Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
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OLYMPIA – It took only a minute Friday, Aug. 11, for the state Fish and Wildlife Commission to reject a petition to resume spring bear hunting in 2024. The commission’s almost-immediate, unanimous rejection of spring bear hunting followed a very short presentation by state Department of Fish and Wildlife Game Division Manager Anis Aoude. “From our position as a department … we’re recommending you deny this petition,” he said. “There really isn’t a reason to revisit.” The state’s presentation and commissioner’s fast...
EDWALL - With the Gray Fire growing along Interstate 90 between Cheney and Medical Lake, state transportation officials are detouring traffic through Lincoln County. With the fire active along Interstate 90 near the Tyler, Salnave Road and Four Lakes exists, the roadway was closed at Geiger Heights and Sprague Saturday afternoon, Aug. 19. Westbound traffic was being diverted onto U.S. Highway 2 west through Airway Heights to Reardan, the south on state Highway 231 through...
Like most Americans, I enjoy watching – and lighting – fireworks on Independence Day. America’s “birthday” should stand out among all national holidays. And the colorful, aerial explosions showcase the freedom and independence for which the U.S. stands. But why then do only tribes have the ability to sell and use the “good” fireworks – you know: firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles, mortars and more. There’s nothing magical about the imaginary line on a map suggesting...
CHENEY – An Odessa-Soap Lake area cowboy was named All-Around Cowboy at the Cheney Rodeo. Caleb McMillan won the title and with it, $2,193 for his performance in bull riding, tie-down roping and steer wrestling. McMillan was the top bull rider, scoring 80.5 points atop Day Time Crime. He was the only bull rider with a qualifying time. So, he took home a $6,748 purse. McMillan was eighth overall in steer wrestling with a time of 6.3 seconds, which earned him an additional $...
A short three years ago, motorists in Eastern Washington could buy regular unleaded gasoline for as little as $1.97 per gallon in several areas – George, Pasco, Quincy, to name a few. Diesel didn’t cost much more. Farmers could afford to fill their fuel tanks and shipping companies could keep their trucks moving at a reasonable price. And you and I could afford to drive personal vehicles – a necessity when you live and work in Eastern Washington. As a result, rural resid...
From cars to bigfoot to high-speed sprint boats, you don’t have to look very far to find something to do this weekend. But dad won’t care if you take him somewhere or just spend time with him. For dad, Father’s Day isn’t about spending money, it’s about time – time to connect, reflect and enjoy each other’s company. Dads spend a lifetime taking care of the needs of their children. Through their children’s formative years into college, fathers bring structure, discipline, log...
LIND – The city roars to life Friday and Saturday, June 9 and 10, as the 34th annual Combine Demolition Derby Days brings thousands of residents and visitors out for a weekend of smashing fun. The highlight of the event is the Lions Club Combine Demolition Derby, in which area farmers, fans and others put their fortified combines to the test in a demolition contest, with the last combine running crowned the victor. But the weekend also includes a car show, barbecue, car and pickup truck racing, grain truck racing, camping, m...
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. “We’ve made Washington a beacon for progress for the nation, and now it’s time to pass the torch.” Born and raised in Seattle, he was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 1989, then elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1993. The 72-year-old Inslee was elected to lead the state in 2013...
IRBY -Two Davenport dirt bikers were among the racers to complete the grueling Desert 100 on Sunday, April 2. Codi Williams and Curtis Tanner each took more than four hours to complete the 100-mile course through sagebrush, basalt ridges and grass. The race was the culminating event for several days of poker runs and races that started just off Irby road, about 10 miles west of Odessa. Williams placed 65th overall and 21st in Open Class racing with a time of 4:26:15.548....
IRBY - This year's start line faced north, away from State Highway 28. On the line, racers spread out a half-mile wide, awaiting the boom of a cannon and the ensuing cloud of pink smoke. The 921 course took competitors on a northerly route through sagebrush to a slight left-hand turn through the first gate, which was only about 50 feet wide. Once through, they raced down an embankment to Ott Road and Crab Creek. There, racers jostled for position to cross one of two, small...
Washington state has high tax rates — gas, property, you name it. Government agencies billions of tax dollars annually from residents and businesses here. So why then are government agencies taking Washington taxpayer dollars and buying goods and services out-of-state, goods and services that are readily abundant in Washington? Those agencies are penalizing state taxpayers (residents and businesses) for paying the high taxes the agencies collected under burdensome r...
As a youngster, I looked forward to Christmas. I loved the food, the traditions and especially the presents - what kid doesn't? In high school and college, the luster subsided. As a wrestler, Christmas was a time for fasting so I didn't have to move up a weight class. I dreaded running extra bleachers, doing additional up-downs and all the "fat man" jokes from teammates. Christmas would become just one of those "OK" holidays for me after college. As a journalist, I would be...
MOSES LAKE - Liberty Bell will make its first appearance in a state title football game after upending No. 1-ranked Odessa, 70-24, on Saturday, Nov. 26 on Lion's Field. Mountain Lion Coach Jeff Lidey credited the state 1B quarterfinals win to having a healthy team and focusing on the Tigers' key playmakers - quarterback Collin Martin and running back Gage Starkel. "They have a team for full talent, but those two boys have been carrying the team for a long time," Lidey said....
RITZVILLE—The Adams County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the thefts of multiple traffic signs last week. Investigators received information that led them to a location in the 1800 block of East Franz Road. During execution of a search warrant there Nov. 23, deputies recovered several signs, records show. “Deputies recovered stolen road signs that belonged to the Public Works Departments of Adams County, Franklin County and Lincoln County,” Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner said. “Also recovered were road signs belonging...
PASCO – Local farm girl turned political newcomer Tiffany Smiley securely has all 20 of Eastern Washington's counties in her corner. In fact, she had the lead in 27 of the state's 39 counties in the Tuesday, Nov. 8, general election. Yet, she was still losing to career politician Patty Murray, D-Shoreline. Smiley, a Pasco Republican, trailed Murray after the first night of counting in the general election. Murray had 980,199 votes (56.92%); Smiley had 738,618 votes (...
SUNNYSIDE – Despite being censured by most Republican committees in the 4th Congressional District, incumbent Rep. Dan Newhouse appears headed toward re-election. Newhouse, R-Sunnyside, had a commanding lead over Democratic challenger Doug White after the first round of counting in the Nov. 8 general elections. Newhouse is one 10 Republicans who voted to impeach President Donald J. Trump following the Jan. 6 Capitol protest. As a result of his failure to support the president,...
SPOKANE – Incumbent Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers was easily out-distancing her challenger Tuesday night, Nov. 8, in her 5th Congressional District re-election bid. At the end of the first night of counting in the general election, McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane, had amassed 107,971 votes (58.94%). She led every county in the district. Meanwhile, Democratic challenger Natasha Hill of Spokane was a distant second with 74,839 votes (40.85%). The two are vying to be the r...
REARDAN – Two local girls have been named to the Northeast 2B All-League teams. Senior Coalie Whitman was selected to the 1st Team and senior Justine Flett was named to the 2nd Team. No Davenport girls were selected for the team. From Lind-Ritzville/Sprague/Washtucna/Harrington, junior Megan Melcher was selected for 1st Team All-League and freshmen Zoe Galbreath and Saige Galbreath were named to the 2nd Team. The Broncos’ Taylor Galbreath was named league Most Valuable Player and Cari Galbreath was selected Coach of the Yea...
Six-man football. I’d never heard of it before mid-August. When I played football, it was the traditional, 11-man variety. Heck, I didn’t even know there was anything else. Playing for Kiona-Benton, my team always had more than enough players to have mostly different players on offense and defense. But over the last few years, I’ve learned about – and developed an appreciation for – 8-man football. Along with it, I’ve gained a lot of respect for the athletes playing both sides...
Dozens of local athletes competed in the annual Lincoln County Rodeo on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 26 and 27. Here are photos of some of them....
Last week, Fairchild Air Force announced it was erasing Col. George Wright because the history surrounding him is considered by some divisive. In place of his name being associated with a housing area and street, the military opted for “Lilac Village” and “Willow Loop,” respectively. The move comes two years after Spokane canceled the highly decorated Army leader, as well – Fort George Wright Drive was renamed Whistalks Way, in recognition of the wife of Spokane tribal wa...
Over the last several decades, many journalists saw hometown community columns as quaint links to how newspapers once operated. But with few journalists left in the Pacific Northwest applying for jobs since the COVID-19 shutdowns two-and-a-half years ago, we’re hoping to revive the idea of publishing content from local community correspondents — no formal training needed. We’re looking for volunteer correspondents who like to tell the world what’s going on in their part of...
The back roads of the Palouse are beautiful this time of year. But there’s a lot more to see if you traverse them on a motorcycle. Last week, after looking at the cost of gas and the weather forecast, I rode my Harley-Davidson to work for the first time this summer. I don’t have a fancy bike; it’s a simple Sportster – no flashy chrome, no windshield or fairing, no saddlebags. It’s kind of a modern day version of the iconic Triumphs James Dean and Marlon Brando rode decades a...
“But the Constitution does not authorize agencies to use pen-and-phone regulations as substitutes for laws…” U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil M. Gorsuch wrote that and more in his 19-page concurring opinion in the West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency (Case No. 20-1530). The Supreme Court recently ruled, 6-3, that the EPA cannot create over-reaching “laws” that bound entire industries; the ruling was released Thursday morning, June 30. The leftwing champions...
Like the old Olympia beer commercials used to say, “I seen ‘em.” No, I’m not talking about “them there artesians” brewing beer in Washington state. I’m talking about “Squatch,” Sasquatch, Bigfoot. He was alive and well in Metaline Falls this past weekend at the annual Bigfoot Festival. The region’s most ardent Bigfoot believers headed to up the Pend Oreille River to investigate Sasquatch evidence, meet the “experts” and hobnob with likeminded individuals. I tagged a...
