The County Lines

Wed., June 2, 1999

WASHINGTON

Adams County Othello

Utility taxes will be going up to cover budget shortfalls. By August, the current 3 percent utility tax will climb to 4.5 percent and then jump to 6 percent in January 2000. The City Council voted to reduce the tax back to 3 percent in January 2001.

Ferry County Republic

Spring is here, and so are mosquitoes. The Ferry County Mosquito Control District is asking residents to do what they can to prevent infestations. The district has been scouting standing water in ponds and ditches to search for mosquito larvae. If larvae is found, environmentally sensitive pesticides are applied to kill the eggs before they hatch.

Grant County Moses Lake

The county fair has traditionally been a dry event, but organizers are considering a change. The fair committee has been kicking around the idea of a beer garden at the late-summer event for about six years, but is just now getting serious about the notion. “It is something that should have been going for quite awhile,” said committee member Mary Ellen Breeden. “We are the only ones that don’t have a beer garden and I feel it is time.”

Lincoln County Davenport

Who knows more about gravel roads than the Lincoln County engineer? No one, it seems. Bob Breshears, engineer and public works director, has been invited to accompany a member of the federal Highway Department to the Baltic states to speak on gravel road building. Lincoln County has 1,450 miles of gravel road, more than any county in the state. He is the sole American engineer traveling to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

Pend Oreille County Newport

Members of the Northwoods performing arts organizations will perform a montage of musical memorabilia from shows such as “The Music Man,” “Aladdin,” and “Brigadoon” on June 12. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m., after a prime rib or vegetarian lasagna dinner is served at 6 p.m. The show takes place at the Circle Moon Theater on Highway 211.

Spokane County Spokane

Volunteers are needed to help park rangers build a retaining wall and landscape the area around the CCC Log Cabin on Mt. Spokane on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. REI will provide lunch, water and a T-shirt. Pre-register at REI or by calling (509) 328-9900.

Stevens County Colville

The $100,000 community skate park in Colville is complete. Half-pipes and jumping ramps are in place and scores of “concrete shredders” are tearing them up. Skateboarders and roller-bladers are taking advantage of the park. It’s on school property, but was built by volunteers using donations and funds from the Jeff Weeman Foundation.

Whitman County Pullman

Area citizens are invited to submit applications if they are interested in serving on the Board of Adjustment. Pullman Mayor Mitch Chandler invited the applications Friday. The board meets every third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the city council chambers. The board hears and decides applications for conditional uses, variances of the zoning code and flood plain development and variances. The board also hears and decides appeals from the decisions of city staff concerning interpreting a variety of zoning and development issues. Application forms may be obtained at Pullman City Hall until June 23.

IDAHO

Benewah County St. Maries

Sixth grade students in the St. Maries area are invited to attend the sixth annual Sixth Grade Resource Tour July 14-15. Students will learn about local wildlife, history, water resources, recreation and outdoor safety on the campout. Students will tour tree farms, a logging operation and area sawmills. For information, call Tom Smith, (208) 245-6422 or (208) 245-4789, or Nancy Heim, (208) 245-3495.

Bonner County Priest River

The Idaho Historic Preservation Council presented Orchid Awards May 22. The awards are given for work in restoring and moving buildings and promoting restoration efforts. Awards were presented to the Idaho Black History Museum, Arthur Hart, the West Fork Ranger District, Diane Mercer and Marylyn Cook.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

The Kootenai Tribe and the Kootenai River Inn and Casino will present a powwow in Bonners Ferry this weekend. The powwow will begin with a grand entry Friday at 7 p.m. at the Boundary County fairgrounds. All Idaho tribes will attend, as well as members of the Colville, Spokane, Yakama, Navajo and several Canadian tribes. Grand entry on Saturday and Sunday will be at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dance contests will feature male and female dancers in traditional, fancy and grass categories.

Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene

The North Idaho College Foundation is sponsoring its sixth annual Really Big Raffle through July 1. Prizes include a $200,000 new house, $20,000 for a car or boat, a $3,500 travel package and a $2,000 shopping spree. Tickets are available at Tom Addis Lake City Ford, By the Lake Travel, Stein’s IGA, Super 1 Foods, Tidyman’s, Windemere/Coeur d’Alene Realty, Annie’s Main Street Bakery in Sandpoint and Riverside Auto Center in Bonners Ferry. The drawing will be at 7 p.m. July 1 at NIC.

Latah County Moscow

Latah County Sheriff Jeff Crouch presented his 1999-2000 budget to county commissioners May 26. Crouch’s $1.81 million budget includes an 8 to 12 percent salary increase for all public safety officers, including himself, depending on where they are on the current salary scale. The new system would also lower the number of years it takes employees to reach the maximum pay level. Deputies at the Latah County Sheriff’s Office currently must wait 20 years before reaching the top pay of $2,614 a month. If approved, Crouch’s budget would increase 9.5 percent from last year. Commissioners will have a tentative budget complete by mid-August.

Shoshone County Wallace

East Shoshone Water District officials have announced restrictions on any outside watering until further notice. The district’s filter plants are unable to maintain current system demands. Officials are also asking customers to conserve on household use.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

Galena Industries has turned down an economic incentive package by the Libby community. The company has instead chosen to move its California gunmanufacturing plant to Sturgis, S.D. The Libby incentive package included increment tax abatement, a 7,200 square-foot building with deferred rent for six months, shared equipment with local machine shop to facilitate the company’s start-up, six percent financing for new equipment and moving assistance. The Lincoln County Economic Development Council and city and county officials had worked for two months recruiting the business.

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