Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Sorted by date Results 51 - 75 of 15862
FARMINGTON — The town held its monthly town council meeting Monday, Dec. 16, discussing several topics including laws regarding recording minutes, a new snow plow and appointing a new member to the board. The first item on the agenda was the approval of the November 2024 Consent Agendas. Meeting minutes In discussion Council Member Mike Erickson stated there were several inaccuracies and omissions from the regular town council meeting Monday, Nov. 18, minutes. “There was an omission, complete omission of discussion around a controversial ema...
COLFAX — The Whitman County Commissioners allocated $100,000 from the county’s .09 Economic Development Fund to help pay for the shortfall for Pullman’s Downtown Reconstruction project. During the Monday, Dec. 16, workshop, County Commissioners discussed Pullman Mayor Francis Benjamin’s request from last week’s meeting for the county to help pay some of the extra cost totaling approximately $400,000. Commissioners added the request to their agenda, discussing concerns of fully paying the project’s shortfall since several other projects in...
By Teresa Simpson Gazette Reporter PULLMAN — The Board of Commissioners of the Pullman Regional Hospital is seeking to fill a vacant board position. Former board member Sandra O’Keefe served on the board for 16 years and is resigning form the role to care for her family out of the area as of Dec. 31. “Sandy has provided a tremendous service to the hospital and the community,” Pullman Regional Hospital Board of Commissioners President. Serving on the board since 2008, O’Keefe is has a 30-year career as an oncology nurse. “I’ve always been a...
POMEROY — Rep. Mary Dye has been recognized for her efforts to curtail the spread of invasive mussels in Washington state waters. She was one of three leaders the Washington Invasive Species Council recognized for their efforts in managing and preventing the spread of invasive plants and animals. Dye, R-Pomeroy, was named the Distinguished Leader, receiving the inaugural award last week. Dye represents the 9th Legislative District, which includes Whitman, eastern Adams and Franklin, southern Spokane, Lincoln and other counties. Dye is c...
LIND — The Lind Dryland Research station has been around since 1915, and has gone through a succession of leaders. But the last two years it has been headed by a couple from India. Surendra and Shikha Singh are employees of Washington State University, respectively, as assistant professor and director, and research assistant professor. The research station exists to help area farmers get the most out of crops that survive or even thrive, on little annual rainfall. “We have wheat, peas and canola,” Surendra Singh said. “So, we work on all thr...
PULLMAN — Health officials are responding to a whooping cough outbreak in Whitman County. As of Wednesday, Dec. 6, 77 confirmed cases of pertussis had been reported. The outbreak, which includes one case in the county’s K-12 school system, has prompted Whitman County Public Health to recommend post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with antibiotics for household contacts of infected individuals. Officials are urging parents and guardians to monitor children for disease symptoms and take precautions to limit the spread of the disease. “Pertussis is hi...
PULLMAN— The city completed accountability, financial and federal grant compliance audits through the Washington State Auditor’s Office (SAO) for 2022 in good standing. The State Auditor reported no deficiencies regarding design or operation of internal financial reported. “We issued an unmodified opinion on the fair presentation of the city’s financial statements in accordance with its regulatory basis of accounting,” wrote the State Auditor’s office. According to the report the SAO identified a deficiency related to contracts with two co...
PALOUSE — The City of Palouse Council approved a 1% property tax increase and set levy amounts for the 2025 fiscal year during its meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 26. The total amount to be raised by taxation is $394,139.25. The council passed Ordinance No. 1033, which adopts a 1% property tax increase for emergency medical services. In addition, funds were allocated for several key projects, including improvements to Cove Road and replacing a well pump. The remaining 2024 funds will be zeroed out and a resolution to formalize this decision is expecte...
COLFAX — The Whitman County Commissioners signed an interagency agreement with Washington State University (WSU) extension office during the Monday, Dec. 2, regular commission meeting. Presenting the interagency agreement was WSU Assistant Director of Extension Michael Gaffney. “After a couple of false starts, what I have to present to you for your consideration is a corrected document and it is the interagency agreement for 2025 to support the WSU extension office in Whitman County,” Gaffney reported. Gaffney reported the monthly contr...
COLFAX - Several Conservation Districts updated commissioners during the Monday, Dec. 9, workshop on where they are this year and their plans going into the new year. Pine Creek Conservation District Pine Creek Conservation District located at 401 U.S. Highway 27 in Oakesdale, reported first on new hires, what they are offering and plans moving forward. Pine Creek Conservation District Manager Casey Lowder stated the district serves the northeast part of Whitman County and works closely with...
COLFAX — Pullman Mayor Francis Benjamin updated County Commissioners on the Pullman Downtown Project opening discussion for future possible .09 funding, during the Monday, Dec. 9, workshop. The county previously awarded $200,000 to the project from the Whitman County Economic Development Public Facilities, .09 Funds, a sales and use tax for public facilities in rural counties. Benjamin opened by saying the City appreciates the support the county has provided with .09 funding. “We understand that there might still be some available so wan...
PULLMAN — A 38-year-old Pullman man has been charged with six felonies for allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material. Robert Keller was arrested by Pullman Police on Saturday, Nov. 25, following an investigation that began when officers responded to a report of Keller attempting to harm himself on Military Hill. He was taken to Pullman Regional Hospital for a mental health evaluation. While Keller was in the hospital, his girlfriend allegedly discovered child sexual abuse material on his phone, prompting his initial arrest on 20 felony c...
COLFAX- The holidays are starting off with a fun-filled day of Winterfest sales and family activities. On Saturday, Dec. 7, community members and residents from across the Palouse could be seen filling the streets of Colfax for Christmas shopping, visiting with Santa, singing and lighting a tree. Colfax Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rachel Schad said the event was great and it looks like a lot of people came out despite the rainy weather. "It stopped just in time for the parade, and...
COLFAX — The Whitman County Public Works Department is improving a stockpile site and preparing for winter with a letter on snow plowing priorities. During the regular Whitman County Commissioner meeting on Monday, Dec. 2, Commissioners moved to approve providing stockpiling of aggregate for county road maintenance purposes. Whitman County Engineer Dean Cornelison reported the department was getting low on rock in Doneen. “One point last year I think all three districts were hauling out our quarry because of an increase in graveling,” he said....
COLFAX — Whitman County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a man accused of burglarizing a garage in Colfax. According to the Whitman County Sheriff’s office, on Friday, Nov. 29, a resident of North Cedar Street confronted a masked man hauling a generator through a neighbor’s yard. Reports say the man, later identified as Hunter Grant, 25, of Moses Lake, drove off with the generator. The resident recorded the vehicle’s license plate number. According to documents, deputies traced the vehicle to Moses Lake and alerted law enforcement in the area. Cen...
PALOUSE — Two men were safely rescued Thanksgiving night, Thursday, Nov. 28, after their SUV crashed into the Palouse River under the State Route 27 bridge, according to local authorities. Whitman County Fire District 4 volunteers and sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene around 7:30 p.m. to find the small SUV partially submerged. The men had climbed onto the roof through the sunroof. Rescue crews tossed the men life jackets and ropes, which they used the ropes to wade through the river to shore. District 4 Chief Will Edwards said the men...
PULLMAN — The Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) awarded $348,664 to the City of Pullman for a road resurfacing project on Friday, Nov. 22. The funds from the Arterial Preservation Program will go towards the Orchard Drive and Valley Road Resurfacing Project scheduled for construction in 2025. “We are grateful that this project was selected for funding the Transportation Improvement Board,” City of Pullman’s Grants and Special Projects Manager Valerie Weaver said. “This project was dependent on grant funding to happen....
COLFAX — County Commissioners moved and seconded approving 2025 budget amendments during the regular commission meeting on Monday, Dec. 2. Chief Financial Officer Jessica Jensema reported that there was a total requested revenue adjustment of $202,642 and expense adjustments of $189,180, totaling adjustment of revenue exceeding expenses of $13,462. “No transfer from the reserve would be required,” Jensema reported. Jensema reported for general government there was a request to increase revenue by $347,000. “A majority of that is the opioid...
PULLMAN—The consulting firm managing the delayed downtown Pullman reconstruction project is requesting an additional $200,000 from taxpayers to cover cost overruns. Welch Comer, hired by the City of Pullman to oversee the project, originally signed a contract valued at just over $1 million for this year’s work. The firm now claims the extra funding is necessary for tasks outside their original agreement. The downtown reconstruction project began in April and includes rebuilding underground utilities, repaving Main Street and installing new sid...
PULLMAN — The Whitman County Health Department will be moving into a new facility after County Commissioners purchased property in Pullman. During the Monday, Dec. 2, regular business meeting commissioners moved and approved the purchase of 1240 Southeast Bishop Boulevard Suite P and Q. “We’ve been contemplating purchasing new property for the Health Department since it became known that making the current facility compliant with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements is not in the best interest of the county,” County Commiss...
PULLMAN — The Washington State Patrol has completed its investigation into the March 27 officer-involved shooting at Washington State University’s (WSU) Global Scholars Hall, submitting the case to the Whitman County Prosecutor’s Office for review. The incident began when 20-year-old WSU student John Bazan called police, reporting a man with a knife inside the dorm and providing a description matching himself. Officers responding to the fourth floor of Global Scholars Hall encountered Bazan, who allegedly kept his hands concealed in his sweat...
COLFAX - The Chamber of Commerce is hosting a day full of cheer on Saturday, Dec. 7, with the annual Winterfest. Starting at 9:15 a.m. registration for the Run Run Rudolf 5K and Kids 1-mile hosted by Colfax Friends of the Parks, will start at Schmuck Park, East 6th Street. The race starts at 10 a.m. and the 1-mile at 10:15 a.m. The Whitman County Library is hosting activities for all ages to kick-off the holiday season during Winterfest. Those who attend can tour the "Festival of Trees," in the...
COLFAX — The Whitman County Auditor’s office confirmed the 2024 General Election certification as of Tuesday, Nov. 26. Whitman County Auditor Sandy Jamison reported to County Commissioners during the Monday, Dec. 2 workshop that the election results were official and were certified. Jamison also asked about payment for the county’s portion of expenses of the primary election and noted the county would be getting a bill for the general election in the next few weeks. Whitman County Assessor Wraylee Flodin reminded Commissioners they would be ce...
COLFAX - Save the Palouse not-for-profit members came before the Whitman County Commissioners to ask them to fight against the Wind Turbine project proposed near Kamiak Butte during the Monday, Dec. 2, regular commission meeting. Colfax farmer and Save the Palouse member Bill Myers asked commissioners to reconsider the moratorium again. A moratorium is a temporary suspension of an activity, law or regulation. "It makes absolutely no sense to grant these guys anything," Myers said, noting that...
