The County Lines

Fri., May 28, 1999

WASHINGTON

ADAMS COUNTY

Ritzville

Uniformed police officers are becoming a fixture at Ritzville High School. The officers have been making daily appearances at the school due to events involving school violence. Officers will attend graduation ceremonies this weekend, Ritzville Police Chief Dave McCormick said.

FERRY COUNTY

Republic

Folks in the high country will jog close to town and keep a watchful eye on their children this summer as cougars are roaming ever closer to homes and towns. Earlier this month, a family on the west edge of Republic watched a comfortable cougar groom itself in their front yard for 20 minutes. Their family cat is missing.

GRANT COUNTY

Moses Lake

In a letter to creditors dated May 13, Columbia River Sugar Company President and CEO Marvin Price said he has considered, but rejected, bankruptcy. “As a group, our trade creditors are owed more than $10 million. In bankruptcy, you would receive nothing.” Price said he and 60 sugar beet growers have decided to press on and try another sugar beet harvest. The company’s debt has been restructured and some of its debt forgiven by creditors after processing problems at the highly touted sugar refinery made the company’s maiden harvest a debacle.

LINCOLN COUNTY

Seven Bays

Boaters hoping to access Lake Roosevelt this Memorial Day weekend can launch from only two ramps. The Seven Bays Marina and Keller Ferry ramps are the only ramps low enough to reach the water. The Bureau of Reclamation and Army Corps of Engineers have drawn down the lake to below 1,220 feet to provide flood control for a record snowpack in Canada.

PEND OREILLE COUNTY

Newport

In hope of streamlining the city budget, the City Council is looking at melding the airport fund into the current expense fund. The move would not only make accounting more simple, but give the city better expense cash flow.

SPOKANE COUNTY

Deer Park

The Deer Park Area Chamber of Commerce selected Sue Kelsch as the 1999 Citizen of the Year at the group’s annual banquet last Saturday. Kelsch has been involved in scores of community activities in the last 25 years.

STEVENS COUNTY

Chewelah

With a wet winter, the Chewelah Creek is running strong this year. Already, two toddlers have nearly been swept away. An 18-month-old was rescued from the creek during a recent birthday party by Selisha Garate, 21. She said the current was extremely strong, and holding the baby was difficult. The boy was walking next to the water with his mother when he jumped in.

WHITMAN COUNTY

Malden

The John Wayne Trailriders are coming to Malden. The community celebration kicks off Wednesday with a community dinner and tribute to famous Whitman County cowboy Yakima Canutt. Thursday night, at 8, John Wayne will ride again in the community park. The performance is free.

IDAHO

BENEWAH COUNTY

St. Maries

Mayor Ernie Pendell has appointed Rick Haeg to the open seat on the St. Maries City Council. Haeg will occupy the seat until the term ends this fall, when he may choose to run for reelection. Haeg operates the St. Maries Oil Company.

BONNER COUNTY

Sandpoint

Bonner County commissioners are seeking letters of interest to serve on the Sandpoint Airport Advisory Board from Sandpoint residents. Commissioners dissolved the board May 13 after disputes between members, the board chairman and former board members. Commissioners have 10 letters of interest on file, some of which were submitted before the dismissal of the airport board. Letters should be sent by June 14 to the Board of Commissioners, 215 S. First Ave., Sandpoint, Idaho 83864.

BOUNDARY COUNTY

Bonners Ferry

The Boundary County Community Action Agency is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fulfilling immediate needs and helping residents become selfsufficient. The Community Action Agency is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information, call (208) 267-3663.

KOOTENAI COUNTY

Rathdrum

Public comment is being sought on work at the old Kootenai County Jail property. The city of Rathdrum is applying for a $10,000 Gem Community Action Grant to fund the work, which will include replacing the roof of the jail and site survey on the surrounding land. A skate park and activity complex may be developed on the site.

Comments on the projects will be accepted until May 31 at Rathdrum City Hall, (208) 687-0261 or by writing the city clerk at 812 Main St., Rathdrum, Idaho 83858.

LATAH COUNTY

Troy

Troy residents narrowly defeated two bonds to pay for repairs and upgrades to the city’s water and sewer system. The city’s water levy failed 82-98 and the sewer bond failed 101 to 79. Had the two bonds for $615,000 in improvements passed the city would have been eligible for a matching state community development block grant. Now the city will have to look elsewhere for funding.

The City Council plans to meet again in June to discuss whether or not to bring the measure again to voters later this summer.

SHOSHONE COUNTY

Kellogg

Kellogg High School Principal Mike Moore is seeking input from parents, residents and business owners on closing the campus during the students’ lunch break. Moore is currently considering three options for next year, including leaving the current policy of allowing students to leave campus from 11:55 a.m. to 12:35 p.m., allowing a select group of students, such as seniors, to leave campus or closing the campus entirely.

MONTANA

LINCOLN COUNTY

Troy

Registration for the fall recreation soccer program will be June 2 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Morrison Elementary School. Registration fee is $25, and a limited number of scholarships are available. The season will begin in September for all students in grades 1-8. For information, call (406) 293-2072.

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