Franklin Connection - Serving Franklin County, WA

PASCO — A special filing period has been opened for elected offices that do not have any candidates for the Aug. 1 primary election. According to the Franklin County Auditor's Office, the special filing period will be from May 30... — Updated 5/25/2023

PASCO — The Franklin County Election's Department will host a lot drawing for the order of candidates names to appear on the 2023 primary ballot. The drawing will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, May 22, in the Franklin County... — Updated 5/19/2023

OLYMPIA – Wolves may be downgraded from an endangered species to “sensitive” under a proposed reclassification by state Department of Fish and Wildlife staff. The gray wolf was already removed by the federal endangered... — Updated 5/19/2023

WASHTUCNA – A local teenager was injured Saturday evening, May 13, after crashing her pickup on state Highway 261. Mia A. Rouleau, 18, of Washtucna was transported to a Spokane hospital for treatment of her injuries, the... — Updated 5/19/2023

OTHELLO – The local high school was locked down Wednesday, May 10, after a reported threat. According to a report, city police and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office responded to the high school, 340 S. Seventh St., at 11:18... — Updated 5/19/2023

RITZVILLE – Travelers who use U.S. Highway 395 south were reminded to plan additional travel time Tuesday, May 16. The state Department of Transportation was planning to repair sensors at the weigh-in-motion site three miles... — Updated 5/19/2023

RITZVILLE – Sen. Mark Schoesler and other state lawmakers will return to the Capitol for a special session beginning May 16. “After returning home to Ritzville early last week following the end of this year’s legislative... — Updated 5/19/2023

OTHELLO – All but two charges have been dropped against a local man accused of attacking a co-worker with a tree branch in an orchard near Basin City on May 2. Omar Eusebio Zuniga, 40, of Othello, remained in the Franklin County... — Updated 5/19/2023

OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee won’t be seeking a fourth term. Inslee, a Democrat from Bainbridge Island, announced Monday, May 1, that he’s ready to move on. “Today I announced I will not seek a fourth term,” he said.... — Updated 5/19/2023

RITZVILLE – The 2023-25 biennial capital budget includes funding for a few area projects. The budget cleared the last legislative hurdle Sunday, April 23, and is awaiting the governor’s signature. The budget includes $5... — Updated 5/19/2023

OLYMPIA – Rep. Mary Dye’s bill to reimburse local fire districts for costs incurred during a wildfire is awaiting the governor’s signature to become law. Dye, R-Pomeroy, said the bill is necessary to help local fire... — Updated 5/19/2023

LIND – A local man was arrested Friday, April 14, after allegedly threatening an employee at East Adams Rural Health in Ritzville. Brian Sumer, 43, of Lind, was arrested and booked into the Franklin County Jail for felony... — Updated 5/19/2023

RITZVILLE – The Washington State Patrol is stepping up its effort to get drivers to move over when emergency vehicles, road work crews and tow trucks are present. The “Move Over, Slow Down,” emphasis started Sunday, April... — Updated 5/19/2023

OLYMPIA – The Legislature adjourned April 23 after failing to approve a controversial bill setting drug possession penalties, raising the possibility of a special session in the coming weeks to resolve the issue. Drug possession... — Updated 5/19/2023

OTHELLO — Local police are seeking help from the public in locating a girl missing from Ephrata who is believed to be in Adams County. Alondra Evelyn Mata-Nunez, 15, was reported missing on Sept. 27, 2021, record show. Police... — Updated 5/19/2023

OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee is expected to sign multiple new firearms restrictions into law in the coming two weeks. House Bill 1143 passed the Senate 28-18 on Saturday, April 7. That bill is now before the governor. On the same... — Updated 4/12/2023