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Reporting today's news, Recording tomorrow's history Since 1954
This Weeks Story
Franklin County sees increase in agricultural thefts
Deputies arrest two July 15, 2026 By: Katherine Trowbridge Franklin County is seeing an increase in agricultural thefts. Over the past several weeks, there have been multiple cases involving the theft of brass sprinklers from irrigation equipment. Brass may be a relativley low value item, yet the impact to area farmers is significant, often resulting in thousands of dollars in replacement costs. Franklin County Sheriff's Deputies have been investigating these cases and on Tue
7 minutes ago
Collisions on Highway 395 result in Crash Prevention Zone, lowered speeds
April 16, 2026 By: C&K Trowbridge GOVERNOR FERGUSON SIGNS TORRES’ CRASH PREVENTION BILL - Senator Nikki Torres is joined by Representative Mark Klicker, Franklin County Commissioner Stephen Bauman, WSP Trooper Dustin Drout, and Kahlotus Mayor Michael Robitaille, along with others from the house and senate in support of, as Governor Bob Ferguson signs Torres’ Crash Prevention Bill into law on March 29, 2026 in Yakima. The new speed limit signs were placed on Thursday, April 9,
Apr 16
Franklin County residents asked to help shape future direction of county
April 14, 2026 Franklin County officials announced they are asking the community to weigh in on the future direction of the county as they are currently in the process of updating the County’s Comprehensive Plan. Counties across the state are required to update the comprehensive plan once every 10 years under Washington State’s Growth Management Act. Franklin County will be working on the plan, gathering community input, and setting policy to guide the county with the goal o
Apr 14
Local Government
Franklin County residents asked to help shape future direction of county
April 14, 2026 Franklin County officials announced they are asking the community to weigh in on the future direction of the county as they are currently in the process of updating the County’s Comprehensive Plan. Counties across the state are required to update the comprehensive plan once every 10 years under Washington State’s Growth Management Act. Franklin County will be working on the plan, gathering community input, and setting policy to guide the county with the goal o
Apr 14
Sheriff Raymond announces reitrement
April 2026 By: Katherine Trowbridge Franklin County Sheriff Jim Raymond will retire at the end of the year. Franklin County Sheriff Jim Raymond made his impending retirement official on Friday, April 3. It seems the campaign season got a head start with signs for Sheriff going up even before the first day of Spring. Raymond reflected on this in his stating that, “seeing signage appear on the streets and across social media prompted me to announce my retirement after 45 years
Apr 8
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
Mar 3
Business in the News
Farm Feed Store Opens in Connell
March 12, 2026 By: Katherine Trowbridge Moises Magana stands inside the new Feed Store room at The Old Brick Store in Connell (center). What began as a conversation between a husband and wife as they drove past a vacant building, has evolved into a new Farm Feed Store in Connell. Moises Magana shared the story with us. “I was driving by the US Bank and told Jodi [his wife] ‘You know what? This US Bank will be great for a feed store because it’s right by the highway and Connel
Mar 18
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
Ag in the News
Franklin County sees increase in agricultural thefts
Deputies arrest two July 15, 2026 By: Katherine Trowbridge Franklin County is seeing an increase in agricultural thefts. Over the past several weeks, there have been multiple cases involving the theft of brass sprinklers from irrigation equipment. Brass may be a relativley low value item, yet the impact to area farmers is significant, often resulting in thousands of dollars in replacement costs. Franklin County Sheriff's Deputies have been investigating these cases and on Tue
7 minutes ago
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
Sports
Eagles Baseball takes 1st Round of District Playoffs
May 8, 2026 By: Katherine Trowbridge EAGLES BASEBALL TAKES 1st ROUND OF DISTRICT PLAYOFFS The Eagles took the first round of SCAC Districts on Thursday, May 7, with an exciting 4-2 victory over the Royal Knights. Connell was first on the board in the top of the first inning with a single. But both teams remained scoreless for the next three innings. The Eagles really hit in the fifth putting up an additional three runs. Royal got on the board in the sixth inning. Hunter Van
May 8
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
Community
Basin City Celebrates America with annual July 4th Parade
July 9, 2026 Photo colage by: Katherine Trowbridge & Brenda Vasquez The Stars and Strips - Royalty in the parade Family Farming Local candidates Vehicles and businesses Dancing Horses!! Bubbles! Water fight!!! People - Community!
3 days ago
Basin City Freedom Rodeo celebrates 7th Year - America’s 250th Birthday
July 9, 2026 By: Katherine Trowbridge BASIN CITY — The seventh annual Basin City Freedom Rodeo, once again, lived up to its reputation of celebrating the American spirit of independence, drawing crowds July 2-4 for three days of world-class rodeo action, patriotic tributes, and small-town traditions. What began in 2020 as a community effort during a time of uncertainty to revive a long-forgotten arena, has grown into a premier PRCA rodeo. As one announcer reflected during the
3 days ago
Connell Celebrates America’s 250th
July 9, 2026 By: Katherine Trowbridge Connell WA - Connell celebrated America’s 250th birthday in grand fashion as volunteers from across the community came together to organize an afternoon and evening filled with patriotism, family fun, music, food, and fireworks. The celebration, held July 4, was intentionally scheduled to begin later in the day, allowing residents time to attend the Basin City Parade, or enjoy family traditions before gathering together at Pioneer Park.
3 days ago
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