The County Lines

Wed., Nov. 29, 2000

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Ritzville

Tomorrow is the deadline for needy people to sign up for the local Giving Tree. For 11 years, the tree has been used as a way to provide gifts for children and the elderly. Those who need assistance should sign up with a local pastor by Thursday.

Grant County

Moses Lake

Local Salvation Army Lt. Butch Soriano says fund-raising began before Thanksgiving to capitalize on the blitz of early shoppers. In Moses Lake, the Salvation Army also has an adopt-a-family program, angel trees and Christmas toy assistance.

Lincoln County

Odessa

The state Community Economic Revitalization Board has awarded the town $1 million to begin work on the light industrial park.

Pend Oreille County

Usk

The Port of Pend Oreille’s budget isn’t finalized until an agreement with Ponderay Newsprint, the port’s largest customer, is reached. The two parties are working out a new agreement, which needs to be completed by Dec. 12.

Spokane County

Deer Park

In December, the Crawford Gallery will display miniature Christmas trees, Christmas paintings and other works by local artists. There will be a public reception Dec. 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Crawford Gallery in the lower level of the Deer Park Arts Commission.

Stevens County

Colville

The owner of Raggedy Ann & Andy’s says someone stole a jar of donation money from her business. A donation jar for Kyle and Ryan Cummings had been sitting in Donna Cox’s store since early summer. The jar was taken Nov. 11. Cox says the majority of the money stolen was given by children hoping to bring the Cummings children back to Kettle Falls to be with their mother.

Whitman County

Garfield/Palouse

Whitman County sheriff’s deputies are working with students at the Garfield-Palouse high school to enforce drunken driving and seat belt laws. The students are helping with radio announcements to air this week targeting safety seats for children.

IDAHO

Benewah County

St. Maries

The local Elks Club has started its annual Christmas basket drive and Trees of Sharing programs to help about 230 low-income families in the area. The club needs nonperishable food items, nearly new or new games, toys and books. Items may be left at the lodge or with the trees at Archie’s IGA, Harvest Foods, the Forest Service and the Avery Trading Post.

Bonner County

Priest River

The West Bonner County school board recently rejected an application by the Mountainview Charter Academy. Chairman Eric Eldenburg said the rejection was due to a lack of financial information presented by backers of the charter school.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

The fifth annual Festival of Trees fund-raiser for the Fry Healthcare Foundation will help refurbish the Extended Care Unit and purchase equipment for the Emergency Room and Minor Care Clinic. It’s set for Dec. 8 and 9. For details, call Judy Everhart at (208) 267-2522.

Kootenai County

Rathdrum

Christmas celebrations in Rathdrum will start 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the Old City Park. The Junior High School band and choir will perform, along with members of the United Methodist and Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran churches. A Christmas tree and the park will be lit during the grand finale while everyone sings carols. A parade will conclude the event.

Latah County

Moscow

The community may sing along as the University of Idaho Chorus and Washington State University Singers perform Handel’s Messiah at 3 p.m. Sunday in the UI Auditorium. The sing-along will benefit the Palouse Habitat for Humanity, with donations accepted at the door.

Shoshone County

Osburn

Donations are being collected for the Judy Lavergne and the Dave Smith memorial funds. These two causes give vouchers to families for Christmas dinners. All of the donations go directly to vouchers. The Silver Valley Christmas Fund Radiothon will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5 on KWAL. Call a donation into KWAL at (208) 752-1141 or leave it at the station in Osburn. For details, call (208) 752-1141 or (208) 752-1264.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

The annual Festival of Trees will include not only the decorated trees but also personal collections of holiday villages, quilts, dolls and more. The event is Friday and Saturday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Community Hall.

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