The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County
Othello
With population on the rise, citizens of Othello are finding a major change in their phone service. While most current residents have the 488 prefix, most new telephone customers will be assigned a prefix of 331. According to representatives of US West, an additional prefix is assigned when the area is close to the 10,000 phone-number limit for one prefix.
Ferry County
Republic
Local citizens came through for their neighbors during the Christmas holidays. The Republic Kiwanis Christmas Food Basket program provided more than 100 complete turkey dinners for needy families.
Grant County
Ephrata
Looking for low-cost health care? Look no further than Columbia Basin Hospital. In a recent survey, Columbia Basin was found to be the least-expensive short-term, acute-care medical facility in Washington state. The average hospital bill in the state was $9,243 in 1997. The average bill at CBH was $3,892.
Lincoln County
Harrington
Local seventh-graders topped the state on last spring’s assessment tests. The 13 Harrington students were matched only by their Mercer Island counterparts as the only students in the state to meet academic standards in all four test areas. The kids scored a perfect 100 in listening, with scores of 61.5 in both math and writing. Their lowest score, 53.8, was received in reading.
Pend Oreille County
Newport
County Sheriff Jerry Weeks invites all who drink and drive to enjoy the plush accommodations of the county jail. Weeks and his deputies will be taking the hard line on drunken driving. Since the state’s legal blood-alcohol limit dropped from .10 to .08 at the first of the year, Weeks promised to have a room waiting for anyone who gets behind the wheel while intoxicated.
Stevens County
Colville
Project Share energy assistance statistics speak volumes about poverty in the Tri-County area. Over 56 percent of those applying for energy assistance in 1997 had annual incomes under $8,000. More than 40 percent needing help with the power bill last year were new to the program. The majority of applicants were senior citizens or female heads of household with children.
Whitman County
Pullman
The Pullman School District is beginning its annual goal-setting process in anticipation of a Feb. 17 7:30 p.m. planning meeting. Citizens and organizations are encouraged to submit their suggestions to the superintendent’s office at P.O. Box 429, fax to (509) 334-0375 or e-mail to dnelson@psd267.wednet.edu.
Spokane County
Medical Lake
The Medical Lake Community Center is looking for volunteer cooks to help prepare senior nutrition lunches. If you can donate time on at least one Thursday a month, please call (509) 299-7870 or (509) 299-3498.
IDAHO
Benewah County
St. Maries
VFW Post 1390 has changed location after more than 40 years at the corner of Third Street and Main Avenue. Low attendance, high maintenance cost and lack of wheelchair accessibility forced the VFW to sell the lodge. Members will now meet in the grange hall of the Benewah County Fairgrounds.
Bonner County
Sandpoint
The Sandpoint Circle ‘n Swing square dance club is starting a brush-up course. The program will be 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the Sandpoint Senior Center. Rob Krum of Spokane will teach the course. For information, call Wanda at (208) 265-4130 or Lucille at (208) 265-5011.
Boundary County
Bonners Ferry
Art classes for kids 8 and older will begin at the Boundary County Library at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Artist Karen Hansen will share her papier mache skills. The classes will be held every other Saturday through March 20. For information or to register, call (208) 267-3750.
Kootenai County
Coeur d’Alene
The Volunteer Income Tax Association is seeking volunteers to help low-income, elderly and disabled residents prepare and file their taxes. The program offers volunteers free training in electronic filing and basic tax law. For information, contact Debbie Smith at (208) 664-1848, Ext. 234.
Latah County
Moscow
The Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute and the newly formed Latah Trail Foundation have received a $2,500 grant from PowerBar Inc.’s D.I.R.T. program. The Direct Impact on Rivers and Trail program will help efforts to secure use of the old Moscow-to-Arrow-Junction rail line as a pedestrian trail. The trail would connect Moscow, Troy, Julietta and Kendrick with the Clearwater River. The Idaho Department of Transportation has slated a 5.5-mile section between Kendrick and Julietta for development in 2001.
Shoshone County
Osburn
The Osburn Police Department reminds city residents that they must renew dog licenses for 1999. Licenses are available at the Osburn City Clerk’s Office. The Osburn Police Department will strictly enforce the city ordinance for any license violations or dogs running at large.
MONTANA
Lincoln County
Libby
The Libby Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual members banquet and expo Friday at Veteran’s Memorial Gym. The chamber is accepting nominations for outstanding citizen and outstanding business. The exposition will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and dinner will follow.