The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County Ritzville

Harvest is in full swing, with all grain elevators in the Ritzville area accepting grain. So far, sources with Ritzville Warehouse say yields are better than average, but not a bumper crop. The company says grain storage facilities in Sprague and Edwall should begin accepting grain this week, as harvest usually starts in the southern reaches and moves north from mid-July to the end of August.

Ferry County Republic

Anyone who wishes to run 26 miles for a good cause is welcome to jump on the Ferry County marathon bandwagon. The local Chamber of Commerce is hoping to start the annual event as a fund-raiser. The marathon would cover some of the most scenic and rugged land in the state, with a route from Republic to Curlew. For information, call (509)779-4746.

Grant County Moses Lake

The Moses Lake City Council will revisit a proposal to build a second motorist route across Moses Lake. The council will hold an hour-long study session Aug. 15 to see what community members want The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in chambers.

Lincoln County Wilbur

Bob and Jeannette Bandy are thankful for the Wilbur Volunteer Fire Department. A fire, started by a contractor laying fiber optic cable for the phone company, came within a few yards of their home last week. The flames claimed 75 acres of irrigated wheat owned by neighbor Don Llewellyn, before burning the Bandy’s barn. Local cropdusters Greg and Kevin Leyva attacked from the air, while neighbor Roger Sheffles helped by starting an irrigation circle.

Pend Oreille County Newport

Sheriff Jerry Weeks says cameras in all county patrol cars would save money and protect officers. Weeks is hoping to put an end to costly court proceedings and potential lawsuits by equipping cars with recording devices. He says recordings, admissible in court due to recent legislation, would “eliminate any speculation” about incidents caught on tape. It would also keep officers in check, as any allegations of force or harassment would be on tape.

Spokane County Deer Park

The city of Deer Park has a newly expanded Web site featuring all of the city ordinances, recent City Council agendas and minutes, city demographics, news releases from the mayor and a list of phone numbers for city services like the municipal swimming pool and the chamber of commerce office. It also includes a virtual tour of the city. Check it out at www.deerparkwashington.com.

Stevens County Colville

Taxation in Stevens County is on the rise. The Washington Institute Foundation has reported that Stevens County is among 10 counties that raised property taxes at more than four times the inflation rate. Stevens County increased property tax collections by 6 percent. Neighboring Ferry County increased taxes by 1 percent, while Pend Oreille and Spokane showed no increase. The foundation tracks tax rates in the wake of Referendum 47, which sought to limit local property tax increases unless elected officials could identify a “substantial need” to raise taxes.

Whitman County Colfax

The Whitman County Commissioners will hold a public hearing Monday to discuss revisions to the building code ordinance. The hearing starts at 2:30 p.m. In other business, commissioners will consider costs of paving a trail at the fairgrounds and discuss appointments to the Water Conservancy Board. The commission is also considering signing a public health agreement with Garfield County.

IDAHO

Benewah County Fernwood

Fernwood Rural Fire Protection has improved equipment, communications, technology, protective gear and the Fernwood Water System in the last few years. The Idaho Survey and Rating Bureau recently re-evaluated the district, which has resulted in lower insurance rates for city residents within 600 feet of a fire hydrant, according to Jay Trueman, fire chief.

Bonner County Priest River

In a move to help alleviate scheduling conflicts for high school students the West Bonner County School District Board of Trustees approved a NovaNet contract for the upcoming school year. NovaNet is an electronic system that delivers curriculum. The system will allow students to take classes that are filled or conflict with their schedule. Total installation and training will cost $24,840.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

Jeremy Featherston and Russell Day of Bonners Ferry and Rex Finney of Sandpoint graduated from the University of Idaho Law School, as their fathers did. Featherston and Day will join their fathers’ law firm and Russell, who graduated from Bonners Ferry High School in 1992, was accepted by the University of Washington Law School and will pursue a master’s degree in tax law.

Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene

Larry and Marilyn Dean will perform 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily Aug. 2-6 at the Silver Lake Mall. The “Acoustic Folk & Old Time Country Music Show” will feature the hammered dulcimer and include music played on the banjo, guitar and the stand-up bass. Dean has opened for George Jones, Jerry Lee Lewis and Faron Young and is on tour performing in malls across the country.

Latah County Moscow

Anyone who received a Recreation Facility Survey is urged to complete the questionnaire and return it as soon as possible. The Hamilton Dream Team committee, created to develop priorities for the $5 million gift from Bob Hamilton to the city of Moscow is concluding four months of work and needs the responses. If residents would like to complete a survey, contact Angie Hammond at (208) 885-7921.

Shoshone County Kellogg

The Shoshone Natural Resource Coalition is encouraging parents to have their children tested for blood lead levels. An accurate picture of blood lead levels in the Silver Valley is needed to determine the actual area of the Superfund site. The second phase of testing, which is outside the Superfund Site, will be performed 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 2-4 at Canyon Elementary School and Aug. 7-11 at Silver Hills Middle School by the Panhandle Health District.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

Lemonade with the Bear, a popular event for 4- to 12-year-old children, gives the them a chance to bring their favorite Teddy bear or stuffed animal to an afternoon of fun and games. The event set for 1 p.m. Aug. 2 will be held on the lawn outside the Libby Library is sponsored by Friends of the Library.