Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
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Numerous state and local officials have warned of extreme fire danger due to excessive heat and dry conditions as well as lack of water in areas. With the threat of fire in Adams County exceptionally high, the Board of County Commissioners ask all Adams County citizens to refrain from using fireworks or in the event fireworks are used, to proceed with the utmost caution and care....
The Washtucna community is celebrating Fourth of July with an annual breakfast, parade and barbecue on Saturday. The events begin at 6 a.m. with the Firemen’s Breakfast in Bassett Park. The breakfast is available until 9 a.m. At 10:30 a.m., the kiddie and main parade begin on Main Street in Washtucna. At noon, a flag raising ceremony is held at Bassett Park, followed by the Lion’s Club barbecue. At 1:30, bingo and a horseshoe tournament also begin. Attendees can also participate in a free swim day at the Washtucna Pool fro...
JThe Ritzville Adams County Journal office will be closed on Friday, July 3, for the Fourth of July holiday. The Journal office reopens on Monday at 9 a.m....
Congressman Dan Newhouse will make two stops in Adams County on Monday, July 6, to meet with his constituents. He will conduct a luncheon meeting in Othello, followed by an early evening Meet and Greet in Ritzville. Newhouses’s “Dish with Dan” luncheon will run from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at Othello Community Hospital. The meal is $7 and payable at the door by cash or check. The Congressman’s Meet and Greet in Ritzville will be held at Ritzville City Hall from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The Congressman intends to conduct luncheons and gatheri... Full story
Mayor Pro-Tem Kindra Haase called the regular Lind Town Council meeting to order on Tuesday, June 23. Allen Gay spoke on updates regarding the current well projects, Resolution 15-02, regarding golf cart registration and annual fees, reached resolution and the final airport project payment was made. Allen Gay, project manager from Stantec Consulting Services Inc., Spoke with the council regarding the ongoing well projects. Speaking specifically about well No. 6, Gay informed council and present community members about 139...
With heat and drought rapidly increasing fire danger in Washington, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) expanded the burn ban statewide, from June 22 through September 30, 2015. The statewide burn ban applies to state forests, state parks and forestlands under DNR fire protection. It does not include federally owned lands such as national forests, national parks, national wildlife refuges or other areas administered by federal agencies. In 2015 so far, there have been 306 wildfire starts throughout the...
Mayor Linda Kadlec called the general city council meeting to order on Tuesday, June 16, with subject of street closures and concerns for safety regarding a crosswalk on south Division Street. With all members present, current agenda accepted and previous minutes approved, the meeting began with Jake Edlund, current contractor with Leone & Keeble, Inc. for the construction on the East Adams Rural Hospital. Edlund was present for council to explain his reasoning for his requested street closure. He explained the portion of... Full story
The Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations from educational institutions, civic, social, business or religious groups or by any interested individual for grand marshals for the Ritzville Community Parade. Deadline to submit nominations are Wednesday, July 15, and forms are available at the chamber office located at 111 W Main Avenue in downtown Ritzville. According to the nomination form, “The nominee must have made a significant contribution outside of his/her employment or service r...
Staff at the Washington State University Dryland Research Station at Lind earned kudos for logging 100 years of official weather data that helps farmers and scientists understand the past and prepare for the future. The National Weather Service presented the station with the “100-Year Honored Institution Award,” for the century of observations made at Lind. Farm manager Bruce Sauer and utility worker Brian Fode accepted the award at Lind Station’s centennial celebration earlier this month. A land donation by Adams Count...
LeeAnn Blankenship moved to Washtucna in middle school. She remembers when the now empty buildings held fully functional businesses: a time when the town itself was functional, alive and larger than it is now. With a love of history, Blankenship started a page on social media to share memories and current happenings of Washtucna. Members of the group, “Washtucna Wa. Our Town”, on Facebook can reminisce and share memories or photographs. Information regarding Blankenships current project of creating a Washtucna Community Cen... Full story
The Adams County Development Council held their annual banquet in Ritzville on Friday, June 26. The mission statement is “To enhance, retain and attract commercial, industrial and agricultural growth, development and diversity within Adams County and its cities, towns and parks.” Attendees were invited to enjoy a social hour where local entrepreneurs showcased their products or businesses. Uniquely Washington, Whiskey Gap, Lind Community Garden and VduV Wines were present with tables and information regarding their bus...
The Adams County Commissioners received an official letter of retirement by Adams County Sheriff John Hunt on Monday, June 22. In the letter, Hunt formally advised his decision to retire as Adams County Sheriff, effective August 31, 2015. Hunt expressed his honor to serve as Adams County Sheriff for the last two years and to have served the citizens of Adams County....
NEW HAT. Harper Lobe remains calm while a small alligator is placed on her head. The alligator was only one of many animals the Reptile Man brought to the demostration. Caring Neighbors donated the funds needed to host the event, which captured the attention and interest of local youth. -Photo courtesy of Cami Galbreath... Full story
CURIOUSITY. Luke Galbreath observes how a tortoise responds to him touching the shell during Reptile Man’s presentation in Ritzville City Park on June 19. An estimated 200 people attended the Ritzville Public Library Summer Reading Program kickoff event. -Photo courtesy of Cami Galbreath...
Barbara Anne Lawton Rogers, born July 8, 1942 to Robert and Helen Lawton in Ritzville, died June 25, in Spokane, due to complications of cancer surgery. Survived by her husband of 51 years, Ray B. Rogers of Alderdale. Also survived by her sister, Margaret K. Ott, and two brothers, Richard A. Lawton and Lawrence R. Lawton, and cousins, nieces, and nephews. She graduated Washtucna High School and attended Holy Names Academy. Barb was a talented artist, potter, and an avid photographer. She was a member of the Whitstran Arts...
A week ago last Saturday night when I got home I was thinking about watching the Mariners’ game. I hadn’t watched them in a while and I had high hopes they could challenge the Houston Astros. If things didn’t work out I figured I could always switch stations. I watched a little bit of the pregame show and saw that Seattle had brought Edgar Martinez back as a hitting coach. It was a natural since Edgar is still a Mariner through and through and the Emerald City still loves...
HOOPFEST. During the largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament in Spokane last weekend, the team of Alarah Pierce-Pulliam, Kyle Gimmaka, Bryson Gering and Abby Gering won the high school co-ed team consolation bracket.... Full story
“When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another... a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to separation,” Thomas Jefferson wrote in June of 1776. His powerful words changed the course of history. The preamble to the Declaration of Independence continues, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with... Full story
Last week in a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court accepted the federal government’s argument in the case of King v. Burwell, and in the process effectively rewrote legislative text. I was deeply disappointed with the Court’s ruling. Justice Antonin Scalia wrote in his dissent that, “the Court forgets that ours is a government of laws and not of men.” The Court’s decision effectively rescued Obamacare from its own text, setting a worrisome precedent that ignores the legislative role our Constitution gives exclusively to the pe...
Yakima Valley farmers have the same problem as their California counterparts: there just isn’t enough water for crops, migrating fish and people. In California this year, an estimated 564,000 acres of prime cropland will be left unplanted because of the fourth straight year of drought. Economists at the University of California, Davis estimate the drought has caused $2.7 billion in economic losses and cost 18,000 farm workers their jobs. The water shortage is so acute in California that Gov. Jerry Brown ordered a 25 percent r... Full story
In what many are calling a “historic” ruling, last week the U.S. Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in all 50 states. Although those who support the homosexual movement celebrate this victory, I wonder about the social, religious and political consequences. Now that the definition of marriage—which all human cultures have had for all of human history— has been redefined, what will prevent it from being redefined again? We have taken the first step down the proverbial “slippery slope.” For example, do we allow for three o...
Daniel Kenneth Smick, 25, of Spokane died on June 12. Daniel was born on November 5, 1989 in Pullman, to Kenneth & Cathy (Roth) Smick. He was raised in Pullman and attended Pullman High School. His family moved to Spokane during his junior year of high school and he then graduated from Mead High School in 2008. After graduation, Daniel worked various jobs before being hired by Spokane ProCare as a landscaper, a position he still held at the time of his death. Whether it was...
Leona Koch, 106, died in St John, on June 26. She was born February 14, 1909 in Eugene, OR. Leona attended school in Kittitas where she met Robert Koch, who worked for the Milwaukee Railroad. They were married February 14, 1927 at the home of her parents: Chris and Edna Mae Erland of Cedar Falls, WA. They were married 55 years and had three children: Robert George, Edna and Harold. They moved to Sprague, after retirement from the railroad. Leona was a lifetime member of the...
Allan Koch, 78, died at home on Tuesday, June 23. He was born on August 31, 1936 in Ritzville to Lydia Miller Koch and Roy Koch. Allan was a lifelong resident of Ritzville, residing on the family farm west of town. Allan graduated from Ritzville High School in 1954. While in school he played on the undefeated 1953 Bronco football team. He was also active in FFA on the livestock team, winning the Scheel Memorial Award and earning the state FFA degree. Allan continued his...
Richard “Dick” Miller, 82, of Ritzville, died, Monday, June 22, in Spokane with his four daughters by his side. A visitation was held at Danekas Funeral Home, 207 East Main, Ritzville, on Sunday, June 28, from 12:00-5:00 p.m. A funeral service was held Monday, June 29, at 10:00 a.m. at Ritzville Community Church, 204 East 2nd Avenue. Pastor Bill Cox officiated the service. A reception followed at Washington Wheat Growers Building, 109 East First Ave, Ritzville. Richard was...