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Articles written by Joy Wilken


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  • Fraser named Sprague Citizen of the Year

    Joy Wilken, Special to The Record-Times|Updated Jan 25, 2024

    SPRAGUE - The local Chamber of Commerce awarded local man John Fraser the title of 2023 Citizen of the Year at the Chamber's Annual Meeting Monday, Jan. 15. Fraser's community service accolades are expansive. He spends several days per week picking up food donated to Feed Sprague and Manna Monday Meals, has occasionally volunteered to cook for Manna Mondays, picks up donated clothes and Meals on Wheels for community members in Sprague and Lamont and hauls refuse to Gina...

  • Viking eatery survives challenges

    Joy Wilken, Special to The Record-Times|Updated Jan 17, 2024

    SPRAGUE - Two local women have combined their efforts over the last five years to keep a restaurant open in the wake of COVID-related shutdown mandates and challenges finding employees. Sheila Martin and sister-in-law Linda Johnston took over The Viking Drive-Inn in 2019, following the death of Martin's husband, Gary Martin. You can find them at the 209 E. Fourth St. restaurant daily. Sister Barb Shafer also helps with the business. The biggest challenge since the end of the...

  • Kathy's Market gets new life

    Joy Wilken, Special to The Record-Times|Updated Dec 7, 2023

    SPRAGUE – Kathy's Market has been revitalized. Raj Singh purchased the grocery story in December 2022. At the time, the store had a considerable amount of old inventory and dusty shelves and little produce. But Singh has been in the grocery business for 14 years and understood the upgrades it would need. He owns three other markets: Jim's Market in Lind, a grocery store in Mansfield and a convenience store and gas station in Spokane Valley. Singh's first steps were to hire l...

  • Balfe named grand marshal

    Joy Wilken, Special to The Record-Times|Updated Aug 31, 2023

    SPRAGUE - A lifelong resident has been named grand marshal for the 2023 Sprague Days Parade. Bernie Balfe, 77, was selected for the honor by the Sprague Chamber of Commerce. He will preside over this year's Sprague Days, set for Sept. 9-10. Sprague Days includes a Car and Bike Show, music and entertainment, a beer garden and the parade in which Balfe will preside. Balfe was raised in Sprague and graduated high school here in 1963. Balfe spent his whole life in Sprague, other t...

  • Locals celebrate Sprague Days

    Joy Wilken, Special to The Record-Times|Updated Sep 30, 2022

    SPRAGUE – The annual Sprague Days celebration here was held Sept. 10-11. The weather was nice, and the parade was one of the longest in years for the event sponsored by the city and local Chamber of Commerce. The car & bike show brought many from out of town. there were many vendors who offered a great variety of products for sale. The style show included several locals and past royalty to entertain the pleased crowd. Live music kept toes tapping and the free games for kids h...

  • Sharps named Sprague Days Grand Marshals

    Joy Wilken, Special to The Record-Times|Updated Aug 19, 2022

    SPRAGUE-- Dick and Claudette Sharp have been announced as the 2022 Grand Marshal for the Sprague Days Parade, which will be Saturday, Sept. 10. Dick Sharp was born and raised in Sprague, graduating from the high school in 1967. He worked for the Sprague Advocate and later was hired by a newspaper in Tri-Cities where he moved to for a year before returning to work for John Deere dealers in Spokane, Cheney and Sprague. He also worked for several area farmers over the years...