Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
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RITZVILLE — A Montana man was arrested Saturday, July 31, after Adams County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a local truck stop for a possible stabbing. Christopher Lee Spangler, 34, of Helena, Mont., was arrested on two counts of fourth-degree assault and one count of third-degree malicious mischief and booked into the Adams County Jail. Deputies were called to Love’s Travel Stop, 1370 N. Highway 261, for a man with a knife allegedly stabbing people, according to a report from the Sheriff’s Office. Arrivin...
Let me start by saying The Ritzville Adams County Journal is here to stay. I say that after several people asked me last week if we were closing. Some of those questions were prompted by our editor’s decision to take another job in town. Some of those questions were prompted by the “for sale” sign in our window. It’s easy to jump to conclusions if you noticed both simultaneously. But in reality, we’ve had The Journal building listed for sale for several months. Only the build...
OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday, July 28, ordered all public school districts in the state to require students and employees to wear masks on school grounds when classes resume in the fall. During a press conference, Inslee blamed the need to wear masks on residents who have chosen not to get vaccinated against the Wuhan coronavirus. “We will continue our existing policies regarding masking; all students and employees will be required to wear masks around each other in the building, regarding of their vaccination sta...
RITZVILLE – The previous hiring of contact-tracers due to the coronavirus may cost Adams County taxpayers more than just wages. During the Adams County Commission meeting Monday morning, Aug. 2, county government leaders voiced concern that five “temporary” contact-tracers have become eligible for full benefits. Two more temporary employees could breach the threshold later this year. During the discussion, commissioners were told by staff that there are several “trigger factors” that would force the county to essentially move...
CHENEY – During a state Redistricting Commission public outreach meeting July 24, speakers overwhelmingly backed changes that would shift two counties east. With the population shift over the last decade, several people testifying during the hearing called for Adams and Walla Walla counties move out of the 4th Legislative District (Central Washington) and into the 5th Legislative District (Eastern Washington). “Eastern Washington is not just everything east of the Cas...
PULLMAN – Washington State University Cougars' quarterback Jayden de Laura was found not guilty of DUI by a judge in Whitman County District Court on July 29. There was no jury, it was a bench trial determined by Judge Pro Tem Douglas Robinson. "They brought up a lack of evidence ... they showed video from the officer's body camera that he wasn't staggering or slurring his speech," said Whitman County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Tessa Scholl. "I think his attorneys did a great j...
Sgts. Tomas Solano and Juan Garcia and deputy Saul Chavez hosted their Othello United FC Boys 10U soccer team during a visit to the Sheriff's Office. The law enforcement officers coach the team. Players received backpacks and thanked sponsors for uniforms and equipment during the visit, while also having an opportunity explore the office and check out patrol vehicles....
EPHRATA – The state Department of Fish and Wildlife has named Brock Hoenes north-central region director. Hoenes oversees the region that includes Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant and Okanogan Counties, effective Aug. 1. “I’m excited to be back in the region where I started my career with WDFW 13 years ago,” Hoenes said. ” “I’m passionate about the fish and wildlife and the people in this region. For myself and my family, it feels like returning home.” Hoenes began is career with the state agency in 2008. Most recently, he wa...
RITZVILLE – A local girl is among the finalists competing for 2022 state Distinguished Young Women Program title. Lind-Ritzville High School senior Dakota Killian is among the 11 girls vying to replace Kari Largent of Colfax in representing the state. The contest will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7. Due to the Wuhan coronavirus, there will not be an audience present for judging, officials said. The program is expected to air on Dintinguished Young Women Program’s soc...
Here are the land transactions reported by the Adams County Assessor between July 23-29: July 29 From Kenneth C. Hurst of Vista, Calif., 1840 E. Madera St., Otello, to Gary and Allyson Goodin of Othello, $499,999. From Bill J. and Leonarda S. Harm Jr. of Othello, the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 20, Township 17 North, Rage 31, E.W.M., except the East 30 feet on North Howard Road, Lind, to Cody Allen and Katherine Marie Shipley of Warden, $62,000. July 28 From Adams County Sheriff Dale J. Wagner of...
Patrick W. Smith age 59, died June 5, 2021 in Phoenix Ariz. He was born May 4, 1962 in Renton, Wash. to George and Patricia Smith. Burial with full military honors at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Wash. on August 9, at 9:00 AM....
Amanda Sophia Niederkleine entered her rest after 97 years of life on July 18, 2021. Amanda was born Sept. 29, 1923 to August and Engel Sielaff of Ritzville, Wash. Amanda was the second youngest of 6 children. She was baptized, confirmed at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Ritzville, Wash. where she was a life-long member. She graduated from Ritzville High School in 1941. In 1944, she married Milton Niederkleine and moved to a farm at Paha, Wash. where they raised two children,...
Betty Denise Schwisow, 94, died from complications of a stroke on July 26, 2021 at Columbia Basin Hospital in Ephrata, Wash. She was born on October 1, 1926 in Ritzville, Wash. the daughter of Fred and Florence (Martin) Schaefer. Betty graduated from Ritzville High School class of 1944. Following graduation she married Donald Schwisow, October 14, 1945 in Ritzville, Wash. They settled on the Schwisow family farm near Sprague, Wash. They were married for 70 years until...
Randy Breazeale passed away in Grants Pass, Oregon on June 29, 2021. He was born October 20, 1957 in Cheyenne, Wyo. to Melvin and Dora Mae Criner. Randy was the baby of 10 kids. After Melvin's death Dora remarried Vernon White and the family moved out to Washington State. Randy went to many different schools growing up in Wash. They lived in Seattle, Lind, and other small towns before settling down in Ritzville. Randy met Terri Keisling while in high school in Lind. They marri...
Rodney D. Kramer, 62, of Ritzville, Wash., passed away on July 29, 2021. He was born on July 21, 1959 to parents George and Lynette (Ferderer) Kramer. He was the second of four children (Courtney, Rodney, Kelly, and Shari). The family resided in Ritzville until 1967 when they moved to Selah. Rodney moved back to Ritzville in 1979. Rodney met Shelley Arp in 1980. They were married on Dec. 7, 1981. Together they raised 3 children: Rodney, Angela, Renee. Rodney worked at Adams...
There was some good news recently coming out of a meeting concerning a 2019 law creating a state-run, long-term-care program to be funded through workers’ paychecks starting in January. In case you’re not in the loop, a payroll tax of 58 cents per $100, with no income cap, begins Jan. 1 to fund the Washington Cares Fund. Statutory employees earning $50,000 a year will pay $290 annually, those who make $100,000 will contribute $580 each year, and so on. Some workers who pay...
Effectiveness of Trump’s vaccine If there are any Americans out there who are still loyal to Donald Trump, listen up: Don't be sidelined by "Trumpian talking heads." Stay focused on Trump. He and Melania are both vaccinated. Trump said on national television, "I would recommend it and I would recommend it to a lot of people that don't want to get it and a lot of those people voted for me, frankly... It is a great vaccine. It is a safe vaccine and it is something that works. "It works incredibly well – 95%, maybe even mor...
Wheatland Bank promotes local man RITZVILLE – Wheatland Bank has promoted David Meise to vice president/bank secrecy act security officer. Meise was hired by Wheatland Bank in 2013, where he served as service manager in Rtizville. An Eastern Washington University graduate, he paired his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and psychology with anti-money laundering certification, opening the door for his promotion. ““His criminal justice education, extensive banking experience, work ethic and diligent approach to complia...
Ritzville police control traffic at the intersection of Main and Division streets downtown Friday after tractor trailer stalled. The truck had a dead battery....
The Journal RITZVILLE – Police are looking for assistance in finding the thieves that stole approximately 5,000 pounds of hay last week from the Wheatland Community Fairgrounds. Chief Dave McCormick said the theft occurred between 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 28, and 6 p.m. Thursday, July 29. Between 50-60 bales of second-cutting alfalfa was stolen, he said. The bales were bound with blue bailing twine; each weighed about 92 pounds. The bales were stolen from a stack near East O...
Road construction on West Broadway Avenue continued near downtown last week, with the road blocked to through traffic. The road was closed at the intersection of North Jackson Street....
RITZVILLE – The Adams County jobless rate was among the lowest in the state during the month of June. In a report released last week by the state Employment Security Department, Adams County showed a jobless rate of only 4.6%. That's tied for the sixth lowest unemployment rate in the state's 39 counties, the report shows. The state reported 9,830 residents in the work force in the county, with 9,379 residents employed, the report shows. That left only 451 adults in the w...
RITZVILLE – After a short reprieve Sunday, expected high temperatures prompted the National Weather Service to issue a new excessive heat watch Monday for Adams County. The watch was the most recent of several this summer, and extended through Wednesday evening. The new watch included all of Eastern Washington, except for small mountainous areas of Walla Walla, Kittitas and Yakima counties. Meteorologists said high temperatures would reach as much as 105 degrees in Eastern W...
RITZVILLE – Train advocates will meet Friday, Aug. 20, to talk about what they can do to possibly restore passenger rail service to the city . All Aboard Washington’s “2021 Train Trek” is set for 1:30 p.m. in City Hall, 216 E. Main Ave. During the session, members of the group will share their vision for improving east-west train service, including passenger service in towns statewide. The program includes discussion of economic ramifications and economic benefits, organizers said. There will also be time for residen...
RITZVILLE – Races that did not attract candidates in the Aug. 3 primary election will be reopened for a special filing period. According to Adams County Auditor Heidi Hunt, the special filing period will run from Aug. 16-18 for the following offices only: Adams County Fire District No. 6 – Commissioner No. 1 Adams County Water District No. 1 – Commissioner Position No. 2 Hatton Town Council – Position Nos. 4 and 5 Lind Parks and Recreation District No. 3 – Commissioner Position No. 1 School Board – Position No. 5 Othello Cem...