The County Lines

Thu., Aug. 5, 1999

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Ritzville

The East Adams Rural Hospital has recently purchased a state-of-the-art X-ray machine. The new contraption replaces a 35-year-old machine.

Ferry County

Republic

Local folks can be found everywhere, just ask Dick and Jeanne Graham. The Grahams were in Spokane recently and, as always, ate lunch at Pieroni’s Italian Restaurant on East Francis. It was discovered that the owners are originally from Republic, and they proudly display a painting by Republic artist Bill Hutton.

Grant County

George

County officials listened intently to locals tired of fighting traffic, littering and trespassing during concerts at the Gorge Amphitheater. The commissioners and Sheriff Bill Wiester both promised residents a zero tolerance policy. During concerts, the county will step up patrols with up to 18 extra deputies.

Lincoln County

Davenport

Local lawmakers say the numbers just don’t add up. If state voters approve Initiative 695 to roll back the motor vehicle excise tax, Lincoln County stands to lose big. Commissioners expect to be short nearly $840,000. If the initiative is passed, commissioners say many county projects, and jobs, will be in jeopardy, and peripheral services will likely get the ax.

Commissioners are resigned to the loss and say they will budget accordingly.

Pend Oreille County

Newport

Lisa King will never be forgotten. The local woman was killed last December when she was hit by a car while crossing Highway 2 near the Safeway store where she worked. Her family has planted a weeping cherry tree near the site as a memorial. The state is due to install a traffic light and crosswalk in September at the intersection of State Route 2 and Highway 41.

Stevens County

Chewelah

Tickets are on sale, and expected to go quickly, for the Chewelah Basin Blues and Jazz Festival. The jazz fest is on the calendar for Aug. 21 at 49 Degrees North ski resort. Prices are $15 in advance for adults and $10 for children. Prices go up at the gate. Proceeds from ticket sales go toward a perpetual scholarship fund for Chewelah students to attend Eastern Washington University. For ticket information, call (509) 935-6649 ext. 604.

Whitman County

Pullman

A Washington State University anthropologist is trying to make heads or tails out of camel bones found in western Whitman County. Carl Gustafson is studying the recent find of prehistoric camel bones discovered at the bottom of a gravel pit. Evidence in the teeth show the animal likely pre-dated the Great Missoula Flood by 500,000 years. This is the third prehistoric camel found in the state. Camels evolved here more than 15 million years ago. The pieces don’t fit neatly, however, as this camel doesn’t seem to be the type found previously in the area.

Spokane County

Spokane

The Salvation Army Youth Center pool will host a beginning synchronized swimming program starting Sept. 14. Participants will work closely with the Silver Mermaids synchronized swim team. Practices will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Also, novice swim team practices will continue through the fall with practices Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 4:30-5:30 p.m.

For more information, contact aquatics directors Tracy or Kelli at 325-6810.

IDAHO

Benewah County

St. Maries

The Idaho Housing and Finance Association will have a public forum today in St. Maries to discuss the demographic, economic and housing conditions in the state and region. A study of Barriers to Affordable Housing will be available at the meeting.

Bonner County

Sandpoint

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet today and Friday to discuss the status of local hatcheries and proposed changes to fishing regulations in Lake Pend Oreille. Both meetings will be at the Hawthorne Inn.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

One hundred blocks have been created for the centennial quilt project by local quilters. The finished quilt will be unveiled at the Bonners Ferry centennial celebration Saturday.

Kootenai County

Coeur d’Alene

The Coeur d’Alene Job Service will host a three-day job search workshop Aug. 17-19.

Latah County

Moscow

The Moscow City Council resembled a brokerage firm Monday night as it bought, sold and traded property valued at about $275,000.

In an effort to consolidate city services, the council agreed Monday to purchase the Idaho Department of Labor office for $246,000. The building shares a parking lot with city hall and will serve as overflow for offices in city hall and in the city’s annex on Fourth Street. October is the target date for the facility to switch hands. The state will move its offices to a new building being constructed on the Troy highway.

Shoshone County

Wallace

The East Shoshone County Water District is asking all customers to avoid watering at night and during the heat of the day to allow the reservoirs to fill overnight and to maintain adequate fire protection.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

A Kalispell man was arrested in Lincoln County on July 29 and charged with killing his former girlfriend while they were in Libby earlier that day.

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