Brown joins The Journal

RITZVILLE – A local man has joined the staff of The Ritzville Adams County Journal as a part-time reported.

Dale Brown, 67, began work earlier this month.

He'll be covering news in the Lind, Ritzville and Washtucna areas. Brown also hopes to write more human interest stories via profiles of area residents.

"Dale has already hit the ground running," Publisher/Owner Roger Harnack said. "Given his life experiences and love of Ritzville, he'll bring more in-depth coverage of local people and events."

Brown comes to this position from a background in investigation and reporting.

In 2016, he retired from a 26-year career as an auditor/audit supervisor with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

After earning an undergraduate degree in accounting from Central Washington University in 1990, he worked at HUD's Office of Inspector General in Seattle. There, he conducted audits and fraud investigations of various governmental entities in a four-state region, including work in King and Grant counties, the Yakama Nation and city of Spokane. He later worked at HUD's Real Estate Assessment Center, where he directed audits ranging from New York City to Alaska to the Virgin Islands to Hollywood.

As a freelance writer and licensed CPA, he also wrote hundreds of financial articles covering fraud, personal finance and small business issues.

Why did Brown move his family from suburban Seattle to the small town of Ritzville?

"My job changed," he said. "In January 2000, I was allowed to work from home when not on the road, which gave us the opportunity to leave the hustle and bustle of the big city.

"We also had a connection to the town because my wife's sister, Marla, was married to Fred Langford, who graduated from Ritzville High School.

"We've never regretted the move.

"Ritzville is a great option for folks who have the flexibility to work remotely. Also, it's located at the confluence of two major highways and is a brief drive (by Seattle standards) to both Spokane and Moses Lake. Another advantage - it's a great place to raise a family in a safe environment."

When Brown, his wife Rena and their three children moved to Ritzville more than 22 years ago, they quickly became involved in the community.

"It was a little tough for my oldest daughter, Darcy, because she was leaving Seattle friends during her freshman year of high school," he said. "But she adapted well and even served as Ritzville's Junior Miss, representing the town at parades and events throughout the summer of 2002."

Today, she works as a lead clerk in Spokane's municipal court.

Brown's youngest children, Micah and Lindy, also found a welcoming community.

In high school, Micah was a three-sport athlete, garnering accolades in wrestling, football and track. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and is currently on his third deployment. Micah lives with his wife, Sierra, in Virginia Beach, Va.

Brown's daughter, Lindy met her future husband, Zach Swanger, while playing tennis on the high school team. Her husband hails from Sprague and currently teaches English in Ritzville, when he's not helping out on the family farm near Edwall.

"We've been very blessed to be part of this community," Brown said. "By joining the newspaper, I hope learn more about my neighbors and return some of the blessings I've received."