September 14, 2024

  • Senator pleads not guilty to DUI

    Roger Harnack, Franklin Connection | Sep 12, 2024

    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...

  • Othello man indicted in federal court

    Roger Harnack, Franklin Connection | Sep 11, 2024

    OTHELLO – A local man accused of tampering with odometers made hist first appearance Monday, Sept. 9, in U.S. District Court in Spokane. Reynaldo Valdez Garza Jr., 52, of Othello, was charged with five counts of odometer tampering following a federal grand jury indictment Sept. 4. Garza was initially arrested by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office on March 5 for second-degree deception and disconnecting, resetting or reversing odometers and booked into the Franklin County Jail. The indictment alleges Garza acquired...

  • Fire near Othello

    Franklin Connection | Sep 11, 2024

    Despite the quick response of Adams County Fire District No. 5 crews, a fire destroyed buildings in the 1600 block of Fielding Lane last week. More than one building was destroyed. The cause of the blaze has yet to be...

  • Beaton cleared of alleged wrongdoing

    Roger Harnack, Franklin Connection | Sep 11, 2024

    PASCO - Franklin County Auditor Matt Beaton has been cleared of any wrongdoing following a "politically motivated investigation." Attorney Scott W. Johnson of Johnson & Orr in Richland confirmed in a press release Sept. 6 that Snohomish County Special Prosecutor Elise Deschenes rendered an independent decision finding no violation of the law. Records show the investigation was launched by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office in coordination with Mike Gonzalez, who previously...

  • Arraignment set for senator

    Roger Harnack, The Journal | Sep 11, 2024

    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...

  • Meeting slated to discuss rural issues

    Franklin Connection | Sep 3, 2024

    CHENEY — A town hall-style meeting with state attorney general candidate Pasco Mayor Pete Serrano and Let’s Go Washington spokesman Brian Heywood will take place Sept. 7. The free event will take place in the Wren Pierson Community Center, 615 Fourth St. It opens with a coffee meet-and-greet at 10 a.m., with a 90-minute program exploring rural environmental policies beginning at 10:30 a.m. Serrano is the leading candidate for state attorney general and Heywood organized the effort behind seven initiatives, three which...

  • Pet Rescue raises goal in 24 hours

    Olivia Harnack, Franklin Connection | Sep 3, 2024

    OTHELLO — Adams County Pet Rescue raised $600 more than its goal in less than 24 hours earlier this month. The shelter faced an unexpected challenge when its commercial washing machine broke down after six years of constant use, officials said. The washing machine ran almost nonstop to meet the laundry needs of the 100 dogs housed at the shelter daily. A replacement cost $5,000, but Pet Rescue doesn’t have that kind of cash on hand. So, it turned to the community for help, launching a GoFundMe campaign online. “It’s...

  • Sen. Schoesler arrested for DUI

    Roger Harnack, Franklin Connection | Sep 4, 2024

    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...

  • 127 years ago, murderer petitions for freedom

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette | Aug 28, 2024

    WASHTUCNA — A petition seeking the release of Henry Bley from the Washington State Penitentiary was filed 127 years ago, regarding the infamous double-homicide of the Moritz brothers. According to the Weekly Commoner, a predecessor to the Whitman County Gazette newspaper in Colfax, dated Friday, Aug. 20, 1897, Bley, who had been imprisoned for nine years, was connected to the infamous Moritz brothers’ murders, and filed a petition for his freedom. “This piece of criminal history is highlighted by the vigorous efforts...

  • Adams County voters prefer Republicans

    Roger Harnack, Ritzville Adams County Journal | Aug 15, 2024

    RITZVILLE — With almost all late-arriving ballots already counted, election results show a voter turnout of 31.07% in Adams County. According to Adams County Elections Department figures, 2,522 ballots have been counted in Adams County; 8,117 were mailed to registered voters in 29 precincts. Local voters favored Republicans in statewide races mostly won by Democrats in Western Washington. In the U.S. Senate race, Dr. Raul Garcia, a Republican from Toppenish, was the top vote-getter here, receiving 1,042 votes. Incumbent...

  • Highway 26 roadwork slated

    Franklin Connection | Aug 8, 2024

    HATTON — Motorists traveling on state Highway 26 can expect delays due to chip sealing over the next two weeks in Adams and Grant counties. The work is planned for two stretches of the rural highway. One stretch is from Highway 26 Milepost 61 near the U.S. Highway 395-state Highway 26 interchange to Milepost 43 just east of Othello. The other stretch is from Milepost 31 near Royal City to the Interstate 90 junction near Vantage. Work on the Othello-to-Hatton stretch is scheduled for Aug. 12-14. Work on the...

  • Voters rejecting fire district levy

    Olivia Harnack, Franklin Connection | Aug 7, 2024

    PASCO — Franklin County Fire Protection District No. 3 Proposition No. 1 has been rejected by voters in the primary election held on Tuesday, August 6. The proposition, which sought to authorize a single-year permanent levy lid lift to increase the property tax rate to $1.28 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for the year 2024, received 529 votes in favor, or 44.72%, and 654 votes against, or 55.28%. The measure would have used the amount of the levy collected in 2025 as a base for calculating levy limits in subsequent...

  • Baumgartner leads 5th Congressional field

    Roger Harnack, Franklin Connection | Aug 6, 2024

    SPOKANE — A perennial local politician is leading in the Tuesday, Aug. 6, primary election race for the 5th Congressional District seat being vacated by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers. At the end of the first day of counting, Spokane Republican Michael Baumgartner had a commanding lead with 29,892 votes. Spokane Democrat Marla Conroy was in second place with 20,938 votes. Baumgartner won most of the counties in the southeast portion of the district, but the lion's share of his support — 21,429 ballots, or 71.69% of his...

  • Sessler leads Newhouse in 4th Congressional District

    Roger Harnack, Franklin Connection | Aug 6, 2024

    SUNNYSIDE - The last Republican congressman who voted to impeach President Donald J. Trump in 2021 has survived his second primary challenge. But Dan Newhouse of Sunnyside isn't atop the Republican ticket this time in the 4th Congressional District. After the initial count in the Tuesday, Aug. 6, general election, Newhouse - who has been censured by Republican committees districtwide - looks like he'll finish a distant second. NASCAR racer Jerrod Sessler, who is endorsed by...

  • Dr. Garcia advances in Senate race

    Roger Harnack, Franklin Connection | Aug 6, 2024

    TOPPENISH — A local doctor and former gubernatorial candidate appears headed to the Nov. 5 general election in his bid to be the state's newest U.S. Senator. In the Tuesday, Aug. 6, primary election, unofficial results show Republican Dr. Raul Garcia trailing incumbent Democrat Maria Cantwell, 212,439 votes to 578,629, respectively. The two candidates top a field of more than 10 vying for the position. Only the Top 2 advance to the general election. Here are the initial results of the first night of ballot counting: Mel...

  • Schmick leads District 9 legislative race

    Teresa Simpson, Franklin Connection | Aug 6, 2024

    COLFAX - Incumbent 9th District Representative Joe Schmick is leading in the race for a 9th Legislative District House seat in the Tuesday, Aug. 6, primary election. Early results showed he had 15,094 votes statewide. In Whitman County, his home county, Schmick has 3,373 votes out of 5,861 counted as of press time. "I want to thank all the voters in the primary," Schmick said, "I appreciate their support. I think there's still work to be done, and when I'm talking to folks,...

  • Other statewide election results reported

    Franklin Connection | Aug 6, 2024

    OLYMPIA — In addition to gubernatorial and attorney general races, several other statewide executive offices were on the Tuesday, Aug. 6, primary election ballot. Here are other preliminary results, with ballot counting expected to continue over the next two weeks: Lieutenant Governor Patrick Harman 27,440 David Griffin 90,325 Bob Hagglund 163,861 Dan Matthews 220,912 Denny Heck 477,731 Secretary of State Marquez Tiggs 93,926 Dale Whitaker 364,132 Damon Townsend 45,760 Steve Hobbs 484,861 Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti...

  • Ferguson, Reichert look to advance

    Roger Harnack, Franklin Connection | Aug 7, 2024

    OLYMPIA - Given Washington's recent political history, it's no surprise that Democrat Bob Ferguson is leading all candidates in the gubernatorial race to replace outgoing Gov. Jay Inslee. But former King County deputy-turned-politician Dave Reichert's apparent second-place finish, may be a surprise. Earlier this year, the Republican Party rejected Reichert and instead endorsed Semi Bird of Richland for governor. In the initial count of ballots in the Tuesday, Aug. 6, primary...

  • Serrano headed to general election for state attorney general

    Roger Harnack, Franklin Connection | Aug 6, 2024

    PASCO - A prominent local attorney and community leader is headed to the November general election for Secretary of State. At the end of ballot counting in the Tuesday, Aug. 6, primary election, Pete Serrano of Pasco led the three-candidate field. "I am incredibly honored by your support tonight," Serrano said after the initial tally. "Your vote has made it clear that public safety is a top priority for Washingtonians. I am deeply grateful to my team, our volunteers, and...

  • Mullen, Bauman lead

    Roger Harnack, Franklin Connection | Aug 6, 2024

    PASCO — Despite political efforts to prevent two incumbent Franklin County Commissioners from retaining their seats, both are leading in the initial count of the Tuesday, Aug. 6, priamry election. In the race for the Franklin County Commissioner District No. 1 seat, incumbent Stephen Bauman looks like he's headed to the general election at the top of the ticket. Bauman collected 1,804 votes in the initial primary count Tuesday. Challen ger Caleb Atkins looks to likely finish second with 1,339 early votes. Paul L. Frenzel...

  • Newhouse collects more than opponents

    Roger Harnack, Franklin Connection | Aug 5, 2024

    OTHELLO — Despite being censured by 4th Congressional District Republicans, incumbent Dan Newhouse has more money in his campaign accounts than the challengers seeking to unseat him. Newhouse, whose district still includes the western portion of Adams County, is the last Republican who voted to impeach President Donald J. Trump remaining in congress. As of Monday, the Sunnyside man running as “prefers Republican,” had collected $1,522,916.36 in his campaign fund. Challenger Tiffany Smiley, a Pasco Republican, reported...

  • Game officials to wear cameras

    Franklin Connection | Sep 3, 2024

    OLYMPIA – Smile, you’re on body camera. Beginning in September, 152 state Department of Fish and Wildlife law enforcement officers will be wearing body cameras to improve accountability and transparency, according to department officials. Game wardens who are commissioned law enforcement officers will be wearing the cameras, as will others with law enforcement certification. The cameras cost $915,000, officials said, noting the money was allocated by the Legislature during the 2023-25 supplemental operating budget...

  • Thank you for your Servais

    Dale Anderson | Aug 28, 2024

    Coaches and Managers at the professional level at least are basically hired on a temporary basis as firings are commonplace if things don’t go so well. Let’s face facts, it is much easier to fire a manager or coach than it is to fire the whole team. I know a few teams that a general manager put together and there was no way any head man could find success with the crew that went onto the field of play. Last Friday, Seattle Mariners’ General Manager Jerry Dipoto fired...

  • Sports Briefs

    Franklin Connection | Sep 3, 2024

    Women’s basketball earns WBCA Honor ATLANTA, Ga. — In a season of historic success on the court, Eastern Washington women’s basketball maintained its elite level in the classroom. Eastern earned a Special Mention on the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association honor roll. To qualify for the WBCA honor roll special mention, a team must have a 3.0 combined grade-point average. Teams also must be nominated for the honor by their head coach, who must be a WBCA member. The Eagles carried a 3.42 cumulative GPA for the...

  • An interesting fall

    Dale Anderson | Aug 28, 2024

    The temperatures are beginning to be more reasonable which will be helpful for the start of high school football today (Wednesday). The weight rooms have been busy, hopefully, as athletes prepare for their fall camp practices. There is always a lot of anxiety and positivity especially if the returning team has a great deal of experience. There are always several schools that graduated much of their team and it is back to the drawing board about how to fill those key spots...

  • Honesty is best

    Dale Anderson | Aug 15, 2024

    A few days ago, I was thinking about a guy that had been hired at a place where I worked years ago. What is interesting about this guy is how he could involve himself in almost any conversation. It seems that this guy did it all. As we listened, it became quite clear that this guy had trouble keeping a job because he couldn’t tell the truth. This guy was in his early 30s, yet he had already driven over one million miles as a long-haul trucker. When someone asked what I did...

  • Chism among East-West Shrine prospects

    Paul Delaney, Franklin Connection | Aug 6, 2024

    TAMPA, Fla. - Going into his final season at Eastern Washington, Efton Chism III is getting used to the national attention. Chism was included in the East-West Shrine Bowl's top 1,000 NFL prospects in the lead up to the 2024 college football season. The list intends to highlight the best players who are both eligible for the annual all-star game and ready for the NFL. The East-West Shrine Bowl is scheduled for January 30, 2025 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with 130...

  • Drought loan assistance available

    Franklin Connection | Sep 3, 2024

    OTHELLO — While Adams county has not been designated as a natural disaster due to drought this year, some local farmers may still be eligible for emergency loan assistance from the USDA Farm Service Agency. Six counties — Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, Okanogan and Skagit — were designated as primary natural disaster areas due to drought this year. Farmers in those counties — and contiguous counties — may be eligible for assistance. That means farmers in Adams, Franklin and Lincoln Counties may be eligible for...

  • Schools opposing 'gender identity' rules

    Roger Harnack, Franklin Connection | Sep 11, 2024

    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...

  • Repeal punitive payroll tax

    Elizabeth New, Washington Policy Center | Sep 11, 2024

    All the increased costs Washingtonians experienced during the past year were accompanied by a $1.3-billion hit on workers’ paychecks. The widespread pay decrease in Washington state was compliments of a new payroll tax that began in 2023 to fund a program called WA Cares. In a recent meeting, the Employment Security Department told the Long-Term Security and Supports Trust Commission not to get used to higher-than-expected income, in case wage and employment information...

  • COVID progam wasting funds

    Elizabeth New, Washington Policy Center | Sep 3, 2024

    Do you have expired COVID-19 tests in your cupboards? Go look. If you ordered “free” tests from the government, know that many of the boxes likely say they’ve expired. People paying attention to expiration dates have been lining landfills with the taxpayer-provided tools (or using tests that have expired). I fear this is going to be happening for a lot longer. That’s because the Biden Administration recently announced that each U.S. household will be able to, once...

  • Electoral College should be protected

    Chris Cargill, Mountain States Policy Center | Sep 3, 2024

    Seventeen states and the District of Columbia have joined in an agreement to award their Electoral College votes in a U.S. election to the winner of the national popular vote. The National Popular Vote compact, NPV as it is called, has gained steam over the past 25 years, lead mostly by liberal leaning states eager to work around the Electoral College. The legislation, which is identical in each state, requires the state to award its electoral votes to the candidate who receives the most popular votes nationwide. This could...

  • Cellphone ban needs parental support

    Roger Harnack | Aug 28, 2024

    Spokane, Reardan, Davenport, Harrington, Odessa. 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 cellphones should be allowed in class, at lunch, on buses or even on campus....

  • Eventually, the money will run out

    Mark Harmsworth, Washington Policy Center | Aug 22, 2024

    An extensive study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research concludes that universal basic income, the government gifting of taxpayer dollars, doesn’t have the effect that proponents of forced re-distribution of wealth would have hoped for. In fact, the opposite is true. A universal basic income promises a government guaranteed income which is supposed to improve the economic situation of those receiving the money, typically median or lower income families. The...

  • Initiatives target state greenwash effort

    Roger Harnack | Aug 14, 2024

    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...

  • Welcome to My Kitchen

    Laura Estes, Special to the Franklin Connection | Sep 11, 2024

    School has started in most of the Inland Northwest, but area fairs and festivals are still scheduled throughout September and October. Many festivals include a fundraising bake sale and Brownie Mallow Bars, a recipe submitted by Kelena Martinez, would be a welcome addition to any bakesale table. Kelena got the recipe from Merleen Smith. Both are Odessa residents. Brownie Mallow Bars 1 package, family size fudge brownie mix (13 x 9 inch pan) Eggs and vegetable oil listed in brownie mix directions 1 package (10 1/2 ounces)...

  • Fall is a time for change

    Pastor Travis Powers | Sep 11, 2024

    One of my favorite seasons is quickly approaching-- the fall season. Fall brings so many wonderful aromas and colorful tree leaves, fun events such as county and state fairs along with fair food, Deutschesfest, apple cider, homemade apple strudel, and sporting events like football and volleyball. This is also a time of season when things start to change. The weather gets cooler, tree leaves start to change in color and begin to fall from their branches. We put away the shorts and t-shirts and don our warmer outerwear....

  • Lind Birthdays and Anniversaries

    Franklin Connection | Sep 11, 2024

    LIND — The following residents are celebrating anniversaries and birthdays from Sept. 11-18: Anniversaries Sept. 16 — Garret and Morgan Pfaff Sept. 17 — Josh and Kaseyh Wills Birthdays Sept. 12 — Ainsley Davis Sept. 13 — Emmitt Norton Sept. 14 — Lori Strohmaier, Ryder Davey and Adalynn Strohmaier Sept. 15 — Brad Stout, Cathey Strohmaier and Laurinda Ritz Sept. 17 — Kieran Knodel Sept. 18 — Mitch...

  • Lind Anniversaries & Birthdays

    Sep 3, 2024

    LIND — The following residents are celebrating anniversaries and birthdays from Sept. 1-11: Anniversaries Sept. 4 — Brad and Jill Stout. Sept. 8 — Gregg and Angie Fode. Sept. 10 — Jerry and Lynda Branson, and Chr is and Emmy Erickson. Birthdays Sept. 1 — Morgan Undeberg and Sue Nichols. Sept. 3 — Jacque Laird, Cora Reimer, Shane Strohmaier and Trudy Davey. Sept. 4 — Mitch Starring and Harper Labes. Sept. 5 — Angie Fode and Reina Branson Sept. 7 — Dick Keith, Kaitlyn Biermann and Matthias Walter Davis Sept....

  • Welcome to My Kitchen

    Laura Estes | Aug 28, 2024

    August brings county fairs and community celebrations. Many eastern Washington communities have a German influence and have favorite dishes that remain a staple in area menus. Traditional cabbage rolls may evolve to include extra ingredients and dough based recipes such as ranza, bierocks and kuchens come filled with non-traditional fillings. Cabbage rolls are a popular item at a German food court. Heritage Church members serve the following recipe during the September Deutschesfest. Other recipes use chopped cabbage in...

  • Lind Birthdays and Anniversaries

    Aug 28, 2024

    LIND – The following residents are celebrating anniversaries and birthdays from Aug. 28 - Sept. 3: Anniversaries Aug. 29 — Vernon and Megan Shepard Aug. 31 — Kyle and Tanya Mullins, Keith and Jill Milner Birthdays Aug. 29 — Jerry Knodel Aug. 30 — Darlene O’Neill, Paige Williamson, Rachel Doyle and Lexi Stevenson. Aug. 31 — Josephine Cooper and Keith Milner Sept. 1 — Megan Undeberg and Sue Nichols. Aug. 3 — Jacque Laird, Cora Reimer, Shane Strohmaier and Trudy...

  • Fire on Top Cop

    Franklin Connection | Aug 14, 2024

    The Adams County Sheriff's Office last week participated in the Top Cop event benefiting Special Olympics. Deputies took turns on a lift in an Othello parking lot, where youngsters were invited to have a squirt gun fight with...

  • Lind Birthdays and Anniversaries

    Franklin Connection | Aug 12, 2024

    LIND – The following residents are celebrating birthdays and anniversaries from Aug. 14-21: Anniversaries Aug. 14 — Kevin and Becky Branson Aug. 17 — Bryson and Kenna O’Neill Birthdays Aug. 14 — Bryson O’Neill and Palmer Phillips Aug. 15 — Debbie Knodel Aug. 17 — Chris Erickson Aug. 20 — Les Branson and Jamie Williams Aug. 21 — Dusty...

  • Othello Eagles to Host Yard Sale

    Olivia Harnack | Aug 1, 2024

    OTHELLO — The Othello Eagles are set to sponsor a community yard sale on Saturday, August 3, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.. The event will be held at 127 E Larch St, Othello and is open to the public. Anyone interested in selling items or donating to the Eagles can participate. For those looking to have their own space, 10x10 lots are available for rent. Alongside the yard sale, the Eagles will be offering big hotdogs, chips, and bottled water. Organizer Patty Broyles Stemhagen encourages the community to get involved. “This is...

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