The County Lines

Wed., Sept. 27, 2000

WASHINGTON

Adams County Ritzville

The town council has approved a plan to spiff up the town. Boy Scout T.J. Hunt, in the hunt for his Eagle Scout ranking, has vowed to paint each of the town’s 113 fire hydrants. The city is tickled by the offer and will supply the paint and materials. Hunt says he will distinguish the hydrants with less than 1,000-gallon flow by painting the tops black, which will help fire personnel.

Grant County Royal City

The Royal Review is again seeking the area’s largest apple. The annual contest sparks much excitement in the basin as orchardists scramble for the honor, as well as their picture on the front page of the paper. Last year’s winner was brought in by Jenk’s Brothers orchards and tipped the scales at 19.9 ounces. The contest will run until Oct. 15 and is open to all varieties.

Lincoln County Almira

The Almira Country Fair begins Saturday. The fair features craft and gift booths, and merchants are hoping for plenty of holiday shoppers.. Also on the agenda is a parade, children’s games, fun run, picnic, auction and horseshoe tournament, among other events. For information, call Teri Hughes at (509) 639-2237.

Pend Oreille County Newport

Locals know better than to mess with Don Pearl. Pearl, an amateur boxer, recently stepped into the ring at Kelly’s at Stateline to take on a professional boxer whose opponent didn’t show. Pearl won and was so crowned as Kelly’s “Tough Man.” “It was really exciting to take on a professional, especially when I won the fight,” he says. Pearl, owner of Don Pearl’s Logging and Tree Service, can be seen boxing at the Cotton Club and the Coeur d’Alene Casino.

Spokane County Spokane

The local affiliate of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill is hosting a public Candlelight Celebration to kick off National Mental Illness Awareness Week, which begins Sunday. The celebration will be at the West Central Community Center on Monday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Stevens County Colville

County Clerk Patty Chester knows a good idea when she sees one. Last year, the Pend Oreille County clerk’s office implemented a financial collections program to bring in unpaid income on court fees, fines and restitution. The program has been so successful there, Stevens County is borrowing the formula. Chester and Deputy Clerk Tamela Merrill recently spent time in Newport learning the system and should have the program ready by 2001. Stevens County has a court backlog of $3.2 million, with slightly more than $1 million owed the county.

Whitman County Pullman

Police arrested three teenage boys caught spraying graffiti on the walls and sidewalks of a pedestrian walkway near a play field last weekend. A citizen spotted the boys using spray cans and called the police. Police said the boys told the officers they were dropped off in Pullman to use the skateboard park. Police booked the boys for malicious mischief and later released them to their parents.

IDAHO

Benewah County St. Maries

Volunteers are needed to distribute a fluoride mouth rinse to students at Heyburn Elementary School. Volunteers may choose a day of the week they’d like to help with the hourlong process. To volunteer, call (208) 245-4556.

Bonner County Priest River

The Other White Meat will perform during a benefit for the Priest River Lamanna High School drama department. The benefit is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Beardmore Building on Main St. The band consists of three local musicians and plays country and rock music. Chili dogs and milkshakes will be available. Cost is $3 a person, $5 a couple or $6 a family.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

The Boundary County Planning and Zoning office will be closed from Oct. 3 to Oct. 10. The administrator will be on vacation. Also, all county offices, except the sheriff’s office and the restorium, will be closed on Oct. 9 for Columbus Day.

Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene

The search for “Cool Women of America” in Coeur d’Alene has been extended to Oct. 9. Women who have contributed to society, particularly within their own communities, may be nominated. The winner will receive a $500 cash grant. Details are available on the internet at www.romanceclassics.com or by calling the automated fax distribution system at (888) 322-6652.

Latah County Moscow

Tomlinson Black Real Estate is collecting used coats for Coats 4 Kids. Reusable coats may be left at all Moscow schools, Green’s Cleaners, Insty-Prints, Tidyman’s, Tomlinson Black and Spencer Hardware. The coats will be cleaned and then distributed.

Shoshone County Kellogg

The Silver Valley’s annual Habitat for Humanity Walk-a-Thon netted more than $1,700. The walk had 44 participants who on Sept. 16 went the 3 miles from the Kellogg Middle School to Elizabeth Park along the Rails to Trails path. The money go toward construction costs of the seventh Habitat home being built in Page.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Eureka

Jim Hurst was named Timberman of the Year by the Montana Wood Products Association. Hurst was honored for his efforts in advancing the forestry profession and the timber industry at the MWPA’s annual convention held Sept. 7 in Polson, Mont. Hurst was instrumental in organizing the Shovels of Solidarity movement.

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