The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Ritzville

The state Department of Revenue’s Property Tax Division owed Adams County taxing district $10 million. That’s how much assessed valuation was lost in the utility equalization process in 1997. The DOR issued Adams County a 67.9 percent personal property ration in 1997, but Assessor Jerry Crossler appealed the amount. Recently, Crossler and the state raised the ratio to 79.5 percent, hence the “refund.”

Ferry County

Republic

Citizens are counting down to a special birthday. The town of Republic will officially be 100 years old on May 8. That is the date one century ago that citizens approved incorporation, by a margin of seven votes. Before that, the town was known as Republic Camp - a gold mining and logging camp known for its Wild West attitude and 22 saloons. The local newspaper, The News-Miner, will take a special look back for all its readers throughout the next few weeks.

Grant County

Moses Lake

The Port of Moses Lake will become the new home of the U.S. Forest Service’s air tanker base. The base will be part of Grant County International Airport. The Forest Service likes the location because it is centrally located. It also likes the FAA air traffic control tower and sophisticated crash rescue equipment on hand there. Larger, heavier firefighting planes are being used by the federal government, and Moses Lake was the clear winner to house such aircraft.

Lincoln County

Harrington

The Harrington Opera House is pleased to welcome jazz piano great Arnie Carruthers, playing in concert tonight. Carruthers gained his fame during the 1960s while playing with all 10 fingers. Today, he is still breathtaking despite using only five digits on the keyboard. Carruthers has played with only one hand since a stroke in 1974. Tickets are still available by calling (509) 253-4336. The concert gets under way at 3 p.m.

Pend Oreille County

Newport

With revenues down due to fallout from I-695, the county looked to other ways to make money - including calling in old debts. So far, county coffers have swollen by $27,018 as the clerk’s office is collecting on delinquent restitution, court fees and fines. Despite the hefty sum, Clerk Fawn Opp says the county commissioners are not happy about the collection effort. She says they are resisting making a permanent collection position in her department. The commissioners simply say one isn’t necessary yet.

Spokane County

Spokane

Volunteers are needed for the Special Olympics Washington East Region Spring Games. About 700 athletes will compete at University High School, Spokane Community College and Spokane Raceway Park April 28-29. For more information or to volunteer contact Katrine Smith at the East Region Support Center office, 1-800-442-2508, or by e-mail, eregsports@aol.com.

Stevens County

Chewelah

Locals are interested to know whether Mayor Ron McCoy is taking his doctor’s advice. McCoy was briefly hospitalized last weekend for chest pains. After going to St. Joseph’s emergency room, he was taken by helicopter to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. Though a heart catheter shows no damage, the controversial McCoy was told by doctors to relax and “take time off from work.” He did stop by city hall Tuesday for a short spell, talking with interim city administrator C.A. Park.

Whitman County

Colfax

Longtime Republican Whitman County Commissioner Nora Mae Keifer announced this week that she won’t be running for re-election. “They need a fresh face around here so I’m hoping someone will come out of the woodwork to serve the county well,” said Keifer, 66, Friday. When Keifer was first elected in 1988 she became the first female county commissioner in Whitman County. “Somebody said I blazed a trail. I told them I hoped at least I would make a pathway for women who are interested,” Keifer said. She plans to seek other part-time work and volunteer in Pullman.

IDAHO

Benewah County

St. Maries

Law enforcement officers have been ordered to step up enforcement of mud flap and fender equipment regulations, according to Trooper Ron Sutton. Police agencies have received complaints because insufficient equipment is causing broken windshields and chipped paint. He said most offenders are private and not commercial truck or car owners.

Bonner County

LaClede

Ron Neville, an employee at Riley Creek Lumber, was awarded the Master Lumberman’s Award by the Western Woods Products Association during its spring meeting in San Francisco. Since the program began in 1968, 297 individuals have qualified for the award.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

Lon Huggins, 73, once again is working at the NAPA store by request of the owner, Jeff Dunn. Huggins started working at NAPA two weeks after its previous owner, Mike Foust, bought it in January 1957 and retired in 1991 after working there almost 35 years.

Kootenai County

Harrison

The Harrison Ambulance service needs young volunteers, according to Emergency Medical Technician Ginny Cope. All six current EMTs are between 45 and 67 years old and often pull 24-hour shifts. EMTs not on call often stay within reach just in case they’re needed. The lack of EMTs could lead to the group losing its license. For more information on becoming an EMT or a Certified First Responder, call Cope at 689-3188.

Latah County

Moscow

The Clearwater Specialty Plants Network, a new group interested in small-scale alternative agriculture, is offering a workshop on growing and marketing common medicinal plants from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday at the University Inn/Best Western. Tim Blakley, author and educator on the subject, will lead the workshop. Cost is $29 a person, $49 a couple. To register, call (208) 476-4263.

Shoshone County

Kellogg

A spray-on fertilizer will be applied to school grounds this weekend, according to facility administrator Tim Etherton. Work will start at the high school and end at Sunnyside Elementary School. Residents are encouraged to stay off the grounds until the fertilizer has absorbed into the soil.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

Dr. Phillip Alford announced recently he will leave Libby at the end of April and return to Texas to accept an academic appointment. Dr. Lance Ercanbrack, a general surgeon, will replace him. Ercanbrack has been practicing in Jerome for the past four years.