The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County Washtucna
The LaCrosse-Washtucna Lady Tigercats basketball team will lead the Fourth of July parade this year. The team won second place in the State B tournament. The 10 players will be in Tigercat blue and white, with added touches of red for the occasion.
Ferry County Republic
Dave and LeAnne Hamilton have had a cougar prowling their ranch. The big cat has killed - but not eaten - three sheep within 200 feet of their house. This is the fourth cougar they’ve spotted near their home in two years. The family asks all who see the animals near their property to give them a heads-up. The Hamiltons say the cat is not afraid of humans.
Grant County Ephrata
The National Sports and World Class Soaring Championships will start Tuesday over Ephrata. The gliders will take wing in the traditionally hot and gusty skies through July 13. Fliers from around the world are taking part.
Lincoln County Lincoln
A retired professional firefighter from California, Larry Hammer, is volunteer fire chief of the eight person, two-rig department at the new fire hall here. The new station brings county Fire District No.7 up to three stations, including Wilbur and Creston. The land for the station was donated by developer Don Olson. Halme Construction of Davenport provided the hammers.
Pend Oreille County Usk
Landowners near a proposed resort here have told development company Diamond Pine they will not sell their land. Property owner Gary Driver says the price wasn’t right. He says the majority of landowners “blinked” in shock as figures were thrown out. Driver is a supporter of the project and is behind a feasibility study to see if the project even fits the land being considered.
Spokane County Cheney
The Cheney parks summer concert series begins Thursday at 6 p.m. at Sutton Park with the Robin Marks Ensemble, a jazz-vocal group. The weekly Thursday evening concerts are free and run through Aug. 24.
Stevens County Kettle Falls
The town still has 24-hour police protection. The City Council has heard much public testimony telling them to retain the fifth police officer position. Councilman Chap Shong proposed cutting it due to funding. Officials say money comes from an excise tax approved by voters for this purpose. Chief Tony Harbolt says with five officers he can assure two-minute response time. A motion to ax the position did not find a second, and the issue has died for now.
Whitman County Pullman
Pullman’s Sue Vetter was given a commendation by fire department Operations Chief Mike Heston. Her quick actions in May prevented a major fire in the Glendimer apartments on Turner Drive. Vetter heard a smoke alarm in a neighbor’s apartment. She checked and saw a glow from the electric range, entered the apartment and saw flames. She told a neighbor to call 911 while she found a fire extinguisher and put out the blaze. Firefighters believe the occupant’s cat may have knocked the cat food box down onto the range, switching on the burner.
IDAHO
Benewah County St. Maries
The second annual Car-Wash-A-Thon raised more than $2,500 in eight hours. The youth group from Foursquare Gospel washed 105 cars and local businesses pledged at least 50 cents for each car washed. Proceeds will send 15 children to summer camp in July.
Bonner County Sandpoint
The county’s chief deputy treasurer, Leona Crabb, is retiring after 18 years. She is planning to spend more time with her husband, Ralph, her children and grandchildren. An open house was held June 30 at the treasurer’s office in her honor.
Boundary County Bonners Ferry
Misty Mountain Espresso has moved to the parking lot of Mr. Suds Car Wash. The move was prompted by electrical problems causing equipment failures, which closed the business temporarily. The new site has better access and has eased peak-hours congestion.
Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene
The Friends of the Coeur d’Alene Public Library’s new officers are: Doug Sargeant, president; Lynn Inkley, vice president; Carolyn Larsen, treasurer; Ruth Moffett, recording secretary; and Carolyn Wood, corresponding secretary. The next meeting is set for 10 a.m. Aug. 22 in the library’s Nelson Memorial Room.
Latah County Moscow
Two members of the Moscow Swim Team placed in the top three during the Tri-Cities Invitational Tournament. In the boys 13- to 14-year-old division, James Foltz took first place in the 50-meter freestyle race. In the senior boys division, Matt Chun took third place in the 100-meter breaststroke.
Shoshone County Pinehurst
The KOA Campground has added a stainless steel swimming pool. Owners Mike and Kim Jones will open the pool to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Also, a fishing pond was recently stocked with 1,000 rainbow trout. Swimming for visitors is $3 and fishing is $1.
MONTANA
Lincoln County Libby
The School Board voted 5-1 in favor of funding golf, cross country, tennis and boys and girls soccer. Participants have paid for the sports in recent years. Board Chairman Don Clark was the lone vote against the proposal.