The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Ritzville

Both the city and county have made snow-plowing plans public. The county will use its de-icer truck in the Othello area first, and if time permits, on Lind-Hatton and LindRoxboro roads. Main paved roads will be the first priority, with gravel roads used for mail or school buses being second. In Ritzville, after 3 inches of show, the city will plow major arterials to the hospital and school, then north-south streets. East-west streets will be plowed last.

Ferry County

Barstow

The East County Substation will celebrate its second anniversary Dec. 28. The Sheriff’s Office started the substation to give better coverage to the east county, and it’s gone over well. More than 200 visitors or requests have been made of deputies here this year and support is high. It is also a base of operations for other agencies such as the State Patrol, Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Park Service officers.

Grant County

Soap Lake

The Soap Lake Food Bank has procured large donations, which are shipped statewide. Lisa Hall, the Yakima-area warehouse coordinator for Northwest Harvest, says major donations from large food warehouses in the basin are the specialty of the Soap Lake volunteers. This year alone, it has sent 1.2 million pounds of commodities around the state.

Lincoln County

Davenport

The state champion Davenport Gorillas football team arrived in town Saturday night to a great welcome. The Gorillas, who prevailed over Bi-County rival Ritzville in the Tacoma Dome on Friday, were escorted through town by Lincoln County sheriff’s cars, as well as city fire trucks, all with lights and sirens in motion. A large crowd honked horns and cheered the team as it paraded down Morgan Street, then held a pep rally at Pioneer Plaza.

Pend Oreille County

Newport

The number of District and Superior Court filings has gone up sharply. In just two years, adult felonies are up 63 percent, while juvenile crime filings jumped 69 percent. Traffic cases have risen by 36 percent, and DUIs are up 26 percent.

Spokane County

Spokane Valley

A class of special education students from Mountain View Middle School recently collected several hundred pounds of pet food and $85 to help the critters at the Spokane County Animal Shelter. Teacher Leah Lucero said her students also plan to collect animal toys and blankets for the shelter.

Stevens County

Colville

The Toys for Tots drive is under way and needs support. New, unwrapped toys may be dropped off at Coldwell Banker Am-Pac Realty, Pizza Factory, Saundra’s Furniture, Washington Mutual, Wal-Mart, United Security Bank in Chewelah and Hite’s Grocery in Kettle Falls. Coldwell Banker Am-Pac Realty and the Marine Corps Reserve here will work hard to provide extra toys beyond the number donated.

Whitman County

Colfax

County Auditor David Repp has asked for $40,000 more in his budget to cover election expenses. He said the election was more expensive than usual and that he had warned the county last summer to expect extra costs.

IDAHO

Benewah County

St. Maries

As part of the Church of the Nazarene’s random acts of kindness campaign, church members will wrap locally bought presents free of charge during the Christmas in St. Maries Stroll on Saturday. The stroll is set for 2 p.m. with food and crafts available. Santa will also be there.

Bonner County

Sandpoint

The city police will help the Sandpoint Lions Club collect and distribute food and toys for the annual “Toys for Tots.” The Idaho Peace Officers Association is also donating $450 to buy turkeys for the food baskets. Officers will distribute food Dec. 22 and 23 to those unable to it them up.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

The county will develop a mile-long section of the roadway replaced by U.S. Highway 95 into a park. The park will have a walk/bike trail, picnic tables and exercise stations. The park is contingent upon the state turning the section of roadway over to the county. Mayor Darell Kerby hopes that will be accomplished by January.

Kootenai County

Coeur d’Alene

The “School Day Off!” program offered by the Camp Fire Boys and Girls Inland Empire Council will hold “Frosty’s Gift Workshop” for children out of school on Dec. 15. The program runs 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., cost is $15 for non-members. Students need to bring a lunch and a drink. To register, call (208) 667-0611.

Latah County

Moscow

The University of Idaho will conduct workshops at high schools on college financial aid and the scholarship application process. Workshops in Latah County are set for: Troy High School Auditorium tonight at 7; Deary High School Cafeteria on Wednesday, 7 p.m.; Moscow High School Auditorium on Wednesday, 7 p.m.; Potlatch High School Library Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m.; Genesee High School Multi-Purpose Room Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m. Call (800)-4-FINAID or UI financial aid at (208) 885-6312; or email finaid@uidaho.

Shoshone County

Kellogg

Five 2-month-old puppies and their mother were abandoned Tuesday along the North Fork Road. All the dogs were taken by rescuers to Kellogg Animal Hospital. Folks there found homes for all the pups and want to find a home for the year-old mother, says employee Sara Thomas.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

The Green Meadow Manor is once again housing elderly and people with disabilities. The building caught fire Oct. 20, 1999, and was rebuilt. Owners are Hampstead Partners and Northwest Montana Human Resources. The 34-unit building has improved access for wheelchairs and improved safety devices.