Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 15767
COLFAX. — The State of Washington’s online court records system remains offline following a cyberattack earlier this month, affecting court operations statewide, including Whitman County Superior Court in Colfax. The Administrative Office of the Courts took the system offline after discovering the breach, leading to the rescheduling of civil cases in Whitman County Superior Court. Those visiting Whitman County Superior Court will be unable to access case documents at the clerk’s public computer terminal in the courthouse due to the syste...
OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Broadband Office has opened applications for $1.2 billion in federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding, aimed at expanding high-speed internet access to underserved communities across the state. A first application round will close in January, with reviews by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration expected in mid-2025. The Broadband Office anticipates announcing approved projects by summer 2025....
COLFAX — Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics Commissioners set forth their Strategic Goals and Objectives during the Wednesday, Oct. 16 board meeting earlier this month. Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics CEO Hank Hanigan presented several strategic goals and objectives that the hospital would have moving into the new year. Hanigan said the hospital plans to complete an expansion of the therapy area, which is a continuation of the project happening this year. “It is not yet complete, but still needs to be a focus,” said Hanigan. Hanig...
MOSCOW, IDAHO — The Moscow Police Department (PD) is investigating a report of a possible stranger-on-stranger sexual assault that allegedly took place near the University of Idaho campus on Monday, Nov. 11. According to Moscow PD, an officer received the report from friends of the woman, identified as the possible victim, at around 9 p.m. According to the police report, the woman said she was walking home to the Wallace Dormitory when she was assaulted at approximately 6 p.m. She told police a vehicle pulled up beside her, and a man forced her...
COLFAX — Building Inspector Ginny Rumiser presented the last five years of building permit totals to County Commissioners during the Monday, Oct. 21 regular commission meeting. Whitman County building and development division issues building permits including structural plumbing and mechanical, personnel perform plan review, building inspections and retain building records. Building permits issued in 2024 came to 68, 13 pending and 15 for commercial construction. There was a total of 130 inspections and 41 final inspections. Total miles d...
COLFAX — The Port of Whitman County Commissioners authorized an earnest money agreement for a potential site for a new childcare facility on Thursday, Nov. 7. The money agreement for property behind Colfax High School comes after months of community engagement to figure out analysis of the gaps and needs for childcare in Whitman County. Included with the agreement is an 18-month due diligence period in which the Port will continue to explore the feasibility of the site. “Families and employers continue to tell us how desperately they need qua...
PULLMAN — Main Street in downtown Pullman is set to reopen to limited westbound traffic by 6 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, as Project Downtown Pullman progresses. Crews adjusted traffic control late Wednesday, Nov. 13, to facilitate the reopening. Updates to traffic flow will impact Spring, Daniel, and Paradise Streets, with further guidance expected before Thursday. Limited parallel on-street parking will be available, though parking configurations may change daily based on construction needs. Residents should also note that Pine and Kamiaken S...
TEKOA — Schools were reopened on Thursday, Nov. 7, after a nearby welfare check between police and an unknown man. According to Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers deputies responded around 7 a.m. to a call of a man who was walking around disturbed and frustrated. “It did happen to be around the school,” Myers said, “There were some indications that he was carrying a sword.” Myers said the man had not committed a crime and there was no obligation that he come out of his house. “We did notify the school so they we were aware,” Myers said, n...
PULLMAN - With Nov. 5 general election votes still being counted here, many residents are wondering why Whitman County is the only "blue" county in Eastern Washington. Unofficial results after late-arriving ballots were counted Nov. 9, show Whitman County as the only Democratic "blue" county in a sea of Republican red east of the Cascade Curtain. Here, current Vice President Kamala Harris garnered 51.8% of the vote county-wide, with former President Donald J. Trump collecting 45.2%. But that...
State Measures Initiative No. 2066 Yes - 51.17% No - 48.83% Initiative No. 2091 Yes - 36.68% No - 63.32% Initiative No. 2177 Yes - 38.19% No - 61.81% Initiative No. 2124 Yes - 44.42% No - 55.58% Federal United States President/Vice President Kamala Harris/Tim Walz - 58.32% Donald Trump/JD Vance - 38.9% U.S. State Senator Maria Cantwell - 59.77% Dr. Raul Garcia - 40% Write In - .23% Congressional District 5 - U.S. Rep. Michael Baumgartner - 59.79% Carmela Conroy - 40.08% Write In - .13% State Executive Governor Bob Ferguson - 56.28% Dave...
COLFAX — The Whitman County Superior Court Clerk’s Office temporarily modified its services due to an ongoing statewide system outage caused by unauthorized activity on the Washington Courts network. The Administrative Office of the Courts has secured essential systems and is actively working to restore full functionality. During this period, the Clerk’s Office will continue to provide essential services with some adjustments. The Clerk’s Office remains open during regular business hours, processing filings of pleadings, emergency orders,...
COLFAX — Whitman County Public Health (WCPH) is investigating an outbreak of whooping cough (pertussis) within the county. As of November 1, there have been 48 confirmed cases, an increase of 11 since October 25. Health officials are urging those diagnosed to complete a five-day course of antibiotics and to remain isolated until treatment is finished. Public health staff actively contact new cases to conduct interviews and trace potential exposures. Pertussis, caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacterium, spreads through respiratory droplets f...
COLFAX — A high-speed pursuit ended Saturday afternoon when a motorcyclist crashed into a field west of Colfax following an attempt by deputies to make a traffic stop on the motorcycle for speeding on State Route 26, according to law enforcement. According to the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office, a wildlife agent attempted to stop the motorcycle on Saturday, Nov. 2, for a separate violation, but the driver, Derek Adams, 32, of Richland, refused to pull over. Authorities said that as the motorcycle entered Colfax, Adams continued to evade off...
COLFAX - A ribbon cutting ceremony commemorating the opening of four new passing lanes along State Route 26 took place on Wednesday Oct. 30 Representatives and community members gathered at the Palouse Empire Fairgrounds to mark the grand opening of the lanes between Dusty and Colfax. Washington State Department of Transportation Regional Administrator Charlene Kay said the ribbon cutting represents how it all started, with collaboration of elected officials and local partners. "It has been a...
COLFAX — Whitman County Commissioner Michael Largent announced his resignation from the Board of County Commissioners during the regular board meeting Monday, Nov. 4. After 18 years serving on the board, Largent said it is with a heavy heart and mixed emotions that he is resigning effective at 5 p.m. on Jan. 21, 2025. “The reason I’m giving little over two and a half months is I think we need to leave adequate time for people to consider whether or not they would like to put their name forward,” Largent said to those in attendance. Largent...
COLFAX –– Michael Baumgartner is currently looking to win the 5th Congressional District seat in Eastern Washington. The 5th Congressional District spans across 11 counties including Ferry, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, Stevens, Whitman, Walla Walla, Garfield, Asotin, Columbia and sections of Franklin and Adams County. The seat has been held since 2004 by long-time incumbent Cathy McMorris Rogers. As of press time, Baumgartner, is leading with 59.82% of votes across the 11 counties the district covers, Carmela Conroy is currently at 40.04% across the...
COLFAX - Take a look at the Nov. 5 election map and the only place you will see blue in Eastern Washington is Whitman County. Due to the influence of Washington State University students and faculty, Kamala Harris got a tepid nod to be president, edging former President Donald J. Trump by a mere 400 votes. At the end of counting Tuesday night, Harris received 5,748 votes in Whitman County; Trump received 5,343. But that's the only place east of the Cascades, Harris got the nod. And in this elect...
COLFAX — As of Thursday, November 7, Roger Sandberg is leading the race for Whitman County Superior Court Judge Position 1, holding 60.49% of the votes. “I am honored and humbled to have the support of everybody throughout this process,” said Sandberg. “I look forward to serving the citizens of Whitman County as Superior Court Judge.” With 80 precincts reporting, Sandberg has received 6,508 votes, while challenger Jenna Brozik follows with 4,220 votes, amounting to 39.22% of the total. There were also 31 write-in votes, totaling 0.29%. Br...
COLFAX — Two legislative representative positions are up on the General Election ballot. Running for State Representative Position 1 incumbent Mary Dye takes the lead against Patrick Miller and Position 2 sees a lead in votes by Joe Schmick against Pam Kohlmeier. Statewide Dye is leading with 38,933, 66.21% of the votes with Miller behind at 19,734, 33.56% and 139, 0.24% write-ins. Whitman County voters have voted Dye in the lead at 6,272 votes, 55.59%, with Miller behind at 4,997 votes, 44.29%. “Joe (Schmick) and I are here in Garfield Cou...
PASCO — State Attorney General candidate Pete Serrano is keeping his spirits high as he watches ballots return over the next several days in the Nov. 5 general election. Early returns Tuesday night, showed Serrano trailing Nick Brown; the two are vying to replace Bob Ferguson, who is running for governor. The unofficial early tally showed Brown with 1,412,902 votes (56.47%) and Serrano with 1,087,107 (43.45%). Brown was leading in 10 counties; Serrano in 28, including 19 of the 20 in Eastern Washington. At press time, Chelan County had yet t...
COLFAX — As of Thursday, Nov. 7, Democratic candidate Bob Ferguson is leading the statewide race for Washington governor with 56.13% of the vote, while Republican candidate Dave Reichert holds 43.68%. Over 2.8 million votes have been counted across the state, with 5,631 write-in votes recorded, making up 0.2% of the total votes cast. The race is closer in Eastern Washington counties, with Reichert leading in rural areas: Lincoln County: Reichert has 76.26% (3,961 votes), while Ferguson holds 23.41% (1,216 votes). Whitman County: Reichert l...
State Measures Initiative No. 2066 Yes - 51.35% No - 48.65% Initiative No. 2091 Yes - 36.62% No - 63.38% Initiative No. 2177 Yes - 38.26% No - 61.74% Initiative No. 2124 Yes - 44.64% No - 55.36% Federal United States President/Vice President Kamala Harris/Tim Walz - 58.18% Donald Trump/JD Vance - 38.82% U.S. State Senator Maria Cantwell - 59.68% Dr. Raul Garcia - 40.08% Write In - .24% Congressional District 5 - U.S. Rep. Michael Baumgartner - 59.82% Carmela Conroy - 40.04% Write In - .13% State...
COLFAX — Several levies were on this year’s General Election Ballot; results for the ballot count as of Thursday, Nov. 7 are as follows for each town. COLTON —The town of Colton proposes one levy in this year’s General Election concerning supporting general operations, street improvement and water maintenance. Proposition No. 853 is a one-year proposition for the town’s property tax at 80 cents per $1,000 in assessed property value, to raise the town $30,000. The levy passed with 128, 71.11% voting yes and 53, 29.28% against. ENDICOTT...
TEKOA — Schools are back to normal after a nearby welfare check between police and a man prompted a lock down this morning. Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers said deputies responded approximately 7 a.m. to a call of a man who was walking around disturbed and frustrated. "It did happen to be around the school," Myers said. "There were some indications that he was carrying a sword." Myers said the man had not committed a crime and there was no obligation that he come out of his house. "We did notify the school, so they were aware," Myers s...
COLFAX — On the ballot this election season Initiative 2066 passed, prohibiting state and local governments from restricting access to natural gas. The initiative would also prohibit the state building code council from discouraging or punishing the use of natural gas in any building. It requires gas and utility companies, cities or towns that provide natural gas to provide people or corporations natural gas even if other energy services or sources are available. A total of 2,793,408 voted state-wide, with 1,434,521, 51.35% voting in favor, a...
