Franklin Connection - Serving Franklin County, WA

PASCO — The Feb. 14 special election is under way. The Franklin County Auditor's Office mailed ballots to eligible voters Tuesday, Jan. 24. Anyone who is not currently registered to vote in Washington State can still register... — Updated 1/27/2023

VERNITA — A Pasco man was hospitalized Thursday, Jan. 26, following a crash that killed another driver. The Washington State Patrol is withholding the name, age and hometown of the driver pending notification of next of kin.... — Updated 1/27/2023

OLYMPIA — A Pierce County senator has introduced the Parents Bill of Rights” bill designed to give parents more control over the raising their children in the face of increasing government overreach. “Parents know what is... — Updated 1/27/2023

RITZVILLE — Ratepayers power bills are going to get a little more expensive this year. Big Bend Electric Cooperative announced last week that its customers are going to see a rate increase effective April 1. The average 5%... — Updated 1/26/2023

RITZVILLE — A local lawmaker has introduced legislation to create the Washington State Commission on Boys and Men to address the well-being of boys and men across. “There are many issues that impact men and boys. Yet, there... — Updated 1/26/2023

OLYMPIA — Recreational retention fishing for white sturgeon on two sections of the Columbia River mainstem will close over the next week, fishery managers from Oregon and Washington announced Tuesday. The Dalles Pool (between... — Updated 1/27/2023

OLYMPIA — The state Department of Fish and Wildlife is taking public comment on an environmental analysis of a plan to manage eulachon — commonly known as smelt — in the Columbia River basin. Eulachon are a small forage... — Updated 1/27/2023

RITZVILLE — A Hunter Educational course will be offered Jan. 30-Feb. 2. The classroom portion of the program will take place at the Washington State University Extension Office, 205 W. Main Ave., from 5-8:30 p.m. After... — Updated 1/26/2023

RITZVILLE — The Bronco girls basketball team closed out the year with two wins the week before Christmas. The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague/Washtucna/Harrington girls dunked Columbia (Burbank), 48-32, on Tuesday, Dec. 20, and edged... — Updated 12/29/2022

HATTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is considering a grant award to a local company to expand fertilizer production. Perfect Blend, LLC, manufactures organic plant food at its 771 Kulm Road location northwest of Hatton.... — Updated 1/27/2023

RITZVILLE — Dryland wheat producers will meet Jan. 24 to hear presentations from a number of speakers. The producer meeting runs from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the American Legion hall, 106 W. Broadway Ave. The program includes... — Updated 1/26/2023

CENTRAL FERRY — The U.S. government has reached an agreement with a rancher accused of allowing his cattle to trespass on federally managed lands along the Snake River. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of... — Updated 12/29/2022

When Americans go to the polls, we most often don’t know who or what we are voting for. We have little knowledge of candidates or of history, problems our founding fathers and mothers did not have. Our ancestors read serious... — Updated 1/27/2023

You’ve heard it said in the Pacific Northwest that, during the winter, we see a long stretch of bleak weather followed by a temporary rise in temperatures around mid-January, a “false winter” as it is sometimes called.... — Updated 1/26/2023

The legislative session is in full swing, which means a lot of lawmakers are interested in picking winners and losers. Instead of creating equal opportunities, an equality of outcome is being sought. The Washington Future Fund,... — Updated 1/26/2023

As the dawn of a new year approaches, it is important to pause and take stock of ourselves, and of the many mercies and comforts we enjoy. After all, “Gratitude,” Cicero said, “is not the greatest of the virtues, it is the... — Updated 12/29/2022