The County Lines

IDAHO

Benewah County St. Maries

Ernie Stensgar, chairman of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, and four tribal leaders will be attending the seventh annual legislative reception today in Boise. Stensgar, who is president of the Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest and Northwest representative of the National Congress of American Indians, will be the master of ceremonies. Gov. Dirk Kempthorne is the guest of honor and the Cliff SiJohn pow wow dancing group will be among performers.

Bonner County Ponderay

The widening of U.S. 95 through Ponderay will be discussed during a Chamber of Commerce open house set for 5 p.m. Wednesday at Slate’s, Triangle Drive. Drawings of the various options for widening the highway will be presented, followed by discussion of options and a question and answer period. Representatives from the Idaho Transportation Department, city, project engineers from Ch2M Hill and the chamber will attend.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

During last week’s county commissioners meeting, each commissioner decided to support Shovel for Solidarity. The group is protesting the U.S. Forest Service’s refusal to allow Nevada residents to rebuild a washed-out road along the Jarbidge River in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The Forest Service claims erosion would harm the river’s bull trout population. The commissioners will each purchase a $5 shovel with their own money. The shovels will have their names on them and will be sent to Nevada.

Kootenai County Post Falls

Public Works director Bill Madigan is asking residents to be “a good neighbor” and assist plowing crews by parking vehicles off the street. Madigan emphasized the difficulty for snowplow crews who have a snow-berm obstacle course to work through when cars are plowed around. In winter emergency conditions, police officers will have parked vehicles towed at the owner’s expense.

Latah County Potlatch

The new Potlatch Community Learning Center library opened recently. Library supervisor Donna Quiring said there is now room for children to attend a story time and people to check out books at the same time. The library was built with a $245,000 federal grant and $55,000 raised by the community. The land the library is on is leased from the Potlatch High School for $1 for 50 years.

Shoshone County Kellogg

Bitterroot Mercantile has a new partner, Cricket Corbeill, who joined Marcia Biotti in January. Bitterroot is located on McKinely Avenue. It has been in business for more than 10 years under various names to suit changes in the business, the latest was Bitterroot Antiques and Gifts.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

People with questions about the investigation of possible asbestos contamination from the former W.R. Grace vermiculite mine near Libby can call the Governor’s Citizen’s Advocate Office. An expert on the issue will address questions regarding testing results, screening information, public meeting schedules and federal legislation. To reach the Citizen’s Advocate Office call (800) 332-2272 or contact them at their e-mail address; www.newslinks.state.mt.us.

WASHINGTON

Pend Oreille County Cusick

Kids 9-12 can earn a few extra bucks and become a bit famous at the same time. The Pend Oreille County Fair Board is sponsoring a Year 2000 theme contest, as well as a drawing contest. Kids can not only come up with an original fair theme, but draw pictures around that theme. The best picture will be used for the Year 2000/Premium Book cover. Entries must be given to school librarians by Feb. 15. Cash prizes are available.

Spokane County Deer Park

“Expression is the Common Thread,” a show featuring local artists, is at the Crawford Gallery in Deer Park until Feb. 25. The public is invited to a reception Thursday at 5 p.m. at the gallery, 316 E. Crawford, in the lower level of City Hall. Artwork will be on display from Deer Park painter Marlene Johnson, weaver Arlene Klotz and Spokane artist Elaine Green.

Whitman County Pullman

The 134-mile stretch of state Highway 26 from Colfax to Vantage is featured in a gallery exhibit through Feb. 18 at the Compton Union Building gallery. “The SR26 Project: Reframing an Eastern Washington Roadscape,” was created by Washington State University architecture students to give another perspective to the oftmaligned stretch of highway. The exhibit encourages those who drive the stretch en route to Seattle to “Be More There.” The exhibit includes 26 posters of rural Americana snapshots, a book, postcards and other collected images from the roadside. Proceeds from sales of the products benefit student studio projects. Products can also be viewed or purchased from http://www.arch.wsu.edu/publications