2015 Year in Review: News Stories

January

Judge Steve Dixon swore eight candidates into their elected positions to serve their terms. Jeff Stevens was sworn in as Adams County Commissioner, Laura Danekas as the Adams County Treasurer, Randy Flyckt as the Adams County Prosecutor, Heidi Hunt as the Adams County Auditor, John Hunt as the Adams County Sheriff, Susie Kirkendall as the Adams County Clerk, Sherri Brewer as the Adams County Assessor and Adalia Hille as the Ritzville District Court Judge.

The number of cases of laboratory diagnosed Influenza raised to over 150 in Adams County. More cases of individuals not tested by their doctor or who did not seek medical care for their illness were expected. During the winter months, more people get sick because colder weather forces them indoors and there is more contact between individuals in closed areas.

February

Approximately 160 local business owners, residents and families packed into the American Legion Memorial Hall to support and participate in the 16th Annual Pheasants Forever Banquet and Auction. The organization netted nearly $16,900, which goes back to the community. For 2015 their focus was on special programs for youth members in the area.

Jason Kiel moved Wheatland Computer Services from his home office to a storefront in downtown Ritzville located at 101 West Main Avenue. The business began in 2009 and grew to the point where an office outside the home was needed. Kiel provides software and hardware assistance and will install small business and personal networks as well as some website design.

Lind-Ritzville High School lost a student and teammate on Feb. 20, during a car accident near Coulee City Park. Pedro Huitron and Hartline student Auston Frye both lost their lives that night. The third passenger was Roberto Valdovinos who was airlifted with multiple broken bones and faced an estimated eight months in recovery.

March

The Adams County Hospital District No. 2 Board of Commissioners reported positive income for 2014. CEO/CFO Gary Bostrom stated the financials have been improving steadily and the overview from 2014 revealed a total year income of $384,359 as compared to last year’s loss of $357,304.

Ritzville was named one of the top 25 cities nationwide with the best logistics for operating a distribution center according to a recently released report from the Boyd Company. Out of these cities, Ritzville had the second lowest cost at $11.35 million to operate a 500,000 square-foot distribution center with 150 workers. The main reasoning for Ritzville’s rank was it’s close proximity to rail lines and Interstate 90, which can allow for quick travel to Spokane or Seattle.

April

The Lind-Ritzville FFA Chapter continued their tradition of excellence in the Agronomy contest with four additional members qualifying to compete at the National FFA Convention in the fall. The first team consisted of Kate Schell, Tyler O’Brien, Dinah Gadberry and Taylor Kulm. The second group of team members included TyAnn Tellefson, Raeann Hoeft, Nathan Naught, Tara Tellefson and Abby Gering.

Eric Bell stepped into the Coordinator role for the Adams County Noxious Weed Board. For seven seasons he served as a field inspector until assuming the duties of this new position.

After four years of operating Ritzville Hardware, Bob Heater expanded his stock at the local company to include high-quality lumber for customers. The building next to the Ritzville Hardware store became available for purchase.

Heater took this opportunity to purchase and improve this building to supply lumber.

Lind-Ritzville Athletic Director Greg Whitmore presented to the Lind and Ritzville School Boards on April 27 regarding the Washtucna School District’s interest in athletically entering into a cooperative agreement for the upcoming football season. The LaCrosse-Washtucna/Kahlotus football team has been dissolved for the 2015 season due to lack of athletes and safety concerns.

The Ritzville School Board voted against allowing LWK athletes to join the LRS athletic cooperative for football, while the Lind School Board voted in favor of the cooperative.

May

Representative Susan Fagan announced her resignation as the Ninth District Representative following allegations of multiple violations including fraud, improper use of state resources and pressuring employees. Her resignation from the position of representative was effective May 1.

The Lind-Ritzville FFA chapter’s land judging team finished 12th in the nation at the 64th Annual National Land, Range and Homesite Contest in Oklahoma City last week. They also secured an eighth place finish overall in the homesite portion of the contest. The team was made up of Tyler O’Brien, Tessa Jantz, Madison Harder, Dinah Gadberry and Hallie Jo Galbreath. O’Brien individually earned a medal for his ninth place national finish in homesite evaluation where his score tied three other finishers who placed sixth through ninth.

Brandon and Tricia Egbert opened The Whiskey Gap Distillery, which was Ritzville’s first distillery. The alcohol is made using only local ingredients and they offer a variety of products from shirts to whiskey glasses and of course, Whiskey. The business is located next to Uniquely Washington on Main Avenue.

The Ritzville Fire Department responded to a call regarding railroad ties on fire near the Heinemann Road crossing on North Freese Road. The fire required units from Sprague and Lind’s fire departments to respond as well.

They were on scene from 9:15 p.m. when the call came in until 3:30 a.m. the following morning to monitor hotspots. The fire was investigated as arson by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.