Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 345
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 reduced the power all...
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 years, electric vehicle and utility companies have pushed installat...
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...
Eastern Washington was a great place to grow up. We used to be able to use the parks and boat launches without additional fees. We were able to hike, boat, swim, camp and otherwise enjoy the recreational opportunities here without interference from pencil-pushing bureaucrats masquerading as “experts” in state jobs. We used to be able to enjoy our corner of the world without having to acquiesce to tribes expanding their political power off reservations. Those days are almost gone. And with them,...
HARPOLE - The sound of black powder rifles echoed through this remote Palouse River valley. Tents and tepees popped up along the bank. And the smell of Dutch oven cooking wafted through the air. A living history of pioneer life arose in this rural community Friday, Saturday and Sunday in this rural area off Manning Road, northwest of Colfax and southwest of Steptoe. The 34th annual Palouse Hills Muzzleloader Rendezvous put frontier life skills at the forefront of activities for participants and...
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. Expect racers from across Whitman, Franklin, Adams, Lincoln, Spokane and other counties to be among the field. Local car aficionados will bring their classic chasis to Lind City Park and the downtown area for a small car show. Spectators can wander...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
