The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County
Othello
Home-schooling parents in the basin have a special resource. The Liberty Bell Academy, a home-school extension program started by Pam Hare, has been aiding parents for six years. Hare, a veteran public and private school teacher, supervises parents and students, plus monitors their state-required instruction hours and assists with paperwork.
Ferry County
Republic
Ferry County has received its state reimbursement to make up for losses resulting from I-695. All department heads submitted a list of items they’d like funded out of the $191,828. The commissioners voted to approve all expenditures on the list and have some money left over.
Grant County
George
It’s been a busy summer for deputies assigned to the Gorge at George Amphitheater. At a recent Run DMC show put on by Seattle radio station KUBE, nearly 200 citations were issued, including assaults and weapons violations. Gorge security, as well as the Sheriff’s Department, have been taking extra precautions by asking local officers from Warden, Ephrata, Soap Lake and Royal City to lend a hand.
Lincoln County
Davenport
The annual Pioneer Days celebration begins Saturday. The day starts with a fun run at 8 a.m., followed by bed races, three-on-three basketball and a parade. Also on the lineup is free entertainment in the park, a barbecue and a belly flop contest for charity. Sunday’s events include a four-wheel mud bog at 9 a.m. and a parachute jump demonstration at 1 p.m.
Pend Oreille County
Ione
A Forest Service grant for $99,884 will add to the size of a new community center here. The money will allow local residents to add another 1,000 square feet to the project, bringing the total size to 6,500 square feet. This is the second grant received for the project. A federal Community Development Block Grant for nearly $500,000 is funding the majority of the project.
Spokane County
Spokane
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife’s public boat launch at Williams Lake in southwest Spokane County will be closed for repairs starting Monday. Fishing will remain open at the lake planted with rainbow trout, but no boats can be launched at the public access site until repairs are completed.
Stevens County
Colville
The assembly lines are moving at the new Aladdin Hearth plant on the north side of town. The company finished its $7.9 million state-of-the-art facility in April, and has been readying the plant workings since. Aladdin, considered a giant in the stove-manufacturing arena, has an impressive hometown history and is one of the area’s largest employers. Locals Alan Trusler and Dan Henry started the company in 1979 as Aladdin Steel.
Whitman County
Pullman
Gladish Community Center is having an open house today to mark the completion of the renovated building’s elevator and to give the public an opportunity to view available tenant and rental space. The Chamber of Commerce and city and state officials will be present. The open house starts at 4 p.m., and bagpipes will announce the ribbon cutting for the elevator dedication at 5 p.m. and continuing until 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
IDAHO
Benewah County
St. Maries
The Nazarene Church will have a back-to-school kids clothing giveaway at the church from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 12. To donate items such as book bags, clothing, shoes or coats, call (208) 245-4594 or (208) 245-9002.
Bonner County
Sandpoint
Fire danger is high in Bonner County. There have been 19 fires so far this season. Twelve of the fires were caused by people, burning a total of about 25 acres, and seven fires were caused by lighting, burning a total of about four acres. Burning permits still are being issued but with tighter restrictions. For details, call (208) 263-5612.
Boundary County
Bonners Ferry
General employment in the region grew 3.6 percent from 1998 to 1999, according to Job Service analyst Katherine Tacke. The county’s June unemployment rate also dropped 2.5 percent compared to last June’s rate.
Kootenai County
Coeur d’Alene
The Soroptimist Women’s Forum is seeking nominations for its Women of Distinction awards. Women may be nominated in the following categories: arts and culture, business and professional, community service, education, health, public service, senior community service, young adult community service and women helping women. Nominations are due by Aug. 29. For details, call JoAnn Jackson at (208) 765-8002.
Latah County
Moscow
Sherrill Richarz was named volunteer of the month for Gritman Medical Center’s First Steps Program for new parents. Richarz began volunteering in March, is a professor in Early Childhood Development and is on the Advisory Board for the Young Children and Families Project.
Shoshone County
Smelterville
The city would like to remind residents to renew dog licenses for their pets by July 31. To license a dog, proof of rabies vaccination is required from a veterinarian. Cost is $25 for a dog that is not spayed or neutered, $7.50 for dogs that have been spayed or neutered. The new tag is a gold fire hydrant. For more information, call (208) 786-3351.
MONTANA
Lincoln County
Libby
The Libby Volunteer Fire Department wants to remind people to remove gas cans from their vehicles and set them on the ground before filling them. A static charge can build between a metal gas can and a plastic bed liner or between a plastic gas can and a metal vehicle, creating a spark that may ignite gas vapors, the department says.