Quincy donations help horse riding therapy
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 years AGO
The Sun Tribune News stock
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | November 2, 2015 5:00 AM
QUINCY — A donation from the Microsoft data center in Quincy and donations from other Quincy businesses will help a Wenatchee-area nonprofit group continue to provide horse riding therapy to people with special needs in Grant, Chelan and Douglas counties.
The Alatheia Riding Center received a $5,000 donation from Microsoft to provide scholarships for children and adults enrolled in the programs, said Executive Director Nancy Grette. The center provides riding lessons, and therapy through them, for people with special needs, ranging from autism to stroke recovery and cerebral palsy.
“We decided no rider would be turned away due to the inability to pay for the services,” Grette commented. “This meant, however, we would need help from the community to make it happen.”
Businesses in north central Washington, including Quincy, have helped support the program. Grette estimated about half the organization’s participants use the financial support.
Alatheia received donations from Hoffman Construction, Stettner Electric, Advantage Dirt and McKinstry, along with the employees of those companies, Grette said.
Microsoft and Yahoo also donated to the organization’s fundraiser. Both have data centers in Quincy.
“We were excited to see the involvement from Grant County businesses, as we have several riders from the Quincy, Ephrata and Moses Lake area who have been part of our program for years,” Grette said.
The center uses six Norwegian Fjord horses for its riders. and is looking to expanding its program.
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Mattawa council considering annexation ordinance
MATTAWA — With discussions about development increasing, Mattawa City Council members will consider adding an annexation procedure to existing city regulations. Council members discussed the options at the regular meeting Nov. 5.
Othello School District patrons to vote on capital levy proposal in February
OTHELLO — Othello School District patrons will be asked to accept or reject a six-year capital levy request in a special election in February 2027. Othello School Board members voted 4-0 to submit the proposal to voters at the regular meeting Monday. Board chair Lindsy Prows was absent. If it's approved, property owners would pay an estimated 97 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. The owner of property worth $350,000 would pay $339.50 in taxes. Ballots would be due by Feb. 9. Because it's a levy proposal, it would require a bare majority, 50% plus one vote, to pass.
Port of Quincy energy project update at Nov. 19 open house
QUINCY — Quincy-area residents are being invited to get an update on, and ask questions about, a project to build standalone energy generation, a joint venture between the Port of Quincy and Colusa Indian Energy. A town hall meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Quincy Business and Events Center, 115 F St. SW.