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CHENEY – The Palouse region is buzzing with activity as combines move through fields, harvesting the winter and spring wheat that have been the backbone of Washington's agriculture. By early August, more than half of the state's winter wheat and 20% of its spring wheat had already been harvested. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is predicting a strong yield this year, estimating an average to above-average harvest of around 146 million bushels. This forecast brings some reli...
FOOTBALL Eagles will have six games broadcast on television CHENEY - The regular season is nearly here for Eastern Washington football and the local broadcast schedule is set. SWX will broadcast six Eastern football games, with five home matchups and one on the road. The Eagles have five or their six home games airing on SWX, including the first two games against Monmouth (Aug. 29) at 6 p.m. and Drake (Sept. 7) at 4 p.m. Eastern's road trip south to play Idaho on Oct. 26 wil...
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...
Winnie the miniature dachshund looks up at a larger dog during the annual Hot Rockford car show on Saturday at the Southeast Spokane County Fairgrounds. The show attracted 176 entries. For local entries on the car show, see Page B5....
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...
OLYMPIA — Several Free Press Publishing staffers and contributors will be recognized for their work during the annual Washington Newspaper Publishers Association gala Oct. 4-5 at Indian Summer Golf and Country Club. Graphic artists Michelle Van Diest and John Myers and advertising specialists Linda Pantzer and Justin Slayton are among the winners to be recognized in the Better Newspaper Contest. Reporters Drew Lawson, Teresa Simpson, Clare McGraw, Paul Delaney and Olivia Harnack are, as well. Photographers Matthew Stephens a...
Car show attracted 176 entries, thousands of car enthusiasts on Saturday, Aug. 10, to the at Southeast Spokane County Fairgrounds....
Farmers work to clean up a hay spill after a truck lost its load Friday on Waverly Road, between Spangle and Waverly....
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...
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...
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...
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...
PATEROS, WA – Curtis Pitman of Cheney showcased his exceptional racing skills at the annual Apple Pie Jamboree in Pateros held on July 20-21. Pitman, often hailed as the fastest man on water, demonstrated his prowess by winning his races despite giving his competitors a half-lap head start. Pitman competed in and won the Ski Stock 2 Stroke Lites races on both days of the event. His victories were a testament to his remarkable talent and experience in the world of powerboat r...
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...
CHENEY - Caleb McMillan of Soap Lake was crowned the all-around cowboy Sunday for the 2024 Cheney Rodeo, earning $998. He competed in bull riding, tie-down roping and steer wrestling. The total payout for Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association events was $91,238. Additionally, the breakaway roping payout was $10,528. Here are the results: Bareback riding: 1. Clay Stone, 84.5 points on C5 Rodeo's Chasing Dreams, $2,611; 2. Tucker Zingg, 83, $2,002; 3. Hunter Greenup, 80, $...
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...
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...
CHENEY - Local firefighters contained two brush fires over the last week. One fire broke out at the Salnave Road-Interstate 90 interchange Tuesday night, July 9. The other broke out Wednesday, July 3, off West Jennings Road. At press time, details were not available on the Salnave Road fire. But fire officials reported the West Jennings fire had been contained to about 3 acres. Initially reported as slow-moving, that fire burned about a half-acre before spreading to 3 acres...
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...
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...
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...
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE - Thousands of aviation and military buffs turned out Saturday and Sunday, June 22-23, for SkyFest 2024. The airshow takes place every other year on the flightline of the base just, off U.S. Highway 2. This year's show was dedicated to the A-10 Thunderbolt II - dugged the "Warthog" - as the Air Force retires the tank killer. The A-10 was piloted by Major Lindsay "Mad" Johnson. There were numerous other aircraft in the air and on static display. Others...
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...
