Articles written by Jana Mathia
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Stay connected to your food production – befriend a farmer
While Mr. Hochschartner’s letter and intentions were well-meaning, it highlights the growing disconnect many people have with their food and its source. Trying to grow food in labs instead of...
Self-checking and positive attitude
COLFAX - It was 3 a.m. on a Sunday morning in late June. Carrie Lyle was awake to make coffee for her husband, Larry. She crossed her arms and felt a small, pea-sized lump in her breast. She had a...
Port to host hearing on proposed land sale
PULLMAN — The Port of Whitman County will hold an 11 a.m. Jan. 7 digital public hearing regarding the proposed sale of the last of the land it owns at its Locust Grove Industrial Park, also known as Pullman Industrial Park-West. The proposed sale...
Toy box receives strong support, but lower use
COLFAX-The Fireman's Toy Box give-away last week provided toys to more than 200 Whitman County youth, according to organizer Bill Knox. While down some from last year's 267 total, Knox said...
Home business code discussed
COLFAX — The longest discussion during last Monday’s, Dec. 21, City Council meeting was on the proposed update of the Home Occupation code, planned to come before the council in January for approval. The code applies to businesses that operate...
Suicide at jail
COLFAX — A Pullman man in the Whitman County Jail on charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and three counts of assault allegedly committed suicide Saturday afternoon, Dec. 26. Jose Chagollan-Flores, 35, was found hanging from a bed sheet...
Hospital not among vaccine recipients
COLFAX — The first shipment of a COVID-19 vaccine is not expected to be given to workers at Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics. “It appears WHMC will not be a distribution site for the first round of vaccinations for front line healthcare...
Voter turnout could trip 2021 elections
COLFAX — The Nov. 3 general election saw a high voter turnout of 86.4%, far higher than in previous years. While that speaks highly of voter involvement in the election, it could mean snags for measures on the ballot in 2021 due to validation...
Malden officials pen letter to President Trump
MALDEN — President Donald J. Trump should have received a letter yesterday from city officials asking for federal assistance in the wake of the Babb Fire and other Sept. 7 wildfires statewide. Malde...
First vaccine shipment expected this week
COLFAX — Whitman County expects to receive its first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine this week. Gov. Jay Inslee said the first shipment arrived in the state Dec. 14; the first in line for vaccinations are health care workers (Phase 1a), the elderly...
Bainbridge expands into LaCrosse
LaCROSSE-A happenstance meeting last Christmas is bringing some cheer this year. "I'm just excited about this whole project and this it will be good for everybody involved," David Soderstrom, CEO of...
Foundation cancels dinner, encourages local giving effort
COLFAX — For the first time since it began in 1998, the Palouse Empire Fair Foundation’s Dinner and Auction has been canceled. But the foundation is still encouraging charitable giving for others who have been negatively impacted by the events...
Surgeons dissolving partnership
COLFAX — Hospital boards at Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics, Pullman Regional Hospital and Gritman Hospital have made the decision to dissolve Palouse Surgeons LLC, effective Sept. 1, 2021. The partnership was developed to provide general...
Randy Miller sworn in as newest county deputy
COLFAX - The Whitman County Sheriff's Office has a new deputy. Resident Randy Miller was sworn in Dec. 1. "He's a real great hire for us," Undersheriff Chris Chapman said. Miller, 30, is the son of Cl...
Port eyes potential steam plant project
COLFAX — The Port of Whitman County has signed a letter of engagement with consulting group Maul Foster and Alongi, Inc., as a preliminary step in potentially re-opening the former WSU coal plant as a multi-use, value-added agricultural building....
Homeless man arrested after living in frat house
PULLMAN — A homeless man made his first appearance Monday after allegedly breaking into a frat house at Washington State University. Initially, Indiana Ludwick, 27, was being held without bail since his arrest late Saturday, Nov. 28. He was booked...
Chaplaincy budget impacted by coronavirus mandates
COLFAX — Many events have been canceled this year and the consequences have been near and far-reaching. The cancelation of United Methodists Women’s annual potato bar meant less spud consumption and less funding for the Whitman County...
Diamond Fire growing with assistance
DIAMOND - New vehicle, coveralls and members, oh my! The Diamond Fire Department has seen a lot of improvement since the Labor Day fires, mostly due to support of other departments in Rural Fire...
Alleged arsonist arraigned
ROSALIA— A local man was arraigned Friday, Nov. 20, in Whitman County Superior Court following his arrest for allegedly attempting to burn down the Community Baptist Church. Samuel Jack Edgar Owens, 45, of Rosalia, remains in the Whitman County...
Colfax businessman buys Potlatch NAPA
COLFAX - Potlatch, Idaho, is becoming a lot cooler. Or, at least the NAPA store is, with Tyler Kuhl, owner of the Colfax and Pullman NAPA, taking over at the beginning of November. "A lot of project g...
Vote changes slow tally
COLFAX — The Whitman County Elections Office is expected to continue processing ballots into next week as staff work through duplicates. “It’s very time consuming,” Auditor Sandy Jamison said The Washington Administrative Code defines ballot...
Handy continues to lead Kinzer in commission race
COLFAX - Whitman County Commission challenger Tom Handy is leading incumbent Dean Kinzer in a race that has yet to be decided. As of 4:55 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, 9,153 votes (50.25%) were tallied for...
Rural fire department growing with local help
DIAMOND—New vehicle, coveralls and members, oh my! The Diamond Fire Department has seen a lot of improvement since the Labor Day fires, mostly due to support of other fire departments in Rural Fire District #11 and a Rural Community Grant....
Civic groups see drop in members, not a drop in the need for service
COLFAX — In the wake of the devastation of the Labor Day fires, there was an outpouring of aid for the surrounding region. Civic clubs were the first to step up to assist in the response. The groups have the structure in place to accept donated...
Stay safe by preparing for winter driving
COLFAX — Winter is coming and now is the time for drivers to prepare themselves and their vehicles for winter driving. “Winters on the Palouse can be very nasty,” Washington State Patrol Sgt. Courtney Shawley said. La Nina conditions are...