Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Sorted by date Results 301 - 325 of 371
OLYMPIA – The state Department of Fish and Wildlife will accept grant applications for volunteer projects that benefit fish and wildlife resources and the public’s enjoyment of them beginning Dec. 1. The agency expects to award about $867,000 in Aquatic Land Enhancement Account grants for projects occurring between July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2023. Funds can be used for habitat restoration, scientific research, public education and outreach, facility development and artificial fish production, officials said. Eligible applicants include res...
OLYMPIA - The state Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking public input on new rules that would allow handlers and their dogs to train for cougar tracking. The agency hires contract dog handlers to help track cougars involved in attacks on livestock and pets, or when cougars threaten the public. But under previous state laws, trackers were not allowed to train specifically for cougars. The Legislature changed that law in 2018. "We're seeking the public's feedback on this rule-making to...
OLYMPIA — Calling the current status of the coronavirus outbreak the "third wave," Gov. Jay Inslee ordered more shutdowns this morning, Nov. 15. Indoor service at restaurants and bars is prohibited from midnight Monday through Dec. 14. In addition, church services are being limited to 25% capacity or 200 people, whichever is less, the governor said, calling today the "most dangerous public health day" in state history. Choirs, singing and ensembles are banned, but a solo performance will be allowed. "In-action here is not an option. We have t...
OLYMPIA – Despite a parental uprising over an “inclusive” sexual education mandate, Referendum 90 was passing after an initial election night tally Nov 3. Approval of R-90 reaffirms a law passed by Democrats in Olympia last spring that requires all public schools to start teaching a sexual education curriculum, which includes alternative lifestyle intimacy, in all grades starting with kindergarten. The initial count showed the measure had 1,916,159 supporting votes statewide, or 59.38%, as of press time. Opposition, at that time, tallied 1,296...
COLFAX – Whitman County voters in the general election turned a sea of red to blue in the race for the U.S. presidency. As of press time, Whitman County was among only two in Eastern Washington backing former vice president and Democrat Joe Biden over incumbent President Donald Trump. Whitman County voters joined with their peers west of the Cascades and in Walla Walla County in the so-called “blue wave.” The initial results show 53.24% of voters here supporting Biden and running mate Kamala Harris. President Trump and Vice President Mike...
SPOKANE VALLEY — Liberty state supporters have a new champion in Olympia following yesterday's general election. Republican Rob Chase of Spokane Valley will be filling the 4th Legislative District seat being vacated by Rep. Matt Shea. As of the end of ballot counting Nov. 3, Chase had 61% of the vote to Democrat Lance Gurel's 39%, according to the Spokane County Election Office. Chase is a former Spokane County treasurer and was backed by Rep. Shea. Liberty state is the most current iteration in Eastern Washington's century-old effort to b...
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife already manages about a million acres of publicly owned lands statewide. Now, the agency is trying to use recent wildfires as an excuse to regulate more land use, and potentially increase its land holdings. Last week, the agency called for sage-grouse to be listed as an “endangered” species. It will be collecting public comment on the idea through Dec. 30. According to agency South-Central Regional Director Mike Livingston, this year’s fires have destroy...
OLYMPIA — Republic Police Chief Loren Culp came out swinging and kept incumbent Gov. Jay Inslee on the defensive during their only planned gubernatorial debate Wednesday night, Oct. 7. Culp, R-Republic, blasted Inslee, D-Bainbridge Island, for mismanaging state agencies, violating state and constitutional rights, and a lack of leadership. "What we have right here in Washington is a leadership crisis," Culp said as the one-hour debate kicked off. Rather than defend his record in his opening s...
We’re only about three weeks until our ballots arrive in the mail for the Nov. 3 all-mail-in election. So far, the focus has been on the presidential race between Republican President Trump and Democrat challenger former president Joe Biden. Here, much of the focus has also been on the gubernatorial race between incumbent Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat from Bainbridge Island, and Eastern Washington’s own Republican challenger Loren Culp, who leads the Republic Police Department. There has even been some discussion on other candidates. But loo...
MALDEN - Local leaders called for unity and cooperation Tuesday in the "arduous" task of rebuilding the community in the wake of the Babb Fire. More than 150 people turned out Tuesday afternoon for a post-fire planning meeting at the makeshift Town Hall on a grassy field next to Mayor Chris Ferrell's home. Whitman County commissioners, Mayor Ferrell, Town Council members, residents and volunteers attended. Endicott pastor Fred Tribble led the discussion on recovering from the Babb Fire, which...
MALDEN — Angry residents wanted an answer Tuesday on why the city's fire siren never sounded on Labor Day when the Babb Fire swept through town. During a meeting that attracted more than 150 residents, volunteers and government officials, several residents loudly demanded an answer. Among those residents is Vanessa Place, whose home was destroyed, leaving her, her husband and four kids living out of a travel trailer in the burned-out town. "It (the siren) goes off at noon every day," she said. "...
MALDEN — Don't call them wildfires. Call them "climate fires." That was the message Gov. Jay Inslee gave reporters during a brief appearance about noon today, Thursday, Sept. 10, in one of two cities nearly wiped out by the Babbs Fire. That press conference followed a presentation he made to town residents and leaders only minutes before, a presentation in which he requested all media be excluded from. Inslee arrived in a black SUV via Pine City-Malden Road, passing numerous "Culp for Governor"...
MALDEN – While the Honeycrisp apples Gov. Jay Inslee brought here last Thursday continue to sit in the bin he presented the mayor with, others he delivered to Bridgeport and Omak contain maggot larvae. Those apples were dispersed and Douglas County officials are now trying to locate them. This morning, Wednesday, Sept. 16, Chelan-Douglas Horticulture Pest and Disease Board Director Will Carpenter called on anyone with information about the contaminated apples to call or email him details on t...
MALDEN – The Honeycrisp apples Gov. Jay Inslee brought to Babb Fire victims here were infested with maggot larvae. Whitman County Washington State University Extension Agent Stephen Van Vleet confirmed the infestation this morning, Friday, Sept. 18, following testing. "I picked them up on Wednesday evening," he said. "We photographed and secured them. And yes, they are infested." The governor presented the apples locally Sept. 10 as the state's "first installment" on support to victims of the B...
PULLMAN - The Police Department has released the body-video camera footage of Washington State University basketball coach Kamie Ethridge issued a $150 citation Aug. 28 for violating Gov. Jay Inslee's coronavirus quarantine orders. The municipal ticket was written as a civil infraction under the city's nuisance party law, which prohibits parties in the city. Pullman and Washington State University, as well as the city of Cheney and Eastern Washington University, have announced crackdowns on...
MALDEN — High winds and dry weather conditions propelled a wall of flames southwest across rural Spokane and Whitman counties Monday, leveling homes, businesses and government offices. Approximately 75 percent of structures in Malden burned to the ground, including City Hall, the post office, a gas station and a historic church. Burned out cars were visible throughout town adjacent to what was left of homes and garages. Local ranchers and residents manned hoses and buckets of water to try to kee...
BASIN CITY - A wildfire raced along the edge of the city Monday, Sept. 7, destroying at least two homes. The homes were located along North Canal Boulevard and Loen Drive, but winds driving flames nearby fields of dry grass and sagebrush also spread the fire to the structures and vehicles parked nearby. According to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, nobody was injured. Meanwhile further east in the county, flames from another fire rapidly moved through dry fuels near Pasco-Kahlotus Road....
MALDEN -- Access to the towns of Malden and Pine City continues to be restricted as crews continue to mop up Babb Fire hotspots. The fire grew to 15,266 acres and was 90% contained, according to Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team No. 10, which was managing fire operations until 6 p.m. Monday evening. At least 110 firefighters and 26 engines remained in the area. Local fire officials have since assumed control of the wildfire the swept across southern Spokane County and northern...
Last week, the Idaho House of Representatives approved legislation calling for Gov. Brad Little to end his state’s emergency declaration. Shortly thereafter, the Idaho Senate followed suit, albeit approving different legislation. Maybe that’s what our governor, Jay Inslee, is afraid of. Maybe he’s afraid our elected legislators will end his shutdown and tackle an ailing budget that he has yet to responsibly address. Or maybe he just enjoys muzzling other political leaders across the state...
TACOMA -- A U.S. District Court judge has ruled that gun-control measure Initiative 1639 is constitutional. U.S. District Court of Western Washington Judge Ronald Leighton, a Whitworth University graduate, issued his ruling Monday on the gun control measure. Under I-1639, semi-automatic rifles are redefined as “assault rifles,” adults 18-20 are barred from having semi-automatic rifles, and dealers are required to sell safes and gun locks and prohibited from selling them to out-of-state res...
PULLMAN — Police Chief Gary Jenkins has authorized officers to ticket individuals who refuse to wear a mask while coronavirus orders from Gov. Jay Inslee remain in effect. In a press release Wednesday, Aug. 19, on the decision to allow enforcement of mask mandates, Jenkins said his officers “stand between those who are law-abiding and those whose actions risk the health and safety of others.” “Violators of the governor’s proclamations not only put the violator’s health at risk, but the health of our entire community,” he said, noting office...
REPUBLIC — A Monday, Aug. 10, update from the Secretary of State’s Office shows Republican gubernatorial frontrunner Loren Culp picking up another Western Washington county — Grays Harbor — in last week’s primary election. Meanwhile, he ceded a smaller county to another conservative candidate, Raul Garcia, who now claims two counties. Those candidates, and more than 30 others, trail incumbent Democrat Gov. Jay Inslee in the Aug. 4 contest. Only the Top 2 advance to the November general election....
Dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers provide an appropriate balance between the economic needs of Eastern Washington and fish protections. While we already knew that here in Eastern Washington, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers came to that conclusion, too, after completing yet another environmental study this spring. The results of that new study were released last Friday, and they support keeping things essentially the way they are on our rivers. The dams will stay, for now. Our power...
WASHTUCNA - A dark and mostly empty gymnasium didn't take away from Calby Ann VanHollebeke's evening Saturday. As the only member of the Class of 2020 to show up for graduation, VanHollebeke, took the sole seat on the stage, helped by her brother, Jess VanHollebeke, who served as the graduation column leader. The remaining members of the Class of 2020, Daphnee Smith and Emma Hulett, were unable to attend the ceremony. VanHollebeke, the valedictorian, teared up at times during commencement, and l...
OLYMPIA — After counting of almost 500,000 late-arriving ballots, Republican candidates have cut into incumbent Gov. Jay Inslee's lead in the Aug. 4 primarily. As of 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, Loren Culp had reached 17.17% of the statewide vote, up about a half-a-point since the initial tally. Gov. Inslee had slipped about the same amount, down to 50.82%. Despite the slip in percentage, Gov. Inslee will still walk away from the primary with a commanding win. As of Thursday, Inslee received 8...
