The County Lines

Sun., May 16, 1999

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Ritzville

Ritzville’s ambulance crew has been working with the county sheriff’s office to improve emergency response times. Volunteers toured the sheriff’s dispatch center to get a better handle on how operations are done. They plan to improve communications with additional software for their pagers.

Ferry County

Republic

Local attorney Cleve O. Ives has agreed to not practice law in Ferry County as long as he holds his new position of juvenile probation officer. Judge Larry Kristianson determined earlier that it would be a conflict of interest.

Grant County

Moses Lake

With some kids going hungry during the summer, the Boys and Girls clubs of Moses Lake have stepped up to the plate. The clubs, funded by the city, will serve free lunch to 150 needy children on 44 dates between June and August. In addition to the meal, the city has helped the clubs fund free daily activities. Private donations to expand the program are being accepted.

Lincoln County

Odessa

Proud Tiger grads take note. The annual Odessa High School reunion is set for June 19 at Odessa Community Center. Unlike most reunions, all classes are invited to attend. Angie Gustafson Hunt, acting chair, is looking for addresses of alumni. She asks all wishing to register to call Laurence Libsack’s office at (509) 982-2672.

Pend Oreille County

Newport

The Pend Oreille County Conservation District recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with a spring fair and tree sale. More than a hundred people bought 35,000 trees for beauty and conservation purposes. Sequoia seedlings turned out to be a crowd favorite, and rangers promise to order more next year.

Spokane County

Rockford

The town of Rockford has received $1.56 million from the Washington Department of Ecology to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant. The improvements will clean up water being discharged into Rock Creek. The creek has been polluted by fecal coliform for several years, according to the DOE.

Stevens County

Chewelah

The local volunteer ambulance crew is hoping to raise more than $150,000 to construct a new facility. Chewelah Rural Ambulance has purchased land and obtained a loan to build a bus barn, complete with training rooms and temporary housing. Construction should begin in June, but volunteers are seeking donations to furnish the facility and pay off the loan.

Whitman County

Pullman

Pullman School District has started its search for a new high school principal. The selection team will consist of faculty, staff, administrators, students and parents. “It is my hope that we will have a sufficient pool of candidates to screen by the end of May,” said Superintendent Douglas Nelson.

IDAHO

Benewah County

St. Maries

The St. Maries Plywood Mill has hired 10 employees in an effort to increase production at the Potlatch mill. The hiring is the result of the decision to add a third shift on the lathe and the Raimann machines, which remove defects in plywood by patching the wood. In addition to the new hires, Potlatch plans to hire as many as 16 employees for summer help.

Bonner County

Sandpoint

A community open house to learn more about Medicaid will be Monday at 7 p.m. at Evergreen Assisted Living. Idaho Health and Welfare eligibility caseworker Bonner Pilger and Brenda Wyatt, a supervisor for Aid to Aged, Blind and Disabled, will discuss who qualifies for Medicaid, how to apply, and what is covered. For information, call (208) 265-2354.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

Boundary County Community Action Agency is seeking a cook and a group interested in continuing the Community Kitchen. To volunteer, call Christine at (208) 267-3663.

Kootenai County

Post Falls

Wildlife habitat along the Spokane River will be examined at the Spokane River Property Owners Association meeting Thursday. Ned Horner, chief biologist of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, will discuss the habitat and the wildlife it supports. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at Cavanaugh’s Templin’s Resort.

Latah County

Moscow

An 11-mile trail between Moscow and Troy is one step closer to reality since Latah County commissioners applied to the Idaho Transportation Department for a $500,000 grant to buy property and develop the trail. Private donations are now being collected by the newly formed Latah Trail Foundation to match the state grant. The Latah Trail Foundation has pledged to raise $55,000 by mid-October. The trail, near Highway 8, would eventually link up with Moscow’s Linear Park system and eventually to the Chipman Trail to Pullman. To contact the nonprofit Latah Trail Foundation, call 883-1505.

Shoshone County

Kellogg

The Silver Valley Economic Development Corp. is developing a five-year plan to improve Shoshone County’s tax base by bringing in more businesses. The plan will include goals, objectives and projects the corporation will pursue. Some ideas include a business park in Smelterville, development of the Central Impoundment Area of the Superfund site and a softball park in Kellogg.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

Libby School District will hold a $181,000 mill levy election May 25. The levy is not a tax increase.

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