The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County
Othello
The buzz around town this spring is that a large retailer is eyeing Othello for its newest store. City building official Curt Andrews has confirmed rumors that a land development company is checking out locations around town for a general merchandise retail store. Of highest interest is land recently annexed by the city near the old Cimarron Motel on Main Street. Andrews says neither the city nor the landowners have any clue to the identity of the potential business.
Ferry County
Republic
Spring has brought a rash of grass fires in the countryside. Volunteer firefighters in Curlew and Republic have been called numerous times in recent weeks to battle fires in dry brush and grass. One fire near Malo Lake burned nearly 40 acres before it was controlled. Sheriff’s reports also say controlled burns by several landowners have gotten out of control, and those owners ended up fighting the fires themselves because crews were busy.
Lincoln County
Odessa
Sharon Hester has been a 25-year fixture at City Hall. But today, she’s a fixture around her home and garden - because she’s happily retired. Linda Burghard has taken over Hester’s duties as Odessa city clerk. The city and Burghard gave Hester a whale of a send-off, complete with a look at how she, as clerk, has helped shape the town’s history.
Stevens County
Colville
The Stevens County Telecommunications Steering Committee is looking for an upgrade in services and band width for the county. The committee, made up of business, educational and public officials, will discuss with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission the state of telecommunications infrastructure in rural areas. It’s so bad it ultimately will strangle local business and education, committee members say. The two panels will meet April 20 to discuss the US West-Qwest merger, among other topics.
IDAHO
Benewah County
St. Maries
Somethin’ Special Florist and Gifts will close April 29 after nine years in business. Owner Judy Mueller will retire for health reasons and to raise her grandchildren. “It’s literally breaking my heart to have to close,” Mueller said. “I appreciate everyone who did business with me.”
Bonner County
Sandpoint
Schweitzer Alpine Racing School is sending Henry Moerschel, Aaron Ring, Kelly Farmin, Leah Pierce, Louis Menghini, Joe Joy, Eric Nord and Jake and Seth Pommerening to the United States Ski Association Western Region Junior Olympics at Mammouth Mountain Resort in California. Kavain Jones, a member of the Schweitzer racing school’s coaching staff, also was picked as one of the Pacific Northwest Division coaches. For more information, send e-mail to Sars@dmi.net.
Boundary County
Bonners Ferry
Hospice is offering Boundary County residents a free grief-acceptance class. Both group and individual grief counseling are available with trained volunteers. The class will be from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. April 12 at the Frances Lederhos volunteer office behind the post office. For more information, call (208) 267-5139.
Latah County
Moscow
To encourage donations for the Latah Trail project, Tri-State Distributor owner Gerard Connelly says he will contribute $1,000 for the trail. The Latah Trail Foundation is trying to raise $150,000 to create a path along an abandoned railroad line east of Moscow.
Shoshone County
Kellogg
Silver Mountain and Lookout Pass ski areas both plan to be open next weekend. To end the season, Lookout Pass will hold its annual Race the Face competition Friday through Sunday for snowmobilers, skiers and snowboarders. Silver Mountain will sell tickets to students for $10 during spring vacation Wednesday through Sunday and will start its Silver Saturdays program April 15.
MONTANA
Lincoln County
Libby
The city will be flushing and testing fire hydrants and main waterlines from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., today through Friday. City water customers are being asked not to use their garden hoses to apply weed sprays because of possible contamination to the water system.