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Reporting today's news, Recording tomorrow's history Since 1954
This Weeks Story
Pedestrian killed on Hwy 395, traffic backed up for miles
March 12, 2026 By: C&K Trowbridge Traffic is seen backed up for miles between Mesa and Connell, northbound Highwy 395 on Thursday morning. A 46 year old Everett man was killed early this morning on highway 395. The fatal accident occured on Northbound Highway 395, halfway between Mesa and Connell on Thursday, March 12. The ncident closed down the roadway to one lane from 6:30 am until after 10:00 am. Traffic was backed up for over two miles in the area of the accident. The W
Mar 12
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
Local Government
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
10 hours ago
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
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
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
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
From the Editor - Local News Day
Hello Neighbors, Yes, neighbors, not just readers - we aren’t just your Local News, we are your local neighbors - in the community, and in business. As our front page stated - Today, April 9, is the first of its kind… and we invite you to celebrate with us on this inaugural Local News Day, a day to honor the people behind the stories that tell the everyday life of our communities … This is not just a day of recognition, but a day of action as people, businesses, and organizat
6 hours ago
N. Franklin Community Theatre
rehearsals underway for spring play April 9, 2026 By: Katherine Trowbridge Rehearsals are in full swing for the N. Franklin Commuity Theatre’s (NFCT) upcoming production. The NFCT was searching for princes, peasants, step-relatives with attitude, and at least one person willing to lose a shoe, during auditions for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella which took place March 2 and 3. With 38 people auditioning, it wasn’t hard to find someone for every role. A total of 34 local
10 hours ago
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”
Mar 2
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