The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County Ritzville

Sheriff’s deputies are hot on the trail of some drivers who have been tearing up private property around Cow Lake with their four-wheeldrive vehicles. Not only are they ripping up ground by spinning “doughnuts,” but the rigs are also frightening cattle. Deputies have vehicle information and will continue investigating.

Ferry County Republic

Although the county unemployment rate was still in double figures, January 2000 looked much better than the year before. According to Employment Security Department statistics, there were 330 folks drawing benefits in 2000, translating into 12.9 percent of the eligible work force. In 1999, 14.8 percent, or 390 eligible laborers, were drawing benefits.

Grant County Moses Lake

Undersheriff Mike Shay says methamphetamine laboratories are cropping up countywide. Just last week, a meth house was busted at 1148 Market St. Drug-making materials were seized and the house sealed by hazardous materials crews until it can be properly cleaned. Shay says statewide, two meth labs are busted each day.

Lincoln County Davenport

Twelve area youth have committed to the Venture Program through the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department. The teens will learn about law enforcement through classroom and real-life situations. After training for one week this summer, the students will process accident and crime scene data, patrol with officers, help with house patrols and work in the sheriff’s office.

Pend Oreille County Newport

The Chamber of Commerce has a new executive director - volunteer Donna Meier. Chamber members hope they can eventually afford to pay her a salary. Meier will focus on communication and marketing, leaving the office and current administrative duties alone.

Spokane County Deer Park

Deer Park’s Stephanie Lindsey was part of the Gonzaga University mock trial team that qualified for the national competition on April 14-16 in Des Moines, Iowa. Stevens County Northport Locals are loosening up for the limbo contest at the annual Northport High School Carnival tonight. Fashioned after a Hawaiian luau, the carnival opens at 6 p.m. with the ever-popular dunk tank. Kiddy booths, competitive bingo, miniature golf and fortune tellers will be on hand as high school students raise money for the student-body fund. Look for the crowning of the carnival king and queen at 8 p.m. Doors close at 10 p.m., but die-hard bingo players will be allowed to stay until midnight.

Whitman County Pullman

Police are following up on several leads following the posting of a reward seeking information on two felony burglaries at the Daily Grind. Owner Charlene Jasper offered a $350 reward for information on the crimes, The Daily Grind at 530 NW Davis Way was broken into on Feb. 16th and later on March 5th or 6th. The culprits took an undisclosed amount of cash during both burglaries. In the February breakin, the suspects did about $50 in damage, but in the second burglary, the suspect did $3,000 damage to the espresso shop. Anyone with information regarding the burglaries is urged to contact Officer Bill Osborn at the Pullman Police Department at 334-0802.

IDAHO

Benewah County St.Maries

After seven years as head coach for the high school wrestling team, Ryan Wood resigned. Wood began coaching in 1993 as an assistant to coach Lloyd Moe. The following year Moe moved and Wood became head coach. Wood will continue teaching and plans to spend more time with his family.

Boundary County Sandpoint The Stomp Games, a freestyle competition for snowboarders and skiers, will be held this weekend at Ground Zero Terrain Park at Schweitzer Mountain. The three major events are a big-air competition, a half-pipe competition and “rider-x.” The games start this evening and run through Sunday. More than $2,000 in cash will be awarded, as well as trophies and other prizes. For more information, call Schweitzer at (208) 263-9555.

Bonner County Bonners Ferry

The Bonners Ferry Special Olympics snowshoe team won six Olympic medals during the recent Winter Games held at Schweitzer Mountain. Dana Klein took a gold medal in the 100-meter competition and a silver in the 50-meter race. Dennise Tucker won a silver medal in the 100-meter race and a bronze in the 50-meter race.

Kootenai County Worley

A group of high school students, the Maxwell Workshop Dancers, from Shawnigan Lake, B.C., performed recently at Lakeside Elementary School. The dancers attend Maxwell Baha’i International School, are from several countries and have a variety of cultural, religious and racial backgrounds.

Latah County Moscow

Aglow International, an interdenominational organization of Christian women, will meet March 24 and 25 at the University Inn. Speakers will include Mildred Bean of Jonesville, La., Sharon Bundy of Lewiston and Kathy Schmidt of Clarkston. Cost is $55; call (208) 743-9395 to register.

Shoshone County Kellogg

The U.S. Census Bureau has opened several questionnaire assistance centers in Shoshone County to help residents fill out their census forms at these times and locations: Job Service in Kellogg, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; Pinehurst Elementary School, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays; and the Wallace Senior Center, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays, all through April 14.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

Pat Cohan, a registered nurse, was hired by St. John’s Lutheran Hospital as on-site screening clinic coordinator for asbestos poisoning. The clinic will temporarily be in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s trailer behind the Prompt Care clinic. Cohan will coordinate screenings and evaluations performed by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and long-term follow-up for those who need it.