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Articles from the August 17, 2017 edition


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  • Ritzville Public Library hosting Eclipse Viewing Party

    Updated Aug 17, 2017

    Ritzville residents and visitors who are looking for a spot to watch the Aug. 21 total solar eclipse and socialize with others can head over to the Ritzville Public Library’s Eclipse Viewing Party, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Carnegie Building. The party will have different eclipse-themed crafts, activities and refreshments. According to information from NASA’s Total Eclipse website, the eclipse will begin in Ritzville at 9:11 a.m., and the max eclipse will be at 10:25 a.m. with it ending at 12:45 p.m. The library has spe...

  • WLCF Lego Drive begins in memory of Cole Melcher

    Updated Aug 17, 2017

    The Wheat Land Communities’ Fair Model Kit Department would like to build a Free Lego Play Area for all to enjoy at the fair in memory of Cole Melcher. Cole loved Legos, and the department is asking for the community’s help to donate Legos to the cause. There will be an eight-station table with small Legos, and the department is looking for Duplo tables for the smaller children to play with. Donations of Lego bricks, Duplo blocks or tables can be dropped off at Jim’s Market in Lind or at the McAnally residence in Ritzv...

  • Sign up now for chamber ice cream booth

    Updated Aug 17, 2017

    With the fair just two weeks away, the Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce is in the middle of preparing for its annual ice cream booth at the Wheat Land Communities’ Fair, set for Aug. 31 – Sept. 3. Each year the ice cream booth is a popular location at the annual fair and serves as one of the chamber’s significant fundraisers. Volunteers are needed to fill 2-3 hour shifts on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For more information or to sign up for a shift, contact Mary Chamberlain at 431-3942 or Marsha Smith at 659-0...

  • 9-1-1 Night at the Movies

    Updated Aug 17, 2017

    The Adams County Sheriff’s Office, is partnering with the Wheat Land Communities’ Fair to provide a summer-end gathering. On Thursday, Aug. 31, ACSO and WLCF will show a free movie at the fairgrounds at 8 p.m. Those attending the movie are asked to come after 7:30 p.m., and after that time, there will not be an admission cost to the fair. The family-friendly movie is provided at no cost for those attending. For more information about upcoming events and partnerships with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, visit their depar... Full story

  • The impact of impaired driving: Too many death, injuries during summer

    Updated Aug 17, 2017

    Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Patrols Aug. 18 – Sept. 4 Each summer in Washington State, an average of 149 people die in traffic crashes. That is the deadliest season of the year on our roads. 

 During all of 2016, impaired drivers were involved in crashes that resulted in 277 deaths and another 371 serious injuries. These crashes are tragic and adding to the tragedy, they are completely preventable. That is why extra DUI patrols will be out statewide from Aug. 18 through Sept. 4. The patrols will be looking f...

  • County Commissioners renew marijuana moratorium

    Al Stover|Updated Aug 17, 2017

    At their Aug. 14 meeting, the Adams County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution renewing a county-wide marijuana moratorium for another six months. The moratorium prohibits the establishment or siting of state-licensed recreational and medical marijuana retail outlets, production and processing facilities within residentially-zoned areas. It also prohibits licensed marijuana businesses to be within one-mile of a residentially-zoned area and areas within two miles of incorporated community boundary within...

  • WSU students return to school

    Updated Aug 17, 2017

    The Washington State Patrol (WSP) would like to remind Washington State University (WSU) students and families returning from summer break to use caution and avoid distractions while driving. WSP will be allocating additional resources along I-90, SR 17, SR 26, SR 260, US 195, and US 395, leading toward WSU, targeting speed, DUI, unsafe passing, distracted and aggressive drivers. Troopers will take appropriate enforcement to ensure students return to school safely. Speeding and distracted driving are the leading causes of...

  • Lind Town Council authorizes agreement with Century West

    Al Stover|Updated Aug 17, 2017

    At their Aug. 8 meeting, the Lind Town Council authorized Mayor Jamie Schmunk to enter into a master services agreement with Century West Engineering regarding the town’s potential road repair projects. During the July 25 meeting, Century West’s Steve Nelson informed the council Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) obligated $942,225 in grant money to Lind for repairing streets sustaining damage from winter weather. Lind was the first jurisdiction in the state to have their FEMA grant money obligated for these rep...

  • DONALD DIRKS

    Updated Aug 17, 2017

    DONALD DIRKS pours harvested wheat into the back of a truck. The truck will transport the wheat the Marcellus Road Grain Elevator. -Journal photo by Al Stover...

  • CHANDLER WIDMAN

    Updated Aug 17, 2017

    CHANDLER WIDMAN, a Lind-Ritzville High School alum, unloads wheat from a truck at the Marcellus Road Grain Elevator. Ritzville native Brent Schukay manages the Marcellus Road Grain Elevator. -Journal photo by Al Stover...

  • KULM FAMILY HARVEST CREW

    Updated Aug 17, 2017

    KULM FAMILY HARVEST CREW. The Darrel Kulm Family is one of several descendants of John Kulm, Sr., who immigrated to the United States in 1908. The descendants of Kulm have been farming in the Schrag area for over 102 years. From left to right: Mike Kramer, Vance Baker, Ian and Colter Youngren (fourth and fifth generation), Darrel Kulm (third-generation), Dustin Kulm (fourth-generation), Gilberto Garcia and Bill Baker. -Journal photo by Al Stover... Full story

  • 1930 LINCOLN SCHOOL

    Updated Aug 17, 2017

    13 LINCOLN SCHOOL. This picture is of the last first-grade class at Lincoln School, taught by Miss Francis Garred. Back row left to right: Lawrence Koch, Peggy Kinsil, Unknown, Lydia Wilhelm and Anna Haun. Middle row left to right: Albert Kramer, Unknown, Orville Oestreich, Stanley Telecky, Emmet Bauer, John Austin and Ceila Ann Streeter. Front row from left to right: Alma Scharvet, Beatrice Bose, Evelyn Oestreich, Buddy Dietz, Paul Lightbody, Robert Geschke, Melvin Cree,...

  • Buchmann featured as Liquid Lit’s August author of the month

    Al Stover|Updated Aug 17, 2017

    Ritzville resident and local writer E. Hank Buchmann, known under his pen name as Buck Edwards, held a reading at the Washington State University Extension Office, Aug. 11. He then attended the Liquid Lit Book Club as the featrured artist of the month at Memories Diner in the evening. Buchmann read a chapter from his first novel “Dead Woman Creek,” which was the Liquid Lit Book Club’s selection for August. Set in 1880, “Dead Woman Creek,” follows the aging U.S. Marshal B... Full story

  • ACSO shuts down illegal marijuana grow in Cunningham: Nine subjects facing charges in connection with the operation

    Katelin Davidson|Updated Aug 17, 2017

    For the second time in the course of a week, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) made multiple arrests in connection with an illegal marijuana grow in the small town of Cunningham. ACSO served multiple search warrants on three properties in the town on Aug. 9, with the assistance of tactical teams from the neighboring area. Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner said the crews arrived on scene around 5 a.m. and split up to serve the three search warrants at the same time. ACSO...

  • Ritzville unveils new branding

    Al Stover|Updated Aug 17, 2017

    After months of waiting and planning, the first components of Ritzville’s new branding system were unveiled during the Aug. 9 Launch Harvest Party in Pioneer Plaza. One of these components was the tagline “Harvest the Legacy,” which plays to the City of Ritzville’s agricultural heritage, as well as a united community working together. Local organizations and entities, including the City of Ritzville, the Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Adams County Development Council...

  • Bessie S. Allen

    Updated Aug 17, 2017

    Bessie S. Allen, 89, died Aug. 11 in Washtucna. Services are pending and will be announced at a later date. Danekas Funeral Home and Crematory in Ritzville is entrusted with arrangements.... Full story

  • Orville Warren Preston

    Updated Aug 17, 2017

    Orville Warren Preston was born June 2, 1927, in Portland, Oregon. He died on July 29 in Cheney. A small family service was held in Cheney on Aug. 4.... Full story

  • Adams County Sheriff's Office Report

    Updated Aug 17, 2017

    July 31, 9:19 a.m. – A stolen vehicle was reported on East Sackman Road.. July 31, 10:06 p.m. – A Ritzville complainant said he saw three male subjects walking from Gun Club Road toward the Texaco Gas Station. After finding out there was a brush fire in the area, the complainants thought it was suspicious they were walking in the area. Aug. 1, 8:08 a.m. – A Ritzville complainant advised his coworker found a baggy possibly filled with narcotics. Sergeant Tomas Solano contacted the complainant and left a voicemail. Aug. 1, 8:...

  • Witnessing scientific history during the Great American Eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21

    Emma Aldrich, LRHS Student Correspondent|Updated Aug 17, 2017

    Outside of astronomy, an eclipse is defined as a loss of significance in relation to another thing. Ironically, the Great American Eclipse that will occur on Monday, Aug. 21, will find great significance in scientific history. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the Sun, temporarily obscuring the Sun’s prominence with a shadow. The darkest part of the moon’s shadow, known as the umbra, will form the path of totality as it sweeps across 12 states. Only observers in that 70-mile path will exp... Full story

  • Puttin’ on the Ritz, 2017 edition

    Sandra Weigand, Guest Commentator|Updated Aug 17, 2017

    There are times during the planning stages of a golf tournament when there’s a question in the minds of the planners of whether they will survive the process or succumb to the pressures and complaints and run from fairway to fairway screaming “Jesus, take me now!” And then there’s the tournament itself, when most every player wonders why she isn’t home enjoying a tall cold one in the midst of an air conditioned home. That’s only on those occasions when the tournament is held on hotter-than-a-hot-flash summer day when not ev... Full story

  • Massive fires increasing wood prices in U.S.

    Don C. Brunell, Business Commentator|Updated Aug 17, 2017

    Massive forest fires in western parts of Canada and the U.S. are not only choking us with layers of smoke, but are cutting off lumber supplies around our country. The result is the cost of a new home is rising because of the growing shortage of framing lumber and laminated decking. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported combination of the wildfires and the 30 percent tariff President Trump slapped on Canadian lumber producers are causing lumber shortages and drove up the average prices on new single-family homes nationwide...

  • Lind’s Harvest Party scheduled for Aug. 19

    Updated Aug 17, 2017

    Lind residents and visitors from across the county, are invited to attend the Lind Chamber of Commerce’s Harvest Party, Aug. 19. The event, located on West Second and N streets, will be held to honor farmers in Adams County. The Street Dance with live music from the Spokane River Band will be from 8 p.m. to midnight. Residents and visitors over 21 years old can visit the beer garden from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Downtown businesses, including the Sandwich Shop, Coffee Bar, and Slim’s Bar and Grill will also have food available for...

  • Preserving Veterans Choice

    Congressman Dan Newhouse, Fourth District|Updated Aug 17, 2017

    If you speak with any local veteran in Central Washington, as I do regularly, you will likely hear stories of frustration with the Veterans Administration. While there are many dedicated staff and VA providers, our veterans deserve so much more than long drives and long wait times to receive the care they have been promised. The Veterans Choice program allows veterans to visit private health care providers in the community outside the VA itself. Veterans Choice was designed in response to the wait-times scandals at the...

  • Mary E. Adams

    Updated Aug 17, 2017

    Mary E. Adams, 79, died on Aug. 7 in Ritzville. She was born to LaRue and Myrtle Bender in New York on May 11, 1938. She attended Wenatchee schools and studied Nursing in Spokane. Mary moved to Ritzville in 1994, where she resided until her death. She married Jonathon Adams on Oct. 9, 2004. She attended New Hope Church in Ritzville since 1994. Mary had the gift of gab and had a way of chatting with anyone, anytime, anywhere. She was a real person and knew how to speak her...

  • MOVIE NIGHT

    Updated Aug 17, 2017

    MOVIE NIGHT. The Adams County Sheriff’s Office partnered with the Town of Lind and the Lind Community Church to host the first 911 at the Movies event on Aug. 12 in Lind Town Park. Prior to the start of the movie, Deputy Juan Garcia helped coordinate games for children to play and receive prizes from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and 911 Communicatons Department. ACSO will also be showing a movie in the park in Washtucna, Ritzville and Benge. -Journal photo by Katelin Dav...

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