Articles written by Roger Harnac


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  • Endorsement of the initiatives

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Nov 2, 2024

    Four measures on the Nov. 5 general election could make a difference in your lifestyle and your wallet. Here’s what you need to keep in mind when you cast your ballot: Initiative 2066 This initiative would repeal regulations that attack your ability to use nature gas use dryers, stoves, heating systems and more in your home and business. It would also restrict government agencies from implementing policies and programs that promote the use of electric appliances over n...

  • Kodiaks maul Cardinals, 42-14

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 31, 2024

    MEDICAL LAKE - It was a Homecoming game to forget, as the visiting Cascade Kodiaks from Leavenworth mauled the Cardinals, 42-14, on Friday, Oct. 18. The Kodiaks (4-2) opened scoring on their first possession of the game, when senior quarterback Will Biebesheimer called his own number, broke off tackle and raced into the end zone. Cascade tacked on the extra point to take a 7-0 lead. But while that opening salvo set the stage for the night, it was the Kodiaks' next two...

  • Homecoming Salute

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 31, 2024

    MEDICAL LAKE - Medical Lake High School's Homecoming halftime celebration on Friday night, Oct. 18, featured a special saber salute by the school's ROTC, honoring the Homecoming Court in front of an excited crowd. Senior fullback Cylas Huzycki proudly escorted senior Adasha Gardner through the arch of raised sabers during the ceremony. The evening was filled with school spirit, despite the Cardinals' tough loss to Cascade....

  • Medical Lake celebrates homecoming

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 31, 2024

    MEDICAL LAKE – Despite the chilly October night, Medical Lake's Homecoming game on Friday, Oct. 18, was filled with school spirit and smiling faces. The halftime show brought the crowd to life, with Homecoming royalty, performances, and a unique Candyland theme adding to the atmosphere. Senior King Tysan Newman and Queen Madison Spring were crowned in front of a cheering audience, while classic cars chauffeured the Homecoming Court to and from the football field. Princesses a...

  • Pink Night in Rosalia

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 18, 2024

    Rosalia High School senior Briley Smith bumps a pass as her Tekoa teammate Clare Wilkins assists in the Timberwolves' 3-0 loss to Oakesdale on Thursday, Oct. 10....

  • Aurora Borealis over Tekoa

    Roger Harnack, Valley News Herald|Updated Oct 17, 2024

    A house and hill in Tekoa are silhouetted against bright pink and green lights of the Aurora Borealis....

  • State license plate shortage literally highway robbery

    Roger Harnack, Valley News Herald|Updated Oct 17, 2024

    Motorists in Washington state are sometimes handing over hundreds of dollars for licensing of their vehicle, but only receiving paper plates in return. According to an Aug. 28 legislative report, the state is had a backlog of at least 230,000 standard license plate orders, 10,000 specialty orders and 5,000 personal vanity orders. More than 20 counties (30 counties now) statewide are out of or nearly out of license plates. Still, the state is collecting money for plates it cannot provide as of yet. For the money, many...

  • Hearing on new voter rule set

    Roger Harnack, Valley News Herald|Updated Oct 17, 2024

    PASCO — With less than 30 days to go in the Nov. 5 general election, a county auditor and state representative want to intervene in an effort to sweep away the constitutional residency requirement to vote. Franklin County Auditor Matt Beaton of Pasco and 19th Legislative District Rep. Jim Walsh of Aberdeen, both Republicans, are seeking to require to state elections officials to follow the state Constitution or go about a legal change to the constitution. At issue is the unilateral decision by Secretary of State Steve Hobbs,...

  • Aurora Borealis over Tekoa

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 17, 2024

    A stunning view of the Aurora Borealis on Thursday night, Oct. 10, 2024, with vibrant pink and green lights illuminating the sky....

  • State license plate shortage literally highway robbery

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 17, 2024

    Motorists in Washington state are sometimes handing over hundreds of dollars for licensing of their vehicle, but only receiving paper plates in return. According to an Aug. 28 legislative report, the state is had a backlog of at least 230,000 standard license plate orders, 10,000 specialty orders and 5,000 personal vanity orders. More than 20 counties (30 counties now) statewide are out of or nearly out of license plates. Still, the state is collecting money for plates it...

  • Hearing on new voter rule set

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 17, 2024

    PASCO — With less than 30 days to go in the Nov. 5 general election, a county auditor and state representative want to intervene in an effort to sweep away the constitutional residency requirement to vote. Franklin County Auditor Matt Beaton of Pasco and 19th Legislative District Rep. Jim Walsh of Aberdeen, both Republicans, are seeking to require to state elections officials to follow the state Constitution or go about a legal change to the constitution. At issue is the unilateral decision by Secretary of State Steve Hobbs,...

  • There's no doubt community newspapers still matter

    Roger Harnack, Valley News Herald|Updated Oct 14, 2024

    Sure, big city media printing the same diatribe you see on television is declining. (That's because the city media moguls have forgotten their place in society.) And sure, with the Googles of the world, cellphones and social media have impacted our advertising, which, by the way is how we pay our bills. But in our community newspapers, we haven't forgotten our place. Our reporters shop in the same stores, eat in the same restaurants and attend the same community functions as...

  • Spokane Valley man dies in collision

    Roger Harnack, Valley News Herald|Updated Oct 14, 2024

    SPRAGUE — A Spokane Valley man was killed in an early morning crash Saturday, Sept. 28, on Interstate 90. Craig E. Richardt, 61, of Spokane Valley, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash at 4:42 a.m. near Milepost 236. According to the Washington State Patrol, the crash occurred about 11 miles west of Sprague, near the south end of Sprague Lake in Adams County. Lloyd O. Arbaugh, 89, of Moses Lake, was westbound in a 1999 Dodge Ram pickup when he struck Richardt’s westbound 2009 Toyota Corolla, the patrol reported, not...

  • Demand direct access to elected officials

    Roger Harnack, The Journal|Updated Oct 14, 2024

    There’s a disturbing trend among tax-payer funded agencies that needs to be nipped in the bud. If you haven’t noticed, public agencies like hospital and utility districts, school boards, city councils, and others have been taking steps to insulate — dare I say isolate — elected board members from the public. Have a concern about something in your local school district? Don’t like a utility rate increase? Want to know if your local public hospital is making a profit? Have ques...

  • Man killed in Sprague-area crash

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 9, 2024

    SPRAGUE — A Spokane Valley man was killed in an early morning crash Saturday, Sept. 28, on Interstate 90. Craig E. Richardt, 61, of Spokane Valley, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash at 4:42 a.m. near Milepost 236. According to the Washington State Patrol, the crash occurred about 11 miles west of Sprague, near the south end of Sprague Lake in Adams County. Lloyd O. Arbaugh, 89, of Moses Lake, was westbound in a 1999 Dodge Ram pickup when he struck Richardt’s westbound 2009 Toyota Corolla, the patrol reported, not...

  • There's no doubt community newspapers still matter

    Roger Harnack|Updated Oct 9, 2024

    Sure, big city media printing the same diatribe you see on television is declining. (That’s because the city media moguls have forgotten their place in society.) And sure, with the Googles of the world, cellphones and social media have impacted our advertising, which, by the way is how we pay our bills. But in our community newspapers, we haven’t forgotten our place. Our reporters shop in the same stores, eat in the same restaurants and attend the same community functions as y...

  • Free Press dominates photo awards

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 9, 2024

    OLYMPIA — Free Press Publishing staffers and contributors dominated the photography category for newspapers its size in the annual state Better Newspaper Contest. In addition, graphic designers and reporters won multiple awards for their work over the year spanning April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024. The awards were presented Saturday evening, Oct. 5, at Indian Summer Golf and Country Club during the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association annual gala and meeting. During the awards banquet, Free Press photos stole t...

  • Man killed in Sprague-area crash

    Roger Harnack, The Journal|Updated Oct 3, 2024

    SPRAGUE — A Spokane Valley man was killed in an early morning crash Saturday, Sept. 28, on Interstate 90. Craig E. Richardt, 61, of Spokane Valley, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash at 4:42 a.m. near Milepost 236. According to the Washington State Patrol, the crash occurred about 11 miles west of Sprague, near the south end of Sprague Lake in Adams County. Lloyd O. Arbaugh, 89, of Moses Lake, was westbound in a 1999 Dodge Ram pickup when he struck Richardt’s westbound 2009 Toyota Corolla, the patrol reported, not...

  • Voter residency omission challenged as unconstitutional

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 3, 2024

    PASCO — With less than 30 days to go in the Nov. 5 general election, a county auditor and state representative want to intervene in an effort to sweep away the constitutional residency requirement to vote. Franklin County Auditor Matt Beaton of Pasco and 19th Legislative District Rep. Jim Walsh of Aberdeen, both Republicans, are seeking to require to state elections officials to follow the state Constitution or go about a legal change to residency requirements. At issue is the unilateral decision by Secretary of State S...

  • Coalition forms to push back on predators

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 3, 2024

    RITZVILLE - Law enforcement agencies, ranchers and rural counties are forming a coalition to push back against the state Fish and Wildlife Commission's failure to manage large predators effectively. The coalition was announced Sept. 17 following a meeting here on large predators issues. The meeting attracted about 16-20 law enforcement officers, as well as two ranchers speaking about the effects of wolf, cougar and bear depredation on farms, ranches and rural communities....

  • Demand direct access to elected officials

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 3, 2024

    There’s a disturbing trend among tax-payer funded agencies that needs to be nipped in the bud. If you haven’t noticed, public agencies like hospital and utility districts, school boards, city councils, and others have been taking steps to insulate — dare I say isolate — elected board members from the public. Have a concern about something in your local school district? Don’t like a utility rate increase? Want to know if your local public hospital is making a profit? Have ques...

  • Racing takes over downtown Rockford

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Sep 26, 2024

    ROCKFORD - Sunday was race day in Rockford. As part of the Southeast Spokane County Fair, dozens of racers and hundreds of their fans hit downtown streets for a day of cart and soap box derby racing, and lawnmower drags. "I can't believe the turnout," Mowin' Down Main Street organizer Brandon Cronk said. "It was a whole dale of motorsports nonsense. The day kicked off with soap box derby racing. "The races are open to everyone," derby race official John Seehorn said, noting...

  • Sprague Days 2024

    Roger Harnack, Cheney|Updated Sep 19, 2024

  • Senator pleads not guilty to DUI

    Roger Harnack, The Journal|Updated Sep 19, 2024

    RITZVILLE – The 9th Legislative District senator pleaded not guilty Thursday, Sept. 12, on a charge of driving while under the influence of alcohol. But Adams County District Court Judge Andrea K. Russell determined there was probable cause for the charge against 67-year-old Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville. She schedule him to appear before her again Oct. 8 in the 210 W. Broadway Ave. courthouse Schoesler was released on his own recognizance to a family member following his A...

  • Return site control to local level

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Sep 19, 2024

    You shouldn’t be surprised the state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council last week voted to accept a site application for construction of more wind turbines atop Horse Heaven Hills. It’s all part of Gov. Jay Inslee and his financial supporters plan to breach our dams and replace them with unsightly, unpopular and unreliable wind power. The council was pushed by Gov. Jay Inslee, who didn’t like the fact Tri-Citians outright rejected his plan to supplant dams with the unsigh...

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