The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County
Ritzville
The City Council recently passed its 2001 budget and set fees, including dog licenses. The trail fee has been eliminated, and golf greens fees have been cut $2. Student season pass fees were dropped from $100 to $70.
Ferry County
Republic
Copies of the draft 2001 Concession Management Plan for Lake Roosevelt are available. The plan tries to balance environmental conservation with the recreational needs of boaters and campers by limiting development. The federal government, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Colville and Spokane tribes drafted the plan. Call (509) 633-9441, ext. 132.
Grant County
Ephrata
The City Council approved a $12.1 million budget, despite concerns over a $10,000 expenditure. The council was opposed to a 3 percent cost-of-living raise for 12 nonunion administrative employees, voting 4-3 not to ratify the budget because of it. Mayor John McMahon threatened to schedule a budget hearing every day until it was passed, sparking a compromise. The raise was approved, provided money isn’t distributed until all nonunion pay issues are resolved.
Lincoln County
Davenport
The City Council is hoping to make a deal with Waste Management. The city’s garbage contract with the waste hauler is up for renewal, and the city will likely look for a 10-year contract with no rate increases for four years. In the remaining six, cost-of-living and tipping fee raises would be taken into consideration. The city is willing to go out for bid if WM refuses the offer, and at least one councilman suggests buying a truck and having the city get back into the garbage business.
Pend Oreille County
Newport
Toxicology reports show former Newport Police Officer Ernest “Marty” Martin was not driving drunk Oct. 30. Martin rolled a friend’s Corvette on Old Priest River Road, breaking his back in four places. Friend Paul Hillestad is considering whether to press charges, as he says Martin took the car without permission. Martin was fired in 1998 for having sex while on duty.
Stevens County
Suncrest
The Sheriff’s Department is looking for a man who allegedly tried to tackle a young boy as he walked to school recently. The man, wearing a dark stocking cap and running pants, tried to tackle the boy, 11, at about 6:40 a.m. one block from the middle school. The boy described his assailant as black, in his mid 20s to 30s. He had a black field coat and a silver ball earring in his left ear.
Whitman County
Colfax
The city does not have a rule concerning the use of motorized scooters on city streets. The popular new miniscooter is a concern to some City Council members since the city may be liable or responsible for problems arising from scooters in public areas around town.
IDAHO
Benewah County
St. Maries
The Chamber of Commerce announced winners of the Christmas in St. Maries decorating competition. The Eagles Lodge and Graf Photography won the best use of lights category in the merchant decorating contest. Best holiday theme winners were the McFadden Law Office and Timber Country. Winners for creativity in window display were Economy Hardware and Schumacker’s Jewelry.
Bonner County
Priest Lake
The Priest Lake Ranger District has closed the Binarch Creek Road (Forest Road 639) to snowmobiles from the junction at U.S. Highway 57 to the Lamb Creek Road junction (Forest Road 310) for most of the winter as a safety precaution. The road is being heavily used by logging trucks. Call (208) 443-2512.
Boundary County
Bonners Ferry
High school senior Daniel Sanburg was nominated for the national Principal’s Leadership Award scholarship program. One hundred and fifty students will receive $1,000 scholarships this spring. He is student body president, plays varsity basketball, is in the National Honor Society, is a Natural Helper, belongs to Idaho Drug Free Youth and works part time at the Boundary Trading Company.
Kootenai County
Coeur d’Alene
North Idaho College Foundation director Rayelle Anderson was selected to participate in the National Institute for Leadership Development “Leader 2001” program Jan. 8-12 in Phoenix. She’s worked for the NIC Foundation for six years and has helped raise funds for scholarships and programs.
Latah County
Moscow
The University of Idaho is looking for an architectural firm to plan a $30million residence center, a 600-bed multipurpose facility. Funding has not been determined, according to Ray Pankopf, director of UI architecture and engineering service. He said the UI hopes to complete the project in 2003.
Shoshone County
Wallace
University of Idaho accounting and human resources major Gina Hulsizer of Wallace was chosen as queen for Homecoming in October. Education major Janelle Baillie of Pinehurst was named an attendant.
MONTANA
Lincoln County
Libby
Some businesses have special holiday hours. The Libby Area Chamber of Commerce visitors center will be closed until Jan. 8, then will reopen part time using volunteers. The Lincoln County Campus will be closed until Jan. 3 when it will resume normal hours of 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Turner Mountain Ski area will be open 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Jan. 1.