The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Othello

Rumors still are flying about an unidentified retailer supposedly headed to town. Many residents think a new 110,000-square-foot retail store near the old Cimarron Hotel will house Wal-Mart. However, the retail giant, known for moving to small but growing towns such as Othello, denies it has plans here. Many small retailers are worried their businesses would be decimated, but statistics from Omak, Wash., indicate Othello likely would experience retail revitalization as outsiders are attracted to Wal-Mart.

Ferry County

Republic

Locals are cheering the approval of state Sen. Bob Morton’s cougar hunting legislation, which Gov. Gary Locke has signed into law. Morton, a 7th Legislative District Republican, has heard complaints about cougars from several citizens in his district, most of them citing close calls. It’s not unusual for people on the edge of town to report cougars in their yards attacking family pets. Most residents say the big cats are not afraid of humans - hence, the need to be more aggressive in hunting the predators.

Grant County

Moses Lake

Takata representatives say the company will scale down its assembly line but expand its plant here. Takata manufactures air bags at its 200,000-square-foot facility at the Port of Moses Lake. The explosives portion of the plant will be expanded, but the actual manufacturing of the air bags will be moved to other locations. Takata says it plans to mix enough explosive propellants here for 4.5 million air bags this year and 6 million in 2001. No jobs are expected to be lost.

Lincoln County

Odessa

The city of Odessa is so busy with road, park and beautification projects that it may form a local improvement district to help raise money for the projects. A three-block area along First Street is being considered for a $120,000 local improvement district. Several committees and business people are debating the issue, which should be resolved this spring.

Pend Oreille County

Newport

The city is off the hook for firing Assistant City Clerk Leslie Maki. Judge Rebecca Baker ruled Maki was a probationary employee, which gives the city the right to terminate her employment. Maki alleged she had been fired for investigating improper amounts of taxes paid to the state Department of Revenue. But Baker said although Maki’s firing may not have been appropriate, it was legal.

Stevens County

Colville

Who will save the Colville fish hatchery this time? The last time the hatchery needed financial help, the Colville Confederated Tribes stepped up to underwrite operations. This time, the city of Colville is considering funding for the upcoming trout population. This is the third consecutive year the hatchery, which previously was funded by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, has faced possible closure. Local residents hope to keep the hatchery open because fishing brings tourism to the city.

Whitman County

Pullman

The Pullman City Council will meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. to discuss the transit situation as well as several College Hill issues. The council will consider posting police officers on College Hill and also will address parking problems there. A proposed lighting project, a parks volunteer program and a student member on the council also are slated for discussion.

IDAHO

Benewah County

Plummer

Dr. Wayne Trottier has accepted the job of superintendent of the Plummer/Worley Joint School District, according to district Clerk Karyn Stockdale. Trottier was chief executive officer/principal at Ljibwa Indian School, Belcourt, N.D., for three years. He also has been principal at Circle of Nations in Wahpeton, N.D., and was superintendent of the Fort Totten, N.D., public schools. He will begin his new job July 1.

Bonner County

Sandpoint

Nolan Clark, a high school senior, was the only student in Idaho to receive a perfect score on the state math test. Clark, who scored the maximum 150 points, plans to study engineering at the University of Washington next year.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

The local library will receive $11,134 this month from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for computer equipment needed to get online. Training and software also are expected from the foundation. The money is part of $1 million being distributed throughout Idaho to get all counties online.

Kootenai County

Coeur d’Alene

The Cancer and Community Charities nonprofit organization has sold all the tickets for its English garden fashion show and luncheon Thursday at the Coeur d’Alene Inn, according to Angela Cross, chairwoman. Proceeds from sales of the $20 tickets will benefit many local charities.

Latah County

Moscow

The American Legion Auxiliary, Robinson Unit, has announced that two high school juniors, Alison Folk and Rebekah Causo, will be delegates to the Idaho Syringa Girls State sessions at Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, Idaho, on June 17-24.

Shoshone County

Kellogg

Sunnyside Elementary School’s Parent-Teacher Organization has collected more than $1,300 for playground equipment through its Pennies for our Playground fund-raiser. Most of the playground equipment from the old school needs to be replaced because it doesn’t meet safety standards. Jars for donations will remain in local businesses through April. For more information, call (208) 786-3751.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

Recovery Northwest will hold an open house in its new facilities at 101 Woodland Road from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday. The building has six counselor offices, two administrative offices, a kitchen and a prevention center. It also has meeting rooms large enough for classes, groups and 12-step recovery programs.