The County Lines
IDAHO
Benewah County St. Maries
Four new employees were hired by the St. Maries School Board on Dec. 13. Jana Hanson was hired as a part-time teacher’s aide at St. Maries Middle School. At the UpRiver School, Joe Gilmore was hired for maintenance and Trish Anderson was hired for food services. Carrie Johnson was hired for food services at Heyburn Elementary. The board also approved four substitute teachers.
Bonner County Sandpoint
The lawsuit filed by former Bonner County Planning and Zoning Commissioner Patty Douglas is scheduled for a jury trial May 1. Douglas was appointed to the commission in October 1997 but was removed 10 months later. Douglas is suing Bonner County, former county Commission Chairman Dale Van Stone and former county Commissioner Larry Allen.
Boundary County Bonners Ferry
Idaho residents renewing their driver’s licenses in 2000 will pay $4 more to help equip ambulances around the state. A new law establishes an emergency medical services account that will be used to ensure ambulances are properly equipped.
Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene
The Women’s Center has elected new officers and six new board members. Carmen Brochu-Goecke will serve as president, Jean Kohles vice president, Michael Maltby secretary and Christopher Dal Pra treasurer.
Latah County Moscow
The University of Idaho has received a $100,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to move innovative research into commercially viable products. The university is working with Institute for Physics and Technology Inc., to develop ultrafine titanium carbide. The material can withstand high temperatures and has applications in machine tools, jet engines and spacecraft.
Shoshone County Mullan
The annual snowmobile drag races sponsored by the Lookout Sky Riders snowmobile club will be Feb. 19 in Mullan. Challenge races will begin at 10 a.m., with ATV races at 3 p.m. Groomer stickers are required to ride on groomed trails within the county.
MONTANA
Lincoln County Libby
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation has money available to help defray the cost of improving local fire protection. Applications for matching funds are due Feb. 18. Eligible applicants include fire departments, rural fire districts, fire service areas, volunteer fire companies or other fire service organizations in communities with populations of 10,000 or less. Countywide fire organizations may submit a single application.
WASHINGTON
Pend Oreille County Newport
The budget is balanced, thanks to $324,000 from the timber reserve fund. Even after the county commissioners asked all departments to slash 10 percent from their budgets, they found themselves shy of balancing the 2000 budget. The commissioners say they are hoping the state will find a way to help small counties in the wake of I-695.
Spokane County Cheney
Cheney Parks and Recreation is accepting registrations for the 2000 ski program. Six-week packages for combinations of lift, lessons and rentals are available to 49 Degrees North. Lift packages for 49 Degrees North, Silver Mountain and Red Mountain also are available. Call 235-7295 for more information.