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Articles written by Olivia Harnack


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  • Colfax recognizes veterans

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Nov 14, 2024

    COLFAX - Colfax High School hosted a Veterans Day assembly on Friday, Nov. 9, bringing together students, staff, and community members. The ceremony, held at 9 a.m., featured performances, speeches and special presentations to recognize local veterans. The assembly began with a welcome from Colfax Jr./Sr-high Principal David Gibb. JP McAnally and Karly Wiger served as masters of ceremonies. The assembly was organized by student body members of the Colfax Associated Student Body (ASB.) "I think...

  • Court records system still offline

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Nov 14, 2024

    COLFAX. — The State of Washington’s online court records system remains offline following a cyberattack earlier this month, affecting court operations statewide, including Whitman County Superior Court in Colfax. The Administrative Office of the Courts took the system offline after discovering the breach, leading to the rescheduling of civil cases in Whitman County Superior Court. Those visiting Whitman County Superior Court will be unable to access case documents at the clerk’s public computer terminal in the courthouse due to the syste...

  • Applications open for grant

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Nov 14, 2024

    OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Broadband Office has opened applications for $1.2 billion in federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding, aimed at expanding high-speed internet access to underserved communities across the state. A first application round will close in January, with reviews by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration expected in mid-2025. The Broadband Office anticipates announcing approved projects by summer 2025....

  • Two more couches burn

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Nov 14, 2024

    PULLMAN — Celebrations of Washington State University’s home football win over Utah State led to two couch fires on Pullman’s College Hill over the weekend. The first incident occurred early Sunday morning at the intersection of D Street and Colorado, where Pullman firefighters and police responded to a burning couch. Later that morning, a second torched couch was found on D Street. Pullman Police promptly removed it from the street. These incidents bring the total number of victory-related couch fires on College Hill to nine this fall. Four...

  • Police investigate assault near U of I campus

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Nov 14, 2024

    MOSCOW, IDAHO — The Moscow Police Department (PD) is investigating a report of a possible stranger-on-stranger sexual assault that allegedly took place near the University of Idaho campus on Monday, Nov. 11. According to Moscow PD, an officer received the report from friends of the woman, identified as the possible victim, at around 9 p.m. According to the police report, the woman said she was walking home to the Wallace Dormitory when she was assaulted at approximately 6 p.m. She told police a vehicle pulled up beside her, and a man forced her...

  • Main Street reopens to traffic

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Nov 14, 2024

    PULLMAN — Main Street in downtown Pullman is set to reopen to limited westbound traffic by 6 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, as Project Downtown Pullman progresses. Crews adjusted traffic control late Wednesday, Nov. 13, to facilitate the reopening. Updates to traffic flow will impact Spring, Daniel, and Paradise Streets, with further guidance expected before Thursday. Limited parallel on-street parking will be available, though parking configurations may change daily based on construction needs. Residents should also note that Pine and Kamiaken S...

  • Whitman County court services limited

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Nov 7, 2024

    COLFAX — The Whitman County Superior Court Clerk’s Office temporarily modified its services due to an ongoing statewide system outage caused by unauthorized activity on the Washington Courts network. The Administrative Office of the Courts has secured essential systems and is actively working to restore full functionality. During this period, the Clerk’s Office will continue to provide essential services with some adjustments. The Clerk’s Office remains open during regular business hours, processing filings of pleadings, emergency orders,...

  • Pertussis outbreak rises in county

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Nov 7, 2024

    COLFAX — Whitman County Public Health (WCPH) is investigating an outbreak of whooping cough (pertussis) within the county. As of November 1, there have been 48 confirmed cases, an increase of 11 since October 25. Health officials are urging those diagnosed to complete a five-day course of antibiotics and to remain isolated until treatment is finished. Public health staff actively contact new cases to conduct interviews and trace potential exposures. Pertussis, caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacterium, spreads through respiratory droplets f...

  • Pursuit ends with motorcycle crash

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Nov 7, 2024

    COLFAX — A high-speed pursuit ended Saturday afternoon when a motorcyclist crashed into a field west of Colfax following an attempt by deputies to make a traffic stop on the motorcycle for speeding on State Route 26, according to law enforcement. According to the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office, a wildlife agent attempted to stop the motorcycle on Saturday, Nov. 2, for a separate violation, but the driver, Derek Adams, 32, of Richland, refused to pull over. Authorities said that as the motorcycle entered Colfax, Adams continued to evade off...

  • Sandberg leads county Superior Court race

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Nov 7, 2024

    COLFAX — As of Thursday, November 7, Roger Sandberg is leading the race for Whitman County Superior Court Judge Position 1, holding 60.49% of the votes. “I am honored and humbled to have the support of everybody throughout this process,” said Sandberg. “I look forward to serving the citizens of Whitman County as Superior Court Judge.” With 80 precincts reporting, Sandberg has received 6,508 votes, while challenger Jenna Brozik follows with 4,220 votes, amounting to 39.22% of the total. There were also 31 write-in votes, totaling 0.29%. Br...

  • Ferguson leads statewide in governor's race

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Nov 7, 2024

    COLFAX — As of Thursday, Nov. 7, Democratic candidate Bob Ferguson is leading the statewide race for Washington governor with 56.13% of the vote, while Republican candidate Dave Reichert holds 43.68%. Over 2.8 million votes have been counted across the state, with 5,631 write-in votes recorded, making up 0.2% of the total votes cast. The race is closer in Eastern Washington counties, with Reichert leading in rural areas: Lincoln County: Reichert has 76.26% (3,961 votes), while Ferguson holds 23.41% (1,216 votes). Whitman County: Reichert l...

  • Wheatstalk event draws crowds

    Olivia Harnack, The Whitman County Gazette|Oct 31, 2024

    TEKOA - The Wheatstalk music event, held Saturday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., featured live performances from local artists, including Kyle Richard, Thundergun Express, Cheryl Sieveke, Whitney Bloom-Heisiel, Jordan Paddock, and The Kevin Shay Band. Adding to the festivities, Tekoa High School's freshman class hosted a bake sale outside the Empire Theater doors, selling various homemade baked goods to attendees....

  • The Haunting Hour

    Olivia Harnack, The Whitman County Gazette|Oct 31, 2024

    PULLMAN — Zeppoz Bowling Alley, a local favorite for recreation, has gained notoriety not just for its striking green lanes and delicious food but also for rumored paranormal activity. Witnesses claim that a playful ghost wanders the back of the bowling alley, moving pins around and dropping tools to spook employees late at night. A former employee who worked at Zeppoz from 2003 to 2007 shared her ghostly experiences online. Initially skeptical about the ghost stories she heard from coworkers, she eventually encountered something unsettling o...

  • Woman assaulted near coliseum

    Olivia Harnack, The Whitman County Gazette|Oct 31, 2024

    PULLMAN — Washington State University police are investigating a sexual assault that allegedly occurred on campus earlier this month. The victim, an unnamed female student, told police the assault took place at about 8 p.m. Oct. 21 in the parking lot south of Beasley Coliseum. She said she was grabbed from behind and choked until she lost consciousness. “When she came to, she was in the same spot; all of her clothes were on, but she felt that she had been sexually assaulted,” University Police Chief Gary Jenkins said. “She did not see or hear...

  • Authorities search for missing man

    Olivia Harnack, The Whitman County Gazette|Oct 31, 2024

    MOSCOW, Idaho, — Authorities are seeking the public’s help in locating Daniel Lagmay, 28, who went missing early Friday morning after his vehicle ran out of gas on the road between Moscow and Pullman. Lagmay was last seen on Friday, Oct. 25, and is described as 5 feet, 6 inches tall, approximately 125 pounds, with a distinctive neck tattoo. He was reportedly driving a gray 2006 Ford 500 at the time. The Nez Perce Tribe has issued a public alert on its Facebook page, urging anyone who may have seen Lagmay or his vehicle to contact the authoritie...

  • County addresses missing election ballots

    Olivia Harnack, The Whitman County Gazette|Oct 31, 2024

    COLFAX — Registered voters in Whitman County are expressing concerns regarding the distribution of ballots for the upcoming General Election on Nov. 5. Reports indicate between 200 and 300 ballots are unaccounted for, as only 99.6% of ballots were successfully processed. County officials confirmed that issues occurred during the distribution phase, despite all ballots being processed at the Spokane plant on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Whitman County Auditor Sandy Jamison noted that while the United States Postal Service (USPS) marked the ballots as ...

  • Pullman Building Supply to close one month earlier than expected

    Olivia Harnack, The Whitman County Gazette|Oct 31, 2024

    PULLMAN — Pullman Building Supply will close its doors this Saturday, Nov.1, a month earlier than previously announced. The store, located on the south end of town, had initially set November 30 as its final day of operation when managers announced its closure in July. The decision to expedite the closure was made because there was insufficient demand in the Pullman market to sustain the business. Pullman Building Supply opened in 1996, north of downtown, before relocating to its current building in 2015. While the Pullman location will shut d...

  • County addresses missing election ballots

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Oct 31, 2024

    COLFAX — Registered voters in Whitman County are expressing concerns regarding the distribution of ballots for the upcoming General Election on Nov. 5. Reports indicate between 200 and 300 ballots are unaccounted for, as only 99.6% of ballots were successfully processed. County officials confirmed that issues occurred during the distribution phase, despite all ballots being processed at the Spokane plant on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Whitman County Auditor Sandy Jamison noted that while the United States Postal Service (USPS) marked the ballots as ...

  • Sandberg leads Whitman County superior court race

    Olivia Harnack, Gazette|Oct 31, 2024

    COLFAX — As of Election Night, Tuesday, November 5, Roger Sandberg is leading the race for Whitman County Superior Court Judge Position 1, holding 60.6% of the votes. “I am honored and humbled to have the support of everybody throughout this process,” said Sandberg. “I look forward to serving the citizens of Whitman County as Superior Court Judge.” With 80 precincts reporting, Sandberg has received 6,421 votes, while challenger Jenna Brozik follows with 4,137 votes, amounting to 39.1% of the total. There were also 30 write-in votes, totaling...

  • Currier seated on city council

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Oct 24, 2024

    TEKOA — The City Council filled a key vacancy last night with the appointment of Cheri Currier. Currier steps into the role left by Lydia Fletcher, who resigned in September to take an internship in Texas. “The application period ended last Friday, and they appointed a new council member last night,” said Tekoa Clerk-Treasurer Eliza Evans-Teague. Currier has been a resident of Tekoa since 1988....

  • Pullman police investigate assault

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Oct 24, 2024

    PULLMAN — Pullman Police officers responded to an assault at 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20, at 900 NE Colorado Street. Initial reports indicated that multiple individuals were fighting in the street. Upon arrival, officers learned that two male victims had witnessed the altercation and attempted to intervene. During their intervention, they were attacked by a group of college-age males. One victim sustained significant head injuries and was rendered unconscious. He was transported by ambulance to Pullman Regional Hospital and is expected to m...

  • Sailors safe after capsize

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Oct 24, 2024

    ST. JOHN — Two Pullman men are safe after their sailboat capsized in high winds on Rock Lake on Saturday, Oct. 19, as the wind eventually drifted them and their boat back to shore. Whitman County Sheriff’s Deputy Randy Miller said the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office, St. John Fire District 2, and Rosalia Ambulance responded to a report of the capsized vessel around 1:40 p.m. at the north end of the lake. Firefighters from St. John launched two personal watercraft, but the men, who were still with their boat when it washed ashore, did not requi...

  • The Haunting Hour St. Ignatius Hospital-Where the spirits are still admitted

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Oct 24, 2024

    COLFAX — St. Ignatius Hospital, once a beacon of healing in the remote Palouse region, now stands as something else entirely—a decaying relic, steeped in forgotten history and shadowed by an unsettling presence. The hospital, though abandoned for over half a century, is far from empty. It has new residents now, those who never left. During the Halloween season, St. Ignatius is far from silent. The spirits of its past occupants seem to wake, welcoming visitors to explore their home. Ghost tours wind through its eerie halls, as curious thr...

  • County voting underway

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Oct 24, 2024

    COLFAX — With the election approaching, Whitman County is seeing an initial wave of ballot returns as voters are encouraged to submit their ballots early. Whitman County Auditor Sandy Jamison reported that approximately 2,500 ballots have been returned, as of press time, Tuesday, Oct. 22. “We will do our first round of emptying ballot boxes tomorrow (Wednesday). That number will increase significantly for sure,” she said. About 10% of the 25,000 ballots sent out have been received, with most returns coming through the mail, in person at the a...

  • Town levies to appear on ballot

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Oct 24, 2024

    COLTON — Various Whitman County towns have proposed levies that constituents will approve or reject at this year’s general election. Here’s what’s set to be on the November ballot: COLTON —The town of Colton has proposed a special levy of $30,000 to continue supporting general operations, street improvements and water maintenance. Homeowners would pay $80 per $100,000 in assessed home value. LACROSSE — LaCrosse Parks and Recreation is proposing a $75,000 levy to continue supporting the operation, maintenance, and capital improvement...

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