Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Sorted by date Results 26 - 48 of 48
COLFAX — The Whitman County Library District has canceled all in-person programs in response to Gov. Jay Inslee’s new quarantine orders. The programs were shuttered Nov. 17. While the governor’s orders do not specifically mention libraries, district officials shut down in-person activities as a precaution, library officials said. The governor’s orders do prohibit gatherings of five or more people. Other changes include occupancy level for all location will be reduced to 25% and browsing time is limited to 15 minutes a day and computer use to...
OAKESDALE - His grandfather and father had long driven by them. He had too, for 40 years. In September, Kirk Hansen swung past one again on his combine during wheat harvest and decided it was enough. The part-time farmer of 400 acres of the original 1,600 of the Hansen land near Oakesdale sent a note to Whitman County commissioners, asking that the signs for “HANSON RD” be changed to “HANSEN RD.” “It’s been on our family’s mind since the first day the signs went up,” said Kirk, 52, who lived in...
PULLMAN - For the first time since World War II, the Apple Cup football game between U.W. and WSU may not be played. The 113th edition, set for Friday at Martin Stadium, was called off Sunday by the PAC-12 Conference, declaring the game a no-contest. The decision came after WSU did not foresee having a minimum number of scholarship players available for the game, after positive COVID-19 tests and resulting isolation of other players under contract-tracing policies. "As we work through the...
PULLMAN — The Washington State University men’s basketball team returned to the court this week. The men will be home Saturday night, hosting the Cheney-based Eastern Washington Eagles. Tipoff is at 8 p.m. Here is November/December game schedule: · Nov. 28 — Eastern Washington, 8 p.m. · Dec. 2 — Oregon State, 7 p.m. · Dec. 5 — at Colorado, TBA · Dec. 9 — Idaho, 6 p.m. · Dec. 13 — Portland State, 2 p.m. · Dec. 18 — Montana State, TBA · Dec. 21 — Prairie View A&M, 4 p.m. · Dec. 23 — Northwestern State, 4 p.m....
PULLMAN – The NCAA has released the latest Division I graduation rate data, including the division’s Graduation Success Rate, which included a program-best score for WSU athletics. Washington State’s GSR score rose 1% to a record 87%, continuing a trend that has seen the Cougars improve their score in each of the past five years. Dating back to 2008 when WSU’s GSR score was 77%, measured gains have been recorded with scores of 78% (2009), 80% (2010), 81% (2011), 86% (2012) and this year’s 87%....
OLYMPIA – The late muzzleloader and archery general deer seasons will begin Nov. 20. For muzzleloaders, the seasons finish Dec. 15, depending on species, with specific rules in designated Game Management Units. Black tailed-deer are open for muzzleloaders from Nov. 25-Dec. 15. White-tailed deer go from Nov. 25-Dec. 8 and mule deer Nov. 20-30, in GMU 382 (East Klickitat), and otherwise, Nov. 25-Dec. 8. For archers, the concluding seasons run from Nov. 10 – Dec. 31, with mostly shorter windows for black-tailed deer, white-tailed deer and mul...
PALOUSE — The annual Turkey Leg Run will move to a digital format this year in the wake of Gov. Jay Inslee’s new quarantine orders. The virtual event will take place Thanksgiving Day morning, Nov. 26. Participants are asked to jog, run or walk at home to raise money for children’s books and library activities. Then, beginning at 8 a.m., participants can pick up a coffee or hot chocolate, and grab bag of donuts at Palouse Library. Participation is by donation, which can be sent to Palouse Library, P.O. Box 168, Palouse, WA 99161 or dropp...
COLFAX — Here are the individuals booked into the Whitman County Jail from Nov. 16-22: Nov. 16 Samuel Jack Edgar Owens, 45, first-degree arson, third-degree malicious mischief and second-degree criminal trespass, $750,000 bond. Nov. 17 Jason Lee Allen, 46, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), $25,000 bond. James Daniel Bacon, 33, U.S. Marshal Service hold. No bail Kevin Patrick Healy, 53, second-degree driving while license suspended or revoked, driving while under the influence. Brissa Lluviana Veleta, 20, second-degree thef...
COLFAX — With girls basketball, wrestling and softball coaches resigning — followed by new virus orders issued by Gov. Inslee — the hiring process for high school athletics is paused. “We’re not offering coaching contracts until we know there’s gonna be a season,” Superintendent Jerry Pugh said last week. Girls basketball advertised for an Oct. 16 closing date. “We have a few candidates, but we’re waiting to see the response of the state,” Pugh said. With basketball and wrestling seasons now delayed to a Feb. 1 start date in the 2020-21 plan...
RENTON — Winter high school sports statewide will be pushed back a month to Feb. 1, after a vote last week by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association executive board. It also shortened each of the 2020-21 seasons to seven weeks. In the new schedule, winter will conclude with a regionals event March 20. “Fall” sports run March 15 (a week earlier for football) to May 1. Spring sports start practices April 26, the season ending June 12. All is subject to change. The WIAA’s Nov. 17 decision -- part of a five-hour virtual meeting -- co...
COLFAX — With winter coming on, Whitman County Public Works is looking to keep plow drivers out of quarantine by having crews separated. If they lose a group at one shop, another crew from another has to fill in. “If we get hit hard by COVID, how do we keep the plows out?” Public Works Director Mark Storey said. “If we’re down 5-10 people, we’re gonna have a hard time keeping the roads cleared. We struggle even when we have all hands on deck.” Last week, Storey reminded road crews of operational precautions. “I know some people are fed up with...
COLVILLE — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced in late October that it would be removing endangered species protections for wolves in the lower 48 states, essentially turning management of the predator fully to the state. The federal agency had listed wolves as endangered in much of Western Washington until the Oct. 29 announcement. As the state Department of Fish and Wildlife assumes the totality of the responsibility for wolves, with many of its action items seeming to focus on removing cattle instead of wolf management. In O...
COLFAX — Whitman County commissioners reacted last week to Gov. Jay Inslee’s new statewide quarantine orders closing bars and restaurants again to inside service, among other items. “I’m just highly disappointed,” Commissioner Dean Kinzer said during a Nov. 16 meeting. “How much blood is left in the turnip to squeeze,” Commission Chairman Michael Largent said. The commissioners are among many Eastern Washington officials upset by the governor’s interruption of business just before Thanksgiving. In adjacent Franklin County, Commissioner Cl...
PULLMAN — A $25,000 bail has been set on a man booked into jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine. Jason Allen, 46, was arrested Nov. 17 after the vehicle he was a passenger in was stopped due to the license plate being obscured. During the stop, Whitman County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Michael Jordan became concerned the driver of the vehicle had recently used narcotics based on him exhibiting common signs of stimulant use, according to the probable cause report. During a search of the vehicle, Jordan observed a red, white and blue zip...
COLFAX — In the three months since reconstruction and resurfacing of a section of Almota Road was completed south of town, two crashes have occurred on a curve near Onecho Bible Church – even after the speed reduction from 50 mph to 35 mph. A fertilizer truck veered off the road and tilted over, and in the other incident, a passenger car ran off the road. Whitman County crews will now put up new chevrons – curve warning arrows – and signs, going as far as a flashing light if need be, Public Works Director Mark Storey said. “We made a really ni...
COLFAX — Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, The Daily Bulletin will not be published on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. The Daily Bulletin will return Friday, Nov. 27, although not all carriers will be available for delivery. Email delivery of The Daily Bulletin will continue normally. In addition to the Bulletin, The Whitman County Gazette office will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. From the Bulletin/Gazette staff, have a Happy Thanksgiving!...
COLFAX - Longtime firefighter and commissioner Don Hall was remembered Monday, Nov. 23, by his colleagues across Whitman County. He passed away Nov. 18 at age 91. A private memorial service took place at St. Patrick Catholic Church; the service was limited to 30 people due to Gov. Jay Inslee's recent coronavirus quarantine mandates. But that didn't stop Hall's colleagues and others from remembering him. A flag was lowered from a firetruck ladder over South Main Street, where Rosalia/Colfax...
COLFAX — Challenger Tom Handy of Pullman was expected to become commissioner-elect Tuesday. The Whitman County Canvassing Board was set to finalize the results of the Nov. 3 general election and name Tom Handy as the next county District No. 2 commissioner. The Canvassing Board met Tuesday after The Gazette went to press. At last count, Handy had a 350 vote lead over incumbent Dean Kinzer of rural Pullman; 19,130 votes were cast in the race. Handy, 63, an independent, was in his first run for political office. “It had us on pins and nee...
ROSALIA— A local man was arraigned Friday, Nov. 20, in Whitman County Superior Court following his arrest for allegedly attempting to burn down the Community Baptist Church. Samuel Jack Edgar Owens, 45, of Rosalia, remains in the Whitman County Jail on a $750,000 bond. He made his first court appearance and was charged Nov. 17 with first-degree arson. On Monday, Nov. 16, deputies were called to Community Baptist Church, 818 N. Whitman Ave., for a man threatening to burn down the church, Whitman County Sheriff Brett J. Myers said. A witness t...
COLFAX – The Nov. 3 election is officially signed, sealed and delivered. Whitman County Auditor Sandy Jamison certified the election Nov. 24 after a final counting of ballots and the Nov. 23 meeting of the Canvassing Board. Of the 24,748 registered voters in Whitman County’s 69 precincts, 21,293 ballots were counted, making voter turnout 86.04%. The three-member Canvassing Board meet Nov. 23 to examine questionable ballots and determine if they met criteria to be counted. The board is composed of Jamison, County Prosecutor Denis Tracy and the...
COLFAX — The annual Winterfest parade has been canceled for this year, but the fireworks show which always capped the collection of floats, tractors and Santa will still light up the sky. Fireworks are set to ignite at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3. The Colfax Chamber of Commerce announced the change last week. Due to recent coronavirus restrictions, Santa will not be making his regular visit to the library to hear wishes and take pictures. The library is hosting a Storytime with Santa and Mrs. Claus over Zoom on Dec. 17, so youth can still see a...
