The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County Ritzville

Local residents are abuzz with anticipation of the annual Mennonite Country Auction and Relief Sale. The Menno Mennonite Church, 20 miles west of Ritzville, puts on the German food fest as a fund-raiser for world missions. German delicacies such as green bean soup, kuchen, pies, kraut runza, fresh pressed cider and homemade sausage are on the menu. As for entertainment, there is the auction, which includes a plethora of handmade Mennonite and Amish quilts and other special items. The fun gets under way Saturday, Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. Take the Odessa exit off I-90.

Ferry County Republic

Temperatures in the high country has dipped to some unseasonable lows. The overnight reading on Sept. 23 showed a bone-chilling 19 degrees. Nightly temperatures last week were as high as 40 degrees, but averaged in the mid- to low 30s. The high for last week was on Sept. 25, when the mercury hit 73 degrees. All travelers in the area are warned to bring a coat, especially if planning to stay after sunset.

Grant County Grand Coulee

Mayor Tammara Byers says she wants to “decriminalize all the stupid things we have made illegal in this town over the years.” Byers refers to current city code, which makes any violation of ordinance a criminal misdemeanor - punishable by six months in jail and a $500 fine if found guilty. Byers says she wants to change this to a civil infraction, which is easier and less costly to enforce. Currently, all code violators are entitled to a jury trial, which Byers finds ridiculous.

Lincoln County Odessa

The Odessa Public Development Authority is hoping for a $1 million state grant to develop 10 acres near town as a light industrial park. The authority approved a resolution to enter into an earnest money agreement with J&E Schafer Farms, the land owner.

Pend Oreille County Newport

Area campgrounds have set their closing dates and some loom rather close. Springy Point will close Oct. 8, while Priest Lake State Park’s Indian Creek campground is partially closed. The Panhandle campground is closed, although the boat launch will remain open through November. Brown Lake is open until Oct. 31. Closed for the season is South Skookum, Albeni Cove, Riley Creek and Priest River Campground.

Spokane County Cheney

Cheney Parks and Recreation is still accepting kids ages 5-12 for the Youth Basketball season. For more information, call 235-7295.

Stevens County Hunters

The town of Hunters is being considered for a Senior Citizen Housing project. The project, if approved, will sport 10 units. Concerned residents from Hunters and Fruitland say seniors often have to move away from family and friends to get affordable housing and medical attention. This also hurts the rural economy here. With the help of Northeast Washington Rural Resources, a housing complex is being eyed for downtown Hunters.

Whitman County Pullman

A piece of Palouse history will be restored. The scenic Leonard round barn, deteriorating over the past several years, will get a face-lift soon. The 83-year-old structure has been registered as a national historic site since 1986. The project will cost $90,000 and will include gallons of green paint, tons of wood shingles, several glass panes and a new cupola. The three-story barn was built in 1917 by the Leonard family, which will pay half the restoration costs. Donations are being sought for the rest.

IDAHO

Benewah County St. Maries

The new multipurpose room at the St. Maries Middle School will be dedicated 4-6 p.m. today. The $1.3 million building has been in use since April for volleyball, lunch, physical education classes and assemblies. Volleyball players noticed a 20 square-foot section of the multipurpose room’s floor expanded and caused a buckle against the wall. Big Sky Construction built the floor and will start repairing it soon at no cost to the school.

Bonner County Sandpoint

Absentee ballots for the Nov. 7 general election are available at the county clerk’s office at the courthouse, 215 S. First Ave. Ballots must be returned to the office by the close of the polls on Nov. 7th. The clerk’s office will also be open until 8 p.m. Oct. 13 for voter registration. If you have not voted in the last two general elections in Bonner County you need to reregister.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

Delrene Daniels of Bonners Ferry is on a winning streak. First she won $5,000 six weeks ago on a Sunday night draw on a dice game machine and Oct. 1 she won $100,000 on the first Sunday Big Wheel Spin promotion, both at the Kootenai River Inn. Daniels is in charge of medical records at the Boundary County Hospital and has no plans of quitting.

Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene

Students will be out of school Friday and may attend the School Day Off Program “Puppet Carnival” presented 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Harding Family Center Gym by Campfire Boys and Girls. Students will learn drama skills and how to make puppets. Registration is $15; call (208) 667-0611.

Latah County Moscow

County commissioners hired Chris Storhock, of Viola, as the head of the county’s rural development office. Storhock will start Oct. 23. His job will be to administer county grants and help small towns develop improvement projects.

Shoshone County Kellogg

Silver Valley women who are majoring in education and are graduate students or upperclassmen may apply for a $200 scholarship from the Tau Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma. Application deadline is Nov. 15. Call (208) 667-4513 for details, or write to Mary Lynn, 4107 Spiers Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID, 83815.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

Flu vaccinations will not be given until November this year due to a delay in distribution. Karol Spas, Lincoln County nurse, said exact dates will be publicized as soon as they receive the vaccine, and it will be given to high-risk people first because there may be a shortage. For more information, call the Health Department at (406) 293-2660.