Moses Lake, Wahluke props failing, most others passing
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 6 months AGO
Joel Martin has been with the Columbia Basin Herald for more than 25 years in a variety of roles and is the most-tenured employee in the building. Martin is a married father of eight and enjoys spending time with his children and his wife, Christina. He is passionate about the paper’s mission of informing the people of the Columbia Basin because he knows it is important to record the history of the communities the publication serves. | February 14, 2024 4:15 PM
MOSES LAKE — All but two school levies that were on the ballot for Tuesday’s special election are passing, according to the Grant and Adams county auditor’s offices. In unofficial results, Wahluke’s capital projects levy is being voted down 245-136, while Moses Lake’s is failing 3,420-3,142.
The Almira School District is approving a three-year levy of $2.40 per $1,000 of assessed property value 96-22, and Warden is passing a two-year educational and operations levy of $2.20/$1,000 165-134, and a two-year $0.20/$1,000 capital levy for upgrading school computers and other technology by a vote of 165-127.
Odessa School District also is passing two levies, the first a one-year EP&O levy of $1.89/$1,000 and the second a one-year capital levy of $0.38/$1,000 The EP&O levy is passing 242-102, and the capital levy 249-93.
Coulee-Hartline’s educational programs and operations levy of $1.35/$1,000 for 2025 and $1.29/$1,000 for 2026 passed 277-86. Soap Lake voters are approving a four-year $2.29/$1,000 EP&O levy 305-241. Royal School District’s levy of $1.72/$1,000 in 2025 and $1.67/$1,000 in 2026 is passing, 274-159, and Wilson Creek’s two-year $2.50/$1,000 EP&O levy is being approved 76-35.
In Adams County, Benge School District voters are approving an EP&O levy of $1.47/$1,000 for 2025 and $1.43/$1,000 for 2026 by a vote of 13-1. Lind School District is approving an EP&O levy of $1.09/$1,000 for 2025 and $0.99/$1,000 for 2026 by a vote of 147-70, and a two-year $0.13/$1,000 capital levy 146-69.
Ritzville School District is passing an EP&O levy of $1.98/$1,000 for 2025 and $1.83/$1,000 for 2026 by a vote of 396-250 and a two-year $0.12/$1,000 capital levy for electronic technology improvements 421-226. RSD voters also are approving a reorganization of the school board from five director districts to three districts and two at-large positions by a vote of 447-171.
Electric City voters overwhelmingly are approving a measure to remove four parcels owned by the federal and state governments from the city limits, 169-40. Because the property is publicly owned, it is not available for development and offers no tax revenue to the city, according to a statement by the city’s attorney Katherine Kenison, and has attracted nuisances like underage drinking and illegal dumping.
Grant County Fire District 8, based in Mattawa, is passing its six-year $0.50/$1,000 levy by a vote of 438-194. Ritzville is passing a $0.15/$1,000 parks and recreation levy 304-138. The money will go toward maintenance and repair of the slide at the Ritzville Water Park and to purchase a new diving board, according to the voter’s guide.
The next vote count will be Feb. 16 in Grant County and Feb. 20 in Adams County. The election is certified Feb. 23.
Joel Martin may be reached via email at [email protected].
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Quincy National Night Out scales down
QUINCY — Quincy’s National Night Out was more compact this year, which worked out well, said QPD Sgt. Joe Westby, who’s in charge of event planning for the Quincy Police Department. “National Night Out is a big event, and the fact that we’re able to shrink it up is like a breath of fresh air,” Westby said. “If you're always doing the same thing, it's kind of nice to switch things up and see how it works.” National Night Out took place Thursday on the block of C Street next to the police station, a shift from previous years when it was held at Lauzier Park. The smaller space meant fewer emergency vehicles for children to explore, but it also meant less walking for attendees. Grant County Fire District 5 brought a fire truck, and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office had a patrol boat. Renew, the Grant County behavioral health agency, had a booth and so did Quincy Partnership for Youth. Veterans Operation Creation sang the national anthem, and the Quincy Animal Shelter brought kittens that piled over each other making friends with passersby. As before, the QPD served grilled hot dogs.
Quincy Police retirements leave big shoes to fill
QUINCY — There are some big shoes to fill at the Quincy Police Department. “We’re losing 48 years of experience between them,” Quincy Police Chief Ryan Green said at the retirement party for Capt. Jorge Trujillo and Det. Damon Powell Thursday. Trujillo, who grew up in Sunnyside, has been with QPD for 19 years, he said, coming on as a patrol officer fresh out of the military. From there he served as a field training officer, a detective and finally captain. “I consider him my left-hand man,” Green said. “He runs the operations side of the house … He knows the agency very well, and he knows the community.” Trujillo has some projects around the house to tackle now that he’s retired, he said.
Big fun on a small scale
Wheat Land Communities’ Fair opens Thursday
RITZVILLE — The Wheat Land Communities’ Fair isn’t as big or as flashy as some of the county fairs around central Washington, but the folks who keep it going like it just the way it is. “It’s somewhere you can go and get an old-time traditional feeling, and you’re comfortable letting your kids roam the grounds and experience all that it has to offer,” said Board Member Lori Williams. “It’s more of a feeling than (one) specific thing,” The fair starts Thursday in Ritzville and runs through Sunday. Starting Friday, the 56th Ritzville Rodeo will take place alongside the fair at the rodeo grounds. This year the entertainment budget was expanded, Williams said, to be able to offer more fun that’s covered by the cost of admission. For the kids, there’s face painting, balloon art, Lego crafts, races, contests and games. Children can also ride on a little train towed around the fairgrounds behind a tractor.