September 17, 2024
RITZVILLE – The 9th Legislative District senator pleaded not guilty Thursday, Sept. 12, on a charge of driving while under the influence of alcohol. But Adams County District Court Judge Andrea K. Russell determined there was probable cause for the charge against 67-year-old Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville. She schedule him to appear before her again Oct. 8 in the 210 W. Broadway Ave. courthouse. In the meantime, he is prohibited from using alcohol, marijuana or other non-prescription drugs,...
MOSCOW — An Idaho judge has agreed to relocate the trial of Bryan Kohberger, 29, who faces charges in the 2022 killings of four University of Idaho students. On Monday, Sept. 9, Judge John Judge granted a motion from Kohberger’s defense team, which argued that a local jury could be too biased to ensure a fair trial due to extensive pre-trial media coverage. The judge ruled the courthouse lacked the resources for such a high-profile case and noted that the media coverage had been both extensive and prejudicial. The trial, originally set...
RITZVILLE — Sen. Mark Schoesler will be arraigned Thursday, Sept. 12, on a charge of driving while under the influence. Schoesler’s hearing before Adams County District Court Judge Andrea K. Russell is set for 9:30 a.m. in the Adams County Courthouse, 210 W. Broadway Ave. During arraignment, the judge will determine if there is probable cause for the criminal citation and whether the senator qualifies for a public defense attorney. The judge will also advise Sen. Schoesler of his rights. Schoesler, R-Ritzville, represents the 9th...
ALBION - At least one bridge was destroyed by a fire burning Tuesday evening, Sept. 10. As the newspaper went to press, volunteer firefighters were on-scene on Shawnee Road, just outside of town, where a wooden trestle was burning over the South Palouse River. The trestle is the second to burn in two years in Whitman County - the Rebel Flat Creek trestle was destroyed a year ago in the Winona Fire. At least one family chose to evacuate from the area as flames from the blaze encroached on their...
PULLMAN — A man initially arrested a fourth-degree assault charge now faces multiple charges after allegedly attacking multiple law enforcement officers. Darien Leaf Armstrong, 26, was arraigned Friday, Sept. 6, in Whitman County Superior Court on two counts of custodial assault were requested. Trial was set for 9 a.m. Oct. 14. The case began when officer Holden Humphrey was initially dispatched with other officers at 4:22 p.m. June 27 to 845 S.E. Spring St. for a report of an assault. There, Armstrong was arrested for threatening and...
PULLMAN — A Washington State University student faces first-degree extortion charges in Whitman County Superior Court following allegations from her former partner. Taylor Asante, 21, of Pullman, is accused of threatening to damage Ethan Reynolds’ phone if he did not pay $80 for its return, court records show. The charge stems from a Sept. 13, 2023, incident, records show. Reynolds reported the alleged extortion to police. According to court documents, Reynolds and Asante had been in a brief romantic relationship that began in August...
PULLMAN — Whitman County Commissioners awarded $200,000 to Project Downtown Pullman from the county’s 2024 Economic Development Public Facilities Fund, commonly referred to as .09 Funds. “We’re grateful that Whitman County recognizes the value and economic impact this project brings to our community,” Mayor Francis Benjamin said last week. “Thank you to County Commissioners Art Swannack, Tom Handy and Michael Largent for granting these funds to the city of Pullman.” The award was approved Sept. 3 by commissioners. The city...
ST. JOHN — In the first football game of the season, the St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse Eagles battled strong in the first half, but ultimately fell to the Soap Lake Eagles, 60-18, on Friday, Sept. 6. The SJEL Eagles are a very young team with one senior and several freshman playing varsity on it’s roster of 14 players. “We’re a really young team and in a rebuilding season,” SJEL Assistant Coach Josh Chastin said. “But, the fact that no one in the crowd left and was in it with no...
PALOUSE — The Garfield-Palouse Vikings lost the first game of the season under (somewhat) new Head Coach Willy Woltering. Woltering is back as headman of the Vikings after a number of years away from the gridiron. The Vikings struck first as Lane Collier punched in a 3-yard run in the first quarter, but Liberty Christian answered back with a 3-yard run by Perry Pottle and a 30-yard run by Charlie Branning. Each team scored twice in the second quarter with Ryker Wageman scoring on a 37-yard...
PULLMAN - The Pullman Greyhounds football team lost their home opener to the Lakeside Eagles of Nine Miles Falls, 7-6, on Friday, Sept. 6. The Greyhounds scored in the opening quarter on a 5-yard touchdown run by Brady Coulter, but the PAT kick-attempt failed. That would prove to be costly as Lakeside scored on the final drive of the game with a 19-yard passing touchdown and the PAT kick was successful, giving the Eagles the one-point victory. Pullman quarterback Connor Stewart completed 11-17...
ST. JOHN - Back on the volleyball court after being out from having knee surgery last season, St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse senior Kate Hergert has already overcome many challenges. Hergert started on the varsity volleyball team as a sophomore, and played varsity basketball as a freshman and sophomore, but had to sit out last season due to her surgery. This year, she is the lone volleyball senior and will lead the team throughout the season. "I love the people, my teammates, I love playing a team...
Sept. 12 — Sept. 21 Thursday, Sept. 12 Volleyball — Oakesdale at Colton, 6 p.m. Volleyball — Dayton at Tekoa-Rosalia in Rosalia, 6 p.m. Volleyball — Pullman at Colfax, 6:30 p.m. Football — St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse at Wilbur-Creston-Keller, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13 Volleyball — SJEL at Sun Dome tournament, all day Football — Bridgeport at Tekoa-Rosalia in Tekoa, 3 p.m. Cross Country — Washington State University Cougar Classic in Colfax, 5:45 p.m. Football — Kettle Falls at Colfax, 7 p.m. Football — Pullman at Moscow, 7...
OAKESDALE — The Oakesdale Nighthawks are the best volleyball team in the state, and they have three state championship titles in a row to prove it. The Nighthawks are headed by 11-year veteran coach McKinzie Turner, assisted by Darcie Van Dyke. Coach Turner has a record of 124-11 with Oakesdale, and a 132-49 record overall. Last season, the Nighthawks went a perfect 24-0 on their way to a three-peat state championship. While the team graduated starters Payton Davis, Brieyn Henly and Samantha Holling, the team still has a lot of skill on the...
SPANGLE — The Liberty Lancers were treated to an episode of the Boness show Friday night, Sept. 6, as the visiting Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos came to town. Senior Brody Boness scored three touchdowns and younger brother Cameron Boness passed for two scores in a 28-22 Lind-Ritzville/Sprague victory over the Northeast 2B rival Lancers. The Broncos opened the game with a brother-to-brother touchdown pass, as Cameron Boness hit Brody Boness for a 42-yard score. Brody Boness added the point after to take a 7-0 lead. Brody Boness struck again...
RITZVILLE — Approximately $19,000 in prize money was paid out to participants in the 54th annual Ritzville Rodeo that took place Aug. 30 and 31. Here are the official results: Bareback — Payton Robinson, $850. Saddle Bronc — Bodee Gudmunson, $750. Bulls — J.C. Merriott. $1250. Open Breakaway Roping — 1. Joselyn Arnold, $798; 2. Kiley Streeter, $660; 3. Maddie Baumberger, $523; 4. Kassidy Bremner, $385; 5. Jamie Parvin, $248; and 6. Jules Pyper, $138. Calf Roping — 1. Travis Eller, $575; 2. Devin Robinson, $345; and 3. Trace...
By Dale Anderson Our local fair and many other fairs and rodeos are for the most part over for the year. It seems that there is a real need for more people to step up to help at these venues. Why are the local organizations finding it difficult to get volunteers to help at their booth for food preparation, cooking, selling or running games such as Bingo? Well a couple of weeks ago in the large paper that is printed in the big city northeast of here there was a picture in the Northwest section of a woman that was having the time of her life...
All the increased costs Washingtonians experienced during the past year were accompanied by a $1.3-billion hit on workers’ paychecks. The widespread pay decrease in Washington state was compliments of a new payroll tax that began in 2023 to fund a program called WA Cares. In a recent meeting, the Employment Security Department told the Long-Term Security and Supports Trust Commission not to get used to higher-than-expected income, in case wage and employment information changes. But ESD’s Ibrahim Dembele seemed a bit giddy that WA Cares...
School Districts in Eastern Washington are again starting to see boys and girls differently, especially when it comes to sports. The Kennewick School Board got the ball rolling back in July, following boys participation and victories in girls track events. Only a month or two before, a Methow Valley boy won a girls event in Cashmere, claiming he is “transgender.” Then an East Valley boy also competing under the transgender caveat, beat a West Valley girl to win the girls state 2A title in...
Having grown up in Whitman County I am not a stranger to the dark side of addiction in the surrounding communities. Alcoholism, drug addiction and a lack of mental health resources run rampant in some of our communities. Small towns are a great distance from needed resources and not everyone has a support system. Growing up, I saw many of those closest to me fall victim to the need to escape the voices in their heads holding them back from making healthy decisions and actively consuming alcohol...
By Teresa Simpson The Gazette COLFAX — The Palouse Empire Fair wrapped up the 75th year of festivities Sunday, Sept. 8. Despite temperatures in the mid-90s, fair-goers could be seen throughout the weekend participating in various fair activities. Fair Manager Ashley Reisenauer said the fair was a success. “It was a great time,” Reisenauer said, noting that though the official numbers won’t be out for a couple of days, overall attendance appears to have been higher than previous years. Joe Eaton owner of Chef Joe’s Barbecue, LLC, of...
COLFAX — Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics has a new doctor — Brent Conrad. Born and raised in Colfax, Conrad, 31, is starting full-time this month. A 2012 graduate of Colfax High School, Conrad said his medical career started by shadowing Dr. Johnson in high school. “I felt like my calling was to come back to Whitman County and serve,” Conrad said, adding he previously provided summer coverage at the local hospital. Conrad said he earned his undergraduate degree in biology at Northwest Nazarene in Nampa, Idaho. “I was part of...
PULLMAN — The Regional Theatre of the Palouse is bringing King Arthur and the knights of his round table to the musical stage presenting Lerner and Loewe’s Broadway Musical ‘Camelot.’ Starting tonight, Thursday, Sept. 12 and running through Sept. 22, the musical evening performances are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Matinees are set for 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Portraying King Arthur, Dennis McGreevy has performed in several local productions including ‘Les Miserables’ as Jean Valjean, ‘Secret Garden’ as...
PULLMAN — The Neill Public Library is hosting “Finding Gobi: A Little Dog with a Big Heart” author Dion Leonard from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 18. The book is a New York Times, Sunday Times and International Bestseller telling the trust story of Leonard, an ultra-marathon runner who crosses paths with a stray dog while competing in a 155 miles race through the Gobi Desert in China. The dog, earning the name of Gobi kept pace with Leonard for approximately 80 miles over the Tian Shan Mountains, across the villages and over the...
Pullman Regional Hospital Rory Alice Gruell, a girl, was born Aug. 19, 2024 to parents Terver and Madison Gruell, of Lewiston. She weighed 9 pounds, 12 ounces. Paternal Grandparents are Lee and Michelle Gruell, of Lewiston. Maternal Grandparents are David and Carith Atwood, of Lewiston. Thomas Eritt Paul, a boy, was born Aug. 19, 2024, to parents Jadah Goffic and Tristan Paul, of Pullman. He weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces. Paternal Grandparents are Adrien Wilson, of Pullman and Heather Buxton, of Kelso. Maternal Grandparents are Jon and Michelle...
Colfax Thursday, Sept. 16 Bring a friend day, chicken strips, french fires with pub sauce, watermelon, coleslaw, strawberry crumb bars. Monday, Sept. 19 Chicken noodle soup, 3 bean salad, carrots and celery, pears, brownie. Palouse Wednesday, Sept. 18 Baked potato bar with chili, cheese, onions, bacon bits and sour cream; broccoli; salad; dessert. Pullman Friday, Sept. 13 Chicken noodle soup, tomato and cucumber slad, watermelon, brownie. Tuesday, Sept. 17 Clam chowder, grilled ham and cheese sandwich, vegetable platter, sliced pears, root...
PALOUSE - This year's Palouse Day Grand Marshal is Swartz Brantner. Aside from a few brief years, he has spent his entire life of nearly 88 years in Palouse, surrounded by family and spilling over with memories to share. Any conversation will likely include him saying, "I've got a story about that," and it's sure to make you smile. He was born in his grandparents' home on the corner of Cannon Street and Highway 27 in 1936 and graduated from Palouse High School in 1955. He was very active with...
PULLMAN — The largest community event of the year will fill downtown this weekend with classic cars, a parade, games, vendors and more. Sprague Days is set for Friday and Saturday, Sept. 14 and 15. “Sprague is a safe little community,” spokeswoman Joy Wilken said. “Bring your kids; they can run around and be in the parade. It’s good, old-fashioned family fun.” The festivities kick off with the arrival of classic cars and motorcycles registering for the Renegade Restorations Car and Bike Show downtown, as well as the start of the...
ROSALIA — The Rosalia Garden Club named both the August and September winners for Garden of the Month. The August Garden of the Month title went to Phyllis Brown and the final winner of the month for September went to Jim and Leslie Gunnels. “Both of these outstanding gardens are located just a few blocks from each other on the busy Whitman Street where the gardens get a lot of exposure,” Publicity Chairman for Rosalia Garden Club MarvaLee Peterschick said. Peterschick said the two...
Land Transactions COLFAX — The Whitman County Assessor’s Office reported the following land transactions from July 15- 17: July 15 Erica and Jerry Pugh of Colfax, 310 E. Thorne Street, Colfax, to Chad Earl Kincheloe of Colfax, $395,000. Nick Day of Las Vegas, Nev., 115 W. Fifth St., Rosalia, to Stick N Stones, LLC, of Deer Park, parcel Nos. 115750014150000, 115750014160000, $10,000, . Double U Ranches of Sprague, Parcels Nos. 1-0555-00-04-18-0000, 1-0555-00-05-18-0000, 1-0555-00-06-18-0000, 1-0565-00-00-00-0037, 8-1965-00-00-00-00-0023,...
Sheriff’s Office COLFAX – The Whitman County Sheriff’s Office responded to the following calls from Sept. 2-9: Sept. 2 4:40 a.m. — Sommers Road, Colfax. One-vehicle crash. 7:34 a.m. — West Front Street, Albion. Other law enforcement call. 10:13 a.m. — State Highway 270, Pullman. Hay bales stolen. 10:18 a.m. — Milepost 41 of U.S. Highway 195, Colfax. Andrey Viktorovich Stefoglo, 39, arrested for first-degree driving while license suspended and an ignition interlock violation. 1:05 p.m. — U.S. Highway 195, Rosalia. David Paul...
Colfax Police COLFAX — Police reported the following calls for service from Aug. 30 to Sept. 9: Aug. 30 10:17 a.m. — Abandoned vehicle on North Cedar Street. 6:57 p.m.- Traffic violation in city limits. Sept. 2 6:07 a.m. — Communication problem on West Fairview Street. 11:22 a.m. — Court order violation North Main Street. 11:54 a.m. — Animal complaint on South Main Street. 5:32 p.m. — Assist motorist on U.S. Highway 195 near Bennett Road. 8:00 p.m. — Four people issued trespass warnings on South Mill...
Jail Log COLFAX—The Whitman County Jail reported the following individuals booked from Sept. 3-10: Sept. 3 Taylor Jamison Asante, 20, two warrants for felony harassment, unlawful display of a weapon and first-degree extortion warrant. Bail set at $5,000. Fawnda Marie Kay, 42, knowingly possessing a controlled substance (methamphetamine), making a false statement to a public servant, and second-degree identity theft. Good time release was 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5. Justin Chance Stringer, 31, warrant WCSC VUCSA. $25,000 bond or $2,500 cash...
Trustee Sale # 120786-WA Title # 8789322 Notice of Trustee’s Sale Grantor(s): JAMIE L. CARZOLI AND BRYAN J. CARZOLI, WIFE AND HUSBAND Grantee(s): STEWART TITLE COMPANY, as Trustee Original beneficiary of the deed of trust: MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., AS DESIGNATED NOMINEE FOR WASHINGTON TRUST BANK, BENEFICIARY OF THE SECURITY INSTRUMENT, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS Current beneficiary of the deed of trust: CITIZENS BANK NA F/K/A RBS CITIZENS NA Current trustee of the deed of trust: CLEAR RECON CORP Current mortgage...
NOTICE OF A BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT HEARING FOR A VARIANCE TO THE COUNTY VIEWSHED RULE Blaise and Makalie Schile have applied for a variance permit in the Agricultural District to construct two new residences within 1,500 feet of six residences off Brayton and Armstrong Roads in the NW ¼ of Section 25, Township 15N., Range 44E., W. M., Whitman County, Washington. New residences are exempt from the viewshed rule when built on parcels of land that were created before 2007, not been altered, and have not sought a previous variance. The public is...
CALL FOR FUEL BIDS Colfax School District No. 300 is accepting bids for fuel for the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 school years. Approximately 2,000 gallons gasoline and 20,000 gallons diesel will be used in each of the two years. Fuel must be obtainable at a local cardlock facility 24 hours a day. The facility must offer safe access to and from street or highway. Bid must be presented in “Margin Over Rack” detail. All pricing must include applicable state tax and exclude federal excise tax. Please specify octane level and fuel composition....
PUBLIC NOTICE The second Public Hearing for the 2025 budget (expenditures) is scheduled for September 24, 2024, at 5:45 p.m. This hearing will take place in the council chambers at Town Hall, located at 310 N F St., Albion, WA. Published September 12 and 19,...
PUBLIC NOTICE Pioneer Telephone Company participates in the Federal Communications Commission Lifeline program that provides a telephone or internet service discount to qualifying low-income consumers. Eligible customers may qualify for Lifeline residential discount rate currently set at $5.25/month for telephone or up to $9.25/month for internet or up to $9.25/month for bundled phone & internet service. The Lifeline discount is only available for only one telephone or one qualifying broadband service per household. To qualify, subscribers...
NOTICE TO CREDITORS SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR WHITMAN COUNTY No. 24-4-00105-38 Estate WALTER MAX MERRILL, Deceased. JACK MARTIN MERRILL has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy...
SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHITMAN Case No.: 24-2-00249-38 GARY L. STEFFENSEN, a single person, Plaintiff, vs. THE HEIRS and/or DEVISEES OF JOHN A. LUHTALA, et. al., and all other persons or parties unknown claiming any right, title, estate, interest, or lien in the real estate described in the Complaint herein, Defendants. The State of Washington to the said defendants: the Heirs and/or devisees of JOHN A. LUHTALA, including TERESA JO SUMMERS, NANCY MCCLELLAN, PHILLIP...
PUBLIC NOTICE A poll-site election for a board seat on the Rock Lake Conservation District will be held on October 23, 2024, at 3 N Park Street St. John WA 99171. Polls will open at 9:00am and close at 4:30pm. Registered voters who reside within the Conservation District boundary are eligible to vote. Candidates must be registered voters residing in the conservation district. Candidates are required to be landowners or operators of a farm, based on the current composition of the district board of supervisors. The filing deadline for...
PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS RCW 11.40.030 SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHITMAN COUNTY Case No.: 24 4 00113 38 In the Matter of the Estate of: SHILA BAKSI Deceased. The Personal Representative named below has been appointed as Personal Representative of this estate. Any persons having claims against the deceased must, before the time such claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Representative or the...
Notice of Meeting Change The September commissioners’ meeting for Whitman County Fire District 12 has been changed to Thursday, September 19 at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at 912 W Main St, Pullman. Publish until September 19,...
PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW.11.40.030) IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHITMAN No. 24-4-00109-38 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ROGER THOMAS PENNELL, Deceased The Personal Representative named below has been appointed as Personal Representative of this Estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the...
SHERIFF’S PUBLIC NOTICE ON SALE OF REAL PROPERTY IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHITMAN COUNTY CAUSE NO. 22-2-00020-38 MOSCOW & PULLMAN BUILDING SUPPLY INC., an Idaho Corporation, Plaintiff, v. CITIZEN HOMES, LLC, a Washington Limited Liability Company, CITIZEN INVESTMENT GROUP LLC, a Washington Limited Liability Company, DOUGLAS KOUFFIE, EVERGREEN HOMES, a Washington Partnership, DAVID DRAGOMIR, ANANTOLYI AVDEEV, SURETEC INSURANCE COMPANY, WESTERN SURETY COMPANY, JEFF UHLING, AND STEWART TITLE...