Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Sorted by date Results 226 - 250 of 427
Little goose dam Port of Whitman commissioners signed a letter of support to Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers for her bill 3144 to support the current river system and the 2014 Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) Biological Opinion (BiOp). “Our legislators are supporting the long-standing process,” commented Port Executive Director Joe Poire, after stating the port has a long-standing support of the Bonneville Power system. McMorris Rodgers and other Northwest legislators int...
-Jordyn Cook photo From left to right, Cody Meserve, Missy Repp and Jordyn Cook sporting their “I love homies with extra chromies” shirts. “Kids grow up so fast” is a saying most parents can relate to. But the Meserve family of Endicott has an exception to that. That exception is their five-year-old son Cody who has Down Syndrome. March 21 was Down Syndrome Awareness Day, and Cody’s teachers celebrated with special “I love homies with extra chromies” t-shirts. “Extra chromies” refers to the fac... Full story
With a lack of residents to serve on the town’s council, Lamont officials have been looking into the possibility of going from an incorporated town to an unincorporated community. “It’s not that we want, as a council, to be unincorporated,” said Lamont Mayor Steve Ulrich. The Lamont town council is supposed to have five members including the mayor. However, they have only been able to fill three of those seats which is just enough for a quorum. Ulrich and his wife would like to step down to... Full story
--Colleen Cross photo The reflection of the Texaco station can be seen in the windows of the Red Brick, set to open in April. One thing Kris Sheets has learned is that the trick in doing business is knowing what you do well. If you do not do something well, there is someone else who does and you should get them to do it. With that thought in mind and a strong desire to be as local as possible, she and husband Gary Sheets are opening the Red Brick Café in Rosalia. “We’re trying very hard to loca...
The LaCrosse food bank serves about one in every four households in the LaCrosse area, including Winona, Hay and Hooper. Support of that food bank is the sole duty of the LaCrosse Community Outreach Center, a thrift store run by local volunteers. “We’re the heart of LaCrosse,” is the slogan of the outreach. That heart is struggling a little now to care for its infrastructure. About six weeks ago the outreach was given an estimate of $15,000 to remove the building’s front porch and steps and put... Full story
The town of Endicott is working on an emergency management plan to help coordinate town efforts in the event of a disaster. “We have very limited resources in this town,” said Fred Tribble who was appointed by the town council to lead the effort. Tribble has a long history with emergency management. For about 16 years he was a government liaison for the California National Guard to help coordinate National Guard response in the event of emergencies. He has been a volunteer with American Red Cro...
Port of Whitman commissioners are scheduled to vote on approving an agreement with a new concessionaire to take over at Boyer Park and Marina today, March 22. This agreement comes after the Port’s advertising for concessionaires garnered zero applicants by the Feb. 16 deadline. Port commissioners will be asked to approve an agreement with Steve Klontz, president of Seven K’s Enterprises. At the port’s March 1 meeting, Joe Poire, port executive director, told commissioners people had expre...
The Washington State legislature saddled $15 to $16 million in costs to counties overall following the recent legislative session. While the state wants to “help” the citizens, it is also happy to let the counties be the bad guy and raise taxes to fund the mandates. The budget was not friendly to counties, but could have been worse. This was part of the report from Zak Kennedy and Jim Potts, lobbyists for counties at the state legislature, to Whitman County Commissioners Monday morning. Ken... Full story
A 2015/16 crash analysis of US 195 found 65 percent of fatal crashes were caused by distracted, drowsy and young (age 16-25) drivers. The study was conducted through a partnership between WSDOT and the Palouse Regional Transportation Planning Organization (PRTPO) and prompted the PRTPO to initiate a campaign to educate drivers. “We were already aware of what was happening on 26 and 195,” said Shaun Darveshi, PRTPO director, referencing the move to expand the highways to four lanes. The Pal...
No change yet on the status of recyclables was the word to the SWAC board Tuesday afternoon from Republic Services, which handles Whitman County’s recycling. Public Works Director Mark Storey informed the county commissioners Monday morning the Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) was expecting the update, unsure whether or not recyclables would continue to be separated from the regular garbage. “We have no control,” Storey told commissioners. “We aren’t even the tail of the dog; we are the t... Full story
Pete Hartmann, hazardous material planning program manager, Eastern Washington region, initiates discussion with a crowd of public and private sector representatives on the initial response and reaction to a massive, long-term power outage hitting Whitman County. Representatives from more than 50 organizations took part in the Long-Term Power Outage table-top exercise March 8 at the Public Service Building. The event drew from the public and private sectors and looked at how and what operations...
Chance perks up after getting his toy and blankets from home. Dogs who go missing after being involved in car accidents always get the attention of Carmel Travis. A realtor in Pullman by profession, her “thing” is getting lost dogs back to their owners. She was trained by a national organization in capturing the dogs after they run from the trauma of the accident. “I help when I find out there’s a need,” Travis said. March 1, Travis had another successful reunion after spending about 20 hours... Full story
Port of Whitman commissioners went over capital improvement projects for the Colfax Airport Thursday. The five-year plan was laid out in a letter from the FAA which provides the majority of the funding for the projects. The list came from meetings last October through November between the port and FAA and further work by the port’s FAA project manager, FAA state planner and WSDOT. The letter laid out projects and funding for the next five fiscal years which would be 95 percent funded by the F...
Since 1994 Friends of Hospice has been providing support and assistance at the end of life for individuals and families. They have accomplished this through grief support groups, advance care planning, and family assistance. But with all they have done, there has been something missing. “There’s a gap in care in our region,” said Annie Pillers, director of Friends of Hospice. With all the services, what was missing was a place for those at the end of life, who are unable to be in their own h... Full story
There is nothing flashy to attract attention to the Colfax Volunteers of America (VOA) office on Mill Street in Colfax. The sign in the window is modest and simple and on the door is only the address. “We have a whole array of services in Spokane,” noted Natashia Ruiz, assistant director for VOA family visitation services. Out of the headquarters in Spokane, the organization focuses a lot on addressing homelessness. But the Colfax office serves a different, specific need. At least for now. “It... Full story
The Palouse Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO), which oversees COAST and public transit in Whitman, Asotin, Garfield and Columbia counties, is seeking input for public transportation services and to set funding priorities. Along with Council on Aging and COAST, Palouse RTPO hosted an open house Thursday, Feb. 22, as the second of six stops to find needs it can address. At the first stop the prior day in Pomeroy, Garfield County residents expressed a desire for Sunday church... Full story
The Disney movie Queen of Katwe is based on the story of Phiona Mutesi and other children living in the slums of Uganda. Their lives are changed and they lift themselves from their situation by learning and mastering chess. Their skills and drive raise them to be world-class champions. The real-life Mutesi and Benjamin Mukumbya, another of the story’s key characters, will be in Endicott and St. John March 9 to meet with students and the public to share their experiences. “These people are kno...
Teacher Altaira Bogle pulls out some items from the latest Catalyst Church delivery of bagged items to be delivered to school children to have food for the weekend. High school can be a stressful time for teens who have to balance study and work. “Food should be the last thing they should worry about,” said Altaira Bogle, Colfax High School teacher. The reality is there are students who do not have enough food when they get home from school. Bogle is leading a program in which those students rec...
Planning for port properties Left to right: Port commissioners Kristine Meyer, Tom Kammerzell and John Love listen as Daniel Iacofano, Dan Amsden and Alisa Pyszka present their vision for the future. Port of Whitman Commissioners sat through two presentations Friday as the beginning of a planning process for port property north of Pullman. “I’m excited for what it could mean eventually,” said Kristine Meyer, port commissioner, during the presentations. The port is trying to determine what to do...
Gene Webb with a pair of his blonde Belgiums is part of a new display at St. John Heritage Museum which pays tribute to “people we don’t want to forget” according to Lydia Smith, museum board member. The new wall of the museum will periodically change displays to honor different people who have made in impact on St. John. The first of a new series of displays is up at St. John Heritage Museum. The museum added a wall earlier this month honoring “people we don’t want to forget,” according t...
Back Row (L to R): Lisa Baser, Lauren Stubbs, Jasmin Watson, Genevieve McGregor, Ty Harder, TJ Harder, Alynn Harder. Front Row: Mashayla Morris, Abigail McGregor, Nicole Harder, Britte Harder, Autumn Meyers, Jady Guske and Trey Fleming. Blue pennants line the wall of the ag science room at LaCrosse schools with a pile of more yet to be put up. The pennants signify wins and top placings for FFA contests, and LaCrosse has found the key to earning more and more. “Hard work and dedication,” sai...
A copy of the John Wayne Pioneer trail map included in the Malden kiosk. The kiosk in Malden is painted colors of the Milwaukie railroad and can be seen when entering town from the east. An empty kiosk at Malden is now stocked and ready to serve travelers along the John Wayne Pioneer Trail. “We’re trying to incrementally improve this trail,” said Robert Yates, chairman of the Friends of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail. The kiosk was built and installed last fall by the John Wayne Pioneer Wagon... Full story
The Steptoe Battle occurred 160 years ago and for the past decade Diane Nebel has been trying to compile a list of all those who fought in it. “It’s been a long process,” said Nebel who lives in Rosalia and is a former member of the Rosalia Historical Commission. Nebel’s search began in 2008 as a joint effort with her late husband, Jim. The Nebels worked to help put together the interpretative panels at the Steptoe Battle monument. “I still have an interest in updating things for the battlefield...
Wes Claassen shakes hands with Supt. Jerry Pugh after reading the initial approval of the Colfax school’s bond. Handshakes, high-fives and broad smiles were passed around by three men at a table in the Whitman County Elections office Tuesday night. “Wow,” said Wes Claassen, chairman for Citizens for Quality Schools which had taken the lead rallying support for the Colfax $18.9 million school bond levy. The reactions came after finding the bond had received 72.9 precent approval in the first...
An Attachment and Security class for families with children with additional needs age birth to three years will be in Colfax beginning this month. “If you feel like you’re struggling, then this class is good for you,” said Karen Nelson, outreach director at Families Together which puts on the free class. Families Together supports families with children with disabilities and difficulties. One way it accomplishes that is with parenting classes like the attachment and security one beginning Feb.... Full story
