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State Senator Mark Schoesler DUI plea

SUMMARY

Washington State Senator Mark Schoesler was recently arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) following an event at the Ritzville Rodeo on August 31, 2024. The 67-year-old senator, who represents the 9th Legislative District, was found to have a blood alcohol level of 0.14, well above the state's legal limit of 0.08. According to reports, Schoesler was seen walking unsteadily after the rodeo, prompting a witness to report a possible drunk driver. He later allegedly backed his vehicle into two others before being stopped by law enforcement.

The senator cooperated fully with the authorities during the incident, but after failing a field sobriety test and several breathalyzer tests, he was arrested by citation. Since the local jail was closed, Schoesler was released to a family member and will face a court summons in Adams County. This arrest has drawn attention given Schoesler's long tenure in Washington politics, where he has served in both the House and Senate, including a role as Senate Republican leader for eight years.

The arrest marked one of the few major incidents at the Wheat Land Communities Fair and has led to scrutiny of Schoesler’s actions, though his full legal consequences will be determined in the upcoming court hearings.

Sources: Whitman County Gazette, Franklin Connection

Summary provided as an archive of the information in the case that the original article is unavailable.

FRANKLIN CONNECTION

RITZVILLE – The 9th Legislative District senator pleaded not guilty Thursday, Sept. 12, on a charge of driving while under the influence of alcohol. But Adams County District Court Judge Andrea K. Russell determined there was probable cause for the charge against 67-year-old Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville. She schedule him to appear before her again Oct. 8 in the 210 W. Broadway Ave. courthouse...

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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 - 09/27/2024

Franklin County Auditor cleared of allegations

SUMMARY

Franklin County Auditor Matt Beaton Cleared in Investigation Alleging Wrongdoing

Franklin County Auditor Matt Beaton has been officially cleared of any misconduct following an investigation that many have called politically motivated. The probe, led by Snohomish County Special Prosecutor Elise Deschenes, was initiated after Beaton raised concerns over a $12,500 payment made to a management company overseeing the HAPO Center in Pasco. The payment, pushed through by former county administrator Mike Gonzalez, bypassed normal county procedures, prompting Beaton and other officials to withhold it for further scrutiny.

Gonzalez, who resigned shortly after to take a position in Sunnyside, filed a formal complaint against Beaton and others, claiming misuse of power. The timing of the complaint — coinciding with local election filings — led some to speculate that the investigation was designed to undermine Beaton’s credibility.

After a thorough review, the special prosecutor found no legal violations in Beaton’s actions. Beaton has maintained that the complaint was rooted in false claims and political maneuvering. His attorney, Scott Johnson, described the case as a "baseless effort to discredit a public servant committed to upholding transparency."

Beaton, who has served as Franklin County Auditor since 2011, reiterated his commitment to protecting taxpayer dollars and holding officials accountable for responsible fiscal management. The case may have closed in Beaton’s favor, but it shines a light on the increasingly political nature of local government affairs in Franklin County.

Summary provided as an archive of the information in the case that the original article is unavailable.

FRANKLIN CONNECTION

PASCO - Franklin County Auditor Matt Beaton has been cleared of any wrongdoing following a "politically motivated investigation." Attorney Scott W. Johnson of Johnson & Orr in Richland confirmed in a press release Sept. 6 that Snohomish County Special Prosecutor Elise Deschenes rendered an independent decision finding no violation of the law. Records show the investigation was...

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Franklin Connection / News - 09/12/2024

Kahlotus Royalty

Miss Kahlotus and Jr. Miss Kahlotus ride in the Bronco Days parade in Ritzville on June 1

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Franklin Connection / News - 06/19/2024

East Low Canal irrigation water delayed

OTHELLO — Irrigation water from the East Low Canal is being delayed to allow the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District to work on an upper canal. The Main Canal near Billy Clapp Lake is undergoing a leak assessment and potential repair work, officials said. That means irrigation water to smaller canals and laterals off the East Low Canal won’t be available until the work is complete....

ECBID.ORG

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Franklin Connection / News - 03/23/2024

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.

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Franklin Connection / News - 03/23/2024

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...

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Franklin Connection / News - 02/28/2024

Sonny's Tavern reopens in Washtucna

WASHTUCNA – Headlights lit up Main Street on Thursday, Oct. 26, as diners headed to the newly re-opened Sonny's Tavern for their first night open since the business's acquisition by Bridget and Paul Coon.

Farmers, firefighters and first responders, who were the inaugural guests during the opening service, were greeted with smiling faces of Farm Bureau representatives, the familiar smell of frying chicken and the sight local farm brands that were burned into the interior walls and supports upon entering.

The opening day event began at 4 p.m., with several tables of locals and supporters already full. By 4:30 p.m., Sonny's was already at half capacity as servers and cooks were working out some of the opening day jitters. By 5 p.m., only one or two seats were left without a guest.

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Franklin Connection / News - 11/01/2023

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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...

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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...