The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Ritzville

The Adams County commissioners are taking public input on whether there is support for a rural library district in Ritzville. The commissioners have received a 140-name petition asking for the formation of a rural library district. Only 70 signatures were needed to make the issue formally explorable. Friends of the Library say 20 cents per $1,000 in assessed valuation would need to be collected to make such a thing reality.

Ferry County

Boulder Pass

A herd of cows were the only witnesses to an ultralight using the highway here as a landing strip.

Several motorists did doubletakes as they saw the light aircraft parked beside the road, a victim of a broken motor mount. Pilot Tom Stotts of Spokane had family members camped nearby and was attempting to meet them. Passing motorists got the word to them that Stotts needed help.

Grant County

Moses Lake

Fingers are pointing and in the meantime, the Three Ponds wetlands project sits idle. Crews from the state Department of Transportation were scheduled to remove marsh vegetation and fill recently, but the Department of Ecology didn’t have the proper shoreline permit. The wetlands project is located between Division Street and Pioneer Way in the city center.

Lincoln County

Wilbur

Folks here love their Wilbur-Creston Wildcat volleyball so much they’re tuning into the games via cable. For those who miss the live action, or just have to see it again, games are recorded and broadcast over the local cable channel 42. The games include commentary. Any school activity in the school gymnasium can be put on channel 42 live or tape delayed, as the gym is wired for broadcast. The broadcast is run by students.

Pend Oreille County

Newport

A recent land exchange between the county and Riley Creek Lumber could create a tourism interpretive center in one of the state’s most scenic areas. The proposed Sweet Creek Interpretive Center, located just north of Box Canyon Dam, is the county’s dream project to boost tourism and promote environmental stewardship. The only thing needed is the signature of Superior Court Judge Larry Kristianson, who has the final approval of the swap. The county will give up 133 acres near Lunch Creek, plus $20,000 for the 37-acre Sweet Creek property, owned by Riley Creek Lumber.

Spokane County

Cheney

The Cheney School District board has decided to mix things up a bit. On Wednesday, it will meet at Windsor Elementary, 5504 W. Hallett Road, at 5 p.m. for a work session, instead of at the district administration building. The meeting is open to the public.

Stevens County

Kettle Falls

A second area business has been devastated by fire in just over a week. Lindquist Grocery and Shoes was gutted by flames last week. One week earlier, the warehouse across the street, used by Steve Fuhrman’s Flour Mill Feed and Supply, was destroyed by fire. The grocery, which is located in the heart of town, caught fire after 2 a.m. The fire is under investigation, though early evidence points to electrical problems.

Whitman County

Pullman

Burglars stole a safe from the Whitman County Counseling Services office on Sept. 17. Apparently the burglars broke in through the front window and took the safe out the back door using a hand truck. Now Pullman police are looking from the safe, which contained about $200.

IDAHO

Benewah County

Plummer

The Benewah Medical Center was awarded a $300,000 grant which will be divided into three yearly installments of $100,000 each. The money will be used to upgrade the Plummer clinic’s computer system, software and hire an information system specialist. The clinic has 108 employees, including three full-time and two part-time doctors.

Bonner County

Sandpoint

The Bonner County Road Department wants to inform residents who applied a dust retardant to a county road that grading will be starting soon. The grading prepares the road surface for winter driving.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

A $3,250 check was presented to the Boundary Baseball Association on Sept. 15 at the Mirror Lake Golf Course by Gary Morgan. The money was raised during the third annual Boundary Trading Company’s 2000 Invitational Golf Tournament. The money will go toward the purchase of new equipment and a sprinkler system for Little League and Babe Ruth fields.

Kootenai County

Coeur d’Alene

Slash-burning restrictions have been lifted for burning logging debris. A permit is still required through Oct. 20 and year-round in some areas. For more information, call 769-1597 or 769-1577.

Latah County

Moscow

A stop-smoking class will be offered from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays in October at Gritman Medical Center. The District Health Department will present the free series. Registration is required. Call (509) 883-2232.

Shoshone County

Kellogg

Zack and Lynn of Z & L Gardening donated David Dose’s newest sculpture, “Old Dutch Windmill,” to the Kellogg Alpine Village Association. The sculpture was placed at the corner of Main and McKinley. Dose’s sculptures are created with recycled materials.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Troy

A child-rearing educational class will include home-schooling, teaching children to work, infant care and more. The sessions will start at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Oct. 4 at the Faith Christian Center, 25 Amber Road in Troy.