The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Ritzville

Richard Johnson and Rudy Plager, recently elected county commissioners, will take office in January. Incumbent Jeff Stevens has been in office two years. “There is a learning curve and it takes time to come up to speed. Realistically, it takes about a year,” Stevens says. The two novices hope their predecessors give them advice.

Ferry County

Republic

A spree of theater arts has been planned for the people of Ferry County. On Thursday, professional actor Rod Molzhan will present his one-man show “A Visit with Will.”

Republic High School students will present “Spoon River Anthology” on Dec. 10. More than 30 students will participate. Curlew students are working on “The Diary of Anne Frank,” while preparing for a visit from One World Theater, which will perform at Republic and Curlew schools in March.

Grant County

Moses Lake

Experts think they’ve found the source of trichloroethylene (TCE) contamination in the Skyline water system. The water system is part of a large Superfund site, and managers say they’ve found massive concentrations of TCE in a pair of sumps at the former Larson Air Force Base. Levels in the sumps measured 260,000 parts per billion. Five parts per billion is the acceptable limit for drinking water. The 15-square-mile affected area is getting a new well and a cleaner source of drinking water.

Lincoln County

Creston

The Creston Emergency Fund, which provides heat, utilities, food and other necessities for low-income families, needs donations. You may give at the Creston branch of the Coulee Dam Credit Union. To sign up for assistance, call Frances Rhodes at (509) 636-3853.

Pend Oreille County

Newport

Bruce Hunt is the new Kiwanis Club president. He replaces businessman and County Commissioner Joel Jacobsen, who had the seat for two terms. Hunt is a local insurance agent and securities broker.

Stevens County

Colville

With the county’s rural library system under fire, Colville Mayor Bob Anderson has proposed a city-county library. Anderson has the support of at least two council members to discuss a joint venture with the Stevens County Rural Library District. The idea is to work together and split the budget down the middle. The move could increase library funding by $90,000 annually.

Whitman County

Law enforcement officials reported more than 30 car accidents this week due to fog and icy roads. One accident was a four-car pileup Wednesday just north of Albion on U.S. Highway 195.

IDAHO

Benewah County

St. Maries

Fred Scheffelmaier and Julie Schwanz were honored for their dedication to 4-H at the St. Maries 4-H group’s annual awards and recognition potluck held recently. Scheffelmaier was named the “Friend of 4-H” and Schwanz was honored as 4-H Leader of the Year at the event attended by about 150 locals.

Bonner County

Sandpoint

As of Friday, alleys in Sandpoint will not be maintained by the highway district. Residents will have to remove snow for access if needed. For more information, call (208) 263-8131.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

On Friday, Habitat for Humanity will raffle a 10-foot-by-12-foot log cabin. Habitat volunteers help build homes for low-income families. The cabin can be seen at the Boundary Trading Post parking lot. Tickets are $2 each or three for $5 and can be purchased at the post.

Kootenai County

Post Falls

The Chamber of Commerce elected new officers and board members. Debbie Green was elected president; Randy Wells, president-elect; Kevin Spellman, vice president; Vicki Brisco, secretary; and Leslie Gouley, treasurer. New board members are Marilyn Deutsch, J.D. Dickinson, Kathleen Esquibel, Bobby Frazey, Jim Hammond, Allison McArthur and Nora Sharp.

Latah County

Moscow

Jim Carter, a Moscow native, is a self-employed auto-body repairman who recently underwent brain surgery to remove a tumor. A fund-raiser will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Plantation Tavern for Carter and his family because he has no health insurance. Carter has a shop on U.S. Highway 95, south of Moscow.

Shoshone County

Enaville

The 22nd annual Turkey Trot attracted about 30 participants this year. The trot also includes a raffle and snacks at the Enaville Resort. The run was held in different areas of the Silver Valley for the first 12 years, but for the past 10 years has been held in Enaville.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

The Chamber of Commerce is seeking donations to help light up Libby for the holidays. The chamber hopes to keep local shoppers and attract out-of-town shoppers to the area. Three-year pledges for $25 to $200 a year are requested to help maintain ornaments and purchase a 17-foot soldier and snowman. To make donations or pledges, call (406) 293-4167 or send checks to the Libby Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 704, Libby, MT 59923.