County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Ritzville

The Pantry had a busy holiday season, but the schedule isexpected to only get worse. Pantry volunteers delivered 70 holidayfood baskets to needy families in eastern Adams County. Although theChristmas generosity is appreciated, the need for food donations isstill critical here. The Pantry is currently serving 65 familieseach month and numbers are climbing as unemployment grows.

Ferry County

Republic

The Ferry County Public Works Department is getting tough onfolks who abandon their cars on county roads. The county has givennotice that anyone leaving their vehicle parked for 24 hours or moreon the shoulder of any county road will find it towed at their ownexpense. The road crew cannot maintain roads, especially in thesnow, when parked or abandoned vehicles are in the way.

Grant County

Moses Lake

Lee Blackwell may be the last mayor elected by and from the CityCouncil. Blackwell, who was voted into office by his fellow councilmembers, will head city affairs for at least the calendar year. OnMarch 12, local voters will decide whether to scrap the council-manager form of government for a strong mayor leadership. If thepeople want a strong mayor to lead them, elections would likely beheld in November.

Lincoln County

Almira

Lincoln Mutual Service Inc. #1 and Coulee Cooperative haveannounced plans to merge their farm chemical services. The twocompanies have already held one informational meeting to discusspossible changes. A second meeting will be held Jan. 23 at theAlmira Community Center. Discussion gets under way at 10 a.m.Lincoln Mutual #1 has been a long-standing and respected employer inAlmira for many years.

Pend Oreille County

Newport

Contrary to a report in Sunday's County Lines, Christian A.Boone, 24, has pleaded not guilty to the first-degree theft of cashand merchandise from his employer, Radio Shack. A trial is scheduledMarch 11.

Newport

Although county employees only have three medical insurance plansto choose from this year, they are also being offered a VEBA -Volunteer Employee Benefit Account. In a VEBA anyone earning full orpartial benefits can set aside money in a special savings accountthat can be accessed for any medical expense their employer-sponsored plan does not cover.

Stevens County

Colville

The Stevens County Conservation District is busily mapping outthe Colville River Watershed. The map not only shows the watershedboundaries, but shows every land parcel. This will not only help toidentify specific land ownership, but where river water is beingdistributed. The district has been studying water quality here forover 10 years and the new parcel map will provide a wealth ofinformation.

IDAHO

Benewah County

St. Maries

Nancy Wolff, the St. Joe Foundation's chairman has stepped downafter two years of service. The foundation was formed about 10 yearsago to foster business expansion. Dan Hammes will replace Wolff. Thefoundation operates at 906 Main Ave.

Bonner County

Oldtown

About five acres will be added to Rotary Park. It will more thandouble in size thanks to the city and the Newport/Priest RiverRotary each purchasing a parcel of land. The two organizations arealso applying to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation for agrant to make park improvements.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

The city is reminding all dog owners to purchase dog licenses atCity Hall by Jan. 31. If the licenses are not bought by then, thefee will be doubled.

Kootenai County

Post Falls

Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene police officers recovered severalthousands of dollars worth of property stolen during a recent seriesof auto burglaries. Post Falls Police arrested two suspects who are16-years-old, and one who is 18-years-old. Approximately 20 to 30burglary cases can now be cleared. Property not yet identified isbeing held by the Coeur d'Alene Police Department while DetectiveTodd Carroll attempts to find the owners. For more information,contact Carroll at (208) 769-2291.

Latah County

Moscow

Vern and Jo Moses operated a home-based Internet business. Alltheir computers and business records, along with their favorite catwere destroyed in a fire the evening of New Year's Day. A benefitdance on the couple's behalf will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday at theBlack Rhino. Vern, a retired Marine, was Latah County undersheriff.Jo is retired from Washington State University. Their home waslocated on Scoville Road north of Potlatch. Donations can be made atthe Latah Federal Credit Union. Families are welcome at the dance.Games will be provided for children. For more information, callHughes at (509) 334-2656.

Shoshone County

Lookout Pass

About 100 competitors from three states are expected toparticipate in Lookout Pass Ski Area's Big Air Competition onSunday. Included in this weekend's event is practice jumping at noonFriday and Saturday. Viewing for spectators will be easy from thelodge. Club Vertical's free wine tasting continues with Sam Lange onThursday. The area will be open for Martin Luther King Jr. holidayMonday. Conditions are said to be great with almost 10 feet of snowat the top.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

After a year of planning, saving, and doubling up on classes herjunior year, Lincoln County High School student Bethany Leeman wasfinally on a plane to Guatemala. Leeman had arranged to stay at achildren's orphanage where she would volunteer the majority of hertime taking care of the children. Leeman plans to study elementaryeducation and return to Guatemala to teach. If possible she wouldlike to return during summer breaks between her college years.