The County Lines

Sat., Jan. 16, 1999

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Ritzville

Local farmers have risen to the challenge of low wheat prices by planting alternative crops. Grower Ron Jirava says he’s given mustard, safflower, flax and millet a spin on his property. He says he made a profit on his yellow mustard crop despite poor yields.

Ferry County

Republic

County commissioners passed a nearly $15 million budget last month. Local taxes generally pay 20 percent of the budget, with the gas tax and state and federal funds picking up the rest of the county government tab.

Grant County

Ephrata

An effort to document and restore a collection of historical photographs before they deteriorate is under way by the Grant County Public Utility District and Historical Society. It is the second-largest photo collection depicting the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam and Columbia Basin Irrigation Project from 1949 to 1959. The 8,000 photographs fill eight four-drawer file cabinets.

Lincoln County

Odessa

The Odessa Hospital District is looking into a $375,000 maintenance and operations levy. The hospital has held a series of public meetings to discuss the possible levy and to get a feel for health care concerns and future needs. Cutbacks in government support have made long-term funding projections harder to make.

Pend Oreille County

Newport

The city is looking for new quarters for its growing police force. The Police Department is housed in City Hall, but may be moved to the fire hall meeting room.

Spokane County

Spokane

The Spokane Housing Authority is remodeling its main floor office space at 55 W. Main. The work will make more room for members of the public waiting to be helped.

Stevens County

Chewelah

St. Joseph’s Hospital’s first baby of 1999, Andrus Rose Bakken, has received numerous gifts from local businesses. Born Jan. 4, Andrus weighed in at 6 pounds, 15 ounces and measured 20 inches. She’s the daughter of Theolene and Eric Bakken of Chewelah.

Whitman County

Colfax

County commissioners have adopted a $3.7 million road construction program for 1999. Road projects targeted for repair include Endicott Road, Green Hollow Road, Farmington Road and Palouse Cove Road, as well as several bridges.

IDAHO

Benewah County

St. Maries

Flashlights sold at the UpRiver School Santa Secret Shop have been recalled by a San Antonio company. The lights have been known to cause fires. Twelve people purchased the plastic mini Mag lights, which are 5-1/2 inches long. For more information call Beth Halvorsen (208) 245-6726.

Bonner County

Sandpoint

The Bonner County Human Rights Task Force community program to mark Martin Luther King Day will be 6-8 p.m. Monday at the Elks Club. The theme is “Celebrate the Dream,” and will include a presentation by Sandpoint High School students and a brief talk by Eric Ward of the Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

Karen Hansen will begin a series of art classes for kids at 10:30 a.m. today at the Boundary County Library. Hansen will share her papier mache skills with kids 8 and older. Classes will be every other Saturday through March 20. For information, call (208) 267-3750.

Kootenai County

Coeur d’Alene

The 45-day health insurance open enrollment period runs through Feb. 15. Health insurance is available to Idaho consumers who are not enrolled in a health-benefit plan. The period is in accordance with the Individual Health Insurance Availability Act, which requires insurance companies to offer individual health benefit plans to everyone. The next open enrollment period begins July 1. For information, contact a health insurance agent.

Latah County

Troy

The Idaho Supreme Court’s decision to order a trial to determine whether the Legislature has provided means for safe school facilities may help Troy High School. Having failed safety inspections twice, the school may lose accreditation this year. If it is unaccredited for more than one year, the district will lose its state funding. The court’s decision will help the school if the district can prove the state’s responsibility to provide safe buildings.

Shoshone County

Kellogg

Marcus Dean Bauer was arrested by Kellogg police Thursday after allegedly breaking into two cars and stealing one of them. Bauer, 18, faces charges including four counts of burglary, three counts of grand theft and three counts of petit theft. He also had two outstanding warrants.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

A legislative proposal is being carried by state Rep. Bob Lawson of Whitefish that would end the existence of the Lincoln County Campus. The proposal would give Flathead Community College board of trustees more flexibility in dealing with the state’s only community college service region. If the proposal is approved by the Legislature, the relationship between FVCC and LCC would be terminated at the end of the academic year. The last plan was approved in 1993 and expired in 1998.

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