The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County Ritzville

County commissioners are considering taking control of the Adams County Health District, and members of the district are concerned. The district could be made into a county department, with the commissioners as the final authority. Commissioners say the proposal needs much more thought before a final decision is made.

Ferry County Republic

The deadline has passed for the owners of junk cars to move them off county rights-of-way. Owners of abandoned vehicles along county roads recently received letters informing them they had until Nov.

30 to move their cars. Today, the county will begin removing them and billing the owners. Removal cost is $45, plus a $10 a day storage fee.

Grant County Soap Lake

John’s Foods was damaged by fire late last week. Although limited structural damage was done, thousands of dollars in inventory was ruined by smoke and water. The fire is thought to have been started by a heater on the building’s north wall. Inventory is being taken for insurance purposes. No date for reopening has been set.

Lincoln County Wilbur

The City Council reaffirmed its ordinance on fines for letting chickens, ducks, geese and the like to run loose in town. The fine for the first offense is $50, $100 for the second offense, and $150 for each subsequent one. Other fines discussed were failure to obtain a peddler’s license, $500; and nuisance or barking dogs, $50 for the first offense and for $150 each subsequent offense.

Pend Oreille County Usk

The Port of Pend Oreille, along with the Pend Oreille County Economic Development Council, is looking into forming a wholesale product center to sell products to local businesses. Local business and industry would benefit by lower prices, while the county would benefit from more jobs and larger tax base, supporters say. A feasibility study is on the horizon, once grant funds can be obtained.

Spokane County Spokane

Watercolor artist Donald Clegg will open his studio at his home today and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Art lovers are invited to stop and see his work. Clegg lives at 1527 W. 13th.

Stevens County Chewelah

Coats for Folks needs winter wear, blankets, sleeping bags and sweaters to stockpile for a projected icy winter. Distribution begins Saturday at the Chewelah Civic Hall. The event begins at 10:30 a.m. and one blanket will be given to each person in need. Coats are available daily at the St. Joseph’s Hospital Long Term Care Unit. Those who want to donate may drop items off at the hospital.

Whitman County La Crosse

The Lions Club is hoping the Whitman County commissioners will waive fees on work to build a rest room and do other improvements at the Pampa Pond. The club has a $33,000 grant for work that could include building a trail system with information signs. The pond is a popular fishing hole.

IDAHO

Benewah County St. Maries

Dana Arrhenius, 12, a St. Maries Middle School student, was selected as a People to People Sports Ambassador. She will compete with other U.S. students in a basketball tournament in Canberra, Australia. Dana’s parents are Jim and Vicki Arrhenius. Dana plans to raise the money for her trip.

Bonner County Priest River

Residents who want to enter the annual lighting contest may pick up a form at local businesses or the Priest Lake Chamber office. Judging will be on Dec. 22 and entrants will be called before the judges visit. First prize is $100, second is $50 and four third-place winners will get $25 each. A list of entries will be available. The event is sponsored by the chamber and the Kaniksu Lions Club.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

Riverside Auto Center donated $850 to the Bonners Ferry High School Track 2000 project. The school needs about $150,000 to build the all-season rubberized-surface track. It has raised about $63,000 so far.

Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene

North Idaho Youth for Christ needs donations for this year’s Heart for Kids auction on Feb. 10. Youth for Christ is a local, nonprofit organization that provides positive activities for Coeur d’Alene, Bonners Ferry and Kellogg students in the third through eighth grade, primarily through Positive Activities for Awesome Kids and First Priority clubs. To make a donation, call Tom Richards at (208) 664-5129.

Latah County Moscow

The Gritman Medical Center is trying to raise $300,000 to remodel a day health center for seniors and disabled adults. The Gritman Adult Day Health facility will kick off its fund-raising campaign by selling handmade ornaments at a wine tasting from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight at the Best Western in Moscow. For more information, call (208) 883-1522.

Shoshone County Kellogg

Silver Mountain will have a snack bar with inside and outside seating at midway Chair 4 this year. The snack bar will serve hot food, beer and wine and will be open on weekends and holidays starting Saturday, if the mountain opens. Another plus for many will be port-a-potties in the breezeway of the old wooden lodge.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Troy

Kevin Grabinski, a 2000 graduate of Troy High School, will have his name entered in the Who’s Who among American High School Students for the second consecutive year, an honor less than 1 percent of students receive. Grabinski is now a freshman at Montana State University, majoring in electrical engineering. His parents are Sue and Tom Grabinski.