The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Othello

The appraisal numbers are in and residential property surrounding Rodeo Lake is worth about $1.5 million, should the land be condemned for government buyback. If the land is purchased by the government, the Rodeo Lake Steering Committee chair believes an additional $1.2 million would be available for relocation costs. With 54 tracts of land, each tract would be worth more than $57,000.

Ferry County

Republic

The Ferry County Fair will again feature professional horse racing this year. The racetrack, damaged in last May’s devastating flood, has been restored. Portable stalls are in place and a new horse barn is in the works, though not likely to be finished for this season. A new feature at the track this year will be Pony Express elimination races Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 3-5, with a $1,000 purse. The Mile Derby will pay $300.

Grant County

Moses Lake

Pacific Northwest Sugar Company has a new lease on life as it has acquired a $20 million USDA loan to remain in business. The sugar refinery was in danger of closing down after a disastrous first year. Equipment failures put processing so far behind schedule that most of the sugar beet crop was ruined on the loading dock. The new funding will allow creditors and investors to be paid, and improvements on equipment to be made.

Lincoln County

Almira

How long does it take to harvest 240 acres? If you live in Almira and your neighbors give you a hand, it takes only three hours. Local farmer Toby Parry, seriously injured in a car crash and unable to harvest quickly, got a hand from 40 friends in bringing in his wheat crop. Led by Allyn Hughes, the farmers rousted 11 combines and a fleet of trucks to finish the harvest in just 40 loads.

Pend Oreille County

Newport

A young cougar has taken up residence at the local DSHS office. The cat has been spotted at least four times, and fish and wildlife agents urge all who spot the animal to call the Sheriff’s office as soon as possible.

Spokane County

Medical Lake

Theresa Stimson, a 16-year employee at Eastern State Hospital, has been named one of three winners of the Norm Schut scholarships awarded by the Washington Federation of State Employees. The mental health technician and member of Local 782 said she plans to use the $1,000 award for career advancement work at Eastern Washington University.

Stevens County

Chewelah

The Chewelah Community Health Center welcomes Dr. Maja Zugec to its team of physicians. Zugec, a native of Zagreb, Croatia, says the climate in Chewelah is similar to her native country and that she enjoys the area immensely. Dr. Zugec, her husband Mirko and daughter Dina, 12, will settle here later this month. Mirko, also a doctor, has joined a practice in Post Falls. Both are internal medicine specialists and primary care physicians.

Whitman County

Pullman

Pullman residents Leonard and Edna Young have given $100,000 to Washington State University to establish the Leonard W. and Edna L. Young Endowed Scholarship Fund. The endowment will fund scholarships in the College of Agriculture and Home Economics for outstanding students majoring in agriculture. Leonard Young came to Pullman in 1936 to become the assistant to the dean of the College of Agriculture. During his career he documented agricultural activities on and off campus and served in several College of Agriculture positions. Edna Young worked at the registrar’s office from 1957-1965. Both philanthropists are active community volunteers.

IDAHO

Benewah County

St. Maries

Benewah County Commissioners are considering a plan to expand the courthouse to the west, which would require the purchase of the Masonic Lodge. The county has not made a formal offer for the property. The building was appraised at $150,000, and the availability of another meeting place for the lodge would be critical to any proposal to sell the property. The St. Maries lodge is one of two active lodges in which the building was built as a Masonic Temple. Lodge members are expected to discuss the issue Sept. 2.

Bonner County

Sandpoint

Sandpoint will host a rural economic development conference, “Growing Entrepreneurs in Your Economy,” Sept. 9-11 at the recently opened City Forum Conference Center on Cedar Street. The featured speaker will be Scott Goodin, director of the U.S. Export Assistance Center of the U.S. Department of Commerce. More than 30 presenters will focus on business incubation, supporting entrepreneurs and taking people’s ideas to market. For information or to register, call (208) 263-4073.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

The Second Chance Animal Adoption volunteers are seeking foster families to temporarily take in puppies and adult dogs with special needs until permanent homes can be found. Dog food and vet care are provided. For information, call Alice Miller at (208) 267-2023.

Kootenai County

Coeur d’Alene

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program for residents 55 years of age and older is in need of volunteers. Volunteers work on their own schedule. Positions in demand include a gardener, court appointed advocate for youth and a clerical aide. For information, call (208) 667-3179.

Latah County

Moscow

The ISDA pesticide applicator’s examination will be administered at the Latah County Courthouse Sept. 8 at 9 a.m. All available exams will be given. For information and to register, call Chuck Hawley at (208) 666-6779.

Shoshone County

Silverton

The Silver Wood Good Samaritan Center recently received a deficiency-free rating from the Idaho Department of Health. Examiners look for deficiencies in areas including dietary and menus, cleanliness of the home and proper documentation. The center received a good rating in 1998.

Lincoln County

Libby

The Kootenai Volunteer Hospice dinner-dance has been re-scheduled for Oct. 16 The fund-raiser was set for Sept. 25. Tickets will be available after Sept. 14, following the next hospice meeting.