Spokane County

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said Monday the state will see the addition of hundreds of new jobs in rural communities, thanks to $700,000 in state funding.

The Washington Department of Ecology fined a Spokane County farmer $100,000 for allegedly repeatedly irrigating 69 acres at Wild Rose Prairie, near Deer Park, without authorization.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has confirmed four new cases of chronic wasting disease in the Eastern Region 1.  That brings the total cases in Washington to six.  All four of the recent cases were male white-tailed deer harvested by a hunter.   Three of t...

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced last week the confirmation of a 2nd case of Chronic Wasting Disease.  This most recent case was reported in an adult male white-tailed deer harvested by a hunter in mid-October, close to where Washington’s first case of CWD was confirmed this summer in the Fairwood area of Spokane County.   “Given...

Through its Community Connect Program, Rural Development has awarded $63.8 million to expand high-speed internet in rural areas across 12 states, including Washington.   “We know this is fundamental to building prosperity and a bright future where people and businesses can grow and thrive,” said Helen Price Johnson the State Director for Rural Development in Washington.  "Rural America... Rea

Last week, USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced that USDA is partnering with farmers and small businesses to expand access to clean energy and lower energy bills through the Rural Energy for America Program.  The USDA announced $104 million in loans and grants to support over 300 clean energy projects in 34 states.  That in...

In an effort to slow, or even stop the spread of chronic wasting disease, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife passed an emergency rule last week banning the feeding of deer, elk, and moose north of Spokane.  CWD is a fatal illness of cervids, which include deer, elk, and moose in Washington.  It is c...

The Washington Department of Ecology has issued a $15,000 penalty to a Spokane County farmer for reported continued unpermitted irrigation of 69 acres near Deer Park, despite warnings, a cease-and-desist order, and an earlier penalty.  Ecology water resources staff said they tried repeatedly to inform the farmer, Robert H. Greiff, ...

The Highly Parthenogenic Avian Influenza has been reported in both Oregon and Washington. Officials with the Oregon Department of Agriculture confirmed the cases late last week that a Linn County backyard flock. Dr. Ryan Scholz, Oregon Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian, said the owner reported three geese that exhibited neurological and respiratory signs, and then suddenly died ... Re

The Washington Department of Ecology has proposed changes to its fees for the air quality registration program.  The air quality registration program tracks emissions and the effectiveness of pollution controls at 530 facilities in central and eastern Washington.  It...