Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
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In addition to the Lind-Ritzville FFA Agronomy team that qualified to compete at the National FFA Convention this fall, two Lind-Ritzville teams have also earned an opportunity to represent the local chapter at Nationals. During the Washington State FFA Convention on May 12-15, the Lind-Ritzville FFA Chapter had 11 teams competing for a chance to move onto the National Convention. From these 11 teams, two teams were comprised of students from Lind-Ritzville Middle School. The...
After the sudden loss of three local businesses on April 29, Skin Deep Aesthetics’ owner Ruthie Panter supplied a copy of the air quality report, dealing with the building located at 202 West Main Avenue, to The Journal. Panter advised her primary reason for vacating the property and closing her business is due to health issues, which she believes are directly related to mold and poor air quality in the space she rented for her business. For the past few months, Panter said she has been hospitalized on multiple occasions a...
Community members and faithful supporters of the Wheat Land Communities’ Fair gathered together on the evening of Saturday, May 7, for a spirited night of fun and bidding to help fundraise during the annual Wampum auction. The event included a live and silent auction portion, which collectively raised more than $9,500 for the fair. The WLCF Board also received an estimated $1,000 in cash donations. The evening began with a social hour, followed by a catered meal prepared by C...
The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos tennis team competed in the first day of the District Tournament on May 7. The LRS team now has five athletes moving on to compete in the second day of the tournament on May 14. Head Coach Liz Melville said all of the LRS athletes performed extremely well at Districts. The LRS girls No. 1 doubles team did not qualify for the second round of Districts, but Coach Melville said the duo faced tough opponents and truly played competitive matches throughout the tournament. The Broncos had two...
The Board of Commissioners for Hospital District No. 2 discussed changes in staffing at East Adams Care Center (EACC) and updates for construction at the hospital during the regular board meeting on April 28. Following the resignation of Gayla Ceremello, acting director of nursing at EACC, and facility Administrator Josh Hannum, the District has moved Bruce Haase to Director of Nursing and hired Michele Johnston to serve as the Interim Nursing Home Administrator. Johnston began her work at the facility on April 29 and...
Residents were shocked on Friday, April 29, as they witnessed Sunny Spot Floral and Gifts, Burlap, Bling and Boutique, and Skin Deep Aesthetics moving out of their storefront in downtown Ritzville. Connie Galbreath, owner of Sunny Spot and Burlap, Bling and Boutique, has operated Sunny Spot in downtown Ritzville for 11 years. Skin Deep Aesthetics, owned by Ruthie Panter, became a downtown Ritzville business in July 2015. The businesses leaving came as a surprise to everyone, including the property owner. Steve Oestreich owns...
The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague tennis team is winding down on league competition and preparing for post-season play. In the past matches, the team has had varied success, but the No. 1 singles players for the Broncos remain undefeated in league competition. The Broncos hosted the LaCrosse-Washtucna/Kahlotus Tigercats on April 12. The LRS girls’ team won by default, as the Tigercats did not have any female athletes competing that day. The LRS boys’ team defeated LWK 2-1 during the competition. The matches began with Travis Ste. Ma...
The Lind and Ritzville School Boards unanimously agreed to allow Washtucna School District athletes to participate in Lind-Ritzville/Sprague athletics. The discussion began earlier in the month when representatives from the Lind, Ritzville and Washtucna school boards met to discuss the possibility of an athletic cooperative. During the monthly meeting of the Lind and Ritzville School Boards on April 25, the board members agreed to extend a one-year trial for Washtucna students to participate in all sports. Washtucna...
As a junior in high school, I started a Bucket List. I had not been diagnosed with a disease, lost a close friend or relative, or had a near death experience; I simply realized there were goals I wanted to achieve and adventures to live out. The items on my list ranged from plausible goals to grandiose vacations. I knew some of them could be accomplished before I hit my 20s, while others may not be ticked off the list until much later in life. The first substantial item off my bucket list occurred my senior year of college... Full story
During the week leading up to Mother’s Day, the Lind-Ritzville FFA Chapter hosts an annual plant sale to provide gift ideas for moms, as well as assist local homeowners with their landscaping and gardening needs. The sale begins on May 5 with a presale for FFA parents and staff members. The sale opens to the public on May 6-7 in the greenhouse on Columbia Street in Ritzville. This year, the sale is expanding from only flowers and now includes succulents, vegetables and herbs. The diversity in products is sure to draw a l...
With just over two months remaining in the school year, the Lind and Ritzville School Boards are turning their focus to changes being implemented within the districts next year. During the school board meeting on March 28, the board members also discussed the updates currently being completed within the two districts. Superintendent Rob Roettger presented to the board regarding the transportation cooperative and the funds available. This year, with a decrease in gas prices, the school districts have spent over $4,100 less in...
The Lind-Ritzville FFA chapter has continued their success in the Agronomy contest, by having a team win the state competition and earn a trip to the FFA National Convention for the 10th consecutive year. The FFA chapter had two teams compete in the state contest on March 23. The team members who won the competition and will travel to Indianapolis this fall in hopes of bringing back the national title are Madison Harder, Tessa Jantz, Peyton Curtis, Nathan Naught and Camden...
The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague tennis team competed in three matches to begin the season for the Broncos. Head coaches Liz Melville and Lorrie Swanger are returning to lead the team, and with so many new and young players, the coaches are preparing for a rebuilding year. The Broncos took the court first against the St. George’s Dragons at Whitworth University on March 22. The day started out with early success by both of the No. 1 singles players for the Broncos, but both the girl’s and boy’s teams ended the day with a 1-4 recor...
The Adams County Public Hospital District No. 2 Board of Commissioners met to discuss the upcoming EMS levy, CEO recruitment and operations at East Adams Care Center. During the upcoming Special Election, East Adams County Healthcare is placing a six-year continuation levy for Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Residents of the district will be voting on the replacement levy during the April 26 Special Election for an estimated collection rate of $0.36, per $1,000 of assessed valuation, and a total collection of $255,000....
Tessa Jantz received the title of the 2017 Distinguished Young Woman of Ritzville on Friday night, in front of a nearly sold out crowd in the Ritzville Grade School gymnasium. The two finalists joining her to represent the Ritzville community throughout the upcoming year are Erica Leffel and Kennea Estler-Teal. Community members, friends and the families of the participants packed into the gymnasium on March 18 to be a part of the annual event and watch another well-executed...
Paranoia and anger caused by drug consumption led to the murder of a 24-year-old woman on the side of I-90, about 20 miles west of Ritzville, early on March 1. Adams County Sheriff’s Office investigated the homicide and arrested Manuel Argomaniz-Camargo in connection with the murder. The homicide had initially been reported as a pedestrian versus vehicle collision, according to Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner. When law enforcement arrived on scene around 2:45 a.m., they quickly realized the graphic scene in front of them h...
The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos entered the State B Tournament as the underdog, but the team battled to prove they deserved the spot in the state playoffs. As the smallest team in size and height, the Broncos benefited from team’s underestimating their strengths from the first game on Thursday, March 3. The Broncos began their state experience off with a win against the fourth ranked team, Life Christian Academy. The high intensity game ended in the Broncos’ favor as the...
The Lind and Ritzville School Boards met on Feb. 22 for the regularly scheduled meeting to discuss and listen to updates from administrators for the districts. The meeting began with a Transportation Cooperative update and proposal for the purchase of two buses. Transportation Coordinator Lynn Sackmann explained the features of the two buses and answered questions from the board members. Both boards unanimously approved to purchase a 30-passenger and 42-passenger bus for the cooperative district. Sackmann said the... Full story
Among a full agenda during the Feb. 25 Adams County Public Hospital District No. 2 Board of Commissioners meeting, the primary topic of conversation revolved around the current financial situation of East Adams Care Center (EACC) and the future plans for the facility. CEO/CFO Gary Bostrom explained the initial year-end result for EACC shows the facility losing an estimated $600,000 in the months of operation. Bostrom said the total estimation of loss for an entire year exceeds $800,000. With the financial concern, and due to... Full story
The annual State Hardwood Classic began with the Regional Tournament on Feb. 27, where the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos earned the right to compete in the State B Tournament. The Broncos defeated Warden in the loser-out contest, with the Broncos receiving the win and a chance to continue into playoffs for the run at the state title. As one of three Northeast 2B League teams competing at the State Tournament, the Broncos have an opportunity to show the competitiveness of the...
After attending a Facilities Committee meeting last week, the members of the Ritzville School Board voted unanimously on Monday, Feb. 22, to place the $12.8 million bond back on the April ballot. The bond failed on the February ballot with almost exactly 50 percent of voters casting a ballot against the bond. An estimated 600 registered voters did not cast a ballot in the election. The Facilities Committee and School Board members agreed on running the same bond only two months after the first in order to keep consistency in...
Attendees of the Friday night Sub-Regional game at Mead High School got their money’s worth when the Broncos and Asotin pushed the Regional Tournament qualifying game into double-overtime. Coming off of a strong District Tournament finish and Sub-Regional start, the Broncos proved their determination to continue post-season play. The Broncos earned the 68-64 win after a fast-paced and close game with the Asotin Panthers. Both teams excelled in quickness and perimeter s...
After suffering a loss to Davenport in the second round of Districts, the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos battled back to earn two wins and earn the opportunity to compete in the Sub-Regional Tournament. The Broncos defeated Springdale and Liberty to have the chance to continue in post-season play. Head Coach Dustan Arlt said the Broncos’ finish in the Davenport game proved disappointing. The Broncos started well and maintained a consistent lead until the final quarter, when po...
The Feb. 9 Special Election showed countywide support for school district’s Maintenance and Operation (M&O) levies, but the Ritzville School District bond results had a different outcome. Requiring a super-majority to pass, voters split down the middle with almost exactly 50 percent rejecting the bond proposal. The 20-year bond proposed to voters totaled $12.8 million and included multiple projects for facility upgrades and construction within the local district. The bond projects included the remodel of the current high scho...
With a combined 30 years of service in law enforcement, Dale Wagner and Adolfo Coronado are now serving as the leaders for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. Wagner stepped into the vacated position of sheriff following the retirement of John Hunt, before being selected by the Adams County Commissioners to serve in the role for the remainder of the term. After his appointment, Wagner selected Coronado to serve as the undersheriff for the county, and the two are uniting to i...