Goodbye Whitman County

As I sit down to write my final column for the Whitman County Gazette, my heart is filled with a bittersweet mixture of gratitude, love and anticipation. It’s not easy to say goodbye to a place that has left such an indelible mark on my life. The rolling wheat fields, the kind-hearted people and the stories we have shared together will remain with me long after I turn the page to this new chapter.

I am humbled and honored to share that I will be stepping into the role of managing editor for the Lincoln County Record-Times. It’s an opportunity I’m excited to embrace, but it’s also a reminder of the deep connection I’ve built with Whitman County. This is where I grew as a journalist and as a person. Each headline, every column, and every conversation with you—our readers—has been a building block of my career and a part of my heart.

This place is special. There’s something magical about the golden light casting its glow over the Palouse hills or the quiet strength of a community that comes together in times of celebration and challenge. It’s these moments I’ll carry with me as I transition to Lincoln County, where new stories await to be uncovered and shared.

To the farmers, teachers, business owners, students and neighbors who have shared your story with me, thank you. You have inspired me with your resilience and kindness. It has been my privilege to amplify your voices and shine a light on the fabric of this community. You are the reason journalism matters, and it’s because of you that I believe so strongly in its power to inform, connect and uplift.

Change is never easy, but it’s often necessary. While I’ll miss the familiar faces and landscapes of Whitman County, I find solace in knowing that our connection won’t end here. These experiences will guide me as I take on new challenges and opportunities, always with the lessons I’ve learned here in mind.

So, as I say farewell, know that it’s not goodbye forever. I’ll carry Whitman County with me—in the stories I tell, in the lessons I’ve learned, and in the countless memories I’ve made. Thank you for trusting me, welcoming me and allowing me to be a part of your lives. I am endlessly grateful.

Here’s to the next chapter—for me, and for Whitman County. May it be filled with promise, just as this one has been.

–– Olivia Harnack is the editor for the Lincoln County Record-Times. She can be reached at [email protected].