The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County Othello
Local baseball standout Wade Parrish will get the chance to play baseball for a living. Parrish was chosen in the 15th round of the pro baseball draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He likely will play rookie ball in Great Falls, Mont., or Class A ball in Yakima.
Ferry County Republic
Although Ferry County has had the lowest price for building permits in the state, that will change. Building Inspector Mike Nee told county commissioners he had researched fees and suggested a schedule similar to Pend Oreille County. Commissioners approved an increase that will gradually bring the county up to Pend Oreille’s level.
Grant County Mattawa
The cherry harvest is on. Local growers are sending them off to market by the flat, while roadside fruit stands are getting $2 per pound fresh out of the orchard. Despite the fine crop, all is not rosy in the orchard. Growers and state officials still are struggling to find enough housing for scores of migrant workers and their families.
Lincoln County Davenport
Local farmers will see a familiar face on television tonight. Hal Johnson will be a guest on KSPS and KWSU public television’s “The Farmer’s Plight” talk show. Johnson, a Davenport wheat grower, will discuss economic, environmental and technological challenges to wheat growers with host Hugh Imhof. Also appearing are Jon Newkirk, WSU Cooperative Extension agent for Adams and Lincoln counties; and Alex McGregor, a chemical distributor from Colfax.
Pend Oreille County Newport
It will be another two weeks until the fate of the Charles Baechler case is known. Assistant Attorney General Jerry Ackerman received the case last month and asked for additional items to be investigated. The case has been under investigation since late October. Baechler, district court judge at the time of the allegation, is charged with stalking and raping a woman who was a defendant in his court.
Spokane County Deer Park
Arcadia Elementary School teacher Ed Rooney was named WalMart Teacher of the Year by the association of WalMart stores in the Spokane area. The award includes a $500 grant for Arcadia. Earlier this year, Rooney was honored by Eastern Washington University.
Stevens County Colville
If local residents are finding it harder to make ends meet, the city hopes to give them a hand. The city’s recent utility rate hike is weighing heavily on low-income citizens. To help, the city is giving a financial break to the poor, senior citizens and disabled heads of households.
Whitman County Pullman
William E. Fassett, professor and chairman of Drake University’s Department of Pharmacy Practice, has been named dean of Washington State University’s College of Pharmacy. Fassett, who has been with the Iowa university for five years, previously was a member of the University of Washington’s School of Pharmacy faculty and coordinated its professional experience programs.
IDAHO
Benewah County St. Maries
Benewah County deputy Craig Cotre has accepted a position as an investigator for the Confederate Salish-Kootenai Tribe in western Montana. He has been with the Benewah County Sheriff’s Department for two years and is co-owner of The Winner’s Corner athletic club.
Bonner County Sandpoint
SCS Minerals Education Professionals of Spokane is sponsoring a Hands-On Earth Science Workshop for kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers. The workshop will be 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 12-14 at Sandpoint High School. Topics will include mineral uses, exploration and economics, local geology, volcanoes, earthquakes, the history of mining in the West. Included is a tour of an operating mine. One semester credit for recertification is available. For information, call Dave Scott at (303) 986-3363.
Boundary County Bonners Ferry
Second Chance Animal Adoption volunteers are seeking foster families to temporarily take in puppies and adult dogs with special needs until permanent homes can be found. Dog food and vet care are provided. For information, call Alice Miller at (208) 267-2023.
Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene
The North Idaho AIDS Coalition and Panhandle Health District are sponsoring free, confidential HIV testing for National HIV Testing Day on June 26. The testing will be 1-3 p.m. at Boondoggles Cafe, 115 S. Fourth St. Testing services will be provided by Panhandle Health, and an NIAC community advocate will be available for consultation. For information, call (208) 762-8197.
Latah County Moscow
The University of Idaho Department of Art has received accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. It is the first time the department has sought, or received, national accreditation. “We felt the department needed to undergo a peer review to see where we stood,” said Jill Dacey, chairwoman of the Department of Art.
The UI department offers three bachelor’s degree and four master’s degree programs. The accreditation is for five years, and the department will be evaluated for reaccreditation in the 2004-05 academic year.
Shoshone County Osburn
The Idaho Division of Health is sponsoring two public meetings on the results of the 1996 Coeur d’Alene River Basin Study. The first meeting will be Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Silver Hills Middle School in Osburn. The second meeting will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Canyon Elementary School in Cataldo. Copies of the draft report will be available at the meetings. The public is invited to review the report and submit comments to the Idaho Division of Health by July 23.
MONTANA
Lincoln County Libby
Libby Public School’s alternative school will expand to the second floor of the administrative building this fall. The program will utilize three rooms, with more available if necessary. The school will be an outgrowth of Project Success II, which meets in the basement of the Youth Court Services building. The program will be funded by the school.