The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County Ritzville
People who want to protect their personal financial information are invited to a check-shredding day. The Ritzville branch of Sterling Savings Bank is holding the event Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Any financial documents to be destroyed, including old bank records, checks and such, will be mulched by Sterling employees.
Ferry County Republic
Economic development specialist Dave Keeley recently met with county commissioners to update them on a proposed park in Curlew, a business incubator and organizing a Ferry County Chamber of Commerce. Keeley also is trying to get grant money to establish a port district, an effort that received $5,000 in start-up funds from the Five Star Enterprise Community.
Grant County Quincy
As of last week, vehicles belonging to drivers with suspended licenses will be impounded for 30 days in Quincy. “Since it is a state law, we are going to start to enact it,” Chief William Gonzales said. State law allows municipalities and county governments to impound vehicles for up to 90 days.
Lincoln County Almira
With elections over, the Town Council is still two members shy of a full board. Both positions are at large. One is available immediately; the other will be open when Councilman Dave Major becomes mayor in January. Interested parties may stop by City Hall for information, or write a letter to the City Council.
Pend Oreille County Newport
All noncontract staff members at Newport Community Hospital recently were given bonuses after county commissioners approved the $50,000 in bonus money. “They have worked hard and we have reached the goals we set, and I think our employees should be rewarded for their hard work,” Commissioner Mike Casey said.
Spokane County Deer Park
The Bits and Spurs 4-H Club in Deer Park will collect food for the Deer Park Food Bank on Saturday and Sunday. Food will be collected at Deer Park’s Yokes Pac & Save, 810 S. Main, and Excell Food, 609 S. Fir, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Stevens County Northport
Bart and Victory Alexander, owners and operators of China Bend winery, won an award for organic wines at the 1999 Indy International Wine Competition at Purdue University. More than 2,400 wines from 14 countries were tasted.
Whitman County Colfax
Randy Bostrum, Port of Whitman manager for the past four years, has resigned. Port officials will begin a search for a new manager after the first of the year. Bostrum plans to continue developing a software company he owns.
IDAHO
Benewah County St. Maries
The Elks Lodge is seeking computer components such as CD-ROM drives, monitors and 14.4 kbps or faster modems. The computer committee is trying to give all sixth- through 12th-grade student applicants computers after completion of a class Dec. 4. The recipients’ names will be announced after Thanksgiving. To make donations, call (208) 245-2213 or (208) 245-1119.
Bonner County Sandpoint
Bonner County might not get its annual snowmobile registration payment if the Priest Lake Groomers Association doesn’t shape up. The state Department of Parks and Recreation said poor care of a $180,000 groomer given to them by the state is at heart of the problem. Vandals shot out the front and back windows of the groomer, but other damage was done by operators over the winter.
Boundary County Bonners Ferry
Sgt. George Voyles of the Boundary County Sheriff’s Department, received an Officer Recognition Award recently from the North Idaho Coalition against Domestic Violence. Voyles has been a volunteer for about six months and helps keep the group in contact with Bonners Ferry police and the county sheriff.
Boundary County Bonners Ferry
Mount Hall Elementary School will celebrate its 50th year with a community fund-raiser today. More than 500 auction items, game tickets, airfare tickets to Disneyland and a stay at an Orlando condominium will be included. The event starts at 4:30 p.m. with dinner, and the auction starts at 6 p.m. Last year’s event raised over $9,000, and this year it’s twice as big, according to school officials.
Kootenai Post Falls
The 24,000-square-foot addition to the Post Falls library includes a fireplace, full service espresso bar, meeting rooms, a place to buy fresh bread, a state-of-the-art computer system to help find books and 22,000 books. An opening celebration is set for noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 11.
Latah County Moscow
The University of Idaho’s College of Forestry, Wildlife and Range Sciences has teamed up with West Virginia University and Mountain Institute to offer four new international expedition courses next summer. The expeditions will take place in Nepal, Peru and Siberia. There are no prerequisites to enroll in next summer’s courses, which are available to UI faculty and students as well as other college students from across the nation.
Shoshone County Pinehurst
The City Council recently passed a resolution which supports participation in the Gem Community Program. The program helps cities organize a group interested in completing an economic development strategic plan that identifies a desired future for the city. Pinehurst needs people interested in serving on a committee of 15 to 20 that will meet no more than 5 times to set longterm goals and determine shortterm projects.
MONTANA
Lincoln County
The actual date to switch from county maintenance to state maintenance on some secondary roads in Lincoln County is in question. District engineer Jim Waver told county commissioners the state Department of Transportation is preparing to relieve the county next July to avoid switching in midwinter. According to the legislative mandate the state is to assume responsibilities Jan. 1, 2001.