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Articles from the July 4, 2013 edition


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  • Local chances offered to celebrate Fourth of July

    Updated Jul 4, 2013

    Community members are invited to attend Fourth of July celebrations in Washtucna and Ritzville, and join the Sprague community in celebrating the town’s 130th anniversary. Washtucna The Washtucna Lions Club is hosting the annual Fourth of July celebration in Washtucna on Thursday. The celebration begins at noon in Bassett Park with a flag raising ceremony and is followed by a potluck. The Lions Club is providing beverages and place settings, and those in attendance are asked to bring either a main dish and salad, or a main d...

  • Lind Senior Center holiday closure

    Updated Jul 4, 2013

    The Lind Senior Center board of directors wishes to remind its patrons that the senior center will be closed, and no meals served, on Thursday, July 4, and Friday, July 5, in observance of Independence Day....

  • Schoesler to address chamber

    Updated Jul 4, 2013

    With the second special session completed, Senator Mark Schoesler will speak at the next general membership meeting of the Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce next Thursday, July 11, beginning at 12 p.m. at Memories Diner in downtown Ritzville. The meeting will serve as an opportunity to hear Schoesler’s thoughts on the two special sessions and for constituents to ask questions. All chamber meetings and functions are open to the public....

  • Ritzville Relay for Life kicks off next week

    Updated Jul 4, 2013

    The annual Ritzville Relay For Life event kicks off at the Ritzville Rodeo Grounds next Friday, July 12, for an evening of walking for a cause and raising funds for cancer research. The event lasts from 6 p.m. on Friday evening until 9 a.m. the morning of July 13. Relay For Life is an event hosted through the American Cancer Society (ACS) and serves as a local fundraiser to support the efforts of ACS to find a cure for cancer. All funds are donated to ACS to provide assistance with cancer research and providing resources to...

  • Dora Kramer retires, final movie showing this weekend

    Updated Jul 4, 2013

    It was an emotional decision for Dora Kramer and her family, but they are ending their tenure as the operators of The New Ritz Theatre. The clan will show its final movie this weekend — Monsters University. The family mailed a letter announcing its intent to terminate their lease to the Ritzville Downtown Development Association on June 18. Monday, Kramer told The Journal, the family has moved most of its property out of the theatre and will completely vacate it by July 19. “My health is kind of getting the better of me,... Full story

  • Eckley to return to hospital

    Updated Jul 4, 2013

    Physician Valerie Eckley is poised to return to work at the hospital where she spent 16 years of her career. Following a 30-minute executive session on Thursday, June 27, the commissioners for Adams County Public Hospital District No. 2 voted unanimously to authorize CEO Gary Bostrom to commence contract negotiations with Eckley. Jerry Crossler made the motion, which was supported by a second from Kirk Danekas. “We will continue with the recruiting process for a full time physician,” Bostrom told the audience. “We are not c...

  • Lind garden receives $2,500 Columbia Basin Foundation grant

    Updated Jul 4, 2013

    The Columbia Basin Foundation awarded a $2,500 grant from the Erle and Helen Sola Fund to the Lind Community Garden and Education Center on Thursday, June 20. Additionally, the foundation has agreed to serve as the fiscal sponsor to the organization, which will help the group to apply for other grants using the foundation’s 501(c)(3) status and for donors to receive a tax deduction for any donations to the project. As a fiscal sponsor, the foundation will handle all donations to and payments from the Lind Community Garden a...

  • American flag stolen

    Updated Jul 4, 2013

    A massive American flag flying outside of Ritz Roadhouse was stolen late Friday or early Saturday morning. Police Chief David McCormick said the 20-foot by 30-foot flag was taken between 10:38 p.m. Friday and 2 a.m. Saturday. The flag is valued at $800 and police have no suspects. McCormick said the lock securing the flag pole was not working properly, making the theft possible....

  • Hospital finances improving, not yet profitable

    Updated Jul 4, 2013

    The financial picture isn’t bleak, but Adams County Public Hospital District No. 2 is not yet profitable. Thursday, CEO Gary Bostrom presented a financial overview of the first four months of 2013. The district, he said has posted a net loss of $71,878 in four months. In 2012, the district posted a net loss of $696,861 in the first four months of the year. For April of 2013, the district had a net operating loss of $20,268, yet showed a positive net income of $30,460 due to tax levy income and interest income. Bostrom and t...

  • Commissioners select preferred site for new hospital, plan open house

    Stephen McFadden|Updated Jul 4, 2013

    With preliminary concept drawings in hand, hospital district commissioners voted to support a building committee’s recommendation to designate property owned by William Heineman along State Route 261 as the preferred location for a new hospital. The site would be used if voters approve a $10 million general obligation bond that will appear on the Tuesday, Aug. 6, primary election. The commissioners also learned the district will host an open house on Tuesday, July 16, from 4 t...

  • Block Party attendees donate more than $2,500 for Relay

    Updated Jul 4, 2013

    The second annual Grateful to be Alive Block Party raised an estimated $2,500 for the Ritzville Relay For Life on Friday, June 28, in downtown Ritzville. The annual event was hosted by three local businesses, The Journal, Hometown Family Medicine and the Ritzville Drug Company, and this year, two other businesses donated a portion of Friday’s proceeds to the event. Sunny Spot Floral and Gifts hosted “Coffee For a Cause” on Friday, and donated one dollar from every drink sold... Full story

  • EARH gains new, full time physical therapist

    Katelin Davidson|Updated Jul 4, 2013

    East Adams Rural Hospital gained the experience and expertise of physical therapist Dale Nelson when he began working full time at the facility last week. Nelson has been a part time physical therapist for the hospital for the past few months and focuses on his expertise of myofascial release therapy. Originally from Rexburg, Idaho, Nelson has been practicing physical therapy in Ephrata for the past 32 years after receiving his degree from the University of Utah. For the past...

  • Weber graduates with honors

    Updated Jul 4, 2013

    Dr. Anthony Weber, DDS graduated on May 17 at the top of his class from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry, Magna Cum Laude with his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in Los Angeles, Calif. Dr. Weber received the highest honors and maintained his name on the dean’s list during his four year curriculum at USC. Prior to dental school, Dr. Weber attended Washington State University and received Bachelor of Science degrees in both Neuroscience and Zoology. He is a 2003 graduate of Odessa High School. At U...

  • Schoesler lands support to prepare Lyons Ferry State Park for reopening

    Updated Jul 4, 2013

    More than a decade after state government walked away from the park it had operated for many years at Lyons Ferry, Sen. Mark Schoesler has secured $600,000 in the state’s new capital budget that will ultimately put the park back on the state-run list. “This will be the first state park to open – or reopen, in this case – on the east side of our state in recent memory,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville, whose Ninth Legislative District includes the portion of Franklin County where the park is located along U.S. Highway 12. “It’s ve... Full story

  • Mosquito Control asks residents to check for standing water

    Updated Jul 4, 2013

    The Adams County Mosquito Control District is reminding homeowners and renters to check residences and farm buildings for standing water in any type of container on the property including unused buckets, swimming pools and old vehicles. Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and the most effective way to deter the growth of mosquitoes is to stop them in the larva stage. Containers should be emptied of any liquid and left turned over. Anyone needing assistance can contact the Mosquito District office at...

  • Vacation Bible School in Washtucna

    Updated Jul 4, 2013

    The Washtucna Community Church is hosting Vacation Bible School on July 29 through Aug. 2 from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Lunch is provided for those in attendance each day. Children must be between the ages of three-years-old and eighth grade students. For more information, contact Mercia at 509-288-1249....

  • Upcoming book club dates announced

    Updated Jul 4, 2013

    The Page Turners Book Club and the Ritzville Public Library Book Club have announced meeting dates for the upcoming month. The Page Turners Book Club, for children between the ages of eight and 12, are meeting on July 31 at 3 p.m. in the library basement. The club is reading “The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide,” by Holly Black. The Ritzville Public Library Book Club is meeting on Thursday, Aug. 1, at 6:30 p.m. in the library basement. The book club is reading “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency,” By Alexander... Full story

  • 1976 Ritzville graduate garners award

    Updated Jul 4, 2013

    Denise (Manke) Vickerman, General Manager of the Ramada at Spokane Airport and daughter of Gerri and the late Albert Manke and a 1976 Ritzville High School graduate, was selected by the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA) as the Outstanding Hotel General Manager at the Association’s Annual Stars of the Industry Awards Luncheon held recently in Denver, Colorado. Vickerman’s selection as the Outstanding General Manager capped an award winning year for the hotel executive in whom the industry saw her chosen as the...

  • YARD OF THE MONTH

    Updated Jul 4, 2013

    The Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce (RACC) has recently began the “Yard of the Month” award to be presented to residents in the Ritzville community with the best yard. The July Yard of the Month is Gilbert and Alice Kanzler’s yard at 209 West Sixth Avenue, who were presented with the award sign by RACC President John Kragt on July 1. -Journal photo by Katelin Davidson...

  • One graduates from Benge School

    Updated Jul 4, 2013

    Bailey Dennis, daughter of Rod and Janice Dennis of Lind, was the lone sixth grade graduate of Benge School on Wednesday, June 5. Family members were in attendance for lunch, followed by a slide show of her Benge years presented by Marcia Honn. Gifts were opened, followed by cutting of the special skateboard cake made by Mary Ault. Continuing the tradition, Irma Kent handed out silly string to all of the students for a silly string fight at the end of the party. Bailey will attend middle school next year in...

  • RGA best ball/scramble tournament ends in a tie

    Updated Jul 4, 2013

    The Ritzville Golf Association sponsored a golf tournament on Sunday, June 30. The group played nine-holes of two-person best ball, and nine-holes of two-person scramble. The tournament ended in a tie for first place with the top two teams recording a net score of 64. The two-person teams were Mark Welsh and Dennis Schoenberg, and Dan Duff and Rod Kramer. The third place finish went to the team of Gerry Schoesler and Maynard Lund with a net score of 66. The closest to pin winners are Jon Cox, Mark Welsh, Scott Kembel and... Full story

  • Broncos win team camp title at Whitworth

    Updated Jul 4, 2013

    The LRS Broncos turned in an imnpressive effort on the gridiron during team camp at Whitworth University in Spokane. The small 2B school came home with the team championship after doing battle with several large schools. “The highlight of the camp was when our team won the First and Goal Scrimmage,” head coach Greg Whitmore said. Each team had two possessions, starting at the 10-yard line with three plays to score. The Broncos defeated North Central in the first round and then followed with an upset of Othello in the sec...

  • Ziebell takes helm as Tigercats football coach

    Katelin Davidson|Updated Jul 4, 2013

    Ritzville High School graduate Justin Ziebell has officially taken on the role of the LaCrosse-Washtucna/Kahlotus football coach for the upcoming season. Ziebell is stepping into the role of head coach following the 23-year career of previous coach Jeff Nelson. Ziebell joined the LWK coaching staff last year as the defensive coordinator and spent the season working alongside Nelson, helping Ziebell develop as a coach. Last season provided Ziebell with an opportunity to work...

  • EWU COACHES

    Updated Jul 4, 2013

    Members of the Eastern Washington University football coaching staff joined with Ritzville Lions Club members on June 11 to participate in a golf tournament. The coaching staff also traveled to the Ritzville Gun Club to partake in a trap shooting competition. EWU coaches present were (left to right) Cherokee Valeria, Ryan Sawyer, Kiel McDonald, Brian Strandley, Aaron Best, Lions Club president Warren Kragt, John Graham, Beau Baldwin and Zak Hill....

  • Benjamin V. S. Shearer

    Updated Jul 4, 2013

    Benjamin V. S. Shearer died at the age of 77 on June 24 at his home in Washtucna. He was born March 11, 1936, to Ruth M. (Tarter) and David Benjamin Shearer. He was self-employed for most of his life working as a mechanic. He also owned a print shop in Post Falls, Idaho, and a computer shop in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. In 1996 he and his wife, Rowena Rose Shearer moved from Coeur d’Alene to LaCrosse. In 2000 the couple moved to Washtucna to raise Emu’s. He is survived by his wife, Rowena; four children from previous marri...

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