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Articles from the June 11, 2020 edition


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  • Closed Landfills May House Solar Farms

    Don C. Brunell, Freelance Columnist|Jun 11, 2020

    Solar power is getting a lot of attention these days as our country strives to reduce greenhouse gases. Sunny cities like Honolulu, Los Angeles and San Antonio have ramped-up solar power production; however, in cloudy coastal municipalities such as Seattle, investments in “sun power” have been lagging. One reason is Washington is blessed with an abundance of low-cost and carbon-free hydropower which accounts for three-fourths of our electricity generation. Electricity from the Columbia Riv...

  • Roger Beck

    Roger Beck retires in St. John after 52 years

    Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter|Jun 11, 2020

    ST. JOHN – He has taught in seven decades; the '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s, '10s and '20s. Last Thursday, Roger Beck delivered caps and gowns to graduating seniors in St. John and Endicott, driving 110 miles, the senior class advisor for St. John/Endicott High School in his 52nd year at the school. He is also retiring at the end of the year. Is this true, for the business teacher, coach and advisor who has been there since zip codes were five years old? "Oh yeah, they know it is," said Beck. "...

  • Rosalia graduation parade to end in Malden

    Jun 11, 2020

    Rosalia Schools announced its commencement ceremony will take place June 13 at 2 p.m. in the senior parking lot at Rosalia School. Families will be limited to two cars for the drive-through style graduation ceremony. Friends, staff and community members are encouraged to use the gift drop-off in front of the school from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., to send well wishes to the graduates. The Valedictorian and Salutatorian speeches will be posted online prior to the ceremony at www.rosaliaschools.org, along with a Class of 2020 tribute video. Following...

  • Library services opening up

    Jun 11, 2020

    While Whitman County has moved to Phase 3 of Governor Inslee’s plan for reopening, The Washington Department of Health has instructed libraries to wait for additional Safe Start guidelines specific to library operations before opening buildings to the public. Curbside pickup of books, movies and other materials will begin on Friday, June 12, at Whitman County branches. Items can also be mailed directly to patron’s homes and all book drops are now open. Local library officials are following state and CDC guidelines to ensure the safety of all...

  • U of I releases Dean's List Spring 2020 names

    Jun 11, 2020

    A total of 2,449 students qualified for the Dean’s List for the spring 2020 semester, which ended May 15. To qualify for the Dean’s List, U of I students must maintain at least a 3.5 GPA on a minimum of 12 graded credits during the semester. Whitman County honorees are as follows: Colfax: Elizabeth G. Harwood, Jenna L. Harwood, Derek D. Hall, Sasha Rabaiotti, April A. Casten, Isaac P. Cook. Colton: Tessa Rederick, Alathea E. Davies. Farmington: Kynlee Dub. Lamont: Guinevere D. Richmond. Pullman: Alisha J. Currier, Amy K. Stanley, Rebecca C....

  • Senior Menus: Week of June 8 - June12

    Jun 11, 2020

    Colfax Monday, June 8: Hawaiian burger with ham and pineapple, zesty pasta salad with vegetables, chocolate chip cookie Thursday, June 11: Pancake with fruit topping, scrambled eggs, sausage, breakfast fruit Endicott Tuesday, June 9: Turkey dinner with all the fixings, salad bar, rolls, pumpkin dessert LaCrosse Tuesday, June 9: No COA meal Tuesday, June 9: LaCrosse Cafe senior meal every Tuesday at noon throughout the pandemic, suggested donation of $4.25 Friday, June 12: LaCrosse Cafe senior meal every Friday at noon throughout the pandemic,...

  • Ryan John Van Tine

    Van Tine graduates ROTC

    Jun 11, 2020

    Ryan John Van Tine, grandson of CherryAlice Van Tine of Colfax, son of Andrew Van Tine and wife of Shelby, Mont, and Kelly McAdams of Simms, Mont., graduated from Shelby High School May 2019. He joined the Montana Army National Guard 163rd Cav before he graduated high school. On Aug. 13, 2019, he attended basic training at US Army Infantry Fort Benning, Ga. On Nov. 28, 2019, he became PFC Ryan Van Tine, Charlie Co. 198th Brigade 2nd Battalion 58th Infantry Regiment. He graduated 4th Platoon...

  • Library Summer Reading Program underway, with some changes

    Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter|Jun 11, 2020

    The Whitman County Library's Summer Reading Program commenced June 1 with no in-person performances this year but some substitutes. The 10-books-or-10-hours-to-get-a-free-book activity for kids continues while previous summers' visiting jugglers, storytellers, magicians and other exhibitors are cancelled. “It is a lot different this year,” said Sheri Miller, the library's youth services manager/associate director. Once statewide clearances allow, the Summer Reading Program will add a cur...

  • Local REALTORS donate $3,000

    Jun 11, 2020

    COLFAX – The Whitman County Association of REALTORS® (WCAR) donated $3,000 to local groups to help combat food insecurity in the local communities. A $2,000 donation was made to Council on Aging & Human Services (COA Human Services), a private non-profit organization committed to enhancing lives and supporting communities with transportation and nutrition services. It is the lead agency responsible for local distribution of commodities and food ― distributing to more than 11 pantries and surrounding towns including Endicott, Teako, Oaks...

  • County taps CARES ACT consultant

    Jun 11, 2020

    Whitman County Commissioners Monday voted to retain consultant Jody Opheim of Garfield to help with applications for reimbursement of COVD-19 expenses – to be covered by $2.7 million from the federal CARES Act. The money will cover the consultant cost, too, to run through Oct. 31. Opheim will help follow federal and state guidelines for the money, which is mandated to only cover virus-related expenses. These may include local government offices as well as private entities, as “sub-recipients.” Commissioner Michael Largent gave an example of a...

  • Youth art contest at library online

    Jun 11, 2020

    Whitman County Library will hold a “Fairytale Creature Art Contest” for pre-school kids through high school, June 26-July 3. Submissions may be in any media, including pencil drawings, watercolor, clay, recycled material and more. Photos may be sent in JPEG or BMP format to [email protected]. A virtual art show and five random prize winners will be announced July 10....

  • Ankrah graduates UA

    Jun 11, 2020

    The University of Alabama awarded some 6,326 degrees this spring. Among the graduates was Stephannie Ankrah of Pullman, who received a Master of Arts....

  • Library Calendar: June 11-16

    Jun 11, 2020

    Thursday, June 11 Trivia Night at 5:30 p.m. Visit Whitman County Library’s Facebook page for a live, 5 question test of your historical, literary, and just-for-fun knowledge. Hosted by WCL’s Sarah Phelan-Blamires. Teen Trivia at 7 p.m. Sign up for the Zoom event at [email protected]. Be sure to have a pencil and paper to compete with friends. Friday, June 12 Storytime at 11 a.m. Email [email protected] to connect with us; it will be lots of fun! Kids and families will enjoy a book or two, activities, and shaker egg dancing. Sat...

  • Steven Ulrich

    Steven Ulrich

    Jun 11, 2020

    Steven Ulrich, Lamont resident, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Saturday, June 6, 2020 while out for a morning run near his Lamont home. He was 58. A Memorial Service for family and very close friends will be Friday, June 12th, at 1:00 PM at the Christian Life Assembly in St. John. Pastor Dennis Hinds will officiate. Steven was born May 23, 1962, in Colfax, Washington; the fourth child born to Harland and Connie Stelzer Ulrich. He grew up in St. John and attended school there, where he... Full story

  • Pugh advocates for local control over fall school re-opening

    Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter|Jun 11, 2020

    The Colfax School board met Monday night by Google Meet and covered items such as adoption of a new math and science curriculum, two resignations and a discussion of what may come next in lifting school COVID-19 restrictions. “What I am advocating for as hard as I can is we want local control with our county health department,” Superintendent Jerry Pugh told the Gazette later. “Olympia shouldn't be telling us what it's like in Whitman County... We do our best work with our kids here.” For the...

  • Young hawk returned to nest

    Jana Mathia, Gazette Editor|Jun 11, 2020

    A young Red Tailed Hawk was returned to its nest after being taken to the WSU veterinary school. Pullman Police responded June 3 to a report of and injured juvenile hawk. The young hawk was taken to the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital exotic department. According to veterinarian Marcie Logsdon, officers could tell by the time the hawk was dropped off that it was not actually injured. Veterinarian staff examined the young hawk to make sure it was well and then returned it to its nest where...

  • On the Record: June 11, 2020

    Jun 11, 2020

    Real Estate Jeffrey and Barbara Fehr to Sean and Sarah Michael, Selah, Wash., two to four residential units on NW Turner Drive, Pullman, $233,900, April 28. James and Jessica Colvin to Kenneth Edward and Nelda Gonzalez Gow, Pullman, mobile home on NW Golden Hills Drive, Pullman, $75,000, April 29. Michael Nearing to Evan and Melissa Painter, Pullman, house on SW Corral Court, Pullman, $330,000, April 29. Daniel and Kathleen Hutton to Mark and Jodel Cooper, Tekoa, house on N Sheridan Street, Tekoa, $116,500, April 30. Palouse Builders LLC to... Full story

  • Sheriff's Log: June 11, 2020

    Jun 11, 2020

    June 8 St. John-Non Injury Accident Sheriff's Deputy responded for a non injury accident. Colfax-DWLS Cited & Released: Stephenson, Jayce F, a 25 year old male out of Deer Park. LaCrosse-Stray Animals Sheriff's Deputy requested a case for stray cows. The cattle owner was contacted. Albion-Suspicious Sheriff's Deputy responded for a report of a suspicious helicopter in the area. Deputy confirmed it was an Avista helicopter checking the power lines. Rosalia-Traffic Violation Sheriff's Deputy responded for a report of a pick up driving... Full story

  • Riding virtual shotgun with John Wayne riders

    Jana Mathia, Gazette Editor|Jun 11, 2020

    Although the John Wayne Pioneer Wagons & Riders canceled its normal cross-state ride this year, riders and the public are still able to enjoy the trail vicariously thanks to a virtual ride posted on the group's Facebook page. "We are following the itinerary and schedule of the John Wayne Pioneer Wagons & Riders on their annual cross-state ride," said Mark Borleske. "The virtual ride is supplemented by a virtual historic tour of the route with historic Milwaukee Road railroad photos and...

  • Good Old Days: June 11, 2020

    Jun 11, 2020

    8 years ago The Commoner June 7, 1895 G. W. Case, Jr., of Union precinct was in the city this week. He reported that although the squirrels were working great damage, grain fields in a majority of cases were looking well, and orchards were in fine shape, the frost not having hurt any fruit, except on John Eaton's place, beyond Rock Lake, where all the fruit was killed. Mr. Case says he has concluded to engage in diversified farming. He has only a hundred acres in grain, wheat, barley and rye, the latter being nearly ready to cut. But he has...

  • Legal Notices: June 11, 2020

    Jun 11, 2020

    CALL FOR BID PARK STREET AND NOB HILL STREET IMPROVEMENTS Town of St. John E. 1 Front Street/PO Box 298 St. John, Washington 99171 Town of St. John, Washington (Owner) invites bids for the construction of the Park Street and Nob Hill Street Improvements. The work includes improvement of Park Street from Front Street, including overlaying the existing pavement, stormwater improvements, pavement repair on Nob Hill Street near Lawrence Avenue, and other work. Sealed bids for the described project will be received at the St. John Clerk's Office,... Full story

  • Whitman County enters Phase III reopening

    Jana Mathia, Gazette Editor|Jun 11, 2020

    COLFAX – Whitman County was approved to Phase III by the state Secretary of Health Saturday with conditions. One condition is that an individual Phase III business sector (such as movie theaters, libraries, and museums) may reopen only after the state publishes its guidelines for the specific sector, which was expected to be done over the weekend. The business is only allowed to reopen after it can implement those guidelines. By moving into Phase III, recreation has opened up for outdoor s...

  • Colfax graduates 41 at fairgrounds

    Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter|Jun 11, 2020

    COLFAX – It started with a week's delay for construction and ended with a two-and-a-half month closure, capped by a fairgrounds drive-up graduation for the Colfax High School Class of 2020. Graduates stood in their gowns in a spaced line Saturday, June 8, against a long fence behind the Home Arts building, and Principal David Gibb called their name. Each student stepped toward a small stage, Gibb handed them a personal card and letter from the city and rows of cars honked for the turning of t...

  • Gas tax shortfall hits county

    Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter|Jun 11, 2020

    COLFAX - A drop in statewide gas taxes – due to less driving during the stay-at-home orders – has led to a $1.2 million shortfall in gas tax so far this year coming to Whitman County. The county usually receives about $4.5 million annually as its share of gas sales from throughout Washington. Because of this, the Whitman County Public Works Department has decided to cancel one of two bridge replacement projects planned for this summer and cut annual chip-sealing miles from 25 to 18-19. Chi...

  • Lamont mayor dies suddenly

    Jun 11, 2020

    Steven Ulrich, Lamont mayor, passed away unexpectedly June 6 while out for a morning run. He was 58. Ulrich was born in Colfax to Harland and Connie Stelzer Ulrich and grew up in St. John. He participated in track and cross-country and held the school record in the two-mile even for many years. He attended Eastern Washington University where he earned a degree in education and was a member of the EWU cross country national team. He met his wife Catherine while teaching in Roseburg, Ore., and the...

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