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  • 'Non-essential' residents sue Gov. Inslee

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated May 5, 2020

    PASCO – Franklin County cherry orchardist and pilot Dave MacHugh was landing his private airplane at Tri-Cities Airport after a four-hour trip to Tacoma and back Friday afternoon, May 1. Unbeknownst to him, as his plane touched down and taxied to the hangar, Gov. Jay Inslee was in the process of ordering Washington state to remain under quarantine until at least May 31. Although the weather was ideal for a general aviation flight, MacHugh wasn't on a pleasure trip. He had f...

  • Palouse Falls, Potholes among places to reopen

    Roger Harnack, The Journal|Updated May 5, 2020

    KAHLOTUS - Washington State Parks has released a list of the parks that will be opening May 5 for outdoor recreation, provided visitors keep their distance. In Eastern Washington, the initial list of openings include: Alta Lake Bridgeport Columbia Plateau Trail Conconully Ginkgo Petrified Forest Goldendale Observatory Lake Chelan Lake Wenatchee Lincoln Rock Lyons Ferry Mount Spokane Nine Mile Falls Recreation Area Palouse Falls Perrygin Lake Potholes Reservoir Riverside...

  • Under increasing pressure, Gov. Inslee allows low-risk construction to resume

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Apr 25, 2020

    OLYMPIA – Under increasing pressure from counties, Gov. Jay Inslee on Friday said he would allow low-risk construction to resume immediately. The caveats — each contractor must have personal protective gear for employees, provide coronavirus training for workers, require workers would remain at least six feet apart and maintain an on-site supervisor to enforce compliance. According to Inslee, the decision to “reopen” construction followed an agreement reached between leaders in government, the construction industry and hea...

  • Wagner a Presidential Scholar semifinalist

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Apr 23, 2020

    ODESSA - A local girl has been selected as a semifinalist in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Maddy Wagner was named as a semifinalist April 15. She is the daughter of Travis and Haley Wagner of Odessa. Travis Wagner is a Harrington native. A Future Business Leaders of America participant, Wagner was nominated for the award by Terri King. Only three Washington students made the semifinalist list. The other students are Lauren Stubbs of LaCrosse and Kenedee Mai Lam...

  • Franklin County the first to reopen

    Roger Harnack, The Journal|Updated Apr 23, 2020

    PASCO — Gov. Jay Inslee’s time has expired, at least in Franklin County. Five minutes into the county commissioners’ 9 a.m. meeting today, April 21, commissioners voted unanimously to reject provisions under Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay-home quarantine order. Commissioner Clint Didier moved to reopen the county; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Brad Peck. “I move that Franklin County end recognition of the governor’s stay-at-home emergency proclamation that is now deemed unconstitutional,” Didier said. “We support the reo...

  • It's about choice; make your decision wisely

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Apr 23, 2020

    Gov. Jay Inslee had to know a showdown was coming with Eastern Washington. State law allocated him 30 days in which to operate under emergency authority, unless the Legislature convenes and passes a concurrent resolution. That didn’t happen. And with his initial stay-home quarantine issued Feb. 29 due to the coronavirus outbreak, many east of the Cascades have been anxiously awaiting the governor’s nod to return to work, to recreate and to shop. But without even a cau...

  • Gov. Inslee, your time is up

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Apr 21, 2020

    PASCO — Gov. Jay Inslee's time has expired, at least in Franklin County. Five minutes into the county commissioners’ 9 a.m. meeting today, April 21, commissioners voted unanimously to reject provisions under Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay-home quarantine order. Commissioner Clint Didier moved to reopen the county; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Brad Peck. “I move that Franklin County end recognition of the governor’s stay-at-home emergency proclamation that is now deemed un...

  • Hundreds protest state's boating, fishing ban

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Apr 21, 2020

    RICHLAND — Under the watchful eye of a city park ranger, hundreds of protesters from across Eastern Washington launched boats and filled Columbia Point Park today calling on Gov. Jay Inslee to end the ban on boating and fishing. Statewide, fishing, boating, camping and some hunting were shut down by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife until at least May 4, in accordance with the governor's quarantine due to the coronavirus outbreak. More than 100 boats were visible on t...

  • Governor's Office attorney chastises Chelan, Douglas counties

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Apr 18, 2020

    WENATCHEE — The Governor’s Office general counsel has chastised both Douglas and Chelan counties for allowing previously permitted home construction. In letters written Friday, April 17, on behalf of Gov. Jay Inslee, attorney Kathryn Leathers ordered Douglas County to “comply” with the governor’s quarantine orders and ordered Chelan County to “immediately retract” its resolution allowing construction. In addition to the two letters, Leathers sent both counties copies of guidelines on real estate and mortgage and construct...

  • Lincoln County emergency helipad gets funding

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Apr 18, 2020

    DAVENPORT -- Lincoln County is getting an emergency helipad, thanks to Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6248. Gov. Jay Islee signed the measure April 3; It allocates $75,000 in capital budget funds for the state Department of Transportation to construct an emergency-use helicopter landing pad at the Telford rest area. State officials said the rest area is already used an average of four times monthy as a “makeshift medical transer point.” Following a crash or a medical eme...

  • Cracks growing in Gov. Inslee's 'stay home' quarantine order

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Apr 16, 2020

    RICHLAND — Cracks are growing in Gov. Jay Inslee’s “stay home, stay safe” quarantine east of the Cascades. And the Tri-City area — the second most populous area east in Eastern Washington— is at the center of the uprising to lift “unconstitutional” mandates that restrict the ability to assemble, practice religion, access publicly owned lands and water, and more. The governor has ordered Washington state residents to "stay home" until at least May 4 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Richland resident Lisa Thomas has star... Full story

  • Investigators identify law enforcement, subject in fatal shooting

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Apr 14, 2020

    RITZVILLE - The Columbia Basin Investigative Team has identified the man shot and killed by police Saturday night as Shawn Lee. Lee, 49, hometown not released, was shot in the parking lot of Love's Travel Stop and Country Stores, 1370 N. state Highway 261, by officer Jeff Lane, said a report on the shooting released this morning. Lane is on paid administrative leave, standard operating procedure for an officer involved in a shooting. According to the report, Lee was passing...

  • State-managed lands to remain closed to the public

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Apr 9, 2020

    OLYMPIA — One elected state official and two bureaucrats have moved to keep publicly owned lands managed by their agencies off limits to the public. On Friday, State Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz, D-Poulsbo, and appointed Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Kelly Susewind and Washington State Parks Director Don Hoch said they will not be opening up public access because of the Wuhan coronavirus pandemic. Rather, they have said they will keep publicly owned lands managed by the Department of Natural Resources, the S...

  • 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...

  • Spring turkey hunt canceled

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Apr 3, 2020

    OLYMPIA - The state Department of Fish and Wildlife has canceled the youth turkey hunt previously scheduled for April 4-5. In addition, six game management units scheduled to open April 1 for spring bear hunting will remain closed pending further evaluation and could reopen if conditions allow. Fish and Wildlife officials ordered the closures Monday, March 30. The closures follow Gov. Jay Inslee's orders to stay home in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus, also...

  • Newspapers in survival mode, too

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Apr 3, 2020

    Given the ongoing shutdown in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, like nearly all local businesses, we had to make some difficult decisions last week. Among those was the decision to reduce staff. At the same time, we decided to continue to provide the same amount of content. And with things changing so quickly, we’ve started updating our webpage, www.odessarecord.com, more frequently. For our subscribers, access to the webpage is free. All you have to do is call our main o...

  • 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...

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