The County Lines

Tue., March 23, 1999

WASHINGTON

Adams County Othello

There’s a new face at the Othello post office. Jim Harrin was recently sworn in as postmaster. The Basin native says he’s thrilled by the promotion mostly because he didn’t have to move from Moses Lake. Harrin says he hopes to cut down on the number of incorrect deliveries by carriers.

Ferry County Curlew

It’s not too early to start planning for the Curlew School science fair. The event is scheduled for May 5, but students should begin preparing soon. The fair is even open to enterprising parents who may want to enter a project of their own. A Seattle Pacific Science Center van will be at the school April 30 for those needing last-minute ideas. For more information, call Jamie at (509) 779-4843.

Grant County Royal City

Local business owners are asking the City Council to ban mobile vendors, who currently pay a $25 business license fee to the city. Local merchants say the vendors hurt established businesses committed to the town. They also pay a fraction of the licensing fees. Hilltop restaurant pays $2,600 in licensing fees annually.

Lincoln County Wilbur

The City Council will turn a list of unpaid ambulance bills over to a collection agency. The town, which runs a volunteer emergency medical technician program, said it couldn’t afford to forgive the debts and felt small claims court was too costly and time-consuming.

Pend Oreille County Newport

At the annual Kiwanis Pancake Feed, Bonner County Commissioner Brian Orr lost the pancake-eating contest to Pend Oreille County Commissioner Joel Jacobsen.

Spokane County Spokane

Cynthia Blue-Blanton, a volunteer at Corbin Art Center, was named the volunteer of the year for the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department for 1998. She has been a board member and president at Corbin Art Center for three years. Blue-Blanton is an interior design faculty member at Spokane Falls Community College and a consultant on historic interior renovations.

Stevens County Colville

The public library is displaying the sculpted works of Dr. Jerry McKeller until the end of April. The library is at 195 S. Oak St.

Whitman County Pullman

The city is one of 30 Washington cities to earn a “Tree City USA” designation for 1999 from the National Arbor Day Foundation. To qualify for the status, cities had to set up a board or department to oversee a care plan for community trees, start a community forestry program and hold an Arbor Day observance to celebrate the planting and appreciation of trees. Arbor Day is April 14.

IDAHO

Benewah County St. Maries

Rose Marie Tiffany was honored recently for her service as an advocate for the mentally ill and their families. Tiffany was appointed the Benewah County representative of the Region I Mental Health Advisory Board in 1985 and represents the regional panel on the Idaho State Planning Council. She chaired the council for two years.

Bonner County Sandpoint

A portion of state Water Resource Board grants and loans was awarded to two Panhandle drinking water systems on Friday. Carlin Bay Services will use $125,000 to replace a three-quartermile section of leaking water main, and the Kidd Island Water Association will use $81,700 to upgrade its system. The board denied a $60,000 loan to pay for improvements to the water system at the Island View Trailer Resort in Hope.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

Second Chance Animal Adoption volunteers are looking for foster families to temporarily take in puppies and adult dogs with special needs. Dog food and medical care are provided while residents give dogs love and attention until permanent homes are found. For information, call Alice Miller at (208) 267-2023.

Kootenai County Post Falls

Kootenai Medical Center will host the 1999 Northwest Regional Festival of Trees Conference March 26-27 at Templin’s Resort in Post Falls. The program will cover auctions, volunteers, sponsorship and community partners, promotions and computer creativity. Conference cost is $105 or $50 for Friday only. For information, call (208) 666-1820.

Latah County Moscow

The Latah County Historical Society has awarded its Volunteer of the Year honor to the Central Lions Club for the club’s many years of service and hours spent on projects at the McConnell Mansion. Also honored were Bill Bowler and Bill Stookey for their donations of plants and labor at the mansion, Mimi Pengilly for her work on the harvest dinner and outgoing trustees Sue Emory, Eleanor Gittins, Bob Greene, Mildred Hoskins and Gladys Bellinger. Duane LeTourneau was elected new president of the society.

Shoshone County Wallace

The Wallace City Council has approved $45,000 for the city “Streetscape” project. The project will provide the downtown area with a face lift and enhance the city’s looks for residents and visitors. The money will come from a special fund for capital improvements for the city. The work is expected to be completed by June 1.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

Lincoln County commissioners adopted a weight limit ordinance last week. The ordinance provides penalties as set forth by state law for violators of seasonal weight restrictions. Without the ordinance, county commissioners had the ability to close roads entirely, but were unable to legally issue citations.

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