The County Lines

IDAHO

Benewah County Plummer

The Plummer city water system showed the presence of total coliform bacteria in two of five tests taken Jan. 5 and Jan. 11. Total coliform bacteria is always present in soil and is not considered dangerous but a sign there could be other problems. The Idaho Division of Environmental Quality recommends boiling tap water for one minute before drinking. If test results are negative from Tuesday’s and Thursday’s tests, the recommendation will be removed.

Bonner County Sandpoint

Three registered nurses who cover Lake Pend Oreille School District’s 13 schools will be recognized today during National School Nurse Day. Dana Williams, Barb Benson and Jolene Stewart give immunizations, determine reasons for absences, provide prescribed care for special needs students, screen students for hearing, vision and scoliosis and educate students on health issues.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

Local resident Keith Snider has been chosen to be the featured artist for February at Art Works Gallery in Sandpoint. Snider began collecting rocks from the area 30 years ago. His earliest creations were bookends, trivets and coasters. Some of Snider’s newest creations include rocks cut thin as a piece of glass, which allows light to shine through for ornaments, nightlights and pedestals to set collectibles on.

Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene

Twenty bottles of nasal decongestant tablets were stolen from Taj Grocery, 1003 N. 15th St., by a white male about 5-feet-5 inches and 170 pounds, according to a Coeur d’Alene Police report. The suspect asked the price of the tablets and said, “That is awful expensive.” He then grabbed the display and ran out of the store. The tablets are used in the manufacturing process to make methamphetamine, according to Idaho State Police trooper Charles Greear.

Latah County Moscow

The CASI Foundation for Children, a nonprofit, private adoption agency, will have an open house 6-8 p.m. Feb. 4 at LOGOS School, 110 Baker St., Moscow. The foundation hopes to clear up many misconceptions about the domestic and international adoption processes, answer questions and resolve concerns for those considering adoption. In Coeur d’Alene, an open house will be held 1-3 p.m. Feb. 5 at Kootenai Medical Center’s Health Resource Center, 2003 Lincoln Way.

Shoshone County Kellogg

The Sunnyside Elementary Parent/Teacher Organization recently donated more than 30 four-square balls, five soccer balls, eight basketballs, more than 35 jump ropes and a dozen hula hoops for the school’s playground.

WASHINGTON

Pend Oreille County Newport

The publisher of the Newport Miner has an idea how to deal with state taxation. Fred Willenbrock says he thinks residents should donate the difference between their 1999 car tabs and 2000’s $30 stickers to the government. Willenbrock says people don’t mind paying taxes if the money is spent correctly, and donating to worthy government agencies and projects would show Olympia where we want our tax dollars to go.

Spokane County Spokane

Spokane Falls Community College will hold an information session from 7-8:30 tonight for those interested in the college’s aviation program. The program is offering its first summer session beginning in June, enabling students ages 17 or older to get a private pilot’s license.

Whitman County Pullman

The Washington State University police department is sponsoring a free citizens police academy starting Feb. 17. The 10-week program is designed to educate the public about police operations at WSU, but not to serve as an accredited law enforcement course. The academy allows participants to interact with law enforcement officers to achieve solutions to community problems pertaining to crime and other livability issues. The group will meet twice weekly from 7-10 p.m. on Monday and Thursday for various criminal justice courses. Preference is given to applicants with WSU affiliations. For more information on the program content check the department’s website at www.wsu.edu/police/ or contact Chief William Mercier or Capt. Mike Kenny at (509) 335-8548.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

Kristine Whipple Ferderer was approved by the Libby school board as a temporary seventh-grade math and language-arts teacher at the middle school. Ferderer will replace Maria Marozzo, who died Christmas Day. Ferderer has been attending Eastern Washington University to obtain a master of fine arts degree in creative writing.