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Articles from the February 20, 2014 edition


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  • Science is brought to life Feb. 24

    Updated Feb 20, 2014

    Fire, explosions, telescopes, slime and hovercrafts will fill the Lind-Ritzville Middle School gymnasium on Feb. 24 and provide hands-on learning for all in attendance at Science Night. Lind-Ritzville Middle School and Mobius Science Center are presenting the event next Monday from 6-8 p.m. LRMS science teacher Nick Weishaar is coordinating the event, which is funded through a grant to provide students, kids and adults with an opportunity to view science in a new light. The Mobius presentation is expected to engage all ages a...

  • Grange sets meeting for Feb. 26

    Updated Feb 20, 2014

    The next meeting of the Ralston Grange is Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 6:30 p.m. at the hall in Ralston. The main agenda item is to discuss plans for a fundraiser to benefit the Ritz Theatre to assist with the purchase of the digital projection equipment. Grange meetings are open to the public and any individual interested in contributing ideas to help with the fundraiser is encouraged to attend.... Full story

  • Mayor proclaims EMS Appreciation Day

    Updated Feb 20, 2014

    Mayor Linda Kadlec issued a proclamation establishing Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, as EMS Appreciation Day. The proclamation coincides with a reception planed for the same day to honor the emergency services personnel and others who responded to a multi-vehicle fatality collision on Interstate 90 on Dec. 20. The city and the Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce will host Honor Night at 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at the C.J. Newland American Legion Memorial Hall. The public is invited to attend. The following is the proclamation: A...

  • Honor Night recognizes local heroism

    Updated Feb 20, 2014

    The heroic efforts of local emergency responders, medical professionals, law enforcement officers and business owners are being recognized on Wednesday, Feb. 26. The Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Ritzville is hosting Honor Night to celebrate the lifesaving labors of residents who stepped up during the major collision on Interstate 90 in December. The 2014 Honor Night begins with a welcome from Ritzville Mayor Linda Kadlec at 7 p.m. in the American Legion Memorial Hall. The welcome address is followed by...

  • Relay For Life meeting date changed

    Updated Feb 20, 2014

    Due to winter weather conditions, last week’s Ritzville Relay For Life planning meeting was cancelled. Committee members have rescheduled for a noon meeting on Feb. 27 at Memories Diner. The lunchtime meeting is being used to plan for the 2014 Ritzville Relay For Life. Any individual interested in attending is welcome to join or team captains can stop in to pick up registration packets and information. For more information about the Ritzville Relay For Life, contact American Cancer Society representative Sara Cassan at 5... Full story

  • AgVentures NW hosting seed meeting

    Updated Feb 20, 2014

    AgVentures NW, LLC, is hosting a Seed Division meeting at the Harrington Community Hall on Feb. 28. Registration is open from 8 to 8:30 a.m. the day of the event, but individuals must contact AgVentures with plans to attend. The meeting begins with a discussion of the 2013 winter wheat strip trials and AgVentures Seed Division update by Paul Porter. Following the discussion, AgriPro-Syngenta Ed Driskall is providing and update on wheat varieties and seed treatments, as well as Millers report from the Portland meeting....

  • Palouse Falls bill passes the House

    Updated Feb 20, 2014

    House Bill 2119 designating Palouse Falls as the official state waterfall has passed the House without any opposition, and now awaits the final vote from the Senate. The House passed the bill unanimously on Feb. 12. The bill initially went to the House Committee on Government Operations and Elections where it was passed out with a unanimous do-pass motion following the testimony of six Washtucna School District students on Jan. 29. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration and if approved, it will take effect 90... Full story

  • Well’s pump test successful

    Updated Feb 20, 2014

    Ritzville’s new Well No. 9 appears to have successfully passed a 24-hour pump test. Ritzville Public Works Director Larry Swift said the well test was conducted at the end of last week. In order for the well to be certified by the Department of Ecology, crews needed to continuously pump water at a rate of 2,000 gallons per minute for 24 hours. During that time, the water was tested and a hydrologist will generate a report rating the well once water quality samples are obtained. The tests results will then be sent to E... Full story

  • Council rejects bids for old high school property

    Updated Feb 20, 2014

    All bids submitted for the purchase of the old high school property were rejected Tuesday by the Ritzville City Council. The city received three bids that sought to purchase all or part of the land that was once home to the old high school on Seventh Avenue. Following a lengthy discussion in executive session, the council voted unanimously to reject all bids. A specific reason for rejecting the bids was not disclosed. Following the conclusion of the meeting, City Clerk/Treasurer Kris Robbins said interested parties are...

  • Police to begin search for new recruit

    Updated Feb 20, 2014

    The Ritzville Police Department will lose one of its officers on Feb. 28. Police Chief David McCormick confirmed Officer Hunter Klewin has been hired by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. McCormick said Tuesday he hopes to hire a lateral candidate, someone who is already working as a police officer somewhere else. The other option is to hire a new recruit and send them to the state’s police academy. Klewin is the second Ritzville Police officer to transfer to the sheriff’s office during the past several years. The prime...

  • WLCF accepting applications for royalty

    Updated Feb 20, 2014

    The Wheat Land Communities’ Fair Board is accepting applications for the 2014 Fair Royalty. Three positions are open to young ladies, 14-18 years of age, who live within the boundaries of the Lind, Ritzville and Washtucna School Districts and are currently enrolled in school, entering grades 9-12 in the fall of 2014. Those chosen to represent the Wheat Land Communities’ Fair will be the official hostesses at this years’ fair, which will be held Labor Day weekend, August 28-31. The royalty will assist in the prese...

  • Fryberger named WSP’s District Trooper of the Year

    Katelin Davidson|Updated Feb 20, 2014

    Veteran Washington State Patrol Trooper Tyler Fryberger has been selected as the District 4 Trooper of the Year. Fryberger has been stationed out of the Ritzville WSP detachment office since 1998, and joined the force in 1990. With 24 years experience under his belt, the award is being presented to Fryberger in his final year of service, as the trooper intends to retire at the end of the year. While Fryberger accepts the award with humility and respect for the other district... Full story

  • Lady Broncos split sub regional contests, set to face DeSales Friday

    Stephen McFadden|Updated Feb 20, 2014

    After losing to Northwest Christian in Saturday’s round of the sub-regional tournament, the LRS Lady Broncos rebounded and collected a Monday victory over Davenport. The win sends them to a Friday night contest at Mt. Spokane High School against DeSales from District No. 9. The game is currently scheduled for 8:30 p.m. The Lady Broncos need the win for a chance to play for the No. 3 or No 4 seed to the regional tournament. That game would be played on Saturday. Head coach John Galbreath has been reviewing film and watched D...

  • Barking Points: State capitol flag

    Emma Aldrich, LRMS Student Correspondent|Updated Feb 20, 2014

    Pride in your school, your state, and your country are critical components to academic success and a fundamentally strong school. In hopes of increasing school pride, the Lind-Ritzville Middle School ASB decided to think outside the box, and solve a current dilemma in a patriotic manner. LRMS Associated Student Body recently requested and received a replacement American flag that had prestigiously flown on the Senate floor of the capitol building in Olympia. Lind-Ritzville Middle School obtained the flag from Washington State...

  • LRMS Bulldogs’ basketball update

    Sharon Anderson, LRMS ASB Reporter|Updated Feb 20, 2014

    The boys’ basketball teams have been working hard at practice and in games. The A-team scored 31 points on Thursday against Wilbur-Creston. The B-team scored 13 points against Odessa-Harrington on Monday. Coach Weishaar said, “The kids played hard, but lost 31-38 to W-C. They played with intensity and heart (but) they need to work on being patient with the basketball, running an offense, and playing more as a team.” I interviewed Eric Hayes, a B-team player, and Jacob Miller, also a B-team player, about their exper... Full story

  • LWK Tigercats’ hoop season ends with loss at district tournament

    Katelin Davidson|Updated Feb 20, 2014

    The LWK Tigercats achieved their season goal of competing in the Southeast 1B district contest, but the season came to a close after suffering two losses. The Tigercats battled on the hardwood throughout the season and went into the district competition as the sixth ranked team. The team went on the road to face Colton on their home court on Thursday, Feb. 13, and faced a substantial loss to Wildcats. Along with the 71-25 loss to Colton, the Tigercats also lost senior athlete Darcy Stamper in the second quarter after sufferin...

  • Broncos battle for regional berth, stunned by NWC

    Stephen McFadden|Updated Feb 20, 2014

    Head coach Dustan Arlt isn’t fond of Monday games. He’s even less happy about playing Northwest Christian on the President’s Day holiday. In the past two seasons, the only times the LRS Broncos have lost to the Crusaders has been in the sub regional tournament on President’s Day. “It’s ironic,” Arlt said. The Broncos opened the sub-regional tournament Saturday in Waitsburg against Waitsburg-Prescott. The Broncos simply overpowered WP and rolled to a 78-33 win. Then in Monday’s semifinal battle with NWC, a rocky first half cre...

  • FAMILY

    Updated Feb 20, 2014

    Senior Bronco athlete Layne Hawks stands with his family Kevin Swartz, Terrie Swartz and Jerry Kenoyer, during the last home wrestling match of the season....

  • WRESTLING

    Updated Feb 20, 2014

    German exchange student Hoang Vu stands with his host mom, Shelley Kramer, during the LRS Wrestling Senior Night.... Full story

  • LADY BRONCOS

    Updated Feb 20, 2014

    The Lady Broncos basketball team recognized six seniors while the LRS cheer squad honored two seniors. Parents of the girls in the back row are: Adriana Chavez, Maria Chavez, Ken and Jennifer York, Rick and Camille Nelson, James and Rena Wahl, Scott and Heidi Nygren, Paul and Kathy McAnally, and Lisa and Gordon Killian. Front row: Soraida Chavez, Gaby Perez, Randi York, Sydney Nelson, Dalyn Killian, Maya Wahl, Anneke Wiedmann and Giulia Ardizzone....

  • SENIOR BASKETBALL PLAYERS

    Updated Feb 20, 2014

    The final regular season home game for the LRS Broncos was held on Tuesday, Jan. 28. The fans took a moment to honor the team’s seniors and their parents prior to the game. The Bronco senior players honored are (left to right) Tyler Frederick, Connor O’Neill, Bridger Smith, Ryan Whitmore, Dylan Hartz, Logan Morley and Stephen Ulrich. Parents include (left to right) Kari and Wes Frederick, Bradley and Darlene O’Neill, Michelle and Tim Smith, Karen and Greg Whitmore, Julie...

  • SENIOR NIGHT

    Updated Feb 20, 2014

    The LWK Tigercats celebrated senior night on Feb. 8 in LaCrosse. Parents of the 10 graduating seniors are, back row from left: Clint Rice, Vickie Boland, Debbie and Tim Stamper, Julie and Cam Roberts, Rhonda Roberts, Les and April Guske, Vikki and Dave BeDell, Angela and Randy Bennett, Doris Bennett, Terry and Tawnja Miller, Carol and Arthur Blauert, and Delsie and Wesley Whinery. Front row: Bo Rice, Darcy Stamper, Riley Roberts, Joey Guske, Graham BeDell, Stephen Erickson,...

  • Those Old Time Olympics...

    Dale Anderson|Updated Feb 20, 2014

    I have been watching the Olympics off and on for the last week. I’m not a huge winter sports fan as in cold, miserable wind chill and falling down in the snow. And falling down and sliding into a snow fence at 70 plus miles per hour looks a bit dangerous to me. I like hockey when I’m seeing it live. I do enjoy watching speed skating, and short track is a bit of a rush. Luge and bobsled racing brings back a few memories of riding down the big hill across from our house on a t...

  • Putting risk in perspective

    Don C. Brunell, Washington Business Commentator|Updated Feb 20, 2014

    Where there is life, there is risk. That’s not some insightful quotation; it’s just a fact. We’re exposed to risk from the moment we get up in the morning – slip and fall, dog bite, traffic accident, lightning strike. We can manage risk, we can minimize risk, but we cannot eliminate it. That fact used to be accepted as common sense, but in today’s society, people have come to believe that any degree of risk is unacceptable. In fact, trial lawyers have won lawsuits, not because their clients were injured, but because t...

  • Legislative Commentary

    Updated Feb 20, 2014

    Last month I mentioned how a member of the Senate minority had introduced legislation to prohibit state government from, of all things, using gas-powered leaf blowers. It was my pick for the “Really?” award of the 2014 session – until the governor stepped to a microphone last Tuesday morning. While Governor Inslee deserves another “really?” for quietly giving pay raises this month to the directors of Ecology, Labor and Industries, and Revenue – in other words, people in charge of regulations/fees and taxes – the public de...

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