The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County Ritzville
The annual Wagon Train Descendants reunion will be May 27. Each of the original 16 families who traveled here by covered wagon is represented in the collection of pictures and other historical records. The event begins at 9 a.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church.
Ferry County Republic
The Eagles Track Raceway is ready to rumble as part of the Northeast Dirt Cup Challenge Series. Stock car racers are invited to a two-day Memorial Day race-a-thon. Gates open at noon on race days, with time trials at 12:30 p.m.
Grant County Mattawa
The interim director of the Mattawa Community Medical Clinic is in danger of being sued. Former employee Val Parker is questioning the leadership of the board and interim administrator Charlotte Lang. Operated by Grant County Public Hospital District 5, the clinic is being audited due to unspecified claims by Parker. Parker says she’s contacted an attorney as well as the state auditor’s office.
Lincoln County Davenport
The Stockland livestock exchange is asking the state Department of Agriculture for two more days of operation per week and an extra Saturday per month. Public comment and hearings have been held, but no word has been given on the decision. Some neighbors are fed up with the smell of manure and fear a large outbreak of flies again this summer, among other health concerns. Others feel it has brought business to town. Stockland recently moved to Davenport from Spokane.
Pend Orielle County Newport
Larry Weis, county Public Utility District general manager since 1990, has resigned to take job with the Turlock (Calif.) Irrigation District. The board will search for a new GM and revisit the duties of the $106,600-a-year position itself. Spokane County Spokane The Lions Health Screening Unit will be parked in front of the Super 1 Foods store at the Manito Shopping Center next Wednesday and Thursday for free health screenings. The hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
Stevens County Colville
There are two days left in the city’s Spring Clean-Up campaign. The city is hauling off household waste. Waste Management crews will pick up non-metal items only, such as furniture, televisions, appliances, mattresses, tires and miscellaneous items. All need to be left curbside for crews to pick up. For pickup information, call (509) 685-9775.
Whitman County Pullman
The Hispanic Outlook journal ranked Washington State University in its Top 100 schools in the nation for granting doctoral degrees to Latino students. WSU ranked 49th using data from the 1997-98 fiscal year. That year, WSU granted eight doctoral degrees to Latino students. In the 1999 fall semester there were 89 Latino grad students at WSU.
IDAHO
Benewah County St. Maries
Idaho’s Division of Environmental Quality has notified the city it will begin monitoring air quality in town next month. The agency will install two sampling devices on the Federal Building roof. Filter equipment will be used to trap particles from the air for three years. Data won’t be usable until the test period is over, but the information will be used to gauge the quality of air by months or seasons.
Bonner County Sandpoint
The Bonner County Clerk’s Office will display the voter tally machine to be used on primary election night. The display and a test run will begin at 10 a.m. Friday in the main courthouse hallway. For more information, call (208) 265-1432.
Boundary County Bonners Ferry
The 39th annual Memorial Day program May 29 will include a parade at 10 a.m. and a program at Grandview Cemetery at 10:45 a.m. U.S. and Canadian veterans groups, the National Guard and 50 local civic groups will participate. For details, call John Tucker at (208) 267-7896.
Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene
Volunteers are needed to help on a stream-improvement project on Beauty Creek. The project is organized by the North Idaho Flycasters Club and will begin at 10 a.m. with planting dogwood and willow trees along the rechanneled creek. For details or to volunteer call Earl Frizzell at (208) 664-8020.
Latah County Moscow
The Palouse Regional Crisis Line needs volunteers. A training session will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Harvest House in Pullman. Academic credit is available. To volunteer call (509) 332-1505.
Shoshone County Kellogg
The Kellogg School District named Steve Critchfield Employee of the Year. He has worked for 23 years as a custodian and is described as a diligent, positive worker who has promoted good staff morale and has a positive influence on others.
MONTANA
Lincoln County Troy
During a recent city council meeting it was reported the United Methodist Church donated $30,000 to the city for the development of Roosevelt Park. The city is working to acquire grants to match the funds. The church also plans to donate another $10,000 to build a skateboard facility at the park.