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OLYMPIA WATCH: Lawmakers move to ban high-capacity magazines

OLYMPIA WATCH: Lawmakers move to ban high-capacity magazines

(LEONA VAUGHN/WNPA Olympia Bureau)

Supporters say fewer bullets would increase safety, opponents say it would infringe on their gun rights…

Gun magazines that hold more than ten rounds of ammunition would be outlawed under a proposed law moving through the state Senate.

Supporters cite safety concerns, while opponents argue the measure, which cleared the Senate Committee on Law and Justice on Thursday, Jan. 23, would place new restrictions on Washington residents’ right to bear arms.

SB 6077, sponsored by 14 Democratic senators, would make it illegal to possess what the bill would define as a high-capacity magazine in most instances. Under the proposal, exemptions apply to people who already own the magazines, though use is restricted. There would also be exemptions for law enforcement, the military, licensed gun dealers, and other firearm professionals. More

THROWBACK THURSDAY: Prohibition was ratified in the US 100 years ago

THROWBACK THURSDAY: Prohibition was ratified in the US 100 years ago

(STAFF REPORTS/Chewelah Independent)

Prohibition lasted until 1933…

The 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution issued in an era known as Prohibition, which outlawed the production and sale of liquor. This lasted until 1933 when the 21st Amendment repealed it.

But America’s push to outlaw alcohol began long before that. In the 1820s, religious revivals swept across the nation with people calling for temperance. In 1838, Massachusetts passed a law vanning the sale of spirits in less than 15-gallon quantities but it was repealed two years later. Maine passed prohibition in 1846 and some other states did the same before the Civil War.

By 1900, the call for temperance had grown stronger, supported by many religous groups and even factory owners who saw it as a way to increase efficiency or prevent accidents. In 1917, President Woodrow Wilson began a wartime prohibition to save grain for producing food for WW1. That same year, Congress submitted the 18th Amendment, which banned the manufacture, transportation and sale of intoxicating liquors, for state ratification. It was ratified on January 16, 1919 and took effect on January 17, 2020. More

WA Department of Health monitoring first US coronavirus patient

WA Department of Health monitoring first US coronavirus patient

(PRESS RELEASE/Washington Department of Health)

DOH has identified at least 16 close contacts to first US coronavirus patient…

Since announcing a case of 2019 novel coronavirus [ https://www.doh.wa.gov/Newsroom/Articles/ID/1068/Case-of-2019-novel-coronavirus-confirmed-in-Washington-state-resident ] in Snohomish County, Wash., the state Department of Health (DOH) and Snohomish Health District have been working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on interviewing the patient and beginning a contact investigation. This includes establishing a detailed travel history with the patient and identifying close contacts who may have experienced some level of exposure.

Health officials are actively monitoring these contacts, which means a public health worker will call each person daily to check for symptoms like fever or respiratory issues. Should one of these close contacts develop symptoms, they will be instructed to immediately contact the public health worker, who will help arrange a medical evaluation.

As of now, we have identified at least 16 close contacts. Local public health staff started reaching out to them yesterday and continue to do so today, said Snohomish County Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters. The risk to the general public remains low. If there is a location where we are concerned about potential transmission, and where public health cannot contact those individuals directly, that information will be released quickly.” More

Senate passes bill requiring comprehensive sex-ed in public schools

Senate passes bill requiring comprehensive sex-ed in public schools

(CAMERON SHEPPARD/WNPA Olympia Bureau)

Opponents concerned the bill would impede local school board and parental authority…

A proposed law to require school districts to implement a comprehensive sexual education curriculum emphasizing healthy relationships and consent was passed after a 28-21 vote by the state Senate yesterday.

If signed into law, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5395 would require every public school to offer evidence-informed, medically accurate, and age-appropriate sex education as an integral part of the curriculum for kindergarten through 12th grade by Sept 1, 2021.

The bill was first introduced in 2019 and drew vocal opposition from parents as well as support during public hearings held that year. It stalled before the end of the legislative session and Senate Democrats re-introduced and passed it on Wednesday, Jan. 22. It heads now to the House. More

FROM THE EDITOR: Keeping up with technology? Good luck

FROM THE EDITOR: Keeping up with technology? Good luck

(BRANDON HANSEN/Managing Editor of the Chewelah Independent)

An interesting point brought up by one of my favorite podcasters, Dan Carlin, has my brain spinning more than usual this week: what if we can’t keep up with our own technological progress?

The growth and advancement of technology in our society has reached breakneck speeds. From the rise of the computer, internet, smartphone and social media, things that are part of everyday life now are completely different from what they were 10 or 15 years ago. Computer chips and capabilities are getting faster and more capable every few months and everyone talks as if artificial intelligence will be taking over any day now.

And how are we supposed to adjust to all this?

While the older person who can’t use a cellphone, or the worker who looks at email like Egyptian hieroglyphics are funny jokes for the watercooler, it’s only the surface level of how technology is advancing almost too quickly for us to adapt. More

TUESDAY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL: Northport and Colville pick up victories

TUESDAY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL: Northport and Colville pick up victories

(COLIN HAFFNER/Chewelah Independent)

Northport gets the win

Northport showed visiting Cusick no mercy Tuesday night, scoring at will and playing smothering defense en route to a 53-18 win.

Cusick never managed more than seven points in any quarter on the night leading to a 30-6 halftime lead for the Mustangs (5-6, 4-3) that they grew to 51-13 by the end of three before dialing it back in the fourth.

Madison Straayer scored 14 and Eliza Stark had 12 to lead Northport to the victory. Belle Stark pitched in another 9 for the Mustangs in the game. Northport hosts Curlew in their next go-round Jan. 24 at 6 p.m.

More

TUESDAY’S BOYS BASKETBALL: Colville downs Newport, Selkirk rolls to win

TUESDAY’S BOYS BASKETBALL: Colville downs Newport, Selkirk rolls to win

(COLIN HAFFNER/Chewelah Independent) 

Colville downs Newport…

Jory Dotts and the Colville Indians jumped all over their visitors Tuesday night on their way to an easy win over Newport 74-52.

Colville notched 21 points in each of the first two quarters to stake a 22 point halftime lead over the Grizzlies. Newport tried to claw their way back in the second half, but 25 points from Dotts helped keep them at bay and sent the Indians (5-10, 2-5) on to the victory.

Sam Anderson added another 11 in the game for Colville to help lead the team.

Medical Lake is next up on the Colville schedule with a game Jan. 24 at 7:15 p.m.




Selkirk rolls to win

Selkirk had a good time on their roadtrip to Inchelium, playing well on both ends of the court to get a 63-33 win over the Hornets.

The Rangers held their hosts under ten points in all but the second quarter while the offense did its part to outpace the Hornets in every quarter to establish an insurmountable lead and pull off the large win.

Ryan Zimmerman and Jay Link led the Rangers (10-5, 8-0) with 19 and 12, respectively. Justin Krabbenhoft added another 10 in the win for Selkirk.

Next up for Selkirk is a home game against Cusick Jan. 24 tipping off at 7:30 p.m.

Northport drops home game

Northport ran into a buzzsaw in their Tuesday night matchup with a good Cusick squad, losing the game 75-33.

Cusick built up a 15 point lead after the first to take control. Northport looked to regain their footing in the second, playing the Panthers to a 12-12 tie keeping things from getting out of hands before the half. However, Cusick came out on fire in the third and never looked back on the way to the win.

Jacob Corcoran led the Mustangs (1-9, 1-5) in scoring on the night with 13 points.

Northport next hosts Curlew Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m.




Springdale gets road loss

Springdale was looking good as they rolled to a nice halftime lead, but the game turned into a tale of two halves Tuesday night against Wilbur-Creston sending the traveling Chargers home with a 56-43 loss.

The Chargers got out to the fast start with a 13-8 opening frame and pushing the lead to eight by the end of two. The halftime reset seemed to do the hosting Wildcats good as the team erased the halftime deficit to send the game into the fourth all tied up at 36. The fourth saw much of the same from Wilbur-Creston, pushing them to the win.

Springdale (5-8, 0-0) hosts St. John-Endicott Jan. 24 beginning at 5:30 p.m.

ODD COUPLE: Center for the Arts getting a bit odd

ODD COUPLE: Center for the Arts getting a bit odd

(BRANDON HANSEN/Chewelah Independent)

The cast of the Park Avenue Players’ production of “The Odd Couple” is ready for the curtain to rise on Friday. (Brandon Hansen photo)

THE ODD COUPLE: Park Avenue Players’ Odd Couple finishes up this weekend at Center for the Arts…

A few years ago, Park Avenue Players head director Cheri Freeman had planned on doing “The Odd Couple” but had the issue of not enough actors turning out for auditions.

Now, first-time director Deanna Barnes is putting on the classic that has been on the stage, television and a major motion picture. It opened January 17, featuring many local actors, at the Chewelah Center for the Arts.

“When I decided to broaden my horizons as a director, I was looking online for ideas,” Barnes said. “I remembered Cheri mentioning she had plans in directing the upcoming spring show that was prominently female actors, I thought about directing one that required mostly male actors.”

More

WRESTLING WEDNESDAYS: Lots of NE Washington wrestlers ranked in top ten

WRESTLING WEDNESDAYS: Lots of NE Washington wrestlers ranked in top ten

(BRANDON HANSEN/Chewelah Independent)

Chewelah’s Kaden Krouse is ranked No. 1 at 182 pounds in the 2B state rankings. (File photo)

You’d better be gearing up for a NE Washington-heavy Mat Classic…

Northeastern Washington continues to be jam-packed with state-ranked wrestlers. Chewelah is ranked No. 2 as a team in the 2B ranks and overall, the invidiual rankings from Washington Wrestling Report have a lot of local kids.

Tonasket is the leading team in the 2B ranks, but Chewelah is No. 2 after finishing third at state last season.

At 126 pounds, Springdale junior Matthew Hess is ranked No. 4 after placing sixth at state last year. At the same weight class, Selkirk’s Porter Carmen, a sophomore, is ranked No. 6 More

Case of 2019 novel coronavirus confirmed in Washington state resident

Case of 2019 novel coronavirus confirmed in Washington state resident

(PRESS RELEASE/Washington State Department of Health)

Outbreak began in China, US patient is currently being observed at Providence in Everett…

Today the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) confirmed a case of 2019 novel coronavirus [ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ ] (2019-nCoV) in a Snohomish County resident. While the risk to the general public is low, DOH is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Snohomish Health District to identify and contact all those who may have come in contact with the infected traveler. These individuals will be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms.

As our team of experts partners with infectious disease specialists locally, nationally and around the globe to learn more about the 2019 novel coronavirus, our first priority remains public safety, said Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman. We believe the risk to the public is low. And as this situation evolves, we will continue to communicate with the CDC, Snohomish County and the public. More

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