The County Lines

Tue., March 2, 1999

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Ritzville

Because of the Ritzville Blues Fest’s success, the coordinators asked for only $20,000 from the city tourism fund. Last year, $36,000 was needed to host the event. The chamber of commerce has given a portion of proceeds back to the city, and kept some for a nest egg.

Ferry County

Republic

A proposed three-mile trail from Republic to the Ferry County Fairgrounds hinges on receiving a grant from the federal Transportation Enhancement Fund. The county has applied for $229,000 to pave the abandoned rail bed for walkers, bikers and skaters. The plan is to coat only 5 feet of the 12-foot wide bed, so horses can use the route as well.

Grant County

Moses Lake

Litter, including large appliances, is turning up in strange places around Grant County despite two landfills. County officials say although there is an official drop box within seven miles of every resident, many choose to dump on roadsides instead.

Lincoln County

Almira

Almira/Coulee-Hartline High School wrestling squad was recently recognized as class-B state academic champion. The boys have a combined GPA of 3.22. The cheerleaders were also champions, with a 3.77 average.

Pend Oreille County

Newport

The Pend Oreille County Watchdogs have named Thad Shultz “Professional Outstanding Citizen of the Year.” He is a five-year veteran of the county Sheriff’s Office. A DARE officer, Shultz works with police dog Otis, a black lab. During the summer, Shultz can be found on the river as a marine deputy. He was chosen because of his dedication to people and support of the Watchdogs, a crime prevention group.

Spokane County

Spokane

Gene Klozar, a resident of the Parsons apartment builidng, was recently named the resident manager of the Spokane Housing Authority building on West First Avenue. Kozar has been involved in the resident council and the Riverside Neighborhood Council.

Stevens County

Kettle Falls

Navona Quimette of Kettle Falls, Al and Tina Sampson of Colville and Mamie Wise of Chewelah have been raising puppies for Dogs for the Deaf Inc. The dogs, once fully trained, will provide sound-awareness and independence to their hearing impaired masters. The company needs more puppy-raisers. To help, call (541) 826-9220.

Whitman County

Pullman

Semana de la Raza, a weeklong series of events to raise awareness about the Chicano/Latino community, runs through Saturday. The theme is “Mujeres y Hombres: Creating New Horizons.” There will be a gender caucus tonight at 6 in the Bundy Reading Room. Dia de la Familia on Saturday will feature two New Mexico sisters fired for teaching Chicana history; traditional Mexican songs by Los Campesinos de Michoacan in the CUB Cascade Rooms from 4 to 6 p.m.; and the 20th annual Gabriel Cardenas Awards Banquet from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information, call 335-2616.

IDAHO

Benewah County

St. Maries

The Benewah County Sheriff’s Office and the county prosecutor’s office have drafted a proposal requiring random drug testing among sheriff’s office employees, as part of the rewriting of the policy manual. The St. Maries Police Department has required its officers be tested for several years.

Bonner County

Sandpoint

The East Bonner County Library District is sponsoring a “Beyond Words: Celebrating America’s Libraries” photo contest. Entries will be judged on artistic merit, technical quality and illustrating the theme. Winners will be announced during National Library Week April 11-17 and eligible for national judging. Registration deadline is March 15. Entry forms are available at the Sandpoint, Clark Fork or Edgemere libraries.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

The grand opening of the Eagles Aerie addition will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday. A barbecue prepared by Bill LaRue will be from 3-6 p.m. with a dance featuring Bob Cody’s Moonlight Band from 8 to midnight. For information, call (208) 267-3024.

Kootenai County

Stateline

A “Welcome to Idaho” sign has been installed at the Idaho border at Stateline on I-90. It was designed by Boise artist Ron Baker, and shows a highway leading into the mountains. The sign is one of 42 installed since the $41,000 transportation program to recognize the state’s amenities began in November.

Latah County

Moscow

At the annual meeting of the Latah County Historical Society, historian Priscilla Wegars will discuss Polly Bemis, a Chinese woman forced from her homeland who flourished on a ranch along the Salmon River. The program will be at 6 p.m. Friday at the Moscow Community Center following a dinner and business meeting. Reservations are encouraged by calling (208) 882-1004.

Shoshone County

Wallace

Kellogg High School teacher Mona Alfrey will present plans for a Silver Valley Fine Arts Complex to the Wallace Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday. The proposed complex would include a 650-seat auditorium, a large gallery and art, drama, choir and band classrooms. The meeting will beheld at 7:30 a.m. at Sweets Restaurant in Wallace. For reservations, call the Wallace Visitors Center at (208) 752-7151.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

County weed supervisor Marcy Mack received the 1998 Outstanding Weed District Award. The district is involved in two major projects targeting the noxious weed species rush skeletonweed and tansy ragwort. Mack works with 26 cooperative project areas within Lincoln County.

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