The County Lines

Thu., Oct. 12, 2000

WASHINGTON

Adams County Ritzville

A host of change orders during construction has pushed back the opening date of the Ritzville sewer plant to Nov. 1. Some of the changes include additional fencing and service on the pump irrigation system.

Ferry County Republic

Mayor Elbert Koontz said not to believe everything you hear. A rumor is circulating that Koontz and the City Council are going to sandblast the mural off the side of City Hall. Another rumor has the city fathers covering it up with siding. The city is looking into a plan to enlarge City Hall and consolidate with the Police Department into one building. Different floor plans are being considered, including some that keep the mural intact.

Grant County Ephrata

The county Public Utilities District is getting closer to finishing its hydroelectric relicensing process. An official notice of intent to seek a second license for Priest Rapids Dam has been filed with the federal government. The PUD also announced last week plans for phase II of its fiber optic pilot program.

Lincoln County Wilbur

The local school board is considering selling some property in Railroad and Thomison’s additions. In addition, the county Treasurer’s Office recently notified the school of rural landholdings it wasn’t aware it owned. Old country school sites, with parcels ranging from a half-acre to 2 acres, now belong to the district.

Pend Oreille County Newport

Kids 8 to 12 have until Oct. 31 to finish their essays for the Pend Oreille Library District’s writing contest. The theme of the contest is “I love my library because …” Those who want to enter should pick up an official cover letter from the Newport, Metaline Falls, Ione or Cusick libraries. Entries can be a short story, poem or essay of 3,000 words or less. Writers are vying for cash prizes.

Spokane County Spokane

Students in Spokane School District 81 have Friday and Monday off while teachers work on curriculum and professional planning.

Stevens County Colville

Cheryl Largent, executive director of the local food bank, is leaving Nov. 1 to join a new business venture in Kettle Falls. “She has been the lead person in establishing the Food Bank in its present location and making improvements … and expansions,” said Ken Walden, Food Bank chairman. The Food Bank is taking applications for the position at 220 S. Wynne St. in Colville.

Whitman County Colfax

The city of Colfax has changed horses midstream, deciding to allow Tom Byrne to take his team and wagon on city streets. Several weeks ago, Byrne got a letter from the city attorney advising him that it was illegal for him to drive his team downtown and that he could be cited for the offense. Since then, City Hall has dealt with a deluge of phone calls and letters in support of Byrne. The City Council is planning to scratch the horse ban from the books.

IDAHO

Benewah County Plummer

Crafters interested in selling their wares during the annual Christmas craft show at Lakeside Middle School Nov. 18 need to contact Paola Trottier at (208) 686-1937 by Nov. 10. Baked goods, ornaments and tacos will be sold by students. Tables will be available for businesses also.

Bonner County Ponderay

The Outlaw Bar’s new owner, Barbara Trudeau, gave the place a makeover recently. Among the improvements, Trudeau added curtains, plants and candles to make it seem more homelike. Boundary County Naples The Naples School Fall Family Dance will be from 6:30-9 p.m. Oct. 27 in the gym. Norm and Star Aldridge will perform music. Costumes can be worn to the event, which will include a cakewalk, line dancing and a limbo contest.

Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene

Money raised from the annual Andrew Rypien Memorial Softball Tournament was donated by Youth First to three local organizations recently. St. Vincent de Paul’s Art on the Edge program received $1,200. The Post Falls Parks and Recreation Department received $500 and the Post Falls Middle School music department received $1,000.

Latah County Moscow

Richard Gilewitz, who recently returned from an eight-state tour as part of a national Peavey Electronics test pilot program, will be conducting a workshop and perform a concert at 8 p.m. Friday at Laura’s Tea and Treasure.

Shoshone County Wallace

The Wallace Early Learning Center added a publishing company, a television program and a multimedia center to its preschool library programs recently. The creation of the publishing company will allow children’s original books to be published and distributed throughout the community. The children’s TV program will feature students reading selections from classical literature and will air on Channel 3. The multimedia center may be used by students and faculty members.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

Seventy children’s books were purchased with a Books for Children grant from the Libri Foundation. The Friends of the Library applied for the grant, which will distribute some of the books to the Troy and Eureka branches.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.