The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County
Ritzville
The East Adams Rural Hospital District is asking for a slightly lower tax levy amount this year. The annual request is $400,000, which breaks down to $1.04 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. In 1999, the district asked for $450,000, which voters supported. The vote will be Feb. 29.
Ferry County
Republic
The Friends of the Republic Library will hold a used book sale today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 56-1/2 North Clark St., behind Farmers Insurance.
Grant County
Ephrata
County commissioners plan to hire a mapping specialist and a human resources manager. They will also will establish a citizen committee to prioritize road improvements.
Lincoln County
Davenport
The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “South Pacific” will play Sunday and Monday at 5 p.m. at the high school multipurpose room. Ticket sale proceeds will go to the student body fund.
Pend Oreille County
Ione
The Selkirk High School Ski Club is planning seven trips to Red Mountain ski area in Rossland, British Columbia. The bus takes off from the Riverview Inn at Ione at 7 a.m. and returns by 6 p.m. The dates are Jan. 22 and 31 and Feb. 5, 7, 12 and 19. For information, call Eric Ellsworth at (509) 446-3505.
Spokane County
Spokane
The Spokane Housing Authority has created an advisory board of its residents. Members of the board are Rhea Coble, Richard Graham, Ruth Green, Earlene Schwager, Jeremy Street, J.P. Swim, Ann Watkins and John Zichko.
Stevens County
Colville
School supporters are promoting a proposed maintenance and operations levy. Voters said no twice last year to levy requests. This year, the district is asking for $984,000 in local money.
Whitman County
Pullman
Washington State University announced that three expanded scholarship funds will be available for students with grade-point averages above 3.3. The extra money comes largely from WSU’s fund-raising drive Campaign WSU, which tripled scholarship endowments. Endowments have grown from $14.8 million in 1990 to $64 million today.
IDAHO
Benewah County
St.Maries
Two St. Maries High School seniors are pages for the Idaho legislative session which began Monday. Ellie Best and Kristin Smith are sponsored by Rep. June Judd and will run errands for state senators and representatives. The girls also have to continue their schoolwork by corresponding with their teachers. Ellie is the daughter of Dave and Denise Best and Kristin is the daughter of Neil and Bobbi Smith.
Bonner County
Sandpoint
Brian Wood, owner of Woods Crushing and Hauling, can start restoring the petroleum-contaminated soil at the old Colburn mill site north of Sandpoint. On Jan. 6, the Bonner County Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit for the operation. Wood acquired the mill site from Crown Pacific in November through a land trade. He now has about 1,800 cubic yards of contaminated soil he’ll turn over so the petroleum will evaporate.
Boundary County
Bonners Ferry
Sgt. George Voyles, 54, announced recently he will run for Boundary County sheriff. Voyles has been a line officer since 1982, he’s been with the sheriff’s office since 1991, a sergeant since 1993 and holds 1,028 hours of specialized law enforcement training. His community service includes actively supporting Search and Rescue and D.A.R.E. He is a member of the American Legion, a board member of the Domestic Violence Crisis Coalition and received the 1999 North Idaho Coalition on Domestic Violence Officer Recognition Award.
Kootenai County
Post Falls
Students who will be attending Post Falls’ fourth elementary school will get a shot at naming it. Principal Bob Sloyka wants students and parents to have a part in picking the name, colors and mascot. The school will be in the current Post Falls Middle School when its students move into the current high school. The high school students will move into the new high school under construction. Plans are for the district to take possession of the new high school in mid-July.
Latah County
Moscow
The Moscow Public Library has changed its hours. The new hours are: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information call (208) 882-3925.
Shoshone County
Wallace
Several reports of people riding their snowmobiles on streets in Wallace that aren’t designated for it are endangering the privilege. The privilege could be revoked if riders continue to ignore which streets are designated for snowmobiles and which are not, according to Laurie Anderson of the Silver Valley Snowmobile/ATV Association. Anderson is urging riders to obey speed limit signs and other rules of the road. It appears visitors may be responsible for the majority of the street violations but it will still have an effect on all riders, Anderson said.
MONTANA
Lincoln County
Libby
A recent rise of vehicle thefts in the Libby area has prompted the Sheriff’s Office to remind residents to lock their cars when unattended. Most thefts have been from vehicles parked along streets. Guns, checkbooks and stereo equipment left in view have been stolen.