Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
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Julia Klein was crowned as the queen of the 2020 Ritzville Rodeo at the association's annual banquet on Jan. 19, in front of a packed crowd at the American Legion Hall. Klein was bestowed her regal title by the 2019 queen, Rachel Nygren, who presented Klein with a sash, belt buckle and crown for her cowboy hat. "I just want to start off by saying thank you," said Klein after being crowned. "I'm so excited to represent this community. This community is amazing, whether it's...
OLYMPIA — Legislation requested by the governor's office and supported by Democratic senators aims to ban flavored vaping products and impose sweeping regulations on the industry. If passed, Senate Bill 6254 would limit the nicotine concentration of vaping products, ban certain flavoring chemicals and require manufacturers, distributors and retailers to obtain licenses from the state Liquor and Cannabis Board. The bill would also give the board authority to inspect businesses and ensure compliance. The measure is proposed in... Full story
Ritzville Police Chief Dave McCormick has been in Ritzville for a long time. He was born in Germany when his family lived there while his father was in the military. When McCormick was a year old, his family moved back home to Ritzville and he has been here ever since, save a year or two. Now, McCormick has the responsibility to protect the community he has called home his entire life. That is a responsibility McCormick takes very seriously. "I went to school here," McCormick...
OLYMPIA – A bill has been introduced in the state House of Representatives that would protect child entrepreneurs wanting to sell lemonade in the summer or hot chocolate in the winter. House Bill 2232, introduced by Rep. Luanne Van Werven, R-Lynden, would protect children from overzealous bureaucrats trying to collect business license and other fees, or restrict their ability to occasionally sell non-alcoholic drinks to passersby. A public hearing on the measure took place J...
OLYMPIA -- Ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds would be illegal to purchase or posses in Washington under a proposed law moving through the state Senate. Supporters cite safety concerns, while opponents argue the measure, which cleared the Senate Committee on Law and Justice on Thursday, Jan. 23, would place new restrictions on residents' constitutional right to bear arms. Senate Bill 6077, sponsored by 14 Democrats, would define 10-plus-round magazines as... Full story
The Mid-Columbia Ag Hall of Fame officially inducted Adams County's Orvalla Hafer at a dinner ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 17 in Pasco. Hafer, who was honored with the "Pioneer Award," was inducted along with three other people or couples. Hafer's induction was particularly emotional, however, as she was being honored posthumously. Hafer was introduced by her grandson Jacob and her award was accepted by her daughter Holly Kenner. Orvalla Hafer and her husband, Raymond, settled i...
SPRAGUE – Sprague Chamber of Commerce President Tim Wilken was named 2019 Citizen of the Year during the organization's annual banquet Monday night at Sprague Elementary School. Wilken received multiple nominations for the award, selection committee spokesman Chris Canaday said. "This gentleman has been life-long in Sprague," Canaday said during the presentation of the award. According to Canaday, the 35-year-old Wilken has been instrumental in city improvements and is a...
To say the least, last week was certainly filled with varying sports information and drama. It started off with the NCAA championship football game between the LSU Tigers and the Clemson Tigers. The Tigers from Baton Rouge, Louisiana overwhelmed the defending national champions with big plays and tough defense. LSU rallied in the first half overcoming an early 10 point deficit to go into halftime with an 11 point lead. The final score was 42-25 LSU as the defenses tightened...
December 29, 2019 24: Terry Utecht. 23: Ayden Franz, Carson Schlimmer. 22: Anna Franz, Pete Franz, Randy Franz, Alan Schlimmer, Garrett Schlimmer. 21: Brody Folk. 20 & under: Craig Cooper, Thomas Rosen, Corbin Sager, Curt Franz, Mike Watson, Harold Folk, Roger Hochstetler, Randy Kulm, LeRoy Watson, Debbie Kulm, Hudson Sager, Kelvin Sager, Levi Cooper, Taylor Utecht, Taylor Kulm, Avery Watson. High Overall/High Handicap: Carson Schlimmer. Miss & Out/Annie Oakley Alan Schlimmer. Bushwacker: Terry Utecht. Buddy Shoot: Garrett...
January 19th, 2020 49 Shooters 24-Garrett Frederick, Jason Heider, Ben Geschke 23- Wes Frederick, Kyle Bauer 22-Brian Kramer, Scott Hennings 21-Ryan Frederick, William Green, Colby Schell, Justin Simonson 20 and under-Mike Stromberger, Adam Krause, Scott Yaeger, Doug Wahl, Markham Nichols, Dennis Faechner, Tim Wellsandt, Jim Heider, Chris Steinmetz, Scott Steinmetz, Tyler Frederick, Mike Geschke, Randy Moore, Larry Swift, Walter Weber, Grant Weber, Jeff Kissler, Drew Hartz, Bruce Benzel, Mike Bauer, Tyler Greenwalt, Dale...
The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague girls basketball team fought for most of the game, but fell to Liberty on Friday, 45-37 in Spangle. On Tuesday, the Lady Broncos defeated Tekoa-Rosalia 67-19 at home. Before the season, LRS head coach Steve Wellsandt identified the Liberty Lancers as his team's toughest opponent of the season. As the season progressed, Wellsandt said he feels his team has gotten closer and closer to where they need to be to compete with Liberty. On Friday, his...
A week with three events over a span of five days saw several Lind-Ritzville/Sprague wrestlers make progress on the mat, while the late grind of the season has been a challenge physically for a couple of Broncos. South League Match The team traveled to Colbert on Jan. 14 for a South League match being hosted by Northwest Christian. Sophomore Johnny Ryan won his first match via pin in the first period in the 113-pound weight class, and went on to win his second match 9-0. Hilzer said that as of now, Ryan would be the No. 1...
As the regular season winds down, the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos have turned their focus to closing out league play strongly and earning as high a seed as possible in the Northeast 2B Conference Tournament. The slate of games this past week saw mixed results for the boys team, which fell in a spirited performance on the road against undefeated Liberty on Jan. 17 and then rebounded strongly with a win against unpredictable Tekoa-Rosalia at home on Jan. 21. Early foul troubl...
Larry Oscar Erichsen, entered his heavenly home on January 2, 2020 at the age of 77. His passing, peaceful and restful, at the Hospice Home in Spokane, was the result of a nine month battle fighting pancreatic cancer. Larry had lived a full and wonderful life. Larry was born on November 21, 1942 in Plentywood, Montana to Ludvig Erichsen & Addie (Erichsen) DeMoss. He graduated from Plentywood High School in 1960. After graduation he went to the Navy and served on the U.S.S....
Carolyn Lenore Dutton, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, entered into rest on Jan. 14, 2020 at the age of 89. Born on October 18, 1930, in Hay, WA, she was the youngest of seven children born to Isaac and Claire Moore. After she lost her father at the age of 3, her family continued to live on their farm until they moved to Kahlotus, WA, where she graduated high school in 1949. She married Frederick "Ted" Beckner in 1948, and together they had four children. They spent...
A year ago, much of America's heartland was inundated by Missouri River flood waters. At least 1 million acres of U.S. farmland in nine major grain producing states were under water. More than 14 million people were impacted. Damage exceeded $1 billion. With 11 dams on the Missouri, why was the flooding so severe? Why didn't the dams absorb the excess waters? Its dams are above the flooded areas. The last impoundment is at Gavins Point Dams in South Dakota and heavy rainfall...
Dear Editor, By proclamation of the governor, January is School Board Recognition Month. It’s a great time to recognize our elected community members who selflessly give their time and energy in support of high-quality public schooling for our youth. School board members of Lind-Ritzville Cooperative Schools are entrusted by two outstanding communities with responsibility for an annual budget of $10 million, 545 students, 129 employees and 4 schools. School boards are charged with making decisions that can sometimes be quite...
Everyone at the City of Ritzville works to keep you informed of our policies and decisions. Except for rare executive sessions by the city council, our meetings are public. This includes not only city council meetings, but committee meetings as well. The city sent out an extensive survey last fall seeking input on how we can better serve your community. We mailed hundreds of hard copies and made an electronic form available on the city website. Mailings were sent to each city...
In an attempt to reduce plastic pollution, a bill banning retailers from handing out free single-use plastic bags in the state of Washington is moving in the Legislature. The bill, SB 5323, was passed by the Senate with a vote of 30-19 on Wednesday, Jan. 15, and is now headed to the House for further consideration. If the bill becomes law, shoppers will have to either bring their own bags or pay an eight-cent fee for a reusable carryout plastic bag. The bill was a one-party proposal, made by the Democrats, and received the...
Lind-Ritzville/Sprague athletic director Greg Whitmore talked about the benefits of intermittent fasting at a lecture that was open to the public he held this month at Lind-Ritzville High School. Besides his athletic duties–which includes coaching the Broncos football team–Whitmore has also taught health at the high school for 28 years. In an interview with The Journal in August, Whitmore said he was wanting to also bring health lessons to the general public. Part of this effort to teach health to the public included sta...
Democrats in the state Legislature are backing bills aimed at reducing carbon emissions and pollutants put into the atmosphere by transportation fuels with the goal of achieving a 95% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by the year 2050. One of the co-sponsors, Sen. Joe Nguyen, D-White Center, said Senate bills 5412 and 6272 would allow the Department of Ecology to put rules into place that limit the use of dirty and carbon-emitting fuels and set new objectives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Nguyen...
An Eastern Washington University project is allowing high school students in the eastern part of the state who are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare to participate in a program in a hospital, clinic or healthcare facility. Project H.O.P.E. (Health Occupations Preparations Experience) is part of the Eastern Washington Area Health Education Center at EWU, and allows disadvantaged juniors and seniors in high school to submit gain real-life experience in a healthcare setting. The program is four weeks long, with the...
The H.E. Gritman Senior Center is holding its annual meeting next Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 1 p.m. The senior center urges those who seek to know more about the senior center to attend the meeting, as well as current members. Membership is accepted year-round, with dues costing $15 per year. A meal will be served prior to the meeting at 12 p.m. Reservations are required for the meal, and must be made by 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 27 by calling 509-659-1921....
Ballots for an upcoming special election on Feb. 11 will be mailed out this Friday, Jan. 24. School levies for Lind, Ritzville, Washtucna, Benge and Othello will be on the ballot. Ballot drop box locations are available at 116 1/2 W 2nd St. in Lind, 216 E Main St. in Ritzville, and 165 S Main St. in Washtucna. On Election Day, the Adams County Courthouse will be open for ballot drop-off and use of accessible voting equipment between 8:30 a.m. and 8 p.m....
RITZVILLE - The Lind-Ritzville Schools co-op will hold two public forums on Jan. 30 for people wanting to learn more about the levies the schools are asking for on the ballot of the Feb. 11 special election. The first forum is at 5:30 p.m. at the Lind-Ritzville High School Commons in Ritzville. The second is at 6:30 p.m. at the Lind-Ritzville Middle School lunchroom in Lind. As The Journal reported last week, voters will be asked to approve or reject a replacement Educational Programs and Operation Levy and a new two-year...