October 17, 2024
October 17, 2024
STEPTOE - A three-vehicle crash on Highway 23 near milepost 7 injured one driver on the morning of Monday, October 14. The crash occurred around 11:36 a.m. and involved vehicles traveling in both directions. According to the Washington State Patrol, Vehicle One, a 2020 Jeep Cherokee driven by 20-year-old Mandy L. Cole of Belfair, Wash., was heading southbound when it swerved into the northbound lane to avoid a controlled brush fire. "What I can tell you is there was a controlled burn at the...
COLFAX - The Port of Whitman County received an update on projects affected by the $500,000 Community Revitalization Grant. During the regular Thursday, Oct. 10, commission meeting Haley and Aldrich representative Sarah Sieloff presented stating it is a four year running grant, closing Sept. 30, 2027. The Port received the $500,000 grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to lead community-wide brownfields assessment. Community member nominated sites for the program...
COLFAX — A man facing multiple charges of assault of law enforcement officers pled guilty. Darien Leaf Armstrong, 26, jury trial was stricken after he entered a plea of guilty to charges. According to past reports, the case began when officer Holden Humphrey was initially dispatched with other officers at 4:22 p.m. June 27 to 845 S.E. Spring St., for a report of an assault. Armstrong was arrested for threatening and hitting a man later identified as Christopher Hundahusen, Humphrey reported. Armstrong is reported to have assaulted officers...
Roger Sandberg Biography Age: 44 Hometown: Pullman Experience: 17 years in private legal practice in Whitman County; 14 years as District Court Judge Pro Tem; Current Superior Court Commissioner Education: Whitworth College, Bachelor's Degree in Economics; University of Washington Law School Family: Married, with three children, ages 16, 14, and 11. Candidates have been given a 100 words to answer each question and answers have not been edited. Question 1: What is your philosophy on balancing punishment with rehabilitation, particularly for...
COLFAX — During the Whitman County Commissioners workshop Monday, Oct. 15, officials addressed moving forward on awarding funds to the Tekoa Runway project. An early press release from the City of Tekoa, on Tuesday, Oct. 8, stated the City of Tekoa was awarded $20,000 in Economic Development Funds for its airport runway project. “According to the request it is going to be $20,000,” said Swannack, stating that commissioners would make a formal action on Monday, Oct. 21. The funds are from requests for funding proposals from the Whitman...
PULLMAN—School board members met at Franklin Elementary School to discuss a new sensory space showcase that will support an environment which fosters learning during transitional periods. The meeting began at 4:30 p.m. and included the attendance of all board members and district administrators. The session kicked off with a showcase of the newly established Sensory Space at Franklin Elementary. Principal Kathi Keefer introduced Tarrin Weber, the school’s counselor, and Katelyn Classen, an occupational therapist for the Pullman School...
ST. JOHN — The city is teaming up with the Port of Whitman County and the Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics to assess a property for future use of a medical clinic. During the Monday, Oct. 14 City Council meeting several guest attendees gathered for a presentation by Environmental and Geotechnical Engineering Consultants Haley and Aldrich, Inc., representative and Geologist-Environmental Scientist Ward McDonald, to discuss the potential clinic site. Guest attendees were Port of Whitman County Executive Director Kara Riebold, Port...
PALOUSE - Winning a Homecoming football game always feels more important. For the Garfield-Palouse (Gar-Pal) Vikings, it was a necessity. After falling to powerhouse teams Liberty Christian (6-0), Almira-Coulee-Hartline (5-1), Wilbur-Creston-Keller (6-0) and Pomeroy (6-0), the Vikings got their first win of the season, 50-16, for their Homecoming game against the Waitsburg Cardinals. "It was major," said Gar-Pal coach Willy Woltering. "Going 0-4 is never fun. We were playing really good...
PALOUSE - Celebrating its Homecoming volleyball victory against the St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse (SJEL) Eagles on Tuesday, Oct. 8, the Garfield-Palouse (Gar-Pal) Vikings continue to dominate the court. Gar-Pal defeated the Eagles, 3-0, with set scores of 25-9, 27-25, 25-20. The Vikings haven't lost a set since a hard-fought 3-2 win against the Pomeroy Pirates on Thursday, Sept. 26. "It's the hard work these girls are putting in and their drive to win," said Gar-Pal coach Genna Bessey. "They want...
OAKESDALE - The Oakesdale Nighthawks volleyball team continued its reign of terror on the court with 3-0 wins against the Colton Wildcats on Tuesday, Oct. 8, and the Tekoa-Rosalia Timberwolves on Thursday, Oct. 10. The only team to take just one set from Oakesdale in regular-season play was a 3-1 decision against Wilbur-Creston-Keller on Saturday, Sept. 21. Against Colton, the Nighthawks won by set scores of 5-14, 25-15 and 25-12. Junior Bradyn Henley led the Nighthawks with five aces and two...
PULLMAN - After falling to West Valley of Spokane, 8-0, on Tuesday, Oct. 8, the Pullman Greyhounds girls soccer team returned to form and defeated the Deer Park Stags, 2-1, on Thursday, Oct. 10. The win against Deer Park came from the shooting prowess of junior Sydney Johnson as she scored both goals for the Greyhounds. Johnson scored a goal in the sixth minute to put Pullman on the board and just three minutes later scored again. Deer Park stifled the Greyhound shutout by scoring a goal in the...
PULLMAN — The Pullman Greyhounds won both their home matches and lost an away match in volleyball action last week. On Tuesday, Oct. 8, Pullman fell to the West Valley (Spokane) Eagles, 3-1, before defeating the Deer Park Stags, 3-0, on Thursday, Oct. 10. The Greyhounds defeated the Moscow Bears, 3-2, in a heated matchup on Monday, Oct. 14. Against West Valley, the Greyhounds lost the first set, 25-20, before taking set two, 25-22. The Eagles won sets three and four, both with set scores of 25-16. West Valley remains undefeated on the...
PULLMAN — The Pullman Greyhounds took an early lead but ultimately fell short, falling to the Rogers Pirates of Spokane on Friday, Oct. 11. Early in the first quarter, Pullman opened the scoring on a 6-yard touchdown pass that clipped the corner pylon. The point-after-touchdown (PAT) kick was good and the Greyhounds had a 7-0 lead. Rogers answered late in the second quarter on an 8-yard touchdown pass to the left corner. The PAT kick was blocked by the Pullman defense and the Greyhounds held their lead. With 1:15 to go in the first half,...
COLFAX - College rodeo teams from across the region competed in various events, with Blue Mountain Community College dominating both the men's and women's teams at the Northwest Region Rodeo at the Palouse Empire Fairgrounds on Saturday, Oct. 12. Blue Mountain Community College took first place in the men's team competition, scoring 699 points, followed by Walla Walla Community College with 461 points. Lassen College placed third with 409 points, while Treasure Valley Community College came in...
TEKOA - The Tekoa-Rosalia Timberwolves had a rough one last week as they dropped three matches to the Dayton Bulldogs, Oakesdale Nighthawks and Colton Wildcats. On Tuesday, Oct. 8, the Bulldogs defeated the Timberwolves, 3-1. Set scores were 18-25, 25-20, 25-19, 26-24. Against Oakesdale on Thursday, Oct. 10, the Nighthawks defeated the Timberwolves, 3-0. Set scores were 25-7, 25-7, 25-8. On Monday, Oct. 14, the Wildcats defeated the Timberwolves in a five-set heater, 3-2. Full set scores were...
POMEROY — The Tekoa-Rosalia Timberwolves lost a football game to the still-undefeated Pomeroy Pirates on Friday, Oct. 11. The score line read 68-0 in favor of Pomeroy. The Pirates scored 22 points in the first quarter, 30 in the second and eight points in each of the third and fourth quarters. The Timberwolves fall to 2-3 on the season. Their next matchup is against the Dayton Bulldogs in Tekoa at 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18. They will close out the regular season with an away match against the Garfield-Palouse Vikings on Friday, Oct....
COLTON — On Thursday, Oct. 10, the Pomeroy Pirates defeated the Colton Wildcats, 3-0, in a Southeast 1B League matchup. The Wildcats licked their wounds and defeated the Prescott Tigers, 3-1, on Saturday, Oct. 12. Against Pomeroy, the Pirates won by set scores of 25-9, 25-9, 25-15. Senior Clair Moehrle and sophomore Mere Bell led the Wildcats with two aces each. Moehrle and eighth grader Adara Ligouri each led with two assists apiece. Bell had one block and three kills in the match and junior Kiya Soza had a team-high seven digs. In a close...
ST. JOHN - Hitting the road all of last week, the St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse (SJEL) Eagles split a pair of away matches on Tuesday, Oct. 8, and Thursday, Oct. 10. The Eagles fell to the Garfield-Palouse Vikings, 3-0, on Tuesday and defeated the Waitsburg Cardinals, 3-0, on Thursday. Against the Vikings, SJEL junior setter Sophie Anderson opened the match with an ace. Gar-Pal swiftly recovered and tied set one at 2-2 with kills by junior Clare Bowechop and junior Elena Flansburg. While the hits...
COLFAX - Never back a dog into a corner. The Colfax Bulldogs came back from 22 points down at halftime to secure a 30-28 win in overtime against the Liberty (Spangle) Lancers on Friday, Oct. 11. A 2-point conversion after a touchdown in overtime was the deciding factor. "I thought our ability to bounce back from adversity was impressive," Colfax coach Dave Cofer said. "We have focused on that all year, going through adversity with no loss of enthusiasm." Early in the first quarter, Liberty...
COLFAX - With both teams clad in pink for cancer awareness, the Lind-Ritzville-Sprague (LRS) Broncos defeated the Colfax Bulldogs, 3-2, in a heated Northeast 2B League volleyball match Thursday, Oct. 10. Set scores for the match were 25-22, 23-25, 15-25, 25-18 and 15-10. The Broncos moved to 11-1 on the season and Colfax fell to 4-7. "It's been really exciting to plan all of this," said Colfax senior Ava Swan. "The posters on the wall, the auction, getting ready for it with the anticipation...
PULLMAN - Zeppoz in Pullman was host to the Special Olympics bowling Southeast sub-regional event on Saturday, Oct. 12. There were about 120 participants bowling from the Whitman County Cougars team from Pullman and the Twin Rivers team from Clarkston, according to Special Olympics East Region Senior Manager Grant Opland. Gold medalists from the event will now advance to the regional competition at Spare Time Lanes in Tri Cities on Nov. 3. Opland said there are approximately 3,000 bowlers in...
Motorists in Washington state are sometimes handing over hundreds of dollars for licensing of their vehicle, but only receiving paper plates in return. According to an Aug. 28 legislative report, the state is had a backlog of at least 230,000 standard license plate orders, 10,000 specialty orders and 5,000 personal vanity orders. More than 20 counties (30 counties now) statewide are out of or nearly out of license plates. Still, the state is collecting money for plates it cannot provide as of...
When President Biden warned FEMA does not have enough money to finish the hurricane season let alone the entire year, it was surprising. Suddenly, we discovered federal disaster relief money may be insufficient for future hurricanes, wildfires, and earthquakes relief. The frequency of major hurricanes and massive wildfires is draining federal accounts, and replacement funds only add to our soaring national debt. That debt is weighing on our ability to operate our national government. For those...
Is Critical Race Theory being taught in Washington public schools or not? In 2021, the Legislature passed, and on May 5th that year Gov. Jay Inslee signed, Senate Bill 5044 to require the teaching of “...equity, cultural competency, and dismantling institutional racism in the public school system.” This is the academic description for Critical Race Theory. The bill was implemented through the Washington state learning standards using the “Ethnic Studies Framework.” Academic material is...
This November I will be voting for Roger Sandberg for Whitman County Superior Court Judge. As a Deputy Prosecutor, I have had Roger Sandberg as an opponent for almost two decades. Though Mr. Sandberg and I are usually on opposing sides of a case, we joined with Judge Hart to form and work with the local Community Therapeutic Court. The Community Court identifies criminal defendants with mental health or substance use disorder issues who want to turn their lives around. There is no monetary reward in this for Mr. Sandberg, nor is it part of...
MOSCOW — The Palouse Habitat for Humanity was awarded $15,000 in funds to build a home in Palouse. The grant awarded through Wells Fargo Foundation will go towards building the Jones family home and is designed to fit the family of seven comfortably and affordably. Wells Fargo volunteers from the Lewiston and Moscow offices joined Habitat for Humanity volunteers on Thursday, Oct. 10, to prepare for pouring the foundation of the home. “We appreciate Wells Fargo’s partnership, supporting affordable home building with both funds and...
COLFAX — The Athenaeum Club held its Homecoming tea Friday, Oct. 4, planning for several upcoming events. Nancy Rothwell announced the Vintage Holiday event to be held at the Perkins House Saturday, Dec. 7. The public is invited to attend. The yearbook committee chaired by Mary Ann Wigen and members Jill Gfeller, Jane Aune, Cathy Landers and Kristin Salmond explained the year’s program theme, “U.S. First ladies.” The next meeting will be hosted by Marilyn Harder on Fri. Oct....
LACROSSE - Four men reunited at Selbu Lutheran Church on Sunday, Oct. 13, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of an extraordinary bicycle journey that transformed their lives and solidified their bond of brotherhood. Embarking on a 10-month trek from Detroit, Mich., to La Paz, Bolivia, in 1974 - a time before cell phones, the internet or GPS, John Cross, of Lacrosse, Peter Crane, of Ojai, Cali., Jim Oines, of Thousand Oakes, Cali., and Jeff Stoops, of Cascade, Mont., bid farewell to friends and...
COLTON -- Forty members of the Lewis-Clark Antique Power Club met on Saturday, October 12, at the Colton Gun Club for their fall meeting. Several members enjoyed trap shooting before the potluck lunch and meeting. Those in attendance introduced themselves and highlighted their antique iron collections and projects they are currently working on. Shop and garage tours were requested. Several members enjoyed participating in the Antique Tractor Plowing Bee hosted by Colby Dugger on Saturday,...
STEPTOE - Gathering once again for its 33rd year of celebrating old time farming, the Morgan Plowing Bee is preparing ground for another year of growth. The event will take place this weekend starting at 8 a.m., on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the intersection of Klaveano and Bartlett Road. Organizer John Morgan, 87, of Colfax, said people will start gathering around 8 a.m. to unhitch and prepare to plow the ground that was harvested. "It's essential what we're doing and we look forward to having...
It’s October and that means that brown, red, orange and yellow are working overtime to show their colors and announcing the unmistakable arrival of fall in our magnificent Whitman County. If you have checked your fall calendar, you will see that it’s also time for Haunted Palouse! Brave adventurous souls age 12 and up can enjoy this October evening tradition which will be held from 7-10 p.m. over the next two weekends, on Fridays and Saturdays, October 18 and 19 and 25 and 26. Remember to dress warmly, wear close-toed shoes, and bring a...
GARFIELD - The Garfield-Palouse High School hosted several schools on Wednesday, Oct. 2, for a presentation on the importance of character and bullying. The presentation was given by Major League Baseball Sports Agent Mark Leinweaver, who has spent two decades working in sports and entertainment addressing issues of accountability, balance and character. Participating schools included Tekoa, Oakesdale, Garfield-Palouse and Colton High Schools and Middle Schools and St. John High School ....
Pullman Regional Hospital Holden Lewis Chandler, a boy, was born Oct. 9, 2024 to parents Patrick and Samantha Chandler, of Clarkston. He weighed 8 pounds, 3.6 ounces. Paternal Grandparents are Ernie and Kelli Chandler, of Lewiston. Maternal Grandparents are Jason and Tammy Nicols, of Lewiston and Blaine Rudfelt and Michelle Evans, of Clarkston. Holden joins brother Braytin Scott, 14, and sister Emmersyn Scott, 9, at...
Colfax Thursday, Oct. 17 Chicken enchiladas with lettuce and diced tomatoes, spanish rice, refried beans, chocolate chip cookie Monday, Oct. 21 Tortellini soup, grilled ham and cheese sandwich, vegetable platter, fruit, no bake cookie Endicott Wednesday, Oct. 23 Soup bar, chicken noodle soup, beef with barley soup, tomato basil soup, rolls, salad bar, fruit, dessert Palouse Wednesday, Oct. 23 Tortellini soup, grilled ham and cheese sandwich, vegetable platter, fruit, no bake cookie Pullman Friday, Oct. 18 Tortellini Soup, grilled ham and...
ST. JOHN — Rock Lake, nestled in the rolling Palouse hills of Eastern Washington, has long been cursed—a reputation steeped in eerie legends and tragic history. The small town of Rock Lake once existed along its shorelines, but its waters seem to hold something darker beneath the surface. In 1905, Willis Anson Evans saw an opportunity in the area when he heard the railroad was coming through. He purchased land along the outflow of Rock Lake and built a small resort called Cliff House. Cliff House became a popular spot for railroad workers...
Judith (Judy) Kay Battin, beloved Mother, Grandmother, sister (and more), passed away in Seattle, Wash., on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at the age of 86. She spent her final day surrounded by her four children, a fitting farewell for a woman who cherished family above all else. Judy grew up as the eldest child (with her siblings, Connie and Joseph) in an adored childhood home in Penawawa, above the Snake River, in the rolling Palouse hills of Eastern Washington. In describing her childhood,...
Cherie Virginia Zehm (née Cruver), born on January 18, 1953, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones in Oakesdale, Wash. Cherie was the beloved wife of Paul Zehm for 37 years and a devoted mother to her two children, Steve Lane and Jessica See. She will be deeply missed by her children, their spouses Manuel and Patrick, and her cherished grandson, Alexander. Cherie is also survived by her brother, Patrick Cruver, and her nephews; Micah and Emmett. She was...
Violet Mae Hickman, longtime Colfax resident, passed away October 10, 2024, at the Colfax Cascadia Rehab Center. She was 88. She will be laid to rest privately in the Colfax Cemetery. Vi was born November 24, 1935, in Lewiston, Idaho, to William and Catherine Kouni Grasser. Her mother passed away in childbirth. Vi grew up in Clarkston and Lewiston with her father and step-mother and attended schools in the valley. She was a majorette in the Clarkston High School Band. During her senior year Vi...
COLFAX — Whitman County District Court reported the following criminal conviction sentences from Oct. 11: Bryan Boutwell-Samuelson, was found guilty of domestic violence, intimate partner, therefore the defendant is sentenced to serve a total of 13 days in jail with credit for 13 days served. The defendant has a domestic violence fee of $15 due by Dec. 31, 2024, and has supervised probation for 24 months. The defendant must have no criminal violations of law and must not go upon the property of and have no contact with the victim, complying...
COLFAX — The Whitman County Assessor’s Office reported the following land transactions from Oct. 2 to Oct. 9: Oct. 4 Zachary and Moly Wolf, Spokane, Vacant Land, Pullman, to Eat Two, LLC, Spangle, $670,300. Oct. 7 Mitchell Fowler, Centralia, land only, Whitman County, to Fowler Family Farms LLC, Centralia, parcels 2-0000-43-18-31-1000, $265,800, 2-0000-43-18-32-2690, $97,400. Omega of Theta Xi Association, Seattle, 405 Northeast Colorado Street, Pullman, to Dogan Gursoy and Christina G. Chi, Pullman, parcel 1-1235-00-15-07-0001,...
COLFAX – The Whitman County Sheriff’s Office responded to the following calls from Oct. 8 to Oct. 14: Oct. 8 1:15 a.m.- U.S. Highway and Brink Road, LaCrosse. Traffic hazard. 7:31 a.m.- U.S. Highway 195 milepost 16, Pullman. James E. Procopio, 35, cited and released for driving with a suspended license third-degree. 8:13 a.m.- Rosalia Road, area, Rosalia. Stray animals. 8:47 a.m.- North B. Street, Albion. Fraud. 9:46 a.m.- 411 North Mill Street, Colfax. Fingerprints. 12:46 p.m.- North Leslie Avenue, LaCrosse. Civil issue. 12:52 p.m.-...
Colfax Police Log COLFAX — The Colfax Police Department responded to the following calls from Sept. 27 - 9: Sept. 27 7:05 p.m.- Traffic violation, Colfax Airport Road and Flight Line Drive. 8:41 p.m.- Other law enforcement calls South Main Street. Sept. 30 5:09 p.m.- Civil call North Lake Street. 6:24 p.m.- Driving with license suspended U.S. 195 S curves. 7:12 p.m.- Harassment North Mill Street. 8:25 p.m.- Civil call West B Avenue. 8:53 p.m.- Welfare check North Riverside Lane. 10:22 p.m.- Communications problem West Fairview Street. Oct....
COLFAX—The Whitman County Jail reported the following individuals booked from Oct. 7 to Oct. 15: Oct. 7 Matthew Bjarne Olson, 45, second-degree burglary, fourth-degree assault, unlawful imprisonment. Oct. 8 Daniel Gustavo Napoles Belmonte, 32, second-degree driving while license suspended. $1,000 bond or $1,000 cash bail through District Court. Shannon Kay Squires, 54, warrant theft third-degree. $10,000 bond or $1,000 cash bail through District Court. Added charges warrant possession of a stolen vehicle. $500 cash only bail through...
