The County Lines

Wed., March 8, 2000

WASHINGTON

Adams County Ritzville

Ritzville won’t field a tennis team this year. The district is dealing with declining enrollment, which makes it hard to fill five spring sports teams. Because of gender-equity rules, the school had to choose a sport that boys and girls play.

Ferry County Malo

It’s official - Darius “Doc” Young is one of the all-time greats of indoor target shooting. Young, returning from a respite in Mexico, opened his mail to find he’d been named one of the sport’s top 50 competitors of the 20th century. Shooting Sports USA magazine compiled the list. It was a good visit to the mailbox for Young, as other envelopes held national pistol shooting records certificates and notification of being awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for pistol shooting.

Grant County Grand Coulee

It’s about time someone noticed all Bob Rupe’s good works. Rupe was honored by the local chamber of commerce as its Achiever of the Year. Rupe and his wife, Carol, own the landmark Teepee Restaurant. Business of the Year award went to Coulee Hardware.

Lincoln County Wilbur

The local school could find a bit of a budget crunch, as enrollment has dropped six students below the number used for budgeting. The district began the year with 297 full-time students, but has lost 30. Most students who’ve left were “choice” students who had opted out of their school to come to Wilbur. Many have returned to their home districts.

Pend Oreille County Newport

The fire department has a new chief. Bill Jackson was recently voted into the chief position, replacing Rod Owen, who had served for two years. Jackson has chosen Dale Maki as his assistant chief.

Spokane County Spokane

Interested in food preservation? Like helping others? Washington State University Cooperative Extension will train food safety advisor volunteers beginning April 5. Applications are being accepted. Training will be every Wednesday morning from April 5 to May 24. It covers safe food handling and preservation in the home. In return for the free training, volunteers will be asked to donate 50 hours to help educate others within the county from July through October. For more information, or to sign up, contact Elaine Mayes at (509) 477-2171.

Stevens County Kettle Falls

Kettle Falls and Colville will be getting new child care centers. Eastern Washington University has announced it will provide Early Head Start program is both towns through the Growing Tree Preschool and Child Care Centers. The Growing Tree is locally owned.

Whitman County Colfax

Whitman County commissioners this week approved the name change of the county’s River Road to Brayton Road in honor of former Washington State baseball coach Charles “Bobo” Brayton.

IDAHO

Benewah County Tensed

This year’s annual talent show, “Just for Fun” is set for March 19 at Tensed Community Center. Interested performers must register by Monday. To register, call Dale Morlan at (208) 274-2234. Last year’s contest drew 20 performers and a crowd of observers. The show is sponsored by the Tensed Area Business Association.

Bonner County Sandpoint

The Bonner County Road Department recently posted road restrictions on all roads in three road districts. A few roads are also closed to hauling. They include Eastshore Road and River Run in District 2 and Rapid Lighting Road in District 3. For more information, call (208) 265-1497.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

The Boundary County Assessor’s Office is reminding residents to file their personal property declarations and applications for agricultural designation by the March 15 deadline. Personal property used to generate income needs to be declared. A change of land use from “other rural land” to agricultural, which is appraised at a lower rate, requires filing for the agricultural designation. Forms are available at the assessor’s office, on the main floor of the courthouse.

Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene

“A Company of Wayward Saints” will be performed by students in Lake City High School’s Troupe de Wolfe at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at the school.

Latah County Moscow

The University of Idaho recently selected Gregory Tatham as the new Student Center director. Tatham, currently the Student Center director at Southern Illinois University, begins in May. Tatham will replace Shana Plaster and Lindsay Read McCall, who have served as interim co-directors since the spring of 1999.

Shoshone County Kellogg

The Planning and Zoning Commission agreed to rezone the old Sunnyside School as general commercial. Dave Smith Motors made the request so it could use the lot for customer and employee parking.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

The fifth annual “Follow us to the Irish Fair” begins with a parade at 10 a.m. Saturday. The event celebrates the Irish and Celtic heritage and culture. It includes a craft fair and a concert by Spokane’s Celtic Nots, the Highlanders Pipe Band and the Shaughnessy Hill Band. For information, call (406) 293-4167.

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