The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County Ritzville

Jerry Snyder is worried the county’s new road signs are hindering emergency response teams. Snyder feels the signs are too small and not placed on separate posts. Road signs are hung on a variety of signposts, which can make locating them difficult in a hurry, Snyder said. County commissioners and the 911 coordinator are considering his complaint.

Ferry County Curlew

The curtain goes up at 7 tonight on the Curlew High School drama club’s production of “Happy Valley High.” The 1950s-era musical features Renee Peterson as Cynthia Nordstrom, and Tyson Wheeler as Coach Barbella, sweethearts separated by World War II, back in Happy Valley 15 years later. There is a Sunday matinee at 3.

Grant County Ephrata

Two boys are suspected of injuring a schoolmate in a Jan. 21 drive-by shooting. The boys fired a shotgun at a residence and a group of juveniles standing outside. Flying glass from a broken window injured a girl, 13, inside. One local juvenile was arrested on assault and reckless endangerment charges. Rusty Joe Abrams, 17, of Ephrata, is being charged as an adult. He faces two counts of first-degree assault and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Lincoln County Almira

At the Almira School, the counting book “Miss Spider’s Tea Party” became a reality as the children hosted their own tea party during “Live Story Hour.” Librarian Susan Stephanini Day required all girls to wear necklaces and lipstick. The boys boycotted the event.

Pend Oreille County Metaline Falls

Artist Barry Herem will present “Raven Rising: Resplendence and Revival in Northwest Coast Indian Style Art” at 7:30 tonight at the Cutter Theatre. The lecture will focus on the gold boxes and monumental sculptures of Bill Reid, and the masks of Cuane Pasco. Herem will discuss belief systems and the rebirth of this form of Indian art.

Spokane County Deer Park

Army Pvt. Sean DeLeo, son of Timothy DeLeo of Deer Park, recently began basic training at Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga. During training, he will receive instruction in map reading and tactics.

Stevens County Northport

A group of 22 neighbors have passed their exams to become emergency medical technicians. Forming the Marble 1st Response and Rescue, they have shaved 20 to 30 minutes off the response time of the nearest EMT unit in Colville. The Sheriff’s Department helped pay for training, but equipment and funding are still needed. To donate, call Danni Hopkins at (509) 732-1763.

Whitman County Pullman

The free Agricultural Outlook Conference from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Best Western Heritage Inn will provide forecasts of the 1999 economics of most major Palouse agricultural commodities. Featured speakers include publisher of Marple’s Business Newsletter, Michael Parks, and LeMaster & Daniels accountant Bart Gerbers. For the luncheon at the Hilltop Restaurant only, it is $10. Call the Pullman Chamber of Commerce for reservations at 334-3565 or 1-800-365-6948.

IDAHO

Benewah County St. Maries

The Public Library changed its hours Feb. 1. It is now open Mondays and Thursdays, noon to 7 p.m., and Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays noon to 5 p.m. The decision to change the hours was made by its board of directors.

Bonner County Sandpoint

Bonner County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue volunteers found a Schweitzer ski instructor who had been missing for 10 hours early Thursday. Gene Dillon was last seen about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, and found about 1:30 a.m. Thursday coming down the back side of the mountain. Dillon apparently got lost when he skied out of bounds while looking for fresh powder.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

The county Community Kitchen is offering free lunch every Thursday at noon at United Methodist Church. Donations are accepted.

Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene

The Coeur d’Alene Sign Board is seeking public comment on an amendment to the city sign code. It would permit the use of temporary, portable signs, which have been prohibited for several years. Comment will be accepted at the board’s Feb. 24 meeting at 7 p.m. at City Hall. For information, call (208) 765-3635.

Latah County Moscow

The University of Idaho English Department will begin its spring Distinguished Visiting Writer series Feb. 17 with author Jim Heynan. A former Idaho Poet-in-the-Schools, Heynan teaches at St. Olaf College in Minnesota. Other public readings this spring include Terry Tempest Williams, Phillip Dacey and Carole Maso. Readings are at 7:30 p.m. in the Law Building Courtroom.

Shoshone County Pinehurst

The PK Lions will host an open house at 6 p.m. today as part of a membership drive and Lions awareness promotion. The open house will be at the Lions Community Building at 106 Church Avenue. The primary mission of the Lions Club is to provide eye care and eye glasses for the needy.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

Libby Volunteer Ambulance is sponsoring a free first-responder certification course beginning Monday. Classes will be 6-10 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday for eight weeks. Those who finish the course can serve with the Libby Volunteer Ambulance. Class applications can be picked up at Libby Drug or from ambulance member Joe Chopyak at the Lincoln County Economic Development Council office.