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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Lind

The school board has decided to ask patrons for an increase in the maintenance and operations levy amount. The upcoming levy will be for $385,000, an increase of $25,000 from 1999-2000. The money would be used for computers, especially for ag classes.

Ferry County

Republic

The school district is fighting the perception that its upcoming maintenance and operations levy is an additional levy. With the election just a few weeks away, the district is reminding everyone that the $254,000 is a replacement levy - it is not generating funds on top of an existing collection. The levy would pay for music education, textbooks, facilities, transportation and extracurricular activities.

Grant County

Royal City

The Royal Slope is without medial care. The sole medical provider, the Royal Clinic, closed its doors unexpectedly two weeks ago. Dr. Cathy Spanton said the clinic is $200,000 in debt with only $60,000 in accounts receivable on the books.

Lincoln County

Edwall

Christian Heritage School is planning its 10th annual benefit auction March 11. More than 600 items, services and gift certificates will be auctioned off, with proceeds going toward the private school’s operating fund. Tuition covers only the cost of teacher salaries. The school educates students for $3,000 per child annually, far below the public school cost of $6,200 per child.

Pend Oreille County

Selkirk

The high school drama program has announced the cast for its upcoming production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella.” Cinderella will be played by Wynne Scherf, Prince Christopher by Danny Hubert and the fairy godmother by Becky Konsbruck. The musical will debut May 1.

Spokane County

Spokane

A group called Students Mastering Important Lifeskills Education is sponsoring a two-day conference March 14-15 at Cavanaughs Inn at the Park. The conference is designed for anyone interested in or working with young people. Experts from around the country will speak about issues affecting youth in today’s society. The cost for the conference is $85 and preregistration is recommended. Call 448-8886 for more information.

Stevens County

Colville

The IRS Taxmobile will wheel into town next month. The IRS sends its mobile help office to rural areas to give free assistance. The Taxmobile will be at the Colville Post Office March 25 and 27. Free advice and help with basic returns are among the services offered.

Whitman County

Pullman

The League of Women Voters of Pullman invites the public to attend its 50th birthday party honoring women in government Monday at 7 p.m. in the Edith Hecht meeting room of Neill Public Library. County Commissioner Nora Mae Keifer, City Council members Sue Hinz and Helen Stiller and Pullman School Board members Mary Kittelson and Claudia Peavey will speak on their experience in government. For more information, call (509) 332-2755.

IDAHO

Benewah County

St.Maries

The city council tentatively hired Welch Comer and Associates Inc. to engineer the city’s $6.8 million water system upgrade project slated to begin this summer. The council chose Welch Comer because of its experience with federal projects and grants. The next step is negotiating a price.

Bonner County

Blanchard

The Blanchard Citizen First Responder unit and the Spirit Lake Fire Protection District have merged. Both services responded to fires and medical emergencies in the same area. The merger creates a more efficient service, officials said.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

The Boundary County School Food Service has organized a food bank benefit through February. Students exchange nonperishable food items for chances to win prizes.

Kootenai County

Coeur d’Alene

Family Enrichment Day is designed to encourage and enable families with a disabled child to face the responsibilities and challenges. The event, today at the Coeur d’Alene Inn, includes a carnival, family bingo and swimming for the families chosen to attend. The event is presented by Parents Reaching Out to Parents and Families Together.

Latah County

Moscow

Resident Jo Ann Trail is one of 29 Americans who will receive a Millennium International Volunteer Award March 1 in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes contributions to international education, culture exchange and achievements in international volunteering. The award includes a $5,000 donation to Trail’s favorite nonprofit organization. Trail was the first coordinator for the University of Idaho’s International Friendship Association and she volunteers in the Culture Kit Program.

Shoshone County

Mullan

The sixth annual Snow Jam Drag Races will be today on Main Street. The event includes a raffle and nonsanctioned, no-class races for the entire family. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and costs $20 per snowmobile, four-wheeler or ATV. Races start at 10 a.m. The event is organized by Lookout Mountain Sky Riders.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

A “Better Montana Without Gambling” petition (CI-81) is circulating in Libby. Local churches are trying to gather 60,000 signatures by June 23, 20,000 more than the minimum required to get the initiative on the November ballot. The amendment would prohibit all forms of gambling beginning Jan. 1, 2004.