Articles written by Roger Harnac


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  • Lincoln County Rodeo

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Aug 30, 2024

  • Trump Country

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Aug 30, 2024

  • High out of the saddle

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Aug 28, 2024

  • Parents need to support cellphone ban at schools

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|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...

  • Riding and Roping in Rosalia

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Aug 22, 2024

  • Serrano headed to general election for state attorney general

    Roger Harnack, Franklin Connection|Updated Aug 16, 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...

  • Initiatives target state greenwash effort

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Aug 14, 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...

  • Hot Rockford

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Fee Press|Updated Aug 14, 2024

    Car show attracted 176 entries, thousands of car enthusiasts on Saturday, Aug. 10, to the at Southeast Spokane County Fairgrounds....

  • Lost load

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Aug 8, 2024

    Farmers work to clean up a hay spill after a truck lost its load Friday on Waverly Road, between Spangle and Waverly....

  • 'Live long and prosper'

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Aug 8, 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...

  • Dr. Garcia advances in Senate race

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|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...

  • Ferguson, Reichert look to advance

    Roger Harnack, Franklin Connection|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...

  • August 6 Primary Results

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Aug 6, 2024

    Adams County Commissioner District No. 1 David Lobe 223 Dan Blankenship 404 Commissioner District No. 2 Hank Rivard 48 Jay R. Weise 84 Ritzville Rural SE Precinct Officer Phil Peterson 25 John E. Faure 12 Lind Park and Recreation District No. 3 Proposition No. 1 Approved 66 Rejected 35 Ritzville Park and Recreation District No. 4 Proposition No. 1 Approved 214 Rejected 143 Cemetery District No. 1 Proposition No. 1 Approved 30 Rejected 8 Cemetery District No. 2 Proposition No. 1 Approved 253 Rejected 231 Franklin County Commis...

  • Treaty can wait until election is over

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jul 25, 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 border. The proposed agreement says the U.S. will red...

  • State may downgrade wolf listing

    Roger Harnack, The Journal|Updated Jul 17, 2024

    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...

  • Don't buy into push for 'free' EV chargers

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|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...

  • Up go the walls

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jul 11, 2024

  • Campfires banned at Lake Roosevelt

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jul 11, 2024

    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...

  • Avista initiates wildfire policy

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|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...

  • State, tribal fireworks laws should be aligned

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

    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...

  • State to end camping at Vernita Bridge recreation area

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

    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...

  • Chain-wrapped club attack ends in arrests

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

    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...

  • Naked convict arrested

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

    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...

  • Sixth in the state

    Roger Harnack, Valley News Herald|Updated Jun 5, 2024

  • Combine Derby set for Lind

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jun 5, 2024

    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...

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