Recalling a ride on the 'freedom' train of youth

One of the topics that came up more than once at the all-school reunion I attended in Minnesota last summer was how fortunate we were to have grown up in an era when kids, for the most part, were left to their own devices and imaginations to entertain themselves.

Oh no! Please! Not an invasion of Canadians!

Bakery expands step-by-step in pandemic

Janice Baginski started her business by taking custom orders and, in just more than a year, expanded to a part-time location and hours.

GUEST EDITORIAL: Finding stories of hope shine all around us

With a bad economy, political bickering in our nation's capital and daily news coverage of raucous protests here at home, it may seem harder to get into the Christmas spirit this year.

State grant to fund Stratford overpass safety study

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake City Council voted Tuesday to accept a Washington State Department of Transportation grant to study ways to make the overpass at Stratford Road and SR 17 safer to cros on foot.. The grant, a little over $685,000, will go to design a solution to improve bicyclist and pedestrian crossing on the bridge, according to the WSDOT’s project summary. Moses Lake City Engineer Richard Law told the council that the sidewalk, which is less than three feet wide, is dangerous for pedestrians moving back and forth between the neighborhoods north of the highway and the shopping areas to the south.

Washington city helps residents, merchants with wooden money

TENINO, Wash. (AP) — The blue-cheese salad dressing, butter, ground turkey, cans of grain-free dog food and new toothbrush came to $24.97.

Christmas tree buyers face reduced supplies, higher prices

Record-breaking heat and wildfires in late June took a heavy toll on Christmas tree farms in Oregon and Washington

Ronan-raised UM theater grad fashions future in costume design

MISSOULA – University of Montana graduating senior Morgan Brooks’ budding career in the theater started in a rather unconventional way – through 4-H.

The Latest: Major airlines cancel majority of flights

The Latest on financial markets (all times local):

Woodland treasures make for delightful gifts

One of my favorite gifts to special friends and family is comprised of “combinations” of garden/woodland gleanings and purchased items, writes Weekend Gardener Valle Novak.

C-Falls veteran admits benefits fraud

A Columbia Falls man accused of stealing government benefits by overstating his disabilities admitted fraud and theft charges in federal court Wednesday, according to, U.S. Attorney Kurt G. Alme said Friday.

The price of impatience

George Ostrom

Company sets focus on creating jobs

MINERAL COUNTY - A nonprofit group is optimistic about rebuilding the Mineral County community in as little as five years.

The price of impatience

George Ostrom

Man charged with breaking into 17 vehicles across the valley

A 32-year-old Kalispell man charged with breaking into vehicles in Columbia Falls and Kalispell during a four-month spree also faces a charge of issuing bad checks across the valley.

Dignity, dreams should never be silenced

I learned a thing or two last week — knowledge I wasn't trying for — but I'm glad to have it.

Washington city helps residents, merchants with wooden money

TENINO, Wash. (AP) — The blue-cheese salad dressing, butter, ground turkey, cans of grain-free dog food and new toothbrush came to $24.97.

Celebrating community

Cloudview Farm to host Summer Sunflower Fest Saturday

EPHRATA – Local non-profit Cloudview Farm will be putting on the 2nd annual Summer Sunflower Fest this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on their Ephrata farm located at 17305 Frey Road. Cloudview’s Education and Community Coordinator Julie Johnston spoke about the motivation behind the Summer Sunflower Fest...

Help sought to fund repairs at historic Dover church

Building was floated upriver from Laclede almost 100 years ago

It's been almost 100 years since Dover Community Church was floated upriver from Laclede. Now the former summer cottage that found religion is showing signs of age. Some of its unique cedar bark shingles are in poor shape, and the foundation needs some work. While some of the work has been done, more remains, said church members Ron Bricker and Joe Gibbs. "So that pretty much depleted our bank account and we still have other work to do," Bricker said.

Oregon, Washington respond to areas of outdoor overcrowding

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The north Oregon coast crowds have been overwhelming the state park sites this summer with highway traffic jams, illegal parking and overflowing trash bins amid the coronavirus pandemic, officials said.