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  • Kettle Falls woman killed in crash

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Apr 5, 2020

    LIND -- A Kettle Falls woman was killed Sunday morning when her pickup overturned. Kristen K. Icenogle, 52, was pronounced dead at the scene near Milepost 70 on southbound U.S. Highway 395, the Washington State Patrol reported. Her next of kin was notified of the 10:17 a.m. fatal crash; notification was completed by Chaplain Robert "Bob" Purdy and trooper Conner S. Bruchman, the patrol said. A preliminary report says Icenogle's Ford F150 was southbound when it left the...

  • Infected number rises in Othello

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Apr 5, 2020

    OTHELLO -- The number of Wuhan coronavirus cases is rising, with almost half of the cases connected to a single family. As of Sunday afternoon, Adams County health officials were reporting 23 cases in the city, 11 of which were in one family. There are only four other cases in Adams County, three of which are within a family that has members in Ritzville and Lind. Total, there are 27 cases county wide, with two cases in each Ritzville and Lind, officials said, noting a total of 161 people have been tested. One infected... Full story

  • Adams County coronavirus tally reaches 23

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Apr 5, 2020

    RITZVILLE -- Adams County health officials Saturday evening reported that a total of 23 coronavirus cases have been confirmed. Of those cases, 19 are in Othello, with 10 connected to a single family, officials said. There are two cases each in Lind and Ritzville. Of the Lind-Ritzville cases, three are connected to a single family, officials said. Overall, 159 county residents have been tested, officials said, noting results from 31 tests are still pending and 101 have returned negative....

  • Senate Minority Leader Schoesler reacts to quarantine extension

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Apr 5, 2020

    RITZVILLE - Senate Minority Leader Mark Schoesler doesn't agree with extending the statewide quarantine until May 4 due to the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak. Responding to Bainbridge Island Democrat Gov. Jay Inslee's order last night to extend his "stay home" order until May 4, Schoesler, R-Ritzville, said there has to be some flexibility for the state's rural and other areas. "We're not out of the woods, yet," Gov. Inslee said. "This order is not only necessary, it's morally... Full story

  • In Idaho, boys required to compete as boys

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Apr 3, 2020

    BOISE — Female athletes may not have to compete against so-called “transgender” women — in other words, biological males — in Idaho . That’s because Gov. Brad Little signed House Bill 500, the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, into law Monday, March 30. The measure amends state law to prevent those athletes born as males from competing in female-designated sports. The bill follows the Idaho Legislature’s finding of fact that, biologically, there are “inherent differences betwe...

  • Magnitude 6.5 quake shakes Central Idaho

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Mar 31, 2020

    BOISE — The U.S. Geological Survey is reporting a magnitude 6.5 earthquake and five aftershocks shaking Central Idaho starting about 5:53 p.m. today, Tuesday, March 31. The main quake struck about 43 miles west of Challis, in the Shake Creek area, the USGS reported. The agency received calls that the earthquake was felt as far away as Spokane, Wash. It’s epicenter was at a depth of 6 miles, the USGS reported. Aftershocks followed of magnitudes: 3.6 in the Bench Creek area, 42 miles east-southeast of Cascade 4.6 in the Swa... Full story

  • Adams County report 13 coronavirus cases

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Mar 30, 2020

    OTHELLO — Adams County health officials reported 13 confirmed coronavirus cases late tonight, Monday night, March 30. That's up from five cases Friday, March 27, the last time Adams County Health Department officials released a confirmed tally. Community Health Director Karen Potts, RN said the cases were no longer confined to Othello, but she did not say in which communities the cases were located. At least two cases were involved Othello residents who remain hospitalized. ...

  • Constitutional rights about to be tested

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Mar 28, 2020

    Benjamin Franklin's famous quote often arises in the context of government overreach. In this age of Wuhan Flu – or COVID-19, as those pushing political correctness would say – it still applies today. On Monday evening, Gov. Jay Inslee followed the lead of California Gov. Gavin Newsome and Oregon Gov. Kate Brown in ordering residents to remain in their homes and businesses and offices to close their doors at least two weeks. The order came only three days after he cha...

  • Gov. Inslee suspends portions of public meetings, records acts

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Mar 28, 2020

    OLYMPIA - With no fanfare or disclosure, Gov. Jay Inslee quietly amended a month-old coronavirus-related proclamation, so that it now strips residents and news organizations of the right to attend public meetings and review public records in person. The move came just a day after Tim Eyman, a gubernatorial candidate challenging Inslee for his seat, attended the Bellingham City Council meeting to object to an effort to restrict the right of residents to keep and bear arms in...

  • DOT halts plowing in scenic passes

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Mar 27, 2020

    MAZAMA — Eastern Washington residents wanting to use highways through scenic mountain passes to get to the Puget Sound area or Pacific Ocean are going to have to wait. On Thursday, state Transportation Secretary Roger Millar ordered plowing halted in Washington passes. Effected passes include: Washington Pass accessed via North Cascades Highway (state Highway 20). The pass connects the Methow Valley to the Sedro-Woolley area Cayuse Pass on state Highway 410. Cayuse Pass connects Naches to the Enumclaw. Chinook Pass, which c...

  • Will voters finally see $30 vehicle tabs this Friday?

    Roger Harnack, Free Press Publishing|Updated Mar 26, 2020

    SEATTLE — The King County judge who initially blocked the $30 car-tab cap denied most of the challenges to the taxpayer-approved measure. Superior Court Judge Marshall Ferguson ruled this morning, Tuesday, March 24, that the measure meets constitutional muster and can go into effect. But he severed parts of the measure that related to how vehicle valuations are calculated in the Puget Sound region. Those valuations provide the basis for Sound Transit to collect taxes to e...

  • Bait jars could send a message to Fish and Wildlife

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Mar 25, 2020

    Unintended consequence or bureaucratic power grab? Given the things being ordered behind locked doors of government offices, I’ll take the latter. Tonight, March 25, when the clock strikes midnight, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife is banning all fishing and boating statewide. This closure comes on the heels of a previous order to ban all camping on publicly owned, state-managed lands. The closures, Department of Fish and Wildlife officials say, is in keeping with G... Full story

  • I-976 could go into effect Friday

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Mar 25, 2020

    SEATTLE -- The King County judge who initially blocked the $30 car-tab cap denied most of the challenges to the taxpayer-approved measure. Superior Court Judge Marshall Ferguson ruled this morning, Tuesday, March 24, that the measure meets constitutional muster and can go into effect. But he severed parts of the measure that related to how vehicle valuations are calculated in the Puget Sound region. Those valuations provide the basis for Sound Transit to collect taxes to expan... Full story

  • Public barred from entering state parks, Fish and Wildlife lands

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Mar 25, 2020

    OLYMPIA -- The state earlier today announced all publicly owned lands managed by Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and Department of Fish and Wildlife are closed to the public. The closure will last at least two weeks, officials said, noting it includes wildlife areas as well as public access areas such as trailheads and boat launch facilities. Gates and facilities will be locked and all public services suspended, officials said. Rangers will be "present to...

  • We've made changes to our coverage

    Roger Harnack, of the Times|Updated Mar 19, 2020

    As a member of the “Fourth Estate,” our newspaper staff regularly comes in close contact with people from all walks of life. Knowing that, we are doing our part to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19, colloquially dubbed “Wuhan flu” and “WuFlu.” Like you, we are washing our hands, covering coughs and sanitizing everything in sight. We’re also taking the unusual step of closing our offices to public access, in an effort to protect the staff that is keeping yo...

  • We're still here, but we've made some changes

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Mar 19, 2020

    As a member of the “Fourth Estate,” our newspaper staff regularly comes in close contact with people from all walks of life. Knowing that, we are doing our part to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19, colloquially dubbed “Wuhan flu” and “WuFlu.” Like you, we are washing our hands, covering coughs and sanitizing everything in sight. We’re also taking the unusual step of limiting public access to our offices in an effort to protect the staff that is keeping you...

  • Gov. Inslee issues moratorium on evictions due to COVID-19

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Mar 18, 2020

    OLYMPIA — Residents who become unemployed due to government actions to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 coronovirus won’t have to worry about being evicted, at least for the next month. During a press conference this afternoon, March 18, Gov. Jay Inslee said he signed an order preventing landlords from evicting people who fall behind on rent after being sent home from work due the “WuFlu” pandemic. “I’m issue a statewide moratorium on evictions for failure to pay rent for the next 30 days,” the governor said. Inslee also p... Full story

  • Sex education bill forced on youth

    Roger Harnack|Updated Mar 16, 2020

    Engrossed Senate Bill 5395, the sex education bill mandating “inclusive” curriculum beginning in kindergarten has been hotly contested this legislative session in Olympia. But with the House and Senate both backing the bill, it’s likely to become an issue locally. Under the bill sponsored by Sen. Claire Wilson, an openly lesbian Democrat from Federal Way, all public schools statewide would be required to start teaching a curriculum that includes gay, lesbian, transgender and o...

  • Judge partially vacates I-976 injunction

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Mar 12, 2020

    PASCO - "We won!" That was the reaction from Franklin County Commissioner Clint Didier earlier today, March 12, after a King County judge vacated most of a previous injunction on Initiative 976. That injunction has prevented the $30 car tab initiative from going into effect statewide. But today, King County Superior Court Judge Marshall Ferguson vacated most of the injunction. I-976 generally limits all car license tab taxes and fees to $30 for non-commercial vehicle. On Nov.... Full story

  • Gorilla grapplers take third in Spangle

    Roger Harnack, of the Times|Updated Feb 25, 2020

    SPANGLE - Davenport wrestler Alex Plasencia only spent a minute-and-a-half on the mat last Thursday, Feb. 6, en route to an easy gold medal at 145 pounds. Plasencia received two byes to open the 1B/2B League-South district wrestling tournament at Liberty High School. Then he pinned Noah Sievers of Liberty in 45 seconds in the semifinals and Mike Bauman of Northwest Christian (Colbert) in 46 seconds. Plasencia led the Gorillas as the team finished second overall with 246...

  • Indians bring home wrestling gold

    Roger Harnack, of the Times|Updated Feb 25, 2020

    SPANGLE — Four Indian wrestlers brought home gold Thursday, Feb. 6, from the 1B/2B League -South district wrestling meet at Spangle High School. Ethan Hull won the 126-pound class, Dylan Bjornberg won 138, Rylan Anderson won 152 and Kobe Martinez at 195. Prior to the start of wrestling, Anderson was awarded the district’s Wrestler of the Year plaque. Seeded No. 1, Hull received byes into the championship match. And his lone bout for the title only lasted 3:23 as he pinned Sam...

  • Gender sports legislation

    Roger Harnack|Updated Feb 25, 2020

    Boys are boys and girls are girls. There's no in-between, at least when it comes to sports. I know it's not politically correct to say that in this day and age. But genetically (and generally) speaking, boys are stronger and faster than girls. As a result, we have separate sports for each gender. That is, unless your young athlete competes for a middle or high school, or a non-profit organization in Washington state. Here, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association...

  • High-capacity magazine ban bill 'dead'

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Feb 20, 2020

    OLYMPIA — A bill that would have limited the number of rounds of ammunition a firearm magazine can hold is “dead” for this legislative session. Substitute House Bill 2240 was on the docket for a second reading in the House, but was did not receive a second vote prior to 5 p.m. today, Feb. 19. “The attempt to ban magazines in Washington state is dead,” Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley, said from Olympia in a live broadcast on his personal social media feed shortly after 5 p.m. “We just got word we are done today and the mag... Full story