Voices

Newman Lake Fire and Rescue is getting a leg up on Spokane County's plans for a new digital emergency communications network. The small volunteer force is getting five handheld and two vehicle-mounted radios that will allow it to tap into the new network Kootenai County is building.

The Palouse is like a frozen ocean trapped in motion, a mix of rolling waves and flat waters. In many shades of green and brown, the Palouse is rich in nutrients and history. Nona Hengen resides on the Palouse in Spangle. She loves the area in which she lives, and she loves animals. The books she writes and the paintings that she paints reflect her fondness for the love within the eyes of an animal and the natural beauty at her doorstep.

Mollie Thola is one of those rare people hard-wired for enthusiasm, so it comes as no surprise that the golf pro is excited about the changes under construction at the city of Liberty Lake's nine-hole course. About the only thing that hasn't been capitalized on is the name in the course's logo, which reads: trailhead at Liberty Lake.

With summer's official arrival on June 21, local lakes are warming up and soon will be ripe for swimming, water-skiing and picnics. Here's a look at three lakes on the West Plains that offer public access:

Teri Kofalk, a veteran dog groomer, and her mother, Diane Graves, recently opened A Waggin' Tail Pet Grooming business in the Rathdrum/Twin Lakes area. Between short naps, and one little "oopsie," Mandie, a miniature schnauzer, stood quietly and let Kofalk give her a big-doggie cut. "She's only 12 weeks old," said Kofalk, expertly clipping around the tiny dog's face, "and she's doing really well for her first time." Kofalk should know – she has been grooming dogs for more than 15 years. Both she and her mother live in Spirit Lake and decided to open the doggie beauty parlor because of their affection for dogs. "I am definitely a dog person," said Kofalk. "I have been raising them for 17 years and have nine dogs of my own." She found she missed working with animals after she closed a Sandpoint feed store/grooming business she owned, and eventually decided to return to what she loves to do – working with animals. "I love dogs. They are the best clients because they are always happy and full of love," she said.