The County Lines

Tue., Sept. 14, 1999

Washington

Adams County

Othello

A local woman was among 12 people killed Aug. 31, in a plane crash in northern Tanzania. MaryAnne Rizzutti, 64, was aboard a propeller-driven Cessna that crashed into Mount Meru just outside the Serengeti National Park. After hitting the mountain, the plane slid down a 1,200-foot ravine, said Rizzutti’s son, John. She was on her fourth trip to Africa.

Ferry County

Republic

After a makeshift fair last year following heavy spring flooding, this year’s Ferry County Fair was more successful. Fair coordinators say a record crowd saw exhibits, entertainment and professional horse racing. The merry-go-round tallied 2,200 rides over the weekend.

Grant County

Moses Lake

The ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Moses Lake Convention Center will be Saturday. The area economic development council says the center will not only bring in tourism dollars by attracting group events, but will attract new businesses as well. Meeting rooms, ballrooms, a banquet facility and kitchen are part of the center.

Lincoln County

Odessa

The entire town will say “cheese” Thursday for the annual community picture. The local Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the picture as part of its Deutsches Fest celebration. Residents will gather at the Deutsches Fest Food Plaza at 6 p.m. for the snapshot, which will be used for posters and postcards for the annual German festival.

Pend Oreille County

Newport

The Chamber of Commerce invites all to a historical walking tour of Newport on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. Craft demonstrations, glass blowing, tole painting and spinning are also on the agenda. For more information, call (509) 447-4273.

Spokane County

Spokane

The Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center has many community programs in need of volunteers. The center needs help with its food bank, Thanksgiving and Christmas adopt-a-family programs and the Christmas Tree of Sharing. Call Athena Cleveland at 455-8722 for more information.

Stevens County

Kettle Falls

The City Council is digging deep to pay a $48,000 electrical bill. It seems Avista incorrectly set a water meter multiplier when it replaced an electrical meter at a city water pump in 1996. Since July 1996, the city has not been paying full price for power. Because it was Avista’s mistake, the company is letting the city pay the bill in interest-free yearly installments.

Whitman County

Colfax

The county is home to 500 more people this year than in 1998. According to the state Office of Financial Management, there were 41,400 residents in 1998. Today there are 41,900. Most growth has been in towns. While Pullman’s population grew, most smaller towns lost residents. Tekoa saw the largest drop, losing 55 in one year.

IDAHO

Benewah County

St. Maries

Three new teachers have joined the staff at St. Maries High School. Sandi Stocks teaches math and science, Bob Bucsko teaches physical education and coaches football and Brad Rhodes teaches two new courses, sign language and chemistry.

Bonner County

Clark Fork

Johnson Creek Road 278 west of Clark Fork is under construction at the 14.5 mile mark to replace a bridge. According to Larry Elliot, Forest Service road manager at Sandpoint, the construction could cause 15-minute delays. The work will be complete by Sept. 30.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

The nearly 3,000 acres of the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge are home to such wildlife as bears, deer, and coyotes, as well as large colonies of migratory birds such as tundra swans. Birding and photo opportunities are available. The refuge is five miles west of Bonners Ferry along the Kootenai River. For information, call (208) 267-3888.

Kootenai County

Coeur d’Alene

The County Emergency Medical Services System Board of Commissioners will meet Wednesday to approve insurance specifications for the system. The specifications will be available after the meeting for insurance agents interested in bidding on property damage and liability insurance for the system. The board will meet Sept. 30 to hear presentations from interested agents and select an agent and policy to approve for the system for the next fiscal year. Both meetings will begin at 3 p.m. at the Hayden Lake Fire Protection District Station on Hayden Avenue. Interested agents can call system attorney Larry Beck at (208) 772-4400 for information.

Latah County

Moscow

The University of Idaho and Otemae Junior College, a women’s college in Osaka, Japan, have signed an agreement to give Otemae students the chance to transfer to UI for the final two years of their bachelor’s degree. The agreement will begin next March and last for five years. The agreement will help the university enhance campus international programs and aid recruitment in the international community. UI will provide up to four tuition waiver scholarships, at $3,000 each, to Otemae graduates each school year.

Shoshone County

Kellogg

Ted Kirkland of the EPA office in Seattle will speak on lead disclosure rules to the Shoshone County Realtors Association today at 8 a.m. at the Broken Wheel Restaurant. Contact the Silver Valley People’s Action Coalition, (208) 784-8891.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

Bonneville Power Administration is seeking public comment on proposed changes to its vegetation management around power lines. BPA is proposing to expand its plan to include manual, biological, mechanical and herbicidal management, and to promote low-growing plants. The BPA Draft Environmental Impact Statement is available at www.bpa.gov/vegmngt or by calling (800) 622-4520.

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