[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6321395,"mediaKeyId","2350481-b41c9fd638fbc322a837918aed31a0ce","parentId",2350481,"title","Benton‑Franklin Council of Governments reviews 2024 ARPA economic resilience work for Franklin County","audioSeconds",379,"startMs",583000,"endMs",962000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2350481-b41c9fd638fbc322a837918aed31a0ce&start=583&end=962","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2350481-b41c9fd638fbc322a837918aed31a0ce/thumbnail_583000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6321395/Franklin-County/Washington/BentonFranklin-Council-of-Governments-reviews-2024-ARPA-economic-resilience-work-for-Franklin-County","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321395-b73576eb05b4ffda3f8c0a297572fb25/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207599&Signature=J-tiUX5xnzI1B~Pais-GQS-MZThHIF~69vXBFWri-ayDwgXN~meSTPD5erMdD3kqcPvWKnOKQUITMcpBLcyuLiSnYT2MXeoeDOWTSGyU1wz2h7kb3PZiCQ5QqRx2vnsRNIN0p7o7QMNr0pU-nP96uW6vmjEopDjdRccWbL1LN6U04ThSCMhoOh13o77liWqSye~Hi35lwqI~WVPvksL6if7T66JToQ-YfOfgqwpjJKMhXS4Ulmc6s7BKntI0Uqe6i3CMfKkS8azHHmApBvMfOOW6BFWprwKPAIAL1-2fyVvyBabv8BDe3NGwr0lfCtQSo3L-fJC-y0ypbRjI2mlP4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Franklin County, WA","date","2025-02-13T05:20:46Z","article","Representatives from the Benton‑Franklin Council of Governments (BFCOG) presented a 2024 recap of ARPA‑funded economic resilience work on Feb. 19 to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners.

Zach Ratkei, BFCOG local government programs director, said the work completed under the joint memorandum of agreement with Benton County focuses on researching grant opportunities, providing technical assistance to jurisdictions, and identifying grant‑eligible projects to facilitate redevelopment and economic recovery. He was joined by BFCOG Executive Director Michelle Holt and grant navigator Kristen Eby.

Highlights and local work cited
- Grant navigation and technical assistance: BFCOG hired a grant navigator in 2024 to comb federal, state and nonprofit funding notices and match opportunities to local projects. Ratkei said the COG identified 45 funding opportunities applicable to member jurisdictions in 2024 and that staff provide one‑on‑one meetings with city and county staff.
- Broadband and brownfields: BFCOG convenes a broadband action team focused on digital equity and infrastructure; staff supported Franklin PUD on a broadband infrastructure grant. BFCOG also ran a brownfields assessment program used in Pasco’s downtown Thunderbird Motel site to fund environmental assessments and reuse planning.
- Congressional connections and economic development coordination: BFCOG facilitates meetings with congressional staff and the state delegation to help member jurisdictions present competitive congressional direct‑spending applications. BFCOG representatives said they meet bi‑monthly with federal staff and invited Franklin County officials to engage.
- Connell and industrial disruption: Ratkei noted follow‑up work with the City of Connell after a Lamb Weston plant closure to identify resources and potential grant support for public services.

Commissioner questions and next steps
Commissioners asked for written lists of BFCOG projects and past county collaborations; staff said they would provide a more detailed project history. Commissioners also discussed a regional transportation planning meeting BFCOG was hosting that afternoon to brainstorm long‑range priorities such as a fourth Columbia River crossing and a regional beltway; BFCOG said a summary of that meeting would be provided afterwards.

Ending
BFCOG said its grant‑navigation pilot is a two‑year test supported with federal funds and that deeper county engagement would require county staff availability. Commissioners thanked BFCOG and asked for follow‑up materials and continued coordination on broadband, brownfields and regional transportation planning.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02/19/2025 Franklin County WA Board of County Commissioners Night Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Benton‑Franklin Council of Governments presented its 2024 ARPA economic resilience recap to commissioners, highlighting grant navigation, technical assistance, broadband and brownfields work in Franklin County.","taxTitle","Franklin County, Washington","taxId",5109,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6321400,"Franklin County approves vacation of Road 60 turnaround easement, retains gas‑utility easement",201,2032000,2233000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2350481-b41c9fd638fbc322a837918aed31a0ce&start=2032&end=2233","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2350481-b41c9fd638fbc322a837918aed31a0ce/thumbnail_2032000.jpg","/articles/6321400/Franklin-County/Washington/Franklin-County-approves-vacation-of-Road-60-turnaround-easement-retains-gasutility-easement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321400-23b2ce9f018e576db76999763085fecc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207599&Signature=inW4Q3J-JJxJJn3jCQZ7CFH6x-DX9jtrCOTvTHJGw5VynNaQCAgIx0lIfjUjaUPZiXWrRnHY3tjtrUfVtBr611uUcyaYCv7jkgZu82GP-z2GOpTotDuYVyxLYPxCQopAseT7hFvrcO8ddh3bmsHB6LqGQjcGP40vwn2I4Rv4Q-51DZrW9lA~VH64wRsu9APH26JzhHud4T7BUFxJDZHO7Zou8JbjDvPvwAAH1ntoMezKOztcUZuFhR4eqcKIXHTUmazBlK8I3KjBI5tSWrIIJpM69qDflwBFWQnq3d6RinWQuvL6EX-xTRrXSLdtgrliPpvtiN1Pxn~MYfWmNmfWIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved Resolution 2025-073 on Feb. 19 to vacate a leftover hammerhead turnaround easement adjacent to Road 60 and 3 Rivers, finding the turnaround was no longer necessary and that surrounding parcels retain legal access.

Public Works staff said the county received a petition on Jan. 7 to vacate the turnaround, accompanied by the required bond, and the board set a public hearing for Feb. 19. Public Works staff recommended approval and noted that Charter Communications and Franklin PUD raised no objections. Cascade Natural Gas informed the county it has a gas line within the easement; staff recommended preserving a utility easement for construction, repair and maintenance of that existing gas line.

Key details and legal references
- The underlying short plat was recorded Jan. 19, 1995, and included a 50‑foot hammerhead turnaround that staff said has become unnecessary after full intersection improvements to Road 60. Public Works recommended finding the turnaround easement “useless to the public road system.”
- Staff recommended retaining a utility easement for existing utilities (cascade natural gas) pursuant to RCW 36.87.14 and noted the vacate requires unanimous board approval under county code chapter 12.0801.
- The petition cost to record the vacation was listed as $1,063.91, to be paid before recording.

Public comment and commissioner discussion
No members of the public spoke against the vacation at the hearing. Commissioners questioned whether the gas line should be relocated into the public utility easement; staff said Cascade Natural Gas had not specified the precise location within the vacated area but that the retained easement would permit access for future maintenance while still allowing property‑owner use of the land.

Vote and implementation
A motion to adopt Resolution 2025-073 passed by unanimous vote. The resolution directs recording of the vacate upon receipt of the stated fee and retains the county’s easement for maintenance of existing utilities. Staff listed RCW 36.87.0.07 and RCW 36.87.14 and county code chapter 12.0801 in the hearing presentation and recommendation.

Ending
Public Works will record the vacation once the applicant pays the stated recording cost. Commissioners closed the hearing and moved on to other agenda business.","After a public hearing, the county approved Resolution 2025-073 to vacate a remainder hammerhead turnaround easement on Road 60 adjacent to 3 Rivers, while retaining an easement to allow Cascade Natural Gas to maintain a gas line.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6321405,"Franklin County commissioners adopt resolution advising against use of genetic biologic vaccine platform technology",2924,3922000,6846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2350481-b41c9fd638fbc322a837918aed31a0ce&start=3922&end=6846","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2350481-b41c9fd638fbc322a837918aed31a0ce/thumbnail_3922000.jpg","/articles/6321405/Franklin-County/Washington/Franklin-County-commissioners-adopt-resolution-advising-against-use-of-genetic-biologic-vaccine-platform-technology","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321405-2c3039295efa1f3d7dd01fa1f0992db3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207599&Signature=mUbCD3HUFepDUZ7ircnqz~mQrhJOKr7~wjzDSOQcR0J89smxWDofzpXeQpuIbcfRfPT9MghbePxhTf6idxOgWaoqbz1sEyUAHvlfgcHv7YViq46gMP8wdzs7HBwU7xZ1BLdZUpFqmGLf67-oVZOBPCo8e6sXEC~nKWOEd6ErEaUQ5cFU~-qnLffT54X1hKrKFh8i90-IfDOEHhJOiB5kFVQSY9Ge7noQWB4qB5M7V5grpN-a7~xRcB5O11I~0--Rk8ySbPHXLMq5L7YB3Iup~6iuHyx~osBTD7mFAc1jBAkon5~sgv~z28IoXOF16vBv1b4uY2x63AwPCp09hWcAIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Franklin County Board of Commissioners passed Resolution 2025-076 on Feb. 19, advising against the use of “genetic biologic vaccine platform technology” for children and adults in the county.

The measure followed a public presentation that included clinicians, researchers and people who said they had been injured after COVID-19 vaccination. Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the resolution; the record shows three aye votes and no dissent.

Why it matters: County commissioners said the vote affirms the board’s position opposing mandates and protecting individual medical choice at the local level. Presenters asked the commissioners to adopt stronger language opposing mandates and to press state and federal officials for greater transparency about vaccine risks.

Presenters and main claims
- Laura Demeray, who opened the hour-long roster of speakers, urged commissioners to consider the evidence she presented and said, “All we’re trying to do is give everyone the information so you can make a good informed decision.”
- Dr. Ryan Cole, an anatomic and clinical pathologist, told the board he would “recommend that nobody ever takes another genetic shot” and said the county should act to protect patients. He described findings from his laboratory work showing spike-protein deposits in multiple tissues and called for removal of what he termed “genetic injections.”
- Dr. Peter McCullough, identified in his remarks as an internist and cardiologist, said his clinical practice included patients with heart damage and other problems he associated with vaccination and recommended that messenger-RNA products be restricted to research protocols.
- Brianne Dressen, who described herself as injured in a vaccine clinical trial and a co-founder of React19, described persistent neurologic symptoms and said NIH researchers had examined a cohort of injured people.
- Dr. Kimberly Biss, an obstetrician–gynecologist in private practice, said she had observed increases in miscarriages and other reproductive and gynecologic issues in her practice and urged that the products “never have been provided to pregnant women.”
- Dr. Jancy Lindsey, a toxicologist with a Ph.D., and Nicholas Holcher, an epidemiologist with the McCullough Foundation, gave technical testimony about biodistribution, DNA contamination and potential long-term risks; Douglas Cameron and other individuals also gave personal injury testimony.

Speakers repeatedly framed their remarks as appeals for transparency, prohibition of mandates and legal accountability. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the scope of the resolution and whether it should explicitly bar mandates or be reworded to strengthen that point; one commissioner said the present draft did not go far enough on the question of mandates.

What the resolution does: The board added the matter to the regular agenda earlier in the meeting and adopted Resolution 2025-076 as presented. The text added to the agenda described the item as “Franklin County Of Washington State Resolution to Advise Against the Use of Genetic Biologic Vaccine Platform Technology on the Children and Adults.” The resolution, as adopted, is an advisory county statement; it does not create a local criminal sanction or alter state or federal law.

Votes and process: After public testimony and commissioner discussion, a motion to approve the resolution carried unanimously. Commissioners also debated whether to strengthen language on mandates; a commissioner said the board could amend or revisit the text later but preferred to pass the resolution at this meeting to keep momentum.

Context and next steps: The presentation included multiple outside speakers who said they would provide documentation and peer‑reviewed studies to commissioners. Commissioners said they expect materials to be submitted to the county clerk’s office and discussed potential regional and state coordination if other counties consider similar resolutions. No additional county policy changes or regulatory actions were recorded at the meeting beyond the advisory resolution.

Ending: The board proceeded to other business after the vote; the resolution will be part of the county record and was publicly read into the minutes.","The Franklin County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 19 passed Resolution 2025-076 after a public presentation that featured clinicians, researchers and people who said they were injured after COVID-19 vaccination. The resolution is advisory and passed unanimously.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Benton‑Franklin Council of Governments reviews 2024 ARPA economic resilience work for Franklin County

Franklin County approves vacation of Road 60 turnaround easement, retains gas‑utility easement

Franklin County commissioners adopt resolution advising against use of genetic biologic vaccine platform technology