The County Lines

Sun., April 25, 1999

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Ritzville

This is the way history was meant to be. The Adams County Historical Society is holding its county history tour lectures on the back of the wagon while traveling the “Colville Trail.” The daylong event costs $30 for the wagon ride and steak fondue lunch. For information on the May 7 event, call (509) 677-3642.

FERRY COUNTY

Republic

Parents are invited to spend a fun night with their children during the “Family Night Out” series this spring. It begins Monday, featuring a guest speaker on drugs, prison, gangs and recovery. The second event is scheduled for May 12. Families get together at the school to eat, learn, play games and build community. The dinner is free. For information, call (509) 775-3446.

GRANT COUNTY

Moses Lake

The Y2K scare has brought big profits to a local manufacturer.

Columbia Bean and Produce Co. of Moses Lake has seen a 30 percent increase in sales. The company sells 37 varieties of bulk dried beans, popcorn, wheat and rice products under the Fiesta label. Since the millennium bug scare, many of their clients have doubled their regular orders.

LINCOLN COUNTY

Davenport

Seasonal layoffs were to blame for Lincoln County’s rising jobless rate. The number of unemployed workers rose from 7.7 percent to 7.9 percent from January to February. Wholesale and retail trade declines, as well as the winter hiatus for agriculture, boosted unemployment.

PEND OREILLE COUNTY

Metaline Falls

The Pend Oreille Valley Railroad has ordered materials to fix tracks damaged in the recent Lehigh Hills mudslide. Bridge-repair materials are on their way. The worst damage was the loss of vertical members of the trestle, called bents. Two of the bents will be replaced with fill material.

SPOKANE COUNTY

Marshall

As much as three miles of old railroad grade near Marshall will be paved this spring under a contract from the Spokane parks department. The city is slowly developing 10.5 miles of former Union Pacific rail bed from Spokane to Fish Lake as a bike and pedestrian trail. The section near Marshall was selected for the initial paving contract. The entire trail is open to the public, but currently has a rock and gravel surface.

STEVENS COUNTY

Northport

Northport’s food bank and resource center is enjoying its new digs. The charity, with the help of the Colville Food Bank, has moved to 519 Summit in Northport. The food bank is giving one food basket to each needy family monthly, with milk and bread available every Thursday. The food bank is open every Tuesday and Thursday, and needs another freezer and refrigerator to give fresh products on Tuesdays as well.

WHITMAN COUNTY

Pullman

Peter Chilson, assistant professor of English at Washington State University, has received the Associated Writing Programs’ book award for nonfiction. The award recognizes Chilson’s new book, “Riding the Demon: On the Road in West Africa,” which explores West African road culture through his experiences living with bush taxi drivers. Chilson will read from his book at several regional bookstores this month.

IDAHO

BENEWAH COUNTY

St. Maries

Adult computer classes will be offered at Lakeside High School Mondays and Wednesdays beginning May 3. Classes will be 6-9 p.m. and taught by Jeff Green, business teacher for the Plummer/Worley school district. Lakeside High students will assist Green. Class cost is $45. To register, call (208) 686-1937.

BONNER COUNTY

Sandpoint

The Sandpoint Waldorf School will host “Waldorf Education Sampler - Journey Through the Grades” from 10 a.m. to noon May 1. Faculty will demonstrate how the curriculum is presented in the school, including how children follow the path of language arts from writing to reading. For information, call (208) 265-2683.

BOUNDARY COUNTY

Bonners Ferry

Due to spring breakup, hauling on a number of Boundary County roads is prohibited until further notice. Additional road closures are anticipated as conditions worsen. Before hauling, call the Boundary County Road and Bridge Department at (208) 267-3838.

KOOTENAI COUNTY

Coeur d’Alene

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation needs camp hosts at several parks. Hosts greet visitors, hand out information, replace restroom supplies, clean campsites, pick up litter and inform rangers about potential problems. The agency is seeking a minimum 30-day commitment. One- to five-month openings are available at Priest Lake, Winchester Lake, Hells Gate, Massacre Rocks and Harriman state parks. For information, contact Harry Steele at (208) 666-6803.

LATAH COUNTY

Moscow

The Moscow City Council committed $5,000 in city funds Monday to the Dec. 31 fireworks display. The year 2000 New Year’s Eve celebration is being planned in conjunction with local firefighters. The council is looking at providing a $10,000 show.

SHOSHONE COUNTY

Wallace

The Wallace District Mining Museum will host a lecture Thursday to commemorate the centennial of the start of the Silver Valley mining war. University of Idaho history professor Katherine Aiken speaks at 7 p.m. at the museum. The mining war began April 29, 1899, when an explosion blew up a concentration mill in Kellogg.

MONTANA

LINCOLN COUNTY

Libby

Local artisans and performers are needed for Art in the Park on Friday. The event will be held from 3-7 p.m. at the Lincoln County Campus Bandshell area. Any person or organization interested in performing or presenting artwork can contact Janet Knauss or Andres Huisentruit at (208) 293-2721.

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