Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
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Saturday night, I had an opportunity to listen to Brian Heywood of Let’s Go Washington talk about the measures he propelled to the Nov. 3 general election ballot in our state. He spent extra time discussing Initiative 645, the measure that would repeal the state’s so-called “millionaire tax.” In listening, I learned something new about the income tax that will go into effect in 2028, unless repealed. Let’s step back a minute for a quick explanation. The new income tax was esta...
The hypocrisy surrounding state mail-in voting is astounding. While Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs is cheering the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision Sept. 14 that effectively halted the federal government from accessing and auditing voter rolls prior to the Nov. 3 election, his office has been giving the same information away to a not-for-profit group — the Electronic Registration Information Center — for years. And it’s not just Hobbs; 21 other states and the city of...
Three years ago, voters overwhelmingly signed onto Initiative 2081 to solidify a parent’s access to and oversight of their children’s educational records. The “Parents’ Bill of Rights” was so popular that 454,372 registered voters signed on – about 130,000 more than necessary to put the measure on the ballot. Liberal lawmakers saw the writing on the wall. And rather than let it go to a vote, the Legislature passed the initiative into law in March 2024, then “revised” it 2025.... Full story
As an American, you should be able to move about the country freely, without having to show papers and without being tracked by law enforcement agencies without a warrant. You should be able to traverse highways and byways without being monitored by “Big Brother.” But not if you live in Washington state. Here, there at least 2,000 license-plate reading cameras currently in operation – most owned and leased by a single company, Flock. And they’re not just photographing crime-r...
Around Eastern Washington, Old Glory is proudly flying. Red, white and blue bunting is on display. And fireworks are booming. It's a sign that the Independence Day holiday is quickly approaching. Patriotism here is at peak attention. Indeed, if you're in one of the 20 counties east of the Cascades, you're in one of most patriotic areas of the country. Even the WalletHub website lists Washington as the seventh "most patriotic" state in the nation. I guess the patriotism on our...
It wasn't too many years ago that I would complain about paying an extra 45 cents credit/debit card fee to fill up my gas tank at ARCO convenience stores at the pump. Rather than spend more, I would head to a nearby station to avoid having to pay the fee. It was the principle, not the price. Oh, how I wish it was still that simple today. With the price for a barrel of oil down more than 10% over last month. I was looking forward to filling up my gas tank a little cheaper this... Full story
Four years ago, state bureaucrats claimed there was a need to end camping at Palouse Falls because of overcrowding. They promised to add camping at Lyons Ferry, just a few miles away. At the time, they didn't tell the public that it would take at least a decade to add campsites because they had to negotiate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. I have to wonder if that shutdown was a trial run for the closures taking place this year with several publicly owned, state-managed... Full story
It’s filing week for political hopefuls here in Washington state. And this year, candidate filing comes just days after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that creating voting districts based on race is unconstitutional. That ruling came April 29 in Louisiana v. Callais, a case about creating of a black voting district. If you didn’t know, Washington also has race-based districts created for a similar reason – carving out two Hispanic legislative districts and eliminating at-la... Full story
More than two years ago, the Eastmont School District serving East Wenatchee took the lead in trying to protect girls sports from gender-confused boys. Then Kennewick, Moses Lake and other districts joined in. There was enough pressure last year to prompt the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association to discuss rules to prevent boys from competing in girls athletics. But WIAA administrators balked; school representatives were only presented a non-binding straw ballot....
Diogenes was a Greek philosopher known for wandering public places during the day while carrying a lantern. His goal was to find and shine a light on an “honest man” with an honest answer. Like Diogenes, today’s print journalists and many residents are searching for honesty — honesty in their public officials and from public agencies. That honesty can only be verified through open and accessible public meetings and records. This week, March 16-22, is Sunshine Week, a week dedi...
As you sit at home watching video footage of the wildfires currently burning in California, it makes you wonder could happen here. Well, yes, it could. As California goes, so goes Washington. Our state politicians and bureaucrats in Olympia have a long history of copying California. Our politicos have gotten so lazy, they’ve even sponsored, supported, pushed and/or passed laws that say if California enacts a policy, Washington state will follow (cap and trade, vehicle e...
Unemployment benefits were implemented under the Social Security Act off 1935 to help workers who become involuntarily employed. The idea was that businesses would be taxed to pay for unemployment benefits for former employees who were fired, laid off or otherwise lose their job due to business closures and other decisions beyond their control. The funds would be paid on a limited basis and for a limited time period while a worker actively searched for a new job. A worker who...
It’s as simple as X and Y. The question of whether boys should be participating in girls sports in our state may finally be addressed by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association next spring. Among proposed amendments to the organization’s athletic code are proposed rule amendments that relating to so-called “transgender” competitors. The proposals will be introduced to the 53-member assembly during its annual meeting Jan. 27. One amendment would limit partici...
Ah, Thanksgiving. Turkey, cranberries, pumpkin pie and family. It’s a time to give thanks and celebrate family traditions. But not if you’re glued to a cellphone. As adults, it’s time to set an example and put those devices away. Spend time with your family partaking in longstanding traditions or creating new ones. There’s no need to be spending the day surfing social media. Instead, enjoy real social media with family and friends. Talk together, eat together, enjoy each ot...
Four measures on the Nov. 5 general election could make a difference in your lifestyle and your wallet. Here’s what you need to keep in mind when you cast your ballot: Initiative 2066 This initiative would repeal regulations that attack your ability to use nature gas use dryers, stoves, heating systems and more in your home and business. It would also restrict government agencies from implementing policies and programs that promote the use of electric appliances over natural gas. The measure comes after the so-called ...
Motorists in Washington state are sometimes handing over hundreds of dollars for licensing of their vehicle, but only receiving paper plates in return. According to an Aug. 28 legislative report, the state is had a backlog of at least 230,000 standard license plate orders, 10,000 specialty orders and 5,000 personal vanity orders. More than 20 counties (30 counties now) statewide are out of or nearly out of license plates. Still, the state is collecting money for plates it...
It’s a bit premature to say the bell tolls for community newspapers. Sure, big city media printing the same diatribe you see on television is declining. (That’s because the city media moguls have forgotten their place in society.) And sure, with the Googles of the world, cellphones and social media have impacted our advertising, which, by the way is how we pay our bills. But in our community newspapers, we haven’t forgotten our place. Our reporters shop in the same stores, eat...
There’s a disturbing trend among tax-payer funded agencies that needs to be nipped in the bud. If you haven’t noticed, public agencies like hospital and utility districts, school boards, city councils, and others have been taking steps to insulate — dare I say isolate — elected board members. Have a concern about something in your local school district? Don’t like a utility rate increase? Want to know if your local public hospital is making a profit? Have questions about cit...
You shouldn’t be surprised the state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council last week voted to accept a site application for construction of more wind turbines atop Horse Heaven Hills. It’s all part of Gov. Jay Inslee and his financial supporters plan to breach our dams and replace them with unsightly, unpopular and unreliable wind power. The council was pushed by Gov. Jay Inslee, who didn’t like the fact Tri-Citians outright rejected his plan to supplant dams with the unsigh...
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...
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 cam...
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...
When we travel, as Americans we often visit the landmarks of our heritage. I’m not different. I spent most of the last two weeks on the road visiting family from here to Iowa, Minnesota and back. Along the route, I visited the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, the Corn Palace, Mount Rushmore and other truly American destinations. But I also stopped at a couple places that were of this world, almost. One of my stops on my way back was at Devil’s Tower, north of Sund...
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...
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...
