The County Lines

Wed., Nov. 22, 2000

WASHINGTON

Adams County Ritzville

It’s been a long time coming, but the foundation for the Wheat Land Communities Fair exhibit building has been poured. The pad was poured Nov. 4 by Ritzville Pre-Mix crews and fair volunteers. The project is funded by donations, and when more money comes in, a stage will be added.

Ferry County Republic

A new breast cancer support group held its first meeting Sunday.

Those who missed the meeting may call Sandra Sweetman at (509) 775-3272 for an update.

Grant County Ephrata

The Grant County Public Utilities District recently announced there will be no electrical rate increase this year. This is the first time in 10 years ratepayers will get a break. The PUD says although expenditures are up, so are revenues from power sales.

Lincoln County Wilbur

Kids in Wilbur, Creston and Almira know it’s not their mother’s 4-H anymore. Youngster Grady Houger is starting a 4-H computer club for teens 13 to 18. Called the 4-H Techs Club, the kids will work on computer skills at the new Country Companies computer lab on Main Street. Interested kids are asked to attend an introductory meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at Country Companies. Parents are also needed to make the group work smoothly.

Pend Oreille County Newport

Thanks to an $18,0000 grant from the Five Star Enterprise Committee, those who’ve worked to open an arts center here now have the official title to CREATE Place. The arts center was deemed a “quality of life need” by the committee, making it eligible for funding. CREATE volunteers have been fund-raising for more than two years to pay off the $75,000 building.

Spokane County Spokane

The Corbin Arts Center Association presents the 25th annual Juried Fine Arts and Crafts Christmas Sale Dec. 2 from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Dec. 3 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The historic Corbin House, 507 W. Seventh, will be transformed into a gift shop with an array of hand-crafted items by more than 50 regional artists and crafters. There will be holiday ornaments and decorations, greeting cards, candles, bath soaps, jewelry, dolls and floral arrangements. Entry to the sale is free. For more information, contact the Corbin Art Center at (509) 625-6677.

Stevens County Colville

Work on Orin-Rice Road is complete. Planning for the upgrade began in the early 1990s and construction began in 2000. The road was widened from 24 feet to 32 feet, dangerous curves were realigned and guardrails were installed. The speed limit has been dropped from 50 mph to 40 mph. The three-mile project cost $1.6 million.

Whitman County Pullman

The Pullman Memorial Hospital would like the public’s input on plans for a new hospital on Bishop Boulevard. The hospital has put details about the project on its Web site, www.pullmanhospital.org. The hospital board of commissioners will decide on the plans at a meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 6 in the Pullman City Council Chambers.

IDAHO

Benewah County St. Maries

The Idaho Community Foundation is accepting grant applications from charitable organizations that meet community needs. Grants of up to $5,000 are available. Call for an application at (800) 657-5357. Grants of up to $25,000 also may be applied for by teachers, schools, school districts or any educator who is trying to enhance learning for students. Both grants may be applied for by Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, Latah and Shoshone County residents and/or educators by Feb. 1.

Bonner County Sandpoint

Local artists will be included in the annual holiday invitational art exhibit Dec. 1-28 at the Pend Oreille Arts Council Gallery, 120 E. Lake St. A reception will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at the gallery. Art will be accepted from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 30. For details, call (208) 263-6139.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

The Boundary County commissioners will conduct a public hearing at 2 p.m. Monday to discuss a proposal by Larry Wallace and brothers Allen and Edwin Dyck to change zoning on 100 acres from agriculture/suburban to rural residential. The hearing will be at the commissioners’ chambers, 6452 Kootenai St.

Kootenai County Post Falls

The highway district wants to remind residents that it’s illegal to put snow in the road or right of way and that anyone found guilty of doing so will be held liable and prosecuted. They also want to warn residents that all areas of the district will be checked. For more information, call (208) 765-3717.

Latah County Moscow

Papa Murphy’s will be moving to 524 W. Third St. by mid-December. Owners Tim and Lee Ann Berg are buying and remodeling the old pawn shop/paint store. An added bonus will be more parking space. The business is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

Shoshone County Wallace

The Sixth Street Melodrama is looking for actors for the spring comedy production of “Let Him Sleep til it’s Time for His Funeral.” Auditions will be held at 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the theater. There are three parts for men, two for women and one for a teenage girl. For more information, call (208) 556-4732.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

Mary Brooks was sworn in as the school district’s new financial clerk. Brooks replaces Bill Olson, who held the office since 1982.

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