Opinion
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 952
LETTER: Enthusiasm counts for voter turnout
A few years ago, I attended a workshop on politics in San Francisco. One of the main ideas taken away from that event was the importance of enthusiasm. Washington State has tried to increase voter participation with mail-in... — Updated 2/20/2020
By Healthy workers key to virus control
Keeping hospitals and health workers healthy is key to fighting diseases. With new and more deadly viruses, the job is more challenging. Although the coronavirus has captured the world’s attention, it is important to note the... — Updated 2/20/2020
Only one chance every 10 years
Washington has the opportunity to review and change the Redistricting Commission every 10 years. This is the group that works in the background making sure the wheels of democracy turn smoothly and fairly. The commission decides... — Updated 2/20/2020
Bill would keep boys out of girls sports
Boys are boys and girls are girls. There's no in-between, at least when it comes to sports. I know it's not politically correct to say that in this day and age. But genetically... — Updated 2/12/2020
Public records should remain accessible to all
When House Bill 1888 was proposed this year to help protect state employee unions from an ongoing battle with the Freedom Foundation, the media was strong in opposition against... — Updated 2/12/2020
City Hall'er: Asking for the public's feedback
The train’s horns going through Ritzville have been an issue with our citizens for years. We at the city have seen a renewed interest in addressing this issue. In the past, support or objection by the community has been split on... — Updated 1/30/2020
Business Commentary: Copper is making a comeback
Government leaders, doctors, and medical researchers worldwide are working feverishly to stop the spread of the coronavirus and keep it from becoming a global pandemic. Wuhan, one of China’s major transportation hubs whose popula... — Updated 1/30/2020
Letter from the Editor: Saying goodbye and giving thanks
Well, this is really the first time I’ve had to write one of these, so let’s see how it goes. This week will be my last with The Journal. I have recently accepted a position with a news organization in southwestern Washington,... — Updated 1/30/2020
Business Commentary: Dams are the Northwest flood busters
A year ago, much of America's heartland was inundated by Missouri River flood waters. At least 1 million acres of U.S. farmland in nine major grain producing states were under... — Updated 1/23/2020
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor, By proclamation of the governor, January is School Board Recognition Month. It’s a great time to recognize our elected community members who selflessly give their time and energy in support of high-quality public sch... — Updated 1/23/2020
City Hall'er: Come have coffee with the mayor
Everyone at the City of Ritzville works to keep you informed of our policies and decisions. Except for rare executive sessions by the city council, our meetings are public. This inc... — Updated 1/23/2020
Library Corner: How you can play a part in what's being offered at the Ritzville Public Library
Imagine getting to hold the future in your hands. As the main purchaser for the library, that’s the way I feel every month as I look through catalogs and reviews of upcoming books that won’t be released for months. Should we... — Updated 1/16/2020
Guest Column: State Rep. accused of domestic terrorism asks for due process
Under our Constitution, anyone accused of a crime has right to see all the evidence against them, to face their accusers, and to call witnesses in their defense. I have been falsely accused of being a “domestic terrorist” by a... — Updated 1/16/2020
Guest Column: It's time to define when 'adulthood' is
The minimum age to purchase tobacco is now 21, a move that has been applauded on both sides of the aisle as a means to prevent hundreds of thousands of premature deaths. Yet the same people implementing the new law don’t seem to... — Updated 1/16/2020
Column: Sulfur standard aims to curtail maritime fuel oil
With the new decade comes an international air pollution regulation which hastens the switch from high sulfur fuel oil to either diesel or LNG in ocean-going ships. The mandate drops the sulfur content from 3.5 to .5%. While that... — Updated 1/8/2020
Letter to the Editor: Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce happenings
As I come to the end of my term as president of the Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce, I would like to thank the Chamber Board, our members and community members who helped with all the events that the Chamber put on/helped with... — Updated 1/2/2020
Library Corner: What's coming to East Adams Library in the new decade
It’s a new year and a new decade! The older we get, the more places and things we want to see but it may seem like we have less time, energy, and money to do these things. The Washington State Library has loaned us a virtual... — Updated 1/2/2020
Column: For the sake of Washington's economy, Boeing needs strong tailwinds in 2020
As we launch into 2020 and the ensuing decade, Boeing faces very strong head winds which are major concerns for those of us living in the Pacific Northwest. Things are vastly different now. In my first column of 2019, I wrote that... — Updated 1/2/2020
EARH Corner: Taking inventory of the year that was at EARH
As we wrap up a year and, indeed, a decade, it’s a good idea to take a little inventory. As to things done, there’s a lot of good news. We have more primary-care providers, enough so that prompt appointments, even same-day... — Updated 1/2/2020
Column: Caring local small businesses make ours 'A Wonderful Life'
At Christmas, millions watch the 1946 movie classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” While it is labeled “fantasy drama”, the show gives us a glimpse of reality and reminds us of the importance of caring local business owners.... — Updated 12/26/2019
Library Corner: Looking back at our local newspapers
As we look forward to the holidays and the inevitable tick into 2020, I can’t help but look back at our local history and how it’s been preserved and reported by our newspapers and their reporters for six generations. The... — Updated 12/19/2019
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor, The report of the December 3 Ritzville City Council in The Journal could have and should have read differently. The council member who first presented the case for hiring of a new police officer was not mentioned.... — Updated 12/19/2019
Column: Bridges shouldn't have to sink to be replaced
Bridges shouldn’t have to sink to be replaced. However, at times that’s what it takes. Too often new projects succumb to years of fighting among interest groups and endless political bickering. In 2013, opposition killed... — Updated 12/19/2019
Column: WDFW needs to back off of land acquisitions
Earlier this month, state Department of Fish and Wildlife Director officials said they needed an additional $26 million to effectively manage its existing lands and programs. They s... — Updated 12/19/2019
Weekly Column: Promoting rural STEM education
Science, technology, engineering, and math – more commonly known as STEM – have become some of the most highly demanded careers in our nation’s economy. Schools across the country and in Central Washington have emphasized... — Updated 12/12/2019
