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Articles from the June 14, 2012 edition


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  • Council moves Ritzville meeting to Wednesday

    Updated Jun 14, 2012

    Next week’s Ritzville City Council meeing will not be held on Tuesday. The meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday, June 20, at 7 p.m. Mayor Linda Kadlec and Mayor Pro Tem Scott Yaeger were unavailable for the regular meeting so the council session was rescheduled for Wednesday....

  • Junior Golf camp begins June 18

    Updated Jun 14, 2012

    Junior Golf Camp begins next Monday, June 18, at the Ritzville Municipal Golf Course. Anyone interested in having their child participate, needs to register them in advance. Sign up forms are now being accepted and the fee is $40 per golfer. The fee covers the lessons, a tournament, barbeque, trophies and t-shirts for each participant. The camp is open to those ages eight to 15....

  • Block party serves as customer appreciation, Relay For Life fundraiser

    Updated Jun 14, 2012

    Three local businesses have joined together to host a Grateful to be Alive Block Party on Railroad Avenue on June 29 from 4-8 p.m. Hometown Family Medicine, Ritzville Drug Company and The Ritzville Adams County Journal had all been attempting to have a customer appreciation party and decided to combine their resources. In addition to honoring customers, the Block Party serves as a celebration of life and health. Donations collected during the Block Party are immediately given to Relay For Life and serve as a fundraiser for...

  • Seat belt enforcement patrols find more than seat belt violators

    Updated Jun 14, 2012

    Between May 21 and June 3, extra law enforcement patrolled Grant and Adams Counties roads at night looking for unbuckled drivers. During the patrols in Grant and Adams Counties, 88 seatbelt tickets were written, in addition to one DUI, 34 speeding infractions, 27 cell phone and texting tickets, 23 child passenger safety infractions, one misdemeanor drug arrest was made, as well as 23 uninsured motorists and 12 suspended/revoked license violations were written. Ten years ago, during June 2002, the seat belt law changed from a...

  • Mosquito district working to control pest

    Updated Jun 14, 2012

    Most people look forward to a nice warm summer for barbecue’s and all sorts of outdoor activities. There are a number of things that each individual can do to avoid mosquito bites: • When possible, wear long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors, especially when outdoors at dawn and dusk. • Use an insect repellant containing DEET, following label instructions. • Install or repair window and door screens. • At least once a week, empty standing water from flowerpots, pet food and water dishes, birdbaths, swimming...

  • Hospital board to consider two CEO finalists

    Updated Jun 14, 2012

    The board of commissioners will consider the top two candidates for the position of CEO for Adams County Public Hospital District No. 2 during a meeting on Tuesday, June 19. The board’s regular meeting was moved from June 28 to June 19 due to scheduling conflicts. Interim administrator Gary Peck said the district spent more than two months advertising and searching for candidates for the CEO job. He said 10 people applied for the position. After screening by the staff, two candidates were sent to the search committee to be i...

  • BIG HITS

    Updated Jun 14, 2012

    BIG HITS. The 25th Lind Combine Demoltion Derby was not hampered by damp weather. A massive crowd turned out Saturday for the annual event to witness some huge hits and exciting action in the grain truck and pickup truck races. –Journal photo by Stephen McFadden...

  • You can expect a $5 credit on city bill

    Updated Jun 14, 2012

    Look for a credit of at least $5 on your next utility bill from the City of Ritzville. While the council approved a $5 increase in your water bill, residents received the increase one month earlier than stated in the ordinance. City Clerk/Treasurer Kris Robbins said the city will correct the error by providing each customer with the appropriate credit....

  • Ritzville float receives major awards

    Amalia Perez, Distinguished Young Woman of Ritzville|Updated Jun 14, 2012

    The Lind Parade started out well enough with the float being taken to Lind at 8 a.m. Although there were some showers, everybody hoped that the rain would soon go away. Judging took place at 9 a.m. and the Ritzville Float won the Mayor’s Award and the Lind Lion’s Club Award!!! Then it was parade time, and with our luck, the rain began to come down harder than ever. Nonetheless, the parade continued and although the girls on the float had to wear their sweatshirts to keep off the rain, they danced and waved through it all...

  • Sign up now for Relay For Life of Ritzville

    Updated Jun 14, 2012

    The deadline for registered participants to receive a team t-shirt for the 2012 Relay For Life of Ritzville is by the close of business on Monday, June 18. All participants who want to receive the t-shirt must sign up prior to the deadline by contacting event chairperson Jen Kronvall at 509-242-8303 or via e-mail at [email protected]. Participants may also register online at the event website http://www.relayforlife.org/ritzvillewa....

  • Reading program begins June 21

    Updated Jun 14, 2012

    It is not too late to sign up for the summer reading program at the Ritzville Public Library. Weekly activities start Thursday, June 21 at 10 a.m. and include story times, craft projects, prize drawings and more. Readers who reach their summer reading goal before school starts this fall earn a special prize. Children do not have to attend every weekly activity to win prizes. The summer reading program is open to children ages two through 18, and advanced registration is strongly encouraged. All programs are free of charge...

  • Record number of pickups enter races

    Updated Jun 14, 2012

    A total of 10 grain trucks and 27 pickups competed in the races held during the intermission of the Lind Combine Demolition Derby last Saturday. Grain truck main event race: Jamie Morris, Rosalia, first; Shane Strohmaier, Lind, second; and Kyle Young, Lind, third. Grain truck heat race #1: Jamie Morris, No. 55, Rosalia, first; Shane Strohmaier, No. 42X, Lind, second; and Sam Whitman, No. 42, Odessa, third. Grain truck heat race #2: Mike Scholten, No. 045, Hermiston, Ore.,...

  • 39 cars race the Lind track

    Updated Jun 14, 2012

    Thirty-nine cars turned out for Friday evenings’ car derby and races. The awards are as follows: Slow trophy dash winner: Joshua Hernandez, No. 31, Lind. Fast trophy dash winner: Michael Olson, No. 95, Moses Lake. Powder puff trophy dash winner: Liz Biermann, No. 88, Lind. Car heat race #1: Derek Ball, No. 162, Moses Lake, first; James Cole, No. 42, Warden, second; and Ramey Perez, No. 88, Ritzville, third. Car heat race #2: Sid White, No. 107, Othello, first; Adam Labes, N...

  • Teachers deserve recognition too

    Updated Jun 14, 2012

    I enjoyed the graduation ceremonies at Lind and Ritzville, but what ever happened to teachers being part of graduation exercises? I think it only fitting for them to be honored for their tremendous contribution to each graduate. Just think of the patience, hard work, time and commitment from each teacher beginning with preschool to 12th grade. At Connell’s graduation, all the teachers wore black gowns leading the seniors down the aisle to receive their diplomas. I would like to see that tradition returned. Remember… if you...

  • Ritzville AAUW awards scholarship

    Updated Jun 14, 2012

    AAUW recently awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Renae Harder. She is the daughter of Maureen Harder, and J.C. Harder, of Ritzville. Harder is studying in her third year at Syracuse University in New York. The Ritzville AAUW offers a scholarship to a junior in college who is preparing for a career in math, science or technology. Fundraisers for this scholarship come from proceeds at the May and September used book sales, plus raffle basket sales at the annual holiday bazaar. The public support of these events makes the...

  • CROCHETED CREATIONS

    Updated Jun 14, 2012

    CROCHETED CREATIONS. The sixth grade leadership class of all girls recently took on the challenge to help keep Ritzville residents warm this winter. Sandy Wilks, director at the Ritzville Food Pantry, set a goal to have 400 hats and scarves by next Christmas. The girls learned to crochet, and some knit, and presented Wilks with 27 scarves and four hats on Friday, June 8. Pictured are, back row (left to right) Sandy Wilks, Peyton Curtis, Sierra Kiel, Alisha Baker, Abby Gering,...

  • Startin bashes his way to first combine derby win

    Updated Jun 14, 2012

    The 25th anniversary of the Lind Combine Demolition Derby proved to be successful as the rain stopped and allowed spectators and competitors alike to enjoy the afternoon event. There were 23 combines entered into the competition and every contestant received monetary funds to help pay the expense of the combines and travel to the event. In Heat No. 1, eight combines filled the arena to kick off the head to head competition. First time competitor and Ritzville resident, Palmer...

  • Kathleen C. Ottmar

    Updated Jun 14, 2012

    Kathleen C. Ottmar, died at the age of 71 at Holy Family Hospital on Friday, June 8. She was born February 18, 1941, in Walla Walla, Wash., to Arthur and Lorentina Hirning, and lived there until she was about four-years-old, when her family settled in Ritzville. She met Arlo Gene Ottmar and they were married on March 6, 1961. She worked various jobs in the community, including working for the phone company, owner of the Nauditts Grocery Store, managed the deli at Harvest...

  • Sunless tanning now available in Ritzville

    Katelin Davidson|Updated Jun 14, 2012

    Just in time for summer, individuals who are looking for a flawless tan without the dangers of sun exposure do not have to travel any further than Ritzville. Kim Weishaar recently began Kim’s Indoor Sunless Tanning (KIST) to provide local residents with a safe tanning option. Weishaar currently works as a substitute teacher in Moses Lake and thought that KIST would be a good supplement to her part-time teaching position. The business allows her to keep flexible hours to h...

  • Physical therapist helps expand EARH services

    Katelin Davidson|Updated Jun 14, 2012

    Bryce Schwendiman recently began working as a full-time physical therapist at East Adams Rural Hospital, and is excited to become an important part of the small town community. Schwendiman previously worked for South Hill Physical Therapy in Spokane for 11 years before deciding he wanted a change of pace and found the Ritzville job opening. He is originally from Basin City, where he was raised with 10 siblings on the family’s farm. Though Schwendiman enjoyed farming and the a...

  • It's a Good Time...

    Dale Anderson|Updated Jun 14, 2012

    I had a nice visit with an acquaintance from the Tri-Cities the other day. We’ve talked off and on in the last few years and we have a true mutual respect for each other. As we talked about things that are going on in the world and eastern Washington in particular he said matter of factly, “It’s a good time to be alive isn’t it?” It didn’t take long for me to say, “It really is! Sure there are a lot of stupid things happening in the world but all in all we are really lucky...

  • Unexpected serendipity

    Updated Jun 14, 2012

    Serendipity is the gift for finding valuable or agreeable things you weren’t looking for. Example: You pull a tee shirt out of your dresser drawer that you haven’t worn for awhile and when you unfold it to put it on, out drops a sock that is the mate to the one that has been languishing in your sock drawer since God knows when. But I have a better example I will share with you so you will realize it was serendipitous that you read this column this day. Like many of you, I expect, I deplore the day the Seattle Times dec...

  • The federal government shouldn't make things worse

    Don C. Brunell, president|Updated Jun 14, 2012

    The economic news is bad. The U.S. economy added just 69,000 jobs in May, less than half the expected number, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics revised down jobs figures for the two previous months as the unemployment rate rose to 8.2 percent. Amidst all the bad news, politicians are debating what the federal government can do to make things better. One suggestion is to stop making things worse. Two things slowing our economic recovery are uncertainty and regulatory overload. When employers are unsure of what will happen nex...

  • Community yard sale this Saturday

    Updated Jun 14, 2012

    Yard sale enthusiasts take to the streets of Ritzville this Saturday, June 16, for the seventh annual Ritzville Community Yard Sale. Across the entire city, homeowners are offering unique finds for those treasure hunters....