The County Lines

Fri., June 18, 1999

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Ritzville

County commissioners recently decided to take advantage of a tax redirection option to stimulate the area economy. Counties with high unemployment are eligible to keep up to .04 percent of the state sales tax. The money must be used for public facilities or to generate employment. Adams County unemployment numbers generally run two or more points above the state average.

Ferry County

Republic

Two local wrestlers have been taking opponents down in the Washington State Freestyle Wrestling Championships. Tommy Swank and J.J. Gubler of the Republic Mat Club both placed in the top six of their age and weight classes.

Grant County

Soap Lake

The Soap Lake Police Department just received a grant to put an officer in the school for up to six hours each day. The officer will help with gang and truancy issues, as well as violence prevention and monitoring of special events.

Lincoln County

Odessa

There are already two proposals for realignment of Highway 21 through Odessa, but citizens are asking for a third. Local agri-businesses are not pleased with one of the existing options, and some residents oppose the other. The town council, tired of the longstanding debate, is being accused of turning a deaf ear to pleas for a third option.

Pend Oreille County

Newport

Keeping boaters and swimmers safe at the beach this summer is a priority for the County Sheriff’s Department. The department has already begun marine patrols on area waterways. This year, Sheriff Jerry Weeks decided against using citizen volunteers as marine deputies. Liability issues have warranted the use of reserve officers for those positions.

Spokane County

A group of area residents received degrees during last month’s commencement exercises at Washington State University. Receiving degrees were Andrea S. Rickard and Eva R. Stamps of Colbert, Tod M. Garred and Janeil L. Stone of Deer Park and Sandra L. Heinrich of Elk.

Stevens County

Colville

The city of Colville is still considering whether to offer a financial break on the recent utility tax increase to low-income residents, the elderly and disabled heads of households. County Lines incorrectly reported Thursday that the break was already available.

Whitman County

Pullman

Pullman Mayor Mitch Chandler announced he will seek a second term this fall. Chandler, 47, has owned Neill’s Flowers and Gifts since 1978. His announcement is expected to be the first of many in Pullman, which will have elections for four of the seven seats on the City Council, three of five school board positions and five of seven seats on the Pullman Memorial Hospital board.

IDAHO

Benewah County

Plummer

Lakeside High School Principal Kurt Hoffmann has accepted the position of principal at Timberlake Junior-Senior high school in Spirit Lake. Hoffmann has been principal at Lakeside High School for five years, and a teacher there since 1985. He graduated from Lakeside High School in 1978.

Bonner County

Sandpoint

The annual Schweitzer Hill Climb is scheduled for July 11. The race on Schweitzer Mountain Road begins at the bottom of the mountain near the railroad tracks and continues to the lodge parking lot. The course covers 8.4 miles and has a 2,500-foot elevation gain. For more information or to register, call (208) 263-3613.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

The Boundary County Farmers’ Market is every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon in the Bonners Ferry city parking lot at the corner of Kootenai Avenue and Highway 95. All items are locally grown and crafted. To reserve a space, call Marsha Semar at (208) 267-7698.

Kootenai County

Coeur d’Alene

The Greater Kootenai County Fire Prevention Co-op is inviting residents to take a journey through the world of safety June 26 at Silver Lake Mall. The program will include representatives from fire suppression/rescue, law enforcement, disaster preparedness and emergency planning agencies, emergency medical service providers, 911, search and rescue and railroad safety. The program runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the first 500 children to complete the journey will receive prizes.

Latah County

Moscow

More than 300 firefighters are expected in Moscow this weekend for state fire school, which begins today. Sponsored by the Moscow Volunteer Fire Department, firefighters will choose one of 14 classes, including arson detection, emergency medical technician training and auto extrication. Courses are 16 and 24 hours long to provide classroom and hands-on training.

Shoshone County

Kellogg

Staff of the Spokane Inland Northwest Blood Center will be in Kellogg Tuesday for a blood drive. The drive will be from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Kellogg Elks. All blood types are needed, and all eligible donors will receive a T-shirt.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

The Libby Airport is getting $900,000 in improvements this summer, thanks to a Federal Aviation Administration grant. The grant will help in resurfacing the runway, installing fences to keep deer off the tarmac and extending the taxiway to the full length of the runway.

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