Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
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Congresswoman can try to influence Speaker Johnson Among Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers’s negative legacies she leaves, her most impactful may be on immigration. However, she still has time to improve that. Donald Trump cares nothing about our country, just his election. Accordingly, he recently ordered all Republicans to scuttle the bipartisan, long-negotiated Senate deal supporting Ukraine and limiting immigration that would be a victory for President Joe Biden. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, an e...
City should follow 30-day cycle It has come to my attention that the city of Ritzville, under utility billing, believes it can charge a late charge outside of the U.S. 30-day business cycle. The point being is the state of Washington is signatory to the Constitution of the United States. The state of Washington issued the city of Ritzville its ability to exist as a city. According to these statutes, the city must operate within the guidelines established by the U.S. Constitution and by our governing body. The city cannot...
I attended the Odessa school board meeting on March 22. I am an alum of Odessa schools and a teacher. Professionally speaking, I cannot fathom allowing my students to be harmed. Educators’ responsibility to student safety and respect supersedes any other. At times, classroom behaviors require sternness, but never screaming, putting your hands on a student, or demeaning them. There have always been small-town problems in Odessa schools. Gossip. Bullying. Superiority. But what is happening now goes deeper. It is allowing s...
Parents’ Bill of Rights? Sounds OK until you see who supports it and why. House Resolution No. 5, the Parents Bill of Rights, has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Reading the “five pillars of H.R. 5,” one senses that in normal times this legislation, though unnecessary, would seem quite innocent. But these aren’t normal times. The second pillar, “Parents have the right to be heard,” is being greatly debased by many Republicans. Perhaps the greatest evidence H.R. 5 is bad legislation is that MAGA and Ho...
Nice to see Prez Biden supporting salmon, treaty rights and dam breaching. As you may or may not know, the four Lower Snake River dams were made to be breached as they are half earthen and half concrete. Maybe those who put them in had the forethought to think that we wouldn’t be here with an archaic form of hydro power generation and be more advanced than we are with alternative forms of energy 50 years later. We can’t live in the past and have to move ahead and progress to new and better ways of power generation. Jul...
Patience should have a right to know Do patients have a right to know if an insurance plan is going to force them to use a mail-order pharmacy or the insurance-owned mail order system during open enrollment? Do patients have a right to chose who they receive medical and pharmaceutical care from? As a pharmacist at a local independent pharmacy, I have been fielding questions from patients using Kaiser Permanente insurance, who began receiving letters indicating they must transfer their prescriptions to a Kaiser pharmacy for co...
Free transportation isn’t discrimination State senator, Mark Schoesler, misses the mark again when he complains about the supposed tax and services imbalance between the two different sides of Washington. He calls free public transportation for westside children discriminatory against Eastern Washington taxpayers, who supposedly have to “pick up the tab.” However, children are children, no matter where they live and whether their parents are Democrats or not. Why wouldn’t most voters be happy to pay the extra pittance in taxe...
Dear Editor, By proclamation of the governor, January is School Board Recognition Month. It’s a great time to recognize our elected community members who selflessly give their time and energy in support of high-quality public schooling for our youth. School board members of Lind-Ritzville Cooperative Schools are entrusted by two outstanding communities with responsibility for an annual budget of $10 million, 545 students, 129 employees and 4 schools. School boards are charged with making decisions that can sometimes be quite...
As I come to the end of my term as president of the Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce, I would like to thank the Chamber Board, our members and community members who helped with all the events that the Chamber put on/helped with not only this past year, but all three years. You will never know how truly wonderful you are and how much your volunteering means to me. It is time for the Chamber to gear up for 2020 starting with our general meeting Jan. 20, 2020 at the Bronco Inn at 6 p.m. Some of the things the board is working...
Dear Editor, The report of the December 3 Ritzville City Council in The Journal could have and should have read differently. The council member who first presented the case for hiring of a new police officer was not mentioned. That presentation was a major part of the council discussion. She made clear that police protection is a primary purpose of government, so if a new officer was justified as the council seem to agree, then that hiring should take priority over the expenditures for purposes not so dear. Given the...
Dear Editor; As it is now the holiday season, I would like to make our communities aware of four local non-profit organizations that are worthy of donations this time of year: the Ritzville and Lind Ministerial Associations, the Ritzville Food Pantry and The Collective Adventure. Each of these non-profits helps individuals and families in need and believes the words of Jesus when He said, “Whatever you do for one of the least of these, you do for me.”Each of the ministerial associations is a collection of the local churches i...
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...
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...
The Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for the Wheat Land Communities’ Fair. Every year at the fair, the Chamber of Commerce can be counted on to serve up some great ice cream! Proceeds from the Ice Cream Booth are used to support Chamber activities through the year, such as the Community Parade and Springfest, as well as supporting and promoting area businesses and Ritzville. The Chamber is requesting donations for the purchase of supplies for the Ice Cream Booth and volunteers to man the booth. Donations c...
The Annual Ritzville Community Yard Sale, hosted by the Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce, is quickly approaching! This year’s dates are June 15-16. If you are interested in participating and being listed on the map, please call 509-659-1930 or come in to Ritzville City Hall at 216 E Main Ave. to be listed on the map. Addresses that are received by Monday, June 10, will be listed in the paper next week. Even if you are not listed in the paper, you are more than welcome to participate. Ritzville Area Chamber of C...
May is Skin Cancer Month, and may my story inspire you to health. I lost a friend to undiagnosed skin cancer and that event saved me. I started going to the dermatologist and in May 1990 I was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma that needed immediate care. I had surgery in June that found that the skin cancer had grown down to my heart. Unable to know if all the cancer was removed, I took an early retirement. 27 years later I am still around thanks to my early detection. There are things you should know about skin cancer:...
Dear Editor, I am so disappointed to read that there will not be a Memorial Day service at Ritzville Cemetery. This tradition has been appreciated by our town in the past. Words cannot express our community’s sentiment over this loss. Sincerely, Marsha Smith Ritzville...
To the Editor of the Journal, Dear Sir, As many in the community may have noticed, the local chapter of the Ritzville Eagles have completed renovations and upgrades to our exterior. The recent repairs to the brick and mortar will go a long way toward making pedestrians safer and will extend the shelf life of yet another of our classic historical buildings downtown. Our local chapter consists of over 200 members who are proud to call 107 N Washington our home. The Eagles have been an active force in our community since 1948...
With Memorial Day approaching, the American Legion Post 51 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 11446, would appreciate any help that is available for putting up the flags on the 24th of May at 5:30 in the evening. The take down of the flags will be the 27th of May at 5:30 in the evening. Help is also appreciated. I am sorry to report that there will be no memorial service this year due to lack of personnel. Age, health and other activities prevent this solemn occasion. Everybody have a great weekend and thanks for all of...
Dear Editor, As the school year nears an end, most of us think of summer. On June 17, Ritzville Community Vacation Bible School gears up. With an African Safari theme this year, we remember that When Life is Wild, God is Good. We will meet many wonderful wildlife characters and hear their adventures growing up. Lots of songs, food (insect snacks— not really but it looks like it), crafts, games and Bible stories of God’s love and care, even when life is not fair or scary. We would love to have you pre-register your child and y...
To the Editor, I commend the Eagles for trying to fix up their building, but am baffled as to why they choose to tart it up rather than restoring and preserving the historic facade. The brickwork done at the top of the building looks great. The Depot Museum draws many out-of-town visitors, and the most common remark is how well Ritzville's downtown has been preserved with the original buildings and facades. The City's new logo is "Harvest the Legacy." Look south on Washington...
It was a cold and stormy day last Saturday at the Undeberg Invitational, where over 600 tracksters and volunteers gathered to hear Greg Whitmore, Athletic Director for Lind-Ritzville High School, welcome entrants from 33 schools. He emphasized sportsmanship and unity, especially to root not only for your team, but also for the opponent next to you or in line with you. Speaking to the crowd in the middle of the track, he said, “wanting the best in each of us, helps all of us.” Then we silently listened to the Star Spa...
The Bob’s TV and Appliance store at 208 N. Division will permanently close in the next 60-90 days. No worries though, I will still provide repair services from my home, in addition to other service calls to the community. My work phone number, 509-659-1240, will remain the same and all calls will be forwarded to my cell phone. The most obvious change you will notice is I won’t be selling appliances or any other merchandise. Bob’s TV has been in business for 46 years, but over the past several years, it has become cost prohi...
Dear Editor, For the past few weeks, I have been trying to figure out how to thank an entire community for everything they have done for us. And the truth is, there are no words that could ever express the depth of our gratitude. From all the thoughts and prayers, food, cards, the trips back and forth, generous donations, and of course the big dinner and auction! I know there are so many individuals, organizations and businesses that I need to thank and I'm afraid that I...
Dear Editor, Re: Downtown businesses employee parking. I have hesitated writing about this topic, but after run-ins with a few elderly people having difficulty caused by this issue in the past couple weeks I have felt compelled to do so. I have noticed many business owners and employees of downtown businesses on Main Street parking right in front of their businesses, or in front of their neighboring business for their whole shift. This leaves very little vacant spots left for the customers of yours, or your neighboring busine...