The Gazette's top 11 headlines from 2011

Palouse Wind breaks ground on wind farm

After four years of permitting and months of court challenges, Palouse Wind broke ground on its north county wind farm in October. Excavators began building roads and clearing pads for 58 turbines at the site on Naff Ridge, Granite Butte and Steamshovel Hill between Oakesdale and Highway 195. Turbines are expected to go up next summer. Roger Whitten dropped his long-standing opposition to the project just before construction began, selling his Finch Road home to the company for $350,000. In July, the company signed a contract to sell electricity from the...