Teen pregnancy dropping in Grant, Adams counties
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 11 months AGO
A pregnancy can be a wonderful blessing, but having a child too young can create challenges for young parents who often miss out on educational and professional opportunities as a result.
ALICIAN ZINN/PEXELS
MOSES LAKE — According to a study conducted by BadCredit.org, an organization that studies issues impacting credit ratings, teen pregnancies in Grant and Adams Counties are down significantly over the past five years with Adams County seeing an 18% reduction in the number of teens getting pregnant and Grant declining 12% over that same period.
“It’s tough to get out of financial difficulties if you start at a disadvantage, like having a child during your teenage years,” said Jon McDonald, senior editor at BadCredit.org in a press release announcing the results of the study. “There’s no question that more access to sex education, healthcare and contraception can really help counter the number of teen pregnancies, and in turn, this can help young people get off to a better start in their future life and career, and hopefully a stronger financial future.”
Statewide Washington saw a 5% drop in teen births over the last five years, making the Evergreen State 39th overall nationwide. Nationally, teen birth data shows that, overall, the number of teen births nationwide has dropped by six births per 1,000 people over the timeframe examined. Analysts believe health messaging is getting through to younger people with a significant example being Brooks, Texas, from 88 births per 1,000 people to 36 per 1,000. Better sex education programs and access to contraceptives are believed to be a significant factor in that example.
Having a child as a teen has long-term effects, especially on financial aspects of life, the announcement said. A teen pregnancy can have a significant negative impact on education which can in turn limit earning potential.
For more information on the study, visit https://bit.ly/TEENPREG.
ARTICLES BY STAFF REPORT
Connell woman killed in Booker Road crash
CONNELL — Charges are pending against a Kennewick man following a collision about 12 miles south of Othello that killed a Connell woman and injured three other people Tuesday evening. A Washington State Patrol press memo said intoxicating substances were a factor. Jessica Zarate, 37, Connell, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near the intersection of SR 17 and South Booker Road, the WSP memo said. She was driving south on Booker Road approaching the intersection when her car was hit by a pickup driven by John Reiss, 62, Kennewick. Edgar Garcia Quirino, 28, Othello, was driving north on SR 17 and ran into Zarate's car, the WSP memo said. The crash occurred at about 6:40 p.m.
Wheeler Road closed because of traffic collision
UPDATE: The road was reopened as of noon, according to a GCSO media release. MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Office has announced there is a road closure between Road 3-NE and Road S-NE. There was a serious traffic collision. GCSO is asking for drivers to avoid the area and find alternative routes. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Doors opening: The Currents will provide homeownership for more local workers
About 104 homes are planned at the former Atlas sawmill site
Teachers, nurses, firefighters and other workers who keep Coeur d’Alene running will soon have more places to buy a home in the community where they work. About 104 homes are being planned to be built at Atlas Waterfront, on roughly 10 acres that are part of a swath of land that was once home to the Atlas sawmill and is being redeveloped. Ignite CDA, the city of Coeur d’Alene’s urban renewal agency, is leading this effort.