Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Sorted by date Results 51 - 75 of 1066
COLFAX - The Port of Whitman County spoke during the Colfax Chamber of Commerce quarterly meeting on a feasibility study to get childcare in Colfax and the surrounding area. The Chamber held its quarterly meeting Tuesday, Oct. 8, with guest speakers Port of Whitman County Executive Director Kara Riebold and representatives from NAC Architecture to discuss an ongoing feasibility study towards childcare services. Riebold told the crowd that the feasibility study was a continuation of work being...
COLFAX — With winter approaching construction on the Colfax City Pool is not stopping with several unseen renovations happening inside. During the Monday, Oct. 7, City Council meeting Mayor Jim Retzer reported despite the community not being able to see the progress it is happening. Retzer reported the construction crew has started forming up scaffolding and is cutting the gutter system out in the deep end. “They did a lot of knocking down some concrete around all the light posts and fixtures inside,” Retzer reported, adding there are two b...
COLFAX — Departments requested changes in revenue and expenses on the county budget. County Commissioners moved and approved several proposed 2024 department budget amendments. Whitman County Chief Finance Administrator Jessica Jensema reported the current expense proposed budget amendment has a zero net effect of the requested revenues. “Increases and decreases were offset equally with expense increases or decreases,” reported Jensema, adding there would not be a requested transfer from the reserve fund. The Administration Department reque...
COLFAX - The Dugger Plowing Bee is coming up for a fourth year this weekend, Saturday, Oct. 5. Palouse resident and Iowa State University student Colby Dugger flew back home to host the annual plowing bee. "It's on state route 272, between Colfax and Palouse," said Dugger. "It's about three miles from Palouse on your way to Colfax." Dugger said they are hoping to have as many tractors and spectators as they can. "It's a pretty good field this year," said Dugger. "We've got field for all kinds...
COLFAX - Local plane enthusiasts and families gathered to eat breakfast, view vintage planes and vote their favorite. The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) 328 flew in vintage planes and hosted a breakfast for the ninth year in a row. "We had slightly less than last year and that's good," said Organizer Barney Buckley. Buckley said the event brought in 215 people for breakfast and approximately 45 planes flew in. Groups of people could be seen viewing planes as new ones flew in. At the...
COLFAX — The St. John-Endicott collaborative School Board discussed September finance updates for both schools during the Monday, Sept. 30 board meeting held in Endicott. St. John-Endicott School Business Manager and Human Resources Director Janelle Kelley reported numbers for the month of September. Kelley reported Endicott payroll for the 2024-2025 year at $226,892.76, in comparison to 2023-2024 at $246,657.12. The general fund accounts payable came to $196,246.12 for Endicott in September, for capital projects accounts payable $9,738.48. 1...
COLFAX — Whitman County commissioners discussed the budget for the Green Hollow Road Project during its Sept. 30 meeting. The project will include grading, draining, widening and resurfacing the road. It also includes improving sight-distance and establishes a clear zone from near Milepost 6 to just past Milepost 8. “It is just south of Manning Road to just south of Roberts Road,” Whitman County Engineer Dean Cornelison said, noting the county will straighten and level the road. The project is partially funded through the 2023-25 biennium, with...
COLFAX — Is Washington State neglecting youth educational funding? With a 44% drop in allocations, several Whitman County schools would say yes. The Colfax School District outlined three top priorities they are bringing before the 2025 legislature: • Immediately address the significant underfunding of allocations for Materials, Supplies and Operating Costs (MSOC). • Fully fund the cost of special education services. • Fix the pupil transportation formula to ensure transparency, predictability, and adequate funding for “special passenger...
COLFAX — Commissioners discussed insurance rate increases and the effect it has on the 2025 budget during the Monday, Sept. 30, workshop. Commissioner Michael Largent reported on a meeting with the liability insurance company. “They are starting to tighten up their estimates, they are now at about a 18% to 19% rate increase,” reported Largent. Whitman County Chief Finance Administrator Jessica Jensema reported through Zoom comments the increase was $170,000 more than originally budgeted for 2025. Jensema reported that it was a $340,000 total...
ROSALIA — Rail fans can gather in Rosalia for several events centered around railroad history. The library is teaming up with Cascade Rail Foundation and Thunderhead Ranch to put on a railroad history presentation in downtown Rosalia at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5. After the presentation, attendees can take a guided history hike on the former Milwaukee Road right of way over the Rosalia Concrete Arch bridges which are now part of the Palouse to Cascades State Park trail. The hike after the presentation will feature comparative historic photos o...
COLFAX - A decked-out-in-pink Bettie Steiger Community Center boasted a large group of women who were coming together to raise funds for breast cancer awareness Saturday, Sept. 21. The Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics Auxiliary hosted "Strength in Pink," the first luncheon honoring those who have been affected by breast cancer on Sept. 21. A silent auction took place until 2 p.m. to raise funds. Diane Clark welcomed the group of women, followed by a blessing by Darlene Kroll and the tables...
COLFAX - It is said that the appearance of a butterfly can signify that a passed loved one is with you always. This was taken into consideration as attendees of the first Palouse Butterfly Release gathered in Shmuck Park, Saturday, Sept. 21. The park gazebo filled with people who had sent in names of those they lost and those who came to share in the memories of their loved ones. Tables along the edges of the gazebo had notes stating "you are missed," with other similar sentiments and tissues...
OAKESDALE — An Oakesdale FFA high school freshman has been named a national finalist in the FFA Agriscience Fair. Kellan Demeerler was named the 2024 national finalist this year in the Power, Structure and Technical Systems category in the FFA Agriscience competition. DeMeerler will take part in the annual National FFA Convention and Expo taking place Wednesday, Oct. 23 through Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. On Friday, Sept. 20, DeMeerler had his National interview via Zoom, going before a panel of industry e...
COLFAX — The Whitman Hospital Board of Commissioners discussed several updates during the monthly meeting including policy updates, grants received, financial updates and RV park upgrades. During the Wednesday, Sept. 18, meeting Board Commissioner Cherry Alice VanTine reported to the board updates from the Ethics meeting, which occurred earlier that morning, stating that Chief Nursing Officer Bill Bryant reported there is now a no-show policy in place for the clinics. “We started the beginning of this month, so we’ll bring some stati...
COLFAX — Whitman County Commissioners approved a $2,010,000 bid to pave Endicott Road. According to public record, the project to improve Endicott Road from milepost 23.71 to milepost 29.81 will require paving, pavement markings, guardrail, traffic control and other work. A road overlay resurface project requires application of approximately two inches of asphalt concrete to an existing surface or pavement of the road to prolong the life of the road. The Whitman County engineer’s estimate on the project comes to $1,553,750.80. Com...
ST. JOHN — The Port of Whitman County is working to purchase property in St. John to conduct a brownsfield study for a future hospital clinic. The Port of Whitman County Commissioners are moving forward with plans to enter into two Earnest Money Receipt and Agreements with property owners in St. John. In June 2024, staff from Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics approached the Port about a potential brownfield site in St. John. The hospital hired a geo-technical engineering firm to assess the site in 2021, observing evidence of potential c...
OAKESDALE — The Port of Whitman County awarded a $75,000 Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) grant to the Oakesdale Mill project. The grant will fund a feasibility study assessing the suitability of the historic Oakesdale Flour Mill for development and explore potential future uses for the space. Innovia Foundation purchased the mill in early 2024 with the intent of preserving it as part of the history and culture of the town and region with the support of the Oakesdale community. Media and Community Outreach M...
COLFAX - Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics welcomed a new general surgeon to the team in early August. Jon Pirrello, of Simsbury, Conn., started working with Doctor Juan Parra as a general surgeon at the hospital. Pirrello went to New York Medical College and completed his general surgery residency, doing an additional year of training in minimally invasive surgery. "I've known for a long time, since high school, that I wanted to be a surgeon," Pirrello said. "I like being able to help patien...
PALOUSE - The Palouse School went into lockdown this morning while law enforcement responded to a reported threat. At approximately 8:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 27, an anonymous caller reported to local law enforcement they were in an argument with their mother and had "shot and killed her." According to a Whitman County Sheriff's Office press release, the caller provided an address adjacent to Palouse School, indicating they were suicidal and armed. Based on the information the school was immediate...
COLFAX - Antique airplanes will be seen flying into the Colfax airport next weekend. The family friendly event hosted by the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 328 is set to start at 8 a.m., Sept. 28 with the pancake breakfast until 10 a.m., at the Colfax Airport, 707 Flight Line Drive. Breakfast is being served by the Colfax Rotary Club for a fee and includes pancakes, sausage and scrambled eggs. Fly In Organizer Barney Buckley said the event started in 2013, with a crop duster clinic...
ST. JOHN – The St. John Endicott Schools are awaiting the arrival of new metalshop gear and have a new coding program for middle schoolers. According to the St. John Endicott September newsletter Middle School Science Teacher Michael Maloney has been continually working to increase participating and interest in the Metalshop elective class. The passing of the Endicott levy made it possible to support the class and purchase two new welders to replace ones that had issues. The students welded new carts for the welders and are putting skills to w...
PALOUSE - Community members and visitors filled the streets for Palouse Day Saturday, Sept. 14 marking another year of festivities. Main Street filled with people in the morning bringing spectators, family members and children who scurried into the street to collect candy. M.C. Matt Zook announced the kiddie parade participants and main parade as school organizations, local government officials, businesses and even a candidate for governor made their way down main street. "I think the parade wen...
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Patrol will be holding a statewide emphasis patrol in honor of fallen Trooper Christopher Gadd on Friday, Sept. 27. On March 2, 2024, Gadd was struck by an impaired driver on Interstate 5, north of Marysville. Gadd messaged his detachment members he was going to meet them after “One More Stop,” and pulled to the shoulder north of his detachment office to seek out one more speeding, potential impaired driver to prevent a future tragedy. The WSP is conducting the emphasis patrol titled “One More Stop” from 4 p....
COLFAX— Commissioners moved and approved signing an agreement to the Boys and Girls Club of Lewis and Clark Valley for $200,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for Pullman Childcare Services. During the regular County Commissioners meeting Monday, Sept. 16, Commissioners signed an agreement with Lewis and Clark Valley for funds towards the Pullman Boys and Girls Club. In attendance was Executive Director of Boys and Girls Club Lewis and Clark Valley Jon Evans. “I pretty much want to thank you for this opportunity,” Evans said to the commi...
COLFAX - An international company seeking to build wind turbines in Whitman County opened a local office at 119 S. Main St. on Thursday, Sept. 5. "This is for us to be more engaged with the community," Harvest Hills Wind Project Director Shane Roche of Steelhead said. "This is a good spot for us to be able to work from when we're out here." Steelhead Americas is a division of the international Vestas Corp. of Aarhus, Denmark, which has an American branch based in Portland, Ore. Angellic Root,...
