The County Lines

Tue., Nov. 2, 1999

WASHINGTON

Adams County Othello

The Port of Othello will receive a $843,000 Rural Economic Vitality grant to fix the bottleneck on Booker Road. The money will be used to widen Booker from Cunningham to Foley roads, a two-mile stretch.

Ferry County Republic

Brett Cromwell and Elbert Koontz are squaring off for mayor of Republic at the polls today. Several school board positions in Orient, Curlew and Republic are up for grabs, as well as fire district slots. Also on the ballot is a measure to continue tax funding of the Ferry County Memorial Hospital for another five years.

Grant County Grand Coulee

Joe Lauseng has a present for his mother, but the City Council says she can’t have it. Lauseng wants to get his mom a miniature horse. The city has ordinances against general livestock and regular-sized horses within city limits, but none dealing with miniatures. Neighbors have signed letters supporting Lauseng and the 35-inch equine, but the council is stymied over if, or how, to write an ordinance for the horse.

Lincoln County Wilbur

The city already loses $385 monthly on garbage pickup, and rates at the Delano Landfill will rise 25 percent this month, bringing the city’s deficit to $750 monthly. The City Council is considering raising garbage rates as a result.

Spokane County Deer Park

The Deer Park Rotary Club named Deer Park High School senior Laurie Miller its October student of the month. Miller, the daughter of Robert and Sharon Miller of Deer Park, is a member of the school newspaper and yearbook staffs, and is also National Honor Society president.

Stevens County Chewelah

Veterans wanting their stories to go down in history are asked to contact Jenkins High School. Students in an honors class are looking to interview local veterans and record their memories. The class hopes most of the memoirs will be finished by Veterans Day. Veterans, or folks knowing a veteran, are asked to contact Sherri Frizzell at the school.

Whitman County Pullman

Washington State University’s Thomas S. Foley Institute is expected to receive $1.5 million in funding to enhance its programs as part of the federal health and education appropriations bill. WSU President Sam Smith lauded Washington’s congressional delegation for the allocation, particularly Sen. Patty Murray and Rep. Norm Dicks. The institute funds congressional studies and voter education efforts, among other things.

IDAHO

Benewah County Plummer

Contributions of blankets, clothing and household items are being accepted at Lakeside Elementary School for a “community closet” to provide assistance for families in need. For information, contact Sharon Sanchez, Family Resource Partner for the Plummer-Worley School District, at (208)686-1651.

Bonner County Sandpoint

The Sandpoint Independent Highway District will begin picking up mulch and compost Nov. 8. Piles or bagged leaves must be left behind the curb line at the edge of the street. Crews will go down each street only once. The district will not pick up piles that contain refuse other than leaves. Branches will be picked up in the spring. For information, call Road Supervisor David Ohnstad at (208) 263-8131.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

A fire reported in a fourth-grade classroom at Evergreen Elementary School Oct. 21 forced students from that classroom for the day and gave all the schools’ students the next day off to allow for cleanup. The small fire apparently started in a faulty heater, and was brought quickly under control with minimal damage.

Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene

The Idaho Housing and Finance Association will sponsor a free landlord workshop for current or potential landlords in North Idaho Friday. The workshop will be 1:30-4 p.m. at the Kootenai Medical Center Health Resource Center. Bill Worth, Community Service Specialist with the City of Post Falls Police Department, will speak on how to achieve crime-free units. New changes in Section 8 Rental Assistance will also be addressed.

Latah County Moscow

Since the start of the hunting season, Latah County Sheriff’s Office and the Search and Rescue Unit have responded to three lost hunter calls. Authorities are urging hunters to carry maps and designate meeting spots should hunting parties get separated. Let someone know where you plan to hunt and where your vehicle will be parked. Bring proper clothing for overnight temperatures, as well as matches, water and food. Consider carrying a global positioning system locator or a two-way radio. Always have a group plan in the event you get lost or separated from your party.

Shoshone County Kellogg

The state of Idaho granted substantial completion to Phase II of the Milo Creek Improvement Project, approving all Go Pro Construction work. Motorists are now free to drive on Division Street. For any damage done to private, public or real property because of the construction work, contact project coordinator Glenn Jackson at (208) 783-5304. This includes damage to sidewalks and driveways.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

Lincoln County has received a $33,000 U.S. Economic Development Administration grant to help with flood control on Parmenter Creek. The administration’s intent with the money was for a public disasterawareness campaign and buying equipment to help set up emergency centers. The Parmenter Creek project, along with the awareness campaign, emergency shelters and other natural disaster prevention efforts, are part of Project Impact, a federal, state, local and private initiative to make the county disaster-resistant. The Parmenter Creek project is getting the EDA money rather than shelters and a campaign because it is underfunded.

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.