Rock Bottom Rocker sustains windstorm damage
CALEB PEREZ | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 months AGO
The Rock Bottom Rocker Pet Pantry sustained heavy damage from the Wednesday night windstorm. The strong winds did minor damage to the dog kennels and completely destroyed a kennel that housed special needs chickens.
COURTESY PHOTO/ROCK BOTTOM ROCKER PET PANTRY
Latte, one of the dogs at Rock Bottom Rocker, sits patiently in her kennel Thursday morning. Shawna Kluge, president of Rocky Bottom Rocker, said though the shelter sustained damage, all the animals were unharmed and accounted for in the morning.
SOAP LAKE — The Rock Bottom Rocker Pet Pantry sustained serious damage from the windstorm that occurred Wednesday night, with multiple enclosures damaged or destroyed. Despite the damage sustained, Shawna Kluge, president of Rock Bottom Rocker, said all the animals are safe.
“Although this is devastating, everyone’s okay and that’s what’s important,” said Kluge.
Kluge, along with a group of volunteers had prepared for the coming winds prior to the evening, but she said the force of Mother Nature was still strong enough to do severe damage.
The dog kennels were prepped with tarp coverings to keep the animals sheltered in the windy conditions and were given a sedative the night before to help prevent stress on them, she said. The kennels had no roof damage but many were found missing the vinyl windows that were installed on the side.
The most significant damage was done to the kennel that housed the chicken coop with all the shelter’s special needs livestock birds. Kluge said the birds were spooked and scattered across the property but were all physically unharmed.
A new kennel to house the chicken coop was put en route as soon as possible and a group of volunteers have gathered to help the rebuilding. Now that all the animals are safe and accounted for, the shelter’s president said the focus is on cleaning up and dealing with the aftermath.
Kluge said she appreciates the urgency and speed in which the volunteers in the community stepped in to help the shelter during this process.
“We are blessed,” she said. “We have an amazing following and the community always has our back.”
Rock Bottom Rocker is always open to volunteers, and Kluge said the best way for those interested in helping is to text her at 509-237-5722. Those interested in donating to the shelter can go to rockbottomrocker.org or check out the Rock Bottom Rocker Facebook page.
Latte, one of the dogs at Rock Bottom Rocker, sits patiently in her kennel Thursday morning. Shawna Kluge, president of Rocky Bottom Rocker, said though the shelter sustained damage, all the animals were unharmed and accounted for in the morning.ARTICLES BY CALEB PEREZ
Erickson looks back on a busy and successful four-sport high school career
WARDEN — A four-sport athlete is not someone you often come across due to the time and dedication it takes for success in one sport, but for Amaya Erickson, tackling that challenge was something she was up for in her senior season. “My family’s always been really big into sports,” said Erickson. “Both my parents have played and my siblings both play, so I guess they’re all a really great inspiration for me.”
Tigers start summer 3-1 after split with Sunnyside Christian
EPHRATA — The Ephrata Tiger Baseball Club (3-1) finished their second matchup of the season as they split a doubleheader with Sunnyside Christian Tuesday evening. “I was pleased with a lot of aspects of the doubleheader,” said Tigers Head Coach David Tempel. “The summertime is all about development and getting some experience. The good part about (Tuesday) is we were in some different situations that we haven’t seen much, so we were able to learn from those and use those to our advantage.” Sunnyside was the first on the board during game one as they put up two runs in the top of the second inning. The Tigers responded at the bottom of the third as they put up five runs to claim the lead.
Fletcher named new Eagles volleyball head coach
SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Eagles volleyball team will be under new leadership this fall as Erin Fletcher has been selected as the new head coach. She is following the successful tenure of the previous head coach, Nikki Noble, who helped guide the team to multiple state appearances over the years. “I’m so excited,” said Fletcher. “I’ve had the opportunity to watch these girls play the last couple years as a (referee). I’m really excited to be able to step in after Coach Noble and continue on that winning and competitive spirit that they’ve had for so long and kind of take it now to the next level.” Her love for athletics came from growing up in an athletic family of basketball players, but in second grade, she became the first in her family to start playing volleyball. From there, a passion for volleyball began to grow.