The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County
Othello
Many local businesses are arming themselves for bear as a Wal-Mart Supercenter is getting ready to open in Othello. Ken Story, owner of Story Hardware, has been busy making changes and carving his niche, hoping to be competitive with the retail giant. Story is remodeling his store and adding a rental equipment section. He says he is happy to compete with Wal-Mart because the huge store will bring people to Othello and will help keep others shopping in town.
Ferry County
Republic
Thanks to an unknown hunter, Mel Hilderbrandt has a car with air conditioning. Hilderbrandt was traveling on the east side of Curlew Lake between Curlew Kai and Herron Creek Road when he heard what sounded like a cannon going off in his car. A bullet had ripped through the roof on the driver’s side and exited behind the front passenger seat. Hilderbrandt says his car doesn’t resemble any deer species he’s ever seen.
Grant County
Moses Lake
The Columbia Basin Herald has a new publisher. Restructuring in The Hagadone Corp. has brought Paul Burke to the Moses Lake newspaper. He is former publisher of Hagadone’s Kalispell, Mont., newspaper, The Daily Inter Lake. Burke replaces Steve Hill, publisher in Moses Lake since 1994. The Hagadone Corp. says it is planning changes for the Herald and Burke is the man to implement them.
Lincoln County
Odessa
Odessa is a town that loves its history. In fact, residents love it so much that they are raising money to purchase an M60A3 Patton battle tank for a memorial to local veterans. It will cost $4,000 to buy the tank and demilitarize it, and residents have raised $1,700. The local Veterans of Foreign Wars post is pouring a concrete pad at the Odessa cemetery to place the tank on. People wishing to contribute may send checks to Military Monument Fund, P.O. Box 281, Odessa, Wash. 99159.
Pend Oreille County
Newport
Area agencies interested in economic development have hired a professional headhunter. Joe Tortorelli, president of Economic Development Northwest, will sign a contract to seek businesses for Pend Oreille, Stevens and Ferry counties. Tortorelli, a familiar name in Spokane because of his work with Washington Water Power Co. (now Avista), will be paid $40,000 to recruit businesses and industries to the Tri-County region.
Spokane County
Spokane
County commissioners have agreed to provide $20,000 to help the Boundary Review Board begin a review of the latest incorporation proposal for the Spokane Valley. The board has hired Pete Fortin, Spokane’s former acting city manager, to complete the study, which is expected to cost $40,000. The Boundary Review Board is expected to request more funding to finish the study next year.
Stevens County
Colville
Street projects downtown have many residents scratching their heads. Several have expressed concerns about sidewalk “bulb-outs” at intersections. But City Engineer Mark Freiberger says the sidewalk protrusions create a larger, safer pedestrian area at intersections. Freiberger also says accidents involving pedestrians have been increasing, mostly due to people not paying attention. The sidewalk protrusions are believed to help prevent accidents.
Whitman County
Colfax
The city of Colfax tentatively has approved plans to supply water from its south hill reservoir to the industrial park at the Whitman County Airport. But the city could still scrap the project if a study or health agency finds problems with the plan.
IDAHO
Benewah County
St. Maries
Benewah County’s unemployment rate in September was 14.9 percent, the second-highest in Idaho. Last September’s rate was 10.9 percent. Clearwater County’s jobless rate of 22.1 percent, due largely to Potlatch Corp.’s closure of its plywood mill in Pierce, was the highest in the state in September.
Boundary County
Bonners Ferry
Boundary Community Hospital is experiencing a shortage of physicians and is recruiting doctors. Four physicians have departed during the last three years for personal reasons. Community volunteers are needed to assist in recruiting physicians who will make long-term commitments to the hospital. If interested in volunteering, call Andrea Kramer at the hospital at (208) 267-0671.
Latah County
Moscow
The Clearwater Resource Conservation and Development Council recently honored Harry Lee for his service as the group’s president. Lee now is serving on the council’s forestry committee. The Clearwater Resource Conservation and Development Council works with local groups and communities to improve quality of life through projects related to land conservation, community development, water management and other environmental concerns.
Shoshone County
Kellogg
Volunteers are needed for the AmeriCorps community service day on Saturday. Volunteers who will help rake leaves or chop wood should meet at 8:30 a.m. at Sweet’s Cafe in Wallace. Plans will be made, with work to be performed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations of leaf bags, work gloves, bottled water and sandwiches for volunteers also are needed. For details, call Alan Addis at (208) 753-9034 or Lee Ann Petersen at (208) 682-4237.
MONTANA
Lincoln County
Libby
Two landfills’ hours of operation will be changed starting next Monday in anticipation of winter weather. The Libby landfill’s winter hours will be from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. The Troy landfill will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays through Tuesdays.
Some of the information in “County Lines” comes from readers’ tips and from community newspapers. For items outside Spokane County, send your tips by fax to “County Lines” at (509) 459-5482; by mail to “County Lines,” The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane 99210-2160; or by e-mail to news@spokesman.com. For items in Spokane County, send tips to Voices, The Spokesman-Review, at the same fax number and mail and e-mail addresses.