Serving Franklin County, WA
Serving Franklin County, WA
Sorted by date Results 51 - 75 of 98
BASIN CITY — With the end of the growing season looming, the South Columbia Irrigation District will be shutting off water Friday, Oct. 21. The announcement made Friday, Aug. 12, also came with the announcement that ditchrider services will drop from six days per week to five effective Sept. 17. Irrigation officials said the reduced service comes as the end of the irrigation and growing seasons loom. The final day the district will deliver irrigation water to Franklin County and southwestern Adams County will be Friday, O...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture will award up to $12 million to increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands. Ranchers and farmers can apply for the grants through Sept. 22. “Privately owned grazing lands cover nearly 30% of the national landscape, which means we have a tremendous opportunity to address climate change and conserve natural resources through voluntary, private lands conservation,” the USDA's Terry Cosby said Friday, Aug. 12. "These partnerships will also help us expan...
CONNELL – Farmers relying on the Potholes Canal for irrigation water can rest a little easier today after crews repaired a located and repaired a "significant" breach overnight Thursday night, July 7. "Full flows were restored to the canal mid-morning on Friday, July 8," South Columbia Basin Irrigation District officials said in a press released posted to the district webpage. The canal starts at the outflow of Chance Lake, south of Bruce and west of Connell. It provides i...
OLYMPIA – The state Board of Health is wading into manure management with a proposed “odor management” rule. But farmers are calling bull, noting its duplicative and unnecessary overregulation of animal waste by the state. Under the Dairy Nutrient Management and Federal Clean Water Acts, manure is already regulated by the state Departments of Ecology and Agriculture. State Board of Health officials declined to comment on the objection It calls a “misconception” in a so-called fact sheet available online. According to the fa...
GARFIELD – Heavy rains over the last week brought more than just water, localized flooding and mudslides to the area. They also may have brought a delay in the harvest season for local farmers. Garfield farmer Russel Jamison said Tuesday, June 7, he now expects a late harvest due to recent rainfall. "The fall-planted grain and winter-planted grain really love the weather," he said. "It's cool and there is plenty of moisture for the wheat. The lentils and the peas in the e...
MESA – Rural residents are encouraged to sign up and be counted in the 2022 Ag Census. Agriculture producers who did not receive the 2017 Census of Agriculture and do not receive other USDA surveys or censuses have until June 30 to sign up to receive the 2022 Census of Agriculture at nass.usda.gov/AgCensus. This once-every-five-years data collection begins this November. The Ag Census includes every American operation – large or small, urban or rural – from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products are produced and sold,...
RITZVILLE – University of Washington faculty visited Sen. Mark Schoesler's farm recently to learn about Eastern Washington agriculture. "I was more than happy to meet Wednesday afternoon with a group of UW faculty members who stopped by my farm as part of their annual tour of eastern Washington, which was activated again after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic," Schoesler, R-Ritzville, said last week. Schoesler represents the 9th Legislative District, including m...
State allows axe-throwing at businesses with liquor licenses The Center Square OLYMPIA — The state Liquor and Cannabis Board voted to allow axe-throwing inside liquor establishments as early as July 9. Previously, bars and taverns were prohibited from having axe-throwing in the state. The rule change was prompted by requests from businesses wanting to offer the newly popular activity. "Axe-throwing has become increasingly popular as an activity that businesses would like to offer in combination with liquor services – exc...
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – A recent ruling by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals against a Washington state couple challenging the Mandatory Repatriation Tax could open the door to all manner of wealth taxes, a lawyer representing the couple said. Charles and Kathleen Moore of Redmond, Wash., sued the government in 2019, arguing a tax on repatriated assets – created as part of major tax reform legislation passed by Congress in 2017 – violates the U.S. Constitution’s apportionment clause and the Fifth Amendment’s due process c...
TUMWATER — The majority of Washington residents are priced out of purchasing a new home, according to a report completed done by one of the largest home building organizations in America. The Tumwater-based Building Industry Association of Washington, which represents 800 members, calculates that households need $130,409 of income to qualify for a mortgage in the state. Given Washington’s median household income is $73,775, that translates into 76% of households not being able to afford a median-priced new home. “When we lo...
PASCO - For Back 40 BBQ owner James Gimenez cooking has always been a family tradition. "My aunts and my grandma were always cooking. We all had a passion for cooking, but catering is a whole different ballgame. It's the major league of cooking," Gimenez said. Gimenez's father, Frank, moved his family from Los Angeles to Pasco in 1971 for a better life on a farm. "I've asked him numerous times. Why Pasco? He gave a one-word answer, "water," Gimenez said. "I don't know if you...
RIZVILLE – “We’re north of a dollar more in diesel than where we were before the invasion,” Sen. Mark Schoesler began in a recent interview. Schoesler, a farmer himself, represents the 9th Legislative District, including Whitman County. His comments came during an interview on the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on diesel fuel and farming. Fuel prices continue to rise leaving farmers forced to save and to hope for prices to drop, he said. “I still consider myself a farmer first and a senator second,” Schoesler said. “Ther...
OLYMPIA – A Senate resolution honoring agronomist Bill Schillinger passed Feb. 21. Senate Resolution 8645 honors Schillinger for his service to farmers; it was introduced by Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville. Schillinger is a longtime research agronomist who retired from Washington State University in January. "It's with sadness that we see Bill retiring but for all of the incredible work over 30 years, we wish Bill the very best and say, 'Thank you,'" Schoesler said in a s...
That's right! Now is the time to start planting your spring garden, especially if you like playing in dirt! We know, it is still cold, with occasional snow, ice, and nasty weather. But, yes, it is time to plant a spring garden. And it's okay to get your hands in the soil at this time of year. Let us explain. Many seeds need at least 90 days of cold to germinate. Instead of using your refrigerator to cold stratify your seeds during the winter or early spring plant those seeds...
PASCO – An incredible aroma flows out of the walk-up window at Brother's Cheese Steaks inside Pasco Specialty Kitchen, just across the street from the newly renovated Pasco Farmers Market. Restaurant owner Mario Quintero has been watching farmers market construction happening for the past year. "It's exciting to watch it come together," he said from his 110 S. Fourth Ave., restaurant. "I've been here three years and we are growing our business. "I'm hopeful that the new m...
COLFAX – Columbia Grain International has donated to several areas. “Columbia Grain International cultivates growth across its broad footprint, which spans the northwestern tier of the U.S., including Washington, Idaho, Montana, and North Dakota. However, we’ve chosen to focus our philanthropy at the local level,” Manager Ted Lowe said. Undisclosed amounts were provided to the Colfax Fire Department toy drive, LaCrosse Food Pantry, Community Action Center in Pullman, Dayton food bank and Garfield County food bank. “One of...
SPOKANE VALLEY – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service has set the application deadline for the Urban Agriculture, Sentinel Lands, and WaterSmart Environmental Quality Incentives Program program signup deadlines for Jan. 24. These three programs are additional opportunities for Fiscal Year 2022, targeting resource concerns impacting producers within specific locations. Producers interested in applying for any of the programs should r...
SPOKANE VALLEY – The deadline to apply for a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Environmental Quality Incentives Program-Conservation Incentive Contracts is Jan. 24. The USDA set the application deadline today, Dec. 20. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program-Conservation Incentives Contracts is a voluntary conservation program offering farmers, ranchers and nonindustrial private forest landowners financial and technical assistance to help plan and implement conservation practices and activities on working a...
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Several Eastern Washington airports will receive federal grant funds thanks to the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program. The funds can be used to improve airport safety, capacity and security, as well as addressing related environmental issues. This year, $71 million is being disbursed to airports in Washington state. East of the Cascades, airports receiving funding include: • Spokane International Airport, Spokane, $6.43 million • Tri-Cities Airport, Pasco, $3.34 million • Moscow/Pullman Regional Airport i...
OTHELLO – The Adams County Commission expected to open bids for the lease of 34 acres adjacent to the County Fairgrounds in Othello during its Nov. 15 meeting. But no bids were received. The property was granted to the county, and under the terms, cannot be sold. It is occasionally used for overflow parking during the fair, officials said. It is in the interest of the county to have a tenant use the land during the growing season to control weeds, officials said. With no bids, the board decided to re-advertise the lease. T...
PASCO — Several businesses have applied to the state for new liquor licenses. Businesses applying for new licenses include: Mesa • Comedor Mari, 6850 Road 170, beer and wine license for restaurant. Applied Sept. 28. Pasco • Sun Willows Golf Course, 1825 Sun Willows Blvd., beer and wine license for restaurant/lounge. Applied Oct. 4. • Dollar General Store, 1409 E. Lewis St., direct receiver beer and wine grocery license. Approved Oct. 8. • Remix Night Club, 101 W. Columbia St., direct receiver nightclub. Applied Sept. 28....
OLYMPIA — More than $14 million in COVID-19 relief grants from the state Department of Agriculture were awarded to 839 businesses. The four main sectors include agritourism farms, farmers’ market organizations, craft beverage producers, and shellfish organizations. “These grants will boost the Washington state agricultural industry, helping prevent business closures and supporting the health and diversity of Washington State’s overall economy,” state agriculture Director Derek Sandison said. “Our economy needs the busines...
PASCO – Darigold Inc. announced today that it will be a new, state-of-the-art premium protein and butter plant here. The 400,000-square-foot, $500 million plant is being designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25%, compared to existing plants. The announcement follows an agreement with the Port of Pasco. “Our producers have been at the vanguard of the dairy sector for over 100 years, constantly building on their outstanding record of sustainability and stewardship practices,” Darigold CEO Stan Ryan said. “They are pro...
PASCO — Mayor Saul Martinez will be the keynote speaker today, June 14, at the Chamber of Commerce meeting. The meeting begins at 11:45 a.m.; Red Lion Hotel is hosting. Martinez was selected mayor in January 2020 by his peers on the City Council, but recently announced that he will not seek re-election. He represents city District No. 3 as a councilman. Martinez is a Mesa native and a graduate of Connell High School. He received an associate of arts degree from Columbia Basin College. Outside of City Hall, Martinez is an e...
PASCO — The Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 5, for the new West Pasco Pharmacy. The ceremony will be part of an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the 7505 Sandifur Parkway Suite No. 102 pharmacy....