The County Lines

Fri., Dec. 8, 2000

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Othello

The local hospital is hoping to begin a diabetes education and maintenance program within the next year. The hospital has applied for a $658,000 grant that would fund the program for three years. The program could be extended to Okanogan County during the second year. Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death in Adams County, and ranks seventh in Okanogan.

Ferry County

Republic

A special dinner invitation is being extended to senior citizens. The Republic School Vocational Advisory Committee, along with the entire school, is asking seniors to dinner on Saturday night. Elementary students are decorating the multi-purpose room, while junior and senior high music students have been whipping the entertainment into place. The free holiday dinner begins at 11 a.m.

Grant County

Ephrata

The Grant County PUD is chipping away at a plan to bring a fiber optic telecommunications system to the Columbia Basin. In combination with the Grant County Economic Development Council, the PUD is applying for grants and low-interest loans for the project. The network operations center, which will be like a huge electronic switching operation, will be at the Port of Moses Lake. A 43-customer pilot project has been getting good response in Ephrata, and will soon expand to 100 customers.

Lincoln County

Almira

Locals are mourning for and with the Marvin and Harriet Sconce family. The Sconces were informed their granddaughter Courtney, 12, was kidnapped and murdered in Rancho Cordova, Calif. on Nov. 8. Courtney’s murder will be the top story on Fox’s America’s Most Wanted broadcast Saturday night at 9 p.m. Courtney was walking by a convenience store near her home when she was abducted. Her body was found along the banks of the Feather River, 40 miles from her home, the next afternoon.

Pend Oreille County

Cusick

The school district is considering an after-school program. The program would give kids a safe and fun place to be. The Kalispel Tribe is lending a hand with this program, which would be available to kids from fifth grade through high school. The district also is considering a Future Business Leaders of America chapter, to give kids job skills and ideas on free enterprise.

Spokane County

Deer Park

This month, Deer Park’s Crawford Gallery is showcasing the 18 entries of the city’s annual miniature Christmas tree contest. The gallery is at 316 E. Crawford, in the lower level of Deer Park City Hall. Holiday paintings and other artwork will also be on display through the month.

Stevens County

Chewelah

School Superintendent Garn Christensen has contacted seven architectural firms for fee information on modernizing the middle school building. The school board is hoping to receive a Gates Foundation grant to survey residents about what they would like to see done to the building and whether residents would support a bond issue to pay for it.

Whitman County

Pullman

The Neill Public Library is holding its annual tree trimming celebration at 1:30 p.m. Children and their families are invited to help decorate the tree with ornaments they make at the party. Or, if they wish, they may take the ornaments home. Seasonal music, treats and a story will round out the event.

IDAHO

Benewah County

St. Maries

The Panhandle region river otter quota of nine has been met, therefore the hunting season was closed Dec. 7. Any otter harvest since Dec. 7 must be surrendered for a $5 reward. For more information, call Jim Hayden at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game at (208) 769-1414.

Bonner County

Sandpoint

The Winter Carnival 2001 poster, designed by Randy Wilhelm of Left Field Productions, will be unveiled during December’s general membership luncheon. The collectible poster features photos from the past century. The Thursday luncheon may be attended by the public; the cost is $10.75. Register by noon Tuesday by calling (208) 263-0887.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

The Eagles Club will serve a pancake, eggs and sausage breakfast for $5 to raise funds to make 10 Christmas baskets to be given to low-income families. Breakfast will be served from 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday. The club also has scheduled a craft and baked good sale for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 16. Both events will be at the auxiliary, 7159 Second St.

Kootenai County

Coeur d’Alene

The Women’s Center is a nonprofit organization that helps victims of domestic violence, assault, rape and abuse. A raffle and silent auction fund-raiser for the center is set for Monday at the Extra Innings Restaurant/Bar in Post Falls. An autographed jersey from the Spokane Chiefs and a Mike Holmgren collector bear from the Seattle Seahawks will be included. To donate items for the event, call Elizabeth Dady at (208) 664-9303.

Latah County

Moscow

The Campfire Boys and Girls School-Day-Off program needs volunteers. Children attending the program have a fun and constructive activity to keep them busy and out of trouble for the day while parents are at work. The next day off is today. Frosty’s Gift Workshop includes making sparkly snowflakes, cider-spice sachets and reindeer necklaces from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the United Church of Moscow, 123 W. First St. and West Park Elementary, 510 Home St. The next workshop Dec. 16. The cost is $15. One child may attend free with a volunteer. To register, call (800) 386-2324.

Shoshone County

Kellogg

A trolley driven by Chuck Peterson will take residents around town to see Christmas decorations tonight. The trolley will leave at 5:30 p.m. from the Super 8 Motel.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

Seventeen commitment hearings have been held in Libby over the past three years. St. John’s Lutheran Hospital doesn’t have a secure place to hold patients while waiting overnight for a commitment hearing. This creates a problem for the sheriff’s department because while a patient is being held in the hospital, a deputy must be posted at the door. The hospital recently received a $3.5 million federal grant and commissioner Rita Windom said it would be a good time to add a padded room to the hospital. The room would stop patients from leaving the hospital, protect them from themselves and those who are supervising them.

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