The County Lines

Tue., Dec. 26, 2000

WASHINGTON

Adams County Ritzville

Chuck’s Towing is offering free delivery of drivers and cars during this holiday season. Chuck McCormick says there’s no catch for his offer to give rides home to all drivers who’ve been drinking. He is a part of the TOWED program, a national project by tow truck operators to eliminate drunk driving. Call (509) 659-1071 in the Ritzville city limits.

Ferry County Republic

The Ranger Station’s Avalanche Awareness program will be Friday at 7 p.m. at the Republic Kiwanis Hall. Staff will talk about winter recreation safety and avalanche survival. There were several near-miss avalanches here last winter, and rangers fear lives will be lost without education.

Grant County Moses Lake

Students at Moses Lake schools collected over 13,000 pounds of food. Chief Moses Middle School brought in the bulk of that, earning top honors in the district’s fierce competition, says Chief Moses Principal Mark Johnson. “But the kids had a lot of fun,” and learned that giving is very enjoyable.

Lincoln County Davenport

The City Council has finally signed a contract with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department for police coverage. Deputies will patrol town for six months while the city attempts to rebuild its police department. The council put off approving the contract because it wanted to check for unexpected costs. The city will pay $2,500 per month for patrols, and $12.50 per hour for weekend use of reserve deputies.

Pend Oreille County Newport

The City Council approved its $2.5 million budget for 2001, which includes a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment for city workers. Former employee Leslie Maki requested the council postpone approval of the budget, saying the raises were not warranted. Maki says her research shows Newport city employees are at the top of the scale for cities of similar size, and asked the council to reconsider the expenditure.

Stevens County Colville

“Little Journeys Around the Town,” a history of downtown Colville, is hot off the Colville Statesman-Examiner presses. The book was compiled by local journalist and historian J.C. Harrigan, with the help of co-editors Shirley Dodson and Susan Dechant. Photos of days gone by, and people and events which shaped the town are featured in Harrigan’s labor of love for his community.

Whitman County Pullman

In its review of 2000, the city said it was a year of significant change due to revenue shortfalls created by changes to the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax. Pullman voters approved an increase in property taxes to support hiring six new public safety officers. In the past year, the City Council acted on 82 resolutions, 32 ordinances and numerous land-use issues.

IDAHO

Benewah County St. Maries/Plummer

St. Maries and Plummer High School graduation ceremonies have been set. St. Maries students will graduate at 1 p.m. June 9 in the high school gym. Lakeside’s ceremonies will be at 7 p.m. June 1 in the middle school gym.

Bonner County Priest River

The Priest River Museum and Timber Education Center will receive $600 to help restore a boat used during logging drives and the Main Street Theater will receive $3,000 to help restore the Beardmore Building. Both grants are from the Idaho Heritage Trust endowment. The nonprofit provides grants and other assistance to communities to preserve historic buildings, archeological sites and artifacts.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

After being sworn into office herself, county Commissioner Murreleen Skeen will swear in newly elected officials: Prosecutor Brett Benson, Sheriff George Voyles and Commissioner Dan Dinning. The event is set for 9 a.m. Jan. 8 at the courthouse. A commission chairman will also be appointed at 9:30 a.m.

Kootenai County Post Falls

Parent volunteers are needed for board and other positions with the Post Falls Little League. A meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at the middle school cafeteria. Registration for players will be in February and March. Call Linda Seed at 777-8938.

Latah County Moscow

A “Wacky Weather” School Day Off program will include making wind catchers, rain gauges and scientific experiments from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 15 at both the United Church of Moscow, 123 W. First St. and West Park Elementary School, 510 Home St. The programs are presented by the Camp Fire Boys and Girls. Cost is $15 for non-members. Call (800) 386-2324 to register.

Shoshone County Mullan

Dan and Lorretta Chisholm’s home, 501 Pine St., took first place in the Mullan Christmas Festival lighting competition. Ernie and Janet Newell, 716 Montana St., took second place. In the chili contest, Sandy Barrett took first, Valerie Douglas second and Dan Baillie third. And in the pie competition, Norma Decker took first, Karen Dunningan second and Doris Krulitz third.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

The Galactic Cowboys motorcycle brotherhood recently collected 300 pounds of food for the Troy Food Pantry. The Galactics thanked the community and the women at the Home Bar for making the food drive a success.

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