The Ritzville Adams County Journal - Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887

For Washington residents, the decision on who to vote for in the race for U.S. Senate should be a no-brainer in the Nov. 8 general election. The fact that incumbent Patty Murray, a westside Democrat, doesn’t want to debate... — Updated 10/11/2022

Yes, Gov. Jay Inslee has issued new orders shutting down your favorite gym and movie theater, and limiting service at your favorite diner or watering hole. Yes, you’re directed to wear a mask when you go in public. And yes,... — Updated 11/25/2020

When it comes to state initiatives on the 2019 general election ballot in Washington state, one of the most important decisions voters will have to make is on Initiative 976, the Tim Eyman-sponsored initiative that would, among... — Updated 10/17/2019

Well, it’s pretty rare to hear directly from me in editorials in back-to-back weeks. In last week’s issue, I had the pleasure of introducing The Journal’s new full-time reporter, Jeremy. In his 10 or so days on the job so... — Updated 6/27/2019

Memorial Day weekend is often a time for families to take a break from the monotony of everyday life, to pack into their cars, RVs and trailers for an extended weekend of camping, or maybe just staying at home for a weekend of... — Updated 5/16/2019 Full story

First of all, I’d like to apologize for how sparse this issue might seem. Christmas fell on a really bad day—a Tuesday—for our newspaper this year, the day where I usually sit down and spend most of the day putting the... — Updated 2/1/2019

Hello, devoted reader. I am Brandon Cline, the new managing editor at the Ritzville Adams County Journal. I never really know what to say when I write these articles introducing myself, but here goes nothing. I was born and raised... — Updated 10/11/2018

If viewing a major motion picture is the goal, you can do that anywhere. If what you seek is to combine a bit of nostalgia with modern entertainment, then the venue you select must be carefully chosen. Ritzville has always had a di... — Updated 4/10/2014

Without question, the best news when the storm subsided Sunday evening was that no one was seriously injured or killed. There was notable property damage to homes and public facilities, but everyone walked away relatively... — Updated 9/19/2013

Photographers are faced with a very difficult situation these days. Especially if their pictures are what they rely on to cover their living expenses. Not to mention the extraordinary cost of their equipment. The advent of smart... — Updated 9/12/2013 Full story

Overall, voter turnout in Adams County fluctuates wildly depending upon the nature of the election. For instance, one of the best voter participations on record in recent years was the November 2012 General Election when 75.76... — Updated 7/25/2013

A new public hospital is a weighty investment requiring careful consideration rather than swift emotional reactions or knee jerk negative responses. This is an expensive long-term investment we all must give careful, rational... — Updated 7/18/2013

Just about every day someone expresses their frustration over the closure of Division Street. Folks are frustrated and fed up with the inconvenience of the blocked roadway. If you’re accustomed to zipping up or down Division,... — Updated 6/27/2013

Question the actions of local government as often as you like. Elected leaders and publicly funded administrators should not be allowed to operate without oversight. The beauty of the system in Washington is that government must be... — Updated 5/2/2013 Full story

This summer the City of Ritzville will undergo a rare phase of construction, primarily aimed at improving aging infrastructure — streets, water mains, sewer lines and the drilling of a new domestic water well. The project list... — Updated 4/25/2013

It was inevitable. Sooner or later the printing plant in Cheney was going to follow the rest of the industry and move to a narrower roll of newsprint. If you are a subscriber to a daily newspaper, such as the Spokesman-Review or th... — Updated 1/3/2013 Full story

(Editor’s Note: Eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York’s Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus... — Updated 12/20/2012 Full story

The outcome of the General Election will result in new directions for the nation, the state of Washington, Adams County, and individual cities and towns. We encourage you to carefully consider the choices on your ballot and vote... — Updated 10/25/2012 Full story

It’s easy to say you support your community. It’s easy to be an armchair quarterback and critique how an event or organization operates or forecast its success or failure. But if you don’t get involved, you truly can’t say... — Updated 8/30/2012 Full story

Ritzville is aging. To the point where major investments will likely be needed in order to continue delivering critical services to residents. The current economic conditions of the state and nation don’t make this a good time... — Updated 3/1/2012

More than one person, in more than one venue or discussion, has suggested East Adams Rural Hospital is at risk of suffering its own demise. True, more than one argument has been made to suggest the district has crossed into uncerta... — Updated 2/9/2012

A year ago, while visiting Olympia, Gov. Christine Gregoire told us the state’s finances are in poor shape, forcing difficult decisions that will ultimately result in decreased funding for our communities. One year later, it’s... — Updated 1/26/2012

The press deadline for The Journal is Wednesdays, and this week was no different in many cases. One glorious addition to the early morning start of our day was the presence of the sun and a brilliant blue sky. What a treat for... — Updated 12/22/2011

Today is the day we set aside to give thanks. Just how we accomplish the task is as diverse as the makeup of our country. The freedom to celebrate our way is one of the reasons our country is a great place to live in. Many of us... — Updated 11/24/2011

There is a tremendous amount of time and effort involved in gathering news, feature stories and pictures for a weekly newspaper. Producing a community newspaper is a labor of love, one that has been accomplished in Ritzville for... — Updated 8/25/2011 Full story