The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County Othello
The loss of affordable electricity may damage agriculture industries in the area. The governor’s natural resource adviser, Bob Nichols, has said rising prices could wipe out the economic base of farm communities. Othello’s financial engine is powered by agriculture - specifically, electricity-powered food processing plants and cold storage.
Ferry County Curlew
Grants are in place to help the city study the possibility of a sewer district. Grant money will also bring a new face to this rugged mountain community. An artist will be hired to conceptualize the downtown area with new furniture, walkways and a park/interpretive center.
Grant County Grand Coulee
The State Parks and Recreation Commission has presented a plan to charge for parking at Steamboat Rock State Park. The fee is undisclosed, and is being looked at as the last significant moneymaker state parks have. Ninety percent of visitors to state parks stay for only one day.
Lincoln County Harrington
Mayor Paul Gilliland is investigating the purchase of a sound meter to monitor noise from grain elevators. Blow fans on elevators owned by Odessa Union Warehouse have been the target of many citizen complaints. The company is supposed to turn the fans off by 8 p.m., but the task has been forgotten at least twice in recent weeks. The City Council has a file of citizen complaints and is considering a noise ordinance aimed at the fans.
Stevens County Chewelah
The district is still cleaning up and assessing damage from a recent fire in the middle school building. The blaze, caused when crews tried to thaw a frozen water pipe, charred two classrooms, a stairwell, restroom and locker room. School employees are working to make the locker facility ready for student use Tuesday. The classrooms, however, are a tougher matter. Off-campus quarters will likely be needed since instruction space is at a premium.
Whitman County Tekoa
Enrollment is up at the Tekoa School District, which expected 175 full-time students for the year and now has more than 200. The gain brings more money to the district from the state. Unfortunately, the boiler that heats the high school needs about $15,000 in repairs. The expense depletes the district’s boiler fund and will also take some money from the general fund.
IDAHO
Benewah County St. Maries
The St. Maries Chamber of Commerce announced winners in the Christmas in St. Maries events. Winners of the residential Best Religious Display are Tim and Teresa Kraack. For Best Lighting Display, Al Townsend took first; Harvey Hansen took first in Best Overall Display. Parade of Lights winners are: Joe Jackson, with the Brothers of the Third Wheel, took first for a small float; Knights of Columbus for a medium float; and the St. Joe Valley Car Club for a large float.
Bonner County Priest River
Randy Barber will begin running the Falls Inn today. He bought the business from Larinda and Taz Cook. The Cooks had owned the business since 1982 and had a farewell New Year’s Eve Party to thank patrons for their business.
Boundary County Bonners Ferry
Shane Rucker, a junior at Boundary County Alternative School, was named vice president for Region 1 Health Occupations Students of America. He and other officers will attend the state HOSA conference in Post Falls in March and the national conference in Atlanta in June. Rucker is enrolled in the Health Occupations/CNA program offered through the school district and is president of the alternative school’s HOSA student organization.
Kootenai County Post Falls
A public forum will be held to discuss applying for grant applications for the purchase of new grooming equipment for cross country ski trails on Fourth of July Pass. The forum will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Fernan Ranger Station by the Panhandle Nordic Club.
Latah County Moscow
The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Holly Jamison Post, announced winners in its annual essay contest. First place went to Catherine Pottenger, daughter of Charles and Betty Pottenger of Genesee. Second place went to Doree Kovis, daughter of Chuck and Erika Kovis of Deary. Third went to Suzanne Lanier of Moscow, daughter of Glenn and Mary Lanier.
Shoshone County Kellogg
The Shoshone County Solid Waste Department wants to remind residents not to leave Christmas trees out with the regular household garbage for pickup. Trees should be taken to recycling bin sites or left at the transfer station.
MONTANA
Lincoln County Libby
The J. Neils County Memorial Park ice rink will be open today from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. for the holiday. It’s located one mile north of Libby on U.S. Highway 37. For details, call (406) 293-7205.