The County Lines

Sat., Dec. 16, 2000

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Ritzville

The new $4 million city sewer facility is almost finished and is fully functional. There are four new sewage cells large enough to accommodate a population of 2,500. Sewage is pumped from cell to cell and by the fourth, the water is clean enough to spray on crops.

Ferry County

Republic

Those wishing to help the Toys For Tots drive can donate at Big Gib’s, Connections or the Cougar Corner. Low-income or laid-off folks can apply for a toy at the same places by Wednesday. People wishing to give food can help fill the Kiwanis Christmas Baskets. Donations and applications for help are at the Television Association of Republic office across from the post office.

Grant County

Ephrata

The county Public Utilities District is helping the fledgling Northwest Sugar Co. establish a plan to receive electricity while restructuring its debt. The plant uses up to $100,000 worth of electricity per month during production, and has a letter of credit with the PUD. The sugar company is hoping to make a $45,000 down payment.

Lincoln County

Wilbur

Darlene Portch is hanging up the apron after 30 years as the Wilbur School District’s head cook to play a little more golf and spend more time with family. She’s passed her ladle to niece Tracy Starzman, who’s filled in for her aunt in the past. Starzman says she’ll try new menu items.

Pend Oreille County

Newport

Newport High School’s student newspaper, Ursa, is being resurrected. Adviser Rob Birdsell says the kids are the driving force behind the paper and its exciting changes. The students not only like the off-the-wall writings of “Phatty Old Beats,” but writers will cover school board meetings, community events and downtown business matters.

Spokane County

Spokane Valley

On the winter’s coldest weekend so far, East Valley school bus drivers collected almost 3,000 pounds of food at Liberty Lake Albertson’s. While this might not be the largest food drive in the community, every bit counts. The food was delivered last weekend to the Valley Food Bank. “We can’t forget the little drives,” said Barb Bennett, manager of the Valley Food Bank.

Stevens County

Chewelah

C.S. Lewis’ play “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” will be presented by Stagetime Theatre School today at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. A final show will be Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $3 at Akers Pharmacy, Valley Drug, Go West Books, and the Chewelah Independent.

Whitman County

LaCrosse

The LaCrosse Community Education Association will serve a dinner today of homemade chicken noodle or vegetable beef soup, sandwiches, pie and chips to raise money for scholarships. The dinner from 4-8 p.m. is scheduled to coincide with the LaCrosse-Washtucna vs. Colfax basketball game.

IDAHO

Benewah County

St. Maries

Winners of the St. Maries merchants decorating contest are: Eagles Lodge and Graf Photography for best use of lights; McFadden Law Office and Timber Country for best holiday theme; and Economy Hardware and Schumacker’s Jewelry for creativity in window display.

Bonner County

Sandpoint

Nominations for the Planning Commission’s Design Awards Program are: Hickory St. Habitat for Humanity Duplex and Westwood Development Phase III for Best New Residential Multi-Family Project; Joel Wahlin residence and Jess Deph residence for Best Residential Revitalization Project; Bonner County Library and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for Best Commercial New Project; Neiman’s Floral and Music Store, Eklektos Marketplace, Valley Vista Care Center, the old Elks Building and the Stephanie Waterman building for Best Commercial Revitalization Project. Winners will be announced in January.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

Three county teachers earned certification from the National Teaching Standards. Tama Bergstrand, Wendy Seley and Judy Wages are among the 114 Idaho teachers who completed the program. Idaho’s number ranked eighth in the nation, the only small state to make the top 10.

Kootenai County

Coeur d’Alene

Camp Fire Boys and Girls’ “School Day Off” program will hold a gift workshop for children out of school today. The program is from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $15 for nonmembers. Students aged 5-13 need to bring a sack lunch and drink. Call (208) 667-0611.

Latah County

Troy

Residents in the Whitepine School District voted Tuesday to split the district in two. Turnout for the election was 47 percent - 802 voters in Troy, Deary, Bovill and Elk River voted to split and 282 opposed the split. Wednesday morning the school board met to approve two sets of school board members for the two new districts. The recommendations will next go to the Idaho State Board of Education, which is expected to decide by the end of January.

Shoshone County

Kellogg

The Silver Valley’s Our Day Out Club’s 22 members meet twice a month to make quilts. They are for families whose homes burn, for nursing home residents and for raffles to help families in need. The club is more than 50 years old. It also gives gloves and mittens to elementary schools for kids in need. To make donations or request help, call Kay Finlay at (208) 682-3536.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

The 10th annual Church of the Nazarene’s drive-through live Nativity will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday. This year’s Nativity was reduced to one day because of conflicts with other Christmas celebrations.

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