The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County Othello
The state Department of Ecology has removed property owned by the local Les Schwab dealership from a toxic Cleanup Action Plan. The majority of the land that needs to be cleaned up is owned by Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway. Soil in the Les Schwab area meets residential health standards. The site is a former railroad refueling yard.
Ferry County Republic
You know you’re in a small town when the first baby of the new year is born Feb. 29. Johnathan Christopher Benton has two reasons to celebrate: He’s the first baby of 2000 born at Ferry County Memorial Hospital, and he’s a Leap baby. The son of Steven and Rebecca Benton of Republic weighed in at just over 9 pounds.
Grant County Moses Lake
In the wake of its maintenance and operations levy failure, the school board is taking some heavy criticism. At the top of the list is the four-period day. Big Bend Community College instructor Rex Wilkes told the board at a recent meeting that the schedule allows students to waste too much time. He called business and math skills “terrible,” and said if the school ended the four-period system, he’d gladly support the levy. It is the district’s first M&O levy loss since 1976.
Lincoln County Wilbur
The first buttercup of the year was brought into the Wilbur Register office. Kelsey and Taren Beaver found the bloom on their farm south of town last week. Actually, the first buttercup was reported by Roberta Quirk two weeks earlier. Quirk had a leg up on the girls though, as she planted the buttercup in her garden next to her house, and in full sunlight, last year. The Beaver girls earned the front-page picture as their reward because rules state the first buttercup must be brought to the Register office to win the prize.
Pend Oreille County Newport
Parking requirements may kill a $1 million construction plan in downtown Newport. The Spokane Teachers Credit Union and the Pend Oreille Public Utilities District had forged a deal to build a new financial facility, with extra offices and a public auditorium downtown. However, the city says there isn’t enough off-street parking, which has the PUD considering packing its bags. PUD general manager Larry Weis says he sees little problem, as many downtown businesses don’t have adequate parking either.
Spokane County Spokane
Basketball fans will be pleased to learn that the city expects to bring the film “Michael Jordan to the Max” to the IMAX Theater. The tentative opening date is May 5.
Stevens County Kettle Falls
The school district is hoping to make it eight in a row. Voters here have supported maintenance and operations levies with a favorable vote since 1986. This year, the school board is asking for $2.33 per $1,000 of assessed valuation in 2001, and $2.30 in 2002. The board is proud that it asks voters for far less than most smaller schools in the area.
Whitman County Pullman
The 4th annual Model Railroad Swap Meet will be March 19 at the Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum on the Washington State University campus. Sponsored by the Palouse Empire Rail Society, the meet will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for hobbyists to buy, sell, trade or swap toy trains. A Lionel O-Gauge Starter Train Set will be raffled off and there will be collectibles, antiques, books, videos and about anything else “railroad.” A group of Northwest authors will sign books from noon through 3 p.m., including noted railroad historian Jim Fredrickson of Tacoma, Warren McGee, and William and Jan Taylor of Montana and author Kurt Armbruster of Seattle.
IDAHO
Benewah County St.Maries
The annual Ducks Unlimited banquet will begin with a social hour at 6 p.m. March 24, followed by dinner at 7 p.m., and the auction and raffle. Dinner choices are prime rib or shrimp, and cost is $45 a person or $65 a couple, which includes annual membership dues. For more information, call (208) 245-4753.
Bonner County Priest River
On the advice of lead engineer Larry Esvelt and associate engineer Joe Olmstead, the City Council recently rejected all three bids submitted for the pending wastewater treatment plant upgrade. The engineers said the bids came in much higher than their estimates.
Boundary County Bonners Ferry
The Planning and Zoning Commission refused a permit for a proposed gravel pit on Country Road 6-1 recently. Don Grove filed for the special use application. Neighbors voiced their opposition to the gravel pit during the hearing, citing noise, possible health issues, impact on wildlife habitat, excessive dust, increased traffic and damage to the road.
Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene
Cathleen Larson, manager of the Post Falls Food Bank, reported recently that someone stole Top Ramen noodles, cereal and candy valued at about $77 from the food bank, according to a Post Falls police report.
Latah County Moscow
About 80 Moscow High School sophomores and juniors paired off recently to act as married couples trying to buy their first home. Latah County Board of Realtors Association members, mortgage company representatives, home inspectors and appraisers walked students through the steps to move from renting to buying a home. The course introduced students to professions centered around real estate and taught them a life skill.
Shoshone County Kellogg
Residents interested in hiring a recreation professional and forming a recreational district in the Silver Valley met recently to discuss ideas and issues. Bill Schudder, ranger at the Cataldo Mission State Park, said if a district is formed it would provide a wide variety of structured community activities for everyone. For more information, call Schudder at 682-3814 or 682-3791.
MONTANA
Lincoln County Troy
A representative from the Montana Veterans Affairs Division in Kalispell will meet with veterans and their family members Monday to answer questions regarding benefits. Sherry Stewart, service officer, will be in Troy from 11 a.m. to noon at the Senior Citizens Center and from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Libby Senior Citizens Center. For more information, call (406) 755-3795.