News Briefs

Oakesdale annual Old Mill Days cancelled

OAKESDALE — The annual Old Mill Days was cancelled by the Oakesdale Historical Society.

The event is normally scheduled in July and features bingo, fun run, triathlon, pancake feed, parade, music, and food.

Organizers announced the cancellation on April 5.

Tekoa sees third sewer rate increase

Tekoa — Sewer rates in Tekoa increased by $5 for the third year, and it is the last from an approved rate change in 2019.

The city council approved the change on March 1 in a resolution.

It is a three-year increase was approved in 2019, according to the city clerk Kynda Browning. It goes up by $5 each year and this is the last. Sewer is now $68.

The sewer plant is needing to be replaced and may be leading toward a levy replacement. It was built in the 1940s and they are waiting on the state Department of Ecology to tell them what they can discharge each day before deciding on whether to upgrade or replace the plant.

Rosalia cancelled last town meeting

Rosalia — The Rosalia town council cancelled the regular meeting on Feb. 9.

The next regular meeting is set for April 23 starting at 6 p.m. The meeting is being held in the community center, according to a town representative.

WSU graduates to pull up in Pullman

PULLMAN — Washington State University (WSU) is planning a drive-through graduation for 10 a.m. on May 1.

Graduating seniors will stage in their cars in a university parking lot. The graduation “parade” route will take them along Stadium Way, through Glenn Terrell Mall, and end on Thatuna Street.

WSU employees and students will line up along the route. They will be required to wear masks.

Sidewalks will be marked to keep everyone separate.

WSU students may need vaccination passports

PULLMAN — Washington State University (WSU) students may need a “vaccine passport” to be on campus next year.

During a university faculty senate meeting April 9, WSU President Kirk Schulz said he’s studying the idea of requiring students to be vaccinated.

Schulz said he hopes to make a decision by the end of the current semester.

The meeting included discussion of keeping students in a hybrid attendance model next fall, with classes of more than 100 students to be conducted remotely.