The County Lines

Sun., May 9, 1999

WASHINGTON

Adams County Ritzville

Folks here are preparing for the annual “Streetball” 3-on-3 basketball competition at 8 a.m. June 19. The city has approved closing downtown streets for the tournament, which attracts hundreds of players and spectators. The Bronc Boosters will host the event, with proceeds to help student needs at Ritzville High.

Ferry County Curlew Lake

More that 200 people attended the county’s Conservation Fair. More than 150 bluebird nesting boxes were built and distributed, thanks to Job Corps Union Carpentry students, and 180 households purchased plants. Eight “polar bears” swam the 42 degree waters of Curlew Lake to raise money to send needy kids to summer conservation camps.

Grant County Royal City

If all goes well, Royal City’s new sewage treatment plant will be finished ahead of schedule. Project engineers say the facility could be ready by the end of July, instead of the Sept. 1 target date.

Lincoln County Reardan

Mule Days chairwoman Andrea Rettkowski says more volunteers are needed for the June 4-6 community celebration. Food booths, the kiddie parade, horseshoe tournament and hospitality crew all need a hand. To help, call (509) 796-2356.

Pend Oreille County Newport

Despite a recent levy win at the polls, the Newport School District is still facing financial cuts. The board is looking at axing $321,000 from the upcoming budget. Three teachers who are leaving or retiring will not be replaced for a savings of $160,000. Maintenance, utilities and administration are expected to be affected greatly by cuts.

Spokane County Deer Park

An SAT-preparation workshop, sponsored by the Community Colleges of Spokane’s Institute for Extended Learning, will be taught Thursdays from May 13-June 3 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Deer Park High School, 545 S. Weber Road. The $22 class will teach strategies for increased scores and anxiety reduction. For more information, call 533-3770.

Stevens County Kettle Falls

The annual Town and Country Days on June 5-6 will include the parade, Grouch contest, Grumpy Grouch fun run, entertainment and street dance. For more information, call (509) 738-2300.

Whitman County Pullman

Pullman’s Kourtney Nelson is headed to Kansas City on May 16 for the International Students in Free Enterprise Exposition. More than 150 teams from around the world will compete. Nelson will represent the University of Portland, where she’s a student. In the regional competition in Bellevue, Wash., in April, teams were asked to produce an annual report and create a 25-minute presentation.

IDAHO

Benewah County Tensed

The Tensed Rural Fire District is sponsoring equipment and safety training at 6 p.m. Monday in the Cross Keys Restaurant banquet room and at the firehouse. More detailed training will be in the fall. More information: Steve Westbrook at (208) 274-4217 or Terry Doupe at (208) 274-4395.

Bonner County Sandpoint

Bonner County commissioners are establishing a citizens’ advisory committee to review the county road standards manual. Apply by May 21. Those interested are asked to write to the Board of Commissioners, 315 South First, Sandpoint, ID 83864. More info: the commissioner’s office at (208) 265-1428.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

The Boundary County Community Action Agency is seeking a volunteer to travel to Coeur d’Alene once a month to pick up commodities for the food bank. A one-ton truck is needed for the job. The agency also is seeking a cook and a group interested in continuing the Community Kitchen, which serves meals to 25-30 seniors every Thursday. More information: Christine at (208) 267-3663.

Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene

American Land and Leisure, the new concessionaire at Sam Owen Campground, has 25 campsites available at the Red Sun Loop. The campground’s three other loops and day use areas will open Friday. The season ends Oct. 4.

Reservations: (877) 444-6777.

Latah County Moscow

University of Idaho College of Education students displayed semester projects Wednesday. The 170 students, in the first class of the education sequence, observed and questioned classes at local schools and did outside research.

Shoshone County Kellogg

Silver Valley Habitat for Humanity will have a public meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. at the United Church of Kellogg to give people a chance to learn more and to volunteer.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

Eagle Pyro Displays will offer a free fireworks safety course at McGrade school at 4 p.m. Saturday for adults and children. A demonstration of 11 new products will follow at 7 p.m. More information: Joseph or Charlotte Wade at (406) 293-5336.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.