MLSD denies reports of rosaries being taken from students
R. HANS MILLER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 months, 3 weeks AGO
The rosary has long stood as a symbol of Catholic faith and dedication to Mary . Many school districts nationwide have policies in place to prevent them from being visibly worn after gangs began to use them to indicate faction affiliation and rank in recent years, using bead colors as a code to indicate such information.
PIXABAY
Managing Editor Rob Miller is a 4-year U.S. Army veteran who grew up in Western Montana in a community about the size of Soap Lake. An honors graduate of Texas State University, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Brandee, and their three dogs, Draco, Pepper and Cinnamon. He has one son, William. During his free time, he enjoys photography, video games, reading and working on the house he and his wife bought in Ephrata. He is passionate about the First Amendment and educating communities. | March 31, 2025 1:30 AM
MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake School District staff deny claims that students have had rosaries taken from them at Frontier Middle School after a student who attended that campus was killed in a March 21 drive-by shooting.
“In consultation with local law enforcement and out of an abundance of caution for individual safety, we ask that individuals cover any visible rosaries,” said MLSD Director of Communications Ryan Shannon. “Unfortunately, items like these have, at times, been associated with gang affiliations. As such, and in accordance with the dress code outlined in our student handbook, we kindly ask that rosaries be worn discreetly under a shirt or jacket.”
According to reporting by The Reporter, the official newspaper of the Lutheran Church, various gangs have used rosaries to indicate gang affiliation and rank within gangs. Examples include the Latin Kings using specific bead combinations to identify affiliation and rank within the gang; the Netas, an East Coast gang originating in Puerto Rico wearing 78 red, white and blue beads to symbolize the 78 towns of Puerto Rico.
MLSD has not banned the wearing of rosaries, but the district’s handbook does ask that they be worn discretely to ensure they are not used in a way other than for religious purposes.
Multiple court decisions nationwide have indicated that schools may not ban the wearing of a rosary, with one case indicating that such general bans are too vague and do not adequately address the gang-affiliation aspect of the situation.
ARTICLES BY R. HANS MILLER
WSP warns of scams in wake of trooper's death
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Patrol is asking the public to respect the family’s privacy and to be mindful of potential scams after Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting was killed in a roadside accident near Tacoma Friday. “Though we are grateful for the intended kindness and support, the Washington State Patrol does not accept monetary donations from the public,” said WSP Director of Public Affairs in a statement released Tuesday.
Basin nonprofit CEO appointed to WA Board of Education
OLYMPIA — Sue Kane, CEO of the NCW Tech Alliance, has been appointed to the Washington State Board of Education, Position 1, according to an announcement from the SBA. Kane lives in East Wenatchee and runs NCW Tech Alliance with offices throughout North Central Washington, including Moses Lake.
MLSD, MLEA address school day, finances during final meeting of 2025
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District Board of Directors held its final meeting of 2025 Thursday. During the meeting, both the Moses Lake Education Association and district administration discussed the ongoing concern of school day length.