The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County Othello

The Taggares Walk Path will cost the county $11,000 more than expected. The path was bid at $32,509, and Public Works Director Todd O’Brien doesn’t know why the estimate was so much less than the actual price. The county parks and recreation district will eventually pay the bill. The path is adjacent to the ballfields built in Taggares’ honor. The local farmer/businessman donated the land before he died two years ago.

Ferry County Republic

Maury Slagle recently celebrated his 90th birthday. Still handsome and active, Slagle was a bit of a youngster at his recent birthday party. Sadie Rockelle, Pauline Lysne and Irene Solberg helped Slagle celebrate, as they know the ropes. All three of them are over 90.

Grant County Moses Lake

At Moses Lake’s Fairchild Cinemas, “The Grinch” may be headlining, but the real story is “How the Grinch Was Stolen This Christmas.” Owner Jeff Fairchild purchased a 5-foot stuffed Grinch for promotion of the holiday flick. The $150 greeny-meany has come up missing. Police are investigating the Grinch-napping, despite initial giggles from the dispatcher. Fairchild isn’t laughing. Anyone with information is asked to call police.

Lincoln County Reardan

The Reardan Health Clinic is a hit with locals. Only in operation since September, the clinic is expanding hours to include Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. “We’ve been more than welcomed,” nurse practitioner Susan Eastman says. The clinic saw only 11 patients in September, but 15 patients were treated last Tuesday alone. Many people from the Ford area are using the service, as are locals who are glad for the convenience.

Pend Oreille County Newport

Ground has been broken for Energy Technology Systems Inc. to construct its new building. The company is relocating from the Hillyard area in Spokane. It is constructing a 12,000-square-foot facility to produce solder reflow and curing systems used to construct electronic circuit boards. David Sari, the company’s owner, moved his plant to the southern border of Pend Oreille County after much wrangling with Spokane County. The building will be in use by June.

Stevens County Colville

Fire Chief Rick Naff says it’s been fun, but it’s time to retire. Naff has been chief for nearly eight years and says he plans to stay on the volunteer force as a firefighter. The job of chief is time-consuming, and Naff says he needs to spend more time on his business, Colville Speed Clean Coin-Op. No replacement has been named.

Whitman County Pullman

Pullman’s Celebration of Lights holiday tree lighting ceremony starts at 3 p.m. in downtown Pullman on Saturday. This year, new lights and new funding from service clubs will make the event even more elaborate. Santa will arrive on a firetruck to lead the countdown while carolers serenade the crowd.

IDAHO

Benewah County Plummer

Students and Plummer and Worley residents packed into three buses and headed to Moscow to watch the University of Idaho’s final home football game recently. Grover Garvin coordinated the free event and was happy with the large turnout. Garvin plans to coordinate future events that bring the community together.

Bonner County Priest Lake

Anyone interested in protecting the use of public land for recreation may attend the Priest Lake Trails and Outdoor Recreation Association’s meeting set for Dec. 7 at the River Pigs Inn. The group has about 170 members, with interests ranging from snowmobiles, dirt bikes, all terrain vehicles and mountain bikes, to hiking, hunting, cross-country skiing and horseback riding. For information, call (208) 443-3309.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

The second season of indoor soccer will start Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Valley View Gym. Games will be held Sundays through March except for Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. Coed games will be one hour long and teams will vary each week. Registration costs $10 at the South Hill Chevron. For details, call (208) 267-7534 in the evenings.

Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene

Ballet Idaho will return for its 13th year to perform “The Nutcracker.” The Christmas program is performed to Tchaikovsky’s musical score and includes local children’s participation. The program starts at 8 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave. Tickets are $18, $10 for students younger than 18. Information: (208) 263-6139.

Latah County Moscow

The “Taking a Stand Against Injustice; Japanese American World War II Draft Resistance” program will include a showing of “Conscience and the Constitution,” a documentary detailing the lives of young men who refused to be drafted from an internment camp in Wyoming and a discussion moderated by Phil Tanimoto. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Moscow Junior High School Music Room.

Shoshone County Wallace

A developmental screening for children 3 to 5 years old will be held 9 a.m. to noon today at the Wallace Early Learning Center by the Silver Valley Special Services Preschool and Head Start. The screening determines levels of language, motor and/or cognitive skills.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

The ice rink at J. Neils Memorial County Park could be open soon with the help of volunteers willing to water the rink once a day. The job takes about 45 minutes and can be done in the mornings or evenings. To volunteer, call (406) 293-7205.