Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
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RITZVILLE - As the fall season sets in, the Adams County Sheriff's Office gets into the Halloween spirit with a creative team-building activity: a pumpkin-decorating challenge. Country Cousins donated pumpkins for all staff members, and employees from every department-administration, dispatch, corrections, and patrol deputies-are participating in the fun. Each employee received a pumpkin and was encouraged to carve or paint it in their own unique style. Some staff members...
RITZVILLE — The Adams County primary election results on August 6, finalized Tuesday, Aug. 20, with a voter turnout of 31.54%. The count of 2,560 ballots out of 8,117 registered voters has determined key outcomes for several local and statewide races. In local elections, incumbent Dan Blankenship emerged as the leading candidate for County Commissioner District 1 with 62.37% of the vote. For County Commissioner District 2, Jay R Weise won with 54.92% of the votes. Dave Larson secured the lead for the Supreme Court Justice P...
OTHELLO - The Adams County Sheriff's Office has arrested two local men in connection with the theft of a Genie Telehandler Forklift. Shayne Kulgen, 43, and Jordan Michael Blaak, 26, both of Othello, were arrested for first-degree theft at site near the intersection of South State Highway 24 and West Hampton Road on Aug. 22, records show. Blaak attempted to escape during the booking process, and is also facing a charge of third-degree attempt to escape. Blaak was booked into...
OTHELLO — Adams County Pet Rescue raised $600 more than its goal in less than 24 hours earlier this month. The shelter faced an unexpected challenge when its commercial washing machine broke down after six years of constant use, officials said. The washing machine ran almost nonstop to meet the laundry needs of the 100 dogs housed at the shelter daily. A replacement cost $5,000, but Pet Rescue doesn’t have that kind of cash on hand. So, it turned to the community for help, launching a GoFundMe campaign online. “It’s crucial...
WASHTUCNA — A petition seeking the release of Henry Bley from the Washington State Penitentiary was filed 127 years ago, regarding the infamous double-homicide of the Moritz brothers. According to the Weekly Commoner, a predecessor to the Whitman County Gazette newspaper in Colfax, dated Friday, Aug. 20, 1897, Bley, who had been imprisoned for nine years, was connected to the infamous Moritz brothers’ murders, and filed a petition for his freedom. “This piece of criminal history is highlighted by the vigorous efforts which...
SPRAGUE — Three North Carolina men were injured in a one-vehicle crash Wednesday, Aug. 14 on Interstate 90. The crash at Milepost 240 occurred at 11:18 a.m., the Washington State Patrol reported. Two of the men — driver Terry A. Fletcher, 70, and passenger Wiley H. Fletcher, 95, both of Granite Falls, N.C. — were airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, the patrol reported. A second passenger, Rickey L. Fletcher, 63, also of Granite Falls, N.C., was transported via ambulance to Deaconess Hospital in Spokane. Accor...
RITZVILLE — Two Adams County Commissioners being challenged in the Tuesday, Aug. 6, general election, are leading in their re-election bids. In the race for County Commissioner District No. 1, incumbent Dan Blankenship leads with 404 votes, accounting for 63.82% of the total. Challenger David Lobe received 223 votes, or 35.23%, while write-in candidates collectively garnered 6 votes, making up 0.95% of the total. A total of 633 votes were cast in this district race. For County Commissioner District 2, incumbent Jay R. W...
RITZVILLE – With 29 precincts reporting, Adams County has released preliminary results for several local tax measures, all of which appear to be passing. As of 8:13 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, 1,045 ballots had been counted in the primary election. There are 8,117 registered voters in the county, reflecting a 12.87% voter turnout. An estimated 451 ballots remain to be counted, with the next update scheduled for 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7. Here are the preliminary results for local tax measures: Lind Parks and Recreation District N...
ODESSA — A local man was killed Wednesday, July 31, in a motorcycle crash near downtown. John Hardt, 78, of Odessa was northbound on state Highway 21 when he lost control of his 2006 Harley-Davidson XL 883 motorcycle and careened into a ditch near May Avenue about 4:55 p.m., the Washington State Patrol reported. Despite wearing a helmet, Hardt was pronounced dead at the scene, the patrol reported. Neither drugs nor alcohol was a factor. A 1964 Wilson Creek High School g...
HARRINGTON - The City Council held a regular meeting on Wednesday, July 24, to discuss several items on the previously approved agenda. The regular council meeting was called to order with Councilmembers Hardy, Buddrius, and Meats in attendance. Councilwoman Moritz was absent and excused, while Councilman Gavin Wagner was expected to join if his schedule permitted, however, a combine kept him occupied. No visitors were present in the gallery. The agenda proceeded with a...
RITZVILLE — The National Weather Service has issued a forecast for Ritzville, Othello, Lind, Washtucna, and Hatton, predicting a stretch of hot and sunny weather over the coming days. Ritzville is expected to be sunny and hot on Thursday, with a high near 96 degrees. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with a low around 63 degrees. On Friday, temperatures will rise to a high near 103 degrees, with partly cloudy skies in the evening and a low around 67 degrees. Saturday will see mostly sunny and hot conditions with a high n...
OTHELLO — The Othello Eagles are set to sponsor a community yard sale on Saturday, August 3, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.. The event will be held at 127 E Larch St, Othello and is open to the public. Anyone interested in selling items or donating to the Eagles can participate. For those looking to have their own space, 10x10 lots are available for rent. Alongside the yard sale, the Eagles will be offering big hotdogs, chips, and bottled water. Organizer Patty Broyles Stemhagen encourages the community to get involved. “This is a g...
RITZVILLE — Adams County is gearing up for significant road infrastructure project aimed at enhancing transportation within the region. The county will open bids for the project in September. Adams County Public Works Director Todd O’Brien announced that the county commissioners have approved moving forward with gathering bids for the much-needed road project. The Lind-Hatton Road project is specifically aimed at improving transportation infrastructure for commuters and business, providing a crucial upgrade to the cur...
OLYMPIA — Gray wolves will stay listed as endangered in Washington following a tight 5-4 vote by the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission. Despite a significant increase in the gray wolf population over the past 15 years, with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) reporting at least 260 wolves in 42 packs, the decision was made to retain their endangered status. The Commission’s virtual meeting on Friday, July 19 also covered changes to cougar hunting regulations. New rules set the cougar hunting seas...
OTHELLO — National Police Week began Sunday, May 12, and local law enforcement professionals are recognized for their dedication and sacrifice. “This week provides a special opportunity for us to recognize and honor the outstanding efforts of our Adams County law enforcement team and all law enforcement professionals across the nation,” said Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner. National Police Week also recognizes the family members of law enforcement officers as they play a vital role in supporting the officers. A Faceb...
OTHELLO - A second man has been arrested in connection with an odometer fraud case. Terry Ryan Cissne, 49, of Pasco, was arrested Thursday, April 4, and booked into the Franklin County Jail on charges of second-degree theft and driving under the influence. Additional charges are expected to be filed in connection with the odometer fraud case out of Adams County. Cissne is the second to be arrested in the case being investigated by the Adams County Sheriff's Office deputies....
RITZVILLE - The Grant County Sheriff's Office arrested a man wanted in connection with a rash of burglaries in Ritzville. Marcus James Chamberlin, 33, was apprehended by the Grant County Sheriff's Office and booked into the Franklin County Jail for first-degree burglary, second-degree burglary and first-degree trafficking in stolen property. According to the Adams County Sheriff's Office, Chamberlin was located in Grant County. On Friday, March 8, Ritzville police and the...
RITZVILLE — The Adams County Sheriff’s Office has released its crime statistics for February. According to the data, 298 calls were made to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office during February, indicating a steady level of activity for law enforcement personnel. The most frequent call type was 911 misdials or hangups, with 90 reported instances. That was followed by medical calls, with 40, and agency assist, which had 6 calls. Notably, there were no reported cases of kidnapping, joyriding, arson, bomb threat, child abuse, curfe...
RITZVILLE - The Adams County Sheriff's Office is seeking information on the whereabouts of Daniel Wayne Gill, who is wanted on multiple charges, including eluding law enforcement, obstruction and driving with a suspended license. According to the Adams County Sheriff's Office, a routine check of a suspicious vehicle turned into a high-speed chase on the evening of Wednesday, March 6, as deputies pursued Gill. At approximately 5:23 p.m., deputies responded to a call regarding...
RITZVILLE — After several months of investigation, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man for resetting or reversing vehicle odometers. Reynaldo “Rey” Valdez Garza Jr., 52, faces charges of second-degree deception and disconnecting, resetting or reversing odometers. Garza was apprehended and booked into the Franklin County Jail on Tuesday, March 5, after a search warrant was executed to find additional evidence. The Sheriff’s Office is seeking information from individuals who bought or sold vehicles to Garza. Th...
ST. JOHN - Thirty-five sprint boats hit the water of Webb's Slough on Saturday, June 17; only three went home with checkered flags. The high-speed spint boats competed in three classes – modified, 400 and unlimited – for the best time and bragging rights from the first weekend of racing in Whitman County this season. Sprint boat racing pits a drive, navigator and their boat against a maze of islands and the clock, with some boats hitting turns at up to 10 times the pull of...
LIND - Thousands of residents and visitors crowded into town Saturday for a day of old-fashioned fun Saturday, June 10. The festivities began with the Kiddie Parade, followed by the Lind Chamber of Commerce Grand Parade and Lind Lion's Club fundraising barbeque for everyone to enjoy. The Kiddie Parade began at about 10:45 a.m., it featured three entries under the '60s and '70s Flower Power theme. Following the kiddie parade, the Grand Parade showcased all the combines...
MALDEN – After more than two weeks on the trail, the John Wayne Pioneer Wagons and Riders Association completed its 45th 200- mile, cross-state trek Saturday, June 3. The riders hopped on their wagons and horses in Easton on Thursday, May 18. Since, they've traversed Kittitas, Grant, Kittitas and Whitman counties on what the state calls the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail. Locals along the way have a different name for it – through Adams, Southern Spokane and Whitman cou...
LIND –– The town roared to life Friday and Saturday, June 9 and 10, as thousands of fans rolled in to see combines smash into each other. The annual Lind Lions Club's Combine Demolition Derby was a smashing success, raising funds for local projects. The weekend festivities included car, pickup and grain truck racing, parades, live music, and of course, the highlight of the event – the combine derby. The combines competed in five heats, with the fifth marking the grand final...
An “aha” moment – a time when make that brilliant “I’m going to do it” decision. I got mine after reading “Lone Survivor” by Marcus Luttrell and studying up on my favorite Purple Heart recipient, Army Staff Sgt. Ty Carter. It sounds crazy, but for some reason a moving film about Marines fighting to save our country and their ensuing brotherhood inspired me to start my search for a military career. It wasn’t until after I read the story of a Spokane local, Ty Carter, and how h...