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

The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County Ritzville

Ritzville’s school district received a $14,000 grant from the county recycling program to buy recycling containers for paper and aluminum. The district also should be able to get rid of paper and some food waste by feeding it to worms in the school’s new worm farm.

Ferry County Republic

The school district is asking for support on its continuing maintenance and operations levy.

The vote will be Feb. 29 and taxpayers are being asked for $255,000. If the levy meets approval, the state will pitch in $98,000 in levy equalization funds. Levy rates are dropping from $1.67 per $1,000 of assessed valuation in 1998 to $1.56 for 2000.

Grant County Moses Lake

There will be no uniforms for local schoolchildren. Moses Lake parents have decided, after three years of talks, what children will be allowed to wear to school. All schools will have a blanket dress code. Previously, each school could write its own. The district will not restrict the dress code any further than it has. The school cracked down on gang-style and disrespectful clothing after the Frontier Middle School shootings three years ago.

Lincoln County Odessa

Although Troy David Eldridge II was Odessa’s first baby of the millennium, that’s not what makes him so special. The tyke is the first baby born in Odessa in a decade. Odessa Memorial Hospital stopped taking maternity cases 10 years ago, sending expectant mothers to Davenport, Moses Lake or Spokane. David, as he will be called, was born in his parents’ van en route to Coulee Community Hospital in Grand Coulee on Jan. 13.

Pend Oreille County Newport

Richard Andrew Kelley has a very special baby blanket. Newport Community Hospital’s first baby of the millennium, born Jan. 5, was presented with a hand-crocheted blanket and hooded cape by Vera Moulton. Moulton created two sets of blankets and capes, for the first baby girl and boy of the millennium. She started working on the blankets back in 1991.

Spokane County Deer Park

Artist Melissa Swann Wagner will share her techniques in working with papier mache in a two-day workshop Feb. 12 and 19 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Deer Park Senior Center, 316 E. Crawford. The cost for both days, including materials, is $27. Registration and payment must be made by Feb. 3. Call 276-8884 for more information.

Stevens County Chewelah

The community is rallying around Scott Hall. Hall, suffering from multiple sclerosis, needs a stem cell transplant. Several organizations are banding together to organize a raffle to raise $15,000 toward the $150,000 procedure. On the raffle ticket are a Puget Sound float plane trip, guided kayak tour of the south Puget Sound, framed photographs, artwork and hand-crafted items. For information, call (509)445-1147.

Whitman County Pullman

The Community Action Center is constructing a new building behind the Wheatland Shopping Center in Pullman. The $700,000 building will help serve an additional 1,500 customers. Construction was made possible in part with a donation of land from the Shoemaker and Wilson families. The private, nonprofit organization generates $2.5 million in funding to help more than 5,000 Whitman County residents annually. The organization is seeking in-kind contributions of goods and services as well as donors to help reach a $100,000 capital campaign goal to help pay for the new building. For more information, contact CAC executive director Judy Allen at 334-9147.

IDAHO

Benewah County St. Maries

Dave Resser recently announced he will run for sheriff of Benewah County. Resser, a 20-year resident, owns G-D Drover Supply and Custom Boots and has no law enforcement experience. If elected, he said he will start monthly town meetings throughout the county.

Bonner County Ponderay

Blimpie’s sandwich shop recently opened. Owners are Grant and Marla Nixon of Hayden Lake, and Richard and Lynette Philbrook of Bonners Ferry. Blimpie’s serves soups, sandwiches, salads, ice cream, espresso and cookies made every night at the shop. Darlissa Thomas is the manager.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

Gary Morgan, co-owner of Boundary Trading Co., was recently elected president of the Bonners Ferry Chamber of Commerce. Morgan replaces Paul Matejovsky, also co-owner of the trading company. Other new officials are Albert Clement, vice president; Brett Podner, secretary; and Leonard Schulte, treasurer.

Kootenai County Hayden Lake

A three-story log home was destroyed by fire this week, according to Hayden Fire District Chief Jeff Welch. Tuesday’s fire on Lancaster Road was responded to in 13 minutes by Kootenai County, Coeur d’Alene, Rathdrum and Timberlake fire crews. The homeowners were on vacation and no injuries were reported.

Latah County Moscow

Gerry Burke, owner of ServiceMaster Restoration Specialists, Moscow, was awarded the “Manager Award” through Service Master Residential/ Commercial Service’s President’s Recognition Program. Burke was recognized for his achievements in residential services.

Shoshone County Pinehurst

Building Leaders Learning Center/ Day Care recently moved to 701 Lewiston Ave. from its former location at 406 S. Division. Owner Beckah Noto, 24, a lifelong resident of North Idaho, said she needed a larger facility to accommodate the increased number of children attending. The center was opened May 1999 with two employees; she now has six. A nursery for infants, a private preschool room, a large play area, a before and after school program and school transportation are offered.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby Members of the four-county Northwest Regional Resource Conservation and Development group recently voted to support opening of the Rock Creek Mine, near Noxon. Factors in the decision included the existing reclamation at Troy and the water treatment system engineered for Rock Creek. The regional group is a nonprofit organization that promotes economic and natural resource development in Flathead, Lake, Lincoln and Sanders counties.