Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
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OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee has ordered resident to stay home for the next two weeks as a way to prevent the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19, also known as Wuhan Flu. The order takes effect March 25. “Tonight, I am issuing a stay home order to fight this virus,” Inslee said in a televised and Internet broadcast Monday evening from Olympia. “This is Washington’s stay home, stay health order.” Inslee said the order includes a ban on all gatherings, including going to the beach, weddings, f...
Whitman County received its second positive test on Monday, March 23, 2020, 70-79 year old female. Public Health Department is investigating close contacts. More information to follow as available. The Whitman County Health Department regularly updates their Facebook page with helpful information regarding personal protection and the status of county health operations. The Whitman County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains partially activated and is carefully monitoring the situation and providing interagency coordination above and beyond...
Pullman, Washington—Whitman County Health Department received a positive test result for COVID-19 in a Whitman County resident. Patient is female between the age of 20 – 29. Patient has recovered and is self-isolating at home. We are working to identify anyone who may have an exposure risk because of contact with this person. The current risk of COVID-19 in Washington is increasing. As more people are tested, we expect to find more positive cases in Whitman County. People most at risk are those who have traveled to an area of high com...
OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee today chastised Washingtonians for not doing enough to halt the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, but stopped short of ordering residents to stay in their homes. “I won’t be issuing any legally binding orders today,” he said during his 4:30 p.m. press conference. “That does not mean we won’t be back here soon.” While Western Washington drivers have slashed their time in vehicles, he said he’s concerned about residents still going to dinner parties and teenagers hanging out. “Some in our state are not taking the me...
RITZVILLE -- While there are 19 confirmed COVID-19 coronavirus cases confirmed in neighboring Grant County, there are not any in Adams County. "Medical facilities in Adams County have tested over 30 county residents for COVID-19," Community Health Director Karen Potts, R.N., said today, March 18. "Ten negative results have been received from testing facilities. As yet, there have been no lab-confirmed cases in Adams County." There is also one confirmed COVID-19 (also colloquially called Wuhan flu or 'WuFlu') case in nearby Lincoln County and...
OLYMPIA — Residents who become unemployed due to government actions to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 coronovirus won’t have to worry about being evicted, at least for the next month. During a press conference this afternoon, March 18, Gov. Jay Inslee said he signed an order preventing landlords from evicting people who fall behind on rent after being sent home from work due the “WuFlu” pandemic. “I’m issue a statewide moratorium on evictions for failure to pay rent for the next 30 days,” the governor said. Inslee also penned a letter to t...
COLFAX — A veteran journalist and longtime area resident has been named editor of the Whitman County Gazette and Colfax Daily Bulletin. Jana Mathia, 37 of Endicott, will replace former longtime managing editor Jerry Jones. Jones has officially retired due to health issues. He had been with the Gazette since 1965, during which time he was a constant feature at the paper and raised two sons with wife Peggy who passed away last year. Jones, known locally as “Scoop,” was well-known for his coverage of local high school sports and producing the C...
The Davenport School District released a statement earlier this week addressing issues that could arise in connection with coronavirus. “Although it is unlikely that we close, we are at the very least going to do our due diligence in the event circumstances change,” the statement said. Meanwhile, the district is conducting a technology survey and implementing a trial program for using Chromebooks in middle and high school “to help limit the spreading of germs...” The survey was sent home with students Tuesday. “If needed in the future, w...
The Fonk's building in Colfax burned Tuesday night, its roof collapsing in a fire still being investigated Wednesday morning with no cause yet determined. Three people were sent to the hospital in the incident, including two from neighboring apartments and a firefighter. All have since been released. Because of the roof collapse and total loss of the building, a concern remains for collapse of the building into Main Street. Fire crews will be on scene throughout Wednesday. A Pullman Fire...
Whitman County Commissioners authorized an emergency declaration for COVID-19 in Whitman County with an unanimous vote from all three commissioners Monday morning. This emergency declaration is primarily meant to open up additional resources for emergency personal. Commissioner Michael Largent said this emergency declaration might not be as important as the one on the state and federal level, but he believes it’s prudent that we recognize officially that we are in a time of emergency and we’ll need all the resources that we can gather to res...
As a member of the “Fourth Estate,” our newspaper staff regularly comes in close contact with people from all walks of life. Knowing that, we are doing our part to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19, colloquially dubbed “Wuhan flu” and “WuFlu.” Like you, we are washing our hands, covering coughs and sanitizing everything in sight. We’re also taking the unusual step of closing our offices to public access, in an effort to protect the staff that is keeping you informed as w...
With all schools in Washington closed from March 17 through April 24 due to COVID-19, Whitman County school districts have begun plans to continue food service, education and more. COLFAX Colfax will offer breakfast and lunch for students starting Thursday to be delivered to certain spots in-town and along rural bus routes. In-town locations include Jennings Elementary School, from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and the following from 8 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.: Ace Hardware, Pearson Farm and Fence, the St. Pat...
With high school sports shut down statewide from March 17 through April 24, what will happen over the next five weeks is on the mind of players, coaches and fans. “We’re in uncharted territory right now,” said Ken Lindgren, athletic director, coach and teacher at Oakesdale, as well as the WIAA’s District Nine representative (Washington Interscholastic Activities Association). Lindgren and the 12 other boardmembers were set to gather this Sunday for their regular March meeting in Renton. “It was...
PCT goes dark Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pullman Civic Theater will be canceling its upcoming productions until further notice. The Theater had planned on opening its first Main Stage Show of the year, The Importance of Being Earnest, on April 2 and its Show on the Side production of Stop Kiss on May 29. Currently, the theatre is planning on re-scheduling the performances of The Importance of Being Earnest to Fall and the performances of Stop Kiss to next season. Other future changes to the PCT season will be posted on the PCT Website at...
Whitman County Commissioners approved a partial closure of Almota Road and a speed limit change on another section for the coming Almota Road Phase Four Reconstruction. The closure will go from milepost 7.96 to Stevick Road, running from March 30 to July 31 – for 12 weeks total closure, if its start is delayed. The speed reduction to a maximum of 35 mph will apply from milepost 6.92 to 11.56 (from Upper Union Flat Road to Highway 194). The change would also start March 30 with no end date set. “The speed limits are just until further not...
Whitman County Commissioners approved a coming bid process for remodeling of the moderate waste facility building at the county landfill for an estimated $800,000 - $900,000. The operation is for household hazardous waste, including paint, pesticides, certain household cleaners, batteries and more. The work would be paid for by money from the Public Works facilities budget. Last December, draft designs arrived from Great West Engineering of Boise for the county’s 25-year-old moderate risk waste facility (MRW) – to remodel the existing bui...
County commissioners approved a $17,000 bid Monday from Bridgewell Resources in Tigard, Ore. for wood planks for replacements on the county’s 24 wood bridges. “Every year we do planking,” said Storey. The new 4-inch by 12-inch planks, made of treated fir, are used to replace old ones – usually individually while sometimes an entire new deck is needed. Current wood bridges in the county were generally built or re-built in the 1960s. The oldest current bridges go back to the ‘50s. “We have places where we’re on the third and fourth bridge in the...
Will the statewide restrictions affect Whitman County Public Works projects at all? “I think gas tax receipts are going to drop dramatically,” said Storey, referring to the average monthly $380,000 check from Olympia, which represents shared proceeds of gas taxes per gallon statewide. “That’s what we operate on. With restaurants and bars closing, people not having jobs, this drop in people driving and buying things will hit in about two months.” Gas tax receipts represent about half of Whitman County’s road department budget. Two weeks’ payr...
Whitman County’s annual two-weekend spring cleanup is set for April 17-18 and 24-25, with reduction in rates to drop off loads at the waste transfer station. “This might be a moot point,” said Storey, referring to things being canceled due to the virus....
Study after study shows the importance of social connection to overall health, especially mental. With the current emphasis on social distancing and fears of spreading disease, it can be easy to forget the importance of maintaining that aspect of our mental health. While we rejoice in our wireless accomplishments, we remain a herd animal drawn to the company of others. Sadly, those most needing to distance themselves are the ones that already suffer from isolation. Some elderly individuals alrea...
If you think the run on toilet paper is just an American thing, think again. On March 10, Business Insider (BI) reported: “The spread of the coronavirus has brought with it panic-buying of food and household essentials, despite the attempts of governments to discourage stockpiling. But no item has made more headlines than the humble toilet roll.” “From buying enough toilet rolls to make a throne, to printing out blank newspaper pages to serve as extra toilet paper, people have had a seemi...
Sex education is complicated because biology is complicated. We should base education on truth, to the extent that we can discern the truth. I'm not going to give an opinion, because my mind can not encompass the intricacies of genetics. Here's what I found on the first website I dove into. I'm now dizzy, and not going back for more! It begins with "Research suggests that..." It's not simple xx and xy. It's 46XX and 46XY and 45X and 45Y and 47XXX and 47XYY and 47XXY and 49XXXXY and "some males are born 46XX due to the translocation of a tiny...
Sandy Jamison Whitman County Auditor Beginning March 18, 2020, the Auditor’s Office will be closed to the public. This includes the Department of Licensing Desk, the Recording/Marriage License Desk and the Elections Office. While we are regularly cleaning the office and sanitizing the public desks, it is imperative that we continue to maintain a safe and healthy working environment. Therefore, in support of Governor Inslee’s mandate for social distancing, I am strongly encouraging the public to conduct any and all necessary licensing, rec...
