Serving Franklin County, WA
Serving Franklin County, WA
Sorted by date Results 76 - 100 of 112
PASCO - For Back 40 BBQ owner James Gimenez cooking has always been a family tradition. "My aunts and my grandma were always cooking. We all had a passion for cooking, but catering is a whole different ballgame. It's the major league of cooking," Gimenez said. Gimenez's father, Frank, moved his family from Los Angeles to Pasco in 1971 for a better life on a farm. "I've asked him numerous times. Why Pasco? He gave a one-word answer, "water," Gimenez said. "I don't know if you...
OLYMPIA – A Senate resolution honoring agronomist Bill Schillinger passed Feb. 21. Senate Resolution 8645 honors Schillinger for his service to farmers; it was introduced by Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville. Schillinger is a longtime research agronomist who retired from Washington State University in January. "It's with sadness that we see Bill retiring but for all of the incredible work over 30 years, we wish Bill the very best and say, 'Thank you,'" Schoesler said in a s...
That's right! Now is the time to start planting your spring garden, especially if you like playing in dirt! We know, it is still cold, with occasional snow, ice, and nasty weather. But, yes, it is time to plant a spring garden. And it's okay to get your hands in the soil at this time of year. Let us explain. Many seeds need at least 90 days of cold to germinate. Instead of using your refrigerator to cold stratify your seeds during the winter or early spring plant those seeds...
PASCO – An incredible aroma flows out of the walk-up window at Brother's Cheese Steaks inside Pasco Specialty Kitchen, just across the street from the newly renovated Pasco Farmers Market. Restaurant owner Mario Quintero has been watching farmers market construction happening for the past year. "It's exciting to watch it come together," he said from his 110 S. Fourth Ave., restaurant. "I've been here three years and we are growing our business. "I'm hopeful that the new m...
COLFAX – Columbia Grain International has donated to several areas. “Columbia Grain International cultivates growth across its broad footprint, which spans the northwestern tier of the U.S., including Washington, Idaho, Montana, and North Dakota. However, we’ve chosen to focus our philanthropy at the local level,” Manager Ted Lowe said. Undisclosed amounts were provided to the Colfax Fire Department toy drive, LaCrosse Food Pantry, Community Action Center in Pullman, Dayton food bank and Garfield County food bank. “One of...
SPOKANE VALLEY – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service has set the application deadline for the Urban Agriculture, Sentinel Lands, and WaterSmart Environmental Quality Incentives Program program signup deadlines for Jan. 24. These three programs are additional opportunities for Fiscal Year 2022, targeting resource concerns impacting producers within specific locations. Producers interested in applying for any of the programs should r...
SPOKANE VALLEY – The deadline to apply for a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Environmental Quality Incentives Program-Conservation Incentive Contracts is Jan. 24. The USDA set the application deadline today, Dec. 20. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program-Conservation Incentives Contracts is a voluntary conservation program offering farmers, ranchers and nonindustrial private forest landowners financial and technical assistance to help plan and implement conservation practices and activities on working a...
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Several Eastern Washington airports will receive federal grant funds thanks to the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program. The funds can be used to improve airport safety, capacity and security, as well as addressing related environmental issues. This year, $71 million is being disbursed to airports in Washington state. East of the Cascades, airports receiving funding include: • Spokane International Airport, Spokane, $6.43 million • Tri-Cities Airport, Pasco, $3.34 million • Moscow/Pullman Regional Airport i...
OTHELLO – The Adams County Commission expected to open bids for the lease of 34 acres adjacent to the County Fairgrounds in Othello during its Nov. 15 meeting. But no bids were received. The property was granted to the county, and under the terms, cannot be sold. It is occasionally used for overflow parking during the fair, officials said. It is in the interest of the county to have a tenant use the land during the growing season to control weeds, officials said. With no bids, the board decided to re-advertise the lease. T...
PASCO — Several businesses have applied to the state for new liquor licenses. Businesses applying for new licenses include: Mesa • Comedor Mari, 6850 Road 170, beer and wine license for restaurant. Applied Sept. 28. Pasco • Sun Willows Golf Course, 1825 Sun Willows Blvd., beer and wine license for restaurant/lounge. Applied Oct. 4. • Dollar General Store, 1409 E. Lewis St., direct receiver beer and wine grocery license. Approved Oct. 8. • Remix Night Club, 101 W. Columbia St., direct receiver nightclub. Applied Sept. 28....
OLYMPIA — More than $14 million in COVID-19 relief grants from the state Department of Agriculture were awarded to 839 businesses. The four main sectors include agritourism farms, farmers’ market organizations, craft beverage producers, and shellfish organizations. “These grants will boost the Washington state agricultural industry, helping prevent business closures and supporting the health and diversity of Washington State’s overall economy,” state agriculture Director Derek Sandison said. “Our economy needs the busines...
PASCO – Darigold Inc. announced today that it will be a new, state-of-the-art premium protein and butter plant here. The 400,000-square-foot, $500 million plant is being designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25%, compared to existing plants. The announcement follows an agreement with the Port of Pasco. “Our producers have been at the vanguard of the dairy sector for over 100 years, constantly building on their outstanding record of sustainability and stewardship practices,” Darigold CEO Stan Ryan said. “They are pro...
PASCO — Mayor Saul Martinez will be the keynote speaker today, June 14, at the Chamber of Commerce meeting. The meeting begins at 11:45 a.m.; Red Lion Hotel is hosting. Martinez was selected mayor in January 2020 by his peers on the City Council, but recently announced that he will not seek re-election. He represents city District No. 3 as a councilman. Martinez is a Mesa native and a graduate of Connell High School. He received an associate of arts degree from Columbia Basin College. Outside of City Hall, Martinez is an e...
PASCO — The Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 5, for the new West Pasco Pharmacy. The ceremony will be part of an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the 7505 Sandifur Parkway Suite No. 102 pharmacy....
WARDEN — A new pump station seven miles northeast of the city will provide irrigation water to nearly 10,500 acres of farmland. The EL 47.5 station was dedicated Thursday afternoon, May 27. About 50 people attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Rep. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy, was among several state lawmakers who helped secure funding for the $20.8 million project. Dye represents the 9th Legislative district, which includes Adams, Asotin, Franklin, Garfield, Whitman and part of S...
OTHELLO — State officials say they have linked an E. Coli outbreak to contaminated yogurt from a local dairy farm. The state Department of Health said the outbreak is connected to yogurt produced by Pure Eire Dairy, owned and operated by Richard and Jill Smith, and sold at PCC Community Market stores. State health officials said Monday that at least 11 people, including six children younger than 10, have been sickened by the contaminated yogurt; seven have been hospitalized. The cases are in King, Benton, Snohomish and W...
MESA — Franklin County commissioners unanimously approved a conditional-use permit allowing nearly triple the number of cattle on a rearing facility near Columbia Flats Dairy this morning, April 13. The permit will allow the 634-acre rearing lot – often referred to as a feed lot – at 1170 Pepiot Road to expand from 3,500 to 10,000 cows. The lot is located more than two miles from the dairy. Zoning regulations generally allow up to 1,000 cattle on feed lots in the county, unless commissioners approve a conditional-use permi...
PASCO — Douglas Farms will provide a pop-up, outdoor coronavirus vaccination clinic for 250 farmworks Friday, April 9. Vaccinations will run from 8:30-11:45 a.m. at the Douglas packing facility, 110 Taylor Flats Road. "This is an important milestone in protecting essential farmworkers from COVID," Washington State Tree Fruit Association spokeswoman Lexie Robinson said. "Interestingly, while vaccine hesitancy has been much discussed in the inland empire, it’s not the case at Douglas. The company reports that nearly 100% of...
PASCO – A new airline has announced it will include service between Pasco and Burbank, Calif., when its flights get off the ground later this month. Avelo Airlines will officially begin service April 28 between Santa Rosa and Burbank Hollywood, Airport. The next day, April 29, it will add service here with three non-stop flights a week between Pasco and Hollywood Burbank Airport. The airport, formerly known as Bob Hope Airport, is less than 20 miles from Los Angeles and about 43 miles from Disneyland. After the Pasco s...
COLFAX — The USDA Farm Service Agency reported the largest planted crop last fall in Whitman County is soft white winter wheat. About 95% of acreage was reported by Dec. 15, tracking a list of crops and other uses for land. The largest is soft white winter wheat at 285,664 acres planted. The second highest number was 116,297 acres in native grass — representing area never planted and containing sagebrush lands, shrub-steppe, and the breaks of the Snake River. Much of this is used for grazing. “It’s being harvested by a cow r...
CONNELL — The new Dollar General store opened quietly in town Jan. 23. The store is located at 182 E. Hawthorn St. Reminiscent of general stores of yesteryear, Dollar General sports a variety of products, including housewares, beauty and health products, cleaning supplies and more. The store is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m....
OLYMPIA - As of Jan. 1, low-wage earners and some salaried employees are being paid more for their efforts on the job. Across Eastern Washington and some areas west of the Cascades, the minimum wage increased 19 cents per hour, from $13.50 to $13,69, according to the state Department of Labor and Industries. The minimum wage in the cities of Seattle and SeaTac increased to $16.69 per hour and $16.57, respectively, the agency said, noting those minimum wages are set by city...
COLFAX - Have you noticed the amount of hay trucks on Whitman County highways late this summer and fall? The harvested area for hay is up by 60,000 acres in Washington since 2019, according to the Oct. 1 statewide crop production report from the USDA National Statistics Service. It means more trucks shipping the harvest. Reasons why are connected to potatoes and the timing of rain. In a normal year, about 160,000 acres of potatoes are planted statewide. In 2020, the number is...
RITZVILLE — The Wheat Land Communities' Fair Jr Livestock Sale is now live with bids closing at noon Thursday, Sept. 3. "We have a committee of people who can assist with your bidding needs and are here to help," Livestock Sale Manager Lori Williams said. "Animals may be purchased for custom processing or be turned where the buyer pays the difference between the market and purchase price." Bidders can register at www.booker2bid.com. For questions, email wlc...
PASCO — Gesa Credit Union is sponsoring Hunger Action Month this month, including Hunger Action Day on Sept. 10. During the month, Gesa is matching every dollar donated up to $20,000, with the money focused on continuing to get food where it's needed most throughout Second Harvest’s service area. Second Harvest is a food bank warehouse set up in Spokane in 1971. “Gesa’s generosity is especially welcome this year, as so many folks are impacted by the coronavirus,” Second Harvest CEO Jason Clark said. “Our friends at Gesa tru...