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This Weeks Story
Franklin County Sheriff's Race
Three vie to become your next Sheriff July 30, 2026 By: C&K Trowbridge Monty Huber Chris Lee Kohl St. Peter The Aug. 4 primary election will narrow the three candidates for Franklin County sheriff to the voters' top two choices. With Sheriff Jim Raymond announcing his retirement, this election season will determine who our next sheriff will be. The top two candidates in the August 4 primary will go on to the November general election. The top candidate there
Jul 28
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
Jul 15
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
Local Government
Two law enforcement leaders to vie for Franklin County Sheriff - results from August 4 Primary Election-
August 13, 2026 By: Katherine Trowbridge Monty Huber leads over Chris Lee in the Primary, they both took the lead in the race for Franklin County's next Sheriff, moving them onto the General Election The results of the August 4 Primary Election are coming in with preliminary numbers showing two local law enforcement leaders set to face off for Franklin County Sheriff in the November General Election. Current Undersheriff Monty Huber took the lead in the primary with 47.16% of
Aug 26
Washington candidates seek to replace Newhouse
By: Andrew Rice (The Center Square) - Voters in Washington’s fourth congressional district decide in the Aug. 4 primary which candidates will represent central Washington in the general election without an incumbent on the ballot. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., is not running for reelection to the central district. In his place, six Republicans, one Democrat and two independent candidates are vying for the congressman’s position. The Center Square spoke to candidates in the dist
Jul 29
Franklin County Sheriff's Race
Three vie to become your next Sheriff July 30, 2026 By: C&K Trowbridge Monty Huber Chris Lee Kohl St. Peter The Aug. 4 primary election will narrow the three candidates for Franklin County sheriff to the voters' top two choices. With Sheriff Jim Raymond announcing his retirement, this election season will determine who our next sheriff will be. The top two candidates in the August 4 primary will go on to the November general election. The top candidate there
Jul 28
Business in the News
La Luna
Connell Gets New Restaraunt HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH: October 8, 2026 By: Miurlin Escalante & Clayton Trowbridge Lilliana and Adriel Rivera welcome you to La Luna - their new restaraunt in Connell. Lilliana Rivera, owner and manager of La Luna Kitchen & Bar in Connell (710 S. Columbia Ave) welcomed the Graphic to introduce herself and the restaurant to the community. Rivera and her four employees are happy to be serving the Connell community as well as passers by who stop in o
5 days ago
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
Ag in the News
South Columbia Basin Irrigation District extends 2026 Irrigation Season
October 9, 2026 The South Columbia Basin Irrigation District (S.C.B.I.D.) board of directors voted to extend the 2026 irrigation season. While water shut off was set for October 16, the extension will provide water through Friday, October 23. The extension will provide much needed water for agricultural production in this dry season. The Bureau of Reclemation's October water forecast, thier final for the season, shows September precipitation for the five reservoirs that supp
2 hours ago
Fair Season is Just Around the Corner
Mike Meads Memorial Livestock Show fills up CBJLS Barn July 28, 2026 By: Katherine Trowbridge Showmanship was on display at the Columbia Basin Junior Livestock Barns on Saturday, July 25. The Mike Meads Memorial Livestock Show, better known as the “Summer Showcase,” filled up the show barn at the Columbia Basin Junior Livestock (CBJLS) grounds in Connell on Saturday, July 25. This show emphasizes the efforts young showmen are putting to prepare for the upcoming fair season,
Jul 28
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
Jul 15
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
North Franklin School District Launches Community Facilities Task Force, Seeks Applicants
The North Franklin School District (NFSD) is inviting community members, parents, and local stakeholders to apply for seats on a new Community Facilities Task Force (CFTF), a volunteer advisory committee that will help shape the District's long-range facilities plan. The CFTF will bring together approximately 20 community members and stakeholders alongside representatives from the School Board, faculty and student body to study district facility needs and develop recommendati
Jul 21
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!
Jul 12
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
Jul 12
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