Wallula
LATEST NEWS
Moses Lake likely eyeing contracted EMS services
Jul. 4—MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake City Council members may be considering eliminating the city-funded ambulance service and hiring a private contractor, according to a statement released by the Moses Lake Firefighters Local 1258. "On June 26, I was informed that the city of Moses Lake had for the last several months been in communication with Lifeline Ambulance, a private ambulance company that ...
NEWS BRIEFS: Cities can enforce homeless camping bans
In a decision that could have major consequences around the country, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on June 28 that cities can penalize camping on public property even if there isn't sufficient shelter space. The opinion stemmed from Johnson v. Grants Pass; under that case in 2022, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held that homeless camping bans are cruel and unusual punishment. The Supreme Court disagreed. Leaders in many Western cities have complained that the former ruling made it hard to address camping. Advocates, however, argued that it's inhumane to punish someone for sleeping outside if there's nowhere to go. Spokane City Council member Jonathan Bingle, who has pushed the city to remove encampments, described Friday's ruling as a major win. Julie Garcia, a homeless advocate and CEO of Jewels Helping Hands, described it as devastating. "There's no protection for them under the law any longer," she said. The ruling could impact Spokane's Proposition 1 — a citizen-led ballot measure that criminalized camping within 1,000 feet of schools, parks and playgrounds. Police haven't cited anyone for violating it, and in an interview last week, Mayor Lisa Brown said it was unclear how or if the Grants Pass ruling would change that. Read more here. (NATE SANFORD)
Ferguson and Reichert hit the campaign trail on Independence Day
OLYMPIA, Wash. – For most people, the Fourth of July is a day off. For candidates for public office, it’s an opportunity to connect with voters with democracy on their minds. Washington's gubernatorial candidates made their way to Independence Day celebrations to do just that. Attorney General Bob...
Can Homeless People Be Fined for Sleeping Outside in Washington State?
Can Homeless People Be Fined For Sleeping Outside In Washington State?. Homelessness is a complex issue that affects communities across the United States, and Washington State is no exception. One common question that arises when discussing homelessness is whether or not homeless individuals can be fined for sleeping outside. AP...
Drones to be Used to Monitor Effects of Low Water Flows on Threatened Bull Trout
YAKIMA – Starting July 9 and continuing into the fall, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff will use a series of drone flights to assess the effects of low water flows on bull trout movement and migration in Kittitas and Yakima counties. This work is particularly important this year as these counties are experiencing drought conditions.
Jeff Bezos to save nearly $1B in capital gains taxes by not living in Washington
(The Center Square) – Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has filed a notice with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to sell 25 million of the company’s shares currently worth about $5 billion. In November, the word’s second richest man announced he was leaving Seattle after nearly 30 years of living in the area to move […]
Was a Washington State Man A Serial Killer That Got Away?
Last August, a 49-year-old cold case in Massachusetts was solved. It was one of the most famous unsolved murders in 'The Bay State.' 'The Lady of the Dunes' was the oldest unidentified homicide victim in the State. Ruth Marie Terry's hands were removed from her body and she was found...
How many veterans will sleep on the street this Fourth of July?
OLYMPIA, Wash. – The United States has been in three major wars in the last fifty years, resulting in the US being home to about 18 million veterans. This Fourth of July, thousands of those vets will sleep on the street. About 4% of veterans were homeless or experienced...
Civil penalties for 'stealthing' now in effect in Washington state
OLYMPIA - As of Monday, Washington is the third state in the country to allow punishment for “stealthing.”. Stealthing is the act of removing or tampering with a sexually protective device before or during intercourse without a partner’s consent. California and Maine were the first two states to...
Washington State asks boaters to clean, drain and dry to prevent spreading invasive species
OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington Invasive Species Council and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) are asking boaters to follow the “Clean, Drain, Dry” protocol for all boats and equipment in order to prevent the introduction or spread of invasive species in Washington’s waterways.
Tri-Cities Rotary Announces Date for the Popular Annual Duck Race
The 36th Annual Mid-Columbia Duck Race will be held on Saturday, September 24th. It's one of my all-time favorite family-friendly events, and I can't wait! This year, the 36th Annual Mid-Columbia Duck Race will be held at Columbia Park. Ducks are scheduled to hit the water at 12 noon. The annual race is a fundraising effort for 5 local Rotary clubs. Money raised goes to support local human service organizations, projects, and student education. Nearly $3 million has been raised since the Duck Races began.
4 dead, 1 injured in fatal car crash near Benton City
Benton County, Wash. — BENTON COUNTY, WA. - At least 4 people are dead following a deadly crash that occurred on Thursday, July 4th near Benton City. According to the Benton County Coroner's Office, two adults, a 9-year-old child, and a 3-week-old infant were killed in a two-car collision around 6:30 p.m. near the corner of Travis and Sellards Road, south of Benton City. The Benton County Coroner's Office has confirmed Friday afternoon, that one of the victims is Bradley Bartlett, the Deputy Prosecutor for Benton County.
Fishermen, Salmon Changes on Columbia River Hanford Reach Area
According to the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, there are fishing changes on the Columbia near the Hanford Reach. "Changes year from 2023 to 2024 for Columbia River from Interstate-182 Bridge at Richland upstream to 650 feet below Priest Rapids Dam. Action: Closes retention of adult Chinook salmon...
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.