The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County
Othello
Local musician Stephen Beus took top honors at the State Yamaha Piano Competition in Spokane. Twenty-three pianists performed 30 minutes for judges. Pieces from four musical periods, including a concerto, were performed. Beus moves on to the Northwest regional competition, which he won in 1996 and 1998.
Ferry County
Republic
The community choir is looking for a few new voices. Director Bill Ebrecht invites all in the area to Tuesday night practices, which are held at the Republic Seventh-Day Adventist Church at 7 p.m. The choir is getting ready for Christmas, and women’s voices are especially needed. For information, call (509) 775-3758.
Grant County
Moses Lake
Former mayor and current City Councilman Wayne Rimple says he will not relinquish his council seat. Rimple’s position is precarious due to a state law on conflict of interest. The city does business with Rimple’s company, Moses Lake Steel and Faber Industrial Supply.
Lincoln County
Wilbur
Wilbur High graduate Deanne Bodeau-McKinnon is one of 50 designers whose original quilts will be shown across the nation in the “Invoking Spirits” millennium quilt show. Her creation “This My Wish” conveys the joy of a child and his hope for the future. The quilts are being shown at the Crescent Court in downtown Spokane through Nov. 30.
Pend Oreille County
Newport
Seven methamphetamine labs were busted in 1998 in the county, which ranked seventh in the state for seizures.
Spokane County
Cheney
Cheney skateboarders asked the mayor to help them get a skate park. Mayor Amy Jo Sooy has decided to support the idea after receiving a 100-plus signature petition from Cheney youth. The city will now begin surveying the feasibility of the project, she said.
Stevens County
Colville
The city played host to 13 Russian forestry leaders and managers recently, giving them a look at how forestry issues are handled here. The delegation’s goal was to strengthen sustainable forest management and combat negative effects of global climate change.
Whitman County
Colfax
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has opened a family history center in Colfax to help residents trace their genealogy. The center is a small branch of the genealogical library in Salt Lake City. Visitors will have access to computers, microfilm and microfiche for a wide variety of family history records. The church also offers online information at www.familysearch.org. An open house is planned for the center Dec. 5 from 4 to 8:30 p.m.
IDAHO
Benewah County
Plummer
The Plummer Gateway Highway District is accepting bids on the sale of a surplus 1981 Ford Loader and for the purchase of a wheel loader with all standard equipment. Bids must be in through the mail or in person by 7 p.m., Nov. 30 at the commissioners office, 866 D St., Plummer.
Bonner County
Sandpoint
After 13 years, Ginny Jensen will retire from the Pend Oreille Arts Council. Jensen began working part time in 1986 and went full time in 1991. She is responsible for organizing and marketing POAC events with the support of 12 board members. POAC offers performance arts, visual arts and education opportunities at subsidized ticket prices.
Kootenai County
Hayden Lake
Searchers for Michael Morzewski, 36, of Post Falls, were out on Hayden Lake again Monday and plan to continue the search in a week or two. Morzewski was last seen there Nov. 3 in his 14-foot fishing boat, which was later found on the northeast part of the lake.
Latah County
Moscow
The University of Idaho Speech and Debate Club has returned to refine the art of arguing after a 20-year absence. More than 15 UI students are participating and competing in other forensics events such as impromptu speaking, dramatic interpretation and after-dinner speaking, in addition to parliamentary debate. The team is next scheduled to compete at two tournaments in February.
Shoshone County
Wardner
The Milo Creek Permanent Restoration Project is causing temporary problems for two home owners. Widening Main Street created a 12-foot embankment in front of one home, owned by Carol Williams, and a temporary access road was cut through the James Dean property. Ric Clarke, public information officer for the project, assures the homeowners that proper repairs will be made as soon as possible.
MONTANA
Lincoln County
The state is scheduled to start maintaining secondary roads in Lincoln County Jan. 1, 2001. The county and state are considering road maintenance trading so neither will have to travel without dropping the plow to get to a road they’re responsible for plowing. Jim Weaver, district engineer, said the state is open to negotiate trades, but a cash payment to the county isn’t an option.