Schools to close on Tuesday

RITZVILLE—Due to safety concerns over COVID-19, Gov. Jay Inslee has ordered all K-12 schools closed statewide from Tuesday, March 17, until at least April 24. Gatherings of 250 or more are now prohibited statewide, as well.

The order comes after Inslee had perviously ordered schools in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties to close.

While there are currently no lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Adams County according to the Washington State Department of Health, the Adams County Health District released a statement Thursday saying the virus is likely here.

Schools are still scrambling to figure out all the details of the closure. Lind-Ritzville Athletic Director Greg Whitmore said spring sports teams still practiced on Friday as if their seasons were going to continue. He says he is having a meeting with administration and all the coaches to figure out what's next and if the spring season needs to be completely canceled.

The Journal will continue to follow this story and will have expanded coverage in this week's print edition.