Articles written by roger harnac


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  • Thousands turn out for Freedom Rodeo

    ROGER HARNACK, Publisher|Updated Jul 1, 2021

    BASIN CITY — Thousands of rodeo fans turned out Friday and Saturday, June 25 and 26, to watch the second Freedom Rodeo. Temperatures neared 100 degrees at performance time Friday night and topped 105 at the start of Saturday’s rodeo. To keep cool, several fans put on canopies on the rim of the arena, while at least one family brought a toddler wading pool and filled it with water. The event got underway Friday morning with slack competition and a vendor area, compete with gia...

  • High heat expected to smash records

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jun 29, 2021

    SPOKANE – It's going to be a record-setting day, in terms of high temperatures that is. According to National Weather Service meteorologist Laurie Nisbet in Spokane, the region should set all-time record high temperatures this afternoon. Nisbet this morning went through decades of weather data for several small towns within the Free Press Publishing readership area from Spokane to Pasco and Odessa to Colfax. In Colfax, today's recorded record high is 100 degrees, set in 1...

  • Local boat racer wins Unlimited Class

    ROGER HARNACK, Publisher|Updated Jun 25, 2021

    ST. JOHN - A local sprint boat race team that ended a qualifying run after landing upside down in Webb's Slough rebuilt the top half of a motor and finished the high-speed event inside the Top 8 on Saturday, June 19. Sprint boat racing pits a driver and navigator against a maze of channels. At speeds reaching more than 80 mph, the driver concentrates on making 7G turns as the navigator memorizes the course and directs the driver using hand motions. More than two dozen North...

  • Flammable venting

    Roger Harnack|Updated Jun 24, 2021

    Spokane County Fire District 3 firefighters monitor a vent pipe for a fuel tank at a Medical Lake home along State Route 902 that was destroyed by fire last Wednesday afternoon. Both occupants of the home were evacuated, with one taken to a local hospital for smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire is under investigation....

  • Importance of fatherhood should be celebrated everyday

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Jun 18, 2021

    There’s a lot of talk about endangered species. But the most important endangered species in America, may not be a plant or a wild animal. The most endangered species may actually be in your home, a friend’s home or next door. The endangered species I’m talking about is the American Dad. This coming Sunday is Father’s Day, the one day set aside each year to honor the American Dad. Honoring and thanking the fathers in your life should be your highest priority this weekend...

  • Importance of fatherhood should be celebrated everyday

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Jun 17, 2021

    There’s a lot of talk about endangered species. But the most important endangered species in America, may not be a plant or a wild animal. The most endangered species may actually be in your home, a friend’s home or next door. The endangered species I’m talking about is the American Dad. This coming Sunday is Father’s Day, the one day set aside each year to honor the American Dad. Honoring and thanking the fathers in your life should be your highest priority this weekend...

  • Rosalia Trestle work may finish June 23

    ROGER HARNACK, Contributor|Updated Jun 10, 2021

    ROSALIA - Crews working on the Rosalia Trestle restoration project expect to wrap up around June 23. In the meantime, motorists on Rosalia Road can expect delays of up to 20 minutes between Pine City-Malden Road and U.S. Highway 195. Traffic delays are necessary to allow Rock Supremacy crews to apply shotcrete to damaged areas of the trestle. Shotcrete is a spray-on concrete that fills in cracks and holes. Once the shotcrete finishes, height-restriction signs will be posted...

  • Mennonite cyclists riding cross-country

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Jun 10, 2021

    TEKOA – A Mennonite cycling group crossing the U.S. to race awareness for climate action rode out of the state on Saturday, June 5, after spending the last several days in Eastern Washington. The group of 16 riders, two leaders and two support-vehicle drivers were at the Idaho state line midway through Day 6 of their ride. "We're biking from Seattle to Washington, D.C., to promote (climate) awareness," cyclist Isaac Alderfer of Harrison, Va., said Saturday. "We expect to r...

  • John Wayne riders arrive in Tekoa

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jun 7, 2021

    TEKOA - The John Wayne Trail Riders have reached their final destination. Riders have been arriving here all day today, June 3, following a trek along the 285-mile John Wayne Pioneer Trail, now called the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail. Their ride began May 20 in Easton and concludes tomorrow with a 12-mile round-trip journey from Tekoa into Idaho and back. That ride is expected to depart from the trail adjacent to the Iron Horse Arena between 8-9 a.m., officials said....

  • Fewer south county residents vaccinated

    ROGER HARNACK, Publisher|Updated Jun 3, 2021

    SPOKANE COUNTY — Fewer residents in southern Spokane County are getting vaccinated against the coronavirus than their neighbors further north. According to the tentative figures released by Spokane Regional Health District this week, only about a third of Cheney, Medical Lake and Spangle residents older than 16 have started a vaccine regimen. And fewer than that are seeking vaccinations in Airway Heights, Latah and Fairfield. At least two of the available coronavirus v...

  • Eight-vehicle pileup blocks Interstate 90

    ROGER HARNACK, Publisher|Updated Jun 3, 2021

    SPOKANE – Interstate 90 was closed to traffic for a short time Tuesday evening, May 25, following a crash involving eight vehicles. According to the Washington State Patrol, the crash occurred about 5:11 p.m. near Milepost 281, at the Division Street interchange. Camilla A. Zachary, 33, of Spokane, was eastbound in her 200 Ford Explorer on the interstate when she struck the Jersey barrier, pushing it into the westbound lands, the patrol said. She was not wearing a seatbelt. Za...

  • Heat advisory issued through June 3

    Roger Harnack, Franklin Connection|Updated Jun 2, 2021

    PASCO — Most of Eastern Washington will remain under a heat advisory through 8 p.m. Thursday night, June 3, as temperatures break into the 100s for the first time this summer. According to the National Weather Service, the Lower Columbia Valley can expect temperatures to remain at or above 100 degrees. The temperature already hit 104 degrees in the Pasco area today, June 2, officials said. "Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses," the National Weather Service advisory said,...

  • L&I: Businesses must verify vaccination

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated May 27, 2021

    OLYMPIA – The state Department of Labor and Industries is requiring business owners to verify employees have been vaccinated. Under the new May 21 mandate, the agency is also requiring employers to create a “log of workers who have verified they’ve been vaccinated and the date of verification. “I believe they are crossing the line,” farmer Sen. Mark Schoessler, R-Ritzville, said Tuesday, May 25, reacting to the new mandate. The rule also requires employers to check vaccinati...

  • Emergency response

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated May 27, 2021

    Cheney police and first responders were called to Bruchi's, 2630 First St., Tuesday afternoon. Police were on scene first with a man sitting outside of the business. Details of the call were not available before press time....

  • Eastern programs on budget chopping block

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated May 27, 2021

    CHENEY – Eastern Washington University Interim President David May is recommending several programs be eliminated going into the 2021-23 biennium. The recommendations stem from a state Office of Financial Management projection of a decline of 15% in state funding in the next budget cycle. The revenue drop comes from declining enrollment and the effects of the mandated coronavirus shutdowns mandated after the governor declared an emergency Feb. 29, 2020. The current u...

  • Filing week produces contested Cheney races

    Roger Harnack|Updated May 27, 2021

    CHENEY — Filing week produced only two races that will be contested in the Aug. 3 primary election The battle for Cheney City Council Position No. 3 is the most contested race in southern Spokane County, with five candidates entering the political fray to fill a seat being vacated by John Taves. Justin Amyot, Tim Gainer, Mark Posthuma, Ryan Delany and Jacquelyn Belock all filed for the seat last week. Gainer ran for the Postion No.1 seat in 2017, but lost to Paul Schmidt, 4...

  • Small engine tech shutting down

    Roger Harnack|Updated May 27, 2021

    CHENEY – The owner of a small engine repair shop is calling it quits, thanks to coronavirus mandates and shutdowns. Scott Rautio is in the process of closing his business, Cheney Small Engine, after two years at 16 W. First St. Rautio said he has no choice but to shutdown "due to COVID and not enough people wanting to work." The businessman and repair technician has a backload of small engine repair jobs for lawn mowers, riding tractors, weed eaters, chain saws, r...

  • E. Coli outbreak linked to Othello dairy

    Roger Harnack|Updated May 25, 2021

    OTHELLO — State officials say they have linked an E.Coli outbreak to contaminated yogurt from a local dairy farm. The state Department of Health said the outbreak is connected to yogurt produced by Pure Eire Dairy, owned and operated by Richard and Jill Smith, and sold at PCC Community Market stores. State health officials said Monday that at least 11 people, including six children younger than 10, have been sickened by the contaminated yogurt; seven have been hospitalized. The cases are in King, Benton, Snohomish and W...

  • Won in less than 30 seconds

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated May 20, 2021

    In the NE2B culminating league track meet Thursday, May 13, Liberty’s Ellie Fisk of Spangle wins her heat in the girls 200 meter with a time of 29.49 seconds, her personal record....

  • It's time for Washingtonians to get back to work

    Roger Harnack|Updated May 20, 2021

    Masks are coming off. Most residents wanting a coronavirus vaccination have gotten one. Sports are on and students are back in the classroom. It’s not a coronavirus emergency that’s keeping Washingtonians from going back to work. Over the past several weeks, I’ve had numerous conversations with owners and managers trying to get their small businesses back on solid financial ground. Given residents’ frustration of being pent up for more than 14 months, you’d think that would be...

  • Take a hike

    Roger Harnack|Updated May 20, 2021

    The hiking trails and overlook area of Palous Falls State Park are open to visitors. While the park is open for day use, the camping area remains closed. The park is located southeast of Washtucna, of state Highway 261....

  • Governor recall petition filed

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated May 20, 2021

    PASCO — Five voters led by a Pasco City Councilman have filed a petition to recall Gov. Jay Inslee from office for abusing the powers of his office during the coronavirus pandemic last year. The recall petition was filed with the Secretary of State’s Office in Olympia on Monday, May 17. Gov. Inslee has yet to respond to the recall petition. Under the state Constitution, any elected official in the state can be removed from office for misfeasance, malfeasance and violating an...

  • Lowland fishing season opens Saturday

    ROGER HARNACK, Publisher|Updated Apr 22, 2021

    EASTERN WASHINGTON — The lowland lakes fishing season opens Saturday, April 24, with trout being the most sought-after species. Opening day also marks the opening day of the statewide trout derby, where fishermen can win more than 1,000 prizes totaling more than $38,000. While some lakes are open for fishing year-round, the state closes a number of lakes through the fall and winter while it stocks millions of trout and kokanee. About four miles out of town alongside state H...

  • Trolling for trout

    Roger Harnack|Updated Apr 15, 2021

    A fisherman trolls for trout in his kayak Friday, April 9, on Medical Lake. The lake is a popular place for fishermen to try to catch rainbow and brown trout....

  • No, you go

    Roger Harnack|Updated Apr 8, 2021

    A herd of elk cross Cheney Spangle Road, near Jennings Road, early morning on Mar. 25....

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