The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County
Othello
Volunteers at the local food bank say the shelves are a bit bare for this time of year, and donations are needed. Demand for assistance is high as cold weather brings a halt to agricultural and seasonal work. Last month, 1,383 folks received assistance from the Othello Food Bank.
Ferry County
Republic
Santa’s getting a little help from the federal government this Christmas delivery season. The Republic Post Office will be open on Saturdays through Dec. 23. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Grant County
Ephrata
The Ephrata Community Trails Committee is back in the saddle after a summer break from planning and fund raising. The group is promoting the use of present trails systems constructed by the city on East Division and by the airport. It is also planning for expansion of the trail system. Construction on a new section of trail will begin this spring and is funded by a $98,000 grant, as well as local donations.
Lincoln County
Davenport
The local Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to supporting the vocational program at the high school this week. Linda Clark’s catering class will be hosting Chamber members for a special luncheon Dec. 14 at noon in the high school library. Local business people are excited to taste the wares, and encourage students getting ready for the world of business and industry.
Pend Oreille County
Newport
Pend Oreille County Commissioners are calculating and recalculating the county budget. Reports at first glance say expenditures outstrip revenues by some $250,000. Although Commissioner Joel Jacobsen feels the Legislature may come through to repay I-695 losses, he said he thinks the county will likely end up digging into reserves. The county hopes to keep cuts light, ultimately giving employees a slight raise and bringing part-timers back up to full-time positions that were cut due to I-695 last year.
Stevens County
Chewelah
A Thanksgiving gift from the Chewelah Casino to the community was well received. The casino played host to more than 350 locals who had nowhere to go, or nothing to eat, on Thanksgiving Day. Another 150 meals were sent to St. Joseph’s Long Term Care unit for people there to enjoy.
Whitman County
Garfield
Santa is expected at Garfield School on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. The jolly fellow is expected to arrive via fire truck. His visit, sponsored by the Garfield Chamber of Commerce, will include pictures, refreshments and music.
IDAHO
Benewah County
St. Maries
Melanie Lorenz, a 1999 graduate of St. Maries High School, placed fifth in the Appalachian Athletic Conference Cross Country Championship in Johnson City, Tenn. The race qualified her for the National Collegiate Championship in Kenosha, Wis. Lorenz is a sophomore at Milligan College, in Johnson City, Tenn., and is the daughter of Carmen and Steve Lorenz of St. Maries.
Bonner County
Sandpoint
The Bonner County Clerk’s office will be closed from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Wednesday for the annual holiday potluck luncheon.
Boundary County
Bonners Ferry
The Co-op Gas & Supply Co. won’t be pumping gas after this month due to a fuel leak of about 7,400 gallons in November. Tests done on the rest of the storage tanks showed the majority had corrosion, with the probability of another fuel leak almost certain. General manager Ray Delay said all other operations will remain the same.
Kootenai County
Coeur d’Alene
A 20th annual donation will be presented by the Idaho Youth Ranch Riders to Anchor House at 9 a.m. Saturday. Trail boss Bob McMurray said this year’s donation will be about $1,000. The money was raised from four different rides. D.V. Moyer, operations manager for nine years at Anchor House, said the money will be put toward a building fund for a weight room.
Latah County
Moscow
The Idaho-Washington Concert Chorale will perform “A Wondrous Mystery” at 8 p.m. Friday at St. Boniface Church. The 75-member chorale will be performing a variety of Christmas music, including “O Nata Lux” by Morten Laurdsen, a Colfax native and the composer-in-residence for the Los Angeles Master Chorale. Tickets are $9 in advance or $10 at the door. Children 12 and under are admitted free with an adult. For information, call (509) 332-2439.
Shoshone County
Kellogg
The Panhandle Health District, 114 W. Riverside, will offer flu vaccinations from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday. Appointments are not necessary for the 350 vaccines available. More vaccines are scheduled to arrive later, according to an employee of the district.
MONTANA
Lincoln County
Libby
The U.S. Forest Service, located at the Libby Ranger District, is applying to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks for a Recreation Trails Program grant. The money would be used for heavy maintenance of the Teepee-Sanders Trail No. 172 during the summers of 2001-2002. The trail has been closed since the Little Wolf fire in 1994. For more information, call Jon Jeresek at (406) 293-7773.