Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
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As you sit at home watching video footage of the wildfires currently burning in California, it makes you wonder could happen here. Well, yes, it could. As California goes, so goes Washington. Our state politicians and bureaucrats in Olympia have a long history of copying California. Our politicos have gotten so lazy, they've even sponsored, supported, pushed and/or passed laws that say if California enacts a policy, Washington state will follow (cap and trade, vehicle emissions, gas-powered...
Unemployment benefits were implemented under the Social Security Act off 1935 to help workers who become involuntarily employed. The idea was that businesses would be taxed to pay for unemployment benefits for former employees who were fired, laid off or otherwise lose their job due to business closures and other decisions beyond their control. The funds would be paid on a limited basis and for a limited time period while a worker actively searched for a new job. A worker who quit and walked off the job or who voluntarily decided not to work...
ROSALIA - Residents packed the main gymnasium at Rosalia High School on Dec. 18 for the 2024 Winter Concert. The hour-long performance kicked off with youngsters singing Christmas songs and culminated with the high school band performing for the first time in two years. Teacher Payton Ritchy directed the program featuring students from all grade levels. The youngest students sang "Snowman Can't March" and "Snowman Jump," while first- and second-graders sang "Dancer and Prancer." Third- and...
The question of whether boys should be participating in girls sports in our state may finally be addressed by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association next spring. Among proposed amendments to the organization’s athletic code are proposed rule amendments that relating to so-called “transgender” competitors. The proposals will be introduced to the 53-member assembly during its annual meeting Jan. 27. One amendment would limit participation in girls sport to “students assigned female...
ODESSA — An irrigation contractor and Inland Power and Light Co. were exonerated last week by a jury in a civil lawsuit over failed systems. After a five-day trial and four hours of deliberations, a Lincoln County Superior Court jury in Davenport found in favor of Inland Power and Light Co.; not-for-profit Mitchell, Lewis and Staver Co.; and Foremost Pump and Well Services. The two companies and the not-for-profit agency were defendants in a lawsuit filed by Walter Family Grain Growers Inc., owned by Colley Walter. Walter had sued claiming a b...
On Saturday, Dec. 7, I had the enjoyment of attending my daughter’s graduation from University of Idaho. As a father, I enjoyed kicking back in the stands and watching the next Harnack generation matriculate. And, as you would expect, I was as proud as any dad in the crowd. Aside from being Dad and enjoying the fanfare and Pomp and Circumstance, however, one part of the ceremony didn’t sit well with me — the push for so-called “DEI,” or diversity, equity and inclusion. As I crossed the campus headed to the ceremony, the push for DEI became ev...
Ah, Thanksgiving. Turkey, cranberries, pumpkin pie and family. It’s a time to give thanks and celebrate family traditions. But not if you’re glued to a cellphone. As adults, it’s time to set an example and put those devices away. Spend time with your family partaking in long-standing traditions or creating new ones. There’s no need to be spending the day surfing social media. Instead, enjoy real social media with family and friends. Talk together, eat together, enjoy each other’s company. You have a lot to be thankful for, and Thursday...
PASCO — State Attorney General candidate Pete Serrano is keeping his spirits high as he watches ballots return over the next several days in the Nov. 5 general election. Early returns Tuesday night, showed Serrano trailing Nick Brown; the two are vying to replace Bob Ferguson, who is running for governor. The unofficial early tally showed Brown with 1,412,902 votes (56.47%) and Serrano with 1,087,107 (43.45%). Brown was leading in 10 counties; Serrano in 28, including 19 of the 20 in Eastern Washington. At press time, Chelan County had yet t...
Four measures on the Nov. 5 general election could make a difference in your lifestyle and your wallet. Here’s what you need to keep in mind when you cast your ballot: Initiative 2066 This initiative would repeal regulations that attack your ability to use nature gas use dryers, stoves, heating systems and more in your home and business. It would also restrict government agencies from implementing policies and programs that promote the use of electric appliances over natural gas. The measure c...
TEKOA - The Timberwolves boys football team took an early lead Friday afternoon, Oct. 18, over visiting Dayton, but frustration and a late penalty opened the door for the Bulldogs to take a Southeast 1B victory home. The Bulldogs then held on to win, 34-26, over host Tekoa-Rosalia. The Timberwolves opened scoring when senior quarterback Westley Bryan ran off-guard and up the sideline 47 yards for a touchdown with 9:21 left in the first quarter. Bryan then completed a pass to junior Brian Place...
Motorists in Washington state are sometimes handing over hundreds of dollars for licensing of their vehicle, but only receiving paper plates in return. According to an Aug. 28 legislative report, the state is had a backlog of at least 230,000 standard license plate orders, 10,000 specialty orders and 5,000 personal vanity orders. More than 20 counties (30 counties now) statewide are out of or nearly out of license plates. Still, the state is collecting money for plates it cannot provide as of...
It’s a bit premature to say the bell tolls for community newspapers. Sure, big city media printing the same diatribe you see on television is declining. (That’s because the city media moguls have forgotten their place in society.) And sure, with the Googles of the world, cellphones and social media have impacted our advertising, which, by the way is how we pay our bills. But in our community newspapers, we haven’t forgotten our place. Our reporters shop in the same stores, eat in the same restaurants and attend the same community functions as y...
PASCO —With less than 30 days to go in the Nov. 5 general election, a county auditor and state representative want to intervene in an effort to sweep away the constitutional residency requirement to vote. Franklin County Auditor Matt Beaton of Pasco and 19th Legislative District Rep. Jim Walsh of Aberdeen, both Republicans, are seeking to require to state elections officials to follow the state Constitution or go about a legal change to the constitution. At issue is the unilateral decision by Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, King County A...
DAVENPORT - The Gorillas drew first blood, but the Bulldogs answered the next three times to win a Northeast 2B football game Friday, Sept. 27. The Colfax Bulldogs topped the Davenport Gorillas, 33-13. The Gorillas marched down the field on their first possession of the game, with 5-foot-10 junior running back punching the ball in on Davenport's first possession to take a 6-0 lead. Colfax responded on the Bulldog's next two possessions on the running of senior John Largent, passing of Ryker...
There’s a disturbing trend among tax-payer funded agencies that needs to be nipped in the bud. If you haven’t noticed, public agencies like hospital and utility districts, school boards, city councils, and others have been taking steps to insulate — dare I say isolate — elected board members from the public. Have a concern about something in your local school district? Don’t like a utility rate increase? Want to know if your local public hospital is making a profit? Have questions about city taxes and fees? As a state resident, taxpayer...
You shouldn’t be surprised the state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council last week voted to accept a site application for construction of more wind turbines atop Horse Heaven Hills. It’s all part of Gov. Jay Inslee and his financial supporters plan to breach our dams and replace them with unsightly, unpopular and unreliable wind power. The council was pushed by Gov. Jay Inslee, who didn’t like the fact Tri-Citians outright rejected his plan to supplant dams with the unsightly wind turbines on Horse Heaven Hills. Local roadblocks to his plan...
RITZVILLE – The 9th Legislative District senator pleaded not guilty Thursday, Sept. 12, on a charge of driving while under the influence of alcohol. But Adams County District Court Judge Andrea K. Russell determined there was probable cause for the charge against 67-year-old Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville. She scheduled him to appear before her again Oct. 8 in the 210 W. Broadway Ave. courthouse Schoesler was released on his own recognizance to a family member following his Aug. 31 arrest by citation at the Wheat Land Communities’ Fai...
PULLMAN — The largest community event of the year will fill downtown this weekend with classic cars, a parade, games, vendors and more. Sprague Days is set for Friday and Saturday, Sept. 14 and 15. “Sprague is a safe little community,” spokeswoman Joy Wilken said. “Bring your kids; they can run around and be in the parade. It’s good, old-fashioned family fun.” The festivities kick off with the arrival of classic cars and motorcycles registering for the Renegade Restorations Car and Bike Show downtown, as well as the start of the Disk Dogs e...
School Districts in Eastern Washington are again starting to see boys and girls differently, especially when it comes to sports. The Kennewick School Board got the ball rolling back in July, following boys participation and victories in girls track events. Only a month or two before, a Methow Valley boy won a girls event in Cashmere, claiming he is “transgender.” Then an East Valley boy also competing under the transgender caveat, beat a West Valley girl to win the girls state 2A title in the...
RITZVILLE — Sen. Mark Schoesler will be arraigned Thursday, Sept. 12, on a charge of driving while under the influence. Schoesler’s hearing before Adams County District Court Judge Andrea K. Russell is set for 9:30 a.m. in the Adams County Courthouse, 210 W. Broadway Ave. During arraignment, the judge will determine if there is probable cause for the criminal citation and whether the senator qualifies for a public defense attorney. The judge will also advise Sen. Schoesler of his rights. Schoesler, R-Ritzville, represents the 9th Leg...
RITZVILLE – The 9th Legislative District senator pleaded not guilty Thursday, Sept. 12, on a charge of driving while under the influence of alcohol. But Adams County District Court Judge Andrea K. Russell determined there was probable cause for the charge against 67-year-old Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville. She schedule him to appear before her again Oct. 8 in the 210 W. Broadway Ave. courthouse. In the meantime, he is prohibited from using alcohol, marijuana or other non-prescription drugs, t...
RITZVILLE — The local 9th Legislative District senator was released on his own recognizance Saturday night, Aug. 31, after being arrested for allegedly driving drunk and hitting two other vehicles. Sen. Mark Schoesler, 67, of Ritzville, was arrested by citation for driving while under the influence of alcohol following the Saturday night performance of the Ritzville Rodeo. According to Police Chief Dave McCormick, he had a blood-alcohol level of 0.14 at the time of his arrest. The citation will be referred to Adams County District Court, which...
Schools across the region are tackling the issue of cellphone addiction among students, at least while on campus. Well, maybe tackling the addiction is a bit strong. Let’s just say school boards here in Eastern Washington and elsewhere are finally taking action to keep phones out of students’ hands in classrooms. At issue in many districts is whether cell phones should be allowed in class, at lunch, on buses or even on campus. It’s a no-brainer — the short answer is no. Cellphone-addicted students are more focused on taking a “selfie” than they...
RITZVILLE — The local 9th Legislative District senator was released on his own recognizance Saturday night, Aug. 31, after being arrested for allegedly driving drunk and hitting another vehicle twice. Sen. Mark Schoesler, 67, of Ritzville, was arrested by citation for driving while under the influence of alcohol following the Saturday night performance of the Ritzville Rodeo. According to Police Chief Dave McCormick, he had a blood-alcohol level of 0.14 at the time of his arrest. The citation wi...
Under outgoing Gov. Jay Inslee, the state has been greenwashing just about everything it can. What is greenwashing? It’s the act of using false or misleading claims that an action will have a positive impact on the environment. This November, voters will have an opportunity to undo some of the greenwashing done by the Inslee Administration and state agencies. Two initiatives on the ballot are designed to restrict government agencies from continuing policies that have little-to-no environmental benefit and help curtail new ones from being e...
