The County Lines

Washington

Adams County

Ritzville

The 1999-2000 school budget is set. The district, basing it’s final accounting on a projected 400 students, will try to stay within the boundaries of $3,149,453 budget. Wages and benefits take up 84 percent of the budget, with 7 percent for supplies and instructional materials. Travel consumes 10 percent, and contractual services 8.5 percent. The remaining .5 percent of the budget is spent on capital outlay.

Ferry County

Republic

Sales tax receipts are in and Ferry County is holding its own. For May, the county earned $8,892 on the basic .5 percent tax, and $8,842 on the optional tax. June sales tax figures were down, with both basic and optional taxes in the $6,700 range. The county’s total to date is $50,602 for basic and another $50,401 earned on the optional sales tax.

Grant County

Moses Lake

Local economists say the population of Moses Lake schools will explode by 2006. Due to 4,500 new jobs coming to the county through industry and services, there could be as many as 1,500 more students at local schools - an increase of 53 percent. If the numbers are accurate, local voters may see bond elections for three new elementary schools, one high school and one junior high building.

Lincoln County

Odessa

Harvest is under way in southern Lincoln County. The first load of grain was delivered to the Ruff station late last week, a full two weeks after the traditional beginning of harvest. Dryland winter wheat yields are average.

Pend Oreille County

Newport

Johnna Schadler, The wife of former police officer Todd Schadler defended her husband’s honesty in an open letter to Newport citizens, printed in the News-Miner. The letter says although her husband was wrong in soliciting a prostitute, his honesty when confronted with the situation shows what kind of man he is. She reminds all in the letter that nobody’s perfect.

Spokane County

Access Spokane, an advocacy network for disabled people, was recently acknowledged by the Health Improvement Partnership for its innovative contribution to the community. HIP is an organization that encourages grass-roots community improvement through recognition and assistance. Access Spokane next meets at the Shriner’s Hospital Aug. 18 at 10 a.m. For more information call Dave Graham at 255-6131.

Stevens County

Colville

Doug and Patti Householder are high rollers in town. The couple recently purchased the Copper Bowl bowling alley. They plan to upgrade the restaurant portion of the business, as well as offer more leagues and tournaments. Doug is a certified Brunswick mechanic, bowling coach and has formerly managed a bowling center. The couple comes to Colville from Montana, where they had their first date in 1969 - at a bowling alley.

Whitman County

Colfax

All 13 branches of the Whitman County Library System will close Aug. 2-7 for a major computer update. To make the library’s automated catalog Y2K compliant, a major upgrade of software is needed. Library patrons don’t need to worry about materials being overdue because all due dates will be lengthened in anticipation of the closure, library officials said. Maintenance in each of the branches will also be done while the libraries are closed to the public.

IDAHO

Benewah County

Plummer The Plummer community cookbooks are now available. More than 400 recipes are included in the books. The cookbooks are selling for $12. A taste-testing event is scheduled for Aug. 12, 3-7 p.m. For information, call (208) 686-1812. Bonner County Sandpoint Earlier this month the Sandpoint City Council decided that personal fireworks can no longer be discharged on property owned or leased by the city of Sandpoint because of concerns over public safety, particularly in city parks.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

The Boundary County Community Action Agency is seeking a cook and a group interested in continuing the Community Kitchen. The kitchen serves meals to seniors every Thursday. For information, call Christine at (208) 267-3663.

Kootenai County

Post Falls

The Post Falls Senior Citizen Center will offer a 55 Alive driving class Aug. 9 and 10. The class is a refresher driving course for drivers 50 years and older. Drivers are eligible for discounted insurance rates with a certificate of completion. Cost is $8, and the class will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days at the center. To register, call (208) 664-6886.

Latah County

Moscow

The University of Idaho is offering a workshop on integrated pest management for nursery, Christmas tree and landscape professionals Aug. 17. The workshop will include classroom instruction on identifying diseases, insects and weeds of nurseries and landscapes. Five hours of Idaho Pesticide Applicator recertification credits are available from the program. The class will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Room 200 of the UI Forest Science Building. Cost is $10, $7 if registered by Aug. 13.

Shoshone County

Silver Valley

After losing officer Dave Wuolle to the Kellogg Police Department, Smelterville has contracted for the services of the Pinehurst Police Department and its officers. The arrangement will allow officer Brett Sauer to remain in Smelterville. Pinehurst officers will have jurisdiction in Smelterville and will patrol and help with investigations if needed.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

The Libby School Board Tuesday granted early retirement to George “Doc” Sargent, assistant principal at Libby High School, following his arrest on alcohol, weapons and drug-related charges April 26 in Steamboat Springs, Colo. Sargent will get the standard $12,500 early-retirement incentive available to all administrators who meet the longevity requirements. Sargent must sign a statement releasing the school district from any and all claims, such as a wrongful discharge suit.