Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
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RITZVILLE -- One person is dead in an early morning shooting here at a home at 109 West 7th Avenue, on the corner of 7th and Washington Street. Police Chief Dave McCormick said the shooting occurred about 5:30 a.m. According to Adams County records, the home is owned by Walter Glen Ivy, Jr. Dispatchers received a call at 5:39 a.m. from a neighbor who heard gunshots, he said. Officers arriving on scene found one person deceased. A Washington State Patrol Crime Scene Lab is...
CHENEY – Eastern Washington University’s Athletics Department is eyeing an estimated $2.1 million loss in revenue, Athletics Director Lynn Hickey said during the weekly “Lunch & Learn” show on the department’s Facebook page. Hickey told host Larry Weir on Tuesday, May 12, that the estimated loss comes from an anticipated reduction in student fees, although there will be revenue losses as well as the university looks at the possibility of changes to fan attendance at sporting events as a result of measures to deal with cont...
OLYMPIA — If you test positive for conoravirus, be prepared to be quarantined at home. That’s the message Gov. Jay Inslee shared during a Tuesday afternoon press conference on his plan for “contact tracing” of the virus. Under his plan, anyone who tests positive will be quarantined at home. Moreover, anyone in their immediate family and anyone with whom they’ve had contact, will also be quarantined in their homes. While the governor called the plan “voluntary,” he also acknowledged that the state will be keeping tabs...
RITZVILLE — On the first day of candidate filing, more than 20 candidates threw their hat in the political ring in Adams County. Here’s a list of candidates filing Monday, May 11: Adams County Superior Court Judge Position No. 1 — Steve Dixon of Ritzville Adams County Commissioner District No. 1 — Dan Blankenship of Ritzville and John N. Marshall of Ritzville Adams County Commissioner District No. 2 — Ken Johnson of Othello and Jay R. Weise of Othello Republican Precinct Committee Officer Ritzville Ward No. 1 — Heidi Hunt...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS — The owners of a local tavern plan to be open from 2 p.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday despite the coronavirus quarantine. Village Tavern co-owner Jean Moore hopes other bars and restaurants will join her in opening in defiance of Gov. Jay Inslee's order shutting so-called "non-essential" businesses. The seating is spaced out, she said, noting she's planning to open those same 12 hours daily. The tavern is at 13119 W. Sunset Highway. Gov. Inslee's staff has not approved of any in-restaurant dining in the city or surrou...
RITZVILLE - Adams County Commissioners authorized modifying the Families First Coronavirus Response Act after hearing from Public Works Director Todd O'Brien, who expressed concerns over exclusion of public works personnel and the issue of retroactivity. O'Brien pointed out previous correspondence said all employees were covered, and asked why the act would exclude "essential" workers. According to April 13 commissioner meeting minutes, the federal act states employers can...
RITZVILLE — The Adams County Auditor’s Office will be accepting filings for local offices from Monday through Friday, May 11-15. Local offices open for filing are: • Adams County Commissioner District No. 1; filing fee of $636. • Adams County Commissioner District No. 2; filing fee of $636. • Adams County Superior Court Judge; filing fee of $1,909.85. Filing is also open for all precinct committee offices, with no filing fee. Legal residents filing for a county commissioner position must be a registered voter within th...
RITZVILLE — The East Adams Library District has started a COVID-19 ommunity memories project. Library officials are asking for submissions of letters, diaries, photographs, posters and other items that shed light on how the pandemic is affecting lives. Librarians Kylie Fullmer Morgane Plager Roth said they created the project to preserve history for “our grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who will one day ask how we responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.” “The purpose of this project is to encourage individuals, organiz...
LIND – The town is getting a grant for water infrastructure improvements. During the April 28 Town Council meeting, Patrick Sheehy of Century West Engineering reported the state Department of Health approved the 2020 Community Development Block Grant Water Improvement Project. Sheehy said the Cemetery Water Line Project contract has been executed, and Century West Engineering and C&E Trenching are now working on a pre-construction schedule. The council also heard about other public works projects during the meeting. Steve N...
LIND – The Lind Combine Demolition Derby has fallen casualty to the coronavirus pandemic. During an April 28 Town Council meeting, Mayor Paula Bell said the Lions Club has cancelled the event for this year. The news reached Sen. Mark Schoesler quickly. “As a past champion of the Lind Lions Club Combine Demolition Derby, I was sorry to learn this past weekend that one of the local casualties of the Inslee shutdown is the 2020 derby,” Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, said May 1 while also responding to the governor’s decisio...
RITZVILLE — An accused burglar released on bail is back in the Adams County Jail facing charges in two new crimes. Adam Morfin of Othello is being held on $25,000 bail. He was arrested April 25 on a bench warrant for the additional crimes. The warrant was issued April 24 for violation of court-ordered conditions of release from Adams County Jail after posting $5,000 bail. He was initially facing charges including third-degree assault of a law enforcement officer and second-degree burglary in connection with crimes Jan. 16, J...
RITZVILLE - Anyone planning to purchase plants from the Ritzville Volunteer Ambulance Association's annual fundraiser Saturday was out of luck as of 4 p.m. today, Friday. The EMTs sold out by noon the first day of the sale, Thursday. Neva Malby, Ambulance Association President and her son, Jeffrey Staley, were on the road by 5 a.m. the next morning to pick up more plants at Garden Springs Nursery in Deer Park. "We were back by 12:30 p.m.," Malby said. "The community has been...
LIND – Most of the Lind Elementary School staff, along with Ritzville staff and Lind Fire District volunteers turned out for a parade through Lind, Cunningham and Hatton on Wednesday, April 28. Lind Principal Darrell Lembcke estimated there were 30 participants. "It was a lot of fun, I think, for both staff members and kids. I think it raised spirits of both school and community members," Lembcke said, adding that was the universal feedback he got from everyone. "It was a...
Four local ladies took advantage of last Wednesday's potato giveaway in Ritzville to solicit signatures for Referendum 90. If it makes the general election ballot and is approved by voters, the measure would repeal Senate Bill 5395. Signed into law by Gov. Jay Islee, SB 5395 requires "inclusive" sex educaiton beginning as young as kindergarten. Republicans have dubbed the bill the "seXXX ed" law, From left are Lois Guest, Sandra Weigand, Kerra Ridgeway and Kim...
RITZVILLE – Around 37,000 pounds of locally-grown potatoes were given away here last Wednesday rather than thrown away, a result of coronavirus restrictions putting the brakes on the food supply chain. Donor Marvin Wollman of the Warden Hutterian Farm said his family has been farming for generations, but when "Stay Home, Stay Safe" quarantine restrictions closed restaurants, his potatoes had no place to go. The quarantine was ordered by Gov. Jay Inslee, a Bainbridge Island D...
Commodity Price Soft White Wheat, bushel...............…..$5.38 White Club, bushel........................…..$7.08 Hard Red Wheat, bushel. ....................$5.41 DNS, bushel....................................... $6.05 Barley, ton......................................... $140.00 Triticale ..........................................…$138.00 Steers 500-600 lbs............................. $150-$160 Steers 600-700 lbs............................. $140-$150 * Wheat Prices provided by Ritzville Warehouse Co. (Wednesday quota...
High Low Prec. April 29 69 33 0 April 30 77 47 0 May 1 65 29 0 May 2 67 31 0 May 3 75 35 0,10 May 4 58 28 0 May 5 65 29 0 (Readings are for previous 24 hours; YTD Precip. 4.25 in.) NOTE: Record of Climatological Observations from Moses Lake...
I encourage readers to support Referendum 90 repealing the new K-12 sexual education law. The Legislature recently passed this bill, Senate Bill 5395, creating new learning standards for sexuality education. It requires instruction to begin in kindergarten in 2021. The state adheres to the National Sexuality Education Standards under the advice of Planned Parenthood and the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network, but with no conservative balance. For K-3 instruction, the state offers only one curriculum: “Rights, R...
Who can deny the beauty of a crisp fall day full of late-season sunshine and laughter in the air, as gorgeous crimson leaves twirl down to the ground from stately oaks, maples and other American hardwoods? Last Wednesday, at the potato giveaway in Ritzville, the air had many of those same elements — spring air still crisp enough for winter jackets, and sparks of laughter as neighbors came together to distribute a bountiful harvest of potatoes. The locally grown spuds were originally destined for area processors to turn i...
America’s unemployment rate is suddenly approaching historic levels. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began almost two months ago, roughly 30.3 million people have filed for jobless benefits. Nearly 14 million additional people could have filed if unemployment processes were easier, Economic Policy Institute calculates. With more employers cutting payrolls to survive and skyrocketing business closures and bankruptcies, economists forecast the unemployment rate could exceed 20 perce...
RITZVILLE — Ritzville Golf Course was scheduled to open Tuesday for those who reserved a tee time. The golf couse at 104 E. 10th Ave. also limits use to two players, or four if they are family members living in the same household. Only one person may be on a golf cart on the course, officials said. To reserve a tee time, call 509-659-1930. Greens fees can be paid over the phone, dropped off in the City Hall drop box, or mailed to 216 E. Main Ave., Ritzville, WA 99169....
RITZVILLE — The city planned to reopen parks Tuesday with several restrictions. Large groups are not permitted and only family members can travel to parks together, officials said. Park-goers have to keep their distance and no food is allowed, officials said, noting those who go will have to pack out their trash, including disposable gloves and masks....
RITZVILLE — Adams County Commissioners will host a virtual public hearing on affordable housing assistance Monday, May 11. They will eceive comments on a proposed ordinance to authorize a sales-and-use tax for affordable and support housing in accordance with Substitute House Bill 1406, Affordable Housing Assistance. The public hearing begins at 11 a.m. in Room 202 of the Adams County Courthouse, 210 W. Broadway Ave. Also on Monday May 11, a public hearing is set on a grant renewal for Northwest Pipeline, LLC. The company w...