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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

The County Lines

Washington

Adams County

Othello

Local schools will be back in session Aug. 30, and the annual school supply drive is being sponsored by the local U.S. Bank branch to provide basic supplies for children who cannot afford them. Crayons, markers, pens, notebooks, pencils and paper are needed. The goods will be given to students at the three elementary schools.

Ferry County

Republic

Free use of the Ferry County Technology Center is coming to an end. The center will begin charging for services Sept. 1. Because the center is funded by a grant from the U.S. Forest Service, the center’s administrators must begin charging a fee to meet grant requirements. Fee schedules for work station and Internet use, printer, scanner, copiers, classes and equipment rental are available by calling (509) 775-8175.

Grant County

Grand Coulee

The Banks Lake Golf and Country Club is expanding, just not as fast as shareholders would like.

Shareholders voted last year to add another nine holes. Today, four new holes are under construction. The 35 acres needed to build five more holes are owned by the Bureau of Reclamation and operated by the state Parks Commission. Wetlands issues have arisen and all entities are working through the process.

Lincoln County

Almira

About 30 people attended a City Hall meeting to discuss a sex offender who has moved to town. The man, not identified, was recently released from prison in Omaha, Neb. The white male, 52, lives on the 100 block of North Sixth Street. His victim was a 56-year-old woman. He has four prior convictions involving children.

Pend Oreille County

Newport

Hoping to start a tennis club or league, local enthusiasts are offering a free tennis clinic for adults. The clinic is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at the courts behind Newport High School. Instructor and former college player Keena Trowbridge, of Sandpoint, will conduct the clinic. Rackets will be available for those who don’t own one. For information, call (509) 447-1260.

Spokane County

Deer Park

The Deer Park School District will conduct a free pre-school screening clinic Aug. 30. The hour-long clinic, for children under age 5 includes vision, hearing, speech, language and developmental checks. Parents will be asked general information about their child’s development, so a baby book or calendar should be brought to the test. To make an appointment, or for more information, contact Paula Stone at 376-5776.

Stevens County

Chewelah

The Northeast Tri-County Health District hopes to give out 1,500 smoke alarms to area residents this year. Health educator Julie Bruggenthies says the rate of fire-related deaths and injuries in Stevens County, 9.9 per 1,000 population, is more than twice that of the rest of Washington state at 4.3 per 1,000. Bruggenthies is giving out special smoke alarms with a 10-year lithium battery.

Whitman County

Colfax

The Palouse Empire Fair will feature a carnival, talent show and a variety of family entertainment Sept. 9 through 12. The third annual talent show is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sept. 11, at the outdoor stage.

“All You Can Ride” carnival coupons are for sale through Sept. 8, for $12 each, a discount off the on-site fair price of $16. Coupons are available at Pullman, Colfax and Potlatch grange supply, as well as Colfax Subway, Community Current in St. John, the Bank of Whitman in Rosalia, Bank of Latah in Tekoa and the fair office in Colfax. The Palouse Empire Fair Royalty candidates are selling four-day wristband passes for fair admission and advance day passes are available. For more information on tickets, contact the fair office at (509) 397-6263.

IDAHO

Benewah County

Plummer

The Coeur d’Alene Tribal school at DeSmet will begin classes Aug. 30. New students can register the first day of school. The Coeur d’Alene Tribal Head Start School will begin its school year Sept. 13. Two portable classrooms will be added to the school this year. Students must have had a physical checkup and immunizations. The school will accept 37 students this year.

Bonner County

Sandpoint

Bonner County school districts will split more than $180,000 for new elementary school teachers. The money is part of a $5.6 million program to place 140 new teachers in Idaho classrooms. East Bonner District will receive $124,534 and West Bonner will get $55,505. The state Department of Education hopes to reduce the size of classes in the first three grades with the federally funded program.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

The Bonners Ferry Seniors Hospitality Center operates 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. The center serves meals Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at noon. Home delivered meals are available. The center also provides transportation of elderly to recreational activities and operates elderly and handicapped subsidized housing. For information, contact the center at (208) 267-5553.

Kootenai County

Coeur d’Alene

The Idaho Transportation Department will hold an informational meeting for the proposed realignment and rebuilding of U.S. Highway 95, Worley to Mica Road construction project today, at the Tribal Bingo/Casino north of Worley. The open house meeting will be 4 to 7 p.m. and provide information about the preferred alternative route, its environmental impacts, traffic, right-of-way and design details. The project is part of a statewide effort to improve U.S. 95 while minimizing impacts to the community and environment.

Latah County

Moscow

The University of Idaho is once again listed as one of the top universities in the country by U.S. News & World Report. UI is listed in the third tier of national universities, putting it among the top 177 universities in the country. The rankings are based on a variety of data including academic reputation, retention and graduation rates, class size, faculty salaries, student-to-faculty ratios, alumni giving rate, financial resources, and student SAT scores and high school rank.

Shoshone County

Wallace

Residents dedicated the first phase of the mining exhibit near the Wallace Visitors Center on Friday. The Evolution shaft is the first part of a tribute to the region’s mining industry and heritage in the Silver Valley. The project, which began in March 1998, will include exhibits on crushing equipment, a ball mill, flotation cells, mucking cars and other machinery.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

The Libby and Kalispell campuses of Flathead Valley Community College will be closed Aug. 30. Staff and faculty will be off campus for in-service meetings. Normal working hours with staff and faculty back on campus will resume Tuesday, Aug. 31.