The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County Ritzville
After 30 years teaching preschool and running a day care from her home here, Ellie Lund has retired. Lund opened her day care/ preschool in 1970 and figures she’s cared for more than 1,000 children. Lund has moved to Spokane to enjoy her grandchildren, she says are growing up too fast. She says she’s never burned out on children or their need to learn.
Ferry County Republic
Career counselor Chris Valdez is in the Community College office today from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. to talk with anyone considering college courses. Fall quarter begins Monday, Sept. 25, so Valdez urges folks to make haste. Already on the schedule is a GED/high school completion course, as well as a class on workplace basics. For information, call (509)775-3675.
Grant County Grand Coulee
Coulee Community Hospital posted a $99,000 loss for July. Although expenses were under budget, patient revenue was down. Contracting for agency nursing personnel took a big bite out of the budget, as rural areas are experiencing a major nursing shortage. The hospital is still in the black for the year, however.
Lincoln County Wilbur
The local Chamber of Commerce hopes to change the opinion of some local merchants that other Wilbur businesses are their competition. “Spokane is our competition,” says Chamber President Cheryl Lystad. Lystad is concerned that of the 64 business members and 27 associates, few local business people attend chamber meetings. She plans a survey to find out why many businesses are not active and what benefits they feel the chamber should provide.
Pend Oreille County Newport
The publisher of the Newport Miner says he has major reservations about the widespread use of mail-in balloting in county elections. Ballots are received two weeks before the election, and the county auditor reports a good portion of them being returned immediately. Fred Willenbrock argues folks don’t truly get a chance to know the candidates, and feels new and important information could surface before Election Day. “If a person has already sent the auditor their ballot, they are out before the end of the game,” he said. He urges voters to hang on to their ballots until the eleciton is closer.
Spokane County Spokane
The Inland Northwest Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is holding the 2000 Memory Walk-A-Thon Sept. 30 to raise money for Eastern Washington people afflicted with Alzheimer’s, as well as their families and caregivers. Registration forms and more information is available from the chapter, (509) 483-8456 or toll free at 1-800-256-6659.
Stevens County Colville
The school board is one member shy as the 2000-2001 school year gets rolling. Kate Szurek has submitted her letter of resignation. The board hopes to name a replacement soon, and is asking for interested people to apply for the position. Letters of interest and an application must be submitted to the superintendent’s office by 4 p.m., Sept. 29.
Whitman County Colfax
An early count shows that enrollment is up in the Colfax School District. Apparently 14 more students registered this fall, bringing the student body up to 284. That was good news for the district, which had expected numbers to be down.
IDAHO
Benewah County St. Maries
St. Maries sophomore Stephanie Thurston took third place with a time of 21:03 in the girls six-school cross-country meet Sept. 2 in Bonners Ferry. Kootenai High School freshman Amy Collins took first place with a time of 20:39 in the 3-mile race, beating competitors from Bonners Ferry, Priest River, St. Maries, Kellogg and Lakeland.
Bonner County Sandpoint
Chairs decorated and donated by local artists will be auctioned at the annual Take a Seat auction set for 6 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Forum on Third St. Proceeds from the sale of more than 25 chairs will be given to the East Bonner County Library. Coldwater Creek and The Friends of the Library are sponsors.
Boundary County Bonners Ferry
The Boundary Community Restorium will have a pie and ice cream social from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday which is open to the community. Residents will be selling their crafts and local entertainment will be provided.
Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene
Mobility impaired hunters may apply through Sept. 29 for permission to hunt with a vehicle in a few locations normally restricted from motorized use. If selected the hunter will have three consecutive days during the general deer and elk season (Oct. 10 to Nov. 3) to hunt. Hunters applying will need to bring proof of their immobility to the Idaho Panhandle National Forest offices located in Silverton and Coeur d’Alene. The drawing will be held Oct. 2 at the Silverton office. For details, call (208) 752-1221.
Latah County Moscow
Chelan Pedrow, a senior at Moscow High School, recently returned from a 10-day all expense paid tour of Europe. EF Education tours provided the “Global Citizen Award” to winners of their essay contest. Pedrow was one of 12 winners to make the trip. There were about 800 entries from the United States and Canada.
Shoshone County Wallace
Michael W. Stevenson, president and founder of the Diabetes Awareness Network, will attend an assembly Oct. 3 at Wallace High School. Stevenson will discuss signs, symptoms and how to identify whether a person is at high risk of getting diabetes. Students also will learn how to lower their risk and what treatments are available. For more information, call the Diabetes Awareness Network at (208) 783-8261.
MONTANA
Lincoln County Libby
Sixth-grader Nicholes Borden won the T-shirt design contest for the annual Nordicfest Youth Runnerfell and $25. His design featured the theme Youth 2000 Runnerfell and a clock with the words “Race the Clock” on it.