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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 border. The proposed agreement says the U.S. will red...
CHENEY - Caleb McMillan of Soap Lake was crowned the all-around cowboy Sunday for the 2024 Cheney Rodeo, earning $998. He competed in bull riding, tie-down roping and steer wrestling. The total payout for Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association events was $91,238. Additionally, the breakaway roping payout was $10,528. Here are the results: Bareback riding: 1. Clay Stone, 84.5 points on C5 Rodeo's Chasing Dreams, $2,611; 2. Tucker Zingg, 83, $2,002; 3. Hunter Greenup, 80, $...
OLYMPIA – The Fish and Wildlife Commission is expected to downgrade the state listing of wolves from endangered to sensitive when it meets virtually Friday, July 19. The meeting is scheduled to run from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and will be aired on TVW. The wolf discussion is planned for 10:15 a.m. The discussion on downgrading the state listing stems from a state Department of Fish and Wildlife finding that gray wolves no longer meet the criteria to be considered endangered. Down-listing would not mean wolf management rules would c...
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...
CHENEY - Local firefighters contained two brush fires over the last week. One fire broke out at the Salnave Road-Interstate 90 interchange Tuesday night, July 9. The other broke out Wednesday, July 3, off West Jennings Road. At press time, details were not available on the Salnave Road fire. But fire officials reported the West Jennings fire had been contained to about 3 acres. Initially reported as slow-moving, that fire burned about a half-acre before spreading to 3 acres...
GRAND COULEE — Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area is banning all campfires until further notice. The ban on all campfires went into effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, July 11. “No open flames are permitted,” a notice on the ban said. “This includes, but is not limited to, all fires in National Park Service-provided fire rings and boxes, shoreline fires, charcoal fires, tiki torches, incense burners, candles, pellet smokers and propane campfires.” Lake Roosevelt officials said self-contained propane and gas stoves and lante...
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...
When it comes to fireworks, there are two classes of people in Washington state, indeed much of the country. In one class are American Indian tribes and tribal members, which sell mortars, Roman candles, firecrackers, bottle rockets and other fireworks with abandon. The other class comprises non-tribal residents, who are generally prohibited from possessing and lighting those same fireworks off a reservation. Predictably, tribes and tribal members are racking up sales to...
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE - Thousands of aviation and military buffs turned out Saturday and Sunday, June 22-23, for SkyFest 2024. The airshow takes place every other year on the flightline of the base just, off U.S. Highway 2. This year's show was dedicated to the A-10 Thunderbolt II - dugged the "Warthog" - as the Air Force retires the tank killer. The A-10 was piloted by Major Lindsay "Mad" Johnson. There were numerous other aircraft in the air and on static display. Others...
VERNITA - If you like spending a week or more fishing for salmon and camping on the Columbia River adjacent to Vernita Bridge, your days are numbered. On Monday, June 17, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife announced plans to limit the number of days fishermen can camp at the water-access area just upstream the bridge during fall salmon seasons in 2024 and 2025. During the fall salmon season, fishermen will be allowed to camp a maximum of 14 days each of the next two...
ST. JOHN - Thousands of sprint boat race fans braved what felt like four seasons of weather on Saturday, June 15, to watch the high-speed action at Webb's Slough. A cold wind blew as rain hit the slough early in the day, followed by a break in the weather with blue skies. Throughout most of the day, the temperature hovered in the mid-40s, prompting spectators to don coats and wrap themselves in blankets in the blustery weather. The cold weather brings increased air density,...
SPOKANE VALLEY - Two homeless men were booked into the Spokane County Jail last week after allegedly beating a man with a chain-wrapped club. Armando Guerro-Lopez, 44, and Richard Corrales, 36, were both booked into the jail for first-degree robbery. The men were being held on $500,000 bail, set by Superior Court Commissioner Eugene Cruz. Their arrest stems from a June 1 attack in a parking lot in the 5600 block of East Sprague Avenue. According to the Spokane County...
SPOKANE VALLEY — A convicted felon was back in jail in connection with a violent attack only two days after being released from prison. Logan P.L. Ortiz, 29, is being held in the Spokane County Jail on charges of second-degree assault-strangulation with sexual motivation and third-degree assault. Ortiz has previous convictions for first-degree burglary, second-degree assault, third-degree assault, criminal trespassing, residential burglary, retail theft, fourth-degree assault, malicious mischief and violation of a p...
ROSALIA - Battle Days brought the community together for a weekend of celebration and honor in Rosalia. The fun began at 3:30 p.m. with free swimming and games at the pool. Later that evening, the Battle Days Association provided a dinner with live music at the Rosalia City Park. Saturday started out bright and early for the runners and walkers of the community. Rosalia's annual fun run took runners from the fire station through South Whitman Avenue to the monument at Steptoe...
CHENEY – A longtime local resident and former mayor has joined the newsroom staff at the Cheney Free Press. Allan Gainer, 62, brings eight years as a newspaper editor and television reporter for Navy Broadcasting to the local newspaper. He gained his experience while serving in the U.S. Navy. "I like being part of this community," Gainer said. "It's a great town. "I want to tell the stories of the people of Cheney and Medical Lake." "Allen's knowledge of the area and the i...
ROSALIA — Battle Day’s annual fun run hit the ground running on Saturday, June 1. The race began at 8 a.m. and was split into two different distance runs. In the 2.5 mile run, seven competed. While in the 5K, ten individuals competed for the top prize of gift cards. The results for the 2.5 mile run are: 1st - Hattie Mills, 26:05; 2nd - Allie Workman, 27:36; 2nd - BrynLeigh McGuire, 27:36; 4th - Bella Work man, 30:53; 5th - Ayla Schu, 33:09; 6th Alleigh Place, 33:10; 7th - Claire Schu, 37:07; 7th - Anna Mills, 37:07. The 5K...
LIND — The town will roar to life this weekend as the annual Lind Grand Parade and Combine Derby return to town. The action begins Friday with car and pickup truck racing. Locals and visitors alike with “run what they brung” to Lion’s Club Arena on state Highway 21. Racing is set to begin at 6 p.m. As of press time, racers were still able to get registered for the event by calling Eric Lund at 509-677-3432. Expect racers from across Whitman, Franklin, Adams, Lincoln, Spokane and other counties to be among the field. Saturda...
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 up coming 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...
YAKIMA — The Liberty (Spangle) girls fastpitch team finished the season with a single loss. This week, the Lancers (22-1) will have an opportunity to show they deserve a shot at the state Class 2B title. The No. 5-ranked Lancers charge into the Gateway Sports Complex for the state fastpitch softball tournament Friday, May 24. They open tournament play at 10 a.m. on Field No. 3 against the No. 12-ranked Lake Roosevelt Raiders (18-5) from Coulee Dam. The Lancers are the top team out of the Northeast 2B League; the Raiders f...
MEDICAL LAKE – The State Veterans Cemetery at Medical Lake will host its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 27. Starting at 11 a.m., the event honors the service and sacrifice of U.S. veterans and their families. Due to limited on-site parking, attendees are encouraged to carpool. Overflow parking will be available on Ritchey Road. Pets and the use of tobacco products are prohibited on cemetery grounds. In preparation for the ceremony, members of the military will p...
A G5 (extreme) geomagnetic storm resulted in one of the most brilliant displays of northern lights, scientifically known as aurora borealis, on Friday night, May 10. The colorful aerial display was visible across Eastern Washington. Pictured, the colorful sky silhouettes farm buildings....
