The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County
Othello
Locals are watching with interest as former high school baseball standout Wade Parrish heads into his second pro season. Parrish was drafted into the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. He spent last season playing in Yakima, but this spring he’ll probably wear a Dodger farm-team uniform in either California or Florida. Because he is one of the few left-handed relief pitchers in the organization, Parrish should rise quickly.
Ferry County
Republic
The local branch of the Community Colleges of Spokane wants to let possible students know there’s no better time than the present to apply for financial aid.
The same federal forms are used for all college-bound students, no matter what school they’re attending. All local students are asked to bring their pink forms in when received, regardless of errors. Corrections will be sent electronically.
Grant County
Moses Lake
Tamar Schmidt won the right to represent the community as Moses Lake Junior Miss for the next year. Schmidt entranced the audience with her recitation from Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” complete with vintage gown. Runners-up were Tiffany Byington and Shariffa Edwards.
Lincoln County
Creston
Although she had no competition for the Miss Creston crown, Laree Johns is excited about being the town’s official ambassador. Johns is the only girl eligible for the title of Miss Creston as she is the only girl in the two-member junior class. She will be officially crowned later this spring. Her summer will be spent attending regional parades and hosting Creston Community Days.
Pend Oreille County
Newport
The city is getting its grant money’s worth out of Bill Litsinger. Litsinger, the local police force’s community resource officer, is hammering out a four-part agenda. Not only will he set up a reserve officer program, but he is creating a school safety program, as well as bringing “Block Watch” and “Crimestoppers” to Newport. Litsinger’s salary is paid with the grant through August. After that, he’ll run for Bonner County sheriff.
Spokane County
Spokane
The Toyota Golf Skills Challenge missed its shot before the Spokane Park Board last week. The Park Board voted unanimously not to invite the special golf event back to The Creek at Qualchan Golf Course this year. Board member Steve McNutt said there wouldn’t be enough participation in the event to justify closing part of the course for three days in September. The golf skills event was at Qualchan last year while part of the course was shut down for streambank stabilization.
Stevens County
Rice
Because locals cannot ban the sale of candy at the Rice Store, they’re thinking of taking garbage matters into their own hands. Melting snow has revealed a long string of garbage along the highway, mostly candy wrappers from kids. Locals are not only asking parents and concerned neighbors to point kids in the direction of a trash can, but encourage all to turn out for a garbage-a-thon as soon as weather permits.
IDAHO
Benewah County
St. Maries
Prosecuting Attorney Doug Payne recently decided to run for a second term in this year’s general election. Payne was hired as deputy prosecutor under Rich Christensen in 1994. Christensen chose not to run for another term in 1996 and Payne ran unopposed.
Bonner County
Sandpoint
A petition signed by 143 businesses will be submitted to the City Council soon to enact a Business Improvement District. The Downtown Sandpoint Business Association’s next step is to increase business success and revitalize downtown with self-determination, resource conservation and incremental transformation through a National Trust for Historic Preservation program called the National Main Street Center.
Boundary County
Bonners Ferry
The county’s unemployment rate for February was down compared with February 1999. Last year’s rate was 8.5 percent, compared with this year’s rate of 7.4 percent, Job Service branch manager Albert Clement said.
Kootenai County
Worley
The new Worley Senior Center/City Hall construction is slated to begin in late March or April, depending on weather conditions. The single-story building will be built behind the current Worley City Hall site and will have 3,000 square feet of space. It will have a small office, dining area, commercial kitchen and pantry for the senior center. City hall will have an office for a Kootenai County sheriff’s deputy, a reception area, city office and a council meeting room. The center and city hall will share disabled-accessible restrooms and a large lobby area with display cases. Plans can be seen at the current city hall.
Latah County
Moscow
Volunteers are needed for the 12th annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 15. Volunteers are needed to direct traffic, hand out educational materials and survey forms, unload vehicles and assist in recycling paint, oil and antifreeze. The event also includes the Paint Exchange Day, in which all paint collected is redistributed to the community. For more information, call (208) 882-0590.
Shoshone County
Wallace
The Shoshone Democratic Women’s Caucus will have a no-host luncheon at noon Tuesday at the Brooks Hotel. Women interested in learning about current political issues and the political process may join the club or attend the luncheon. Call Ellen Sauer at (208) 556-8011 for reservations.
MONTANA
Lincoln County
Libby
Carolyn Stamy was recently selected for the Montana Women’s Foundation Advisory Council. Stamy is a self-employed consultant for nonprofit organizations. The board will serve as a conduit from the Women’s Foundation of Montana to communities needing leadership in fund-raising, advocacy and the identification of women’s issues. The advisory council is funded by the Chambers Family Fund for a five-year period.