The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Bruce

According to the Adams County Economic Development Council, the construction of a water tower in the Bruce area has prompted $55 million in industrial construction and 230 new jobs.

The tower’s water is for industrial and fire use only. The 200,000-gallon tower was made possible by a low-interest loan and a Port of Othello match more than three years ago.

Ferry County

Orient

The hills are alive with the sound of a brass quintet.

The Evergreen Brass Quintet will be in town for a weeklong school residency, starting Jan 25. The musicians will teach and perform a variety of musical styles, including classical and contemporary.

The public is invited to a concert and workshop Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Local musicians can reserve a slot in the workshop by calling (509) 775-2252.

Grant County

Moses Lake

The Moses Lake Chiefs will step up to the challenge of the 4-A Big Nine league next year. The move from 3-A results from the district stopping its appeal to count Columbia Basin Alternative School enrollment separate from Moses Lake High.

The district dropped the appeal because leagues are making 1999-2000 schedules and it didn’t want to hold up that process.

Lincoln County

Reardan

Five hundred pennies can sure fill a pocket. Just ask any of Allison Hennessey’s fifth-grade class. The students gathered $5 in pennies per child to contribute to the school’s recent penny drive.

The loose change, which totaled $114.33 for that class alone, goes to needy children.

Pend Oreille County

Metaline

The Metaline City Council recently approved its 1999 budget. Well below 1998 numbers of $443,454, the budget tallies up to $276,769. Neighboring Metaline Falls council members have budgeted $491,843 for 1999. It took $615,067 to run the city in 1998.

Ione city officials are planning to run services with $481,963 this year - about $10,000 more than 1998.

Spokane County

Medical Lake

Medical Lake Community Outreach is looking for volunteers to answer phones on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

To volunteer, call 299-3819.

Stevens County

Colville

Mayor Duane Scott says he rather likes the color Army green. He should, as the city’s fleet of military surplus vehicles is increasing.

Scott says the city buys as many of the military leftovers as it can, purchasing the street department pickups for $400 each.

Scott says the city saves a bundle through the surplus program.

Whitman County

Garfield

Just 11 months and 160 cheesecakes after organizers began selling homemade desserts to fund a college scholarship that has grown to more than $4,700, the first recipient of the award has been named.

Eric Lynch, the son of Kathy Belieu and the late Roger Belieu, will receive the “Cheesecake for College” scholarship, which covers the $4,000 one-year cost of tuition and books at Washington State University.

The 18-year-old catcher and outfielder for the Garfield-Palouse Vikings baseball team plans to study computer science.

IDAHO

Benewah County

St. Maries

The St. Joe Ranger District will apply for $100,000 in grants for improvements on the Hiawatha Rail-Trail. The district is seeking $75,000 from the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation for bridge repairs. A $25,000 grant is being sought from the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks for work on the trail. The district also applied for a $6,000 grant from the Off-Road Motor Vehicle Fund, administered by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.

For information, call the district office at (208) 245-4517.

Bonner County

Sandpoint

The Sandpoint Independent Highway District has set weight restrictions Wednesday to protect city streets. The maximum allowable weight is 300 pounds per square inch of tire width, and the speed limit on all district roadways is 25 mph. Truck routes have been established.

County roads with posted restrictions in District 1 are closed to hauling, Dufort Road in District 2 is closed to hauling and all roads in District 3 are open.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

Food service workers in Boundary County are encouraged to attend the Food Handlers Class at Panhandle Health. The class will begin at 9 a.m. Jan. 28.

Reservations are requested, and the class is free. To register, call (208) 267-5558.

Kootenai County

Coeur d’Alene

The Panhandle Basin Advisory Group will meet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday in the Grizzly/ Caribou Room at the Forest Service office. The group will discuss bull trout assessments under the new administration, new Basin Advisory Group appointees and other matters. For information, call (208) 768-1422.

Latah County

Moscow

People who want to quit using tobacco can sign up for a University of Idaho-sponsored program beginning Feb. 2 in the Student Health Services Conference Room.

The six-week class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-5 p.m. The cost is $20. To register, call Student Health Services at (208) 885-6693.

Shoshone County

Kellogg

Parent Project classes will begin at Kellogg Middle School on Jan. 26. The 16-week course will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays. The program, sponsored by Shoshone County Juvenile Services, helps parents deal with strong-willed or troubled children.

The first six weeks of the class is devoted to learning skills to help children in school and the remaining 10 weeks are used as a support group for parents. For information, call (208) 556-7861.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

The deadline for residents to apply for a seat on the Lincoln County Campus Service Region Board has been extended from Jan. 13 to Feb. 1.

Lincoln County commissioners are seeking to fill seven positions on the board to try to conform to recommendations discovered in the policy manual. Commissioners are trying to balance the board with business and community members.