The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County
Othello
City Administrator Bill Shaw says he calculates the new Wal-Mart Supercenter will generate about $150,00 in new sales taxes for Othello. Unfortunately, half of that will go directly to the road department to replace funds lost by I-695. The other half will likely fund the police department, again a victim of I-695.
Ferry County
Republic
Locals are happy that Habitat For Humanity’s bicycle group is again stopping in Republic. The group, which rides from Connecticut to the Pacific Ocean to raise money for housing projects, has made Republic an overnight stop for several years. The riders will arrive at between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. today and call the Catholic Parish Hall home for a day. If anyone would like to help feed the group or make them welcome, call (509) 775-8984 for information.
Grant County
Ephrata
The city is considering getting out of the trash business. Although it already contracts out for commercial garbage and recycling pickup, the city continues to run its own garbage service. However, the city is entertaining bids for trash collection to make sure it is doing the most cost-effective thing.
Lincoln County
Wilbur
Harvest is spreading north. The first load of wheat was brought to Central Washington Grain Growers in Wilbur on July 24. The truckload of Coda Club wheat was harvested by Ron Rosman, with the help of his family and friends. Rosman’s ground is six miles southeast of Wilbur
Pend Oreille County
Usk
The Kalispel Tribe’s casino at Airway Heights could open by the end of the year. Construction on the “Northern Quest” casino began in February and was scheduled to take one year. The project is running ahead of schedule. The last hurdle to cross before opening is passing regulatory standards by the National Indian Gaming Commission. After that, 500 persons will be hired and trained in the month prior to opening. Resumes can be sent to tribal headquarters at Box 38, Usk, WA, 99180.
Spokane County
Spokane
The Washington State Office of Community Development is awarding the following growth management grants in Spokane County:
$18,000 to the city of Deer Park to develop informational materials and offer a one-day Town Conservation Fair;
$20,000 to the city of Spokane to bring the city into full compliance with the requirements of the Growth Management Act;
$12,000 to the town of Fairfield to retain the services of a planner; and
$16,500 to the town of Millwood to develop a transportation element of the comprehensive plan.
Stevens County
Colville
The City Council has found yet another way to save money on its multimillion-dollar Colville 2000 restoration project. Instead of constructing reinforced concrete stairs to the tune of $63,000, the city will cut stairs in a boulder between Birch and Astor Streets. Costs will be cut in half. The boulder will be flame cut and sandblasted to make it slip-resistant. The city does want to address winter safety concerns for the stairs before final action.
Whitman County
Pullman
Pullman’s National Lentil Festival received national exposure in the August 2000 issue of Sunset magazine. Sunset prints a monthly feature called the Pacific Northwest Travel Guide, where the lentil festival was listed as a great event to attend. The National Lentil Festival, now in its 12th year, celebrates the tiny legume that is grown locally on the Palouse. This year’s festival is set for Aug. 25-26. For information and a schedule of events, call 1-800-365-6948.
IDAHO
Benewah County
Janis and Parker McNeil, pastor of the First Baptist Church, purchased the Gem State Grill from Judy Spiesman. Spiesman had closed the restaurant for health reasons last week after three years of operation. She had the business for sale for two years.
Bonner County
Sagle
Coldwater Creek matched funds with a $7,500 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science award that was presented last month in Washington, D.C., to Betty Collins, Sagle Elementary School teacher. Both awards will be used for educational purposes.
Boundary County
Bonners Ferry
The ranger district has opened some roads for camping and hiking that are usually gated off for wildlife security. The lower Italian Road 2258 is open at Gate 71 and Road 2443E is open at Gate 98. On the eastern side of the county, gate 20 on Road 2225 and Gate 24 on Road 2662 are also open for the summer. In the Katka Peak area, Road 2209 is open at Gate 23 until Aug. 10 and Saddle Pass Road is open at Gate 41 until Aug. 16.
Kootenai County
Spirit Lake
Memo, a Spirit Lake cat, doesn’t know just how lucky it is to live in City Hall, be fed tuna and have free rein in the office. Another cat was donated to the city but employees thought Mayor Bill Moe was kidding when he said the cat could stay. Employees found a nice home for Memo No. 1 - much to the mayor’s dismay. The next day the current Memo cat was donated to his new home and family.
Latah County
Moscow
The Latah County Historical Society and Mary Reed will give a guided tour of the Moscow Cemetery at 4 p.m., Aug. 13. Stories of ordinary and extraordinary residents buried there will be told along with the viewing of memorable inscriptions on headstones. The tour is $2 for members of the historical society, $3 for others.
Shoshone County
Kingston
Bert James, owner of Albert’s Place, purchased a copy of a 1920 Rolls Royce touring bus, put it together, got it running and now takes tubers and river floaters to the Bumblebee Bridge for a fee so they can float the river. James will also be shuttling people to Murray for Molley B’Dam Days. To reserve the bus, call James at 682-4399.
MONTANA
Lincoln County
Libby
The annual Kootenai Valley Christian School benefit live and silent auction is set for 9 a.m. Aug. 12 at Memorial Gym. A preview of items will start the event followed by the auction at 10 a.m. To donate items or for more information, call (406) 293-8381.