Opinion
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Constitutional rights about to be tested
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 ... — Updated 3/28/2020
Don't go buying all the toilet paper
Stop buying all the toilet paper. Seriously, knock it off. It's not necessary. Across the state—in large and rural communities alike—grocery stores' entire toilet paper aisles are empty. Not a single four-roll package remains... — Updated 3/26/2020
Letter to the editor: Armitage endorsed for House seat
To the Editor: Chris Armitage is running against Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers as a Democrat for the 5th Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is well educated, with a bachelor's degree in criminal... — Updated 3/26/2020
Bait jars could send a message to Fish and Wildlife
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... — Updated 3/25/2020 Full story
Hello again, Davenport
When long-time editor Mark Smith left The Times, I had a chance to write some stories in Davenport until a new editor was found. In the short time I was here, I met several teachers, city officials, business owners and community... — Updated 3/19/2020
Taking this disease lightly serves no good purpose
It’s times like these that bring out the best and worst in people. Unlike previous crisis, this one surrounding the spread of novel coronavirus and the disease it carries, COVID-19, has elements of politics mixed in. It also is... — Updated 3/19/2020
Letter to the Editor: Cleanup efforts yield threat of lawsuit
An open letter to Mayor William Crossley, the Town of Odessa and Councilwoman Kramer: I am Artie Banko. I live up on Second. You are a member of the Odessa Town Council. You are doing residential property cleanup inspections. You... — Updated 3/19/2020
Guest Column
If you think the run on toilet paper is just an American thing, think again. On March 10, Business Insider (BI) reported: “The spread of the coronavirus has brought with it... — Updated 3/19/2020
Dump the time change, Ringo and I need some sleep
While this plea may not carry much weight I’m going to present it anyway. Ringo my beagle has an eating disorder, meaning that if an entire bag of food were somehow left within reach of his snout, he just might eat until he... — Updated 3/16/2020
Sex education bill forced on youth
Engrossed Senate Bill 5395, the sex education bill mandating “inclusive” curriculum beginning in kindergarten has been hotly contested this legislative session in Olympia. But w... — Updated 3/16/2020
Mental health amongst the elderly going undiagnosed
Older adults in America are facing a crisis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 20% of adults over the age of 55 are suffering from mental health issues. These disorders include anxiety, depression, and... — Updated 3/5/2020
Having and displaying patriotism really is a good thing
During a recent Democratic Party debate, candidate Pete Buttigieg made a comment that just about floored me. He said, “The American Dream is alive and well – In Denmark!” Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobachar both nodded in... — Updated 3/5/2020
Guest columns
Washington and Oregon lawmakers want to end their legislative sessions; however, accounting for the costs of carbon emissions is a major road block. In Salem, rural Republican senators are boycottingsession and thereby denying... — Updated 3/5/2020
Commissioner's Corner
It’s almost spring! Are you familiar with the “Weed Board” and how they can serve you? The mission of the Lincoln County Noxious Weed Board is to educate landowners to be responsible stewards of the land and resources, to... — Updated 2/27/2020
Budget plan targets Washington public charter schools
We are half-way through the state’s two-year 2019-21 budget cycle, and the latest revenue forecast shows Washington’s elected leaders have an additional $1.5 billion to spend... — Updated 2/27/2020
Budget proposals would hurt rural America
Details on President Trump’s 2021 budget plan were released recently and, as it has in the past, this administration continues to put forth proposals that undercut rural communities. Among the proposed cuts we strongly oppose... — Updated 2/27/2020
The Colorado River water problems are worsening
Last week, we visited the Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona. It is part of our National Parks “bucket list.” The trip was a real eye-opener. The Canyon is... — Updated 2/27/2020
Letter to the Editor
To the Editor: A few years ago, I attended a workshop on politics in San Francisco. One of the main ideas taken away from that event was the importance of enthusiasm. Washington state has tried to increase voter participation with... — Updated 2/25/2020
Letter to the Editor
To the Editor: The latest shootings in downtown Seattle reinforces all the reasons to live here in Odessa! It’s the Big City Curse. Things have changed a lot in the last 60 years since I was a child there. The stuff I did as a... — Updated 2/25/2020
One chance every 10 years to change districting
Washington has the opportunity to review and change the Redistricting Commission every 10 years. This is the group that works in the background making sure the wheels of democracy turn smoothly and fairly. The commission decides... — Updated 2/25/2020
Guest column
When House Bill 1888 was proposed this year to help protect state employee unions from an ongoing battle with the Freedom Foundation, the media was strong in opposition against... — Updated 2/25/2020
Gender sports legislation
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... — Updated 2/25/2020
Imeachment trial in U.S. Senate luches forward.
To the Editor: Republicans are not stupid. They know that if there are no witnesses and no evidence, there is really no trial. They know that John Bolton would be the most important impeachment witness. They know that if Bolton... — Updated 2/1/2020
Gratitude for Odessa's help at Christmas time
To the Editor: I am writing to thank Odessa residents for sharing the true meaning of Christmas with children in need this past holiday season. Because of the generosity of donors in Odessa and across the United States, Operation... — Updated 1/25/2020
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
For the past 16 years, former Odessa High School English teacher Dr. Duane Pitts, now semi-retired and living in Moses Lake, has written a special piece honoring the late Dr. King on the occasion of this national holiday. We can... — Updated 1/18/2020
