The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Othello

The city recently passed an ordinance requiring that dog owners be at least 18 years old, because kids often denied ownership of an offending animal to get out of a fine or reprimand. Folks wanting to license their dogs must now show proof of age at City Hall.

Ferry County

Republic

The Ferry Conservation District recently received good news. The district has been awarded a Department of Ecology grant for $236,869 to improve water quality in a trio of key watershed areas. The Lone Ranch, St. Peters and Lambert Creek watersheds need protection and improved quality. The county will use the money to monitor water quality, survey the surrounding environment and start a management plan.

Grant County

Moses Lake

Two local kids have decided the city needs a BMX bicycle park. Tony Burnett and Bryson Bates have started a petition to get the City Council to construct the bike area, and more than 100 signatures are already on paper. The kids pitched the city Park and Recreation Commission. The commission congratulated the boys for their idea by asking them to do some legwork on equipment, costs, location and liability. The boys should bring some ideas to the table soon.

Lincoln County

Odessa

An architect has been checking out the old City Hall. Sue Lani Madsen has been looking over the historic building to find the best way to restore the second floor and bring it up to code. Townsfolk are already dreaming up fund-raisers to come up with matching funds for a possible Capital Projects for Washington’s Heritage grant, which they plan to apply for. The city can also credit volunteer work toward the total.

Pend Oreille County

Newport

About 1,500 people received a survey about county law enforcement, and some were upset it did not state who paid for the survey. The survey was the brainchild of area businessman and property owner Jeff Masnic. The company performing the survey, Market Data Research of Tacoma, says it told Masnic not to sign his name to prevent bias in responses. Instead, the survey is attributed to Speak Up Pend Oreille, identified as a nonprofit citizens group. The group, however, is not registered with the state.

Stevens County

Colville

A group of some 50 business and community leaders says Stevens County, especially the northern reaches, is in dire need of technology expansion. The group met recently to discuss how to bring the information superhighway up to its potential. The group says greater bandwidth for increased high-speed data lines between Colville and Spokane is critical. U.S. West may expand its capacity, but not right away. Until then, the group will consider ways to raise money and expand technology on its own.

IDAHO

Benewah County

Plummer

Lakeside High School recently started Saturday school in an effort to keep truant students in school rather than expelling them. Principal Bob McGrew will be supervising the sessions, which are held 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. every Saturday. For more information, call (208) 686-1937.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

Maurie Brooks of Priest River was recently announced winner of the 1999 Bonner-Boundary Cattlemen and Cattlewomen $500 scholarship. Brooks is attending the University of Idaho and is majoring in animal science. This is the 15th annual scholarship awarded by the group.

Latah County

Moscow

The county will get financial help from the new capital crime defense fund to help cover the cost of prosecuting six people for a double murder committed last year. The county estimates cost of more than $100,000 to defend Dale Carter Shackelford, against whom prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. The fund was created two years ago with payments from all Idaho counties to cover the costs of seeking the death penalty.

Shoshone County

Kellogg

The Kellogg Police Department recently hired Frank “Pat” Bates. Bates replaces Dewey Burns, who joined the King County Sheriff’s Department. Bates served as a reserve officer in Pinehurst from 1992 to 1995 while earning a degree in law enforcement. He will attend Peace Officer Standardized Training this summer in Boise.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Troy

During a three-hour Troy school board executive session it was agreed to announce a decision during the March meeting whether or not to renew the contract with technology coordinator Doug Frank. District Superintendent Wayne Lersbak recommended not to renew the contract. Under state law, a nontenured teacher’s contract may be terminated at the conclusion of a school year without cause, but written notice to the teacher is required by June 1.