December 10, 2025
December 10, 2025
RITZVILLE — A Federal Way driver was injured and his passenger killed in a Dec. 9 crash about 8 miles west of the city. Guillermo Martinez-Mireles, 51, of Federal Way, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near Milepost 212 of Interstate 90 shortly after 5:51 p.m., the Washington State Patrol reported. The driver, Medardo Ruiz-Perez, 38, also of Federal Way, was injured and taken by ambulance to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake. According to the patrol, Ruiz-Perez was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Express westbound on...
RITZVILLE — A preliminary Adams County budget shows expenses are expected to climb $864,655, or about 5.8%, next year. The current 2025 general fund budget is $14,716,832, whereas the proposed 2026 general fund budget, so far, totals $15,581,487. The county has yet to release the revenue picture, which will show if there is enough money to fund the proposed financial plan for 2026. A large chunk of the expected increase is related to law enforcement services, including $71,457 for prosecuting cases, $181,058 in law...
RITZVILLE — County commissioners heard about neighboring counties’ efforts to reduce costs during their Dec. 2 meeting. Adams County Human Resources Director Kathy Campbell came prepared with her study of where local counties are willing to go to save costs. “I haven’t see a whole lot of what we could use,” she said. She brought copies of a year-old hiring freeze proposal in Walla Walla County There, Walla Walla County Commissioners approved the hiring freeze. However, elected officials and department heads still...
RITZVILLE — The City Council looked at several issues affecting city finances at its Dec. 2 meeting. The biggest issue discussed was the 2026 budget, which must be finalized by the end of December. City official estimate its 2026 budget expenditures at $7,600,012 with expected revenue of $7,152,115. That’s an increase of $542,827 over the current year. A large part of that increase — $200,000 — is due to a state grant earmarked for the city Tree Board. Mayor Scott Yaeger said the city will hold a final public budget...
RITZVILLE — Adams County commissioners voted Dec. 2 to jumpstart the next phase of internet broadband development despite recent bidding issues. The previous decision to accept a bid for installation of Othello-area broadband was halted last month when low bidder Blue Mountain Telecommunications Services of Walla Walla abruptly decided it could not perform the contract due to their own mathematical errors. The company bid $4,749,057.35, but the cost is likely to be much higher. The company also failed to retract its bid...
100 years ago The Ritzville Journal-Times December 3, 1925 FINE ONE MAN, RELEASE TWO The hearing of George Reed, Harold Hill, and Sam Bastron, who were arrested last week on a liquor in possession charge, was held last Monday before Justice L. M. Tiller. Upon motion of the prosecuting attorney, the case against Sam Bastron was dismissed, the prosecution not deeming they had sufficient evidence for conviction. The jury was composed of Brandt Klingel, Ted Manke, G. B. Weber, J....
Sheriff’s Log RITZVILLE — The Adams County Sheriff’s Office responded to the following calls for service from December 1 to December 7, 2025: Dec. 1: 6:06 a.m. — Suspicious 911 hang-up call 2100 Block W. June St. 2:25 p.m. — Deputies responded to 1200 Block N. Marcellus Rd., Ritzville for vehicle inspections. Forms provided. 2:57 p.m. — Two dogs at large 2200 Block W. Charla Ln. 4:23 p.m. — Suspicious 911 hang-up call 500 Block S. Lind. Dec. 2: 8:22 a.m. — Suspicious 911 hang-up 500 Block of S. Lind-Hatton...
RITZVILLE — Officials would like to prosecute all criminal offenses in the city, staffing may be an issue. City Attorney John Kragt discussed the idea at the Dec. 3 City Council meeting. The city currently processes misdemeanor charges, but felonies are directed to Adams County prosecuting attorneys, judges and courtrooms. “I have an associate now who does a lot of criminal work,” Kragt said. “So, he’s more than able. My other associate is doing the city of Colfax prosecutions.” Kragt said he is not personally...
RITZVILLE - City Council members were sworn Dec. 2. Brooke Scheel was sworn in for the Ward No. 3 seat and Ky Beck-Gmeiner was sworn in to the Ward No. 5 position by Clerk-Treasurer Julie Flyckt, who administered the required oath of office. Both were elected in the Nov. 4 general election. Scheel received 96.03% of the votes in her race while Beck-Gmeiner received 96.28% in the Ward No. 5 contest. Beck-Gmeiner replaces William Green. Mayor Scott Yaeger thanked Green for his...
RITZVILLE — A perceived conflict is hampering communications between the city and a commercial developer. During the Dec. 2 City Council meeting, Councilman Dennis Chamberlain said he had a “disturbing phone call” before the session began. “I just want to see this moving forward,” he said of development of the Grainery District. “It just keeps getting delayed …. I’m hoping the whole council stands with me on this; we want to see this project moving forward.” The Grainery District proposal is being...
What is success and what is failure? We heard over the weekend that WSU football coach Jimmy Rogers was going to leave Pullman for Ames, Iowa home of the Iowa State Cyclones. Rogers replaces Matt Campbell who was hired by Penn State. It took a while for Penn State to find their next coach after they fired James Franklin following a three game losing streak after participating in the college playoff a year ago. It’s tough to find a new guy when the margin for error for...
DAVENPORT - The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos opened their season with a pair of hard-fought road losses Friday night, Dec. 5. The girls fell 57-53 to the Davenport Gorillas and the boys dropped a tight, 44-43, contest. In the girls game, the Broncos stormed back from an early 24-13 deficit, tying the score at 33-33 by halftime and taking a 48-44 lead into the fourth quarter. But Davenport closed the game on a 13-5 run to escape with the win. "We knew Davenport was a great...
KENNEWICK — The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague wrestling team finished seventh overall at the Bob Mars JV Invite on Saturday, Dec. 6. The Broncos were the only Class 2B team to break into the Top 10. The local boys scored 140 team points; Hermiston, Ore., won with 290 points, followed by Kennewick with 279 and Kamiakin with 230. The Broncos brought home one gold medal and two silvers. Gunner Grimm led the Broncos. At 285 pounds, he opened the tournament by pinning Christopher Farias of Riverview in 1:26. In the quarterfinals, he...
During last week’s Ways and Means Committee meeting, the nonpartisan committee staff told me and other committee members about the poor shape the state operating budget is in as the Legislature prepares to meet in mid-January for its 60-day session. Ways and Means staff informed us there will be an estimated $4.3 billion deficit by the end of the 2029 fiscal year in the state’s near-general fund, including a $1.5 billion deficit in the current two-year budget, which will...
Cooper King, 2 years old, visits with Santa Dec. 6 at the Ritzville Holiday Bazaar held at Ritzville Grade School. Cooper's parents are Charlie, his mom, and Jerod King. Dozens of vendors filled the school's gym and dining area with a big selection of potential Christmas...
RITZVILLE — The Christmas season is expected to blossoms here Dec. 13, starting with an expected fly-in of Santa Claus. The jolly old elf will land at 11 a.m. at Ritzville Grade school, 610 S. Chelan St., weather permitting. After Santa lands in town, he will be venturing to Ritzville Lumber, 703 W. First Ave., to have a chat with local youth. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., he will be at the business to hear Christmas wishes, share cookies and cocoa, and pose for photos with young and old alike. But Saturday is about more than...
While most people spent Thanksgiving worrying about overcooking the gravy or forgetting the rolls in the oven, I spent mine on my knees praying to the culinary gods that my turkey wouldn't explode. Yes, explode. Not because that's a normal concern, but because I've seen National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and if you think I'm above imagining my bird turning into a puff of Thanksgiving confetti, you're wrong. In that movie, Cousin Eddie's turkey is cut into at the table,...
RALSTON - Ralston Grange hosted its Christmas Dec. 7 with about 125 people in attendance. The event got underway with a potluck banquet. Once everyone had their fill, the program kicked off with Christmas carols and the overweight holiday anthem, "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas," with a battery-inflated hippo at center stage. Evelyn Braden of Lind was at the piano. The audience took turns performing songs, some of which included, "Country Roads," "Little Drummer Boy,"...
Kendra Redburn, 10, searches stickers at a vendor position Dec. 6 at the Ritzville Holiday Bazaar held at Ritzville Grade School. Kendra's mom is Dede Redburn and her dad is Keary...
WASHTUCNA — The holiday season takes shape in Washtucna this week. On Friday, Dec. 12, students and adults will be caroling at Washtucna School. Then at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, the Lions Club will host its annual Christmas Bingo. On Sunday, Washtucna Community Church will host a Sunday School Christmas program. And next week, Washtucna School will present the annual student winter concert at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec....
LIND — The following residents are celebrating anniversaries and birthdays from December 10 to December 16, 2025 Anniversaries: Dec. 14 — Michael and Amy Branson, Dick and Shanon Davis Birthdays Dec. 10 — Kelvin Sager Dec. 11 — Ryliegh Larson, Gemma Boettcher Dec. 14 — Landon Umland Dec. 15 — Carol Schuler Dec. 16 — Josephine...
PUBLIC NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO CHANGE GROUNDWATER CERTIFICATE TAKE NOTICE: That the Stahl Hutterian Brethren Trust of Ritzville, WA, on October 15, 2024, filed Water Right Change Application No. CG3-21504C@1, to transfer the place of use as granted under Groundwater Certificate No. G3-21504C. That Groundwater Certificate No. G3-21504C authorizes the withdrawal of 2000 gallons per minute, 890 acre-feet per year, each year, for the seasonal irrigation of 902 acres. The current authorized points of withdrawal are from two...
NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE GRANTORS: Vigil Investment Partners, LLC, a Wyoming limited liability company CURRENT BENEFICIARIES OF THE DEED OF TRUST: (1) Steel Ranch LLC, a Washington limited liability company CURRENT TRUSTEE OF THE DEED OF TRUST: • Jacob Montgomery of McGuire, DeWulf, Kragt & Johnson, P.S. REFERENCE NUMBER OF THE DEED OF TRUST: • 335767 records of Adams County, WA. PARCEL NUMBERS: (1) 2031150100001 (2) 2031140220001 I. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned Trustee will on the 19th day of December,...
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Board of Adams County Commissioners will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., in Room 202 of the Adams County Courthouse, 210 W. Broadway, Ritzville, Washington, for the purpose of receiving comments on the following proposed Amendments to the 2025 Adams County Budget: Budget Change Revised Current Expense - #001 Auditor #023 $ 877,802 Personnel $ 20,000 $ 897,802 Treasurer #030 $ 438,429 Personnel $ 15,000 $ 453,429 Coroner #090 $...
NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF BENTON No. 25-4-00612-03 In re the Estate of: SHARON R. RODGERS, Deceased. The Personal Representative named below has been appointed as Personal Representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal...
SUMMONS FOR SERVICE BY PUBLICATION SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTONCOUNTY OF ADAMS NO. 25-2-00106-01 In the Matter of: SANDOVAL RENTALS, LLC, a Washington limited liability company, Plaintiffs, vs. TRANSAMERICA FINANCIAL SERVICE, and all other persons or parties unknown claiming any right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the personal property or real estate described in the complaint herein. Defendants. The State of Washington to the said TRANSAMERICA FINANCIAL SERVICE, and all other persons or parties unknown claiming any...
PUBLIC NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO CHANGE GROUNDWATER CERTIFICATE TAKE NOTICE: That the Warden Hutterian Brethren (WHB) Trust of Warden, WA and Marlin H.B. Trust (MHB) of Marlin, WA on October 9, 2024, filed Water Right Change Application No. CG3-*06085C, to transfer the place of use and points of withdrawal as granted under Groundwater Certificate No. 4545-A. That Groundwater Certificate No. 4545-A authorizes the withdrawal of 700 gallons per minute, 560 acre-feet per year, each year, for the seasonal irrigation of 320 acres....
NOTICE OF APPLICATION & SEPA THRESHOLD DETERMINATION Pursuant to RCW 43.21C.080, notice is hereby given that Adams County did on December 01, 2025, made a Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS), for the following application. Project Number: ACLU-2025-034. Project: BAR E DAIRY #2 FACILITY EXPANSION Applicant: Bar E Dairy 78 S Reynolds Rd, Othello WA, 99344 C/O Allen Bartelheimer 509-760-0482 Description of Proposal: This project will consist of the following phases of construction; Phase one will include the...
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the meeting of the Board of Commissioners of Adams County Public Hospital District No. 2 will be held on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 5:30pm. The meeting will be held at Legion Hall, 106 W Broadway Ave., Ritzville, WA 99169. Eric Walker, Chair Board of Commissioners East Adams Rural Healthcare Published December 3 and 10,...
SUMMONS SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON COUNTY OF ADAMS No. 25-2-00172-01 WILLIAM C. PLUMB and LILY ANN PLUMB, husband and wife, Plaintiffs, v. ESTATE OF LUCILLE PLUMB, ALL UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES AND BENEFICIARIES OF LUCILLE PLUMB, and ALSO ALL OTHER PERSONS OR PARTIES UNKNOWN CLAIMING ANY RIGHT, ESTATE, LIEN OR INTEREST IN THE SUBJECT REAL ESTATE DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT HEREIN, , Defendants. The State of Washington to the said Defendants: ESTATE OF LUCILLE PLUMB, ALL UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES AND BENEFICIARIES OF LUCILLE...
