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

The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County Othello

Heather Franklin, assistant principal of two elementary schools in the Othello School District, has a background in crisis management. She plans to use her expertise to form a crisis plan for the schools. Elementary schools will be focused on first, followed by the middle school and high school.

Ferry County Republic

A series of Connections Family Workshops has been scheduled for the next month. The first, today at 10 a.m., focuses on parenting kids with attention deficit disorder and other special needs. The guest speaker will be Cynthia Larson. On Dec. 28, a workshop on parents working together will be held. Finally, a “family challenge” workshop is scheduled Jan 11. All workshops will be held at the AmeriCorps building in Republic. For information, call (509) 775-3331.

Grant County Moses Lake

A local man has given personal stock as seed money for a cancer treatment center here. Howard Gallion, an 80-year-old retired United Airlines pilot, made the gift so locals eventually won’t have to drive to Wenatchee or Spokane for treatment. The $65,000 donation will get the newly formed center’s board through the planning stages, and help in the investment toward a linear accelerator.

Lincoln County Odessa

The school board will decide Monday whether it will ask voters for a $415,000 or $450,000 maintenance and operations levy. The lower figure is the same as the past three years. The higher figure would support two special programs. The district is losing a grant to provide after-school and summer school programs, and Title I funding is being decreased for the next five years. The extra levy money would keep the programs at current levels.

Pend Oreille County Newport

A recent City Council meeting had no trace of the Christmas spirit as a councilman and a citizen shouted accusations at one another. Councilman Wayne Antcliff asked Steve Maki why he “continually harasses the city of Newport and its residents.” Maki told Antcliff the remark was inappropriate. Antcliff said Maki is against personnel raises. Maki’s wife was dismissed from city employment in 1997, and filed a $150,000 suit against the city, which was denied in court.

Spokane County Spokane

All Saints School first-graders will perform the school’s annual Nativity Play on Friday at 2:30 p.m. in St. Peter’s Church, 3510 E. 18th Ave. A dress rehearsal is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. at the same place.

Stevens County Colville

The call for Thanksgiving turkeys was taken seriously by the people of Colville. Food bank chair Mo Gunderson says the community came through after her announcement that gobblers were in short demand. Now, Gunderson says, turkeys and other traditional Christmas dinner items are needed for the upcoming Christmas holiday.

Whitman County LaCrosse

The LaCrosse Community Education Association will serve a dinner of homemade chicken noodle or vegetable beef soup, sandwiches, pie and chips Saturday to raise money for scholarships. The dinner, starts at 4 p.m.

IDAHO

Benewah County

The Idaho State Police recently donated a 1995 Chevrolet Caprice to the Plummer Police Department. The car will be repainted. Plummer’s oldest police car will be sold to help pay for repainting the ISP car. The department also needs reserve officers. Applicants must have no felony charges, no driving under the influence convictions for the past five years and no history of drug use. They must have a good moral reputation and be able to buy their own guns and uniforms.

Bonner County Sandpoint

The third-annual spaghetti feed for Toys for Tots will be at the Hoot Owl Cafe at 4 to 8 p.m. Friday. Donations by Wenig Meat Co., Yoke’s and Frank Pulido of URM Distributors make the meal possible. The cafe’s staff volunteers its time to make the dinner. Cost is $5.25;, children 10 and under are $4.25.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

Senior citizens who need their smoke detectors checked, batteries replaced or need detectors may call the Bonners Ferry Chapter of the American Association of Retired People for help or a free detector installed. For more information, call (208) 267-2485.

Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene

Mark was born prematurely, weighing under 2 pounds. He underwent two surgeries and regular blood transfusions during his first three months. He has a mild form of cerebral palsy but does all the normal things kids do, according to his mother, Beverly. Mark’s story is just one of many reasons the Inland Northwest Blood Center is extending its hours during the holiday season. Blood drives are set for 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. today; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 20-22; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 23; and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 28 at the center, 2100 Ironwood Court. Donors may have two boxed Christmas presents wrapped free while making their donation.

Latah County Moscow

Among Sen. Mike Crapo’s nominations to U.S. military academies are Nick Barker and Jedidiah Getzlaff, both of Moscow.

Shoshone County Smelterville

The town’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place Friday at City Hall, 501 Main St. Free hot chocolate and cookies will be served, and carolers will sing at the 6 p.m. ceremony. For more information, call City Clerk Belinda Morton at 786-3351.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

The Lincoln County Libraries are asking businesses and organizations to purchase a one-year subscription to one of their 90 monthly publications. Donations are tax deductible.