The County Lines

Sat., May 15, 1999

WASHINGTON

ADAMS COUNTY

Othello

Local businessman Pete Taggares will be memorialized for his contributions to Othello schools. The School Board recently voted to name the school gymnasium after the late potato magnate. Taggares was one of the state’s largest agricultural producers.

FERRY COUNTY

Curlew Lake

Local bird-watchers are entertained by the antics of a pair of Canada geese. The female decided she’d take up residence in the vacant treetop home of an osprey. She often breaks traditional goose formation to sit on the sky-high perch, while her goose friends and mate hunt for fish in the water below. Geese usually make their homes much closer to the ground.

GRANT COUNTY

Sun Lakes

Hoping to stem the tide of future water quality problems in the Sun Lakes chain, the state Department of Ecology wants local residents to form watchdog groups. The state hopes lake associations will help turn around the effects of manmade pollutants in the popular recreation lakes. High in nutrients and nitrates, these lakes are in danger of oxygen depletion.

LINCOLN COUNTY

Odessa

With student absenteeism at a 30-year high, the Odessa School Board is looking for solutions. Teacher Dick Green told the board that students are missing too much class time and their grades are reflecting it. Green says the problem does not include student activity-related absences. The board will consider the information and look anew at the district policy.

PEND OREILLE COUNTY

Newport

The year 2000 will bring a buzz of activity to the Aerocell factory in Newport. Construction of a lobby and landscaping are under way, and workers are setting up production equipment inside the plant. Once the aerospace parts manufacturer is in full swing next spring, 30 to 60 people will be employed there. Applications are not being taken at this time.

SPOKANE COUNTY

Deer Park

The city received a $7,500 state Department of Natural Resources grant to replant trees at Swinyard and Mix parks. The trees will replace diseased trees that were removed this year at both parks. Mayor Mike Wolf said the new trees will be planted this fall or next spring. Meanwhile, an application to receive state funds to create a bird sanctuary and arboretum adjacent to the Deer Park Hospital and Library was rejected.

STEVENS COUNTY

Colville

In Colville, Moonglow is a group of friends who get together to help with community projects. Recently, Moonglow volunteers rose to the occasion - literally - by scraping the paint off the old lookout tower above the Colville Historical Society Museum. The museum opened recently for the summer tourist season.

WHITMAN COUNTY

Pullman

A public forum on living options for seniors will be presented Monday at the Pullman Senior Center in City Hall. Sixteen local agencies and residences will provide information on in-home assistance, alternatives and living choices available to seniors. The event from 1 to 3 p.m. is sponsored by WSU’s Community Service Learning Center and the PUllman Senior Center. For more information, contact Margaret Sherve at 335-7708.

IDAHO

BENEWAH COUNTY

St. Maries

Flamingos have returned to St. Maries for Hospice of Benewah County’s Give the Bird fund-raiser. For a $5 donation, five plastic birds will be placed in the yard of a friend or neighbor of the donor. The birds will be removed for another $5 donation. For an additional $5, an insurance policy may be purchased to insure the flamingos do not return. For information, call the Hospice office at (208) 245-5734.

BONNER COUNTY

Sandpoint

The Bonner County Public Works Department will begin a series of road reconstruction projects Tuesday. The first project will be on Sagle Road one mile east of U.S. Highway 95 and continue for about three miles. Motorists are encouraged to use Bottle Bay Road as a detour. Other roads slated for reconstruction include Spirit Lake Cutoff Road, Eastside Road near Priest River, Cocolalla Loop Road, Colburn Culver Road, Selle Road and Rapid Lightning Road.

BOUNDARY COUNTY

Bonners Ferry

The Boundary County Community Action Agency is seeking a volunteer interested in traveling to Coeur d’Alene once a month to pick up commodities for the local food bank. A one-ton truck is needed for the job. To volunteer, call Christine at (208) 267-3663 during regular business hours.

KOOTENAI COUNTY

Post Falls

Auditions for the Missoula Children’s Theatre production of The Wiz of the West will be Monday at Ponderosa Elementary. Fifty actors are needed from kindergarten through 12th grade. Rehearsals will be Monday through Friday, 3:30-8 p.m. Performances are scheduled for May 22 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. For information, call (208) 773-5702.

LATAH COUNTY

Moscow

As of May 1, Gritman Medical Center is a drug-free workplace. The claim is the result of a new hospital wide drug-screening policy for all current and new employees and volunteers. Gritman Medical Center has offered drug-screening services to area employers for several years. The hospital employs 300 people.

SHOSHONE COUNTY

Silver Valley

The Shoshone County unemployment rate decreased to 10.7 percent in April from 11.2 percent in March of this year. In April 1998, the unemployment rate was 10.6 percent.

MONTANA

LINCOLN COUNTY

Eureka

A fake bomb was found at the Lincoln County landfill in Eureka on May 8. The device, constructed of two road flares, some wires, a battery and a wristwatch, was found in a trash container around 7:25 p.m. Lincoln County sheriff’s deputies Matt Neuman and Barry Taft responded to the scene with Detective Lt. Klint Gassett and determined that the device was a fake. It was sent to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for further inspection and to determine if fingerprints or other evidence can be found to help authorities track down the maker.

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