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Articles from the May 15, 2014 edition


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  • Chinese dinner planned at senior center

    Updated May 15, 2014

    The H.E. Gritman Senior Center has amended the start time for the Chinese Dinner on Friday, May 16. The dinner begins at 5 p.m. to help accommodate a leisurely dinner for anyone wanting an early meal and also for those individuals planning to attend the Garrett Bartley Band concert at The Ritz Theater. The meal consists of chicken chow mein, almond chicken, egg foo young and egg flower soup. The center remains open and serving dinner until 8 p.m. that evening. The price for the meal is $8 and everyone is welcome to attend.... Full story

  • Washtucna’s Child Find clinic May 20

    Updated May 15, 2014

    The Washtucna School District is offering a free screening clinic for children ages 0-5 years old on May 20 from 12:30-2 p.m. at Washtucna School. Developmental areas screened include vision, hearing, motor, cognitive, speech and language skills. Results provide parents with a report of their child’s educational development. The screening appointments will take approximately 30 minutes. To set up an appointment, contact Shauna Miller at the school by calling 509-646-3401....

  • Dryland film to screen at Ritz Theater

    Updated May 15, 2014

    Dryland, a documentary filmed in Adams County, is being screened at The Ritz Theater on May 22-24. The film is screened on Thursday, May 22, and Friday, May 23, at 8 p.m. The movie is then shown at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 24. Set in Eastern Washington, Dryland is a portrait of rural America in transition through the eyes of a young man pursuing his dream. The film follows Josh Knodel and best friend Matt over 10 years, as they pursue their passion for farming and quest for victory in the annual Lind Combine Demolition Derby....

  • Junior Angus Field Day in Ritzville

    Updated May 15, 2014

    The Washington Junior Angus Association is returning to Ritzville to host their annual Field Day May 23-24 on the Wheat Land Communities’ Fairgrounds. Over 30 exhibitors are expected. Activities begin Friday evening with a full schedule planned for Saturday. Saturday’s events begin at 8 a.m. with the Queen Contest, followed by the state association meeting where new officers will be elected. The Livestock Show is slated to begin at 10 a.m. with the following classes: steers, cow/calf pairs, bulls, bred and owned heifers, own...

  • Hearing set for street plan

    Updated May 15, 2014

    Ritzville City Council is preparing to submit its six-year transportation improvement plan to the state’s Transportation Improvement Board. Before doing so, the city must hold a public hearing for comment on the council’s proposed project priority list. The hearing will be conducted on Tuesday, June 3, during a regular city council meeting at 7 p.m....

  • Public hearing set for Love’s annexation

    Updated May 15, 2014

    Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Inc., has submitted a petition to the City of Ritzville seeking annexation of its business into the city limits. The city council will hold a public hearing on the matter on Tuesday, June 3, during a regular city council meeting that starts at 7 p.m. The hearing is a mandatory step in the annexation process. Love’s agreed to eventually be annexed when it entered into an agreement with the city for the extension of city utilities — water and sewer lines — outside of the city limits....

  • Spring concerts set at local schools

    Updated May 15, 2014

    The Ritzville and Lind School Districts are preparing to host the annual spring concerts, beginning this week. The Ritzville Grade School kicks off the spring concerts with the first through fourth grade production of “A Barnyard Moosical” on Thursday, May 15, at 2:15 p.m. in the gymnasium. The Ritzville Grade School fifth grade class and the Lind-Ritzville High School are hosting the Spring Band Concert on Tuesday, May 27, at 7 p.m. in the Ritzville Grade School gym. On Thursday, May 29, the Lind-Ritzville Middle School is...

  • Extra patrols out in search of unbuckled, distracted drivers

    Updated May 15, 2014

    On the heels of the first-ever statewide distracted driving extra enforcement campaign, law enforcement officers will be out once again searching for not only unbuckled drivers but distracted drivers as part of the annual “Click it or Ticket” patrols. 

 In Grant and Adams Counties, during the recent distracted driving campaign, which took place between April 10 and 15, 43 cell phone and texting violations were written. In Lincoln County, two cell phone citations were issued. 

 The “Handheld Cell...

  • Planning for the future: Lind town hall creates dialogue, new ideas

    Stephen McFadden|Updated May 15, 2014

    After some self-examination, the Lind Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors wanted to establish a priority list. Of themselves, they asked, how can they make Lind better? How can they bring new businesses, more residents and more visitors to the town? While considering the possibilities amongst themselves, and searching for the right first step, the nonprofit group’s leadership agreed the best first step was to ask the town’s current residents what their priorities were. To tackle the task, the chamber called a town hall m... Full story

  • City awards bid for bike, walk path

    Updated May 15, 2014

    Work will begin in June on the second phase of the Ritzville Walk and Bike path project. This phase will travel from Division Street, along Baumann to Weber Road down to Jackson Street. Tuesday, May 6, the Ritzville City Council awarded the construction bid to Cameron-Reilly Concrete of Spokane Valley for $170,698.25. The bid came in under the engineer’s estimate of $181,728.80. Council member Scott Yaeger said the project has a 35-day construction calendar and should be completed in mid-July....

  • Construction underway on well pump station

    Updated May 15, 2014

    Kirby-Hunt Construction LTD was awarded a $919,778.37 contract to install the pump and construct the well house for Ritzville’s newest water well, which was drilled last summer near the golf course. The project is underway and should be complete in the early fall. The Ritzville City Council awarded the bid during its Tuesday, April 15, meeting. Nine companies submitted bids for the project. Kirby-Hunt was the low bidder. The highest bid was $1,003,226.58. The two most expensive line items in the project cost are for e...

  • Council makes good, approves salary increase for police officers

    Stephen McFadden|Updated May 15, 2014

    In early April, the Ritzville City Council responded to Police Chief David McCormick’s request for an increase in base salary for police officers and sergeants working for the city. McCormick sought the increase due to recruiting challenges he was experiencing, while attempting to hire a new police officer to fill the vacancy created when Hunter Klewin left the police force to become an Adams County Sheriff’s Deputy. At that time, entry-level police officer working for Ritzville would be paid $614 a month less than their pee...

  • Relay For Life returns to original venue

    Updated May 15, 2014

    Amongst a list of changes for the upcoming Relay For Life of Ritzville event on July 12, participants will now have the opportunity to return to the original venue for the event at Jimmie Snider Field. With the addition of the all-weather track at Jimmie Snider Field, participants can now enjoy a smooth and clean walking surface during the daylong event. The Relay For Life event is undergoing a variety of changes this year, and the track is the best-suited venue to host the improved Relay event. Instead of an overnight...

  • Library district to pursue grant for elevator

    Updated May 15, 2014

    With the support of the City of Ritzville, the Ritzville Library District No. 2 will apply for a grant to help fund the installation of an elevator at the Ritzville Public Library. The city owns the building, which is leased by the library district. Library Director Kylie Fullmer met with council members on Tuesday, May 6, to discuss the library district’s plans. The district will apply for a Heritage Capital Project Fund grant from the Washington State Historical Society. If awarded to the district, the grant will cover u... Full story

  • First contested local race emerges as two seek district court judge job

    Updated May 15, 2014

    With the filing period for local offices opening on Monday, May 12, 25 candidates had filed for election by Tuesday night. Among the positions filed for with multiple candidates are US Congressional District 4 and Ritzville District Court Judge. On Tuesday night, 17 offices had candidates filed, and all filings must be submitted by May 16. The US Congressional District 4 proves to be the most highly contested race on the ballot. The congressional district includes the...

  • Jacqueline Charlotte McKay

    Updated May 15, 2014

    Jacqueline Charlotte McKay died on May 9 at the age of 75. A celebration of life service will take place on Saturday, May 17, from 1-3 p.m. at the Jamison Event Center, 605 East Nelson Road in Moses Lake. Heritage Funeral Home in Spokane is entrusted with the arrangements....

  • LRS earns Exchange Year Global Education Excellence Award

    Updated May 15, 2014

    Lind-Ritzville High School has received national recognition for excellence in global education from EF High School Exchange Year, the leader in high school exchange. The EF High School Exchange Year Global Education Excellence Award is presented annually to high schools that demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to international understanding and global awareness. Lind-Ritzville High School was one of a select group of high schools/districts recognized across the United States for the 2013-14 school year. “Lind-Ritzville H...

  • Lind School District receives energy efficiency grant

    Katelin Davidson|Updated May 15, 2014

    The Lind School District has been selected to receive a $500,000 preliminary Energy Efficiency Grant for improvements at the schools. The Lind School District applied for the grant through the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the Washington State Legislature makes the grant funds possible. Superintendent Rob Roettger explained the school district applied for the grant in coordination with the recent bond approved by voters in the Lind district for upgrades at the school. The grant helps improve... Full story

  • Stevenson graduates from Gonzaga

    Updated May 15, 2014

    James Stevenson of Lind participated in Gonzaga University’s graduation exercises during a Commencement Ceremony held on May 11 in Spokane’s Veterans’ Memorial Arena. Stevenson graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Administration. Gonzaga offers 75 undergraduate programs of study, 25 Master’s degrees, a Ph.D. in leadership studies and a juris doctorate in law. More information about Gonzaga University can be found online at http://www.gonzaga.edu/....

  • Washtucna third quarter honor roll announced

    Updated May 15, 2014

    The Washtucna School District has announced the list of students in the seventh through 12th grades earning honor roll status and achieving perfect attendance for the third quarter. Three students received honor roll designation by maintaining a grade point average (GPA) between 3.25-3.49. Those students are seventh grader Christian Phelps, eighth grade student Amy Ramos and freshman Derek McKeen. Students earning the principal scholar status are freshman Nicole Harder and juniors Douglas McKeen and Eric Wise. Students must m...

  • Barking Points: Eighth Grade Registration

    Emma Aldrich, LRMS Student Correspondent|Updated May 15, 2014

    Many a wise philosopher has preached, “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” Preparation is critical to the process of success; it lays down the solid foundation required for mental stability and confidence. To ensure the best success of this year’s eighth grade class, they are preparing for their freshman year thoroughly and early. Last Friday, May 9, Ritzville School District principal, Teresa Laher and Lind-Ritzville Schools counselor, Christy Kunstmann, joined together with the class of 2018 to prepare their class...

  • LRS sends five golfers to district match May 19

    Updated May 15, 2014

    Five LRS golfers will advance to the district golf tournament on Monday, May 19. In the District 7 subdistrict event, Logan Morley was the top LRS finisher in fourth with a 79. Trevor Jantz finished ninth with a 88. Michael Shields was 11th with a 91. Brian Campbell finished 16th with a 97. On the girls side of the golf action, Tessa Jantz also qualifed to advance to the district match. She finished eighth among the girls with a 105....

  • Fastpitch district play to continue May 20

    Updated May 15, 2014

    The LRS Lady Broncos will have one more chance to advance out of the Northeast 2B District Softball Tournament. They will meet Liberty on Tuesday, May 20, at 12 p.m. at Merkel Field in Spokane. The Lady Broncos lost their opening round game to Springdale, 13-3. Springdale scored seven runs in the first inning, while LRS could only muster two. The 10-run rule ended the game in the fifth inning. The Lady Broncos were held to just four hits during the game. Emma Aldrich was the starting pitcher and credited with the loss. Sara...

  • Melville continues to regionals ranked first

    Katelin Davidson|Updated May 15, 2014

    With a slight change in playoffs this year, the LRS tennis team competed in the District Tournament to have multiple athletes move onto regionals. The Seconds Tournament has been eliminated, moving all of the number two and three singles competitions into the district competition as well. The LRS Broncos girls team won the district competition, led by undefeated singles athlete Tracy Melville. The District Tournament began on Saturday with a full day of competition for the Broncos. Melville maintained an undefeated season by...

  • Stamper places first at Davenport, district track meets

    Updated May 15, 2014

    Darcy Stamper continued to lead the SJELWK track and field team with first place finishes in the high jump and long jump competitions last week. Stamper earned a personal record in the long jump with a jump of 22-03 at the Davenport meet on May 10. At the District 9 2B Meet in Clarkston on May 7, the SJELWK girls finished fifth with 55 points, and the boys finished sixth with 50.5 points. Men’s results 100: 4, Wilson Lundberg 12.22. 10, Adam Blakeley 12.40. 26, Tyler Knight 13.63. 400: 5, A. Blakeley 57.59. 10, Alex W...

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