Double J Dog Ranch received a tidal wave of publicity on Super Bowl Sunday 2019, when “Bumble,” a special needs puppy, was named MVP of Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl XV.
But Bumble is just one of hundreds of incredible stories originating out of Double J Dog Ranch, a rescue and re-home sanctuary for special needs dogs in jeopardy of euthanasia. For some, the ranch offer hospice care and a great life on the 50-acre Hauser Lake ranch. For many others, Double J is the springboard into a new, loving home.
Cristene Justus is the founder of Double J Dog Ranch. The dogs experience a home environment and receive care from a dedicated team of professionals, including health care, nutrition and behavior. One of Double J’s raving fans and health care partners is Ponti Veterinary Hospital.
Cristene Justus (second from right) and two of her Double J dogs with members of the Ponti team
“The mission of Double J Dog Ranch is so close to our hearts at Ponti,” Dr. Jerry Ponti said. “Our region is so fortunate to have an advocate like Cristene and the team at Double J Dog Ranch. As Cristene likes to say, these special needs dogs don’t realize they are special needs. So many homes in this area and across the country have had their lives enriched by taking in incredible pets that were literally saved by Double J Dog Ranch.”
Who helps write your story? It’s the people you meet. The places you travel. Where you live, work and play. BECU is a credit union helping write the stories of its members.
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We’re also helping write the story of your community. See us partnering with the 4News Now Extreme Team, building a new canine rescue, making the wish of a child come true, and lighting up the holidays for children at Sacred Heart Hospital. Cheer for Coug Country, knowing WSU college students learn real-world budgeting through our sponsorship of Cougar Money Matters.
Where can we take you? At BECU, a new page is waiting.
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Customers of the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District will be required to annually hire a Washington State-certifed Backflow Assembly Tester to verify all residential, multifamily and commercial connections are protecting the customer and community’s water supply.
The importance of backflow plays a vital role in events such as the November 2019 boil order. The District determined that one possible cause was from fall sprinkler blowouts. However, prior to the boil order, LLSWD was in the process of strengthening the existing backflow program to roll out in 2020. The official language was adopted via resolution by the Board of Commissioners in January 2020.
“We have always prided ourselves on being one of the very few non-chlorinated water systems in the area, and we want to remain one,” LLSWD General Manager BiJay Adams said. “In order to do that, we need adequate protections of our system. The main component of that is stringent backflow protection.”
The test itself can only be performed by a Washington State-certified Backflow Assembly Tester, and a list is available on the District website. Many irrigation companies are certified and may include this service as part of a spring system startup. Prices vary, but the average cost is around $45.
Upon receiving a passing test, the certified tester will submit results to the LLSWD. Adams said notices of the testing requirement will be included with monthly bills in April, May and June. If the District doesn’t receive a backflow test report by June 30, the District will shut off water service, which includes a shut-off fee, until a test report is received. The requirements for backflow testing will go into full effect in 2021. This allows one year for customers to install or repair backflow devices.
The hope is not just to avoid another boil order, but protect residents from bacteria, pesticides or any other contaminants entering the customer’s water service or public water system.
“These tests ensure the water system is properly protected and that you and your neighbors continue to receive safe drinking water,” Adams said.
To administer the program and provide education to customers, LLSWD hired Cody Riggs as Cross Connection Control Specialist. With questions, contact the District at backflow@libertylake.org or 922-5443. More information is also available here.
Improvements 2020
ESLLIC PHASE 2 LLSWD consolidated with the East Side Liberty Lake Improvement Club in 2016, and a first phase to bring that water system to standard was completed in 2018. An 83 percent forgivable award of $2.2 million was granted by the Washington State Department of Health in 2019, funding work this year to construct 3,538 feet of water main and improve 37 service connections, mostly along Neyland Avenue. Outside funding sources mean LLSWD customers are not paying for any portion of this project or the Greenridge project below.
GREENRIDGE SYSTEM After LLSWD formalized a water system consolidation with the Greenridge Homeowners Association in 2019, it immediately sought funding to help make improvements to the water system. Phase 1 improvements include a new 141,000-gallon reservoir (constructed in 2019) as well as modifications to the existing booster station and construction of new water main, with work continuing in 2020. The project is being paid for by a $2.7 million grant from the Washington State Department of Health.