The County Lines

Wed., Oct. 18, 2000

WASHINGTON

Adams County Ritzville

The county Planning Commission is working to rezone the most part of the county. The commission is seeking public input on the rezoning, which includes everything but the panhandle area. The county has a citizens workbook, which residents can fill out with their ideas and opinions. The workbooks need to be back to Planning Director Dee Caputo by Oct. 27. The information from these books will be discussed at public meetings over the next two months. To get a book, call (509) 488-9441.

Ferry County Republic

With deer hunting season in full swing, the local Les Schwab store is again holding its popular Lucky Buck contest. All hunters are encouraged to bring their kills by Oct. 27 to the store for a snapshot. All pictures will be put in a box, and a “Lucky Buck” will drawn out for prizes. Top prize is a rifle, with consolation prizes of a gun case and a lantern.

Grant County Moses Lake

The state Farm Bureau has joined the criticism of the Seattle City Council for its resolution to support breaching the Snake River dams to save salmon. A letter contending that breaching would bring financial devastation to the state has been sent to the Seattle council and was signed by 33 organizations and cities. “The rest of the state is important to the state economy,” Linda Johnson of the Farm Bureau said. Resolutions have passed in several Eastern Washington towns to support breaching the Ballard Locks and other Seattle City Light-owned dams.

Lincoln County Odessa

The city is taking bids for vacant, surplus Housing and Urban Development homes, which the city has acquired at a $1 consideration each. Sealed bids must be in to the city clerk by Nov. 27, and all bidders must qualify under HUD median income standards and be first-time home buyers. The houses have a minimum bid of $20,000 and are sold “as is.” A family of four would have to have an annual income of $30,900 or less to qualify.

Pend Oreille County Newport

If a timber bill passes Congress, Pend Oreille and Bonner counties may receive more funds from federal timber sales. The original House measure shows Pend Oreille county governments would receive $1.1million from timber sales - $445,000 more than last year. The bill also would reserve 25 percent for county projects, such as roads. This sum could be as high as $223,000. All eyes are on the House of Representatives, which is considering the bill.

Spokane County Spokane

The annual Fall Leaf Festival is Saturday at the John A. Finch Arboretum, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free family event will feature a giant leaf pile for kids, hands-on demonstrations and information for property owners.

Stevens County Chewelah

All are welcome at the Sherwood Creek demonstration forest dedication Saturday. The ceremony takes place at 2 p.m., with open forest tours until 5 p.m. The project, the dream of the WSU Cooperative Extension, will be used as an outdoor demonstration and learning lab. Project officials hope the public will be educated on forest management practices and wildlife practices. For more information and directions, call (509) 684-2588.

Whitman County Rosalia

Two Whitman County volunteer agencies will rake leaves in the town at the end of October and the beginning of November. The Council on Aging and Human Services and volunteers from the Community Service Learning Center will help collect an estimated 300 bags of leaves for the town and residents unable to collect their own leaves.

IDAHO

Benewah County St. Maries

Tim Spooner was sworn in recently as a school board member. Spooner is a St. Maries native and works for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare as a counselor. He’ll replace Michael Stone in zone five.

Bonner County Sandpoint

The latest plat for Hidden Lakes Golf Course was approved by Bonner County Commissioners last week after a three-hour public hearing. Witnesses testified for and against the addition of 70 more “dwelling units” at the golf course. Among the improvements is a new clubhouse, which is now under construction. The plat approval was the latest step in the planned unit development, which was initially approved by the county in 1997.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

The Boundary County Library received a $680 restitution payment from Baker and Taylor Inc., a large wholesale book company. The company was found guilty in August of overcharging public schools and libraries for books they were supposed to receive at a 40 percent discount.

Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene

The Kootenai County Planning Department will be closed from noon to 5 p.m. Friday. The staff will be attending a workshop.

Latah County Moscow

The Community Action Agency has moved to a new location in the building at 428 W. Third St. The agency is in Suite 4. The entrance is next to Pizza Perfection, off Lilly Street.

Shoshone County Wallace

Robert Benefit, the school counselor at Silver Hills Middle School, has been named employee of the month. He is active in several committees, organized peer mediation training for students and helped bring Dr. Foster Cline to talk to school officials and parents.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Libby

St. John’s Lutheran Hospital would like to permanently close Fourth Street between Louisiana and Utah Avenues to make up for lost parking space due to the expansion of its building. Hospital representatives will be going door to door to gather public input.

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