The County Lines

Thu., April 15, 1999

WASHINGTON

ADAMS COUNTY Othello

The school board is looking for a way to remember one of its biggest boosters, late potato baron P.J. Taggares. The district hopes to name the football field, gym or both facilities after the farmer who died earlier this year.

FERRY COUNTY Republic

The local Chamber of Commerce has named its “persons of the year.” John D. Anderson is “Citizen of the Year.” Anderson, a volunteer fireman, helped develop Patterson Park, and has worked on Prospector’s Days. The “Employee of the Year” is the clerk for the county commissioners, Lynne Baldwin. Baldwin helped flood-afflicted businesses with paperwork and loans.

GRANT COUNTY Royal City

If Royal High teacher Jim Hill has his way, the local school and the city will soon have wireless access to the Internet. Hill has been researching an Innovations in Technology grant that would bring wireless web service to citizens using the school district as the provider. To get the grant, Hill must help form a consortium including the city, the local port, the Public Utilities District and the school and library districts.

LINCOLN COUNTY Davenport

Getting back to its roots, the Davenport Pioneer Days committee has announced plans for a pioneer beard contest. Men will be judged on appearance, fullness and length of their facial hair. Prizes will be awarded during the Pioneer Days festival the third weekend in July. Women wanting to win a prize can enter the pioneer dress contest.

PEND OREILLE COUNTY Newport

Anna Nordtvedt, a local attorney, has signed a contract as Superior Court commissioner. Nordtvedt has been acting as commissioner since the October 1998 investigation into former District Court judge Charles Baechler, the former commissioner. Nordtvedt is being paid $5,000 annually to hear civil and juvenile cases.

SPOKANE COUNTY Spokane

The Spokane Homeownership Resource Center recently opened a new office at the Spokane Housing Authority headquarters, 55 W. Mission. Director Diana Telford is setting up pre-ownership classes and helping families overcome obstacles to home ownership.

STEVENS COUNTY Colville

It could be the end of an era for the Colville Indians sports mascot. The Colville Tribal Business Council is working with the school district to resolve the issue of the name. Council chairman Joe Pakootas says the tribe will “strive for a resolution of the mascot issue that is mutually acceptable to the Colville Tribes and this local school district.”

WHITMAN COUNTY Pullman

Washington State university’s Wood Materials and Engineering Lab is hosting an open house for the public from 1:30 to 4 p.m. today at the WSU Research & Technology Park on Terre View Drive, Suite C.

Started in 1949, the lab supports research for the Northwest pulp and paper industry. Through more than 27 patents, the research on combining recyclable materials such as plastics with wood and other agri-materials has contributed to the region’s economic development. Classes and school groups are welcome and refreshments will be served.

IDAHO

BENEWAH COUNTY St. Maries

Former St. Maries Postmaster Phil Kuntz has been honored by the National Newspaper Association. Kuntz received the “Benjamin Franklin Community Newspaper and Postal Partnership Award for Excellence” for the state of Idaho. He was one of 46 state winners nationwide. Dan Hammes of the St. Maries Gazette Record nominated Kuntz.

BONNER COUNTY Sandpoint

A new exhibit at the Bonner County Museum features the towns of Dover, Wrenco, Laclede and Thama. Vintage photos and stories from longtime residents are needed for the exhibit. To volunteer, call the museum at (208) 263-2344 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

BOUNDARY COUNTY Bonners Ferry

Little League tryouts will be held at the Valley View ball diamond at 1 p.m. Saturday in Bonners Ferry. Everyone interested in playing is invited to attend, along with any adults willing to volunteer. For information, call John Ogden at (208) 267-6059.

KOOTENAI COUNTY Post Falls

The deadline to declare candidacy for the Post Falls School Board elections is Friday. Trustees will be elected to positions in zones 4 and 5 which are currently held by Donagene Turnbow and Ed Adamchak. Declarations of candidacy and nominating petitions must be turned in to district clerk Janie Anderson by 5 p.m. Friday. For information, call (208) 773-0581.

LATAH COUNTY Moscow

Lori Graves, who was the target of an alleged hate crime in December, met with Moscow Police Tuesday to encourage the department to keep her case in active status. Graves’ case is inactive with no leads and no suspects. Police are still waiting for evidence - glass from a molotov cocktail left on Graves’ porch Dec. 1 and a hate letter found in her mailbox - to come back from the state crime lab.

SHOSHONE COUNTY Kellogg

The Panhandle Chapter of the American Red Cross will sponsor a first aid class April 24. The class will be at the Fire District II fire station from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $40 and includes the textbook. For information, call (208) 664-5414.

MONTANA

LINCOLN COUNTY Libby

The National Weather Service will sponsor a training course for weather spotters at 7 p.m. May 3. Anyone interested in becoming a weather spotter, as well as existing spotters, are encouraged to attend. The course will be held in the Ponderosa Room of the Libby City Hall complex. For information, call Charlie Comer at (406) 293-6295.

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