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  • Gov. Inslee orders new shutdowns effective Monday

    Roger Harnack, Franklin Connection|Updated Nov 16, 2020

    OLYMPIA — Calling the current status of the coronavirus outbreak the "third wave," Gov. Jay Inslee ordered more shutdowns this morning, Nov. 15. Indoor service at restaurants and bars is prohibited from midnight Monday through Dec. 14. In addition, church services are being limited to 25% capacity or 200 people, whichever is less, the governor said, calling today the "most dangerous public health day" in state history. Choirs, singing and ensembles are banned, but a solo performance will be allowed. "In-action here is not a...

  • Gov. Inslee calls on travelers to quarantine 14 days

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Nov 13, 2020

    OLYMPIA — A day after Gov. Inslee told residents to have virtual Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations this year, he issued a travel advisory calling on travelers to quarantine 14 days. The governor’s advisory also suggests only “essential” travel outside of the home. All residents or visitors who travel out of the state should quarantine 14 days, he said, following the lead of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Oregon Gov. Kate Brown. “COVID-19 cases have doubled in Washington over the past two weeks,” he said. “This puts...

  • Snowfall expected overnight

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Nov 9, 2020

    CHENEY – Drivers should expect wintry conditions and slick roads overnight tonight. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for 10 p.m. tonight to 10 a.m. Tuesday in advance of a storm that's expected to bring 1-3 inches of snow across the area overnight. "Light now will develop overnight," the advisory said. "Wintry driving conditions will be possible during the Tuesday morning commute, especially on untreated roadways." 1-2 inches of snow is e...

  • Spokane County voters reject R-90

    ROGER HARNACK, Publisher|Updated Nov 5, 2020

    OLYMPIA – Despite a parental uprising over an “inclusive” sexual education mandate, Referendum 90 was passing after an initial election night tally Nov 3. Approval of R-90 reaffirms a law passed by Democrats in Olympia last spring that requires all public schools to start teaching a sexual education curriculum, which includes alternative lifestyle intimacy, in all grades starting with kindergarten. The initial count showed the measure had 1,916,159 supporting votes state...

  • McMorris Rodgers, Newhouse have comfortable leads

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Nov 5, 2020

    SPOKANE — Eastern Washington’s two incumbent Republican congressional representatives were leading by large margins following the initial general election tally Tuesday night. In the 5th Congressional District, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Spokane was leading Democrat Dave Wilson, 195,907 votes to 133,419 (59.4% to 40.4%). In the 4th Congressional District race, Rep. Dan Newhouse of Sunnyside was leading Democrat Doug McKinley of Richland, 126,355 votes to 67,533 votes (65...

  • County voters back Trump

    ROGER HARNACK, Publisher|Updated Nov 5, 2020

    SPOKANE – Spokane County voters were backing Republican President Trump in his re-election bid by a narrow margin following an initial count in the general election.’ Meanwhile, the state was leaning toward Democratic challenger Joe Biden. Here, 126,675 votes, or 49.3%, have already been counted for Trump and 122,188, or 47.55%, had been tallied for Biden. Only two counties in Eastern Washington — Whitman and Walla Walla — were supporting Biden. Statewide, Biden was leading...

  • Gov. Inslee declares victory over Loren Culp

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Nov 5, 2020

    OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee declared victory in the general election Tuesday night, Nov. 3, over Republican challenger Loren Culp. “I cannot express the honor I feel to be elected to a third term as governor,” Inslee said, celebrating victory even more than a million ballots have yet to be counted statewide. “The people of Washington have given my administration a unique place in history, and I will work hard for you every day, just as I have for the past eight years....

  • Chase running away with 4th Legislative District seat

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Nov 4, 2020

    SPOKANE VALLEY — Liberty state supporters have a new champion in Olympia following yesterday's general election. Republican Rob Chase of Spokane Valley will be filling the 4th Legislative District seat being vacated by Rep. Matt Shea. As of the end of ballot counting Nov. 3, Chase had 61% of the vote to Democrat Lance Gurel's 39%, according to the Spokane County Election Office. Chase is a former Spokane County treasurer and was backed by Rep. Shea. Liberty state is the most current iteration in Eastern Washington's c...

  • Newhouse, McMorris Rodgers leading congressional races

    Roger Harnack, The Ritzville Adams County Journal|Updated Nov 3, 2020

    SPOKANE — Eastern Washington’s two incumbent Republican congressional representatives were leading by large margins following the initial general election tally Tuesday night. Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Spokane and Dan Newhouse of Sunnyside had comfortable leads in their districts at press time. In the race for the 5th Congressional District, McMorris Rodgers was leading Democrat challenger Dave Wilson, 195,907 votes to 133,419 (59.4% to 40.4%). Due to technical issues, Whitman County has yet to report; the county is...

  • Westbound I-90 closed in Spokane due to fatal crash

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 31, 2020

    SPOKANE — Interstate 90 westbound is closed between Freya and altamont avenues due to a fatal crash. According to the Washington State Patrol, the crash occurred at 12:59 p.m. and the interstate's three westbound lanes are blocked. "Traffic is getting by on the right shoulder," the patrol reported, noting the eastbound left lane is blocked by emergency vehicles. An ETA on reopening is not yet available; westbound motorists are advised to find alternative routes, the patrol said. There are no other details available at this t...

  • Broemmeling resigns as chamber director

    ROGER HARNACK, Publisher|Updated Oct 22, 2020

    AIRWAY HEIGHTS – The West Plains Chamber of Commerce has a new interim leader today. Deanna Williams took over the business organization this morning, Wednesday, Oct. 21, after former Executive Director Toby Broemmeling stepped down and the chamber's governing board accepted his resignation. Neither Williams nor Broemmeling could not be reached for comment by press time. Chamber board Chairman Erik Puthoff announced Broemmeling's departure in an email to members Tuesday, O...

  • Winter Storm Watch issued

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Oct 21, 2020

    AIRWAY HEIGHTS – The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Friday afternoon and night in advance of a cold front that's expected to bring moderate to heavy snow to the U.S. Highway 2 corridor. The watch includes much of Northeast Washington, mostly north of U.S. Highway 2. Davenport, Reardan, Airway Heights, Medical Lake and Cheney are in the watch area. "Travel could be very difficult, including the Friday evening commute," the weather service said. "...

  • Blaze devours Malden

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Oct 8, 2020

    MALDEN - High winds and dry weather conditions propelled a wall of flames southwest across rural Spokane and Whitman counties Monday, leveling homes, businesses and government offices. Approximately 75 percent of structures in Malden burned to the ground, including City Hall, the post office, a gas station and a historic church. Burned-out cars were visible throughout town adjacent to what was left of homes and garages. Local ranchers and residents manned hoses and buckets of...

  • Culp keeps Gov. Inslee on defense during debate

    Roger Harnack, Free Press Publishing|Updated Oct 8, 2020

    OLYMPIA — Republic Police Chief Loren Culp came out swinging and kept incumbent Gov. Jay Inslee on the defensive during their only planned gubernatorial debate Wednesday night, Oct. 7. Culp, R-Republic, blasted Inslee, D-Bainbridge Island, for mismanaging state agencies, violating state and constitutional rights, and a lack of leadership. "What we have right here in Washington is a leadership crisis," Culp said as the one-hour debate kicked off. Rather than defend his r...

  • Residents: Malden fire siren never sounded

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Sep 28, 2020

    MALDEN – Angry residents wanted an answer Tuesday on why the city's fire siren never sounded on Labor Day when the Babb Fire swept through town. During a meeting that attracted more than 150 residents, volunteers and government officials, several residents loudly demanded an answer. Among those residents is Vanessa Place, whose home was destroyed, leaving her, her husband and four kids living out of a travel trailer in the burned-out town. "It (the siren) goes off at noon ever...

  • 'Body cam' footage of contact with WSU coach released

    Roger Harnack, Franklin Connection|Updated Sep 23, 2020

    PULLMAN - The Police Department has released the body-video camera footage of Washington State University basketball coach Kamie Ethridge issued a $150 citation Aug. 28 for violating Gov. Jay Inslee's coronavirus quarantine orders. The municipal ticket was written as a civil infraction under the city's nuisance party law, which prohibits parties in the city. Pullman and Washington State University, as well as the city of Cheney and Eastern Washington University, have...

  • Rebuilding Malden will require unity

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Sep 23, 2020

    MALDEN – Local leaders called for unity and cooperation Tuesday in the "arduous" task of rebuilding the community in the wake of the Babb Fire. More than 150 people turned out Tuesday afternoon for a post-fire planning meeting at the makeshift Town Hall on a grassy field next to Mayor Chris Ferrell's home. Whitman County commissioners, Mayor Ferrell, Town Council members, residents and volunteers attended. Endicott pastor Fred Tribble led the discussion on recovering from t...

  • Malden apples test positive for maggot larvae

    Roger Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Updated Sep 18, 2020

    MALDEN – The Honeycrisp apples Gov. Jay Inslee brought to Babb Fire victims here were infested with maggot larvae. Whitman County Washington State University Extension Agent Stephen Van Vleet confirmed the infestation this morning, Friday, Sept. 18, following testing. "I picked them up on Wednesday evening," he said. "We photographed and secured them. And yes, they are infested." The governor presented the apples locally Sept. 10 as the state's "first installment" on s...

  • Forbidden Fruit

    Roger Harnack, Franklin Connection|Updated Sep 18, 2020

    MALDEN – While the Honeycrisp apples Gov. Jay Inslee brought here last Thursday continue to sit in the bin he presented the mayor with, others he delivered to Bridgeport and Omak contain maggot larvae. Those apples were dispersed and Douglas County officials are now trying to locate them. This morning, Wednesday, Sept. 16, Chelan-Douglas Horticulture Pest and Disease Board Director Will Carpenter called on anyone with information about the contaminated apples to call or e...

  • Gov. Inslee says wildfires should be called "climate fires"

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Sep 17, 2020

    MALDEN - Don't call them wildfires. Call them "climate fires." That was the message Gov. Jay Inslee gave reporters during a brief appearance about noon today, Thursday, Sept. 10, in one of two cities nearly wiped out by the Babbs Fire. That press conference followed a presentation he made to town residents and leaders only minutes before, a presentation in which he requested all media be excluded from. Inslee arrived in a black SUV via Pine City-Malden Road, passing numerous...

  • Gov. Inslee says wildfires should be called "climate fires"

    Roger Harnack, Free Press Publishing|Updated Sep 14, 2020

    MALDEN - Don't call them wildfires. Call them "climate fires." That was the message Gov. Jay Inslee gave reporters during a brief appearance about noon today, Thursday, Sept. 10, in one of two cities nearly wiped out by the Babbs Fire. That press conference followed a presentation he made to town residents and leaders only minutes before, a presentation in which he requested all media be excluded. Inslee arrived in a black SUV via Pine City-Malden Road, passing numerous "Culp...

  • Gov. Inslee speaks to Malden residents

    Roger Harnack, Free Press Publishing|Updated Sep 11, 2020

    MALDEN - Gov. Jay Inslee spoke Monday, Sept. 7, to area residents impacted by the Babbs Fire. Here's a video of his speech....

  • Gov. Inslee's press conference in Malden

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Sep 11, 2020

    MALDEN - Here's a video of Gov. Jay Inslee's press conference with media only Thursday, Sept. 10. A video of his speech to Malden residents will be posted separately....

  • Flames race across region

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Sep 11, 2020

    One of the three grain elevators in Pine City caught was destroyed by fire late Monday evening....

  • Deputies investigate shooting

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Sep 3, 2020

    MEDICAL LAKE – One person is in serious condition at an area hospital and two others are being questioned in connection with an early morning shooting today, Aug. 27. The shooting occurred at about 3:50 a.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Mark Gregory said, noting it occurred at a home in the 800 block of North Howard Street. One man was shot; and a man and a woman were detained for questioning, he said, noting that the names have not yet been released. As of 10 a.m...

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