The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County Othello
Zacarias and Josefina Vasquez and Frank and Conception Vasquez have bragging rights on the next big weight lifting sensation. Their grandson, Nate, 8, recently broke four world records in weight lifting. The boy shattered the 65-pound weight division squat record, bench press, dead lift and overall total records. He was also named “Pound-for-Pound Outstanding Lifter” at the AAU World Powerlifting Championships.
Ferry County Republic
The local grocery store is celebrating 100 years of service. Anderson’s Grocery will be a century old this summer, and a big bash is being planned. The store’s owners are looking for any memorabilia from years past. They also welcome folks to write down special memories of the store and past employees. These memories can be mailed to Anderson’s Grocery, Box 1120, Republic, WA 99166.
Grant County Ephrata
Local police are hoping to clear the streets of drivers with suspended licenses. The City Council will vote Wednesday on an ordinance to allow the impounding of a vehicle following a traffic violation if the driver has a suspended license. Currently, the police cannot impound a vehicle of a suspended driver unless it is illegally parked or creating a traffic hazard.
Lincoln County Davenport
The county has changed the way it gives food handler permits. The Environmental Health Department will offer 30-minute classes each Thursday at 2 p.m. at the courthouse annex. Health card fees are $8, and study guides can be picked up in advance.
Pend Oreille County Metaline Falls The Selkirk School District is reminding voters to send back ballots by Tuesday. The district is proposing a two-year, $150,000 levy proposal. The district is in a vote-by-mail-only area.
Spokane County Spokane
Fantasia 2000 has been a big draw at the IMAX Theater in Riverfront Park this winter, with more than 22,000 paid admissions in January and February. The theater’s gross revenue was $160,000 for the two months, compared with less than $30,000 a year ago.
Stevens County Colville
Local resident Paul Curran says more seniors should take advantage of the Colville Senior Citizens Center. Curran says since his wife died, he’s leaned on the center for companionship and meals. He says the food is top-rate and costs only $2 for folks 60 and over.
Whitman County Colfax
The Sheriff’s Office has awarded the Medal of Merit to three employees. Civil Deputy Rita Konzal received the honor for her work on the county’s E-911 project. Corrections officers Harry Knopes and Douglas Wagner were awarded the medal for quick and decisive actions to evacuate inmates safely during a fire in the county jail March 30, 1999.
IDAHO
Benewah County Emida
Residents recently decided the Secret Sisters club could take over management of the Community Center. The club has appointed four children’s advisors, Chris Fuller, Tammy Panky, Rhonda Wilks and Lois Reeves. The advisors will have a meeting with children to hear how they’d like to raise money to build a basketball court. Other members will clean and organize the center.
Bonner County Clark Fork
Kalispel Indian Tribe traditions will be covered in an all-day lecture March 18 at the University of Idaho Clark Fork Field Campus. Veronica Brown Eagle is the featured speaker. Brown Eagle is a member of both the Kalispel and Spokane Indian tribes and works as an alcohol/drug counselor at the Healing Lodge in Spokane. Registration is $19 and lodging is available. Call (208) 266-1452 for more information.
Boundary County Bonners Ferry
The high school Badgers wrestling team recently had two juniors place in the state championship. J.B. Plato took first place in the 171-pound division and Mike Gross took fifth place in the 119-pound division. As a team, the Badgers placed 13th in the state.
Kootenai County Post Falls
The city recently purchased a new street sweeper for $144,000. A state grant covered $116,000 and the city paid the remaining $28,000. Street superintendent Jim Porter said the new machine runs about three times faster and meets EPA guidelines for dust particle emissions within city limits.
Latah County Moscow
Ina May Gaskin, a midwife and author, will discuss birth, midwifery and health care at 4:30 p.m. April 14 at the University of Idaho College of Law courtroom. A reception will follow. Gaskin also will lead three midwifery workshops April 15 at the same location. The cost is $150. Call (208) 224-6865 for more information. The events are sponsored by Motherwise Midwifery and Doula Service, The Moscow Food Co-Op and the University of Idaho Women’s Center.
Shoshone County Kellogg
Patrick Deneen Jr., a 12-year old local skier, earned a spot at the Junior Olympics by becoming the Grand Prix point winner for his division in the USSA Regional Freestyle Championship. The championship was at Silver Mountain and included competitors from Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Montana. Mark Williams, USSA Pacific Northwest Freestyle chairman said Deneen “is a hot skier for a 12-year-old kid.”
MONTANA
Lincoln County Libby
The city council will conduct a second public meeting at 7 p.m. March 20 at City Hall to hear public comment on community development needs and priorities of the city for economic development, housing, neighborhood and public facilities revitalization and how those needs affect low- and moderate-income people. The city is considering applying to the Montana Department of Commerce for a Community Development Block Grant. For more information, call (406) 293-2731.