The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County Othello

More than half the population of Othello is Hispanic, and county Auditor Nancy McBroom would like to find more bilingual workers for the Feb. 29 election. The pay is $80-$100 per day. Call (509) 659-3247.

Ferry County Republic

The historic merry-go-round at the county fairgrounds will be safe from the elements come spring. The Friends of the Merry-Go-Round fund-raising group learned that a Seattle masonry contractor and a Colville construction company will donate labor to help the Job Corps complete the masonry. Rob and Stan Fairweather, raised in Republic, are teaming up to complete the project.

Grant County Moses Lake

Another case of flesh-eating bacteria was reported in Eastern Washington. Sharon Smith of Moses Lake spent the weekend recovering from surgery at Moses Lake’s Samaritan Hospital. She complained of a sore throat Thursday, and was in surgery Friday morning. This is the second case in Grant County within a month.

Lincoln County Wilbur

A long-awaited day-care center planned for the local Lutheran Church is no longer a dream. Eva Vaughan Fitzsimmons has been hired as the director of “Golden Rule Child Care Center.”

Pend Oreille County Newport

Fines for parking in downtown Newport will increase. The City Council is reworking its parking ordinance after finding it is charging less than surrounding cities. Fines for parking over the two-hour limit downtown will likely rise from $3 to $10. Those breaking the citywide 48-hour limit will likely be fined $20 - up from $3. No-parking zones will increase from $5 to $20 for violators.

Spokane County Cheney

Jeri Cummings, who served 20 years on the Cheney Board of Park Commissioners, was recognized for her service at a February meeting of the board. She has stepped down from the position.

Stevens County Chewelah

Private property owners along Flowery Trail Pass are invited to a public meeting on the highway project Wednesday at city hall from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Representatives of the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Forest Service and county Engineer’s Office will discuss how private property will be affected by the road as well as design, right of way, and construction activities.

Whitman County Pullman

African American high school and college students are registering for the VIBES (Visionaries Inspiring Black Empowered Students) conference at Washington State University March 3-4. This year’s conference theme is “From Followers to Leaders: Preparing for the Challenges of Tomorrow.” African American leaders from across the state will give presentations. For more information or to register, call 1-800-942-4978 or check online at http:www.ues.wsu.edu/c&i/programs/VIBES00.htm

IDAHO

Benewah County Tensed

The 25 top environmental concerns on the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation will be discussed at three Benewah County meetings. The issues and the effect they have on health, ecology and quality of life will be ranked during these meetings slated for 6 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Tensed Grange Hall, Feb. 22 at the Wellness Center and March 2 at the Avista auditorium in St. Maries.

Bonner County Hope

The Pend Oreille Scenic Byway Community Advisory Committee is inviting public input on current four-season attraction projects for U.S. Highway 2 from Sandpoint to the Montana state line. A guide book featuring the seasonal beauty of the area, wayside exhibits including locally produced furniture, stone sculptors and pottery, and a website are in the works. The committee’s next meeting is at 6:30 tonight at the Hope Memorial Community Center.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

Kelley Standal, Holly Rushing, Kara Eby, Trevor Palaniuk and Squire Fields were selected to attend the “Know Your Government” conference held in Boise Feb. 19-21. Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne will address the 180 attending 4-H members who will learn how the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the government work.

Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene

The “People’s Law School” will be offered by Conflict Resolution Center of the Inland Northwest, a nonprofit organization. Methods to avoid legal disputes in real estate and business transactions and laws that affect the elderly will be included in the nine-week course taught by local attorneys and a judge beginning March 8 at North Idaho College. Registration is $19, call 769-3333, deadline is March 1.

Latah County Moscow

The Planning and Zoning commission rejected a proposed second addition of the Canterwood Estates, about one mile outside city limits. Concerns of the commissioners who voted against the addition centered on future development of farm land surrounding the city. This year the commission and the City Council have given top priority to studying development on Moscow’s outskirts.

Shoshone County Kellogg

The City Council has hired two Pinehurst residents to fill positions in the city. Frank Bates will fill a vacancy on the Kellogg Police Department and Mark Magnus was promoted to building official. Magnus has been a building inspector for Kellogg for the last six years.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

Kootenai River drainage has the highest snowpack levels in the state, according to the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service. The report was based on information received Feb. 4 which stated the area had the most frequent snowfalls.