The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County Othello

The former Copeland’s Lumber, a mainstay for do-it-yourselfers here for decades, was recently bought out by the Lumbermen’s chain. Remodeling is complete, and the staff is ready to go. Lumbermen’s kept all employees from Copeland’s because they know the people and market.

Ferry County Republic

The Republic Volunteer Fire Department is asking residents to clean their chimneys to prevent chimney fires. The notion that an occasional chimney fire is good to clean creosote from the flue is a dangerous one. Firefighters here urge residents to not set intentional chimney fires.

Grant County Moses Lake

A support group is being formed in the central Columbia Basin area for people dealing with spinal injuries. For more information, call (509) 754-4308.

Lincoln County Reardan

Dorothy Balum, who teaches English and Current World Problems at Reardan High School, was chosen September Teacher of the Month by EWU. Nominated by Krissi Betts, Rachel Hicks and Marci Schwartz, Balum gave them this advice: “Watch the news, be involved in the community, read, think and enjoy life.” She’s been a teacher for 35 years.

Pend Oreille County Newport

JoAnn Boggs was instrumental in obtaining $2 million to implement the 911 system in Pend Oreille County, plus thousands of dollars for operations. She’s been chosen by Gov. Gary Locke to serve on the Governor’s Emergency Management Advisory Council, led by State Patrol Chief Annette Sandburg.

Stevens County Colville

Colville National Forest employees have recently been finding official-looking fake notices to horsemen at trailheads on the Sullivan Lake Ranger District. These bogus notices claim “horsemen traveling within endangered species habitat must fit their horses with a diaper type device to ensure that no trace of animal feces are left upon the land.” The fake flier also claims “anyone found to have left animal feces in an Endangered Species area will be subject to fine of up to $10,000.” Rangers say the notice has no truth to it.

IDAHO

Benewah County St. Maries

Orientation for the North Idaho Reads program at Lakeside Elementary School has been postponed until 2 p.m. Wednesday. More volunteers are needed and the program is now open to parents as well as grandparents. Volunteers must give at least one hour per week to the first-grade classes at the school through the rest of the school year.

Bonner County Priest River

Priest River family physicians Jeffery B. Fowler and Charles R. Falter were honored recently by the American Academy of Family Physicians for 10 years of membership. The AAFP is a national medical association that represents more than 88,000 family physicians, family practice residents and medical students in the United States.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

A 17-year-old exchange student from Mexico needs a new place to stay in Bonners Ferry. His host family can’t continue to provide housing because of an illness. The boy is attending school in Bonners Ferry, and his finishing out the year depends on another family providing him a home. For more information, call (208) 263-9401.

Kootenai County Post Falls

Following Boise’s lead, Post Falls is seeking a student from Post Falls High School to sit as a voting member on the Post Falls Parks and Recreation Commission. Mayor Gus Johnson announced the plan Tuesday night at a City Council meeting, saying it was a step in getting kids more involved in city government.

Latah County Moscow

A series of millennium events is planned for Moscow on New Year’s Eve. A candlelight parade will start at 6:30 p.m. on Main Street, followed by fireworks at Wicks Field at 8 p.m. A bonfire starts at 8:45 p.m., followed by a family dance at 9 p.m. at the Latah County Fair Exhibit Building. Donations toward the fireworks will be taken at the City Hall Annex, 122 E. 4th Street in Moscow. Call (208) 883-7000 for more information.

Shoshone County Kellogg

Preliminary work on the final phase of the Milo Creek Improvement Project is under way. Phase III will include the installation of new water, sewer and storm sewer lines in Division from Kellogg Street to Idaho Street. A concrete containment structure, the Depot Structure, will be built on the southeast corner of Division and Idaho.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

The state Department of Transportation is preparing to relieve the county of maintenance responsibilities for the Yaak River Road to the village of Yaak, Farm to Market Road to Hammer Cutoff, Kootenai River Road to Bobtail Road, and Pipe Creek Road to the Red Dog Saloon following action by the 1999 Legislature. The DOT plans to begin in July 2000 so it can avoid switching over in midwinter. According to the Legislature, the state is to assume maintenance of those roads beginning Jan. 1, 2001. Local officials questioned whether the state would provide winter maintenance to the same level as Lincoln County’s road department. Similar concerns were also raised regarding school bus routes.