The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission sure is tech-savvy for a 100-year-old.

The commission announced today that it is launching the Pocket Ranger Smartphone App that is available for both iPhone and Android devices. The app includes guides, information and amenities on more than 100 state parks.

From the commission:

The Commission invites the public to celebrate 100 years of state parks in Washington by using this new App to plan park trips. Centennial 2013 events and activities will be available in parks all over the state throughout 2013. Signature Centennial 2013 events are planned at Riverside State Park June 8 and at Deception Pass State Park August 3. Visit www.parks.wa.gov/events/ <http://www.parks.wa.gov/events/> for details.

People living in George, Wash. will no longer have to travel great distances to check out a book as the town's first public library opened earlier this month.

The Columbia Basin Herald reported Friday that the library, which is run by North Central Regional Library, occupies 2,000 square feet of an office complex in downtown George, and that it houses a large collection of children's and adult books as well as research materials.

"A lot of our hours are after school hours, so we can better serve school students," Librarian Betty Simon said to the Herald. "They can do their research here, and do their homework here."

Simon was quoted as saying that the library has been attracting a good amount of readers since opening.

"We've been very busy issuing new library cards, and helping people check out items," she said. "It's been really exciting."

The branch can be found at 108 N. Washington Way, and is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 6 p.m.; Wednesdays from noon to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The dredging barge that sank last weekend in Moses Lake might not have been an accident.  Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District's Board President Ron Covey told the Columbia Basin Herald that a driver did not find any holes in the dredge, but two hatches were open.

The irrigation district released a statement that said foul play was not being ruled out.  Officials still don't know how the barge sank but are learning more as they continue their investigation.

According to the statement, the district hopes to get the dredge working again within the next ten days.