The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Othello

The firing of a volunteer deputy has cost Sheriff Mike Kline and Adams County $25,000. A federal judge recently ruled Kline used the power of his office for his own ends when he fired Robert Guerrero more than a year ago. Guerrero, a reserve deputy, ran against Kline for sheriff - a race Kline won. Guerrero was fired just one day after the election. The judge agreed with Guerrero that Kline had “misused his power.”

Ferry County

Republic

The county Auditor’s office expects the vehicle-relicensing business to be brisk the first few weeks of the year, but with budget cuts due to Initiative 695, there are fewer employees to get the work done. The office opens at 8 a.m. Monday through Thursday, and closes at 4:30 p.m. It is closed Fridays.

Grant County

Grand Coulee

Del Ostenberg has been named Coulee Volunteer of the Year. Ostenberg is not only an emergency medical technician and firefighter, but a good neighbor. He daily visited his elderly neighbor in the hospital, feeding and caring for him until he died. Known for his helping spirit, Ostenberg has even given his wife’s snow tires to someone he felt more needy.

Lincoln County

Davenport

The millennium meant a lot to fourth-graders J.R. Rief and Tyler Bailey, who read for 2,000 minutes in honor of 2000. Teacher Karen Lyle challenged the kids to meet this goal during this school year, but these two took the challenge a step further and did it before the new year.

Pend Oreille County

Newport

The new business license fee imposed by the City Council has upset some local businesses. Curt Knapp of Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home says he doesn’t like the way the city “ramrodded” the fee into existence. Knapp and other upset business owners are on the council’s next agenda.

Spokane County

Chattaroy

Air Force Airman Benjamin G. Bowers, son of Elaine Cullen and Alan Bowers, both of Chattaroy, recently graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Bowers is a 1998 Riverside High School graduate.

Stevens County

Colville

The county Sheriff’s Office has a new crime fighting weapon named Andy Harbolt. Although Harbolt isn’t new to the force, his sketch artist skills are. Harbolt recently completed a law enforcement composite drawing course in Cataldo, Idaho.

Whitman County

Pullman

Pullman Mayor Mitch Chandler is requesting community residents and organizations to submit suggestions for City Council consideration during the council’s 2000 goal-setting process. The council will review levels of services and priorities. Input should be submitted to the mayor’s office by Jan. 27.

IDAHO

Benewah County

St. Maries

Dr. Clyde Hansan was hired recently as an emergency room physician at Benewah Community Hospital. Hansan moved from Butte, Mont., where he worked for eight years as an emergency room physician at St. James Hospital.

Bonner County

Sandpoint

The Outlet Bay Owners Association wants to give an easement to the county so it can plow the last 300 feet of Outlet Bay Road, but they don’t want the public to use its turnaround. Using public money to maintain the end of the road but barring the public from using it could create problems, according to commission Chairman Dale Van Stone. Use of a nearby boat launch also has been in dispute. Outlet Bay owners don’t want the public to use it but lake users say it always has been public.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

Megan Devin, 17, a senior at Bonners Ferry High School, is competing in the Kootenai River Rodeo Royalty contest. Devin would like to become a veterinarian and specialize in cattle and horses in Montana or Wyoming. The final phase of the contest is giving a speech on a rodeo topic or famous rodeo personality. The speeches and crowning of the queen will be Jan. 15 at the Kootenai River Inn.

Kootenai County

Rathdrum

The Crosswalk Program is going to discontinue its crosswalks at the junior high and at the Grann’s Pantry location at state Highway 53 and McCartney St. The program lacks personnel to staff the crosswalks and is looking for helpers. To volunteer call the Rathdrum Police Department at 687-0711.

Latah County

Moscow

Carmen Malm filed a $262,200 claim against Latah County recently for an injury that allegedly occurred while attending the county fair. She claims that while playing football Sept. 17 on county property, she fractured her right hip. Surgery performed the next morning made her right leg three-fourths of an inch shorter than her left leg. She is suing for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering and emotional distress.

Shoshone County

Prichard

State Rep. Mary Lou Shepherd of Prichard said education should be one of the top priorities for the legislative session in the new year. She said school building and maintenance desperately need state funding and should be addressed.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

An informational meeting about the proposed remodeling of Memorial Gym into a civic center and community auditorium will be at 7 p.m. today at the Libby School Administration Building. The meeting is being held by the Kootenai Heritage Council in response to concerns that have been raised.