The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County Othello
Hoping to feed more children a nutritious breakfast, the Othello School District is implementing its “Choices” program. Not only will there be four breakfast items on the menu to tempt students, but lunch offerings will be expanded. In November, district dining services served 40 percent of high school students daily.
Ferry County Republic
Tired of hearing about the Y2K computer glitch, but curious as to how you could be affected? Come to the Y2K Community Forum hosted by the WSU Cooperative Extension. Local officials will discuss how they are preparing and experts will be on hand to field questions. The meeting is planned for Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. in the Republic Grade School multipurpose room.
Grant County Soap Lake
Local writers are finding an audience for their work at the public library during open reading nights. The latest readings were on topics ranging from weather and environment, to aging and coyotes. For times and dates, call the library.
Lincoln County Reardan
Although student numbers have fallen short of the 150 needed to stay a class A school for sports, the Reardan School Board will meet Jan. 19 to discuss the possibility of remaining in the A ranks for the next two years. While some patrons support staying in the A leagues, the board must take formal action or the Indians will move back to Class B standing for the next two years. The school was bumped up in the fall of 1997 when enrollment exceeded 150 kids.
Pend Oreille County Ione
The Selkirk Shuttle is keeping busy during the winter by ferrying folks to special events in the area. This month, the shuttle will travel to home Selkirk Rangers basketball games and to the Cutter Theater. Children participating in the Missoula Children’s Theater production of “Pinnochio” will also be given a lift.
Spokane County Cheney
The Eastern Washington University Music Department and Foundation are sponsoring a free music class for all wind instrument musicians Monday from 6 to 9 p.m. The guest artist and teacher will be Michael Faust, an accomplished international flutist who will perform with the Spokane Symphony on Jan. 17 and 19. Stevens County Chewelah Although no land has been purchased, the Chewelah Ambulance Department has chosen a site for its new facility. Brad Parrish, ambulance director, says the building has been designed and volunteer paramedics will have more privacy in their living quarters. Currently, the crew members come from as far away as Orient and are on duty for several days.
IDAHO
Benewah County St. Maries
St. Maries City Council members are reviewing a plan to establish an area of impact adjacent to town. The plan, mandated by the state and approved by county planning officials, would focus on areas where the city already has water and sewer lines and might eventually wish to annex. Public hearings will be held on the matter.
Bonner County Coolin
Priest Lake State Park is seeking a recreational vehicle program grant to investigate and repair problems with the Indian Creek Unit’s sewer system. The system has been malfunctioning in the past two years. Work to be accomplished under the grant, if awarded, would include investigating the cause of the problems and repairing them as necessary. Written public comment on the grant request may be mailed to: Park Manager, Priest Lake State Park, 423 Indian Creek Bay, Coolin, ID 83821. Deadline for receiving comment is Jan. 31.
Boundary County Bonners Ferry
Boundary County commissioners are accepting letters of interest through Jan. 22 from those who would like to serve on the county Planning and Zoning Commission. Applicants must meet residency requirements established by Idaho Code and will help guide growth and development in the community. Commission members meet monthly to decide issues involving the growth and development of the county. Letters can be sent to Zoning Administrator, P.O. Box 419, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805, or faxed to (208) 267-7814.
Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene
The First Judicial District Court Appointed Special Advocates Program will be conducting a 30-hour volunteer guardian ad litem training program for Bonner and Boundary counties in March. Class schedule will be set, as much as possible, according to the needs of the students. CASA is a program that provides representation to abused, neglected and abandoned children in court and other proceedings. CASA volunteers advocate for the best interest of the child at all times. Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age, have no criminal history and be willing to commit 10 or more hours per week. For information, contact Rhonda Naylor at (208) 667-9165.
Latah County Moscow
A Latah County grand jury handed down four indictments Wednesday in connection with a July 1997 fire at the state Probation and Parole Office in Moscow. University of Idaho student Matthew Jay Hohenstreet pleaded not guilty to two indictments. He is charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree arson, grand theft, and perjury for lying to the grand jury Tuesday. Donald J. Stookey is charged with conspiracy to commit arson and grand theft, and Marci R. Gregg is charged with arson. Stookey and Gregg have yet to be arraigned but are charged in indictments handed down after six days of grand jury testimony that began late last month.
Shoshone County Kellogg
More than 350 former Silver Valley residents statewide have responded to an advertising campaign by the Department of Health and Welfare. The campaign was launched in December to identify residents who lived in or between Pinehurst and Wallace, or worked at the Bunker Hill smelter between 1973 and 1981. Those residents may have been exposed to high levels of lead, which could increase the risk of developing serious health problems. Medical monitoring can help individuals in early detection and prevention of health problems.
MONTANA
Lincoln County Libby
Plummer Elementary School students embarked in a stargazing adventure Jan. 4-5 in an inflatable planetarium. The miniplanetarium, Star Lab, was rented from the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman as part of the Montana Planetarium Education Project for grades kindergarten through six. The first day of the project taught students where certain stars are located, while the second featured constellations.