Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887

Articles from the August 9, 2012 edition


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 24 of 24

  • TUMC’s annual worship in the park

    Updated Aug 9, 2012

    Trinity United Methodist Church (TUMC) is hosting the annual worship in the park event at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 12. The event is open to the public and all community members are welcome to attend. TUMC is providing barbequed chicken and beverages for all in attendance. Those attending the event are asked to bring a lawn chair, Bible, table service, and a salad or dessert to share with others....

  • Fall sports meeting slated

    Updated Aug 9, 2012

    Parents and athletes are reminded to attend the fall sports preseason meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 14, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Gilson Gymnasium. The meeting is for any athletes involved in high school football and volleyball. A bus to provide transportation for athletes and parents is leaving Lind High School at 6 p.m. The meeting begins with turning in paperwork and fees, followed by a general meeting led by the athletic director Greg Whitmore. During this time Whitmore plans to discuss the athletic transportation for the... Full story

  • Miller takes big lead in judge’s race, Plager and Marshall advance in commissioner’s duel

    Updated Aug 9, 2012

    Adams County had 32.41 percent of registered voters cast a ballot in the primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 7, with a total of 2,022 ballots counted during the first tabulation. An estimated 600 ballots are going to be counted on Wednesday at 4 p.m. All ballots that have been postmarked before Aug. 7 are counted in the primary election. The Tuesday ballot count did not include the drop boxes in Othello or at Ritzville City Hall. The Adams County Auditor’s office certifies the primary election results on Tuesday, Aug. 21. T...

  • Children’s clothing bank at Lind Community Church

    Updated Aug 9, 2012

    With the start of school rapidly approaching there is a growing need for children’s clothing in our communities. The Lind Community Church (LCC) is hosting a community clothing bank on Saturday, Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the church basement. Community members are welcome to come and select from the available clothing for their school aged children. All clothing items are free of charge. Donations are still accepted. For information or to make a clothing donation, contact Pastor Jeremy McLellan at the LCC by c...

  • EYC crews back in action

    Updated Aug 9, 2012

    High-school-age youths returned to Eastern Washington roadsides recently to clean up litter tossed by motorists as a part of the Ecology Youth Corps (EYC). Teens, age 14 to 17, worked this summer along roadsides near Chewelah, Clarkston, Colville, Ephrata, Inchelium, Moses Lake, Othello, Pasco, Pullman, Republic, Ritzville, Spokane, Walla Walla and Wilbur. The last time crews cleaned up litter in the Walla Walla vicinity was in 1998 because of the active local participation...

  • 10th Birthday: a successful anniversary celebration, fundraiser for water park

    Updated Aug 9, 2012

    The cheers and screams of delight echoed through the Ritzville City Park on Saturday, July 28, as approximately 300 people joined together to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Ritzville Water Park. The Adams County Parks and Recreation District No. 4 hosted the event and the preliminary reports show the event raised $3,400, minus the cost of expenses. A selection of games spread through the majority of the park and an ongoing silent auction located inside the gazebo...

  • Festivals Association float travels to parades

    Brooke Pichette, Distinguished Young Woman finalist|Updated Aug 9, 2012

    Well with three weeks off it was back on the road to parades. On July 14, we ventured to Chewelah for their parade. Brandn drove the float up there and we got everything unloaded and ready to go.  The weather started off like it was going to storm but within an hour it was nice and hot. The parade was nice and afterwards they had food in the park along with an awards banquet.  The adventure for this parade was the Esser family pickup was acting up so they headed home, as Aaron was getting... Full story

  • Horse clinic provided in Ritzville

    Updated Aug 9, 2012

    A “Ready to Show” horse clinic is being held on Saturday, Aug. 18, at the Ritzville Rodeo Arena. Ritzville Rodeo Queen, Haley Oestreich, is leading the clinic. Registration and check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. and all contestants then receive a final schedule of events. From 9-10 a.m., participants work on safety on the ground, fitting and showing with their horse in the arena. Immediately following the participants have a chance to mount and warm up before clinic work in Western Pleasure, Western Equation and Trail. Each of the...

  • Election: County’s primary results posted

    Updated Aug 9, 2012

    The following is a recap of all the election results tallied by the Adams County Elections Department on Tuesday night. Candidate Total Percent Superior Court Judge Randy Flyckt 865 44.22 Brian Miller 1,086 55.52 Commissioner District 1 Rudy Plager 696 57.14 Donald Gentry 138 11.33 John Marshall 383 31.44 Commissioner District 2 Oscar Garza 111 33.94 Roger Hartwig 212 64.83 Park and Recreation District 2, Washtucna Approved 55 56.12 Rejected 43 43.88 Park and Recreation District 3, Lind Approved 104 55.91 Rejected 82 44.09 Pa...

  • Don’t bag grass clippings destined for transfer station

    Updated Aug 9, 2012

    Throughout the last month, multiple fires have started in trailers at the Bruce Transfer Station because of grass clippings being thrown away in garbage bags. The Adams County Public Works Solid Waste division is informing citizens about the dangers of throwing away bagged clippings in hopes of preventing any future fires. The first fire occurred on Friday, July 13, and started in the back of a steel trailer. The trailer was unloaded onto the floor, but the fire reignited hours later. Fires continued to be an issue...

  • Volunteers douse area wheat, stubble blazes

    Updated Aug 9, 2012

    Fire crews have been busy during the past week, tackling stubble and standing wheat blazes in the region. Tuesday the Lind crews were summoned to a 500-acre stubble and grass fire along State Route 26 near the fertilizer plant a couple miles west of the Hatton turn off. Crews raced out of Lind shortly after 12 p.m. and remained in the field until about 1:40 p.m. Fire Chief Don Klemmer said the town sent five trucks including a tanker and rescue rig. They received assistance...

  • Motorcycle accident injures two

    Updated Aug 9, 2012

    A blown rear tire caused a motorcycle accident on Aug. 8 on North 395 at milepost 84 about 11 miles south of Ritzville, sending two people to the hospital. The accident occurred at 12:53 p.m. when the rear tire blew and caused the motorcycle to roll onto its side and block the right lane. Driver Richard Silverman, 54, and passenger Traci Silverman, 49, were transported by ambulance to East Adams Rural Hospital. The Portland, Ore., couple were both wearing helmets when the accident occurred. Traci sent a message to the staff...

  • Fires continue to burn

    Updated Aug 9, 2012

    Lind Fire crews were dispatched multiple times yesterday afternoon and evening to respond to fire calls throughout Adams County. The first call happened around 3 p.m. for a cheatgrass fire alongside U.S. Route 395 and State Route 26, at the Country Travel Plaza. Initially, Lind was the only station dispatched to the scene. Lind Fire had a repeat call to have more trucks respond to the scene. Connell, Warden, and Adams County District 5 were dispatched as well. Crews did not return to the station until around 7 p.m. that...

  • County opposes GWMA’s request for ballot measure

    Updated Aug 9, 2012

    The Adams County Commissioners met on Aug. 1 to discuss the draft resolution about the proposed creation of an aquifer protection area, ending in a two-to-one vote against placing the resolution on the November general election ballot. Commissioners Jeff Stevens and Rudy Plager voted against the resolution proposed by Columbia Basin Ground Water Management Area (GWMA) to create an aquifer protection area. Commissioner Roger Hartwig voted in favor of the resolution. The draft resolution planned to charge taxpayers an annual...

  • Primary election update

    Updated Aug 9, 2012

    The total amount of ballots counted in the primary election for Adams County now totals 2,782, amounting to 44.59 percent of the registered voters in the county. The Superior Court Judge position, which is decided in the primary, remains in favor of Brian Miller. Miller received 1,494 votes, totaling 55.89 percent of votes. Randy Flyckt earned 1,179 votes for 44.11 percent of votes cast in the election. For Commissioner District No. 1, incumbent Rudy Plager maintains the lead with 896 votes, totaling 57.11 percent of votes....

  • Fundraiser to support senior center

    Katelin Davidson|Updated Aug 9, 2012

    A fundraiser breakfast to replace the damaged air conditioning unit in the H.E. Gritman Senior Center is being hosted by staff members from Rose Garden Estates on Saturday, Sep. 1. The breakfast takes place before the Ritzville Community Parade from 7:30-10:30 a.m. at the Senior Center. Biscuits and gravy, or breakfast burritos, served with coffee or juice cost $5, while maple bars with coffee or juice costs $2. A silent auction is also ongoing during the breakfast and the fundraising group is continuing to look for...

  • Questioning the legacy of Project 56

    Updated Aug 9, 2012

    Citizens were promised by Project 56 promoters that their “We have a dream” campaign would not require financing by the taxpayers. We were told the purpose of Project 56 was to provide funding for major projects that the school district could not afford: the M&O levy barely covers the cost of running a school. Visiting the Union Elevator website, one learns, “It is also the desire of those on the committee of Project 56 to leave behind a legacy of respect, responsibility, wisdom and financial achievement.” (http:/... Full story

  • The evolution of educational standards

    Updated Aug 9, 2012

    Teacher education and the qualifications to be a teacher have varied greatly since the late 1800s. During the late 1800s it required passing a state test that was based on a lot of memorization and problem solving. I have a few copies of the test which was similar to the one used to pass the eighth grade to be able to go on to high school. There were also some very strict rules for teacher conduct! The 20th Century brought a one year, two year, three year degree and then finally a B.A. degree. Classes were loaded with... Full story

  • Comments on recent pastor’s column

    Updated Aug 9, 2012

    Pastor Yoder made a great point about the culture of victimhood in these United States. I would like to point out though, that Jesus did not take “ordinary bread,” but matzah, the bread of affliction. This is significant because it speaks to the affliction that the children of Israel suffered at the hand of the ruling empire at the time. Also, a part of the Passover dinner He sat down to is the sprinkling of wine on behalf of Israel’s oppressors. In the Communion, Lord’s Table and Eucharist, this detail is not observe... Full story

  • Boy with local ties places first in skateboard competition

    Updated Aug 9, 2012

    Chase Johnson, an 11-year-old from Spokane Valley, placed first in the beginner division at the Lake City Skate Jam. Pyramid Skate Shop sponsored the event at the Coeur d’Alene Skate Park on Saturday, July 28. Johnson competed in the beginner division which consisted of athletes 13 years and younger. He received a trophy made out of a skateboard for his efforts and achievement. Skateboarding is one of Johnson’s favorite hobbies and he has skated in parks throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Johnson is the grandson of Don...

  • Ritzville Police Report

    Updated Aug 9, 2012

    June 19, 7:53 p.m. – Officer Hunter Klewin responded to a suspicious hang up call in the 700 block of South Jefferson Street. Officer Klewin made contact with the homeowner who advised they were fine and the alert was activated by accident. June 19, 7:33 p.m. – Officer Klewin responded to a civil matter in the 500 block of West Broadway Avenue. Complainant advised of a male subject that was working at the house and harassing the complainant. Complainant further advised that the subject stole $75 and left in a white Ford Tempo...

  • Adams County Sheriff's Office Report

    Updated Aug 9, 2012

    June 2, 1:58 p.m. – While on patrol Deputy Dan Verhey observed a large rock in the roadway on East Highway 26 near milepost 89. Dep. Verhey removed the rock and asked dispatch to let the WSP dispatch know of the traffic hazard. Sergeant Troy Mock was advised by email. June 2, 11:52 a.m. – While on patrol Deputy Verhey checked a building on East Benge-Winona Road for open doors and found the door to the shop was unlocked. Dep. Verhey locked the door and observed nothing out of the ordinary. May 31, 11:31 a.m. – Flight Servi... Full story

  • Olympic Madness...

    Dale Anderson|Updated Aug 9, 2012

    I’m sure that many of you have been watching the Olympics and since it is on several stations you are probably taping those programs as well to view at a later date. I hate to say this, but I have only watched a couple of hours of the London Olympics. Why you might ask? I used to really enjoy watching the Olympics especially when it was the USA athletes competing against the hated USSR, East German or Cuban competitors. Remember those days? I know a lot of you don’t. But I r...

  • Complying with regulations has become “Mission Impossible”

    Don C. Brunell, president|Updated Aug 9, 2012

    It’s hard enough for employers to cope with hundreds of new regulations passed each year, added to the tens of thousands of regulations already on the books. But now, agencies are adding insult to injury by imposing standards that are impossible to meet. The Small Business Administration estimates employers spend $1.75 trillion dollars a year complying with federal regulations, a burden that falls heaviest on small businesses, America’s job engine. The SBA reports it costs small employers more than $10,500 per employee to... Full story