant and high-priced. This is the second time Stegner has denied Wender’s request for a temporary injunction in the last two months.

SHOSHONE COUNTY

Silver Valley

The Shoshone County unemployment rate for March was 11.3 percent, up from 10.9 percent in February. In March 1998, the unemployment rate was 12 percent.

MONTANA

LINCOLN COUNTY

Troy

The Troy School Board has appointed Dave Henderson as the new high school principal. Henderson taught at the Yaak School for four years and was a substitute English teacher at Troy High School for one year. He was previously sharing principal duties with guidance counselor Kelly Palmer after former principal John Konzen resigned to take his job as a county commissioner. The district received nine applications for the position, and three were interviewed by a selection committee representing the board, administrators, teachers, classified staff, student body and the community.