Five ways to ensure your older car costs less to keep running

(ARA) - Which is cheaper - a monthly car payment for a new vehicle that will almost certainly have lower maintenance and repair costs than an older car? Or keeping on top of regular maintenance and repair of an older car, and saving yourself the monthly car payment?

Fall ceramic tile trends go bold and beautiful

(ARA) - Trendy and timeless, practical and whimsical, durable and beautiful - when it comes to building materials, ceramic tile wins the heart of many a designer and homeowner for its ability to offer the best of many worlds. Technological advances and passionate designers have carried modern ceramic tile a long way from the basic, utilitarian looks of yesteryear.

Deadbeat Illinois serves as a warning

The dictionary defines "deadbeat" as someone who deliberately avoids paying their bills. It's an unflattering label, but for Illinois, it's now their unofficial new nickname: the Deadbeat State.

Congress helps small business out

Just over a year ago when President Obama, then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., rammed Obamacare through Congress, no one really knew what was in the 2,700 pages of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA). But small business soon learned that it wasn't so affordable.

Texas leads the nation in tort reform - and jobs

Guest Editorial

Seahawks' defense too much for mistake filled Bears

CHICAGO (AP) - Seattle's defense clamped down in the second half, pressured Caleb Hanie into a game-turning mistake and simply shut down and shut out the struggling Chicago Bears over the final 30 minutes.

Uncertainty keeps cash on the sidelines

GUEST EDITORIAL

Grant County Jail chief demoted after assualt

EPHRATA - Former Grant County Jail Chief Deputy Greg Knutson was demoted in June after his fiancée told police he'd assaulted her during a St. Patrick's Day domestic dispute.

Economy in Grant County keeps chugging along

YAKIMA - The average annual unemployment rate in Grant County decreased eight-tenths of a percentage point between 2012 and 2013, from 9.6 to 8.8 percent.

Royal start fastpitch season off perfect

ROYAL CITY - The Royal High softball team kicked off the new season with a torrent of runs and two victories over Newport last Thursday on the Royal diamond.

Luis A Sanchez

Candidate would like stronger board-staff relationship

I am Luis A. Sanchez, and I am running for Royal School District board of directors position 2. I have lived on the Royal Slope for 30 years and am excited for the opportunity to serve my community and help improve the effectiveness of the district as a school board member.

Excitement building for next season of Royal Knights Football

ROYAL CITY - About 100 Royal football fans got a sneak peek at the 2015 version of the Knights last Friday. There was a lot to like, and anticipation is building for the upcoming fall season.

Darrin Miller wins tourney title

ROYAL CITY - Royal High School may be a top-5 wrestling team this year, and leading the charge toward state is junior Darrin Miller.

Seattle Seahawks sign Wright to 4-year extension

RENTON, Wash. (AP) - The conversations started in the spring and as much as K.J. Wright wanted to believe the Seattle Seahawks legitimately wanted to keep him around long-term, the fact the season started and weeks ticked by without a contract extension began weighing on the linebacker.

Royal sending six to state, Wahluke sending two

ZILLAH - Royal high school qualified six wrestlers for the state 1A tournament at last weekend's regional tournament in Zillah, and Wahluke qualified two.

Farewell Party for Bev & Jim English slated May 4

ROYAL CITY - Royal Slope residents Jim and Bev English are moving to Prineville, Ore., and friends and neighbors will give them a friendly sendoff with a farewell party at 1 p.m. at the Nazarene Church on Sunday, May 4.

Five Royal wrestlers, one from Wahluke place at Mat Classic XXVI

TACOMA - There were no champions, but four boys and one girl from Royal and one boy from Wahluke placed in their weight classifications at the state wrestling tournament at the Tacoma Dome last weekend.

EU regulator approves J&J's one-shot COVID-19 vaccine

AMSTERDAM (AP) — The European Medicines Agency has authorized Johnson & Johnson’s one-dose coronavirus vaccine, giving the European Union's 27 nations a fourth licensed vaccine to try to curb the pandemic amid a stalled vaccination drive in the bloc.

Brooks, N. Carolina beat N.C. State, snap 7-game skid

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — At numerous points this season, Garrison Brooks has struggled to make free throws for North Carolina. Tuesday night, shooting free throws was like second nature for Brooks, who scored 30 points to help the Tar Heels end a seven-game losing streak with an 85-79 victory over North Carolina State.

Lowe's disappoints on 4Q sales, full-year outlook

NEW YORK (AP) — Lowe's Cos. on Wednesday reported weaker-than-expected sales for its fiscal fourth quarter and offered an annual forecast that came below Wall Street expectations.