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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County Othello

Three surveys show solid support for a community swimming pool. The town hopes to spend about $4.5 million for the facility. Maintenance would be a key point of opposition as $250,000 in salaries and upkeep is estimated. To bring in more revenue, the town is considering building a large water slide. When the town of Connell built a 55-foot slide, it tripled revenues.

Ferry County Curlew

Angela M. Lake of Curlew says she’s curious as to who is setting up rock formations shaped like snowmen along county roads and why. “Have we been visited by extraterrestrials who have left their markings so they can find their way back to their UFO?” she jokes.

Grant County Moses Lake

Genie Industries officials have detailed plant construction plans and the products it will manufacture here. Genie makes industrial lifts for hard-to-reach areas. The company will initially employ 400 assembly line workers at $13-$18 per hour.

Lincoln County Harrington

The Harrington Opera House Society has announced the first concert in the restored historic Opera House in more than 40 years. The Tom Collier Jazz Trio will christen the stage of the grand old building Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $8. Call (509) 253-4336 for reservations.

Pend Oreille County Cusick

Ballots for the school district’s maintenance and operations levy are trickling into the county Auditor’s Office. The district is running its first mail-only levy and ballots should be postmarked by Tuesday. The two-year levy asks for $275,000 for 2000 and 2001. Taxpayers would pay 96 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

Spokane County Cheney

The public is invited to help plant native trees and shrubs at the Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The planting is being organized by Turnbull and the Spokane Audubon Society. More info: 235-4723.

Stevens County Colville

The Colville School District is looking for a replacement for Superintendent Dr. Rick Cole, and also needs to replace board member Carol Villers, who resigned in April. If interested, call the school district at (509) 684-7850.

Whitman County Pullman

Pullman residents with questions about a sidewalk repair project on Military Hill may contact Dale Rogers at (509) 334-4555 ext. 214. Ace Elliot Landscaping was awarded a contract for the project, which is part of the Proposition 1 bond passed in 1998 to repair or replace unsafe sidewalks. Ace Elliot will notify affected residents before work starts on their frontage. The most dangerous sections of sidewalk will receive priority for repair.

IDAHO

Benewah County St. Maries

Chase Chevrolet closed Wednesday after 45 years in business, because of competition and shrinking margins. Equipment and tools will be auctioned May 26.

Bonner County Sandpoint

Dave Dillard, District Ranger for the Sandpoint Ranger District since 1996, has accepted a promotion to Milwaukee, Wis. Dillard will become the program leader for recreation, heritage and wilderness in the Forest Service’s Eastern Region. The new position will involve reviving a recreation program for 20 states in the Northeast and Midwest.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

The Second Chance Animal Adoption Volunteers are seeking foster families to temporarily take in dogs with special needs. Dog food and vet care are provided. Families are needed until permanent homes can be found. More info: Alice Miller at (208) 267-2023.

Kootenai County Post Falls

The Post Falls Public Library will close June 1, with the new library expected to open one month later. Staff and volunteers will begin moving books June 5. The checkout period has been extended until July 31 so those books won’t have to be moved. More info: (208) 773-1506.

Latah County Troy

Whitepine School District voters will decide Tuesday whether to support a deconsolidation study. If approved, the $35,000 levy would hire Matrix Group, a consulting firm that studies school finance and construction plans, to determine the feasibility of splitting the district. Voters will also decide a $1.1 million supplemental levy to continue current educational programming and staff.

Shoshone County Silver Valley

Burn permits are now required in the Silver Valley. Permits for burning inside cities or organized fire districts are free and may be obtained from local fire departments. Other burn permits are available through the Idaho Department of Lands office of the U.S. Forest Service Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District office in Silverton. Permits are required until Oct. 20.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

The Libby Area Chamber of Commerce has announced “Logger Days - Rooted in the Community” as the theme for the 1999 Libby Logger Days. The 41st Logger Days will be July 8-11 at J. Neils Memorial Park.