The County Lines

Fri., June 11, 1999

ADAMS COUNTY Ritzville

Senior citizens struggling to pay city utility bills may get a hand from their neighbors. The Ritzville City Council has agreed to create a box for donations that will put toward monthly bills. The money collected from the donation box will help with the payment of their water bill. A committee will oversee and distribute the funds.

Ferry County Republic

Republic’s Stonerose Interpretive Center and Fossil Dig is prominently featured in the June issue of “Smithsonian” magazine. The story, with three pictures, is four pages long and tells the history of Republic’s fossils and their emergence on the world scene. Top curators from the Smithsonian Institute were in Republic researching the story last summer.

Grant County Moses Lake

The Pacific Northwest Sugar Company plant on Wheeler Road has had its share of mechanical problems. Now, it has something to celebrate. Colt Construction of Bellingham, which built the refinery, won the ABC 1999 Excellence in Construction Award. One award requirement was unusual challenges or problems in construction - which the refinery had plenty of. Many parts of the plant were previously used in similar sugar refineries in California.

Lincoln County Wilbur

The Wilbur Register, the local weekly newspaper, is read all over Lincoln County - and the world. Publisher Frank Steadman makes a point to let readers know how far news from Wilbur travels. This week, Edwall architect Sue Lani Madsen is pictured with her copy of the Register in Victoria Falls Zimbabwe, Africa. This feature is popular with readers and shows the power of the local press.

Pend Oreille County Newport

Rangers in the Newport Ranger District of the Colville National Forest say there’s still enough snow to keep the Bead Lake boat launch and the Skookum and Browns campgrounds closed due to snowcover. Panhandle and Pioneer campgrounds are open. Rangers are hoping for warmer weather soon.

Spokane County Spokane

A group calling itself Expo ‘74 Plus 25 is planning a Reunion Day in Riverfront Park for Aug. 21. They are asking the Park Board to reduce prices to 1974 levels, but park officials want to make sure they can cover their costs. A 1970s-style street dance is also being considered.

Stevens County Kettle Falls

Two local homebrewers are going public. Jerry Prolo and Randall Richardson have launched their Lost Falls Brewery label. The pair, believing there is no such thing as bad beer, hopes to carve out a niche in the local brew market. The local brewmeisters say they have a beer that is long on taste and quality. T.J.’s Tavern in Kettle Falls and Cafe Al Mundo in Colville will carry the label.

Whitman County Pullman

Seventeen Washington State University architecture students have designed, built and donated Terre View Park to Pullman residents on Military Hill.

The boardwalk-pier over a pond was designed and built in five weeks by students in WSU professor Mike Owens’ third-year architecture studio. The project includes cedar benches, railings and an opening to let cattails and other flora grow through.

City of Pullman Public Services Director Larry Fetter authorized funding to cover the cost of materials and retired civil engineering professor Bertel Olsen donated time to complete a geotechnical analysis and write an endorsement letter.

The pier will be dedicated in September.

IDAHO

Benewah County St. Maries

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game will sponsor a Free Fish Day Clinic at Anderson’s Pond Saturday as part of the statewide free fishing day. The clinic will begin at 9 a.m., and volunteers will provide demonstrations and information on fish identification, aquatic ecology and types of bait. Anderson’s Pond is six miles south of St. Maries on state Highway 3.

Bonner County Priest Lake

The Priest Lake Ranger Districthas been selected to conduct an experimental land stewardship contract by the regional forester of the northern region. The Priest Lake proposal focuses on the Lakeface-Lamb timber sale in the area north of Outlet Bay. Goals of the program include reinvestment of a portion of the funds from the sale to environmental and restoration activities, improving wildlife habitat, control of invasive weeds and reclaiming and removal of some roads. Priest Basin residents interested in serving on planning committees can call the Priest Lake Ranger District at (208) 443-2512.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

The Boundary County Community Action Agency is seeking a volunteer interested in traveling to Coeur d’Alene once a month to pick up commodities for the local food bank. A one-ton truck is needed for the job. The agency also is seeking a cook or group interested in continuing the services. For information, call Christine at (208) 267-3663.

Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene

Three new deputy prosecutors have joined the office of Kootenai County Prosecutor Bill Douglas. Anne Taylor is a former Bannock County Deputy Prosecutor, Jim Reierson is a former Walla Walla County Deputy Prosecutor, and Michael Waldrup is a former Bonner County Deputy Public Defender.

Latah County Moscow

A University of Idaho scholarship has been created to honor Moscow residents Norma and Cliff Dobler, who both died in 1998. Norma Dobler served in the Idaho Legislature from 1972 through 1986. Cliff Dobler graduated from UI in 1941 with degrees in both accounting and law. The scholarship will be awarded annually to students who, for financial reasons beyond their control, have been unable to begin or continue their education. For more information, contact Liz Sullivan and Linda Pike, program coordinators, (208) 882-7174.

Shoshone County Kellogg

North Idaho College has decided to close the Kellogg Center for New Directions by June 30. The center is being closed because of cuts in vocational grant money from the federal government received through the state. Shary Sheppard, manager of the Kellogg center, has started a letter-writing campaign asking the college to reverse its decision.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Troy

A service officer for the Montana Veterans Affairs Division in Kalispell will be in Troy June 14 at the Senior Citizen Center from 11 a.m. to noon and at the Senior Citizen Center in Libby from 1:30-4 p.m. Sherry Stewart will assist veterans or their dependents regarding questions about veterans benefits. For information, call (406) 755-3795.

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