Budget cuts said reason to layoff county nurse

Shannon Hatley of Pullman has been a public health nurse for Whitman County for 25 years.

But not for much longer.

Even when county commissioners said they were maintaining staff with the current budget, Hatley was informed by Public Health Director Troy Henderson that she will be laid off Dec. 31.

Hatley said she supervises a staff of five in the public health office in Pullman.

Hatley received her official notice Oct. 16. However, in August, Hatley said that Henderson hinted about issues with the county budget, but at the same time hired a new nurse.

“If there were budget issues, why hire a...