The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County Othello

Children at Scootney Springs Elementary School are busy learning their new school song. Sylvia Hauner, an English as a Second Language instructor at Hiawatha Elementary, penned the song “Scootney Stars.” Hauner says the song is an effective way to unite the students.

Ferry County Republic

Two members of the Home Stretch Rodeo Club were honored for their hard work. Trista Gregory and her horse Apollo received the All Around Award. Rookie of the Year honors went to Annalee Flowers and her horse Gabe. The girls were given special jackets by the local Les Schwab store for their efforts.

Grant County Ephrata

The Ephrata School District may wait until 2004 to run a bond issue to upgrade facilities and build much-needed classrooms. Although the district planned to run the bond in 1999, administrators say it should wait an additional five years until it is eligible for state matching funds. Schools are only eligible for building project matching funds every 20 years.

Lincoln County Davenport

Citizens wanting a preview of Lake Roosevelt recreation are invited to attend a meeting Jan. 27. Called “Outlook ‘99,” the meeting will focus on snowpack measurements and how they will affect lake usage. Lake Roosevelt is used primarily for flood control, which can mean numerous drawdowns throughout the summer. The meeting starts at 3 p.m. at the Lincoln County Courthouse.

Pend Oreille County Newport

The two-member Newport Police Department is welcoming a new officer, its third. Lee Bennett joined the force Dec. 2. Bennett, a 16-year police veteran, was a major with the Hanford Patrol. He is certified in Special Weapons and Tactics and is a basic academy instructor.

Spokane County Deer Park

Deer Park Winter Festival organizers are seeking donations for this month’s Winterfest event. And it appears as though some merchants have been giving money to people who are masquerading as Winterfest organizers.

Private businessmen are making pitches to city merchants asking for donations although they are not part of the festival committee, said organization chair Tom Gilbert.

Gilbert said anyone with a question about making a donation should call him at 276-2340.

Stevens County Colville

The Colville School District has been preparing for the Y2K computer bug for four years now. Technology Director Mike Swatzell says an appraisal of all systems using microchips has been done, with all record-keeping and accounting machines being upgraded. PCs, for the most part, will not be upgraded because “nothing will go wrong with the PCs. They’ll just have the wrong date,” he said.

Whitman County Pullman

Pullman Parks and Recreation is looking for volunteers for Friday and Saturday nights from 6 to 10 p.m. beginning this weekend and Mondays from 3 to 6 p.m. beginning Jan. 25. Activities include dances, talent shows, movies and pool tournaments. For more information call Megan at (509) 334-4555 Ext. 225.

IDAHO

Benewah County St. Maries

The $4.75 million that was given to the city of St. Maries for the upgrading of the Rochat Creek system has strings attached to it. Sen. Larry Craig called the money an appropriation. The Environmental Protection Agency called it a grant. Because of this disagreement on terms, the project to add a filtration system to the surface water system at Rochat Creek is on hold.

The EPA is requiring the city to call for a matching of funds and prove that improving the Rochat Creek system is the most costeffective alternative. The city doesn’t have the money to fund the study. The EPA says it won’t release the $4.75 million until the study has been completed.

Bonner County Sandpoint

Leadership Education Adventure Project Inc. is closing due to management changes after three years. The outdoor education and leadership program taught students self-reliance and environmental awareness through outdoor skills. LEAP has asked the state’s Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board to relinquish its guide permit, which it held since 1996. Currently about a half-dozen outdoor leadership programs are operating in Idaho.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

For families unable to make it on their own this winter, the Boundary County Community Action Agency is ready to help. The nonprofit agency is dedicated to fulfilling families’ immediate needs and helping them become self-sufficient. The agency is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information, call (208) 267-FOOD.

Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene/Post Falls

Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls residents can have their Christmas trees picked up today at 8 a.m. For those living in Post Falls, street crews will begin in the Riverside Harbor area and move west through the city. In Coeur d’Alene, residents have two options: Waste Management will pick up trees for $1.50, or they can be taken to the landfill for free. Residents are asked to place trees on the curb in front of their homes.

Latah County Moscow

Ballroom dancing lessons are available Jan. 13, 20, 27 and Feb. 3, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Eggan Youth Center, 1515 East D. Street in Moscow. Preregistration is required and the cost is $12 per resident couple and $14 per non-resident couple. For more information, call the Moscow Parks and Recreation Department at (208) 883-7085.

Shoshone County Silver Valley

The Missoula Children’s Theater will hold auditions for the production of Rumpelstiltskin today at 3:30 p.m., in Miner Hall. About 50 roles are available for local students in kindergarten through 12th grade. No advance preparation is necessary. The performance is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. For information contact Howard Reasor at 556-1521.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

Proposed legislation could result in the end of the Lincoln County Campus, Lewis-Clark College’s extension campus. Flathead Community College and LCC are unable to agree upon the manner in which FVCC distributes funding to the local campus and the amount of control given to the local college board. State Rep. Bob Lawson of Whitefish plans to introduce legislation that would amend state rules governing community college service regulations.