The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County
Ritzville
The East Adams Rural Hospital building is 50 years old and needs updating. The hospital district has been saving for this through a depreciation fund. With $5.1 million set aside, commissioners are considering where to start. The roof needs repairs, and $3.4 million has been set aside to replace computer systems and technological infrastructure.
Ferry County
Republic
The Smithsonian Institution has asked local potter Chris Kroupa to display one of her pieces. Kroupa was called by curator Kenneth Trapp, who wanted to purchase a platter called “Dragonfly Dance,” that he had seen on display in Seattle. Kroupa was so honored, she donated the work.
Grant County
Grand Coulee
Coulee Community Hospital is so short of nurses and medical technicians that it will pay for the education of those willing to commit to staying in the area. The hospital has a loan forgiveness program, and other creative ways to pay for books and tuition. “Bottom line, if anyone is interested in pursuing a career in health care, come talk to us,” said administrator Mike Wiltermood.
Lincoln County
Reardan
The health clinic wants to offer a “sit-ercise” program for seniors. Nurse practitioner Susan Eastman says she’s taken a few requests for such a program and has put together a tentative schedule if eight participants commit. Eastman says professionals from Lincoln Hospital will direct the class, and give dietary and physical therapy assessments. Call the clinic at (509) 725-2737.
Pend Oreille County
Usk
Compared to other county fire districts, Fire District 4 is in good financial shape. The district not only has two paid firefighters, but a large cash reserve. District 4 includes the county’s largest taxpayer, Ponderay Newsprint. In 2000, the district will receive $158,630 from Ponderay Newsprint alone. District 4 is in the Calispell Valley/Cusick Flat area north of Newport.
Spokane County
Spokane Valley
The Spokane Valley Business Association will meet at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday with Spokane County engineers to talk about the possible extension of the Valley couplet east from University Road to Evergreen Road. The meeting will be at the Valley Fire District’s Station No. 1, 10319 E. Sprague, across from University City Shopping Center.
Stevens County
Colville
Shop manager Joe Canzona and his school bus maintenance crew were recently honored by the school board. They were rated highly on a recent equipment review by Laidlaw. Evaluations were done by the Washington State Patrol.
Whitman County
Pullman
A candle left burning in a sleeping room started a small fire Sunday at the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. It caused about $3,000 in damage. The candle was left on a shelf behind a sofa and caught the sofa on fire. While the building itself did not catch fire, the sofa was destroyed and the room was damaged by smoke and fire extinguisher residue.
IDAHO
Benewah County
St. Maries
The St. Maries High School Academic Team recently won four of six matches in the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory competition in Coeur d’Alene. The team was divided into two squads with Dustin Boller, Jeff Rider and Matt and Mark Willard on one team, and Diana Gordon, Megan Renaldo, Eva Ford and Elena Khrouleva on the other. Teams from Lake City, Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene High Schools competed.
Bonner County
Priest River
Planning and Zoning commissioners discussed rerouting the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and Wisconsin St. to avoid major accidents. Logging trucks travel to scales causing heavy traffic in the area. The commission’s proposed route would be east to McKinley St.
Boundary County
Bonners Ferry
Dave Wattenbarger, a county agricultural agent for 20 years, will be honored and “roasted” during his retirement dinner Saturday at the fairgrounds exhibit hall. Hors d’oeuvres will be served at 4:30 p.m. followed by a beef rib dinner at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $5, 11 and under $3. Call (208) 267-3235 to register.
Kootenai County
Coeur d’Alene
The annual remembrance candle lighting and potluck dinner will be at 6 p.m. Thursday at St. Pius X Catholic Church by the Coeur d’Alene Chapter of the Compassionate Friends/Bereaved Parents group. Open to the public, the event is to honor loved ones and comfort the bereaved. Call (208) 765-1705.
Latah County
Moscow
The Moscow City Strings and the junior high school orchestra will perform a free holiday concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the junior high multipurpose room. About 75 players will perform a variety of holiday pieces.
Shoshone County
Kellogg
Scout troops will be selling Christmas trees at several locations. Phil Ruff, Scout commissioner, said 10 to 14-foot trees are available by special order. Call (208) 783-4031.
MONTANA
Lincoln County
Libby
Marlene Palmquist, county library director for 1 years, will be moving to Cheshire, Conn. Her last day will be Wednesday. The position will be filled by Al Randall until a permanent director is hired. Randall was head librarian at Libby High School for 28 years and is now the school district grant writer.