Week of August 6, 2026
Week of August 6, 2026
SPOKANE — Aaron F. Farinacci, of Spokane, Washington, was arrested Monday, August 3, 2026. He has been charged with first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails fire, the largest of three wildfires in the region, and held on a $1 million bond, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said a witness driving near the area where the Old Trail Fire is believed to have started, reported seeing a man “bending down” near the grass and standing up, looking “very nervous.” The witness had...
OLYMPIA —The Imagination Library of Washington (ILWA) has been awarded two grants to help restore Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The library provides free, high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to children from birth to age five in Washington. The financial commitments from the Roots & Wings Foundation and the John and Tami Marick Family Foundation will stabilize ILWA’s 50% book-cost match, which supports local program partners, and restore service in paused communities as quickly as possible. Together, these commitments...
To the Editor, I spent 45 years living in Walla Walla County, and serving its citizens was one of the greatest privileges of my career. Even though I no longer live there, I’ll always care about the community and the people who call it home. That’s why I’m taking the time to write this. I’ve known Richard Schram since 2007, when I was hired as a Deputy with the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office. Over the years, I worked beside him on a wide range of cases, from death investigations and homicides to drug warrants and everything in...
TOUCHET VALLEY - A column of up to 100 vintage military vehicles is traveling along the 2,100 miles of the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery westward route from Mandan, North Dakota to Fort Stevens, Oregon. The convoy is organized by the Military Vehicle Preservation Association, a nonprofit to support military vehicle enthusiasts, historians, educators, and collectors. Following the original path as closely as possible, the group travels an average of 150 miles a day, at 35 mph. Vehicles...
SPOKANE — In one day, community members, businesses, and organizations across the region have raised $1.55 million to support those impacted by the ongoing Spokane Complex wildfires. The Innovia Foundation established the Spokane Complex Wildfire Response Fund on August 2 to work with community partners to provide funding for immediate and long-term needs. Grants will be distributed to nonprofit organizations that provide assistance and financial support to individuals and families impacted by the wildfires. Nonprofit organizations seeking...
DAYTON — Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” is his adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem. It was filmed using new IMAX film technology. The movie follows the mythic Greek hero Odysseus on his perilous ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. He and his soldiers encounter gods, monsters, and treacherous seas while his wife and son face turmoil in Ithaca. The cast includes Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, and Robert Pattinson. It is rated R for violence and some language, with a runtime of...
An orange haze hung over the meadow to the southwest. Another smoke plume billowed behind rugged peaks to the east. A red-bellied McDonnell Douglas MD-87 air tanker lumbered out of the smoke. It looked like any passenger jet, with windows and two engines near the tail, except this jet's cargo capacity was 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant. Just one of many planes executing a full aerial assault on the nearby fires. The jet engines roared overhead, and to the east, one or two every five...
Adventures await. Two Saturdays – two adventures. One to the west – one to the east. Luckily, the weather was ideal for both outings. The first Saturday destination was about four hours to the west, to Ainsworth State Park in Oregon. The park is the only overnight campground along the waterfall corridor on the Historic Columbia River Highway, where we planned to board the Waterfall Trolley. The Waterfall Trolley hop-on-hop-off tour includes up to six waterfalls and a stop at Vista House. We...
Fifteen Years Ago August 11, 2011 Standing over the engine of a 2012 Mustang with his young son Race, Reece Hubbard was melancholy for the car he was recently forced to sell. "It was a 2008 Mustang Bullitt, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the '68 version," he said, recalling the movie "Bullitt" with Steve McQueen, who helped make the model famous. "They only made 5,800 and my mine was #5,780." With his wife out of work for a year following an injury, he had no other choice, but he still...
Each summer-growing season in the garden is a little different from the last. Things that thrive one year can struggle to flourish the next. Despite all the surprises and unpredictability, the one thing that there is never a shortage of is zucchini. This most prolific of summer squash needs to be harvested daily, and even after giving away boxes to friends and family we seem to always have a fresh pile on the kitchen counter. As a result, I have researched and tested countless recipes that use...
Brenda Bates was born on April 25, 1962, to parents James and Evelyn Hunter, in Roseburg, Oregon. She passed away on June 4, 2026, at her home in Waitsburg, Washington. She married Glen Bates on May 13, 1989, and together they raised five children. The couple lived in Dayton, Washington, and worked in food services at Dayton Hospital. After relocating to Waitsburg 17 years ago, Brenda became a caregiver in Waitsburg and Walla Walla. She was very kind and dedicated to those she cared for. She attended Waitsburg Christian Church and...
Thursday, Dec. 11 Breakfast Pancake on a stick Lunch Chicken Alfredo Breadstick Fruit and Vegetable Friday, Dec. 12 Breakfast Breakfast Burrito Lunch Pepperoni or Cheese Pizza Fruit & Vegetable Monday, Dec. 15 Breakfast Breakfast Pizza Lunch Hamburger Tater Tots Fruit & Vegetable Tuesday, Dec. 16 Breakfast Biscuits & Gravy Lunch Nachos Fruit & Vegetables Wednesday, Dec. 17 Breakfast Ultimate Breakfast Round Lunch Turkey Sandwich Fruit &...
