From the Files

100 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

February 22, 1923

Federal Investigation of Columbia Basin Now Practically Assured

Hopes of friends of the Columbia Basin project have been wonderfully revived by news that the amended measure calling for a federal survey had passed the house of representatives and the amendment approved by the Senate. The present bill calls for an appropriation of $150,000 for investigating the Columbia Basin Project and the Umatilla rapids project on the lower Columbia. Only by dint of skillful maneuvering on the part of Washington representatives was it possible to get the bill placed on the calendar for a vote. Pres. Harding will undoubtedly sign the bill and the investigation will soon be underway.

Local Brevities

Mail Carrier Womack has a mighty hard job when the blizzards come. Last week he had a lot of grief trying to go over his mail route. Monday he made the trip by team and Tuesday was able to go only part of the distance. Wednesday he went out afoot to see if the way was open but found it still blocked. It took him Thursday and Friday to make a round trip. This week he has gone out each day by team. In places he has to go through fields because the roads are drifted.

Lovells to go to Spokane

Announcement was made during the past week that G.E. Lovell and family would remove to Spokane, where Mr. Lovell will engage in the practice of law, being associated with Eugene E. Davis, attorney in the Sherwood Building. At the same time Mr. Lovell has formed a Ritzville partnership with R.B. Ott, prosecuting attorney, for the practice of law. Mr. Ott will move into the present Lovell offices in the old First National Bank building.

75 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

February 19, 1948

Laundry Truck Sends Car on 35-Foot Slide

A Ritzville laundry truck collided with an automobile Saturday and the car was slammed 35 feet before it overturned, but no one suffered serious injuries. The Ritzville Steam Laundry truck, a 1941 Chevrolet driven by Charles R. Mihara, and a 1934 Dodge coupe driven by Oscar R. Schragg were approaching the intersection of Alder and Chelan about 12:15 p.m. Saturday.

City police said Schragg's car was already in the intersection when the truck skidded 21 feet and struck it broadside. The car was rammed sideways off the road where it overturned. Schragg suffered only a slight head cut and a bruised neck, but his car was a complete wreck. Mihara received rib bruises. Shig Honda of Spokane, a passenger in the laundry truck, acquired a cut on his knee and superficial facial cuts.

Damage to the truck was estimated at $225. Mihara was arrested for negligent driving. Justice of the Peace Kiehn was scheduled to conduct a hearing today.

Playing at the Ritz Theater

Today through Friday: Franchot Tone and Lucille Ball in "Her Husband's Affairs"

Saturday only: "Adventure Island"

Starts Sunday: Bing Crosby, Joan Culfield, and Barry Fitzgerald in "Welcome Stranger"

50 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

February 22, 1973

Rural Utility Sees Rough Road

Big Bend Electric Co-op has cushion enough to continue operating another year and to pay interest and principal, Manager Ed Collision told members at their annual meeting last Thursday. Referring to the administration's dismantling of the Rural Electrification Administration, Collison said any route the local utility goes from now on will be rough, "But we'll keep fighting."

He said he had talked that morning with the national office of the rural co-ops' association. They told him nothing had yet been done by the administration on a new program to underwrite 5 per cent loans to co-ops; the program as yet had no administrator and it had no funds.

Champion Girls Basketball Team Stands 8-0

The Ritzville High School girls basketball team finished an 8-win, no loss season Feb. 13 with a 34-28 win over the girls team at Davenport. The win assured Ritzville the Bi-County girls basketball championship.

25 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

February 19, 1998

WWP electrical upgrade underway for Ritzville

Preliminary construction plans are being laid out by Washington Water Power to upgrade a portion of Ritzville's aging electrical supply system. Ron Kimble of WWP met with the Ritzville City Council Tuesday night to provide information on the construction project which will include a new pole line on Chelan Street from the north side of town where the current substation is to the area near Sixth Avenue where it will turn west for a couple of blocks.

Kimble said "about two-thirds of Ritzville is on older voltage lines" which the company can no longer obtain parts for. The upgrade will be accomplished by using a 100-year growth plan for the city and prove ample voltage to the city when completed.

Shoplifter makes off with local merchandise

A local Ritzville business found itself short on merchandise Monday after a Hispanic male with a facial tattoo entered the store and after looking around, asked for a refund on some merchandise. The subject was unable to provide a sales receipt for the merchandise and the store clerk was unable to verify the purchase so a refund was not issued. A later check of inventory was made and the same such item was missing.

Police Chief Dave McCormick was called to the car wash on Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. when a complainant reported that a five-year-old child was unattended at the location. Chief McCormick said the child was seven years old and said he was mad at his mother and was running away from home. He had packed his bags with his school books and a lunch and indicated he was waiting for the rain to stop before proceeding. The mother arrived to pick up the child.

Broncos advance three to state Mat Classic

Wrestlers have learned to accept the fact that they alone are responsible for the outcome of each match in which they compete. There is no one on the mat with them to offer a leg or half-nelson when they need it and they learn that most of the time if they hear their coach's exhortations it's probably too late to make the move.

Seven Broncos ventured to the Region III Tournament this past weekend in Chelan and each of them felt the highs and lows that individual competition brings.

"We had some guys that were in over their heads to begin with and others who wrestled like they belonged there. There were moments of great joy and others of monstrous frustration. Kind of like life," said Bronco Coach Mike Lynch. When all was said and done, the Broncos qualified three grapplers for the state tournament this weekend in the Tacoma Dome. Dusty Breazeale will represent Ritzville as a fifth seed, Rick Pierce a second seed and Tim Rasmussen a fourth seed. Bronco Drew Markum will go as an alternate and hope that someone drops out for some reason.

- The Journal