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Under fire: Democrats took aim at gun rights in 2025 session

As a leading advocate for Second Amendment rights, I must tell you the 2025 legislative session illuminated an undeniable truth: Our colleagues in Olympia’s majority party do not respect our gun rights and are determined to dismantle them.

While we repelled some outrageous attacks, a dangerous precedent has been set. Your constitutional freedoms now hang in the balance.

We saw aggressive attempts to expand “gun-free zones” and impose new taxes on responsible firearm owners. These flawed ideas would do nothing for public safety while unquestionably limiting the ability of law-abiding Washingtonians to exercise their rights.

Working together, and with the much-appreciated support of the thousands who weighed in during committee hearings, we defeated many egregious proposals. Still, one deeply troubling measure regrettably became law: House Bill 1163, which directly betrays the trust you place in lawmakers to protect your freedoms.

When it takes effect in May 2027, this new law means responsible gun owners will face an unnecessary and unconstitutional hurdle to purchase a firearm. You'll need a state-issued permit, requiring a certified training course that includes live-fire exercises. This training simply doesn't exist at the scale needed across our state, effectively blocking gun ownership.

Read full article on Franklin Connection >>

The Franklin Connection is an online news and sports site dedicated to Franklin County, Washington, and the surrounding communities. The publication offers news, marketing, advertising and online services to the residents of Pasco, Basin City, Mesa, Eltopia, Connell, Kahlotus and Burbank.

Franklin Connection / News - 07/24/2025

North Franklin School District faces financial challenges

The North Franklin School District in Washington faces significant financial challenges for the 2025-26 school year due to declining enrollment and the end of temporary federal COVID relief funds. Superintendent Brian Moore highlights rising operational costs, with a loss of approximately $500,000 in funding due to enrollment drops over five years.

Franklin County Graphic / News - 05/30/2025

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Museum makes history with sold out Benefit

The May 15 event at the museum drew over 200 attendees as the community celebrated the near completion of the C-Street Vault project, which requires $150,000 to finish before Connell Days. Fundraising efforts raised nearly $20,000, contributing to transforming a historic building into a hotel and restaurant.

Franklin County Graphic / News - 05/29/2025

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City of Connell receives $100,000 CERB Grant

for industrial, commercial viability study

January 22, 2024

By: Katherine Trowbridge

The City of Connell was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) to assess the readiness of the City’s industrial sites and explore opportunities for economic growth. Connell Mayor Lee Barrow and Port of Pasco Director of Economic Development & Marketing, Stephen McFadden, presented to the CERB board last week, hearing shortly after of the award.

Their presentation focused on the need with the closure of Lamb Weston last October, amd the impacts of that closure. It also looked at infrastructure, the need for job opportunities, and where we go from here.

“Our top priority is identifying opportunities that bring new, family-wage jobs to Connell, helping to offset the economic impacts of the Lamb Weston closure,” said Mayor Lee Barrow.

Read full article on Franklin County Graphic >>

The Franklin County Graphic (FCG) is a locally owned and operated, weekly source of community news and information across Franklin County. The Franklin County Graphic is a Legal Newspaper (approved January 11, 1955).

Franklin County Graphic / News - 01/22/2025

Mesa Grocery Store Destroyed in Devastating Fire

December 17, 2024

MESA, WA – A fire on the evening of December 16, 2024, completely destroyed JC's Mesa Grocery, the only grocery store serving the town of Mesa, Washington. The fire, which began around 9:15 pm, has left the community grappling with the loss of this vital resource.

Multiple fire departments, including FCFD1, FCFD4 - Basin City, and the City of Connell Fire Department, responded to the blaze, with support from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Franklin County Hospital District. Despite their efforts, the store suffered extensive damage and is considered a total loss. The fire is believed to have started near the cashier's station before spreading throughout the building, including the roof.

The destruction of JC's Mesa Grocery represents a significant hardship for Mesa residents and those in surrounding areas who relied on the store for everyday necessities. The store provided convenient access to groceries, and its absence will require residents to travel much further for essential items.

The store owner and his family were present at the scene and are reportedly in shock. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the fire marshal. Due to the extensive structural damage, the store is not expected to reopen in the near future, and the long-term future of the grocery store remains uncertain. The community now faces the challenge of finding a solution to replace this critical resource.

Read source article on Franklin County Graphic >>

Read source article on Source One >>

News / North Franklin News - 12/17/2024

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Join us for an evening of fun and food! Dress up for our "Under the Sea" costume contest for the chance to win a prize!

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Did the recent Lamb Weston facility closure in Connell, WA affected you?
We're here to help! Join us at a job fair at Columbia Basin College on October 21st.

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Connell Corteva Plant (Pioneer)Celebrates 40 years

Connell’s Corteva Seed Plant celebrated its 40th anniversary on August 5, gathering community members and employees for a day of recognition, storytelling, and a tour. The plant, which opened in 1985, emphasizes research and development in collaboration with local growers and has grown significantly over the years.

Under fire: Democrats took aim at gun rights in 2025 session

Lep-Re-Kon Harvest Foods opens new store

The new Lep-Re-Kon Harvest Foods store opened on June 11, 2025, in Connell, welcoming customers with a patriotic exterior and an expansive interior featuring various departments. Andrew Montemayor reported positive feedback from visitors, expressing excitement for the community and anticipation for the old store's demolition and new parking lot development.

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News / North Franklin News - 10/16/2024

State Senator Mark Schoesler DUI plea

SUMMARY

Washington State Senator Mark Schoesler was recently arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) following an event at the Ritzville Rodeo on August 31, 2024. The 67-year-old senator, who represents the 9th Legislative District, was found to have a blood alcohol level of 0.14, well above the state's legal limit of 0.08. According to reports, Schoesler was seen walking unsteadily after the rodeo, prompting a witness to report a possible drunk driver. He later allegedly backed his vehicle into two others before being stopped by law enforcement.

The senator cooperated fully with the authorities during the incident, but after failing a field sobriety test and several breathalyzer tests, he was arrested by citation. Since the local jail was closed, Schoesler was released to a family member and will face a court summons in Adams County. This arrest has drawn attention given Schoesler's long tenure in Washington politics, where he has served in both the House and Senate, including a role as Senate Republican leader for eight years.

The arrest marked one of the few major incidents at the Wheat Land Communities Fair and has led to scrutiny of Schoesler’s actions, though his full legal consequences will be determined in the upcoming court hearings.

Sources: Whitman County Gazette, Franklin Connection

Summary provided as an archive of the information in the case that the original article is unavailable.

FRANKLIN CONNECTION

RITZVILLE – The 9th Legislative District senator pleaded not guilty Thursday, Sept. 12, on a charge of driving while under the influence of alcohol. But Adams County District Court Judge Andrea K. Russell determined there was probable cause for the charge against 67-year-old Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville. She schedule him to appear before her again Oct. 8 in the 210 W. Broadway Ave. courthouse...

Read full article on Franklin Connection >>

Franklin Connection / News - 09/27/2024

Franklin County buildings named to Washington State Heritage Register

By: Katherine Trowbridge & Shelly Harper

The Pasco Aviation Museum, owned by the Port of Pasco, along with the North Franklin Heritage Museum’s 1904 Presbyterian Church, were voted on to the Washington Heritage Register on Friday, March 15 by the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.

Museum Administrator Shelly Harper applied to put the old church on the Washington Heritage Register nearly a year ago.

The Washington Heritage Register is an official listing of historically significant sites and properties found though out the state. The registry list includes districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that have been identified and documented as being significant in local or state history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture.

Listing in the Washington Heritage Register is strictly an honorary designation and raises public awareness about historic and cultural values.

Until March 15, there were only four buildings on the register from Franklin County; the Franklin County Courthouse (Pasco), the Moore Mansion (Pasco), the Carnegie Library (which is now the Franklin County Museum in Pasco), and Morning Star Baptist Church (Pasco). With the addition of the Pasco Aviation Museum and North Franklin Heritage Museum’s Presbyterian Church, there are now six buildings from Franklin County on the register with the Presbyterian Church (Connell) being the oldest of the six buildings.

The Pasco Aviation Museum is located in the old control tower, which was once part of Seattle’s Sand Point Naval Air Station during World War II. It became one of the three largest training bases for aviators in the United States. The Naval Air Station was just part of the military presence in Pasco during World War II and along with Hanford, played a big part in our area’s role during WWII.

Read full article on Franklin County Graphic >>

The Franklin County Graphic (FCG) newspaper opened in 1954 under founding editor Dave Adams to fulfill the need for community news. Today, it continues as a locally owned and operated, weekly source of community news and information across Franklin County.

Franklin County Graphic / News - 03/28/2024

Rally racing results announced in Lind

LIND — The Northwest Rally Association opened its 2024 season with two days of racing in Lions Club Arena on March 9-10.

The Top 3 finishers in each class are as follows:

Saturday, March 9

Prepared FWD — 1. James Connelly, 6:42.948; 2. Joshua Albanese, 6:47.750; 3. Chase Cook, 7:04.621.

Stock RWD — 1. T.J. Vollema, 6:22.983; 2. Bryan Davidson, 6:25.797; 3. Jason Angell, 6:36.874.

Prepared RWD —1. Michael Erbland, 7:25.626.

Prepared AWD —1. Omri Reeves, 6:07.682; 2. Daniel Slipes-Brandt, 6:07.747; 3. Dean Minner, 6:11.212.

Modiefied AWD-NA — 1. Kevin Muggli, 6:03.302; 2. Jason Cole, 6:09.051; 3. Richard Brookins, 6:19.743.

Open 4 — Chris Kobayashi, 6:00.691.

Time Only — 1. Luke McLane, 5:46.368; 2. Jacob Malm, 5:48.884; 3. Ben Bettinger, 5:50.141.

Read full article on Franklin Connection >>

Franklin Connection / News - 03/23/2024

Council authorizes rezone to commercial property

March 14, 2024

By: Katherine Trowbridge

The Connell City Council held a closed record hearing to consider approval of a rezone for 66.67 acres of property at the north end of Connell.

The request is for a rezone from urban reserve to commercial general of property located between Coyote Ridge Correctional Center and Highway 395. Open record hearing was heard by the planning commission with the applicant, staff, and one member of the public speaking on the issue.

Despite the advice of AHBL and City Administrator Cathleen Koch, the planning commission moved the item forward to council with a recommendation for approval.

In the staff report AHBL, represented by Emily, expressed their recommendation would be to deny, stating she spoke on behalf of and as an extension of the city staff. She stated that staff sees the rezone as “premature” going on to highlight the lack of water and sewer availability to the site.

Amy Grey, realtor representing the applicant Karl Singh, stated that their end goal is to ask for this change so that this land can be put into its highest and best use. She went on to state that they would like to put it up for sale and market the land in a way that benefits the community. She saw that someone would want to come and put something in that would need a lot of acreage but not take a lot of water. Grey did state that the water line goes up to the north corner of the property. “Let’s find somebody who wants to come in and help build it out. It seems like a win win. Hopefully then they’ll be paying taxes. You know that would be a great thing, right?”, she said, adding that Singh wants to put it up for sale and in the process work with the city to put it out there upfront as to what is needed in order to set the buyer up for success. Grey sees that there will be a lot of building in the next five years.

Read full article on Franklin County Graphic >>

Franklin County Graphic / News - 03/15/2024

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