Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
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Mr. James Preston’s letter last week recognized that the community wants and needs a Critical Access Hospital, but took issue with the cost of the proposed new facility. Perhaps to him, as to me and no doubt you, $10 million dollars sounds like a lot of money. But as the cost for a medical facility to serve a large region, it is a very modest cost indeed. In times past, when the idea of a new facility was discussed – as, it seems, it has been on and off for many years – the size and cost were always much more, one is tempt... Full story
When I think about my dad I think of Sprague. I think about fishing in Sprague Lake, hunting upland birds, hiking or riding the trails of the Columbia Plateau, wheat farms, ranchers, cows, horses and hay ground. This is my home, my father’s home! My dad was born in May 1948. He lived north of Sprague on his dad’s farm. He attended St. Joseph’s Academy and then graduated from Sprague High School in 1967. He attended Spokane Community College and then went to serve in Vietnam. Then he went back to Sprague to farm on his own,... Full story
Mary Ault, and I would like to thank all our friends, family, all of our students, past and present, and their families for the wonderful support you have all given us during these combined 68 years of teaching at the Benge School. We both agree that our tenure there would not have been so lasting had it not been for all of you. Thank you! AND our party was just perfect. Natalie, Irma, and Linda did so much to make it special for us. Thank you ladies! Where, but in a small community, would we get sent off to retirement in... Full story
On behalf of the members of the Ritzville Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie and Auxiliary No. 2739, I would like to thank all the individuals who contributed to our benefit dinner and auction for Bob and Sandy Tracy. I also want to thank the members of the community who attended the event, and those who contributed so generously to this function. Don Kagele, Worthy President, Aerie No. 2739 Fraternal Order of Eagles...
In 22 and one half years of residing in Adams County, this is my first letter to the Editor. There seems to be some confusion surrounding the New Ritz Theatre project that the Ritzville Downtown Development Association has undertaken. Hollywood movie studios are discontinuing the distribution of first run films in the 35mm format and going to the all-digital system. The cost for digital conversion is anywhere from $80,000 to $125,000 depending on what you purchase. Herb and Shannon Benzel rescued the building in 1983 and... Full story
I have no argument with Eric Walker’s assessment of our community wanting and needing a Critical Access Hospital. My concern is with his assumption that we need a $10 million hospital. For a district that is getting smaller and older as we speak. A 30-year, $10 million debt is long and large. I am extremely concerned with the following: Resolution No. 13-03 Bonds to construct a new hospital/clinic Section 7. Alteration of Expenditures. If the commission shall subsequently determine that federal, state or local circumstances,...
On April 3 an article was published in the Spokesman Review that I find extremely worrisome, it said, “Underground tanks that hold a stew of toxic, radioactive waste at the nation’s most contaminated nuclear site pose a possible risk of explosion, a nuclear safety board said in advance of confirmation hearings for the next leader of the Energy Department. “State and federal officials have long known that hydrogen gas could build up inside the tanks at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, leading to an explosion that would relea... Full story
Last week was really a magical week for Tom and I – our sons and their families, Kelly and Kelly Sue, Jaret and Trevor, Kyle, Michelle and Reece were all home at the same time and put together the most beautiful anniversary party for us. We want them to know how deeply we appreciate all that they have done. Dottie and Bruce Telecky were a great help in putting this celebration together along with Larry Swift – as planning an event like this can be very challenging from out of state. We are so appreciative of all the ass...
The Wall Street Journal and some smaller publications started writing about the studies that talk about dishonesty becoming more prevalent in the primary grades just as the Capital Hill problems appeared. Was it a coincidence? The problems have been there but I guess it was time to confront the issues. As an educator, I stressed the point that the truth is always obvious because the facts don’t change. Hearing the phrase, I take the Fifth, brought back memories of that term being used a lot of decades ago when members of o...
Jesus, the Messiah, did not say, “Do to others as you would have them to do to you,” as reported in The Journal last week. Instead He said something like those words but He completed his advice with “for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (or words much the same). The so-called Golden Rule is found in Matthew 7:12. Jesus is our teacher. He made clear that to follow the Golden Rule one had to study and become familiar with the Torah and the Prophets (the Hebrew Scriptures). Believers supposedly believe that Jesus and God... Full story
Concerning the East Adams Rural Hospital and the bond request that will be on the upcoming ballot: there are two very serious misconceptions still apparently common in the community, and it is vital that the correct facts be known. First is that we don’t really need a hospital with emergency room “because if it’s anything serious they’re just going to take me to Spokane anyway.” Who do you suppose “they” are? Do you reckon that if you collapse on your living-room floor clutching your chest, a MedStar helicopter will just mat... Full story
On behalf of the We Lind-Ritzville Group from Lind-Ritzville High School, we would like to thank everyone who was involved in the collection of money for the Garcia family in Lind as well as the foster kids in our communities. Thank you to the businesses who allowed us to place donation buckets in their buildings for such a long period of time. For those of you who donated money to these buckets, your contributions are greatly appreciated. The first money that was raised was donated to the Garcia family after the terrible fir... Full story
“Where’s the beef?” Many of us remember the commercial with three elderly ladies, looking for the beef patty amid the giant bun. It has become a catch phrase questioning the substance of something. The phrase came to mind as I sat to write this letter. I have noticed during the past year there is less in the way of news articles in our local newspaper, but more sports pictures and well, just general fluff. Don’t get me wrong, these have their place in our community newspaper, but gone are the articles on Ritzville and Lin...
As a representative of the Ritzville High School Alumni Association board, I would like to share with your readership some changes and new plans that are occurring within the association as it relates to the academic cooperative. Up-to-date information can always be found at www.ritzvillealumni.com. The following is an excerpt from the welcome at the 108th banquet: Welcome to the first annual alumni banquet for Lind-Ritzville High School! Thank you all for attending this evening! I am Donna Koch, class of 1982 and current...
First off! Kudos to Eric Walker, for his excellent presentation on the need for the new hospital. I agree 100 percent with his analysis. I know most of us are concerned about the cost but the advantages definitely out-way the disadvantages in the long run. This town has a reputation for continuing to kick the can down the road so it becomes someone else’s problem instead of dealing with the issue at hand and resolving it in a timely, necessary and responsible manner. The new hospital, not a compromised renovation of the o...
On behalf of the City and myself, I would like to thank the many volunteers plus the RGA for all their support and labor during these past few months. Mike Lynch helped out in so many ways and organized the staffing of the clubhouse during the golf course transition. It took some real teamwork to accomplish many tasks. The past several weekends the clubhouse, along with some badly needed repairs, was power washed, primed and painted. This was a helping hands project sponsored by the Thrivent organization and headed by Tony an... Full story
Bessie Allen raised a good question about installing a handicap ramp at the library in her letter on May 9, and I’m sure it’s one that many people in our area have wondered. For years, the library has realized that it needs to do something to make the building ADA accessible. In 2011, we started working with David Strauss, a principal architect with SHKS Architects and a board member of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, to discuss solutions. David presented us with three possibilities which included ins...
Boston (4-15-13) did not need to happen. When the truth is finally known we will see a serious trail of mistakes that goes back many years. It is difficult to pinpoint an exact starting point as both the red and blue parties are at fault! We have become a nation that has tried to grow too fast by allowing far too many visitors and immigrants. We have tried to be the perfect host by forgetting about the rules and trying very hard not to offend anyone! We don’t even have the intestinal fortitude to make immigrants learn the E... Full story
Thank you Mr. Editor and Publisher for the brief report on the city’s effort to improve the supply of potable water. We now know city managers expect the new well to produce some 2,000 gallons per minute (GPM). At city council meetings of late, the mayor has been asked about this matter but has been unwilling to provide answers. In the absence of a willingness to be forthcoming, can citizens rest easy that a well delivering some 2,000 GPM will be sufficient to meet the demands of local residents as well as the future d... Full story
I would like to begin this letter by saying congratulations to the Lind-Ritzville FFA Chapter, and their FFA Advisors for their many accomplishments at State FFA. What a great group of kids Lind-Ritzville sent to FFA State Convention this last week in Pullman. They represented both communities very well. I, along with several other parents and teachers from the Lind and Ritzville communities, attended some of the State FFA evening sessions. It was amazing to see so many of our FFA students onstage being recognized for their a...
The CEO/CFO of the East Adams Rural Hospital District #2 has been busy presenting a case for a new facility. Sadly his presentation includes many of the same slides and same commentary as he presented to the public meeting a couple of months ago, when the hospital commissioners first presented their case for a new facility to the public. At that public meeting we were treated to many very large photographs attesting to the poor condition of the current facility. Many if not all of the photos were made into slides for...
Never thought I would like to congratulate Ritzville Lind schools, but so pleased they are starting fall school after Labor Day. Years ago, all the schools started after Labor Day. Would like to see all schools starting in September. Also, when the library was being remodeled why didn’t they put a handicap ramp in? They are not hard to do. If you need to see some, I’ll let you know where. Bessie Allen, Washtucna...
In reference to a letter published on April 11: That sounds like pretty good advice, but is it? If its followed by judgment and negativity? Looks like we are criticizing for criticizing for… Don’t we want to encourage our citizens to get involved in the community? Not discredit and shame them if they aren’t in attendance at meetings. Good for the people who do attend; let’s try to get more of them. Why criticize the people who care enough to voice their opinions and even to write in? If they don’t have full informati... Full story
As most know, the Hospital District has placed a bond issue on the ballot for this fall. For voters to make a sound decision, they need a lot of information, much of which is apparently not as widely known as it should be. For the moment, though, let’s focus on the threshold issue: does this community need a hospital at all? That might seem too obvious to need discussion, but claims that it does not have been heard in public, so let’s look. First off, the crucial aspect is neither hospital rooms nor a clinic: it is the Eme...
Your editorial of April 25 offers many fascinating statements worthy of thoughtful consideration. For example you wrote: “In a sense, we have been hit with everything at once in terms of the water system. Before that the failed sewer system was the crisis.” How did it happen that WE have been hit with a water system crisis preceded by a failed sewer system crisis? Our city is led by a mayor who has been attending city council meeting for some 25 years. The failed sewer system happened on her watch. How did it happen that the...