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  • St. Ignatius Hospital to open doors daily in October

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Sep 28, 2023

    COLFAX –– St. Ignatius is opening up its doors every day for October as Halloween approaches. “We have an 85% return rate,” said St. Ignatius’ ghost tour coordinator, Valoree Gregory. “September to October are really big.” Following the new repairs and safety measures constructed by the owner of St. Ignatius, Austin Storm, the building now allows for self-guided tours through the building. “I added a self-guided tour for people to come explore and tour and take photos,” Gregory added. Starting in October, tours on Fridays and Saturdays will op...

  • Thirteen trespass onto St. Ignatius property

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Sep 28, 2023

    COLFAX –– Thirteen college-aged adults have trespassed onto St. Ignatius property in the last two weeks. On Monday, September 18, six trespassers were reported to the Colfax Police Department for trespassing. Valoree Gregory, ghost tour coordinator, received an alert late at night on Monday and set off her alert system. “There were two other times that day that I had to set off the alarm,” said Gregory. “Those kids left, but the others didn’t leave. Some walk around, but I get nervous when there is a whole group like that.” Gregory notes that t...

  • Pullman PD finds body on Wawawai Road

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Sep 28, 2023

    PULLMAN –– The Pullman Police Department responded to a report of a suicidal person in the Golden Hills area on Wednesday, Sept. 20, finding the deceased 51-year-old man in a marshy area near Wawawai Road. At the time of this publication, the Pullman Police Department is still investigating the case and will provide the name of the male and the cause of death later. Reports say the male had failed to report to work, made suicidal statements, and had removed a firearm from his home leading up to the body discovery. Pullman officers app...

  • Suspect flees scene from Pullman Police Department

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Sep 21, 2023

    PULLMAN — Ethan Nash, 31, of Pullman, was booked into the Whitman County Jail for Unlawful Imprisonment, Assault 4th Degree, and Obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer on Thursday, Sept.14. Nash is held through Whitman County Superior Court on a $20,000 bond or $2,000 cash bail. He currently has an active warrant for his arrest in Texas. Pullman Police Department reports that at 9:16 a.m., WHITCOM emergency was dispatched to a physical domestic dispute occurring on East Main Street and South East Spring Street. The witness at the scene, Youki Y...

  • Health Department issues alert for toxins located in the Snake River

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Sep 21, 2023

    COLFAX –– The Whitman County Health Department has issued a Health Alert for harmful blue-green algae toxins in the Snake River stretch from Nisqually John Landing to Wawawai County Park in Whitman County. A water sample was taken at Granite Point on Monday, September 11, and researchers found that some environmental factors that contribute to blue-green algae blooms are sunny days, warm water temperatures, still water conditions, and excess nutrients. Reports say blooms can appear year-round but are more frequent in summer and fall. Many typ...

  • Pullman slasher to get mental evaluation

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Sep 21, 2023

    PULLMAN –– The Californian woman charged with stabbing a man and cutting a woman in a Williams Street apartment is set to be evaluated to determine if she is mentally competent to stand trial on Friday, September 22. Tiffany Dennison, 29, was ordered to undergo a mental competency evaluation in Whitman County Superior Court. Court Commissioner Doug Robinson gave the defense and prosecution approval for mental competency testing. Dennison is charged with two counts of 2nd-degree attempted murder for allegedly stabbing Hunter Degler and sla...

  • Californian woman slashes couple in Pullman

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Sep 14, 2023

    PULLMAN –– A Californian woman was charged with stabbing a man and cutting a woman in a Williams Street apartment. The suspect, Tiffany Dennison, 29, appeared in Whitman County Superior Court on Monday, September 11, to review charges. Dennison was arrested on various charges, including attempted 2nd-degree murder and 2nd-degree assault, as well as having weapons capable of producing bodily harm. Reports state that on Saturday, September 9, at 8:55 a.m., Pullman Police Department received a call from Samantha Branch saying her boyfriend, Hun...

  • Hang gliders and paragliders celebrate 50 years

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Sep 7, 2023

    STEPTOE — Nearing the 50th anniversary of Steptoe Butte’s debut as a place for people to soar, many will take notice of the skies and see sites of hang gliders and paragliders. Center of Lift, an unofficial chapter of the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA), will host its first public presentation with members flying from the peak of Steptoe Butte on Saturday, Sept. 9, and Sunday, Sept. 10. The chapter is based out of Spokane and frequents many peaks around the state. Reports say they are eager to encourage participat...

  • Investigators determine cause of Winona fire

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Sep 7, 2023

    WINONA — Local fire crews contained the Winona Fire after it decimated 2,525 acres last weekend, and the investigation as to what started the fire has been finalized. Whitman County Emergency Management has announced that the fire was started by a Gold Eagle that tangled itself up in powerlines. “A bird got tangled up in the powerlines during the wind storm, and we believe it was a Gold Eagle. It was an act of nature,” said Whitman County Emergency Management Director Bill Tensfeld. “We had two different investigators come out, and they ca...

  • Sheriff's Office cracks down on drugs offenders

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Aug 31, 2023

    COLFAX –– New statistics from the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention show Washington’s fatal drug-overdose situation to have grown exponentially since previous years. This is the third time that the CDC has issued a report showing Washington State to have the highest percentage increase in deaths and crimes than any other state. Defense attorneys Criminal Defense analyzed data from the United States Sentencing Commission for the fiscal year 2022 to determine the categories of crimes for which each state receives the most...

  • Local crews hold Winona Fire to 2,525 acres

    OLIVIA HARNACK, Free Press Publishing|Aug 24, 2023

    WINONA — Local fire crews contained the Winona Fire after it decimated 2,525 acres over the weekend. Whitman County Emergency Management Director Bill Tensfeld reported a fire management team that arrived Saturday to help local crews departed Monday, Aug. 21, after assisting with containing 90% of the blaze. Whitman County Fire District No. 6 is monitoring the smoldering Rebel Flat Creek train trestle that burned Friday and watching for remaining hot spots. "They will take care of any hot s...

  • Commissioners discuss hotdogs and damaged building

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Aug 17, 2023

    COLFAX — Whitman County Commissioners met in a workshop on Monday, August 14, to discuss various agenda items. The meeting opened with Gary Russo, a local Zips Employee, hoping to open a hotdog stand outside the Whitman County Courthouse along the sidewalk. “I was thinking about starting up a hotdog stand. I just came here today to put input in, and I am trying to get permission before. I will get all the prints I need to get, and I will present my case on a different day,” said Russo. “Everybody’s gotta eat. I was hoping to see if I could ope...

  • Pullman minor sentenced following accusations of rape

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Aug 17, 2023

    COLFAX — The 17-year-old Pullman High School student accused of rape pleaded guilty in court last Thursday, August 3, to gross misdemeanor fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation charges. Wazni Abess, 17, was sentenced by Judge Gary Libey to 15 days in juvenile detention, 12 months of community supervision, 150 hours of community restitution, and will be under a two-year sexual assault protection order, according to the Whitman County Prosecutor’s Office. He must also undergo a psychosexual evaluation and any recommended treatment. Wazni A...

  • Empire Theater hosts script writing contest

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Aug 17, 2023

    TEKOA - The Historic Empire Theater is home to several movie screenings, performances and contests. However, a new contest has recently been announced to anyone interested in seeing their stories performed on stage. The Empire Theater will host the Tekoa Stories Writing Contest brought to the community from the newly created acting troupe, The Crosby Street Players. Members of the theater team and new acting troupe are looking for stories written by individuals with a story to tell of Tekoa....

  • Libey to oversee out-of-county infant manslaughter case

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Aug 3, 2023

    COLFAX — Whitman County Superior Court Judge Gary Libey is a regular volunteer judge for several other counties in Washington State, including Adams, Lincoln, Asotin-Garfield-Columbia, Benton-Franklin County and Spokane. Libey has covered cases of any variety when needed. From helicopter cases, divorce cases and first-degree murder cases, Libey is willing to help out neighboring counties in Washington State. Most recently, Gary Libey is set to oversee a first-degree manslaughter case out of Lincoln County this fall. The trial begins at 10:30 a...

  • Malden family seeks help after fire claims home

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Aug 3, 2023

    MALDEN — A family who lost their home in a Thursday morning, July 20, fire is asking for community support. “It’s like our whole life just disappeared,” renter Alysha Galindo, 35, said. “It’s so much to process.” Galindo lived in the home at 124 S. Main St. with Bobby Robbins, 37, and six children – Nevaeh, 15, Capryce,15, Skylar, 14, Danni, 11, Novah, 7, and Baynz, 6. They were left homeless and lost most of their belongings as well as cherished memorabilia, a Chevrolet Suburban and pet bird, Sarah. Two of the family’s five dogs remain unaccou...

  • Two motorcyclists injured at Steptoe Butte

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Jul 27, 2023

    STEPTOE — Ryan Martin, 48, of Moses Lake, and Daniel Curtis, 56, of Ritzville, were flown via Life-Flight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane with serious injuries following a tandem motorcycle crash near Steptoe Butte on Sunday, July 23. Reports say that one of the injured motorcyclists appeared to have a broken arm and minor abrasions. The Whitman County Sheriff’s Office states that the other motorcyclist had suspected head, back, and neck injuries, along with possible broken ribs and minor abrasions. Deputies and Emergency Medical Ser...

  • Two men charged after chase through county

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Jul 27, 2023

    COLFAX — Two Lewiston-Clarkston Valley men charged with the felony charge of eluding police in Whitman County pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in court on Friday, July 21. Mathew Florek and Seth Brown pleaded guilty to misdemeanor reckless driving in Whitman County District Court. The men were found guilty following a motorcycle chase that ended in a crash. Florek and Brown were sentenced to six days in jail, placed on probation for a year, ordered to perform 40 hours of community service, and fined $350. Whitman County District Court C...

  • Dogs missing after home burns

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Jul 27, 2023

    MALDEN - Two dogs are missing and unaccounted for after a blaze destroyed a home and travel trailer Thursday morning, July 20. Nobody was injured in the blaze at 124 S. Main Street; the cause remained under investigation at press time. Alysha Galindo resided in the rental home with her two dogs, officials said. The dogs were in cages at the time of the fire and could not be rescued by the neighbors and volunteer firefighters. As of press time, the dogs remain unaccounted for, Whitman County...

  • Hangman Creek under construction to reduce flooding

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Jul 20, 2023

    TEKOA — Along State Route (SR) 274, east of Tekoa, passersby will find construction along the roadway as a project goes underway to expand Hangman Creek. The Spokane Conservation District is working with the Department of Ecology to create a designed, engineered floodplain. “Essentially, we are stabilizing the banks by grading them back and planting them with woody native plants and shrubs to help stabilize those banks for a longer time,” said the Department of Ecology’s Water Implementation Lead, Mitch Redfern. “A side benefit of that is b...

  • New construction on Crosby Street

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Jul 20, 2023

    TEKOA - New development is underway on Crosby Street as a new building will be constructed on the vacant lot. The 148 S Crosby Street lot was purchased by Keven Turnbough and his wife, Heidi Turnbough, and the couple intends to construct an auto garage at the property. The gross selling price for the empty lot was $25,000, and the deed was officially awarded to the husband and wife pair on December 3, 2021....

  • Whitman County tops Special Olympics competition

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Jul 20, 2023

    COLFAX - Eight athletes from Whitman County scored in the top ten at the Special Olympics State competition last week in Tacoma from Monday, July 10, to Tuesday, July 11. JK Kusler of Colfax took first in the 25-meter assisted walk, second in the 50-meter assisted walk, and stole another win in the tennis ball throw, taking first place. Jason Nolan, of Colfax, placed second in the 100-meter manual wheelchair event, first in the 25-meter manual wheelchair, and first in shot put. Norma Gibson, of...

  • Elk head mount leads to multi-county car chase

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Jul 20, 2023

    UNIONTOWN — Deputies were advised of a suspected vehicle traveling westbound at 6:25 a.m. on Schlee Road, south Uniontown, on Saturday, July 15. Brian Lee Tidwell, 55, of Clarkston, was arrested in Lewiston, Idaho, after his capture by the Lewiston Police Department. His arrest followed a chase through several counties after he was suspected of poaching in Whitman County. Tidwell is currently held at Nez Perce County Jail in Lewiston, and the case is still active. He was arrested and booked on the charge of obstructing an officer. He is held on...

  • U of I set to demolish site of murders

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Jul 20, 2023

    MOSCOW — The University of Idaho plans to demolish the house at 1122 Kind Road, where four students were murdered last November. Remediation of the house, including lead and asbestos abatement, continues in preparation for demolition, reports say. The property’s previous owner gifted the estate to the university earlier this year. Reports say that crews began work in early July to remove all personal items from the house discretely and respectfully to the families in the coming weeks. The court has released the house, and both the pro...

  • Local groups gather for "Community of Faith" services

    Olivia Harnack, Whitman County Gazette|Jul 13, 2023

    LACROSSE — A cooperative of churches is hosting and sponsoring the “Community of Faith” services on Sunday, July 30, at 10 a.m. in LaCrosse City Park. The public is welcome to stay afterward for barbecued hotdogs. Those attending the barbecued lunch are asked to bring a potluck dish, lawn chairs, and drinks. Tableware will also be provided. Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) is a Christian organization that provides aviation, communications, and learning technology services, serving more than 1,000 Christian and humanitarian agencies and thous...

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