Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Sorted by date Results 26 - 43 of 43
PALOUSE – A question of feral cats has come up in Palouse. "We're trying to figure out if it's a problem and what we can do about it," said Kyle Dixon, city administrator. He is looking into costs and possible grants to cover humane traps and then neutering. The wild cats have increasingly been seen in the past year on the east end of Main Street. "We had a couple shop cats, they took down the mice population, so we left them," said Alex Anderson, owner of Palouse Welding, Design and Manufacturi...
COLFAX –– The Colfax school construction project is in its final stage, stretching past its target date for completion of August 2020. District Superintendent Jerry Pugh said on Oct. 30 that there is another week or two of electrical work at the junior-senior high school, the gym is being professionally cleaned, and speakers and the stereo system is being installed. It is part of the bond-funded project’s “punch list” of final items as deemed by Pugh and Amy Browne-Minden, the project manager from Design West in Pullman. “Within the next we...
COLFAX –– The public can the Colfax City Council what they think of the proposed 2021 budget. Council advanced the budget proposal Monday night, Nov. 2. The public can comment for 30 days before a December council approval vote. The budget totals $3.9 million, which is $75,099 more than last year. The extra budget would go toward paying for another police officer. The budget includes money to replace concrete panels in the river as it runs through town, which would be funded by an increase in the monthly storm drain fee. The city received a $...
PULLMAN — Palouse Conservation District (PCD) shifted its annual Palouse Alternative Cropping Symposium to a virtual platform. It features with a monthly presentation series titled “Soil Health Sit Down.” An educational series for agricultural and livestock producers on soil health. The first is scheduled for next week. Presentations are dedicated to providing a venue for local growers, industry professionals, and researchers to share insights and innovations geared toward improving soil health. The goal is to encourage grower-to-grower dialo...
COLFAX –– Whitman County commissioners discussed and delayed the decision on when to advertise for its open health director position. Monday, deciding to take up the matter in a future workshop session. Board president Michael Largent suggested on Monday they start the hiring process in March or April next year, while interim health director Chris Skidmore does the job. He was appointed following the resignation of Troy Henderson. Commissioner Art Swannack questioned it. “We’re making ourselves shorter-staffed, since we’re already down one...
COLFAX –– As snow fell on the county Sunday morning, vehicles were sliding off the road. The Colfax Washington State Patrol (WSP) tally showed 11 non-reportable accidents, five reportable and two they were unable to locate. No injuries reported. WSP responded to a semi fully blocking both directions of Highway 195 at milepost 26, near Armstrong Road just after 9 a.m. This was followed by notification of multiple collisions between mileposts 20 and 25 on the same road. The driver of the 2020 Fre...
COLFAX — November already delivered higher than average precipitation, surpassing October’s surplus. October was the first month to be more than average since June. One inch of rain was recorded in 24 hours on Nov. 5 at the Natural Resource Conservation District weather station. It’s a strong start toward the historical average of 2.68 inches for the month. Friday added 0.25 inch of rain. Weekend snow accumulation brought 0.10 inches of water. NRCS technician Dave Weber reported 0.07 inches of moisture was in the snow from Monday night. The s...
COLFAX-The lead for Whitman County Commissioner District Two changes with each count. After challenger Tom Handy led on election night, incumbent Dean Kinzer took a four vote lead after the second count on Nov. 5. Handy regained the lead after the Monday night tally added 1,164 ballots. Handy had 50.35% of the vote with 8,189 and Kinzer 49.11% with 7,988. The second count showed Handy was favored by all of Pullman's 28 rural and city precincts and Albion. Kinzer was favored by every other precin...
PULLMAN - Highway 195 was closed south of Pullman on Tuesday due to a jack-knifed semi-truck blocking both lanes. The non-injury crash was just after 6:30 a.m., about four miles south of Pullman. Idaho State Police closed the highway at the state line. The driver lost control on compact snow and ice, according to Washington State Patrol (WSP) Sgt. Courtney Shawley. The semi jack-knifed and came to rest with the trailer blocking both lanes. One lane of alternating traffic was open just after 10...
COLFAX - Although pandemic restrictions are putting a cap on gatherings, Whitman County veterans are still being honored in ceremonies giving them handmade quilts. Quilts of Valor bestowed quilts to local veterans in recent months, with more coming this month. In the past, Quilts of Valor honored many veterans in one ceremony. Current guidelines are dictating smaller gatherings taking place more often. Quilts are made by members of Whitman Samplers Quilters Guild. Anyone wishing to support the...
COLFAX- Students are receiving free ASB cards, free sports admissions for family, and a reduced lunch program. The Colfax school board met Monday night for the first time in person since March. The directors approved a new policy about ASB cards and reducing the lunch program. The provision allows immediate families of the students to get into home games at no charge. Superintendent Jerry Pugh said the district has used funds to buy athletic shoes and ASB cards for students in need....
OLYMPIA — The governor and his wife tonight called on state residents to forgo Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations with family this year. Speaking together from a couch, Gov. Jay Inslee said we’re “going to have to pause” traditional family Thanksgiving celebrations and “December holidays.” “We have to rethink these holidays so we can be thankful when we don’t lose more lives to COVID,” he said, calling the situation that has dragged on since February only “temporary.” The Inslees said they will be having a virtual Thanksgiving and urge...
COLFAX - The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory as heavy snow is expected to move into Northern Idaho and Northeast Washington. The advisory runs from 11 p.m. until noon tomorrow. "A wet storm system will move in tonight and spread snow across much of North-Central and Northeast Washington and into the Idaho Panhandle, the advisory said. "Snow will be heavy at times over the mountain passes and mountain valleys with winter travel likely by Friday morning." The...
OLYMPIA — A day after Gov. Inslee told residents to have virtual Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations this year, he issued a travel advisory calling on travelers to quarantine 14 days. The governor’s advisory also suggests only “essential” travel outside of the home. All residents or visitors who travel out of the state should quarantine 14 days, he said, following the lead of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Oregon Gov. Kate Brown. “COVID-19 cases have doubled in Washington over the past two weeks,” he said. “This puts our state in as d...
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...
