What now? I-1183 could leave Whitman County towns dry

Steve Gossett’s family has run the Tekoa liquor store since prohibition. With the state’s approval of Initiative 1183, Gossett may have to give up his contract on the state liquor dispensary.

Washington voters’ passage of Initiative 1183 could dry up some towns in Whitman County.

The initiative privatized the liquor industry, putting state-owned stores out of business and forcing those running contract stores to ponder their future.

Voters across the state approved Initiative 1183 in the Nov. 8 general election with more than 53 percent of the vote.

Colfax, St. John, Rosalia and Tekoa all have...