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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Othello High school students in Carol Getz’s home education class created 13 teddy bears for Othello Community Hospital’s emergency room to give to sick and hurt children. The students sewed and personalized each bear. Student Zack Garza, who had an extended hospital stay as a youngster, says he was happy to make a bear, as he still has stuffed bears around from his illness. “I wanted to make another little kid happy,” he said.

Ferry County Republic

Medical providers Sarah Walden, P.A., and Dr. Linda Melos are holding a champagne reception and educational forum Sunday on menopause. Information about the effects, symptoms and options for menopause will be presented beginning at 1 p.m. when champagne is served and the band Nothin’ Serious takes the stage.

Men are invited as well. The event will be held at the Republic Kiwanis Hall, with a cost of $5 and two items of food for the local food bank.

Grant County Ephrata

The Grant Transit Authority advises that when snow or ice hits hard, buses will not operate on closed roads, and will drive at slower speeds, which will affect route schedules. It is suggested riders arrive at stops five minutes early Lincoln County Reardan The School Board will put a $2.7 million bond issue before voters Feb. 6 to remodel portions of both the elementary and high school buildings to create more classroom and office space, and construct a commons and lunch room between the two structures. Property owners would pay 40 cents more per $1,000 of assessed valuation if the bond is approved.

Pend Oreille County Newport

The Department of Licensing will continue to man the local driver’s licensing office two days each week, and is open to the idea of expansion. The office is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is generally closed on holidays. If demand increases, so will the hours.

Spokane County Freeman

The Jon Koch Rock Walk takes place from noon to 6 p.m. today in the Freeman Junior High School gym. Jon Koch, an eighth-grader at the school, had cancer surgery last month and started chemotherapy this week. Friends organized the event as a fund-raiser to help the Koch family with expenses. Students will be selling fist-sized rocks painted with the names of cancer victims and survivors. Several area churches and businesses also are supporting the project.

Stevens County Kettle Falls

The Chamber of Commerce has expanded its borders, welcoming business from surrounding towns. The organization has a new web site, is in the middle of a membership drive and has several holiday events and fund-raisers planned.

Whitman County Pullman

A communications studies class at Washington State University set up a crash scene at Pullman High School on Friday to drive home the dangers of drunk driving. High school students acted as victims in the crash and one of the “injured” was taken away by helicopter. The program is part of a semester-long project for WSU students.

IDAHO

Benewah County St. Maries

The Elks’ Christmas basket program, the Crisis Line, the Community Relief Warehouse and the St. Maries Food Bank each will receive $250 from the Valley Piecemakers Quilt and Craft Club.

Bonner County Priest River

Several new volunteers have offered to help keep the local museum open, but more are needed for fund-raising, exhibits, photos, maintenance, grants and volunteer coordinating committees. A meeting will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday at Mercer’s Antique Mall. To volunteer or lend an exhibit, call (208) 448-1781.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

Secretary Sue Winey and seventh-grade teacher Judy High were honored in November as Boundary County School District employees of the year. Both have been at the junior high since consolidation in 1990.

Kootenai County Post Falls

The annual Needy Family Fund organized by the volunteer firefighters with the Post Falls Fire Department has started collecting food, money and gifts for needy families in the area. This year Chief Lynn Borders said they’re going to need at least $16,000 to help about 400 families. To donate call the fire station at (208) 772-2922, stop by the station on Idaho Street or send it to Post Falls Fire Department, P.O. Box 2200, Post Falls, ID 83877. Makes checks payable to the Needy Family Program.

Latah County Moscow

A Christmas Service of Remembrance will be held to help those bereaved make it through the holidays. There is a nondenominational service at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Short’s Funeral Chapel. A letter and booklet titled “ Handling the Holidays” will be available.

Shoshone County Kellogg

Winnie Williams, Pinehurst, won a handmade quilt crafted by the Silver Valley Arts and Crafts Association members. The quilt was raffled at the annual Silver Valley Creative Arts and Crafts Fall Fair held Nov. 18 and 19 at the Silver Hills Middle School. Janet Newell and Helen Flanigan won food baskets with groceries worth $35 and a $15 meat gift certificate.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has moved from the Lincoln County Annex Building to 501 Mineral Ave., where it shares office space with the Environmental Protection Agency. The agency is trying to establish the extent of asbestos-related disease due to exposure to vermiculite. The new phone number is (406) 293-2728.