The County Lines

Sat., March 6, 1999

WASHINGTON

Adams County Othello

The Adams County Health District says only half of eligible children receive state health insurance in this area, so the district is campaigning to make folks aware of their eligibility. Those qualifying are children under 18 at 200 percent of the poverty level, such as a family of four earning $2,742 per month or less. Adams County has one of the highest migratory populations in the state, so kids often fall through the cracks.

Ferry County Republic

Ferry County was forced to postpone civil service testing because of cash flow problems. The test would provide a list of qualified candidates for E-911 dispatch, sheriff’s deputy and jail work. The county expects openings in the near future and hopes to reschedule the test in the next six weeks.

Grant County Moses Lake

Hoping to get better cable rates and more channels, rural communities in Grant County are banding together for bargaining power. Soap Lake, Ephrata and Othello had a meeting last week to organize a regional franchise with Northland Cable TV. Royal City, George and Quincy have joined forces to negotiate with Sun Country Cable. Moses Lake is considering joining one of these groups.

Lincoln County Odessa

After a month of poor reception, cable TV subscribers in Odessa complained. Spokane-based Community Cable Services agreed to upgrade technical service. Community Cable blamed wind storms in the Tekoa area for the initial problem.

Pend Oreille County Metaline

Facing state funding cuts due to declining enrollment, the Selkirk School Board is looking at ways to save money. Despite financial woes, the state Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Office gave the district permission to study such future needs as buildings and academics.

Spokane County Spokane

The Boy Scouts have asked to have a Jamboree and one-night campout in Riverfront Park for about 100 Scouts on June 4-5, but parks officials were reluctant to allow the campout. The event has been at Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds.

Stevens County Evans

Bill Jones opened his mailbox to find a $27,000 check in his name. But the check, issued by Vaagen Brothers Lumber in Colville, was meant for another Bill Jones. An honest man, Jones returned the check. The company rewarded Jones with a gift certificate to a local restaurant.

Whitman County Pullman

The Pullman Chamber of Commerce’s annual Cabaret fundraiser begins at 6 p.m. March 27 in the Matthew Carey Ballroom of WSU’S Compton Union Building. Auction items, ranging from art work to vacation getaways will be featured in the “South of the Border,” event. Auctioneer will be Jim Walden, former WSU football coach. Tickets are $47.50 and the deadline is March 19. For more information call 1-800-ENJOY-IT.

IDAHO

Benewah County Fernwood

Benewah County Assessor Tina Schillinger will help homeowners apply for the 1999 Circuit Breaker property tax reduction at the Fernwood Senior Center Monday at 11 a.m., and at the Plummer Senior Center Tuesday at 11 a.m. For information, call the Assessor’s office at (208) 245-2821.

Bonner County Priest River

Volunteers at the Priest River Public Library are organizing mobile book service. Books will be delivered and picked up every two weeks with service limited to within a five-mile radius of Priest River. For information, call the library at (208) 448-2207.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

The Friends Reaching Out to Friends support group meets Thursdays at the United Methodist Church in Bonners Ferry. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. For information, call Barbara at (208) 267-7390 or Judy at (208) 267-3859.

Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene

Kootenai Medical Center has been named one of “Health Care’s 100 Most Wired” hospitals in the nation by Hospitals & Health Networks magazine. KMC was recognized for its work to link physicians, other Idaho hospitals, its employees, and users of its library.

Latah County Moscow

Two surveys are circulating among University of Idaho staff to evaluate the administration. One survey was put together by the Office of Institutional Planning and Budget, while the other is from the American Federation of Teachers local 3215. Results of the AFT survey will be presented at a staff forum April 26.

Shoshone County Mullan

Lookout Pass Ski Area has added two new ski runs, including 40 additional acres of tree skiing. Curt Sundeen has returned as the director of Lookout’s professional ski school. Sundeen has been recognized twice as one of the nation’s top 50 ski instructors by Snow Country Magazine.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

County weight restrictions are in effect on Libby district roads. The Forest Service has restricted the Fisher River Road to 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight from Highway 37 to the Wolf Creek junction, and 10,000 pounds from Wolf Creek to the McKillop Road. The Montana Department of Transportation has placed a tire limit on Highway 56.

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