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  • Sen. Schoesler arrested for DUI

    Roger Harnack, Lincoln County Record-Times|Updated Sep 4, 2024

    RITZVILLE - The local 9th Legislative District senator was released on his own recognizance Saturday night, Aug. 31, after being arrested for allegedly driving drunk and hitting another vehicle twice. Sen. Mark Schoesler, 67, of Ritzville, was arrested by citation for driving while under the influence of alcohol following the Saturday night performance of the Ritzville Rodeo. According to Police Chief Dave McCormick, he had a blood-alcohol level of 0.14 at the time of his...

  • Cellphone ban needs parental support

    Roger Harnack|Updated Aug 28, 2024

    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...

  • Reardan man arraigned on voyeurism charge

    Roger Harnack, The Record-Times|Updated Aug 21, 2024

    REARDAN — A local man was arraigned Wednesday, Aug. 20, after a neighbor reported a “peeping Tom.” Andrew Christopher Nilles, of Reardan, was charged with first-degree voyeurism in Lincoln County Superior Court. His arrest and arraignment stem from an Aug. 8 report by resident Lance A. Bruckelmeyer, who told law enforcement officers that a “peeping Tom” had been seen looking in a window above a shower, records show. According to court records, a 17-year-old girl was getting a shower and noticed a man watching through a...

  • Initiatives target state greenwash effort

    Roger Harnack|Updated Aug 13, 2024

    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...

  • 'Live long and prosper'

    Roger Harnack|Updated Aug 9, 2024

    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...

  • Ferguson, Reichert look to advance

    Roger Harnack, Lincoln County Record-Times|Updated Aug 7, 2024

    OLYMPIA — Given Washington's recent political history, it's no surprise that Democrat Bob Ferguson is leading all candidates in the gubernatorial race to replace outgoing Gov. Jay Inslee. But former King County deputy-turned-politician Dave Reichert's apparent second-place finish, may be a surprise. Earlier this year, the Republican Party rejected Reichert and instead endorsed Semi Bird of Richland for governor. In the initial count of ballots in the Tuesday, Aug. 6, primary election voters appeared to have overruled the c...

  • Serrano headed to general election for state attorney general

    Roger Harnack, Lincoln County Record-Times|Updated Aug 7, 2024

    PASCO - A prominent local attorney and community leader is headed to the November general election for Secretary of State. At the end of ballot counting in the Tuesday, Aug. 6, primary election, Pete Serrano of Pasco led the three-candidate field. "I am incredibly honored by your support tonight," Serrano said after the initial tally. "Your vote has made it clear that public safety is a top priority for Washingtonians. I am deeply grateful to my team, our volunteers, and...

  • Baumgartner leads 5th Congressional field

    Roger Harnack, Franklin Connection|Updated Aug 7, 2024

    SPOKANE — A perennial local politician is leading in the Tuesday, Aug. 6, primary election race for the 5th Congressional District seat being vacated by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers. At the end of the first day of counting, Spokane Republican Michael Baumgartner had a commanding lead with 29,892 votes. Spokane Democrat Marla Conroy was in second place with 20,938 votes. Baumgartner won most of the counties in the southeast portion of the district, but the lion's share of his support — 21,429 ballots, or 71.69% of his ini...

  • Dr. Garcia advances in Senate race

    Roger Harnack, Lincoln County Record-Times|Updated Aug 7, 2024

    TOPPENISH — A local doctor and former gubernatorial candidate appears headed to the Nov. 5 general election in his bid to be the state's newest U.S. Senator. In the Tuesday, Aug. 6, primary election, unofficial results show Republican Dr. Raul Garcia trailing incumbent Democrat Maria Cantwell, 212,439 votes to 578,629, respectively. The two candidates top a field of more than 10 vying for the position. Only the Top 2 advance to the general election. Here are the initial results of the first night of ballot counting: Mel R...

  • Treaty can wait until election is over

    Roger Harnack|Updated Jul 24, 2024

    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...

  • Don't buy into free EV chargers

    Roger Harnack|Updated Jul 17, 2024

    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...

  • Hottest days of year in forecast

    Roger Harnack, The Record-Times|Updated Jul 3, 2024

    DAVENPORT - Get ready for the heat. The National Weather Service is forecasting the hottest days of the year, so far, will hit this weekend across Lincoln County and much of Eastern Washington. As a result, an excessive heat warning was issued by the agency. The warning extends from noon Saturday to 10 p.m. Tuesday. "Dangerously hot conditions during the day, with little relief overnight," the warning said. "Highs will be in the 90s to 100s." All of Lincoln, Adams, Whitman,...

  • Avista changes may lead to power outages

    Roger Harnack, The Journal|Updated Jul 3, 2024

    SPOKANE — Ratepayers who purchase electricity from Avista may have their power turned off on windy, hot summer days when utility officials deem fire danger high. According to company officials, Avista’s so-called “Public Safety Power Shutoff” plan is in response to summer conditions in Eastern Washington. When high winds are forecast, company employees may increase sensitivity on power lines, officials said. The increased sensitivity could lead to more and prolonged power outages. Officials said ratepayers will be notifie...

  • Someone paid for your freedoms

    Roger Harnack|Updated May 23, 2024

    Disappointingly, many Americans are worried about silly first-world problems like where to go boating or what to barbecue over the upcoming weekend. Too many view this upcoming three-day break as an excuse to eat, drink and party, never giving a thought as to why Memorial Day is observed. So while you’re anxiously awaiting the long weekend, take time to remember, understand and plan to observe Memorial Day. Memorial Day is dedicated to the men and women killed while serving i...

  • On lunch break, man flees burglary trial

    Roger Harnack, The Record-Times|Updated May 2, 2024

    RITZVILLE - A Spokane Valley man being tried in connection with an Adams County burglary case failed to return to court in the middle of his trial Thursday, April 25. As a result, the Adams County Sheriff's Office is seeking public assistance in locating John Michael Daigneault. 50, who was subsequently convicted in absentia of burglary, court records show. Daigneault was one of two people arrested in connection with the burglary of an Odessa-area farm in the 1900 block of...

  • Race Time! Desert 100 race set for April 7

    Roger Harnack, The Record-Times|Updated Mar 28, 2024

    IRBY — Start your engines! The 52nd annual Stumpjumpers Desert 100 race takes over the sage-steppe area north of State Highway 28 on Sunday, April 7. Several thousand dirt bike racers are expected to compete in 50-mile, 100-mile and relay races. The major event of race weekend — April 4-7 — takes place Sunday. Following an 8:30 a.m. riders meeting, racers will make there way to the start line, which will span more than a half-mile. Once on the line, dirt bike racers will be awaiting the firing of a cannon to signal the start...

  • State unveils pike 'rapid response' plan

    Roger Harnack, The Record-Times|Updated Mar 14, 2024

    LAKE ROOSEVELT - The state Department of Fish and Wildlife has released a "rapid response" plan to take extraordinary measures to kill northern pike found in waterways like Lake Roosevelt. Released last week, the plan would allow state officials and tribes to draw down reservoirs, using Rotenone to poison the fish, netting and seining, quarantining waterways and more after declaring a northern pike emergency. State Aquatic Invasive Species Policy Coordinator Justin Bush...

  • Dam compact words matter

    Roger Harnack|Updated Feb 29, 2024

    Let’s take a few words that should be on the minds of all Eastern Washingtonians concerned over efforts to breach Snake River dams — agreement, restoration and sovereign, to name a few. Last Thursday in the White House, President Joe Biden signed onto the “Commitments in Support of the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative and in Partnership with the Six Sovereigns” agreement. The so-called “sovereigns” refers to the states of Washington and Oregon, and four tribes — th...

  • Forest bill offers welcome change

    Roger Harnack|Updated Feb 22, 2024

    Funny how it took a move into the country before a Democrat would support efforts to clean up our forests. Last week, Senate Bill 6121 passed the Senate unanimously. The bill sponsored by Sen. Kevin Van De Wege — a Democrat who now lives at Lake Sutherland — encourages the removal of downed timber and other “fuel” that could feed a wildfire. He should be commended for being the first Democrat to step out of the party box and recognize the importance of removing downed timber,...

  • State parks failing at Palouse Falls, Lyons

    Roger Harnack|Updated Feb 1, 2024

    Two years ago, Washington State Parks bureaucrats in Tumwater hatched a plan to address so-called “overcrowding” at Palouse Falls. The plan was to close and relocate the campground to Lyons Ferry, require permits to visit Upper Palouse Falls and to end hiking and exploring in and around the main Palouse Falls basin. The effort also eliminated kayaking access on the upper Palouse River. And to make the effort sound legitimate, those city-dwelling bureaucrats called Palouse Fal...

  • Reardan wrestlers bring home medals

    Roger Harnack, The Record-Times|Updated Dec 28, 2023

    SPOKANE VALLEY – Two Reardan boys brought home bronze medals from the Tri-County Classic wrestling tournament Thursday, Dec. 21. Sterling McLaughlin was third at 190 pounds and Carson Durbin third at 215. Other Screaming Eagles winning medals included Alex Matusik, fourth at 120, and Joey Matusik, sixth at 113. As a team, Reardan amassed 83 points, good enough for an eighth-place finish out of 20 teams. Mead won the tournament with 169 team points, followed by Central V...

  • Conway, Cash compete at M2 Mallet

    Roger Harnack, Record-Times|Updated Dec 28, 2023

    SPOKANE – Two Gorilla girls represented Davenport at the M2 Mallet Girls on Saturday, Dec. 23. But neither Stormy Conway nor Emma Cash brought home a medal. Wrestling at 110 pounds, Conway lost her first two matches. She was pinned by Hunter Edmondson of Sand Point in 51 seconds and then eliminated from the tournament by Layla Smith of Hanford, who pinned her in 17 seconds. Cash, wrestling at 135 pounds, faired better. She opened with a major decision victory, 12-3, over H...

  • Looking a lot like Christmas

    Roger Harnack|Updated Dec 21, 2023

    The Christmas tree is decorated. The gifts are wrapped. There may not be snow outside, yet, but it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. And I, for one, am looking forward to our family traditions. Every family has its own traditions; our starts with cutting down a tree, something we did a week or two ago. With the tree up and the lights already on, we’ve moved onto music and movies. Oh, the Christmas movies … Break out the classics – “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Mir...

  • GAO: Bad water is the problem

    Roger Harnack|Updated Nov 22, 2023

    Aren’t you sick and tired of hearing Gov. Jay Inslee and his ilk routinely blame Columbia and Snake River dams for the decline in Puget Sound salmon and orca populations? Despite voluminous information to the contrary, Inslee, Sen. Patty Murray and other extremist environmental politicians continue to push a narrative on salmon decline that is patently false. There should be penalties for being so disingenuous. While there isn’t a penalty for false statements made to app...

  • One killed in DUI-related crash

    Roger Harnack, The Record-Times|Updated Nov 16, 2023

    SPRAGUE – Drugs and/or alcohol were factors in two unrelated crashes that left one person dead and three injured Saturday and Sunday. At about 12:28 p.m. Saturday, a driver was injured and his passenger killed when their vehicle overturned in the median of Interstate 90. Then on Sunday night, a wrong-way driver caused a head-on crash near Milepost 240; two people were injured. The Washington State Patrol listed alcohol or drugs as factors in both crashes. In the Saturday c...

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