The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County Ritzville
Children and seniors in Ritzville are ensured a Christmas gift. The local Giving Tree is in its 10th year of providing presents to those who are alone or financially needy. The tree will be set up at Wheatland Insurance. Those needing a gift or holiday assistance are asked to sign up with any local pastor. Those wishing to help can get a name ornament after Monday.
Ferry County Republic
Several cougar sightings have been reported in the past several weeks. One big cat was spotted on Toroda/Kroupa Road on Nov. 10. Other locations where cougars have been seen were south of Republic and north of Curlew.
Grant County Ephrata
A giant gingerbread man will be at the Ephrata Senior Center on Dec. 4 at 1 p.m. The cookie measures 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide. Free samples will be given after 4 p.m. Ingredients were donated by local stores. The event is part of the holiday kickoff. A gingerbread baking contest is also on the calendar at the United Methodist Church, followed by a downtown merchants toy hunt.
Lincoln County Wilbur
Plans are rolling to open a nondenominational Christian day-care center. The missing piece is a director. Wilbur Lutheran Church will house the center, and a steering committee is preparing all licenses, policies and procedures. When open, the center will take care of up to 30 children daily. To apply, write Daycare, Box 186, Wilbur, WA., 99185.
Pend Oreille County Newport
Merchants wishing to get into the Christmas spirit will have a little motivation from the Newport/Oldtown Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is sponsoring the commercial Christmas lighting contest. Judging will be Dec. 9, so applications should be filled out as soon as possible.
Spokane County Deer Park
The Deer Park Winter Festival Committee is gearing up for this season’s event. To find out how to get involved, call committee chairman Tom Gilbert at 276-2340.
Stevens County Colville
The Colville Food Bank is bracing for a long, grueling winter. “It is scary what is happening,” says Cheryl Largent, director. She says more people who are off welfare are having to turn to food banks. Although they have jobs, they’re not making ends meet. Largent says greater community support of the food bank is the only way it will meet demand this season.
Whitman County Colfax
A Lewiston truck driver was recovering at Sacred Heart Medical Center Wednesday after suffering an apparent heart attack while driving through downtown Colfax. The truck driven by Edward Warner damaged several Main Street businesses and narrowly missed a pedestrian who was pulled out of the way by a friend. Warner, who was not breathing when paramedics reached the scene, was revived by Colfax Police Officer Dave Szambelan, EMTs Jill Petterson and Ralph Walter, city firefighter Ken McNaughton and other Colfax ambulance personnel.
IDAHO
Benewah County
The Coeur d’Alene Tribe and county commissioners met recently to discuss taxing Indian land and garbage disposal costs. In 1998, the Supreme Court determined land owned by Indians is subject to property taxes. In January commissioners voted to defer action because the Indians requested an exemption.
Bonner County Sandpoint
As of Monday, the maximum weight of vehicles operating on Great Northern Road, Baldy Mountain Road to Woodland Drive will be limited to a maximum of 300 lbs. per inch of tire width. The weight limits are expected to remain in effect through the spring breakup period. For information contact Sandpoint Independent Highway District at 263-8131.
Boundary County
Eight men have been charged with Fish and Game violations so far this season in Boundary County. According to Greg Johnson, conservation Officer, the number is high for so early in the season. One violation involves a Kootenai man accused of wasting elk meat and another involves a man killing a moose out of season and trying to kill a second. To report violations to Citizens Against Poaching, call (800) 632-5999, which gives the caller anonymity or call (208) 267-7629 for Johnson at Fish and Game.
Kootenai County
The county will receive $81,844 from an extension of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to supplement emergency programs. The funds are available to nonprofit groups or government groups that help in times of crisis with food, shelter, utilities and rent. To apply for funds call Elaine Carver, United Way, at 667-8112.
Shoshone County
Icy road conditions have caused one death and many accidents already in the county. A logging truck driver died after his truck stalled and rolled backwards and turned over on Trapper Creek Road. A Greyhound bus was hit by a car near Mullan. Two passengers in the car were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, but no one was hurt in the bus. A driver and passenger of an eastbound semitrailer truck sustained minor injuries on Interstate 90 when the driver swerved to avoid a deer and lost control. The truck came to rest on its side.
MONTANA
Lincoln County Libby
Students now have the choice of having a Wednesday family night or attending school activities without being penalized. Coaches are worried tight schedules with the gym will become more complicated as some activities already run until 9 p.m. The purpose is to allow students the choice of spending time with their family or church or at the school.