News Briefs

High school musicians to play the Fox Theater

SPOKANE – A dozen musicians from Lind-Ritzville High School were selected to perform as part of the Bi-County Honor Band during a March 28 performance.

Amy Anderson (oboe), Sonia Landis (clarinet) , Amelia Court (alto sax), Emmy Klewin (tenor sax), Carson Kubik (baritone sax), Caleb Heater, Shawn Steinberger, Sydney Kinch (trumpet), Hunter Cameron, Madisyn Cameron (baritone), Phaedra Hickey and Alexis Melcher (percussion) will represent the Lind-Ritzville community.

The Lind-Ritzville band is directed by Jennifer York.

Odessa aquifer project gets funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The omnibus appropriations bill signed into law March 15 includes $2 million in funding for the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program.

The funds were included in the U.S. Department of Reclamation’s budget.

The Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program was created to provide surface water from the federal Columbia Basin Project – like Lake Roosevelt – to irrigators and rural areas where wells are be being drawn down of the Odessa Aquifer.

The project covers water issues in Adams, Lincoln and other counties.

Drone registration required April 1

OLYMPIA – Businesses, including agricultural enterprises, will be required to register drone use beginning April 1.

The new law applies to individuals using drones for commercial purposes, as well.

The new registry under the state Department of Transportation-Aviation Division will cost drone users $15 per drone registered, officials said

The funds will be used by the state to “assess” integration of emergency technologies.

To register a drone in the state, log onto https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/aviation/pilots-aircraft/register-commercial-drone.