Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
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“The freedom to read is essential to our democracy.” So begins the Freedom to Read Statement adopted by the American Library Association in 1953, and which libraries across the nation continue to uphold today. At no better time are we reminded of the repercussions of censorship than during Banned Books Week which this year is September 22-28. Started in the 1980s, Banned Books Week is an annual event that celebrates our right to read, highlights the value of free and open access to information—even those ideas some consider u...
Traditionally, media coverage of the Paris Air Show focuses on the battle between Boeing and Airbus over market share for newer large commercial jets. However, this year Mitsubishi shared the spotlight with its state-of-the-art “SpaceJet.” SpaceJet is not the latest aircraft to join British billionaire Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic suborbital space fleet. It is a new regional passenger aircraft designed to compete head-to-head with Brazil’s Embraer E-175 for routes...
Our nation is on an unsustainable borrowing trajectory and it could get much worse unless voters start asking politicians: “How are taxpayers going to pay for what they promise!” We now owe over $22.5 trillion to lenders of which nearly half are off shore. (China $1.11 trillion). At the rate which we are selling treasury notes, the deficit will balloon to $24 trillion by 2020. That means when the presidential election rolls around next year, each taxpayer’s share of the debt w...
Each year, Congress breaks from session for what is referred to as “August Recess.” This month isn’t much of a “recess” at all, which typically implies time to play and relax. Instead, August Recess, more aptly called the August District Work Period, is an opportunity for Members of Congress to return home, work throughout the District, and meet with the constituents they represent. The federal government has a large footprint in Central Washington – from the Hanford cleanup site in Tri-Cities to the vast public and federal...
Dear Friends, The weather made this year’s harvest more of a challenge, but it’s past us now and I’m on to planting wheat for next year. In case you missed it, there was some nice news coverage of a “harvest bee” for a fellow Ritzville wheat farmer whose cancer treatment put him on the sidelines this year. I can think of numerous times over the years when farmers have pitched in to help with someone’s harvest, although this may be the first time the news story about it went national. I’m looking forward to catching up o...
There are moments when I look down at the keyring in my hands and am mystified by the large silver key that allows me access to the most magical building in town. Did you know that Ritzville was the smallest town in America to advocate for and receive a Carnegie Library grant? Did you know that in one day, thanks to a very successful community dance, the people of Ritzville raised enough money to meet the grant requirements? That the cornerstone laying brought the governor to town on June 4, 1907? Of the 42 Carnegies built...
There has been a loud nation-wide conversation about clean and carbon-free energy sources, and I am proud to represent Central Washington, where we are leading in renewable energy production. If you drive through our congressional district, you’re bound to see the rolling hills topped with windmills, whose turbines generate about 3,076 megawatts of renewable energy each year throughout the state. If you keep driving, you may end up in Adams County, where Washington’s largest solar farm opened north of Lind late last yea...
A few years ago on Labor Day, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee presented a compelling commentary on the need for employers and employees to set aside their differences and partner. That very same message should be heeded by our elected officials today. Easier said than done, especially in a vitriolic and politically charged atmosphere punctuated by an absence of listening and a profusion of people shouting at one another. Huckabee bashed those who detest unions and those...
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...
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...
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...
The United States was founded on the values of liberty, equality, diversity, and unity. As Americans, we should work to promote these values every day. As I travel around Central Washington, I see these values reflected in our communities when farmers come together to help an ailing neighbor harvest his crop or through the many rich cultural contributions of our Latino friends and neighbors. Our sense of inclusion and companionship is one of the reasons I am so proud to hail from Central Washington. Unfortunately, our nation...
More battery operated cars and trucks are making their way on to streets and highways, so why not trains? That may not be too far off if BNSF tests are successful. BNSF and Wabtec (formerly GE Transportation) are developing a battery-electric high-horsepower road locomotive--the type that moves freight trains between Seattle and Chicago. Once all the equipment and support systems are in place, the plan is to run tests between Stockton and Barstow, California, (350 miles) begin...
Sweden and Washington State are very similar. Both have strong “green” movements and are quickly moving to eliminate all carbon-emitting fuels from cars and power plants. The caution for Washington elected officials is not to jam through hastily mandate programs which have significant unintended consequences such as has happened recently in Sweden. Washington and Sweden are aggressively working to put more electric vehicles on the road. Transportation is Washington Sta...
Congress is responsible for funding our country, and we have some difficult decisions to make. I came to Washington D.C. to advocate for the priorities of my constituents, and I have heard loud and clear that the people of Central Washington want to ensure we aren’t further saddling our future generations with crippling debt. The Budget Control Act (BCA) set spending caps for Congress to abide by. Under this law, if the spending caps are exceeded, a government-wide sequester of both mandatory and discretionary funding would o...
Dear Friends, Harvest time has come to my farm and others in the area. Every harvest is at least a little different from all the others before it; as much as I might like to see another record wheat-cutting day like we had a year ago, it would be enough for things to simply go smoothly overall – meaning the weather cooperates, the equipment operates as it’s supposed to, and so on. Before putting my commentary aside to concentrate on the harvest, I’ll briefly share a few things. First, past commentaries have mentioned what...
We offer so many different activities and programs at East Adams Library District for youth! This summer, we have daily activities for kids including GAMERZ, Lego Club, kid crafts, and free movie showings. On August 8, NASA Ambassador Joe Bruce will be here to show us what it takes to be an astronaut or NASA scientist, and on August 17 we’re hosting an Astronaut Training Camp at the City Park at 2 p.m. so kids can see if they have what it takes to make it in space. Kids earn extra tickets for our Summer Reading Club grand p...
The high school project is moving forward with no foreseeable delays in starting school. Landscaping and other work will likely continue after school picks up again, but interior work should be finished with no impact on the back-to-school timeline. In fact, the installation of new furnishings is set to begin August 12. That’s right, new furnishings! We were able to secure State funding that covers nearly all (87%) of the costs. Like any major project there have been a number of “unforeseeable” issues which have eaten away...
In oil rich West Texas, shale producers and pipeline owner Williams Co. are fighting over whether new “burning off of natural gas” permits should be approved. It is a battle between companies that are usually aligned. Flaring happens primarily when there is insufficient pipeline capacity to carry natural gas from wellheads to natural gas markets. Allowing the gas to build up at the derrick is a serious safety risk. Even though Williams already has an extensive pipelines net...
Five years ago, Washington state experienced the most catastrophic wildfire in its history. The Carlton Complex fire raged through Central Washington, burning more than a quarter of a million acres and leaving more than 500 homes and structures destroyed in its path. More than 2,800 firefighters from across the country poured in to assist the firefight. Today, the communities, small businesses, and families of Okanogan County are still rebuilding and addressing the long-term consequences of this disaster. We cannot go back in...
A current ad campaign stemming from the partnership of the American Library Association and the National Institutes of Health states, “Because librarians know information is the best medicine for healthcare questions,” and East Adams Library District couldn’t agree more. Access to current and reliable health information is imperative for the well-being of not only individuals but communities as well. While never a substitute for a professional medical opinion, libraries have become the go-to place for assistance in navig...
Dear Friends, I have to believe each of us can come up with at least one example of “I remember where I was when…” with the “when” being an important moment in history. I have several, and the 50th anniversary of one is tomorrow: man’s first landing on the moon. In July 1969 the media landscape was very different. I’d guess most families had a television set – meaning one set only, receiving maybe three channels (one affiliated with each of that era’s major networks), selected by turning a dial on the front of the box. But a...
With all of the attention on the 50th anniversary of the Lunar landing, many are looking ahead to the next half-century of space exploration. Of particular interest is returning to the Moon, which may come as early as 2024. For example, Boeing is working on the replacement for the Saturn 5 rocket which lifted the Apollo space capsules into orbit. The centerpiece of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) is the heavy-lift rocket being built to safely carry people and cargo back to t...
Shortly, after Apollo 11 landed on the moon and astronaut Neil Armstrong took his famous first steps on the dusty lunar surface, some comedian in our army unit at Ft. Knox, KY, posted a sign in our barracks: “Sorry, Drill Sgt., No Green Cheese!” Our basic training drill instructor was already “highly agitated” because President Richard Nixon ordered a “training holiday” so we could watch live television coverage of landing. On July 20, 1969, our unit was supposed to take wha...
One of Congress’ most important Constitutional responsibilities is providing for our military and national defense. For the past 58 years, this has been a bipartisan affair. Members of the House and Senate from both sides of the aisle have come together to pass a bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that provides for our military and our troops who fight to protect and defend us. Last week, instead of voting on a bill that would ensure our troops have the resources they need and deserve, the House of R...