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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 >>

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.

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 >>

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 - 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 / North Franklin News - 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 / North Franklin News - 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 / North Franklin News - 08/17/2023

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One dead, 6 injured in Mesa crash

MESA – An Othello man was killed and six others injured in a five-vehicle pileup Aug. 7 about three miles north of town. Jesus Camacho-Augustine, 21, of Othello, was pronounced dead at the scene near Milepost 10 of state Highway 17. Nicholas L. Abbott, 28, Valentin Galvez-Gonzalez, 24, and Estella DeJesus Gonzalez, 31, all of Othello, were injured in the crash, as were Anthony J. Mawer, 25, and...

Read full article on Franklin Connection >>

Franklin Connection / News - 08/16/2023

Othello gets $850,000 for Kiwanis Park

OTHELLO – Kiwanis Park will benefit from two grants approved by the state Recreation and Conservation Office. The agency has awarded $500,000 to add a water park and renovate trails. A second grant of $350,000 was awarded to build a futsal court. The funds will be administered through the city. The first grant will allow the city to build the water park, renovate walking trails and add lights...