Wisconsin Senate approves firefighting foam restrictions

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Republicans were poised Tuesday to pass a bill that would impose new restrictions on the use of firefighting foam containing chemicals known as PFAS in the hopes of reducing soil and water contamination, despite Democrats' complaints that the proposal would do next to nothing.

Wisconsin lawmakers approve firefighting foam restrictions

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Republicans signed off Tuesday on a bill that would impose new restrictions on firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals in the hopes of reducing soil and water contamination, despite Democrats' complaints that the proposal would accomplish next to nothing.

Wisconsin lawmakers approve firefighting foam restrictions

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Republicans signed off Tuesday on a bill that would impose new restrictions on firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals in the hopes of reducing soil and water contamination, despite Democrats' complaints that the proposal would accomplish next to nothing.

Margaret Pauline Johnson

RIP: Aug. 4, 2022

Margaret preferred to be called Peggy. Peggy was preceded in death by her brother Ralph Olsen, her father Paul Olsen, her mother Lilian Olsen, and her sisters Dorothy Baer and Betty Blair, a granddaughter Nikki Cruz, and her late husband Jess W. Johnson. She is survived by her daughter Sharon Talkington, and her son Steve Johnson, Sharon's children Todd, Scott, and Shon Cooper. She is also survived by her great grandchildren: Amber and Devan Todd's children; Joshua and Bobby Cooper, and Angel, Charity, and James Clemens sons and daughters of Scott; Shon's daughter Kristen. Her great-great-grandchildren: Devan's son Finn; Joshua's children Lyla, Izzy, and Shelbie; Jayden Norton son of Charity; and a great-great-great-grandson Waylon who is Shelbie's son. Also, Steve's children Lexie Wilson, Jenni Sandman, and Thomas Renshaw. Grandchildren: Lexie's sons Trevor, Gavin, and Maveric; Jennie's sons Bryce, Grant and Dakota; and Nikki's sons Zryan and Zachery.

Legislators advance new tax exemption for ADUs

Legislation, which could expand affordable housing and ease tax burdens, was advanced and referred to the review stage by the House Finance Committee on Thursday.

Grant County announces expanded property tax breaks

EPHRATA — More senior citizens and disabled people living on fixed incomes in Grant County could get a break on their property taxes, according to a press release from the Grant County Assessor’s Office.

Police records for May 11, 2022

EPD, jail

Former Utah House speaker, auto exec Bob Garff dies of COVID

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Former speaker of the Utah House, auto executive and philanthropist Robert Garff died Sunday because of complications of COVID-19, his daughter and the automotive group said.

Officials link 7 Wisconsin virus cases to in-person voting

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Officials have identified seven people who appear to have contracted the coronavirus through activities related to the April 7 election in Wisconsin.

Minnesota Legislature OKs protection for front-line workers

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota's coronavirus infection count surpassed 1,000 Tuesday, as lawmakers paid tribute to first responders and health care workers on the front lines of the battle against the coronavirus by passing legislation to ensure they all qualify for workers compensation if they catch it.

Minnesota Legislature OKs protection for front-line workers

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota's coronavirus infection count surpassed 1,000 Tuesday, as lawmakers paid tribute to first responders and health care workers on the front lines of the battle against the coronavirus by passing legislation to ensure they all qualify for workers compensation if they catch it.

New Mexico primary challengers face uphill fight amid virus

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — For weeks, Carrie Hamblen has knocked on doors, shook hands at festivals, and passed out campaign material in her effort to unseat Sen. Mary Kay Papen — one of the most powerful Democratic incumbents in the New Mexico Senate.

Former Utah House speaker, auto exec Bob Garff dies of COVID

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Former speaker of the Utah House, auto executive and philanthropist Robert Garff died Sunday because of complications of COVID-19, his daughter and the automotive group said.

New Mexico primary challengers face uphill fight amid virus

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — For weeks, Carrie Hamblen has knocked on doors, shook hands at festivals, and passed out campaign material in her effort to unseat Sen. Mary Kay Papen — one of the most powerful Democratic incumbents in the New Mexico Senate.

$21 million in coronavirus money sails through Senate

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Senate voted 64-0 Monday to earmark nearly $21 million to reinforce the state's response to the coronavirus outbreak, and the House was poised to quickly follow suit so the bill reaches Gov. Tim Walz's desk this week.

Evers proposes flood bills even though Assembly is done

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Tony Evers proposed a multimillion dollar package of legislation Tuesday designed to control spring flooding, hoping to convince Republicans to reconvene the state Assembly to pass them.

House Democrats press ahead on paid family and medical leave

ST. PAUL, Minn, (AP) — The growing coronavirus outbreak brings new urgency to a proposal to guarantee Minnesota workers the right to paid family and medical leave, community activists and Democratic legislative leaders said Thursday, ahead of a House debate on a bill to do just that.

Evelyn Mae (Knecht) Hardy

Evelyn Mae went to be with the Lord in the early morning of Oct. 17, 2023, at the age of 90. Born February 16, 1933, in Lind, Washington to Edward and Lydia Knecht, Evelyn lived on her great-grandparents’ farm in Warden, Washington. She learned to play guitar at the age of 10, and at 13 was given the opportunity to play and sing on her own radio program on KSEM, known as the Sweetheart of the Columbia Basin, until the age of 17. After completing high school in Warden with a graduating class of five, she went to work for General Electric in Richland, Washington, which would prove to be the best move of her life. There she met the love of her life, Aulton Clyde Hardy, better known to his friends as Jack, who was stationed in the Army at Camp Hanford. They shared a love for music and a love for one another like no other.

‘Aquifer rescue mission’

Leaders discuss water management in Columbia Basin

MOSES LAKE - A dozen leaders from across the Columbia Basin and Washington State came together in Moses Lake Monday morning to have a roundtable discussion about water management issues facing Columbia Basin growers and included the Columbia Basin Project and the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program. “We need to figure out which one of these avenues are the best,” said U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, (D–Wash.). Points of conversation were about the importance of the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program, which was called an “aquifer rescue mission” by Columbia Basin Development League Executive Director Sara Higgins...

House Democrats press ahead on paid family and medical leave

ST. PAUL, Minn, (AP) — The growing coronavirus outbreak brings new urgency to a proposal to guarantee Minnesota workers the right to paid family and medical leave, community activists and Democratic legislative leaders said Thursday, ahead of a House debate on a bill to do just that.