Articles written by Roger Harnack
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 416
Hooper man uninjured in fatal incident
EASTON – A Hooper man is among four drivers who struck two pedestrians on Interstate 90 on Sunday night, Sept. 10. Both pedestrians died at the scene, the Washington State Patrol reported, their names are being withheld pending... — Updated 9/12/2023
Broncos rout Lancers, 60-14
RITZVILLE – The Broncos showed why they're ranked No. 3 in the state in Class 2B football Friday night, Sept. 9, routing Northeast 2B rival Liberty (Spangle), 60-14. "Not good... — Updated 9/12/2023
Broncos tune up at jamboree
RITZVILLE – The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague boys football team looked tough in the annual Bronco Jamboree, a pre-season tuneup this year that featured five teams. In the jamboree... — Updated 8/29/2023
Wildlife board rejects spring bear hunting, again
OLYMPIA – It took only a minute Friday, Aug. 11, for the state Fish and Wildlife Commission to reject a petition to resume spring bear hunting in 2024. The commission’s almost-immediate, unanimous rejection of spring bear... — Updated 8/29/2023
Winona Fire contained
WINONA – Local fire crews have resumed management of the Winona Fire after it consumed 2,525 acres over the weekend just east of the Adams-Whitman county line. The blaze broke... — Updated 8/22/2023
Gray Fire burns near Medical Lake
MEDICAL LAKE – A fire that destroyed homes and prompted multiple residents to evacuate is still burning. As of Monday afternoon, the Gray Fire was estimated to have consumed... — Updated 8/22/2023
Gray Fire puts bad planning on display
A quip on a social media post said it all: “Harrington has never been so busy.” That tongue-in-cheek post was in reference to a decision to divert Interstate 90 traffic between... — Updated 8/22/2023
Couple arrested in drive-by shooting
OTHELLO – A local woman and her boyfriend are in jail this week after being arrested in connection with a drive-by shooting. Joel Sergio Gonzalez, 21, of Warden, and Christina Lorraine Perez, 35, of Othello, were both arrested... — Updated 8/22/2023
Othello man killed in Mesa crash
MESA – An Othello man was killed and six others injured in a five-vehicle pileup Aug. 7 about three miles north of town. Jesus Camacho-Augustine, 21, of Othello, was pronounced dead at the scene near Milepost 10 of state Highway... — Updated 8/15/2023
It's summer, not 'climate change'
The National Weather Service predicts we will see the hottest temperatures of the summer this week. It’s even gone so far as to declare an “excessive heat warning” until 11... — Updated 8/15/2023
Othello receiving $850,000 for park
OTHELLO – Kiwanis Park will benefit from two grants approved by the state Recreation and Conservation Office. The agency has awarded $500,000 to add a water park and renovate trails. A second grant of $350,000 was awarded to... — Updated 8/8/2023
Quinn, Verhey lead Ritzville council races
RITZVILLE — Jessica Quinn and Jen Verhey lead the races for two City Council seats at the end of the first day of counting in the Tuesday, Aug. 1 primary election. Quinn has 41 votes, or 64.06%, in her bid to win the Ward No. 1... — Updated 8/1/2023
Five arrested after trying to pay for sex
OTHELLO – Police arrested five men in a reverse prostitution sting July 29. Cesar Chavez-Alcala, 28, of Connell; Victorina Garcia, 45, of Mattawa; Isaias Zarata-Pineda, 41, and Juan Salas-Camacho, 61, both of Moses Lake; and... — Updated 8/1/2023
Hart dominating Connell council race
CONNELL — Candidate Preston Hart has a commanding lead in the Aug. 1 primary election race for City Council Position No. 5. but it's a dead heat to see who will be the runner-up. After the end of the first day of counting... — Updated 8/1/2023
Yeager, Bartlett lead Ritzville mayoral race
RITZVILLE - Two prominent residents are dominating the race to be the next mayor. At the end of counting primary election ballots Tuesday night, Aug. 1, Scott Yaeger had 202 votes,... — Updated 8/1/2023
Schmunk, Weidemann lead Lind primary election races
LIND - Preliminary primary election returns show Jamie Schmunk and Jim Weidemann leading Town Council races. At the end of counting Tuesday night, Aug. 1, Schmuck had 62 votes... — Updated 8/1/2023
Ritzville man killed in crash on U.S. 2
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – A Ritzville man was killed Tuesday, July 18, in a motorcycle crash on U.S. Highway 2. Jerry W. Armstrong, 47, of Ritzville, was pronounced dead at the scene near Milepost 277, about a mile west of the city of... — Updated 7/24/2023
Othello man arrested for child rape
OTHELLO – A local man is facing a child rape charge after being caught in bed with a child. Manuel Trinidad-Ortiz, 32, of Othello, was booked into the Franklin County Jail following his July 19 arrest for first-degree child rape... — Updated 7/24/2023
Wildfires prompt interstate closures
RITZVILLE – The wildfire that destroyed two buildings and prompted the closure of Interstate 90 was fully contained Monday night, July 17. It was one of two fires effecting... — Updated 7/18/2023
Fires burning near Ritzville, Sprague
RITZVILLE – Smoke from multiple wildfires is creating near-whiteout conditions along portions of Interstate 90, prompting the state Department to of Transportation to close the... — Updated 7/17/2023
Three officers placed on leave
HATTON – Three Adams County Sheriff’s Office deputies have been placed on administrative leave in connection with shooting death of a suspect Sunday, June 25. According to Sheriff Dale Wagner, two road deputies and a sergeant... — Updated 7/3/2023
Music on Main returns to city
RITZVILLE – Pioneer Plaza will be alive with tunes again July 8 and 9 as Music on Main Returns downtown. The free event on Main Avenue between Division and Adams streets celebrates the 121 years of the H.E. Gritman Building and... — Updated 7/3/2023
Three killed in head-on crash
WASHTUCNA – Three people were killed and a fourth injured in a head-on crash at about 1:26 p.m. Friday, June 30, on state Highway 26. Mark R. Nieman, 53, and Natasha J. Nieman, 24, both of Des Moines; and Diane L. Coughlin, 68,... — Updated 7/3/2023
Inmate convicted in jail attack
RITZVILLE – A jury has unanimously found a habitual offender guilty of charges related to attacking another inmate and a corrections officer in the Adams County Jail prior to its closure. Ramon Reyna, 29, was found guilty last we... — Updated 7/3/2023
Our state's fireworks law needs updating
Like most Americans, I enjoy watching – and lighting – fireworks on Independence Day. America’s “birthday” should stand out among all national holidays. And the colorful,... — Updated 7/3/2023