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This Weeks Story
Connell High School tops at state wrestling
February 24, 2026 By: Miurlin Escalante Eagles Wrestling topped the state wrestling chart with their first Lady Eagle State Champion - Sophomore Madison Magana (105) made history with her state win. As a team, the Lady Eagles stood 9th out of the 72 schools attending the state wrestling tournament at the Tacoma Dome, February 20 and 21. The Boys Wrestling Team also attended the state championship. The Eagles had many girls and boys taking to the podium. Magana is pictured wit
Feb 24
Franklin County Leaders call “urgent” regional discussion on Highway 395
December 5, 2025 By: Katherine Trowbridge Franklin County Commissioners have been joined by state representatives and senators in the call for critical “regional public discussion” as a public meeting has been called to address the rising number of fatal crashes on the Highway 395 corridor north of Pasco. Officials announced the meeting on Friday, Dec. 5, following recent discussions after two major accidents in about a week, one leading to the death of Kahlotus councilman. A
Dec 5, 2025
City of Connell sees staff vacancies as new Mayor, Council elected
December 3, 2025 By: Katherine Trowbridge As the new council and mayor are set to come into office in January of 2026, Connell City Hall has seen two big vacancies. The first, was the letting go of Public Works Director Hallie Tuck, in November. City staff shared that this position has been temporarily filled by Tyson Steele. Mayor Lee Barrow added, "The position was temporarily filled until the new administration decides what to do from here." The mayor did add that the city
Dec 3, 2025
Local Government
Didier to seek re-election to Franklin County Commissioner seat
March 3, 2026 By: Katherine Trowbridge Franklin County Commissioner and current Chairman of the Board, Clint Didier, will be seeking his third and final term in office. Franklin County Commissioner Clint Didier officially announced his candidacy for re-election to a third and final term on Thursday, Feb. 26. Didier touted a variety of accomplishments in his time at the County thus far– from restoring the road fund and infrastructure to “restoring fiscal sanity to county gove
53 minutes ago
City of Connell swears in new Mayor, Council
January 15, 2026 By: Katherine Trowbridge A New Year brought a new council for the City of Connell It was a changing of the guard, so to speak, as the council chambers filled with community members, family, and friends to witness the swearing in of a brand new mayor and Connell city council on Wednesday, January 7. Connell City Clerk Marissa Ortiz led the oath of office beginning with Council Position 1, Mayor and moving through each of the council positions. Council Position
Feb 6
Community, Commissioners call for action as Hwy 395 accidents continue to increase in number and severity
December 2, 2025 By: Katherine Trowbridge A Kahlotus councilman, who had recently been re-elected to his seat by the vote of the community, died early Tuesday, November 25, in a crash along a treacherous stretch of Highway 395. Perrie Robitaille, age 77, was attempting to drive across the intersection of Highway 395 and East Vineyard Road at 6:30 am when his car was hit by an SUV. A Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper who was in the area responded to the accident, finding
Dec 5, 2025
Business in the News
Connell Fitness Center now open
January 15, 2026 By: Katherine Trowbridge Fernando and Elizabeth Ontiveros, owners of the 24 Hr Connell Fitness. Connell, once again, has a fitness center. The 24 hour Connell Fitness opened in November under the ownership of Fernando and Elizabeth Ontiveros. The Ontiveros also own centers in Othello (Diamond Hands Boxing and Her Iron Paradise - a women’s only fitness center), Warden, and Ritzville. Since they took over the lease in Connell, the couple has been bringing in ne
Feb 6
Connell Corteva Plant (Pioneer)Celebrates 40 year Anniversary
August 14, 2025 By: Katherine Trowbridge & Lety Guzman TOUR--Family, Guests and Growers listen as the plant is shown to them and Guests...
Aug 14, 2025
Ace Hardware to hold Grand Opening June 28
June 19, 2025 By: Katherine Trowbridge Stan’s Ace Hardware brought vibrancy and more shopping local to our N. Franklin Community when it...
Jun 20, 2025
Ag in the News
Connell Corteva Plant (Pioneer)Celebrates 40 year Anniversary
August 14, 2025 By: Katherine Trowbridge & Lety Guzman TOUR--Family, Guests and Growers listen as the plant is shown to them and Guests...
Aug 14, 2025
One Big Beautiful Bill brings aid to farms as Farm Bill looks to get "skinny"
July 17, 2025 By: Katherine Trowbridge President Donald Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) into law on July 4. This budget...
Jul 21, 2025
2025 Ag Hall of Fame Inductees honored January 16
January 21, 2025 The 2025 inductees to the Mid-Columbia Agriculture Hall of Fame were honored at a dinner and installation gala at the...
Jan 21, 2025
Sports
Connell High School tops at state wrestling
February 24, 2026 By: Miurlin Escalante Eagles Wrestling topped the state wrestling chart with their first Lady Eagle State Champion - Sophomore Madison Magana (105) made history with her state win. As a team, the Lady Eagles stood 9th out of the 72 schools attending the state wrestling tournament at the Tacoma Dome, February 20 and 21. The Boys Wrestling Team also attended the state championship. The Eagles had many girls and boys taking to the podium. Magana is pictured wit
Feb 24
Eagles Cross Country at State
November 13, 2025 By: FCG Staff A parade through the hallway led by the CHS ASB was given to Lucy Campbell - as she headed to represent the Eagles at Cross Country State on Friday, Nov. 12 Campbell was excited to participate among the best and see how she would compete amongst them. “And this year I was like, I am one of the best this year, so let’s see how I do,” Campbell shared. “I am so happy for the opportunity to be able to go,” Campbell shared with the Graphic, “I am v
Nov 17, 2025
Homecoming Week brings many opportunities to cheer on our Eagles
October 8, 2025 By: FCG Staff If you hadn’t heard October 6-11 is Homecoming Week at Connell High School. This week brings many fun...
Oct 8, 2025
Community
Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo! Auditions Announced for Cinderella
March 2, 2026 If you’ve ever dramatically stared out a window while singing about your dreams… or felt personally victimized by a sibling… the North Franklin Community Theatre has the perfect opportunity for you. The theatre group is hosting drop-in auditions for Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella on March 2 and March 3 from 6 to 8 pm in the high school band room. That’s right — for two magical evenings, the band room will transform from “clarinet squeaks and drum warm-ups”
23 hours ago
Juntos - Building Community one event at a time
recipient of Seattle Credit Union Grant funding October 30, 2025 By: Miurlin Escalante Juntos Basin City - building community one event at a time. Juntos Basin City is a group that got started by three ladies in Basin City that saw a need for camaraderie in the community and want to bridge the gap they currently see between Hispanic or non-Hispanic, Spanish speaking or not. Brenda Vasquez and Cricelia Calderon started talking and it started as a fitness center idea, three tim
Oct 29, 2025
Dia de Los Muertos /Day of the Dead
loved ones remembered at Juntos event October 30, 2025 By: Miurlin Escalante Community members placing photos of loved ones in their honor on Dia de Los Muertos in Basin City. On Friday, October 24, members of the community gathered to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) thanks to a newly formed group, “Juntos Basin City.” They met at the Event Center located at 7340 Rd 170. It was one of their monthly get-togethers that Juntos puts on for the community. The group
Oct 29, 2025
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