FROM THE FILES

100 years ago

The Ritzville

Journal-Times

June 22, 1922

A. L. Win has purchased the interest of the C. W. Myers estate in the jewelry store which has operated for so many years under the name of A. L. Wiffin & Co. He will continue the business under the name of A. L. Wiffin.

The annual Pioneer Picnic opened Tuesday at Crab Creek. The crowd was rather light the firstt day but yesterday 2,500 were reported in attendance.

The annual Ritzville Chautauqua will open next Sunday afternoon in the big tent on the grounds of the Potlatch Lumber Company where it was last year. A five day program will be put on this year with sessions each afternoon and evening. On Wednesday, June 28, will be held the annual Field Day inspection and program of the Adams Branch Experiment Station at Lind, The station has now been

operating for six years and the experimental results have reached a point where they should become known.

75 years ago

The Ritzville

Journal-Times

June 19, 1947

Boys Pick On Lions Club Softballers; Game Set for July 2

The Boys Club recently Organized by Chief of Police Pete Duffy, are concentrating on softball these days and gradually rounding into shape under the watchful eye of coach Duffy.

Practice games have been played with the Athletic Amazons girls squad, who find the "Duffy's Tavern, 29 team of teen age boys almost too much. Looking around for a breather to start the season, the boys challenged the Lions club of Weary Wolves, and the game will be played next Wednesday, July 2 at the Playfield, starting at 6:30 p.m.

50 years ago

The Ritzville

Journal-Times

June 22, 1972

Grange Honors Dads

A Ralston Grange meeting Tuesday night honored fathers at a Father's Day program and a couple for 25 years of Grange membership. In honor of the fathers present, the women of the Grange presented a humorous style show with the judges being Es Shelman, Rudy Roth and Bill Bierman.

The men, each of whom received a gift, were seated at a special table decorated with gooney birds made from gourds. The door prize was received by J. D. Haase. The 25-year-membership certificate was presented to Mr. and Mrs. Bill Bierman.

Reports of the Washington State Grange convention in Yakima were made by Lester Snyder and Mrs. Ted Wellsandt. Trophies for high bowling scores at the convention were presented Mrs. Rudy Roth and Es Shelman. About 30 persons were present for the meeting at the Ralston hall.

25 years ago

Ritzville Adams

County Journal

June 19, 1997

Wages in State Increase in 1996

Annual wages for jobs covered by unemployment insurance in Washington state rose 5.3 percent to an average of $28,594 in 1996, Carver Gayton, Employment Security commissioner, announced. The wage growth was the strongest in four years and the fourth highest since 1981.

This indicator is a good overall measure of wage growth in the state because more than 85 percent of all jobs are covered by unemployment insurance. The $1.427 annual increase boosted the average weekly wage from $522 in 1995 to $549 last year, according to the report prepared by the department's Labor Market and Economic Analysis Branch.

The average number of people working in covered employment during 1996 was 2,315,513, an increase of 66,025, or 2.9 percent more than in the previous year. Covered employment normally excludes proprietors, self-employed workers and corporate officers.

– The Journal