New zero tolerance policy for owls

“Hoot, hoot!!!” said Gazette reader Carol Larson of Colfax, as she submitted this picture of a sign on Wawawai Road along the Snake River canyon west of Clarkston. Whitman County commissioners would not say whether the “no hooting” decree was to keep the area upbeat, positive and free of scorn or if the mouse lobby had pushed through an anti-owl ordinance. Commissioner Michael Largent noted he voted against the hooting rule. Commissioner Pat O’Neill winked and blamed the law on “the leprechauns.” Commissioner Greg Partch whispered, “Hoot.”

Now for the spoiler, notice the faded remnant of the “...