The County Lines

Sun., Nov. 19, 2000

WASHINGTON

Adams County Ritzville

Four die-hards roam the sidelines for every Broncos home football game, year after year. The “chain gang” marks off yardage and first downs. Bruce Benzel has been “doing time” for 28 years and Gary Reilly for 21. Deni Atkinson has done 18 years, and “rookie” Randy Moore has labored for 10 years.

Ferry County Republic

Those in need are invited to spend Thanksgiving at the Hitch-N-Post, which has been serving a special dinner for their neighbors for 16 years. The eats begin at 1 p.m. To donate food or money toward the free meal, drop by the restaurant or call (509) 775-2221.

Grant County Coulee City

The City Council has approved the purchase of a new firetruck. Fire Chief Don Rushton proposed the city buy a surplus DNR truck for $9,500. Another $3,000 will be needed to equip the rig as a firetruck. Funding came from the Fire Equipment Replacement Fund.

Lincoln County Wilbur

Former Wilbur Elementary School Principal Donna Marvin recently received a kidney from Grand Coulee resident Pat Zeigner. Despite matching on four criteria, the kidney did not take. It was removed after three days because no blood was flowing to it and it was not functioning. Marvin can try another in six months if a donor is found.

Pend Oreille County Newport

The Newport School District is putting a two-year special levy request on the ballot Feb. 6. The maintenance and operations levy is a replacement levy, not an additional one. The school hopes to collect $542,000 in 2002, and $580,000 in 2003 to pay for building and grounds operations.

Stevens County Chewelah

A moving tribute to veterans was recently installed at the Chewelah City Park. The sculpture by John Hockley shows a pair of worn boots with a rifle propped up behind them and a GI helmet hanging from the barrel of the rifle. The piece was bronzed and is a reminder of the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall’s location when it was here in 1998. Locals raised $11,101 over two years to commission the statue.

Whitman County Pullman

Open burning has been banned since April 1999. The few exeptions are recreational fires, ceremonial or religious fires and fires for large food preparation. The city is offering a free pickup of leaves during November. Check the city’s Web site: www.ci.pullman.wa.us.

IDAHO

Benewah County St. Maries

The Seventh-day Adventist Church will give Thanksgiving food baskets to low-income families in the area. Call Gail Resser at (208) 245-4142 or Laura Taylor at (208) 245-5849.

Bonner County Sandpoint

Jana Shields is Idaho’s Middle School Physical Education Professional of the Year. Shields, a health and physical education teacher, works at Sandpoint Middle School. She was nominated by Enid Trenholm and has taught P.E. for seven years. Through her efforts, the school acquired a climbing wall, cross-country skis and a large exercise play ball.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

Boundary County Community Action Agency offers a hand to those who are hungry or cold and trying to make ends meet. The nonprofit also helps people become self-sufficient. Call (208) 267-3663.

Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene

Windermere Coeur d’Alene Realty/Windermere Foundation is collecting donations to provide new winter boots and socks to needy children. Last year they provided winter wear for 493 kids. Donations are tax-deductible and can be sent to or dropped off at the nonprofit organization at 1000 Northwest Blvd., Suite 200, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.

Latah County Moscow

Whitepine School District voters will decide Dec. 12 if they want to deconsolidate their district. If approved, the new west district would include Troy students and the new east district would include students from Deary, Bovill and Elk River. Call (208) 835-3791.

Shoshone County Kellogg

About 75 Scouts, volunteers, members of county Fire District II, the Community Ambulance Service, the Sheriff’s Department and the Pinehurst Police Department collected about 5,340 pounds of food for the Shoshone County Food Bank. Laureen Chaffin, organizer of “Scouting for Food,” said the total was 500 pounds more than last year’s. She said this is her and Ruth Berg’s last year to chair the event.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

Inez Herrig, 90, was honored on the first National Advocacy Honor Roll. She served 60 years as a public librarian in Libby. She was unable to attend a banquet in Chicago for her and about 300 others chosen.

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