The County Lines

WASHINGTON

ADAMS COUNTY Othello

The season’s greenery is giving folks a false sense of security. Below those green leaves lie dry branches, especially in shrubbery, says Fire District 5 Chief Clyde Fought. Shrubs burn fast and with the uncertain wind patterns of the area, residents are urged to stay on guard. Resident James Alexander was severely burned over 44 percent of his body recently as his shrub fire burned out of control and threatened his home.

FERRY COUNTY Republic

The Deadman’s Creek slide area has been shorn up. The county road crew, with the assistance of a local contractor, installed a dewatering system and rock blanket for drainage above and below the water source. The road is now open to traffic, including school buses. More permanent repairs are planned for later this spring as this is only a “quick fix.”

GRANT COUNTY Royal City

City Hall is shook up from some recent personnel changes. Mayor Mike Stark announced at a recent council meeting that city administrator Michael Konen is looking for another job. “I don’t know when or if he’ll be back,” Stark said. This has left the city clerk shorthanded. In addition, Acting Police Chief Darin Smith says officer Brian King resigned, leaving just two on the force.

LINCOLN COUNTY Davenport

If you’re planning a trip through Lincoln County on Highway 2, be warned. Road crews have started a paving project and delays are inevitable. The construction begins in Reardan and goes through the town of Davenport. The state Department of Transportation says delays of 15 minutes are expected.

PEND OREILLE COUNTY Newport

Time has run out for those not registered to vote on the April 27 school maintenance and operations levy. Absentee ballot registration closed April 12. The Newport School District is asking patrons for a two-year levy of $465,000 for 2000, and $497.500 for 2001. Voters rejected a levy, which ran for $550,000 and $590,000 back in March. If this levy fails, the district will see deep program and staff cuts.

SPOKANE COUNTY Spokane

Community Health Education and Resources, a joint program of local hospitals, has a long list of community health programs in May. The free workshops include managing back pain, living with arthritis, stress management and children and asthma. Most workshops are one to two hours long. Call (509) 835-8960 for times and dates of classes.

STEVENS COUNTY Chewelah

A longtime Chewelah School supporter has made a donation to the district. Nave Sety recently presented the school with $50,000 of Safeway stock. The stock will be reverted to cash with $20,000 for a co-ed home-ec class. The rest of the money will be spread throughout programs from clubs and sports, to the library and computer lab.

WHITMAN COUNTY Pullman

The Pullman School District, working in coordination with the local YMCA, will provide swimming, gymnastics and other fun activities for children in grades K-5 on Thursday, April 22, when a teacher walkout is expected to close school. Sign up for the activities program will be Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the YMCA office in the Gladish Community Center. Fliers will also be sent home with schoolchildren.

IDAHO

BENEWAH COUNTY St. Maries

Benewah County voters will decide on a $325,000 supplemental school levy Tuesday. The levy will replace one approved by voters two years ago that expires this year. The request is a $10,000 reduction from the one approved two years ago. Polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. at the Emida Senior Center, UpRiver School, Santa Grange, Benewah Community Center, Avista office and the courthouse. For information, call the district clerk at (208) 245-2579.

BONNER COUNTY Sandpoint

A soccer referee certification class will be held April 24-25 at the Life Care Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The clinic is a beginner course for ages 13 and older, and will cost $25 with a $25 certification charge. The course will enable those interested to referee at the recreation, competitive and high school levels. For information and to register, call Janeen Schissler at (208) 263-8657 or Tim Ittner at (208) 263-4840.

BOUNDARY COUNTY Bonners Ferry

Help is available for victims of domestic abuse or violence. The Boundary County Youth Crisis and Domestic Violence hotline is manned 24 hours a day by volunteers trained to help end the cycle of abuse. For help, call (208) 267-5211. All information is kept strictly confidential.

KOOTENAI COUNTY Post Falls

The Post Falls Senior Citizen Center will hold a spring craft fair April 23-24 at the center. The event will also include a baked goods sale and door prizes. Tables are available to rent for $10. The craft fair will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with proceeds going to the senior center. For information, call (208) 773-9582.

LATAH COUNTY Moscow

The University of Idaho Enrichment Program is offering an eight-day bird-watching tour through Idaho June 5-12. “Birding Across Idaho,” led by guide Kas Dumroese, will leave Moscow on June 5. The itinerary includes overnight stays in McCall, Boise, Pocatello, Salmon and Clark Fork, with the tour returning to Moscow June 12. Fee is $359, which includes transportation, lodging and instruction. To register, call the UI Enrichment Program by May 7 at (208) 885-6486.

SHOSHONE COUNTY Kellogg

Kellogg has been honored as a “Tree City USA” by the National Arbor Day Foundation. To become a tree city, a community must have a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry plan and an Arbor Day observance. Kellogg has 3,500 seedlings to be planted during the Arbor Day celebration April 30 and May 1. This is the first year the city has received the honor.

MONTANA

LINCOLN COUNTY Troy

Organizers for the Troy All-School Reunion are looking for Troy alumni. The reunion is scheduled for Aug. 4-6, 2000. Names, telephone numbers and addresses of graduates can be directed to Fred McDougall in Troy at (406) 295-4993 or Marcia Weidner in Spokane at (509) 891-5092. Registration for the reunion will be $25.