The County Lines

Sat., June 3, 2000

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Othello

Washington State University plant pathologist Dennis Johnson says the cool weather of late puts spud crops at higher risk for blight. Othello-area growers, according to Johnson’s math, stand a 70 percent chance of having affected crops. Late blight, a fungus, is what caused the infamous Irish potato famine of the 1840s.

Ferry County

Keller

Former Keller resident Lex Katich is the WSU track team’s top pole vaulter at 16 feet, 10 inches. Although a former state pole vault champion for the Wilbur-Creston Wildcats, Katich is best known in Ferry County for his superior bull-riding skills. A senior, Katich is majoring in sports management.

Grant County

Ephrata

The county Public Utilities District will have its new fiber optics system ready by midsummer. At that time, residents and businesses will be choosing Internet, cable and phone providers. It is hoped the upgrade will make the county a mecca for telecommunications firms looking for a lower-cost place to locate.

Lincoln County

Davenport

The Lincoln Hospital District No.3 wants to provide a health clinic in Reardan that would be open 24 hours per week. The location has not been chosen, and negotiations for existing business space are ongoing.

Pend Oreille County

Metaline Falls

Cominco American is delaying until September a decision on whether to start working in the Pend Oreille Mine. The company is still working to complete the final environmental impact statement. Meanwhile, all are looking at public comments which have come in.

Spokane County

Spokane

The Monroe Street Antique District’s annual sidewalk sale is today and Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The sale will be outside of each of the district’s 11 antique stores on Monroe Street between Second Avenue and Fairview Street. Watch for balloons.

Stevens County

Kettle Falls

A group of Kettle Falls High School students on their way to Spokane for an annual FFA Youth Livestock Judging Show found five puppies that had been dumped by the side of the road. They stopped and immediately found homes for the pups. Tanya Benjamin, Tasha McCrite, William Aldous, Crystal Lally and Brandon McNamee are all considered hometown heroes.

Whitman County

Pullman

More than 300 Girl Scouts will clean and green outdoor areas and communities today throughout the Inland Northwest, including Pullman. A group of eight Girl Scouts plan to pick up litter in the Wurgler Marsh wetland. The second annual “Green It & Clean It” day will draw attention to how Girl Scouts give back to their communities with hundreds of hours of volunteer time.

IDAHO

Benewah County

St. Maries

St. Maries High School senior Chuck Compton will race his motorcycle at two national races this weekend instead of attending his graduation ceremony. Compton’s first race is the National Enduro qualifier and the second will be the Idaho City 100 race. He’s trying to qualify for the U.S.A. Enduro Team.

Bonner County

Sandpoint

The 10th annual North Idaho Timberfest will be June 9-10. Alvin Kluver was chosen as 2000 Timberfest Bull of the Woods for his 43 years of service in the timber industry. A dance for anyone over 21 will begin at 8 p.m. June 9 at the Bonner County Fair Grounds. The log truck and loading competition will start at 8 a.m. June 10 followed by exhibits and children’s activities at 10 a.m. and other logging competitions at noon in the main area. For details, call (208) 263-0887.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

Boundary Community Hospital’s Employee of the Month for June is Elizabeth Cada. She is the lead morning tray person and a part-time cook in the nutritional services department. Cada has worked at the hospital for four years and brings her animals into the Extended Care Facility for patients’ “pet therapy.”

Kootenai County

Coeur d’Alene

Today is the last day of Lakes Middle School’s Penny Drive to support the Relay for Life, an overnight fund-raiser July 14-15 at Coeur d’Alene High School. The fund-raiser honors cancer survivors and victims. Pennies can be donated at the Silver Lake Mall from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today. For details, call 762-2112.

Latah County

Moscow

Mayor Marshall Comstock is seeking suggestions on how to use a $5 million donation to the city from the estate of Bob Hamilton. Hamilton wanted the money to be used for city parks and recreation projects. The mayor formed a task force, the Hamilton for Youth Dream Team, to establish priorities for youth recreation facilities and programs. Send ideas to Mayor Marshall Comstock at P.O. Box 9203, Moscow, ID 83843 or e-mail to comstock@moscow.com.

Shoshone County

Wallace

Shoshone County Public Works Department has two job openings for equipment operators at Marble Creek. Job descriptions and applications are at the Wallace Courthouse Public Works Department.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

The Wolf-Fortine Road will be closed for two to four hours today for the installation of culverts near mileposts 23 and 27. For more information, call Larry Lampton at the Libby Ranger District at (406) 293-7773.

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