The County Lines

Wed., May 24, 2000

WASHINGTON

Adams County Ritzville

Tourism funds from hotel/motel taxes were distributed to committees and community events at a recent Ritzville City Council meeting. Although more than $128,000 was requested, the council’s finance committee doled out only $18,000. The Arts Commission, Bronc Boosters and Little League were among recipients. Earlier, the Ritzville Blues Festival received $16,800 and the Chamber $16,800 to run the visitors information center.

Ferry County Republic

Thrushes - a forest-dwelling bird - will soon be counted. The Colville National Forest and Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology are looking for volunteer bird-watchers they can train to record the birds’ social habits. For information, or to volunteer, call (509) 684-7000.

Grant County Moses Lake

The Moses Lake Aquatic Center has opened for the season. It has two 200-foot water slides, an Olympic-size pool, volleyball courts, playground and concession stand. Admission is $3 for kids and $4 for adults daily.

Lincoln County Sherman

Memorial Day services are planned at Sherman Cemetery. The event will feature Pastor John Reagan of Wilbur’s New Life Center church. The local VFW post will post color and perform the salute. Sherman, once a bustling town, is northeast of Wilbur on Sherman Road.

Spokane County Otis Orchards

Clyde Starr, 81, of Otis Orchards, has been named Washington State Crime Prevention Volunteer of the Year. Starr, who helped launch three neighborhood Sheriff’s Community Oriented Policing Effort groups in the Spokane Valley, was honored for the more than 6,000 hours he has given to SCOPE and Block Watch. He also helped launch the Newman Lake and Liberty Lake SCOPE groups, and oversaw the $30,000 remodeling of the SCOPE University office in 1995. He will receive the award Friday at a ceremony in Leavenworth.

Stevens County Colville

The EPA, state Department of Ecology and the city will discuss wellhead protection at a public meeting Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Fort Colville Grange Hall. The area in question includes acreage around Colville’s drinking water wells. The EPA says increased chemical use has caused more contamination nationwide. Also, old wells not in use are a large source of contamination and need to be identified here.

Whitman County Colfax

Sheriff’s deputies and the State Patrol are participating this week in a nationwide “Crackdown On Deadbeat Drivers,” adults who drive with unbuckled children. People are urged to report drivers who fail to safely buckle up kids by calling (800) 764-5755 and give the state and license plate number of the vehicle. The National Safety Council will send a letter to the vehicle’s owner cautioning them about the dangers and legal implications when drivers fail to buckle up children.

IDAHO

Benewah County Plummer

The Plummer citywide yard sale is set for June 10. Residents wishing to register and have their location listed on a map need to do so by June 3. The cost is $5. Call Arlene Huggins, (208) 686-1403.

Bonner County Sandpoint

The first class - Landscape Trees for North Idaho - of five in the Home Horticulture Workshop Series will be presented from 7-9 p.m. June 7 at the Bonner County Extension Office. Linden Maxwell, the community forest coordinator and a certified arborist, will teach the class. The cost is $5. Registration is required; call (208) 263-8511.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

The Boundary Community Hospital has a new method to help patients. Pepe the Clown visits patients feeling downhearted. Pepe also visits Kootenai Medical Center and is part of a 48-member organization there.

Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene

Kootenai County Fire District purchased two new vehicles to replace a utility truck and the incident command vehicle. A 1999 Ford F-350 and a 2000 Chevy Blazer were purchased for $24,000 each.

Latah County Moscow

Moscow resident Bryce Olson exhibited his steer and won 4-H Grand Champion at the 2000 Spokane Junior Livestock show held recently. Dave Smith Motors of Kellogg and Montague Auctions of Spokane purchased the 1,290-pound steer.

Shoshone County Kellogg

The Silver Valley Soccer Club is looking for someone to teach four 14-year-old students soccer. They also are looking for referees for the season. Late registration for youths still is open. If interested, attend the general meeting at 6:30 tonight at the Silver Hills Middle School or call (208) 752-7511.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

An optometrist in Libby for 35 years, Dr. James Luscher will retire in July. He and his wife will continue to live in Libby. Dr. Terry Patrick of Denver has purchased Luscher’s practice. Patrick has been in private practice in Denver for 10 years.

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