The County Lines
WASHINGTON
ADAMS COUNTY Ritzville
Adams County Commissioners denied a Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad claim seeking damages for the July 29, 1998, field fire. The railroad says the county failed to “properly train and supervise” volunteer firefighters and accuses them of “mismanagement of firefighting efforts.” Ritzville farmer Bob Heider was killed in the fire. Farmland and machinery also were lost.
FERRY COUNTY Republic
The County Auditor Clydene Bolinger notified commissioners recently that recording fees would be charged to all county offices. The $3 fee, which the state charges the auditor’s office to file documents, was not being passed on to other county offices. Those offices are now paying the fee.
GRANT COUNTY Grand Coulee
The local hospital and school district have asked the Bonneville Power Administration for a cut of the profit from Grand Coulee Dam power production. Public entities here suffered financially due to large amounts of nontaxable government land. The hospital and school district sent a letter to BPA asking to be treated like public entities in the Hanford area, which receive $2 million annually in funding.
LINCOLN COUNTY Davenport
Lincoln Hospital patients will be well entertained during their stay. Thanks to the hospital foundation’s fund-raising efforts, all rooms were recently wired for and equipped with new telephones and cable television. The hospital says the service comes at no additional cost to patients. The update included Lincoln Nursing Home patient rooms.
PEND OREILLE COUNTY Newport
Cold temperatures caused record electrical use in Pend Oreille County. The county PUD reports that electrical usage peaked Dec. 22. The Newport Substation was operating very near capacity. The new Pine Street Substation will be online soon and should double power capacity to the town.
SPOKANE COUNTY Deer Park
Bryan J. Berg of Deer Park was named to the first-term Dean’s List at Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, Idaho. Students receive the honor by earning at least a 3.5 grade point average during the fall term.
STEVENS COUNTY Colville
Stevens County Sheriff’s Deputies will likely wait another year before getting new patrol cars. The department tries to purchase seven new cars each year, but with budget woes countywide, deputies may wait another year for a new ride. The 1995 cars have logged close to 200,000 miles and are frequently in the shop.
IDAHO
BENEWAH COUNTY St. Maries
Benewah County received almost 33 percent less returns from timber receipts in fiscal year 1998 than the previous year, according to a report from the state treasurer. The county received $62,435.04 in 1997 and $42,076.22 in 1998. The county figures have been dropping since 1992, when it received $96,682.09. Benewah County was among 10 counties that saw the biggest drops in receipt payments.
BONNER COUNTY Sandpoint
Applications for grants from the Community Assistance League of Sandpoint must be submitted by March 1. Grants are available to nonprofit organizations with projects that benefit Bonner County. Forms are available at the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce. For information, call Clarice Parsons at (208) 263-3353.
BOUNDARY COUNTY Bonners Ferry
A reading adventure series at the Boundary County Library will begin Feb. 2. The event is open to all children ages 4-6 and will run Tuesdays through the month of February from 1 to 2 p.m. To register, call (208) 267-3750.
KOOTENAI COUNTY Coeur d’Alene
The Idaho Commission for National and Community Service has announced the availability of $500,000 to fund 1999-2000 AmeriCorps grant programs. Kelly Houston, commission executive Director, and commission chairperson Charlene Martindale will be in Coeur d’Alene Jan. 27 to meet with agency representatives interested in learning more about AmeriCorps and opportunities to apply for program funding. Houston and Martindale will be at North Idaho College Head Start, 4111 N. 15th St., Suite 103, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. For a grant application or information, call (800) 588-3334, Ext. 281.
LATAH COUNTY Moscow
The Moscow-Latah County Economic Development Council will hold elections for six at-large Board of Directors positions in March. Applications must be submitted by Feb. 12. The EDC nominating committee will review applications and present a slate of nominees to the board at its March 3 meeting. Letters of interest can be mailed to: Nominating Committee, Moscow-Latah County EDC, 121 W. Sweet Avenue, Moscow, Idaho 83843.
SHOSHONE COUNTY Silver Valley
Log hauling has been completed on Road 208 (the Coeur d’Alene River Road) for the winter season. The snowmobile trailhead parking area located on Road 208 at the Road 2367 junction will now be located on Road 208 at the Road 602 junction just above the Shoshone Work Center. A snow barrier will be installed on Road 208 above the Road 208/Road 602 junction, where vehicle travel will be restricted to snowmobiles. For information contact Mike Leverick at (208) 752-1221 or Dallas Thomson at (208) 769-3000.
MONTANA
LINCOLN COUNTY Libby
An economy and investing update seminar, “Investing in Uncertain Times,” will be 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Elks Lodge. Topics will include stock/bond market fluctuation, Year 2000 financial concerns, retirement safety and interest rate directions. Speakers will include Byron Hill, senior vice president of Investment Centers of America and Jeff Hoyer, registered representative in Libby for Investment Centers of America. Seating is limited. To register, call (406) 293-7725.