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Articles written by Roger Harnack


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  • Tekoa man arrested on multiple charges

    Roger Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Apr 11, 2024

    COEUR d’ALENE, Idaho — A Tekoa man accused of trying to strangle his girlfriend has been released on bond. Brandon Calvin Camp, 19, was released from the Kootenai County Jail on $35,000 bond April 5, court records sow. He is charged with felony attempted strangulation and misdemeanors of unlawful entry, malicious injury to property, false imprisonment and battery. Records show the arrest stems from a domestic violence incident. Preliminary hearings in the case have been scheduled for 8:30 a.m. April 16 and 1:30 p.m. April 18, records show. Cam...

  • Glimpse of an eclipse

    Roger Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Apr 11, 2024

  • Two Timberwolves finish in top 4

    Roger Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Apr 4, 2024

    SPOKANE - Two Tekoa Timberwolves wrestlers finished in the Top 4 at the Jason Crawford Memorial Tournament on Saturday, March 30. More than 2,100 wrestlers competed in the tournament, including 13 Timberwolves. The tournament is considered as the "state" competition for Eastern Washington and North Idaho. Wrestling in the ages 9/10 division, Tyler Schmelter was fourth in the boys 114-118 weight class and Noraya Himes was fourth in girls 141-149 pounds. Schmelter opened by pinning Caleb Hayes of...

  • Whitman Hospital officials' conduct inappropriate at public meeting

    Roger Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Mar 28, 2024

    It’s not a private hospital. Apparently, Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics employees and commissioners need to be reminded that they work for the taxpayers. But, from the way the Whitman County Public Hospital District No. 3 Commission meeting was conducted March 20, it appears they’ve gotten too big for their britches. From our perspective, the leadership at the hospital may have violated several provisions of the state Open Public Meetings Act at last week’s meeting. Let’s start with th...

  • Rematch looms for president

    Roger Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Mar 14, 2024

    SPOKANE — Following the Tuesday, March 12, primary in Washington and other states, its appears that voters will see a rematch in the race for U.S. President. Both former President Republican Donald J. Trump and current Democrat President Joseph R. Biden Jr. secured enough support to become the presumptive nominees for their parties. In Washington, Trump received 442,048 votes statewide, or 73.8% of Republican votes cast. Biden received 559,996 votes, or 85.7% of Democrat votes. In Whitman County, support for both Trump and Biden slipped. T...

  • Dam compact words matter

    Roger Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|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 — the Yakama in Washington, W...

  • Dave Reichert

    Reichert to stump in Tekoa

    Roger Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Feb 29, 2024

    TEKOA - The effort to bring candidates for public office to town to interact with area voters and present their platforms has landed a gubernatorial candidate. The Tekoa Events Center on Crosby Street will host a meet-and-greet for former Congressman Dave Reichert, R-Auburn, at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 6. Food and beverages will be available from C&Ds Tekoa Bar and Grill. Following the relaxed event, the 73-year-old Reichert will head down the street to Empire Theater, 126 S. Crosby St., to...

  • Deputy may face assault charge

    Roger Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Feb 29, 2024

    SPOKANE VALLEY – The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office deputy who roughed up a Colfax man on Aug. 14, 2023, may be charged in the case. On Wednesday, Feb. 21, the Spokane Police Department determined there is probable cause to charge Sgt. Clay V. Hilton with second-degree assault. “The case has been forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office for review,” Spokane County Sheriff John F. Nowels said in a press release following the conclusion of the independent police investigation. Hilton is accused of beating Kevin Hinton, 62, of Colfax...

  • Forest bill offers a welcome change

    Roger Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|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, dead snags and othe...

  • On the Hot Seat: A roundabout is not necessarily a done deal

    Roger Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Feb 15, 2024

    Washington state transportation employees are roundabout-mad. So, it was only a matter of time before that unwanted madness was injected into Colfax. At issue is whether the two U.S. Highway 195 bridges at the north entrance to town should be replaced by a new bridge and roundabout. Let that sink in for a second – rather than just replace the bridges, the state wants to add a roundabout. With our recent coverage on the state’s push, we’ve received a lot of telephone calls from Colfax and other...

  • McMorris Rodgers won't seek re-election

    Roger Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Feb 15, 2024

    SPOKANE — The 5th Congressional District will have an opening next year. Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane, announced Thursday, Feb. 8, that she is not seeking re-election. “It’s been the honor and privilege of my life to represent the people of Eastern Washington in Congress,” she said. “After much prayer and reflection, I’ve decided the time has come to serve them in new ways. I will not be running for re-election to the People’s House.” The 5th Congressional District covers Eastern Washington, including Pend Oreille, Steven...

  • Mathia to regionals

    Roger Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Feb 8, 2024

    SPOKANE – One St. John-Endicott wrestler is headed to the regional tournament Saturday, Feb. 10. Cameron Mathia finished third at the district tournament last Saturday at 113 pounds in the Spokane Convention Center. The Top 4 in each weight class qualified for regionals in Spangle. Mathia had a tough road to regionals, after losing his opening bout by pin in 3:30 to David Phillips of Northwest Christian (Colbert). In the westlebacks, he received a bye and then pinned his next two opponents to q...

  • State parks failing at Palouse Falls, Lyons Ferry

    Roger Harnack, Publisher, Whitman County Gazette|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 Falls a “he...

  • Campbell finishes fourth

    Roger Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Jan 18, 2024

    COLBERT – A St. John-Endicott wrestler finished fourth Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Crusader Classic at Northwest Christian. Steven Campbell finished fourth at 175 pounds. Campbell is one of only two grapplers for the Eagles – the other is Cameron Mathia at 113. Campbell opened with a bye and then a loss by pin to Reed Widman of Liberty in 3:47. In the wrestle backs, he received a bye, then pinned Talen Kent of Kettle Falls in 1:59 and Mason Watt Shilwin of East Valley (Spokane Valley) in 1:2...

  • Kitsap court to hear attempt to keep Trump off ballot

    Roger Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Jan 11, 2024

    OLYMPIA – Eight Kitsap County residents have filed a lawsuit to try to remove former President Donald Trump from the March 12 primary election ballot. The lawsuit (Kitsap County Superior Court case No. 24-2- 00075-18) was filed in both Kitsap and Thurston counties on Wednesday, Jan. 10, records show. A hearing on the matter has been set for Tuesday, Jan. 16, in Kitsap County Superior Court. The lawsuit alleges Trump, a Republican, is ineligible to be on the ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The section r...

  • Two Whitman County wrestlers win silver

    Roger Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Dec 28, 2023

    SPOKANE – Two Whitman County wrestlers came home from the M2 Mallett tournament at Roger High School with silver medals. Cooper Phillips of Colfax took second in boys 126 pounds and Alexis Taylor of Tekoa, wrestling for Liberty (Spangle) took second in girls 155. The tournament drew about 30 teams from across the state. In the boys division, Moscow, Idaho, won the team title with 213.5 points. The Colfax boys finished 14th overall with 78.0 team points. Nearby Liberty (Spangle) finished 15th wit...

  • Two Colfax boys bring home medals from Tri-County

    Roger Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Dec 28, 2023

    SPOKANE VALLEY – Two Colfax boys brought home medals from the Tri-County Classic on Thursday, Dec. 21. Isaac Nelson led the Bulldogs with a fifth place medal at 190 pounds. The other medalist, Cody Phillips, finished sixth at 126. As a team, the Bulldogs scored 31 points and finished 18th out of 20 teams competing in the tournament at Central Valley High School. Nelson's 190-pound medal run began with an opening-match pin of Ethan Reid of Northwest Christian (Colbert) in 20 seconds. He r...

  • Jones wins gold medal at tournament

    Roger Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Dec 28, 2023

    SPOKANE VALLEY – Grace Jones won gold Thursday, Dec. 21, in the Tri-County Wrestling Tournament at Central Valley High School. Jones was the only girl wrestling for the Bulldogs. In additional to winning the 115-pound weight class, she single-handedly placed fourth in team scoring with 28 team points for the Colfax girls. In the tournament, Jones won her opening bout by pinning Annaliese Clark of Lewis and Clark in 2:46. In the second round of the event, she pinned Charlotte Godinez of Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) in 4:28. In the semifinals, s...

  • Vikings wrestlers eliminated in two bouts

    Roger Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Dec 28, 2023

    SPOKANE VALLEY – The Garfield-Palouse boys wrestling team came home from the Tri-County Classic wrestling tournament win-less Thursday, Dec. 21. Neither Walker Montgomery at 132 nor T.J. Fox at 215 could get a win in the tournament that featured much-larger schools from the Spokane area. Wrestling at 132, Montgomery was pinned in his opening match by Kian Tomimatsu of East Valley (Spokane Valley). The time was not reported. In his second match, he lost a 5-4 decision to Elliot Wilson of Mead. Fox, wrestling at 215, opened with a first-round b...

  • Jones, Taylor get quick pins

    Roger Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Dec 21, 2023

    SPANGLE – Two Whitman County girls pinned all of their competitors Wednesday, Dec. 13, at the second girls wrestling meet of the season. Colfax senior Grace Jones and Tekoa High School's Alexis Taylor, wrestling for Liberty High School, both notched quick pins and remained undefeated in their respective weight classes. Wrestling at 110 pounds, Jones pinned her first opponent, Lewis and Clark's Erellyn Preston, using a half-Nelson in the first round. Jones jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead before pi...

  • Snake River salmon pact filed in court

    Roger Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Dec 21, 2023

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Biden Administration and environmental activists formalized an agreement Dec. 14 on plans to manage and improve salmon populations on the Snake River. A “memorandum of understanding” was filed with U.S. District Court in an attempt to curtail lawsuits over salmon and efforts by environmental activists to breach the four Lower Snake River dams. The agreement was formally announced Thursday, Dec. 14, by the Biden Administration, more than two weeks after a leaked document was released to the public by 5th Congr...

  • Secret breaching pact unveiled

    Roger Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Dec 7, 2023

    WASHINGTON D.C. - The Biden and Inslee administrations have been colluding secretly with extremist environmental groups and four tribal governments on plans to breach dams on the Snake and Columbia Rivers. A "confidential mediation document - not for distribution" on their dam-breaching efforts was leaked to Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers last week, and then to the media Wednesday, Nov. 29. McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane, represents Eastern Washington's 5th Congressional District, which includes the...

  • Secret meetings, agreement leaked on dam breaching

    Roger Harnack, Daily Bulletin|Nov 30, 2023

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Biden and Inslee administrations have been colluding secretly with extremist environmental groups and four tribal governments on plans to breach dams on the Snake and Columbia Rivers. A “confidential mediation document — not for distribution” on their dam-breaching efforts was leaked to Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and then to the media Wednesday, Nov. 29. The document outlines a proposed agreement between representatives of the six agencies in their efforts expected to be presented in federal court Dec. 15 in connect...

  • Trestle back in operation

    Roger Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Oct 26, 2023

    WINONA – Trains are running over Rebel Flat Creek only two months after the Winona Fire destroyed the train trestle here. On Friday, Oct. 20, state officials announced that the trestle has been replaced and the trains are running. The trestle is a vital link connecting wheat farmers and suppliers in Adams and Whitman Counties. The 197-foot wooden trestle over the creek was destroyed Aug. 19 in the Winona Fire, which burned 2,525 acres as well as several buildings. "The bridge has been r...

  • Rosalia art teacher exhibits works at the Center

    Roger Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Oct 19, 2023

    COLFAX — Whitman County Library has a new exhibit from Alexis Maki. “A World in Color” is on display at The Center, 1-4 S. Main St., adjacent to the library. The exhibit will run through Halloween, organizers said. Maki was raised in Colfax and received her bachelor of science degree with a major in art. Maki has a master’s degree for arts in teaching from Eastern Oregon University. A Rosalia School District art teacher, Maki uses darker aspects of the sublime and the beauty of nature to portray a sense of contrast within the artwork. The sho...

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