Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Sorted by date Results 168 - 192 of 473
COLTON — On Monday, May 13, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ranger’s failed attempt to safely discard hot coals sparked a small wildfire on the Snake River bank. Whitman County Fire District 14 Volunteer Firefighters from Colton and Uniontown were called to a small blaze between Wawawai Landing and Granite Point. Volunteers quickly extinguished the fire that burned brush along the waterline. District 14 officials say the rangers called in the fire. Reports say the federal workers were cleaning out the fire pits along the river when they acc...
ALBION — A 51-year-old local was sentenced to 20 months in prison for drug dealing on Friday, May 17. Lameece Dillsi, of Albion, pleaded guilty to three felony charges related to narcotics distribution and received the maximum allowable sentence under standard sentencing guidelines. The charges against Dillsi stemmed from an incident in October, during which Whitman County Sheriff’s Deputies executed a search warrant at her residence as part of an ongoing investigation. The search revealed a substantial quantity of illegal substances, inc...
PULLMAN — A 32-year-old Pullman woman is facing charges after allegedly driving drunk on U.S. Highway 195, at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 15. According to the Washington State Patrol (WSP), Chelsea Davis, 32, of Pullman, was driving a SUV southbound, north of Pullman, when her vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic, resulting in a head-on collision with a sedan. The sedan’s driver, Katrina Siddons, 44, of Potlatch, sustained injuries and was transported to Pullman Regional Hospital. Davis was also injured and taken to Pullman Regional Hospital. Acc...
PULLMAN — A 45-year-old woman died in a crash involving a semi-truck on U.S. Highway 95 in Southern Benewah County on Tuesday, May 14. Idaho State Police (ISP) reports the crash occurred around 12:30 p.m., south of De Smet, Idaho. Destiny Martin, 45, of Pullman, was driving an SUV and had a head-on collision with a tractor-trailer driven by an Ohio man. The 31-year-old semi-driver suffered critical injuries and was flown to a local hospital. Reports say Martin died at the scene. The crash closed the highway between Potlatch and Tensed for a...
PALOUSE — The Halloween event that brings hundreds of people to town may return this fall after being post-poned last September. Haunted Palouse will meet periodically this summer to discuss the upcoming fright fest in five months. The non-profit organization will also be under new leadership this year, as Will Perry of Palouse has assumed the newly created director role. Haunted Palouse will see new changes this year due to last year’s postponement. Volunteers from Whitman County gathered in Palouse’s Community Center on East Main Stree...
COLTON - On the evening of September 13, 1998, Wawawai Landing was disrupted by a distress call that would unravel a web of intrigue and deception. Whitman County Sheriff's Deputy Douglas W. Hurlburt responded to a report of a potential drowning at approximately 9:10 p.m. Reports say that he observed a man, Joseph S. Tanner, 26, of Lewiston, in an upset state. Tanner reportedly relayed a troubling narrative to the deputy as he described a boating excursion with his friend, Gwydyn Stryder...
TEKOA — The open city council seat for position five closed on Monday, May 20, after a local woman was appointed. Shelly Ausmus, of Tekoa, was appointed after submitting an application and answering three questions for the board. The seat was opened after B.J. Sperber submitted his letter of resignation for unspecified reasons. Ausmus was voted 4-2 against Brad Chandler of Tekoa. She previously applied and ran against Roy Shulz for the mayoral election, but lost. One other candidate, Stephanie Apple-Clark of Dusty, also applied but received zer...
GARFIELD - A GoFundMe webpage has been set up to raise money to help the family of the four-year-old boy who was hit by a vehicle in Garfield on Saturday, May 11. Avery Eldridge, 4, of Garfield, was reportedly riding his bike on the sidewalk when he was hit by a neighbor who was attempting to back out of his driveway. Eldridge sustained severe, however not life-threatening, injuries, according to the Whitman County Sheriff's Office. Reports say the rear tire of the truck ran over Eldridge's...
TEKOA - The Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade procession was halted when a shooting broke out in a convenience store along the parade route on Saturday, May 18. Reports say the shooting occurred at 9 p.m. over ice cream near Washington Street and Sprague Avenue. The shooting resulted in the hospitalization of two individuals. Police arrested Charles H. Michael, 32, on suspicion of first-degree assault after he received treatment at a local hospital for a head wound due to the...
COLFAX - A local high school student was awarded the Washington State Star in Placement award during the Thursday, May 9 to Saturday, May 11, Future Farmers of America (FFA) State Convention. The state-level competition was held at Washington State University. J.P. Wigen, 18, of Colfax, earned the title of State Star for his work on his Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project, which he connected to his love for farming. "I really do love farming, and it gave me a good time frame to...
MOSCOW, Idaho — The man charged with murdering four University of Idaho students in 2022 has had his alibi called into question after being described as “too broad” by prosecution. Bryan Kohberger, 29, faces four charges of first-degree murder and the single count of burglary relating to the deaths of four University of Idaho students, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, that occurred on November 13, 2022. A not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf in May 2023. Prosecution is seeking the death penalty. Despi...
GARFIELD — A four-year-old child was transported via Life Flight after sustaining serious injuries following a hit from a neighbor's vehicle. Reports say Whitman County Sheriff's Office deputies were dispatched at approximately 8:25 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, to an injury accident on Union Street involving a four-year-old. Reports say deputies determined a homeowner was attempting to back their vehicle into their driveway from Union Street, and a 4-year-old child, who lived next door, was riding a bicycle on the sidewalk near the driveway e...
COLFAX — Election filings for 2024 have ended, and many new candidates filed from Monday, May 6, to Friday, May 10. This year, two notable filings oppose local State Representative Joe Schmick, who has run unopposed for the last six years for the ninth district. Two Democrats filed on Friday, May 10. Arianna Arends and Pam Kohlmeier, both of Spokane, will challenge Schmick in the primary. The top two vote-getters from the August primary will advance to the November general election. “I welcome the opportunity to engage with fellow can...
Yesterday marked another exciting chapter in my journey as a reporter, as I had the honor of speaking to two forensic criminology classes at Gonzaga University in Spokane. The opportunity to share my experiences and insights into cold cases, a passion I’ve pursued since the age of 19, was truly exhilarating despite the pressure of being a guest speaker in a classroom full of students my age. The classes I spoke to were held at 12:20 p.m. and 4:40 p.m. I was impressed by how Professor Matthew DeGarmo seamlessly introduced cold cases and i...
CLARKSTON – Mikey Taylor, 19, of Clarkston, has been arrested and booked into the Whitman County Jail for taking a vehicle without permission and attempting to elude a police vehicle. Reports say that on Wednesday, April 17, at approximately 9:27 a.m., a black Chevy pickup was traveling 85 mph southbound along State Route (SR) 195 at Milepost 58. Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper James Retzner states that he signaled to the vehicle; however, upon signaling, the vehicle began to speed upwards of 122 mph. “My communication center advised the...
MOSCOW — Bryan Kohberger has recently filed a document that provides an alibi on the night of the University of Idaho slayings. His defense plans to call upon a cell phone tower and radio frequency expert to substantiate Kohberger’s claim that he was driving south of Pullman and west of Moscow during the time in question. The court document supporting this alibi defense was filed on Wednesday, April 17, revealing details about Kohberger’s alleged routine of driving to areas near Moscow for hiking, running or stargazing. A comprehensive gag o...
PULLMAN — The Washington State University Police Department is observing National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week from Sunday, April 14, to Saturday, April 20. This week highlights emergency dispatchers from Whitcom 9-1-1 Regional Dispatch Center and its support in safeguarding the WSU community. “These unseen heroes are first to provide crucial assistance to people in need, reassuring and supporting them while law enforcement, fire personnel, or emergency medical teams are en route. They are truly the ‘first of the first respo...
COLFAX - A local motorcyclist was airlifted to a Spokane hospital Monday, March 18, after a crash about four miles east of the city. Benjamin Miller, 53, of Colfax, was transported via helicopter from the crash scene near Milepost 34 of U.S. Highway 195. According to the Washington State Patrol, the crash occurred around 1:44 p.m. Miller was southbound on the highway when he lost control of his 2020 Ultra Harley Davidson, left the roadway to the right and crashed off the shoulder, the patrol...
TEKOA — Tekoa High School is hosting its Royalty Program at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, at the Tekoa Empire Theatre, 126 South Crosby Street. Contestants this year include Tekoa High School juniors Clare Wilkins, Lulu Taylor, and Denalie Chase. The program showcases three competitive categories: Talent, Poise and Composure, and Impromptu Questions. The 2023 reigning queen, Carrie Sanchez, and princess Marissa Alonso will pass down the crowns to the new royalty and bid farewell to their titles and positions. Previous title holders and newly c...
Tekoa’s charming streets were lined with cars as former Rep. Dave Reichert, a former detective turned political hopeful, arrived on his campaign trail seeking to win over local voters and solidify his bid for governor. Amid election fervor, I attended not to discuss politics, but to talk about the crime that had defined Reichert’s career — the Green River murders. Meeting Dave was like stepping into a scene from a crime thriller and finding myself face-to-face with a living legend. As a self-professed “crime junkie,” my fascination with the...
PULLMAN — A 23-year-old Washington State University (WSU) student is charged with allegedly raping a female student in his apartment after taking her home from a Fiji fraternity party. Isaac Andrade, 23, is charged with two counts of felony 3rd-degree rape in Whitman County Superior Court and plead not guilty on Friday, March 8. He is scheduled to return to court on Friday, May 3. According to the official statement of facts from the Pullman Police Department, Andrade allegedly raped the woman twice in his North Grand Avenue apartment after m...
**UPDATE - As of 3/14, the new time for the hearing will begin at 2:00 p.m., March 14, in Room 408 with Judge Hazel ** COLFAX — A local family is facing another extension in Spokane Superior Court over the November 18, 2022, death of Shannon Kambitsch. Dean Ayers, 58, of Spokane, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree domestic violence murder following the death of his wife, Shannon Kambitsch. Reports say the arrest came after investigators uncovered inconsistencies in Ayers’ statements and evidence suggesting foul play in Kam...
ALBION — A local woman pleaded guilty to three narcotic-related felonies in Whitman County Superior Court on Friday, March 8. Lameece Dillsi, 51, of Albion, pleaded guilty to possessing fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin with intent to deliver. According to court documents, Dillsi was on pretrial release but was returned to the Whitman County jail on Friday for use of fentanyl. Reports say fentanyl has been found in her system twice since she has been out of jail. Judge Gary Libey agreed with the prosecution’s request to keep Dillsi in jai...
OAKESDALE — A McCoy metal grain tank on State Route (SR) 271 spilled early in the morning last Friday, March 8, spreading grain across the roadway, causing a traffic hazard with no injuries to motorists or drivers. Whitman County Deputy Tim Cox reports that he was advised at approximately 8:10 a.m. of a traffic hazard at the McCoy Grain Elevators with further information stating that a grain tank had “crumpled over, was leaning on another grain tank, and was leaking grain out onto the highway.” “I responded, and upon my arrival, several...
COLFAX –– Fawnda Kay, 43, of Lewiston, Idaho, was arrested while driving with her license suspended on Sunday, Mar. 3 at 9:03 p.m. She is facing four separate charges of DWLS 3rd Degree 46.20.342, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine), Making False Statements, and 2nd Degree Identity Theft. Probable Cause Statements report that Whitman County Sheriff’s Deputy Cory Alcantar observed the vehicle traveling northbound on Main Street with a temporary license tag. Upon making a right-hand turn onto Tyler Street without signa...
