2020 Year End Review

January

Ritzville woman killed in wrong-way crash

By Brandon Cline

Two people were killed and five more injured in a wrong-way crash about eight miles south of Lind on State Route 395 on the evening of Dec. 29.

According to the Washington State Patrol one of the vehicles, a 2015 Toyota Prius, was driving southbound in the northbound lane of State Route 395, and struck a 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan head-on in the northbound lane head-on near milepost 71 around 6 p.m.

One of those killed in the incident was Jessica L. Cody, 36, of Ritzville. Cody was a passenger in the Dodge Grand Caravan and was pronounced dead on the scene. Jeremiah J. Cody, 34, was driving the vehicle and was transported to East Adams Rural Healthcare in Ritzville.

Bill mandates controversial ‘inclusive’ sex ed starting with kindergarten

By Roger Harnack

Publisher

OLYMPIA – A bill that passed the state Senate today, Jan. 22, could mean young public schools pupils will be exposed to “inclusive” sex education.

Under the bill, public schools will be required to teach medically accurate, age-appropriate sex education to students at all grade levels from kindergarten through 12th. The content is also required to be inclusive of gay, lesbian, transgender and other “protected classes.”

School districts would be required to have the curriculum in place by Sept. 1, 2021.

February

Ritzville mayor to step down

By Jeremy Burnham

Ritzville - Less than a half -year into his second term, Mayor Gary Cook has decided to resign. His last day will be March 31.

Mayor Pro Tem pore Dennis Chamberlain will assume mayoral duties on a temporary basis beginning April 1.

Under city statutes, the council will then have 90 days to assign someone to finish out the first two years of the term.

Ground breaking set for wind farm

By Jeremy Burnham

LIND – Work is set to start in March on the Rattlesnake Flat wind farm.

The project is being developed by Clearway Energy Group. Project development director Nick Benjamin said mobilization will begin around March 1, with trucks arriving before March 5.

Rattlesnake Flat is a 16.45 megawatt wind project to be constructed near Phillips Road. Avista and Clearway have agreed to a deal that will see Avista purchasing the energy for 20 years.

March

Cook rescinds resignation

By Katie Teachout

Ritzville - Mayor Gary Cook has rescinded his resignation and will continue to lead the city in the wake of the coronavirus emergency declaration.

Cook said following his decision Friday, March 13, to close City Hall and declare a city-wide emergency due to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, he did not believe it was a good time to leave his position.

April

School board approves gender-inclusive policy

By Katie Teachout

Ritzville – Lind-Ritzville school board members approved a gender-inclusive policy at a March 23 meeting. A gender-inclusive policy is being mandated by the state.

Policy 3211, Section 3000, under definitions says the district “uses the term ‘transgender’ to be inclusive of gender expansive, gender transitioning, gender expression and gender identity, to incorporate the concept that students may not fully connect with the sex assigned to them at birth, while recognizing that the protections herein are available to all students.”

May

Police officer returns to duty: Investigation finds shooting was justified

By Katie Teachout

Ritzville – Law enforcement officer Jeff Lane is back on duty after an investigative team ruled his use of lethal force was justified.

Lane, who works for both the Police Department and Adams County Sheriff’s Department, shot and killed Shawn Lee, 48, of Susanville, Calif., during the early morning hours of April 12.

The machete-wielding Lee advanced on the officer and a Washington State Patrol trooper.

Lane first used his Taser to try to stop Lee, but that attempt was ineffective, according to an investigative report and video footage.

“Lethal force was appropriate and applied, because there was no other alternative,” Ritzville Police Chief Dave McCormick said.

Ritzville homicide suspect apprehended: Morris caught after Oregon shootout

By Katie Teachout

PORTLAND, Ore. – A man wanted in connection with the shooting death of his father in Ritzville remained in the Multnomah County Iverness Jail on Tuesday morning, booked on several charges.

Greyson D.W. Morris, 26, is being held without bail on charges of first-degree robbery with a firearm, attempting to elude by vehicle, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, reckless endangerment, and four counts each of unlawful use of a weapon and first-degree attempted murder.

According to court records, Morris was arrested following a high-speed chase on Interstate 84 last Thursday morning, just hours after he allegedly shot and killed his father in Ritzville, where he is expected to face additional charges following extradition.

June

Social distance graduation: Lind-Ritzville High celebrates commencement

By Katie Teachout

Ritzville – Thirty-five seniors were recognized in a private ceremony held on the football field Saturday afternoon, June 6.

Standing far from the crowd, Superintendent Don Vanderholm addressed the graduates.

“I know this isn’t what you dreamed of. I guarantee you, 39 years from now you are going to remember this day,” Vanderholm said.

Community members were able to congratulate graduates with a parade of well-wishers in cars, including a salute from the Ritzville Fire Department, when graduates stationed themselves along West Broadway Avenue after the diploma ceremony.

Washtucna man dies cleaning up storm debris

By Katie Teachout

Washtucna – A local man was killed while attempting to remove a downed tree from his property June 1.

A 28-year veteran of the local volunteer fire department, Garth Blauert, 58, was cleaning up debris from the May 30 storm that crossed Eastern Washington, bringing torrential downpours and high winds.

According to the Adams County Sheriff’s department, the accident took place in the 1800 block of east state Highway 26 around 1:30 p.m., June 1.

A parade Saturday, June 6, honoring Blauert drew fire trucks and emergency responders from around the area, and a helicopter from Life Flight flew over. Blauert’s son, Garrett Blauert, was presented with his father’s fire fighter helmet.

July

Six arrested in drugs, theft case

The Journal

Ritzville – Six people were booked into the Adams County Jail on Monday, July 13, after Sheriff’s Office deputies executed a search warrant at home in the 1000 block of Rand Road.

Cascandra Rand was arrested and booked for alleged unlawful possession of a weapon, the Sheriff’s Office reported. Darian Morgan was apprehended on a Department of Corrections warrant.

Mark Chamberlain was arrested for being a felon in possession of a firearm and Noe Duarte was arrested for illegal narcotics on a Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act charge, the office said.

In addition, Triston Duplechan was arrested for third-degree driving with a suspended license and eluding, the Sheriff’s Office said. And Glen Gilbert was arrested for first-degree theft and possession of illegal narcotics.

The arrests followed execution of a search warrant with the assistance of the Warden and Moses Lake police and Grant County authorities.

Firefighters save home on windy day

By Katie Teachout

LIND – A house and shop were spared Tuesday, July 22, when Adams County Fire Protection District No. 2 firefighters and other volunteers worked together to put out a fire during afternoon high winds.

Assistant Fire Chief Rubben Labes said the page went out around 12:30 p.m. for a fire on 5th Street, west of the middle school, that burned up mostly weeds before threatening a home and a shop. Labes said when the fire got inside the shop, they had to break in to the building owned by a couple who reside in Tri-Cities.

“It pretty much burned all around the house, but we saved the house,” Labes said.

He said they were challenged not only by a windy day, but the city had the water off due to a broken main line.

August

Local school districts vary on reopening

By Katie Teachout

Ritzville – Lind-Ritzville School District is choosing to start the 2020-21 school year Aug. 31 with all students engaged in distance learning. Superintendent Don Vanderholm said the decision was based on the “strong recommendations” from the governor, and state and county health departments.

Following an Aug. 6 school board meeting, Kahlotus Superintendent Jose-de-Jesus Melendez said the board voted to open for a full regular schedule on campus, which will include an optional flexible distance learning at home for families who choose that option.

Washtucna School District Superintendent Todd Spear said their goal is to offer three different learning options through a hybrid schedule combining remote and in-person learning.

Sprague-Lamont School District Superintendents Bill Ressel and Todd Spear said a committee put together a viable reopening plan, which will be presented for approval at the Aug. 12 school board meeting.

Benge Elementary School students will be returning to school on campus August. 31. Superintendent Robert “Bob” Moore said as of now, the decision stands for students to attend campus five days a week.

September

Mayor answers questions about city water

By Katie Teachout

LIND – Mayor Paula Bell heard concerns from residents about the town having enough water during the August 25 city council meeting.

“I want to report town is obligated to supply clean, safe drinking water and we are in compliance, having no problem with providing clean, safe drinking water,” Bell said. “The town reservoirs are full. There is no shortage of water.”

Dust storm causes crashes, prompts closures

By Katie Teachout

Ritzville – A dust storm that began just before noon caused multiple crashes, prompting area road closures through early evening hours Monday, Sept. 7.

Washington State Patrol Sgt. Ethan Wynecoop said the multiple car crashes, which were all dust-related, resulted in no serious injuries.

“It was absolutely a mess. You couldn’t see more than 10 feet in front of you,” Wynecoop said. “Almost every state patrol route through our patrol area here had crashes of one sort or another.”

Wynecoop said Interstate 90, state highways 26, 21 and 261, and U.S. Highway 395 were all closed due to a lack of

visibility.

October

Broncos second in national livestock contest

By Katie Teachout

Ritzville – Lind-Ritzville FFA team members Taylor Galbreath, Reagan Snider, Jay Harder, Lane Tellefson and Alyssa Williams took second place in the NILE Virtual Livestock Judging Contest on Oct. 8.

The digital competition was based in Billings, Montana.

Williams, an eighth-grader attending Lind-Ritzville Middle School, won the High Individual Overall, earning 439 points out of a possible 500.

Kids return to school part time

By Katie Teachout

Ritzville – Kids are back on campus today.

Ritzville Grade School students getting off the bus Monday morning and waiting to be let into the building said they were happy to be back on campus, if only part time.

“I’m glad, other than having to wear this mask,” Karsten Stokoe, heading into his fifth-grade classroom, said.

“2020 is the worst year ever,” MaKenzie Quinn, another fifth-grader, said Monday morning.

Lind and Ritzville School Board members adopted changes at a special meeting last week, made to develop a phased-in return to the on-campus learning matrix.

November

Murder trial delayed

By Katie Teachout

Ritzville – The jury trial of Grayson D. W. Morris has been delayed from Nov. 24, 2020, to Feb. 23, 2021.

Morris will turn 27 years of age Nov. 24, 2020.

The request was made by his defense attorney Nov. 2, and granted by Adams County Superior Court Judge Steve Dixon.

Morris is being held in Adams County Jail on $3,000,000 bail on charges of murder in the first degree with a firearm enhancement and burglary in the first degree with a firearm enhancement. Both of these offenses carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Morris is accused of killing his father, Doug Morris, by gunshot early in the morning of May 14, 2020. Doug Morris was at his home in Ritzville when he was shot.

Lind residents go without water for two days

By Katie Teachout

LIND – Residents found themselves without water for a few days, with neighbors coming to the rescue delivering water to those in need.

According to Lind Clerk/Treasurer Kylie Buell, the problem stemmed from the Community Development Block Grant Waterline construction project, which involves waterlines on Lutcher and Seventh streets, Well No. 8 and a variable frequency drive.

“The water was shut off Wednesday afternoon, they were completely out of water by Thursday morning, and it was turned back on Friday by 4 p.m.,” Buell said.

Ritzville takes hit for large wedding

Over 300 Othello and Moses Lake residents allegedly attended event

By Katie Teachout

GRANT COUNTY – A COVID-19 “spreader event” attributed to Ritzville by news media sources did not involve Ritzville residents, according to Adams County Health Department spokesperson Karen Potts.

Potts said the wedding, attended by residents from Othello and Moses Lake, took place Saturday, Nov. 7, just inside the Adams County line.

She said the Adams County Health Department has not seen any cases of COVID-19 in Ritzville residents from the event, but they have six cases from the Othello and surrounding area associated with the wedding.

December

Santa Claus flies into town

By Katie Teachout

Ritzville – Santa came to town for a drive-by visit with community members from as far away as Lind Saturday, Dec. 19.

The big man was flown in by helicopter courtesy of Life Flight, landing on the Ritzville Grade School grounds at 2 p.m. Flying Santa in on the 20-minute flight from Moses Lake was pilot Gary Schales, accompanied by paramedic Amanda Brown and nurse Brandon Bowolick.

“When the flight was coming in, the kids were so excited you could hear them shouting over the noise of the helicopter landing,” East Adams Rural Healthcare CEO Corey Fedie said.

East Adams Rural Healthcare CEO Corey Fedie, along with Lind Ritzville Cooperative School District Superintendent Don Vanderholm organized the event, with support from the Ritzville Volunteer Fire Department, Adams County Fire District No. 1, East Adams Rural Healthcare paramedics, and the Ritzville Police Department.

School administrators call for return of sports

The Journal

Ritzville - School administrators and leaders across the region sent a letter to Governor Jay Inslee, the Department of Health and Washington State Legislators Dec. 10, calling for an immediate return of sports and extracurricular activities to area school districts.

The letter was initiated by Reardan Superintendent Eric Sobotta and Davenport Superintendent Jim Kowalbowski, and signed by 71 school administrators and athletic directors.

“We have a moral obligation to take action for our students,” the letter states in the opening paragraph, pointing out data shows statewide and regionally that enrollment is down overall, academic grades of D’s and F’s have never been higher, remote learning continues to prove difficult, students are struggling with their mental health, and the use of illegal substances appears to be on the rise as students grasp for things to help them cope.