The County Lines

Sun., Jan. 3, 1999

FROM FOR THE RECORD (Saturday, January 9, 1999): Correction Reason incorrect: Ritzville High School has suspended its involvement with an annual senior trip to Canada because some students have implied the school can’t stop them from drinking alcohol during the trip, according to Superintendent John McGregor. A Monday article gave an incorrect reason for the school’s action.

WASHINGTON ADAMS COUNTY

Ritzville

Fund-raising at school functions for the annual senior trip to Canada has been suspended at RHS. Superintendent John McGregor says although the event was originally billed as “sober,” in recent years, students have been “blatantly” drinking. “To this point, no parents of the present senior class have been willing to ensure that alcohol will not be consumed,” McGregor said.

FERRY COUNTY Republic

Ferry County unemployment rates remains 3 percent above the state average. November jobless statistics show 8.9 perent of county residents were looking for work. Of 3,020 eligible workers, 270 were collecting unemployment checks. The state unemployment rate is 4.9 percent, up from 4.5 percent one year ago.

GRANT COUNTY Moses Lake

As the millennium creeps closer, local residents can be assured their city services will not be bitten by the Y2K computer bug. The city of Moses Lake has contracted with Idaho Computer Services, Inc. to provide new Y2K-proof hardware and software. The new system will cost the city $180,000, plus $33,000 in annual maintenance.

LINCOLN COUNTY Almira

The sole Lincoln County member of the Washington Cattlewomen’s Association has received the group’s highest honor. Eleanor Kiner, an active member since 1989, was named Washington State Cattle Woman of the Year for 1998. Kiner, who worked the family cattle ranch with husband Max, took over as sole operator of K11 Stock Ranch south of Almira in 1989 when he died.

PEND OREILLE COUNTY Newport

Sheriff-elect Jerry Weeks is concerned the E911 dispatching center is no longer in the sheriff’s hands. Citing security issues, Weeks says the move will have “serious adverse effects” on his department. County commissioners say Emergency Services Director Jo Ann Boggs and her staff are doing a fine job, and will revisit the issue in one year.

SPOKANE COUNTY Cheney

Miss Washington Rodeo Alicia Baze - who started out as Miss Cheney Rodeo 1998 - will be holding her official coronation ceremony Jan. 16 at Affair at the Falls in Spokane. The event includes dinner and an auction, and tickets cost $20 for adults and $10 for those under 12 years old. Call (509) 659-1627 for more information.

STEVENS COUNTY Kettle Falls

Frigid temperatures are being blamed for flooding in Kettle Falls High School. The flood started when an overhead sprinkler pipe burst last week. Three inches of water covered the art room, wood shop, commons area and made the parking lot into an ice rink. Carpets and walls will be replaced by insurance.

WHITMAN COUNTY Colfax

Opponents of plans for new residential developments in parts of Whitman County won’t be allowed to give additional testimony at a public hearing. Whitman County commissioners voted not to hold any more hearings on the proposed changes to a comprehensive plan that allowed more residential development in some areas of the county. The issue was debated for two hours last month in a hearing in front of the planning commission. The county commission plans to make a decision on the proposal next Monday afternoon.

IDAHO

BENEWAH COUNTY St. Maries

The federal government will pay an estimated $1.5 million for an easement on 1,077 acres of flooded farmland owned by the Heptons of St. Maries. The purchase of the easement, which dictates the farmland remain flooded, is part of a government program that promotes the creation of wetlands. But Benewah County commissioners want the federal government to recognize an additional wetland by establishing a “wetland bank.” Government representatives said that would be impossible. Commissioners contend the Heptons can’t proceed with the sale without the easement by the county.

BONNER COUNTY Sandpoint

A 47-year-old man was ordered held on $250,000 bail on Monday after his arrest for allegedly paying someone to burn down his Ponder Point home in 1997. Benedick Kirsling was charged with one count of aiding and abetting an arson and two counts of insurance fraud. Kirsling’s $250,000 home was destroyed in a June 28, 1997, fire. Kirsling allegedly offered $10,000 to Luca Matthew to torch the home. Matthew is in custody in Montrose County, Colo., and is awaiting extradition.

BOUNDARY COUNTY Bonners Ferry

The Idaho Special Olympic Winter Games return to Schweitzer Mountain Resort from Feb. 28 to March 2. More than 300 athletes are expected to compete in events including alpine and nordic skiing and snowshoeing. Volunteers are needed for the event both at Schweitzer and with the Bonners Ferry team. To help, call Schweitzer at (800) 234-3658 or Joe Nicholas at (208) 267-1501.

KOOTENAI COUNTY Post Falls

The Urban Forestry Department and the Post Falls Police Department will benefit from access to the city’s Global Positioning System. The Idaho Department of Lands gave Post Falls the $3,365 grant to hire an intern to help input the necessary data. City workers will have instant and accurate addresses for any site in Post Falls. The program should be implemented by next summer.

LATAH COUNTY Moscow

University of Idaho lecturer and local actress Kelly Quinnett has landed a role in upcoming feature film “The Basket,” starring Karen Allen, Peter Coyote and Ellen Travolta. The Spokane-based production company North By Northwest filmed the picture throughout the Palouse.

SHOSHONE COUNTY Wallace

The Senior Companion program is in need of volunteers. The program has elderly people helping other elderly people. With the cutbacks in Medicare, senior companions are in greater need. Companions work up to 20 hours a week doing a variety of services such as balancing checkbooks, and driving to medical appointments. Although it is a volunteer position, they are paid a tax-free stipend and, receive money for traveling to work and transporting their person to appointments. To volunteer, contact Tate at (800) 226-2053.

MONTANA

LINCOLN COUNTY Libby

An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.7 jolted Libby and the rest of northwest Montana on the evening of Dec. 21. The quake was centered six miles south of Happy’s Inn, near the upper end of McGinness Meadows. It struck at 6:18 p.m. according to the National Earthquake Information Center in Golden, Colo. It is estimated the epicenter was 10 miles deep. There were no reports of serious damage.

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