The County Lines

Fri., Dec. 29, 2000

WASHINGTON

Adams County Othello

Special education classrooms in the district will get computers. Assistant Superintendent Rose Search received $5,500 from the Adams County Community Network to purchase three computers, software and scientific learning incentives for the special education students.

Ferry County Republic

A touring basketball team from Adelaide, Australia, will take on the Republic High Tigers girls and boys teams today. The team sports 22 boys and eight girls. Games start at 3 p.m. at the RHS gym with the boys junior varsity, followed by the girls and boys varsity matchups. The Aussies will also play in Kettle Falls, Hunters, Inchelium and Garfield-Palouse.

Grant County Ephrata

The Ephrata High School vocational program’s systems analysis class teaches kids how to repair computer hard drives, design Web pages and do computer-aided drafting. The district hopes to expand its high-tech offerings, as the current fare is proving popular.

Lincoln County Odessa

B-8 football powerhouse Odessa Tigers may move to an 11-man lineup. Principal Doug Johnson recently told the School Board the Tigers may play B-11 ball the next two to four years if state enrollment policy changes. It is likely enrollment for B-8 will drop to 100 or fewer students. Odessa expects 115 kids again next year. Also, two of Odessa’s league competitors will likely switch leagues, making playing B-11 more attractive.

Pend Oreille County Newport

A public meeting Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. at Idaho Hill Elementary School will focus on odors from the Poles Incorporated plant. Neighbors of the Oldtown, Idaho, plant say odors have always been present, but have become stronger than ever. Plant managers say they’re complying with all state and federal regulations, and trying to be good neighbors.

Stevens County Colville

The City Council approved a 1 percent utility tax increase, part of the 2001 budget package, which passed 4-3. The increase will make up for the loss of franchise fees from Avista and Charter Communications. The city recently voted to stop charging those companies franchise fees, as the fees are nearly obsolete. The loss to the city is $130,000, thus the tax increase.

Whitman County Colfax

The County Commission approved a $30 million budget for 2001, borrowing about $226,000 from county reserves. They also raised property taxes 3.55 percent.

IDAHO

Benewah County Plummer

Kids 8 to 18 are invited to a free breakfast following Mass the second Sunday of each month. The meal is made and served by volunteers of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. The church is providing the breakfasts as a youth activity. It is open to all faiths.

Bonner County Sandpoint

About 100 local Special Olympic athletes will compete in the Regional Winter Games. The opening ceremony will be at 9:30 a.m. and competition at 10:15 a.m. Jan. 30 at Schweitzer Mountain Resort. There will be an awards ceremony, a victory dance and a closing ceremony.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

Warren Perkins won the Mayor’s Exceptional Worker Incentive Award and a check for $620. Perkins retired two months ago as fleet manager and head mechanic for the city after more than 14 years of service. The John Jeffries Memorial Firefighter of the Year Award and $100 was presented to Kenny Baker. Baker has worked for the city since 1990 and is the nephew of the late John Jeffries. The awards were presented at the annual Bonners Ferry employee Christmas party at the Kootenai River Inn.

Kootenai County Spirit Lake

Spirit Lake Pawn is collecting used Christmas and other greeting cards for St. Jude’s Children’s Ranch. The cards are made into new cards and sold as a fund-raiser. Canceled stamps will be sent to veterans’ hospitals and used for craft projects. Donations may be left from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays at the pawn shop.

Latah County Moscow

The Bovill Library in the old St. Joseph’s Church received a $4,000 grant for reroofing, The Kenworth Theater in Moscow received a $5,000 grant to assist in renovation, and the First Methodist Church in Moscow received a $5,000 grant for exterior stone repair. The grants are from the Idaho Heritage Trust endowment. The nonprofit endowment provides grants and other assistance to communities to preserve historic buildings, archaeological sites and artifacts.

Shoshone County St. Joe River

The Old Mission State Park snowmobile groomer report states grooming starts at Placer Creek over Moon Pass and into Avery, with enough snow in Avery to ride through. Grooming on the Round Top Loop has been done and grooming of the Bear Skull area started Thursday. Call (208) 682-3814.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

Achievements Inc. recently bought a new vehicle with the help of the Montana Department of Transportation’s capital assistance grant program. A 2001 Dodge Maxi-wagon was purchased to provide rides to doctor appointments and other needs for the elderly and disabled. Eighty percent of the funding was provided by the grant and Achievements Inc. covered the remaining 20 percent.

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