The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County Ritzville
Although Adams County recorded a 10 percent rise in taxable business income between the second quarter of 1998 and 1999, total consumer purchases in the county have been falling since 1995, when $152.5 million was reported. Only $137.7 million was reported in 1998. Consumer purchases in the second quarter of 1999 totaled $13 million compared with $11.8 million in 1998.
Ferry County Republic
Some Ferry County Courthouse employees have gotten a day off due to cold - but not the cold temperatures outside. With the courthouse’s aging boiler, staff members can’t count on warm offices. At least one day last week, some employees were sent home due to cold offices. Commissioners are investigating a backup heating system.
Grant County Moses Lake
One of several obstacles has been removed from the city’s proposed annexation of the Wheeler corridor industrial area. A judge recently dismissed constitutional challenges to the annexation filed by Fire District 5.
Lincoln County Reardan
Marci Schwartz, a recent Reardan High School graduate, has earned one of a handful of Seafirst-Sonics Jammin’ Hoops $1,000 scholarships. Schwartz, who attended all nine Jammin’ Hoops basketball camps in Spokane during the past nine years, wrote an essay on citizenship as part of the application for the award. She is a freshman at Washington State University studying agricultural communications.
Pend Oreille County Metaline Falls
The Cutter Theatre’s “Inquiring Minds” series will bring Bill Wassmuth to the stage for a lecture Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Wassmuth, who will discuss “White Supremacists - What They Tell Us,” recently retired as director of the Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment, which he founded. He will discuss various groups and individuals in the white supremacy movement in Washington state.
Spokane County Cheney
Discount ski packages for Silver Mountain near Kellogg; Red Mountain near Rossland, British Columbia; and 49 Degrees North near Chewelah, Wash., are available at the Cheney Parks and Recreation Department at 520 Fourth. For more information, call (509) 235-7295.
Stevens County Colville
Supporters of a school tax levy proposal on the March 14 ballot have planned a music, art and talent extravaganza to raise money for levy publicity. They also will raffle off a log-truck load of firewood and $100 each of gasoline and groceries. A silent art auction also is being planned.
IDAHO
Benewah County St. Maries
The City Council is expected to approve an amendment to the city building code next month, making it mandatory to remove or repair buildings deemed hazardous. The abatement resolution was left out by mistake when the building code was adopted in 1997, said city attorney Nancy Wolff.
Bonner County Sandpoint
Sharon Bryant has replaced Lynette Rembowski as manager of the Bonner County Fairgrounds. Rembowski retired after 10 years. Bryant, who has 11 years’ experience with the Tri-County Fair in Winnemucca, Nev., is asking residents what fairgrounds improvements and additions they’d like. Send comments by fax to (208) 263-6191 or call (208) 263-8414 during January to make suggestions. Bryant will forward the ideas to the fair board for consideration. Her goals include making the fairgrounds more of a multiple-use facility, relocating the Waterways/Parks and Recreation and Weed departments away from the fairgrounds and providing an office for the groundskeeper.
Boundary County Naples
A missionary for the Bible Believers Baptist Church will be leaving soon for New Guinea to build churches. Peter Halliman, who was born and raised in New Guinea, will discuss his experiences in three presentations at the church. The first two sessions will be Sunday at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.; the third will be Monday at 6 p.m. For more information, call (208) 263-1390.
Kootenai County Rose Lake
A fire caused $25,000 in damage to a garage this week. The homeowner discovered the blaze about 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, and District 2 firefighters responded. Fire Chief Dale Costa said about 17 firefighters battled the blaze, but it burned the roof and destroyed the interior of the garage. Tools and freezers also were destroyed.
Latah County Moscow
Wilhelmina “Toni” Sarai-Clark and the Moscow High School International Club have been honored with this year’s Rosa Parks Human Rights Achievement Awards in Moscow. The awards are presented annually by the Latah County Human Rights Task Force at its Martin Luther King Jr. human rights awards breakfast. Sarai-Clark, 72, a retired director of Washington State University’s dance program and an ordained member of the Episcopal clergy, was honored for her involvement in academic, religious and human rights groups in the Palouse. Members of the International Club were lauded for their work on a variety of community projects, including raising money for the planned Anne Frank memorial in Boise.
Shoshone County Kellogg
Officer Dave Wolle has been appointed interim police chief while the search for a permanent chief continues. Wolle was police chief of the Smelterville Police Department prior to joining the Kellogg Police Department early last year. He replaces John Crawford, who was dismissed earlier this month by Kellogg Mayor Roger Mangum. Crawford had been police chief since January 1985.
MONTANA
Lincoln County Troy
The Lincoln County Campus Service Region board is seeking a volunteer to fill a board vacancy. The volunteer would help with planning, financial matters and advising on the management and direction of the Lincoln County campus of Flathead Valley Community College. Anyone from the Troy area who is interested should send a letter by Tuesday with personal background information and reasons why the person is interested to the Board of Lincoln County Commissioners, 512 California, Libby, MT 59923.