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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.

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 >>

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 - 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

NFSD Superintendent announces retirement

By: Katherine Trowbridge

February 29, 2024

At their regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 26, the board of directors for the North Franklin School District (NFSD) accepted the resignation of Superintendent Jim Jacobs, effective June 30, 2024.

Superintendent Jacobs has led the NFSD for the past six years. Throughout his 27-year career in the district, Jacobs has served in numerous positions, including teacher, summer school director, elementary principal, junior high principal, superintendent and regional representative to the WASA Board of Directors.

Jacobs’ motto is “Kids First, Education Always,” and this shows in his relationships with students, staff and parents throughout the years, a district press release stated.

The board of directors accepted the resignation with a very reluctant sigh of yes during their board meeting held Monday, Feb. 26 after the motion was made by Patti Walker with the words, “Reluctantly and with great sadness…”

Jim Jacobs told the board, “It’s been a great career. I’ve either been serving my country or this district for the past 32 years. I’m just tired.” He went on to share that he is not seeking employment elsewhere. The board did ask if he would still drive school buses, to which he replied, “if needed.”

On behalf of the NFSD Board of Directors, Chairperson Terry Utecht stated, “It’s hard to imagine the North Franklin School District without Jim Jacobs in it, as he has served in many different aspects for over 27 years. The district has been blessed with Jim’s dedicated leadership for the past six years. He is a true leader in every sense of the word. The board is deeply saddened to see him go, but we are confident that the district is in a very healthy position which will help facilitate a smooth transition. We are excited to see what opportunities lie ahead for Jim and his family.”

Read full article on Franklin County Graphic >>

Franklin County Graphic / News - 03/01/2024

Dorothy Forgey - Celebrating 100 years

By: Katherine Trowbridge

February 29, 2024

Dorothy Forgey was joined by family and friends at a celebration of her 100th year of life on Saturday, Feb. 11. Dot, as she is affectionately called by her grandchildren, wasn't in favor of the celebration and told her daughter so. Despite her reluctance, she was excited to see many who came and expressed her gratitude to all who came to celebrate with her.

Guests shared a variety of memories with us from her days as a waitress at the Golden Harvest and Hazy’s to her days as a bus driver, her kind heart, and her sense of humor.

Read full article on Franklin County Graphic >>

Franklin County Graphic / News - 02/29/2024

Keep public records open to the public

Public records must remain open and accessible A special report urges the mobilization of civic leaders, organizations, businesses and all residents to work together to save the state’s Public Records Act.

The report is available online for viewing and downloading at washcog.org.

State lawmakers and the courts continue to whittle away at the landmark public records law, which was adopted...

Read full article on Franklin Connection >>

Franklin Connection / News - 02/28/2024

Papa Ray’s Welcomes new owners as Robinson’s bid a fond farewell to customers

January 4, 2024

By: Katherine Trowbridge

Ray Robinson proudly hands over the reins to brothers Gary (l) and Kanwardeep Singh (r).

Ray and Rachel Robinson and their family have turned over the reins of namesake restaurant to the Singh brothers, Kanwardeep Singh (Singh) and Gary Singh. The Robisons expressed, “We really feel like they’ll be a great addition to the community. They are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.”

Singh shared their passion and excitement for this new venture the brothers are stepping into. They had been looking at operating a local small business and found this opportunity. Singh loves to cook and brought his brother along on this new venture.

The brothers came to America, 13 years ago, from Panjabi in Northern India. Their homeland is very much like our farming community. The farms mostly grow potatoes and vegetables there. Their family heritage is in farming.

They had been living in Seattle, and managed a couple 7-11 stores there but longed for community. Singh moved to Moses Lake in 2023 as an opportunity opened up for his wife, who is in the medical field, to further her education at Big Bend Community College. The couple also has a young daughter. Gary is looking to purchase a home in Connell and integrate himself in the community.

For fans of Papa Ray’s, you will be excited to hear their goal is to keep the restaurant and menu items and the name as is. They have no intentions of changing what Ray has built and look forward to honoring his legacy by keeping the name intact. Although, the brothers shared they did add a little bit of themselves by bringing in an Indian style “Tandoori Pizza” which is a curry style pizza. They also added the “loaded shotgun” which is all the flavors of Papa Ray’s menu in one pizza. The brothers are also in the process of obtaining a liquor license so they can add beer and wine to the menu.

Read full article on Franklin County Graphic >>

Franklin County Graphic / News - 01/03/2024

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Harvest In Bloom Market OCT 14

Event by In Bloom Boutique

Connell, Washington

Duration: 5 hr

Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 10am-3pm.

In Bloom Boutique invites you to join us for our first annual HARVEST IN BLOOM Market.

FACEBOOK Event Page (press here)

This vendor market will be held on our century-old family farm located at 120 Paradise Rd, Connell, WA. (Look for the red barn!)

Shop from the very BEST vendors of our community, from clothing & home decor to pumpkins, plants, & flowers. Be sure to take a class (or two!), pamper yourself with a spa treatment & stay for lunch!

Visit https://yourinbloom.com/events-classes for all the details & to register for classes.

News / What's Going On - 09/14/2023

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C Street Vault, aka Old Legion Building progress

New trusses arrived this week for the C Street Vault, aka Old Legion Building. Demo inside is making progress too thanks to our helpers this week: Brandon Schouviller, Tucker Loeber, Penelope Hathaway, Levi Danz, Shelly Harper and Connie Heider Koch.

Thank you to the following who have donated this past week: Helen Tobin, Ella Mae Hudlow Hudson, Eppich Grain, Community First Bank, Rande Gjerstad, B&R Aerial Crop Care, 395 Farms (Hart), Karla Hays and Bob and Connie Koch. Without all of you, this building would be soooo SAD!

We still need lots of help! Our community is amazing. Please send donations to POBox 1185 Connell Wa 99326

News / What's Going On - 08/22/2023

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Joshua Snyder Photography - Starfield

I went out Saturday night northeast of Connell, Washington hoping for a fantastic viewing of the Perseid meteor shower. After about an hour of continuous shooting with little to show for it, my patience waned and I moved on to more fruitful subjects. Thankfully with a nearly new moon and only slightly smoky skies, the Milky Way was highly visible.

Joshua Snyder Photography is in Connell, WA

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News / What's Going On - 08/17/2023

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