Latest news with #Pasco
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Unmatched' passion. Tri-Cities Crystal Apple winner named ESD 123 Teacher of the Year
A proud product of the Pasco community, who has dedicated her teaching career to expanding access and opportunities for the region's multi-lingual learners, has been recognized as the 2026 Educational Service District 123 Teacher of the Year. The accolade also automatically puts Gabriela Whitemarsh, a bilingual mathematics teacher at Pasco High School, in the running for Washington Teacher of the Year. The state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, OSPI, selects that winner in late summer. Whitemarsh said she was 'surprised' with the recognition last week at a staff meeting. Superintendent Michelle Whitney and executive staff from ESD 123 presented her a certificate. 'I was humbled, very honored,' Whitemarsh told the Tri-City Herald. But teaching isn't conducted in a silo, she says, paying credit to her colleagues, administrators, students and families for the honor. 'There are so many people who have helped me along the way,' Whitemarsh said. 'That's not just my own merit, it comes from a whole group of people — both in my personal and professional life — and I am eternally grateful for each and every one of them.' She was also among nine educators earlier this year who took home the 2025 Tri-City Crystal Apple Awards for Excellence in Education. Whitemarsh called teaching the 'greatest career ever,' and says it's a privilege to play a role in building up the next generation of leaders. 'It's very personal, and I don't take it for granted at all,' she said. Pasco High Principal Veronica Machado in a letter of recommendation described Whitemarsh as an individual who cares about 'innovation, equity, collaboration and excellence in education for every student.' 'Her passion and dedication are unmatched, and she has left an indelible impact on her students, her colleagues, and Pasco High School,' Machado wrote. ESD 123 Superintendent Steve McCullough said in a statement that Whitemarsh's passion, creativity and dedication to educational equity embodied what it means to be a leader in the profession. 'We are honored to have Gabriela represent our region and know she will continue to make an extraordinary impact,' he said. Whitemarsh is completing her ninth year as a public school teacher. Prior to coming to Pasco High, she worked nine years at Columbia Basin College as a program director, most notably for the Math Engineering Science Achievement. She also taught mathematics as an adjunct professor. She is founder the Advanced Multilingual Mathematics Program (HiCap L1 Math) at Pasco High School, an initiative that opens the door to college-level mathematics for newcomer students who previously lacked access. Whitemarsh says she saw the need herself back when she was attending the school. She was often one of only a handful of Hispanic students who were in advanced courses. 'There are so many who are capable, why aren't there more of us who are taking these courses and being rigorously prepared for college?' she said. Since the program took off in 2018, about 92 students have completed advanced math courses, and 41 have earned between 5 and 20 college math credits — all while they continued to build a foundation in the English language arts. Whitemarsh says it's her students and the stories of their families who drive her to continue teaching. Many come to her with varying backgrounds, education levels and at different ages — but each strives to learn and help one another. 'Education is at the heart of what we do. It opens doors and opportunities — and there's a ripple effect,' she said. Learning is also at the heart of her family. Her husband also works as a math teacher, but at Stevens Middle School. Her parents, who immigrated from Mexico, constantly instilled in her the value of education. In addition to her teaching duties, Whitemarsh also chairs Pasco High's multilingual department, serves as a bilingual facilitator, and regularly provides professional development to her colleagues on culturally responsive teaching and equitable practices. She's also been previously recognized for dedicating countless hours toward tutoring students one-on-one during the COVID pandemic and for being a mentor to her colleagues. Whitemarsh has also previously been involved in leadership positions with the regional Hispanic Academic Achievers Program — a program she benefited from — which has awarded scholarships to youth in the Hispanic community since 1991.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ambitious Tri-Cities convention hotel throws out old plans. New upscale vision begins
The Tri-Cities' largest hotel is now under construction at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick. The latest project by A-1 Hospitality Group, which broke ground this week, has changed dramatically since it was first announced to the public nearly two years ago. After years of review and planning, it's no longer slated to open as a Marriott Aloft. It won't have a popular Walla Walla Steak. Co. restaurant on its roof. And it won't be funded by wealthy immigrants via the federal EB-5 green cards for jobs program.. Vijay Patel, founder and president of the Pasco hotel group along with supporters celebrated the start of a $47 million project with toasts and speeches on Tuesday. The 3.6-acre site is on Grandridge Boulevard. Patel said planning and review process was extensive. The result is a better project, he promised. Instead of opening as an 'Aloft,' it will open with Marriott International's 'AC' brand, named for its creator, Antonio Catalan. AC was the preferred brand for the Patels, who see it as a sophisticated hotel brand catering to business and leisure travelers with minimal frills. Aloft is a more youthful brand focused on design and catering to tech-savvy travelers. Instead of opening with the steak restaurant, it will open with a different but undisclosed operator. Walla Walla Steak Co. confirmed it has no plans to open in Tri-Cities. And it will be funded by equity from local supporters and a loan from a credit union, Idaho Central Credit Union, aiming to make a splash as it enters the market. The 162-room AC Marriott is being built in tandem with a $71.3 million convention center expansion that began in April. The two buildings will connect, fulfilling a longstanding dream of expanding the Three Rivers Convention Campus to attract more and bigger gatherings that currently bypass Kennewick for larger venues in the region. The convention center expansion is a public undertaking by the Kennewick Public Facilities District. It is being being financed with bonds backed by convention center earnings and a sales tax rebate from the state. Kennewick voters rejected a local sales tax increase for the project three times and the project was reinvented without it. The vision shifted to public-private partnership in 2018, after the final ballot box failure. A-1 Hospitality signed on as the private partner, having previously built the SpringHill Suites hotel that connects to the original center. Local investors provided $15 million in equity. Idaho Central Credit Union is providing a $32 million construction loan. ICCU is larger, state-chartered, federally insured credit union based near Pocatello. It is building branches in Kennewick, Pasco and Richland. The AC Marriott loan helps introduce it to the Tri-Cities. 'We're here to make a big splash,' said Jose Giron, commercial loan officer, at the ground breaking. The credit union followed it up with a statement that it's Kennewick branch should open by the end of the year. 'ICCU is excited to enter the Tri-Cities market and to support development at the Three Rivers Convention Center,' it told the Tri-City Herald. Fowler Construction is the contractor. The hotel will take 18-20 months to build. The rooftop restaurant is still part of the design. Patel promised the hotel will open with an active rooftop bar and restaurant to take in the sweeping five-story views. Patel was particularly pleased to swap out the Aloft brand for AC, a mid-level Marriott brand reserved for larger cities. Patel thought it would work well in Kennewick but Marriott disagreed. Kennewick would get the more youthful Aloft, it said. The pandemic changed much about the project, including Marriott's thinking. Patel said he asked the company to reconsider. It sent an eight-person team to Kennewick, then agreed to make the change as a result of their review. A-1 Hospitality is one of the Tri-Cities busier developers. It has two projects in the works at the entrance to the Tri-Cities Airport and is preparing to expand its Columbia Gorge Hotel in Oregon. Its $9.5 million Home2 Suites hotel will add 107 rooms to the east of its Courtyard by Marriott, on West Argent Street. Both hotels occupy land A-1 leases from the Port of Pasco. It is also building a retail complex on North 20th Avenue.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pasco's 1st Latina mayor calling it quits + Ex-Richland mayor won't run again
The first Latina council member ever elected to serve as Pasco mayor says she will not seek reelection this year. Blanche Barajas confirmed to the Tri-City Herald on Thursday her plans to step away from the city council after serving two four-year terms. She's instead recommending a former Pasco High School teacher and Latino voter organizer, Mark Figueroa, to seek her seat. District 1 includes several neighborhoods south of Interstate 182, stretching from North Road 44 to Ochoa Middle School. 'We did many great things for Pasco and accomplished so much while we had a diverse and inclusive team,' Barajas wrote in a text message. 'Pasco has been an example to other cities, even taking us to Dallas, Texas, as one of five cities across the U.S.A. chosen to speak on the progress to address homelessness, housing issues and other projects that addressed our disenfranchised communities,' she wrote. She's stepping away to focus on personal matters, she said. Barajas currently works as executive director of the Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs. Filing week ends Friday, May 9, for 2025 elections in Washington state. There are more than 100 nonpartisan seats up for election this year in the Tri-Cities — from city councils and school boards, to port commissions and regional fire departments. Seats that attract more than two candidates will appear in the primary election. The top-two vote recipients will then advance to the general election. Seats with two or fewer registered candidates will appear only on the general election ballot. On Wednesday and Thursday, a flurry of challengers registered to run for public office with hopes of unseating incumbents. Case manager and prior council hopeful Calixto Hernandez will challenge Melissa Blasdel, who is seeking election after her 2023 appointment to the District 6 seat. She represents the city's downtown and parts of east Pasco. Leo Perales, who's seeking a second full term on Pasco City Council, will be challenged by regional real estate broker Bryan Verhei. The Kennewick School Board's top two leaders, both seeking second terms, are also being challenged. President Gabe Galbraith has attracted a challenge from Nicolas Uhnak, a radiochemist who works at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Vice President Micah Valentine is being challenged by WSU assistant professor of history and prominent Hanford historian Robert Franklin. At least one Pasco School Board member confirmed Thursday she will not be seeking reelection. Amy Phillips, who served four terms, says she will not seek reelection. Another candidate, Heather Kubalek, has filed to fill her District 4 seat. It's unclear if Pasco School Board member Steve Simmons plans to run for reelection. No one had filed for his at-large seat as of early Thursday afternoon, and he had yet to responded to an email inquiry. On the Richland City Council, all four seats are being challenged by newcomers. Ryan Whitten, the U.S. Navy veteran and Energy Northwest technician, appointed to Position 7 in 2023, has attracted a challenge from Colin Michael. Sandra Kent, who first won election to the council in 2009, will run for another term and is being challenged by Pat Holten. Former Richland Mayor Ryan Lukson does not plan to run for a third term on council. Donald Landsman, a retired pavement manager, has filed to run for his seat and is currently unopposed. Kurt Maier, the newest Richland city councilman, will face a challenge from Kyle Saltz, former commander of the local VFW. Both are veterans. Former Washington Rep. Brad Klippert is no longer the only candidate filed to run for the Kennewick City Council's lone at-large seat. Danielle Schuster, a Kennewick native, has thrown her hat in the ring. The seat is being vacated by Council member Jason McShane, who is instead running for the ward seat held by Mayor Gretl Crawford, who is not seeking re-election. On Thursday, May Hays, who serves on the West Richland City Council, filed for mayor. She'll challenge Mayor Pro Tem and fellow Council member Fred Brink for the full-time seat. Longtime Mayor Brent Gerry says he recently began mentoring Brink to learn the role. Port of Benton, District 1: Incumbent Rory Keck and challenger William O'Neil. Port of Kennewick, District 2: Raul Contreras Gonzalez and Tammy Kenfield. Grandview School Board, District 5: Amanda Rodriguez and Cecilia Lamas Noriega. Connell City Mayor: Shelly Harper and Patricia Barrera. Connell City Council, Pos. 2: Terri Cerna and Patrice Hebel. Connell City Council, Pos. 4: incumbent Joe Escalera and Duey Dixon. Kennewick Public Hospital District, Pos. 4: incumbent Spencer Harris. Kennewick Public Hospital District, Pos. 5: incumbent Wanda Briggs. Kennewick Public Hospital District, Pos. 6: Rick Reil. Prosser Public Hospital District:, Pos. 4: incumbent Brandon Bowden. Prosser Public Hospital District, Pos. 5: incumbent Glenn Bestebreur. Prosser Public Hospital District, Pos. 6: incumbent Stephen Kenny. West Richland City Council, Pos. 2: incumbent Ken Stoker. West Richland City Council, Pos. 4: incumbent Richard Bloom. Prosser City Council, Pos. 1: Bill Jenkin. Prosser City Council, Pos. 2: Jackie Kimble. Prosser City Council, Pos. 3: Harold Lewis. Kennewick City Council, Ward 1: Jason McShane. Kennewick City Council, Ward 2: incumbent Loren Anderson. Kennewick City Council, Ward 3: incumbent John Trumbo. Benton City City Council, Pos. 1: Gerry Hill. Grandview School Board, District 1: John Greene. Ki-Be School Board, District 2: Mike Peterson. Finley School Board, District 2: Rory Bush. Finley School Board, At-Large: Chris Knighten. Prosser School Board, District 3: Eric Larez. Prosser School Board, District 4: incumbent Jason Rainier. Richland School Board, Director 1: incumbent Bonnie Mitchell. Richland School Board, Director 2: incumbent Rick Jansons. Benton County Fire District #2, Pos. 2: incumbent Steve Rouse. Benton County Fire District #4, Pos. 2: incumbent Garrett Goodwin. West Benton Regional Fire Authority, Pos. 1: incumbent Randy Cobble. Port of Kahlotus, District 1: incumbent Richard Halverson. Port of Pasco, District 2: Matt Watkins. Port of Pasco, District 3: incumbent Hans-Joachim Engelke. Kahlotus School District, Pos. 3: incumbent Kelly Cochrane. North Franklin School Board, Pos. 4: Gabe Martinez. North Franklin School Board, Pos. 5: incumbent Hannah Shaw. Pasco School Board, District 3: incumbent Amanda Brown. Star School District, Pos. 4: incumbent Richard Wiswall. Connell City Council, Pos. 3: Michelle Welch. Kahlotus City Mayor: incumbent Michael Robitaille. Kahlotus City Council, Pos. 2: Jonathan Seibert. Kahlotus City Council, Pos. 3: incumbent Perrie Robitaille. Mesa City Council, Pos. 2: Wyatt Harrington. Pasco City Council, District 4: incumbent Pete Serrano. Franklin County Fire District 2, Pos. 4: incumbent Joe Roach. Franklin County Fire District 3, Pos. 2: incumbent Gary Larsen. Franklin County Fire District 4, Pos. 3: incumbent Kim Pauley. Franklin County Hospital District 1, Pos. 2: incumbent Lori Hayles. Basin City Water-Sewer District, Pos. 1: incumbent Robert Andrews. Basin City Water-Sewer District, Pos. 2: Matthew Naef. For a full list of elected positions on the 2025 ballot, check out the Tri-City Herald's coverage. Paperwork and registration payments must be made out to the Washington Secretary of State's Office by 5 p.m. May 9. To be eligible to run for public office, a candidate must be a registered voter within the district in which they're seeking office. Most seats are at-large, meaning they span the entirety of the district. Other seats may have specific residency requirements and require candidates to live in certain neighborhoods.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Newhouse needs to meet with voters before cuts gut programs Tri-Citians rely on
To Rep. Dan Newhouse: We would like to meet with you in person. There are many issues we'd like to discuss with you; we want to explain our concerns and understand your position. Foremost is the just-passed budget resolution. In your press release, you say you look forward to working with colleagues in both chambers to identify savings and efficiencies in federal spending. Do you consider the Musk/DOGE approach of slash and burn, mistakenly firing then rehiring, to be an effective way of identifying savings and efficiencies? In your Feb. 22 newsletter, you wrote that the federal employee terminations and furloughs directly impact families in Central Washington, and you've heard from residents of the Fourth Congressional District about concerns they have with these actions. Good. You've heard from us. You acknowledged that a strong, well-trained federal workforce is essential, and that you've communicated to the Trump administration that 'there should be a more nuanced approach to terminations and furloughs.' Please explain what you mean by 'a more nuanced approach to terminations and furloughs.' We want to hear you explain this nuanced approach. Please set up a town hall meeting for your constituents immediately. Lynne Harrison, Dale Width, Pamela Gaudet, Barbara Fowler, Yvonne Rodriquez, Pasco Dear President Zelensky: I write to you with profound respect, and with deep regret over the events that transpired during your recent visit to the White House. As a 20-year veteran of the United States Air Force, please believe me when I tell you that President Trump's obnoxious statements were not reflective of the values that so many Americans hold dear. The boorish behavior of President Trump and Vice President Vance was an embarrassment. You deserve far better. The brave men and women of Ukraine deserve better. America must never waver in its commitment to Ukraine and its NATO allies. To do so would not only be a betrayal of our most fundamental principles but also a grave strategic error. Abandoning Ukraine would embolden aggressors, weaken global security and threaten the very foundations of democracy. The American people's commitment to Ukraine's cause remains resolute. I stand with you, as do countless others who recognize that the fight for Ukraine is, at its core, a fight for the free world. I pledge my personal support for you and your people as you continue this monumental struggle. Your victory will be historic. Slava Ukraini! Richard V. Badalamente, Lt Col, USAF (Retired), Kennewick Regarding (Rep. Dan) Newhouse backing the GOP plan for Medicaid: How disingenuous coming from a politician who has access to and is the recipient of the best medical coverage in this country. He should at the very least stand up for the many constituents in the district who elected him who, in spite of hard work, multiple jobs and long hours, often can not make enough to provide more than basic needs, much less medical coverage. Shame on him. Mary Carlisle, Kennewick To local officials who support Elon Musk: I suggest instead of simply admiring Musk that you take real action. By forming the Tri-Cities Regional Office of Government Efficiency and Nonsense (TROGEAN aka Trojan), you can perform your own efficiency slashing. Trogean committee members would be known as 'Musketeers' with their motto the immortal, 'We have met the enemy, and he is us.' It must be true that our local governments are rife with inefficiencies, not just the feds. Slashing local bureaucracies would offer more support of Musk than fawning admiration. Cut local government employees by at least 25%, maybe more! Cut local law enforcement, ambulances and firefighters by at least 10%! There are no fires here! We have too many policemen. Eliminate local transit, since walking is healthier. We have three bridges across the Columbia. What a waste! Shut one of them down immediately. But let's cut to the chase: We need Trogean to address consolidation. This is where the big efficiency savings are. Long live Kennascoland! Please either be quiet about Musk or address consolidation if you are serious about efficiency. Unless you just like to watch others lose their jobs and celebrate that it is not you. Chuck Henager, Kennewick Our new Democratic governor who can't balance a checkbook any better than the previous Democratic governor could today recommended to his Democrat-controlled Legislature that all state employees need to take off one day per month for two years without pay to help in balancing his checkbook. All the while he will receive a $30,000 plus pay increase per year from $200,000-plus to $230,000-plus. A $29,000-plus pay increase for his attorney general, also a Democrat, and of course don't forget the Democrat-controlled (state) House and Senate will also get a raise. Nice to be king!. When will we become smart enough to take control away from the I-5 Corridor Democrats and take control of this state like the Republicans took control of Washington, D.C., and our great nation? We need our own state Trump and DOGE. If they eliminated DEI bull in all of state agencies and associated costs, the deficit would be 70% eliminated. Donald J. Taylor, Kennewick At Benton County Fire District 4, we are proud to serve nearly 25,000 residents, providing the highest level of emergency response and fire protection. Our commitment to the community goes beyond answering calls — we also want to stay connected with those we serve. I'm excited to introduce 'Coffee with the Chiefs,' an opportunity for residents to meet with me and our new Deputy Chief, Dan Drayton, in an informal setting. We invite you to join us for a cup of coffee, share your thoughts, and ask questions about what's ahead for Fire District 4. Thanks to the ongoing support of our community and careful financial planning, we're making critical service improvements this year — upgrading facilities, enhancing equipment, and hiring additional firefighters — all without a tax increase. These investments will help us continue delivering the reliable emergency response you depend on. Our first 'Coffee with the Chiefs' will take place on March 11, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Indulgences Espresso & Delights, 5449 W. Van Giesen St., West Richland. We hope to see you there! Paul Carlyle, Fire Chief, Benton County Fire Protection District No. 4 The Tri-Cities area greatly benefits from a long history of taxpayer-funded government programs starting with the building of the Grand Coulee Dam and continuing now with the Hanford site and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Government-funded dams provide water that created our agricultural and wine industry and gave us cheap electricity and cheap water. Hanford contractors and PNNL get around $4.7 billion in government funding every year. They employ 19,000 people with high-paying jobs as well as two to three times that number in indirect jobs. PNNL and its employees alone contributed $31.9 million dollars in taxes to our local and state economy in 2022. What area our size do you know of that has cheap electricity rates, 23 miles of public riverfront trails, at least 60,000 jobs directly or indirectly coming from government funding, and thousands of agricultural and food processing jobs? I grew up in a town that did not get billions of dollars in government funding and they don't have all of these jobs, a brand new town hall, a really nice library, a John Dam Plaza with stage and a fancy Xmas lighting show like we have in Richland. All of these things come from the tax base created by a large amount of government funding. They would be considered luxuries in many communities. I think many people in our area claim they don't like government funding; however, they are here because of the funding and/or enjoy and take for granted all of the benefits we get from government funding. Barbara Tarasevich, Richland On Feb. 19, Congressman Dan Newhouse sent out a constituent newsletter, 'Protecting America's Role in the Fight Against Hunger.' In it, he describes the United States as a leader in delivering aid in the fight against global hunger under the Food for Peace program within the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). In response to the decision by Mr. Trump to freeze all funds for USAID, Rep. Newhouse has proposed moving the Food for Peace program to the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Congressman Newhouse says that 'efforts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce unnecessary spending are important' and that 'there is plenty of unnecessary, and often times ridiculous, spending within USAID.' Further, he says, 'I am supportive of efforts to be better stewards of taxpayer dollars.' Both USAID and USDA have been overseen by their own Inspectors General, by the Government Accountability Office and numerous congressional committees in both the House and the Senate. Why is it exactly that the congressman feels oversight and accountability provided by these bodies was inadequate? And exactly how is the process being used by DOGE expected to improve on oversight and accountability for these agencies? Barbara Seiders, West Richland Three years ago, Russia launched an unprovoked, full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The people of Ukraine are fighting bravely for their freedom, and they deserve our support. President Trump has stained our national reputation by embracing Russian propaganda concerning Ukraine. On March 24, he compounded the disgrace by sponsoring a United Nations resolution about the war that failed to even mention Russian aggression, while opposing a resolution condemning the aggression. In taking these actions, he caused the United States to join forces with countries like North Korea, Belarus, Syria, Nicaragua and, of course, Russia itself. Rep. Dan Newhouse has been a strong supporter of liberty and of Ukraine, but he must speak out now against what appears to be no more than a plan of appeasement, perhaps with a deal for mineral rights or oil concessions on the side. In 2024, Americans voted to reduce inflation and limit immigration. They did not vote for surrender and alignment with tyranny. Norman Werth, Colville In January, the U.S. flag was lowered to half staff in honor of ex-President Jimmy Carter. When he lost the election for a second term, he did not whine, blame fraud nor encourage a mob to destroy heretofore respected property or commit violence on those whose job was to protect it and the people inside. The mob wanted even more violence had they not been stopped. Jimmy Carter started a charity, Habitat for Humanity to help people own their own homes and taught Sunday School. I think the flag should have remained at half staff for February to grieve the death of decency when the American people elected Donald Trump president of the United States. Deena Smith, Richland Lies, lies and more lies! When are our representatives, Democrats and Republicans alike, going to stand up and call out the lies? DOGE: what a joke, $65 billion saved? More like a little over $2 billion. Why not cut the $8 billion given to DOGE? Talk about inefficiencies. $300 billion to Ukraine? More like half of that. U.S. spending twice Europe's contribution? Europe is funding over 60%. Cutting funding approved by Congress? Not only illegal but harmful to farmers, our parks, your health, international humanitarian aid and so much more. As someone once said, 'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.' Richard Stachowiak, Kennewick I find it reprehensible that our government has forgotten the lessons of both World War I and II. My mother was an Army nurse in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany. My father was in the Army Air Corp in the Pacific. Both fought to save the freedom of those countries overrun by oppressive regimes that were bent on creating empires. Fast forward to today, and our government is playing the role of a bully to a country that was invaded. Ukraine did not ask for this war, Russia invaded it, and in the process has committed countless war crimes. If the America that we love wants to be 'Great Again' we cannot side with dictators who invade other countries and murder their own opponents to stay in power. The lesson from the World Wars is clear: We must stand with our allies and fight for democracy and freedom, not only for ourselves, but for all countries. Douglas Macomber, Kennewick To those criticizing President Zelensky, look back at how many times he has humbly and publicly thanked the U.S. for our support, then realize it is every lover of freedom and democracy who owes a thank you to Zelensky and Ukraine for their three-year, bloody fight to keep Europe out of the hands of Putin. Again, look back at the fatigues Winston Churchill wore to the White House during World War II in respect for his people at home fighting a war, and like Ukraine, living in a war zone. The U.S. president showed weakness, lack of self control and fear of Putin as he threw a screaming tantrum in a diplomatic meeting with a war hero. Can Zelensky's critics conceive of living three years in a war zone, and losing over 12,000 of your family, friends and neighbors? The U.S. is aligning with the autocrats, and imperialist Putin, while removing offensive cyber operations that are our guard rails. We're watching as the president of the United States abandons our security, and our allies while simultaneously ignoring the Constitution and separation of powers. Rep. (Dan) Newhouse, please find some courage, and act to save our democracy from the traitor in the White House. Kathryn Schroeder, Kennewick
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Yahoo
Clarks Summit man faces gun, child endangerment charges
A Clarks Summit man prohibited from possessing a firearm faces charges after attempting to sell a ghost gun, investigators said. On Friday morning, Detective John Munley from the Lackawanna County district attorney's office received information about Paul Michael Pasco trying to illegally sell a ghost gun, according to a criminal complaint. Ghost guns are untraceable and put together using components purchased as a kit or as separate pieces, police said. During his investigation, Munley learned Pasco sought to sell the gun to someone in South Scranton, per the criminal complaint. Munley was also told Pasco had other guns inside his Chevrolet Equinox, police said. Pasco is not permitted to carry a concealed gun stemming from a prior drug conviction, per the criminal complaint. Additionally, Pasco can't legally purchase a gun because he has a medical marijuana card, investigators said. Detectives from the Lackawanna County Detectives Drug Unit, Gun and Gang Reduction Task Force and officers from the Scranton Police Street Crimes Unit established surveillance at the meet location and saw Pasco sitting in his vehicle before he began to drive away, per the criminal complaint. Officers also noticed Pasco's vehicle had a front window tint and conducted a traffic stop where he was detained, police said. Pasco told Munley he had three guns and marijuana inside his vehicle, per the criminal complaint. Pasco (Courtesy Lackawanna County Processing Center) After receiving permission to search the vehicle, investigators found the ghost gun — a black handgun that was loaded, a rifle with a scope and a shotgun, police said. The rifle and shotgun were located directly next to his 4-year-old daughter, who was in her car seat, investigators said. Detectives also confiscated smoked marijuana roaches and a marijuana grinder, police said. Pasco admitted to investigators that he was going to sell the gun and was upset that he got set up, per the criminal complaint. Police charged Pasco, 1118 South Abington Road, with criminal attempt to illegally transfer a firearm, firearms not to be carried without a license, endangering the welfare of children and related counts. As of Monday, Pasco, 27, remained at Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 4 at 10:45 a.m.
