The County Lines
ADAMS COUNTY Othello
Hoping to reach children with the anti-drug and alcohol message, local police have enlisted the help of some seasoned drug-free veterans. The DARE Role Models, a group of drug and alcohol-free Othello High School students, are setting the example for younger children. The Role Models will try to influence kids to stay away from drugs.
FERRY COUNTY Republic
The Ferry County Technology Center Project says it will go out of its way to not compete with private businesses providing technical service in Ferry County. Newly hired Director Gary Michaels will make identifying possible competition a first priority. He will also focus on identifying technical and educational needs in the area for those not being served by the private sector.
GRANT COUNTY Grand Coulee
Local birdwatchers spent a bone-chilling day Dec. 20, counting birds in the Grand Coulee area. This year, 72 species, including one new to the area, were tallied. The new species was long-tailed ducks; also counted were a green-winged teal, a western meadowlark and a gyr falcon. In all, volunteers counted 5,895 feathered friends, quite a bit lower than 1997’s 9,356 winged ones.
LINCOLN COUNTY Wilbur
Local residents are asked to help the Wilbur School District with creative financing. Raising money for needed equipment, the school is collecting General Mills box tops and Campbell’s Soup labels. Both companies offer either cash or equipment for proof of purchase. Labels can be turned in at the elementary office, as can aluminum pull-tabs, which students are collecting for Ronald McDonald House in Spokane.
PEND OREILLE COUNTY Cusick
The Pend Oreille County Watchdogs are looking for Citizen of the Year nominations. The honor will be presented Feb. 20. There are both professional and volunteer categories. Nominations can be sent to Henry Rehder, 971 Riverbend Loop Road, Cusick, WA 99119.
SPOKANE COUNTY Deer Park
The Jonas Babcock Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution chose Brad Martin of Deer Park for its DAR Good Citizens Program. The program - open to high school seniors - encourages, promotes and honors future leaders of the country.
STEVENS COUNTY Chewelah
The boom is on as the Department of Revenue shows a 19.6 percent increase in total taxable retail sales for Chewelah merchants. That figure is from the second quarter of 1998. Although Chewelah, and the state in general, saw increases in taxable retail sales rates, Colville merchants saw a slight decline.
WHITMAN COUNTY LaCrosse
Rachel Chastain, daughter of Jerry and Mary Chastain, is going to Pullman to participate in the Washington State Jr. Miss Program. The program will run from Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Gladish Auditorium. Words of encouragement may be mailed to her host, Gary Johnson, N.W. 1315 Douglas Drive, Pullman, WA 99163.
IDAHO
BENEWAH COUNTY St. Maries
An informational meeting on the city water system improvement project will be 7 p.m., Jan. 20 at the Benewah County Courthouse. The meeting will inform city water users of the improvement plans and how the projects will be financed. The city has scheduled a $1,950,000 revenue bond election for Feb. 2. If approved, the bond will pay for additional improvements to the system.
BONNER COUNTY Sandpoint
Bonner County commissioners unanimously voted Jan. 14 to lower weight limits and increase speed restrictions on county roads. The allowable weight limit was decreased from 300 pounds per square inch of tire to 250 pounds, and speed limits have been increased from 25 to 30 mph. The changes are aimed at protecting county roads from deterioration.
BOUNDARY COUNTY Bonners Ferry
A sheriff’s property sale will be held 10 a.m. Jan. 29 in the lobby of the sheriff’s department. The property is located in Section 15, Township 61 North, Range one East, and will be sold to the highest bidder at the public auction. For information, call (208) 267-3151.
KOOTENAI COUNTY Coeur d’Alene
Bitterroot Water Co. has filed for an application with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to change its rates. The company will request to change its fee from a flat $20 to a metered usage rate of $20 per 15,0000 gallons and $1 per 1,000 over that base. The company serves customers near Silverwood. Questions concerning the application can be addressed to Debbie Harper, Bitterroot Water Co., P.O. Box 1527, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83816-1527.
LATAH COUNTY Moscow
Two Latah County residents have been charged with 11 misdemeanors in the illegal killing of two elk. Jeffrey Shroeder is charged with two counts of hunting elk while his license was suspended. He was cited for having an unlawfully taken elk in his possession, wasting a cow elk, transferring a tag to another person, obstructing an officer and a compounding misdemeanor charge. Patricia Yager was charged with exceeding the bag limit of elk, wasting one elk, using the tag of another person and obstruction an officer during an investigation. Because of the number and type of charges, Shroeder could face a felony charge with a penalty of up to $50,000 and five years in jail.
SHOSHONE COUNTY Moon Pass
Three Spokane men spent Tuesday night on Moon Pass when their snowmobiles became stuck in deep snow. The Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office received a call Wednesday morning after the three men did not return to their residences in Spokane Tuesday night. Their vehicles were located at the Moon Pass trail head on Placer Creek near Wallace. The men were found walking down the main Moon Pass Road at about mile post 7. The men had made a camp and stayed there for two hours before they started walking out. The trio suffered no injuries.
MONTANA
LINCOLN COUNTY Libby
A trapper education course will be held in Libby Jan. 23 form 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at First National Bank. The free course is sponsored by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Montana Trappers Association. Topics covered will include trapping history and tradition, ethics, equipment and techniques, safety and furbearer management. To register, call the FWP Libby Field Station at (406) 293-4161, Ext. 107.