Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887

Articles from the August 22, 2019 edition


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  • Adams County farms received $2.46 million in aid from USDA

    Brandon Cline, Managing Editor|Updated Dec 19, 2019

    Over 600 farms in Adams County received a combined $2.46 million in federal payments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in an effort to help farmers recoup losses in 2018 from recent and ongoing trade disputes. The vast majority--almost $2.25 million--went to farms that grow wheat, according to the data that was obtained by The Associated Press from the USDA. And while the payments have helped mitigate some of the lost sales due to trade disputes between the U.S. and...

  • Ritzville Vietnam vet celebrated at ceremony in Moses Lake

    Updated Aug 22, 2019

    Ritzville's Deni Atkinson (right) was one of more than a dozen Vietnam veterans who were honored and celebrated on July 29 in Moses Lake. Rep. Dan Newhouse (left), who hosted the event, presented the veterans with a service lapel pin and certificate of appreciation for their service in commemorating 50 years since the beginning of the Vietnam War. The end of 1969 marked the beginning of the first draft lottery since World War II. Veterans from every branch of the U.S. armed...

  • Letter to the Editor: Chamber looking for volunteers to help man WLCF ice cream booth

    Updated Aug 22, 2019

    Letter to the Editor, The Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce ice cream booth is a tradition at our Wheat Land Communities’ Fair and Rodeo. We are looking for volunteers to man the ice cream booth. A vendor pass is available for ice cream booth volunteers. Sign up at Uniquely Washington, 116 W Main Ave, or call Uniquely Washington at 509-659-0059. Thank you for your support! Sincerely yours, Mary Chamberlain Ritzville Area Chamber Commerce...

  • Letter to the Editor: Take advantage of Ritzville Water Park before it closes for the summer

    Updated Aug 22, 2019

    Come swim with us! Only one more week to enjoy swimming at our local pool before closing on August 27th. Adult swim from 5:00 to 6:00 is not only refreshing and relaxing, it recharges you for the rest of the day. The Water Park is one of the outstanding features of Ritzville, and I am amazed that more adults don’t use this facility. If you’re concerned that your shape has changed significantly through the years, don’t let that keep you from enjoying your Water Park. You will be glad you did. Sincerely, Marsha Smith Ritzv...

  • Submitted photos: 2019 harvest season begins to wind down

    Updated Aug 22, 2019

    With the 2019 harvest season winding down, The Journal will be sharing photos submitted by farmers and harvest workers of this year's harvest in Adams County. To submit a photo, please email [email protected]....

  • Library Corner: Library offers newest bestsellers, blockbusters

    Heidi Harting, EALD Library Assistant I|Updated Aug 22, 2019

    Working at a small library, you tend to wear a lot of different hats. No day is exactly the same. Some days include getting new items ready to go out on the shelves, signing people up for library cards, hosting a library program or helping someone on the computer. Nine times out of ten they declare you a computer genius! Other days you’re a grievance counselor, doling out hugs, sharing tears for lost loved ones or putting Band-Aids on skinned knees. We’re also a sort of a celebrity. If a kid sees any of us outside the lib...

  • Worst Seat In The House: A sporting life

    Dale Anderson, Sports Columnist|Updated Aug 22, 2019

    When I read the morning paper I spend an inordinate amount of time reading the sports page. That has been something I’ve done since I was very young. Sports were an important part of who I was. Of course, when I say sports I don’t mean every sport. I typically concentrate on football, basketball and baseball. Those articles in the paper are my usual focus especially the local teams. When I watch sports it is also usually the big three but I will channel surf and see if the...

  • Memorial Announcement: Betty Elkington

    Updated Aug 22, 2019

    A memorial will be held for Betty Elkington at 11 a.m. at the Lind Community Church on Sept. 7. The address for the Lind Community Church is 114 E. Fifth St....

  • Lois Schafer Cree

    Updated Aug 22, 2019

    Lois Schafer Cree, 95 years young, passed away quietly on August 6, 2019 at Rose Garden Estate in the hometown of Ritzville, WA. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on August 23, 2019 at the New Tacoma Cemeteries & Funeral Home, 9212 Chambers Creek Road W, University Place, WA and burial will follow at The New Tacoma Cemetery. Lois married her high school sweetheart Melvin Cree, also from Ritzville. They raised 3 sons in Spokane, WA. A job transfer moved the family base...

  • County sets minimum bid on property near Lind

    Jeremy Burnham, Reporter|Updated Aug 22, 2019

    The Adams County Board of Commissioners has set a minimum bid of $10,000 for a county tax title property near Lind. The property, which has a Lind address but is outside of the town limits, is located at 125 E. Presnell Road. A public hearing was held on the matter after Richard Parker Sr. sent County Treasurer Kayla Meise an offer to purchase the property for $10,000. Meise told the commissioners that they had to set a minimum bid price in order for her to move forward. Some discussion was had between the commissioners...

  • Ralston Grange looking for volunteers for fair food and bingo concessions

    Updated Aug 22, 2019

    The Ralston Grange concession at the Wheat Land Communities’ Fair will be open Wednesday, August 28 beginning at 6:00 p.m., serving a potato bar that evening only. The meal is $5, except for those who have volunteered to be superintendents or judges and received a ticket from the fair board for a free meal. They must turn in their ticket when picking up their meal at the grange building. Friday through Sunday during the fair the Grange will be offering their regular menu, which this year will be kraut runza, German sausage, s...

  • Business Column: Drones planting trees in burned wildlands

    Don C. Brunell, Business Commentator|Updated Aug 22, 2019

    While drones are coming of age in firefighting, they are also establishing a foothold in restoring fire-scorched forests. Firefighting drones grabbed the spotlight last April 15 as viewers around the world watched Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris go up in flames. It has stood for over 850 years, through wars, natural disasters, and everything in between, including the fire. At first, it appeared the iconic building would be completely destroyed; however, French firefighters used...

  • Column: Hardworking farmers deserve a strong trade agreement

    Rep. Dan Newhouse, Fourth District|Updated Aug 22, 2019

    A story out of Ritzville recently gained national attention: Larry Yockey is a fourth-generation wheat farmer, and for nearly fifty years, he hasn’t missed a harvest. Sadly, Larry was recently diagnosed with stage four cancer, allowing him to only spend a short amount of time in the fields. He was worried that his streak would come to an end, but his neighbors wouldn’t allow that to happen. Larry’s friends, neighbors, and community members surprised the Yockey family by storming in on 18 semis, 17 combines, and 11 banko...

  • Irene Rebecca Thompson

    Updated Aug 22, 2019

    Irene Rebecca Thompson, 96, passed away peacefully Friday morning, August 9, 2019, in Ritzville, WA. Irene was born November 25, 1922 to Thomas and Eva McArthur in Duluth Minnesota. She was the eldest of four children, Daisy, Charles and Vera, all of whom preceded her in death. She married Arnold Thompson August 11, 1944 in Culver, MN. After Arnie's death in 1987, Irene moved to Othello and later to Moses Lake, where she resided over 15 years, until her last few months. Irene...

  • EWU announces new tuition payment plans for 2019-20 school year

    Jeremy Burnham, Reporter|Updated Aug 22, 2019

    Lind-Ritzville High School students looking to attend an affordable university close to home will likely take a look at Eastern Washington University. It's a 45 minute drive from Ritzville and has the cheapest tuition of any Washington four-year university. Now, the school is adding an additional reason that local students might want to check it out: payment plans. In a tweet on Monday, EWU announced it will allow students to pay tuition monthly throughout each quarter....

  • County announces special filing period for offices with no candidates

    Jeremy Burnham, Reporter|Updated Aug 22, 2019

    If you’ve ever considered running for public office, now might be your chance. Some public office positions need filling. Adams County Auditor Heidi Hunt announced this week that several offices did not receive any candidates during the initial candidate filing week. Hunt’s office has scheduled a special three-day filing period for those offices from Aug. 26 to 28. Open positions include mayor of Washtucna and a Washtucna town council position. Two school district director positions are open in Lind and one is open in Was...

  • Brief: Theme announced for Children's Parade

    Updated Aug 22, 2019

    In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, the theme of this year’s Ritzville Community Children’s Parade is “To Infinity and Beyond.” Participants are welcome to decorate their bikes or wagons and dress in their favorite outfit that fits the theme. The children’s parade will take place right before the Ritzville Community Parade. All children participating in the parade need to meet at the Sloan-Leavitt building by 10:15 a.m., located at 403 W. Main Ave....

  • Brief: Street-sweeping to take place next week

    Updated Aug 22, 2019

    The Ritzville Public Works Department will be street-sweeping next week, and ask for the resident’s help to make sure vehicles aren’t impeding the sweepers. On Monday and Tuesday, sweeping will occur on North and South streets. On Wednesday and Thursday, sweeping will occur on East and West streets. On Friday morning, sweeping will occur downtown....

  • Teacher Profile Series: New LRHS English teacher Zachary Swanger

    Jeremy Burnham, Reporter|Updated Aug 22, 2019

    Zachary Swanger knows a little something about the first day of school. He attended school here in the area. Directly after graduating high school, he attended college. This September will be the first time he has not attended school since his childhood, but his first-day streak will continue. Only now, his first day of school will be as a teacher. "I can't wait," Swanger said. "It's a nervous excitement." Swanger is a new English teacher at Lind-Ritzville High School. This sc...

  • Brief: LaCrosse Schools set open house for Aug. 26

    Updated Aug 22, 2019

    The LaCrosse Schools will be hosting their annual community open house and welcome back dinner on Monday, Aug. 26. Burgers and salad will be served starting at 5:30, and the schools and classrooms will be open from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. The annual event provides a time for students, parents, and community members to meet the teachers and visit with friends and neighbors. There is no charge for the meal, and all members of the community are welcome to attend! For more information please call the school at 509-549-3591. School...

  • Adams County Harvest Festival given the green light from Lind Town Council

    Jeremy Burnham, Reporter|Updated Aug 22, 2019

    The Adams County Harvest Festival in Lind scheduled for Saturday has been given final approval by the Lind Town Council. Event organizer Diane Kennedy presented the council with a liquor license, proof of insurance and Washington Department of Transportation permits ahead of the council's Aug. 13 meeting. The council had previously voted to approve the event, so long as Kennedy was able to provide proof of those items. As promised, the council told her at the meeting that she...