Serving Franklin County, WA
Serving Franklin County, WA
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 429
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 n...
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...
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...
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 sta...
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 high-mileage...
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 arre...
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....
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 S...
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 l...
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...
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 ini...
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 th...
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 R...
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 r...
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...
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 $719,...
Truck, truck, truck, Tesla. Truck, truck, truck. Here in rural Eastern Washington, the running joke is that the “T” on a Tesla electric vehicle stands for “tourist.” Indeed, the expensive cars, like their electric Toyota and Rivian counterparts, are an oddity easily picked out among rural residents’ pickups, four-wheel drives and older vehicles. But what some rural residents may not realize is that they are paying to charge many of those expensive EVs. Over the last couple ye...
Dams on the Columbia River and its tributaries contribute greatly to the way of life here in Eastern Washington. So, when the federal government says it has reached an agreement on proposed revisions to the Columbia River Treaty with Canada, rural residents should say not so fast. On the surface, the “in principle” agreement announced last week looks good for Americans. Under the proposed changes, the U.S. will get to keep more of the power generated on our side of the bor...
RITZVILLE - Two federal agencies are investigating the cause of an emergency aircraft landing Monday, July 15. The incident occurred at 11:45 a.m. when pilot, whose name has not been released, experienced engine problems en route from Spokane to Yakima, records show. The single-engine aircraft made an emergency landing in a field about a mile south of Pru Field. On the pilot was aboard; he was not injured. The incident was referred to the National Transportation Safety Board...
OLYMPIA – The Fish and Wildlife Commission is expected to downgrade the state listing of wolves from endangered to sensitive when it meets virtually Friday, July 19. The meeting is scheduled to run from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and will be aired on TVW. The wolf discussion is planned for 10:15 a.m. The discussion on downgrading the state listing stems from a state Department of Fish and Wildlife finding that gray wolves no longer meet the criteria to be considered endangered. “The anticipated effects of the proposed rule ame...
CONNELL - A rural power cooperative has donated funds to several local groups. On Tuesday, July 9, Big Bend Electric Cooperative's Caring Neighbors program announced donations for several local non-profit efforts. The recipient and their awards are as follows: • Adams County Historical Society - $2,000 to help repair broken windows at the museum in Lind. • Basin City Elementary - $600 to help purchase books for a literacy program. • Franklin County Public Hospital Distr...
SPOKANE — A local man convicted in connection with trafficking drugs from the Tri-Cities to Spokane Valley has been sentenced to prison. Jordy Scott DeBoer, 32, was sentenced to 272 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised probation by U.S. District Court Judge Thomas O. Rice. DeBoer previously pleaded guilty to one count each of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of pure methamphetamine and intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. DeBoer’s sentence stems from a March 30, 202...
SPOKANE — Ratepayers who purchase electricity from Avista may have their power turned off on windy, hot summer days when utility officials deem fire danger high. According to company officials, Avista’s so-called “Public Safety Power Shutoff” plan is in response to summer conditions in Eastern Washington. When high winds are forecast, company employees may increase sensitivity on power lines, officials said. The increased sensitivity could lead to more and prolonged power outages. Officials said ratepayers will be notifie...
MESA — A Lind woman is facing charges related to an embezzlement case in Franklin County. Charmain Mary Halverson, 50, of Lind, was arrested June 26 on charges of theft, injury to public record, misappropriation by treasurer and official misconduct. She was arrested, booked into the Franklin County Jail and then released on bail. According to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Halverson was the clerk-treasurer for the city of Mesa, where she allegedly used the city’s debit...
KENNEWICK — A Pasco man may be facing charges following a June 20 crash that injured two girls on the Kennewick side of the blue bridge. Jesse Moctezuma Chino, 25, of Pasco, was northbound on U.S. Highway 395 on the bridge at about 9:12 p.m. when his 2000 Honda Accord struck a northbound tractor trailer, the Washington State Patrol reported. The tractor-trailer, a 2025 Freightliner towing a 2015 utility trailer, was driven by Nolan G. Williams of Albany, Ore. Neither Williams nor Chino was injured in the crash, the patrol r...