The County Lines

Tue., Aug. 17, 1999

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Othello

Reuel Klempel has been hired as the town’s public works director. Klempel, from Illinois, takes over the post Sept. 1. Klempel has lived and worked in Washington and is familiar with Othello. He is currently city superintendent in Gibson, Ill.

Ferry County

Republic

People wishing to support the local volunteer fire department are asked to sign up for the annual Fireman’s 3-Man Scramble. The golf tournament and fund raiser starts at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Sheridan Greens. Food and refreshments await the first 54 golfers to sign up. The entry fee is $15 and registration can be done through the golf course.

Grant County

Moses Lake

Police are warning shoppers looking for access into stores that handicapped parking is strictly off-limits. The city is using volunteer parking enforcement officers to keep tabs on the parking spaces. Violations can result in fines of $175 to $250.

Lincoln County

Odessa

Growers with private crossings over Burlington Northern and Santa Fe railroad tracks are being told their crossings may be pulled. The railroad says property owners who have not signed crossing agreements or shown certificates of insurance are in jeopardy of losing their crossing, cutting off access to fields and homes.

Pend Oreille County

Diamond Lake

Jet ski operators in this county must be 16-years-old or older. That is two years older than the state minimum. Sheriff Jerry Weeks recently found that some deputies were not aware of the county ordinance. Weeks said all marine deputies will read and sign off on the county ordinance.

Spokane County

Spokane

Green Bluff Grange resident Samantha Missel recently won the “Sign-a-Song” competition at the State Grange Convention for her rendition of “I Can Love You Better” by the Dixie Chicks. She will perform her “Sign-a-Song” at the Interstate Fair in September.

Stevens County

Colville

Joe Kirpes and Nick Salina won $500 in the Colville Rendezvous egg toss competition. They successfully tossed an egg 103 feet, 2 inches, to blow away the old mark of 95. The egg must be caught without breaking.

Whitman County

Pullman

The city Parks and Recreation Department will offer a step and step/sculpt class which will meet Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 5:20 to 6:20 p.m. Aug. 23 through Oct. 15. The cost is $46. A tone and stretch class will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Aug. 24 through Oct. 14. The cost is $32. Both classes meet in the City Hall youth center. For more information or to register, call (509) 334-4555, ext. 227.

IDAHO

Benewah County

Plummer

Final adjustments are being made on the Pacific Northwest Fiber plant in Plummer for the open house Monday. The open house gives the public a chance to tour the facility. The plant was moved to Plummer from Australia earlier this year.

Bonner County

Sandpoint

The Clark Fork Pend Oreille Wetlands Trust is accepting applications to fund projects which protect, preserve, improve or enhance wetlands in Bonner County. Funds may be used to purchase wetlands, acquire conservation easements or engage in long-term cooperative programs with private landowners. Applications are available at the Sandpoint City Clerk’s office and must be returned by Sept. 15.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

The Panhandle Health District has developed a local diabetes support group in Bonners Ferry. The district provides educational programs and participates in special events to increase awareness. For information, call (208) 267-5558.

Kootenai County

Coeur d’Alene

The Coeur d’Alene Public Library will preview fall programs Wednesday. Story time for children ages 2 years to 5 years will be at 10:30 a.m., with a session for ages 6 years to 11 years at 1 p.m. Parents will also be able to register children for programs. For information, call the library youth department at (208) 769-2315.

Latah County

Moscow

Administrators from Gritman Medical Center and Pullman Memorial Hospital have announced an agreement to begin exploring the possibility of combining the two facilities into a single health-care center. The hospitals will hire Quorum Health Resources to look at the feasibility of consolidation and building a facility in the corridor within the next five years.

Shoshone County

Kellogg

The Inland Northwest Blood Center is sponsoring two blood drives in the Silver Valley. The Wallace community blood drive will be Aug. 24, at the Elks Club. The Kellogg blood drive will be at the Elks Club Aug. 31. Both blood drives will run 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

Lincoln County Commissioners declined to approve a 1999-2000 budget for the Lincoln County Campus last week until issues involving investment income and library services are resolved. The proposed general fund for LCC is $514,706 and includes a 3 percent cost-of-living pay raise for all eligible employees. The budget was approved July 19, by Flathead Valley Community Colleges trustees.

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