Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Sorted by date Results 26 - 38 of 38
COLFAX – Public Works Director Matt Hammer has proposed increasing the monthly stormwater fee from $2.30 to $5 to pay for the replacement of a 10X15, 8-inch thick concrete slab at the river by Jennings Elementary School. The estimated $30,000 section is the first of what Hammer expects to be more cracking in the river channel. The city last replaced one of the sections in 1985, after the 1964 original encasing of the river. “There’s already more (cracks) that are starting to pop up,” Hammer said. “But it’s held up really well.” The stormwate...
COLFAX – If July and August precipitation totals were added to the September monthly total, it would still be short of the historical average for September. After seeing only 0.14 inches of rain at the weather center at the Natural Resource Conservation District, September is well below the average of 1.04. Following an amply wet June, the subsequent three months have all fallen well below average. Average for the June through September is 3.61 inches. Only 2.53 inches has fallen for the same period this year. Biggest rain event in September w...
COLFAX – The 2021 city budget is being developed with possible free pool admission and a study for next year. The Colfax City Council met Oct. 5 through a digital meeting for a 2021 budget workshop presented by Public Works Director Matt Hammer. The discussion included pool admission prices, sewer and water pipe leaks and more. Hammer noted the parks board was talking about keeping the pool admission at no charge for next year due to the 2020 season being impacted by the virus with a limited opening. “I’m not a big fan of free,” said council...
ASOTIN – Outdoorsmen who hunt in Asotin Creek Wildlife Area’s Weather Unit may want to make alternative plans for the general firearm deer hunting season-opener this coming weekend. It’s because the unit has a logging operation going on, officials said, noting logging is ongoing during daylight hours Monday through Friday for the rest of the month. Agency Assistant Wildlife Area Manager David Woodall said the area remains open to hunting, but suggested that logging may hinder successful hunting trips....
COLTON –– The Genesee High School football team – and its five Colton players – went down twice to blowouts in the last week, its first two losses of the year. On Monday night at home, the Bulldogs lost 56-6 to Clearwater Valley. Last Friday, Oct. 9, at Kamiah for the Kubs’ Homecoming, Genesee got run 72-14. On Monday, across the Idaho border, Genesee (2-2 Whitepine League Division I) trailed 26-0 at halftime. “Another tough loss,” said coach Alex Schnebly. “We had a couple sparks of good and we’re hoping to rally off that this week.” One s...
RENTON –– The WIAA Executive Board voted at its Oct. 8 meeting to extend the current WIAA Open Coaching Window through December 19. The Coaching Window was previously set to close on Nov. 30, however, many schools around the state are still unable to practice due to county health metrics and school district decisions. This extension allows for additional potential practice days for all schools later this fall. Although the latest guidelines from the state permit intra-team scrimmages, WIAA rules prohibit any competition between schools dur...
COLFAX –– Week 2 is underway for resumed football practice as the Bulldogs finish their allotted practice time, cut off in the summer after a surge of virus cases in Washington. The practices are no-contact. This week something was added. "The kids are in helmets and shoulder pads because they like the feel of it," said head coach Mike Morgan. "They just missed it." When football season does arrive – moved to Feb. 17-May 7 in the WIAA four-season schedule for 2020-21 – the Bulldogs are expected...
COLFAX –– Bill Stevenson feels at home behind the editor's desk at the Whitman County Gazette. The "new" editor brings 27 years of journalism with him, most of it being while in Eastern Washington. He also spent two years of reviewing software while living in Japan and a year in Nevada running a national magazine for motorcycles. "Writing 24 stories about motor oil took the glamour out of writing about the motorcycle industry," he said. "I went back to the wonderful diversity of community rep...
COLFAX –– The November general election is projected to be so big that Whitman County is adding ballot drop boxes. General election ballots were mailed Oct. 9 to Whitman County voters and Auditor Sandy Jamison is anticipating 20,000 ballots to be returned. The county is set to install three new drop boxes this week for the influx. "Please vote early," she said. Once residents received ballots, they can be filled out and returned immediately, she said. For those who choose to hang on to their ballots, they must be deposited in drop boxes or pos...
COLFAX — Zip's Drive-In restaurants here and in Ritzville and Spokane Valley were among several businesses fined by the Department of Labor and Industries for public mask violations. The state Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) conducted more than 4,300 spot checks at businesses since mid-July, including multiple visits at some locations, spokesman Tim Church said. Eight employers have been fined for public mask violations, he said. Additionally, three businesses originally the subject o...
COLFAX –– There is a place for political commentary, but CEO Hank Hanigan doesn't think it should be at Whitman Hospital and Medical Center. "We try extremely hard to provide the best environment we can to get healthy. We try to limit the stress and anxiety the patients and staff might have," he said. Hanigan asked employees to refrain from putting flags or signs on vehicles, wearing clothing, or "displaying personal items bearing a political or advocacy message," in an Oct. 6 email to hos...
