The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Lind

Declining student enrollment is giving the Lind School Board a few sleepless nights. The current K-12 enrollment of 210 is 26 students fewer than the enrollment in 1998-99. The board is looking at ways to deal with declining student numbers and the resulting loss of funding. The school is discussing combining athletics with Kahlotus.

Ferry County

Republic

Local residents are having fun reminiscing about Anderson’s Grocery, which is celebrating its 100th year. Lee and Helen Fowler took time recently to share their memories of fresh salmon and halibut available on ice at the meat counter, freshly cut and wrapped in brown paper with string. The Fowlers also remember the Anderson’s tradition of trading children penny candies for empty egg cartons, and the long-lost art of charging your groceries and paying at the end of the month.

Grant County

George

Owners of the Gorge Amphitheatre are scrambling to come up with a security plan. The Grant County Sheriff’s Department is holding the House of Blues and other entities involved in the concert venue to the letter of the law, stating that there will be no concerts until the plan is approved. This is the first year the House of Blues has owned the amphitheatre and campground.

Lincoln County

Odessa

The Odessa TV Club is hoping to raise just over $900 to operate and maintain the local television translator. Of course, now that cable television and satellite dishes have come to town, fewer viewers are supporting the translator.

Pend Oreille County

Newport

Train service 0n the Pend Oreille Valley Railroad came to a screeching halt when a sinkhole developed in the track between Newport and Priest River. The track sank nearly three feet for approximately 78 feet. The phenomenon would have caused cars to uncouple and possibly derail. The railroad repaired the line and reopened it two days later.

Spokane County

Spokane

Cancer patients and their families can learn more about the disease and how to deal with it in classes this spring at Sacred Heart Medical Center. “I Can Cope” is designed to help participants with selected aspects of their cancer experience, the Cancer Society said. The four-part class begins Thursday in the Sacred Heart Conference room. Each session runs from 1 to 3 p.m. To register or obtain more information, call (509) 473-6960.

Stevens County

Colville

The Tri-County Veterans Stand Down meeting will be Monday. Organizers hope to get a list of volunteers to help with the next stand down event, coming up in September. The meeting takes place at the Frank Starr post 47 at 7 p.m.

Whitman County

St. John

Bill Edwards, superintendent of St. John-Endicott schools, has resigned from his position. Edwards, who has worked in the Washington State school system for 30 years, has taken a job as the top administrator at the Big Sandy School District in Big Sandy, Mont. He is the second Whitman County superintendent to retire then head out of state for employment. Pullman Superintendent Doug Nelson is leaving for Bend, Ore., at the end of this school year.

IDAHO

Benewah County

Plummer

Residents interested in discussing issues with Republican candidate Dave Resser, who is running for sheriff, may attend a public meeting at 7 p.m. May 4 at the American Legion Building.

Bonner County

Sandpoint

The Pend Oreille Arts Council opened an office in the Old Power House, 120 Lake Street. The office will be a ticket outlet and is next to the POAC Gallery. Mark Kubiak, a local artist, will display a variety of sculpted pieces, and Leon Atkinson, a guitarist, will perform during an opening ceremony set for 6 p.m. May 5 at the gallery.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

The Boundary County Motor Vehicle Licensing Department will be closed from noon to 1 p.m. daily through May 5 due to a personnel shortage.

Kootenai County

Coeur d’Alene

The GTE Foundation recently gave $10,000 to the United Way of Kootenai County for human service needs; $5,000 to the Women’s Center and $2,500 to the Children’s Village for operating expenses; and $1,000 to the ABC food bank. Two cash grants were awarded to GTE employees for organizations where they serve as volunteers: Larry Summer, $250, for North Idaho Young Volunteers; and Scott Hoskins, $500, for United Way of Kootenai County.

Latah County

Moscow

Mary Guptill was selected as the new library district administrator. Guptill has served seven years as the director of Jasper Public Library and administrator of Dubois County Contractual Library Services in Jasper, Ind. She will begin in early June and will replace Lori Keenan, who is retiring. A reception will be held at 2 p.m. Friday to honor Keenan at the library.

Shoshone County

Murray

Thompson Pass Road from Murray to Thompson Falls, Mont., was cleared recently by the Kootenai rotary plow and is now open for travel, according Joe Peak, owner of the Enaville Resort/ Snakepit.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

The annual Alley Clean-up will begin Monday and Tuesday with alleys on the north side of state Highway 2. Alleys on the south side of Highway 2 will be cleaned Wednesday and Thursday.