Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Sorted by date Results 76 - 100 of 315
OLYMPIA — A new law will increase the strategic planting of trees in urban areas of the state thanks to Rep. Mary Dye, R-9th District. She authored the House bill that was signed by Gov. Jay Inslee on April 7. “Larger coastline cities retain heat from rooftops, pavement, and other heat-absorbing materials, creating what is known as ‘urban heat islands,’” said Dye. “Seattle is ranked 10th in the nation for its urban heat island effect.” The excess heat in Seattle is detrimental to endangered sp...
TEKOA — The streets and sidewalks of Tekoa are being upgraded this summer. Six blocks of Main Street are to be resurfaced with 3-inches of asphalt by Auburn-based POE Construction. They were the lowest bidder at $99,761 and awarded the contract on March 1, according to city records. Prior to the new surface, the city is planning to replace water and sewer lines, said Clerk Kynda Browning. It is paid for with city funds and considered a different project than the resurfacing. Roads in the s...
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is extending the window to comment on a policy to guide management of game fish. The comment period was extended from to May 5 after fishermen requested more time to submit comments on a draft policy covering bass, walleye, catfish, crappie and some trout on waterways that connect to the ocean. WDFW tries to manage species through game fish rules. “This is an important policy, and extending the comment period will help ens...
COLFAX — The league champion Colfax Bulldogs volleyball team placed five players on the Bi-County 2B All-league team, including League MVP Anni Cox. Sophie Klaveano, Asher Cai, and Justice Brown were named to the first team for the all league list. Perry Imler was named to the second team. For Colfax team awards, Abree Aune was named for the Spark Award, Brown and Klaveano for the Offense Award, Sydney Berquist and Perry Imler Most Inspirational, and Cox for the Defense Award...
UNIONTOWN — The new group exhibit "Phoenix Rising" is on display at the Artisans at the Dahmen Barn in Uniontown. The Palouse Women Artist offers the exhibit until April 25. 'Phoenix Rising' is the theme for the annual Palouse Women Artist exhibit and features more than 30 pieces of art in a variety of 2-D and 3-D mediums, according to representative Julie Hartwig. "The arts were listing as non-essential during the pandemic and many galleries were forced to close their doors for three to six m...
PULLMAN — Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories was named ESOP Company of the Year by the Northwest Chapter of The ESOP Association. It includes more than 133 companies and service providers. This award is given to companies that exhibit a strong dedication to employee ownership through educating their employee owners and others about the benefits of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP) to employees, communities and the economy. “SEL’s dedication, innovation and commitment to the ESOP culture and business model are a great testament to the p...
OLYMPIA — Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State is calling for nominations for the state’s Medals of Merit and valor. The statutory civilian decorations are considered the highest civilian honors awarded in Washington given to recognize individuals’ outstanding service for the state and its residents. The Medal of Valor is for people who have attempted to save, or saved the life of someone else by putting their own safety at risk. “Washingtonians accomplish amazing things, serve and better their communities in many ways, and commit se...
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers introduced legislation March 22 to extend the Secure Rural Schools program through 2022. The Secure Rural Schools is part of the Community Self-Determination Act introduced in 2000 to assist counties containing tracts of federally-owned land that are tax-exempt. The program provides funds in part through timber sales and other leasing activities within National Forests back to county governments where those forests are located. "The Secure...
COLFAX — Whitman County commissioners unanimously accepted a bid to publish all legal and public notices in both the Whitman County Gazette and Moscow-Pullman Daily News. Commissioner Michael Largent moved acceptance of the joint bid submitted by Free Press Publishing Publisher Roger Harnack on Monday, April 5. Commissioner Tom Handy seconded the motion. The Gazette is a division of Free Press Publishing, Inc. “All the specs are met,” Chairman Art Swannack said. The bid acceptance means all required public and legal advertising of county notic...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests public input in an effort to help create a “Rural Renewable Energy Pilot Program.” “When we invest in creating new sources of renewable energy, we invest in rebuilding the middle class by creating good-paying jobs in rural America,” USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson stated. “To meet this goal, we must put rural communities at the heart of climate action and climate-smart solutions, and that begins with getting feedback from a broad, diverse set of voic...
COLFAX — Whitman County Library released its schedule of programs for April. Events include a program for seed packets called “Just Grow With It!” “Magic Tricks to Go” is for kids to pick up magic tricks packets from area branches. “Toy Sleepover” is an event in Garfield where kids may drop off toys and stuffed animals to stay overnight at the library. The librarian will then report on the sleepover on Facebook and kids later receive a printed picture of their toy at the sleepover. For “Poetry Month,” teenagers are invited to display original...
POMEROY — The Southeast 1B All-league volleyball team was named for the 2020-moved-to-2021 season. And a Whitman County woman was named Coach of the Year. “I’m surprised and honored,” Jenn Johnson, of St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse, said. “It’s nice to know the work I’m pouring into the team is being noticed by others.” The 1B All-League team includes: • LouEllen Reed, Oakesdale, senior setter • Ashlynn Archer, St. John/Endicott/LaCrosse, middle hitter, junior • Gianna Anderson, Oakesdale, outside hitter, sophomore • Rylee Vining, Colton, setter,...
COLFAX — Three new bridges are being built this summer. In Belmont a 30-foot wood bridge on Black Road will be replaced with a steel span at an estimated cost of $180,000, according to Whitman County Public Works Director Mark Storey. On Hume Road, south of Oakesdale, the wooden dump bridge will be taken out and replaced with a metal culvert pipe. Cost is estimated at $40,000. On Bernard Road, on the north side of Steptoe Butte, a 16-foot wooden bridge on the dirt road will be replaced by a large metal culvert. Cost is estimated at $40,000. E...
COLFAX — Whitman County could drop a phase in the state virus reopening stages. Whitman County Public Health Director Chris Skidmore gave an assessment to county commissioners Monday morning. "What phase are we going to be in this evening, Chris?" asked commissioner Michael Largent. Skidmore reported local case numbers continued on "a downward trend" but the county was still at more than 350 cases per 100,000 in population. "That would technically put us into Phase One," Skidmore said. "...
COLFAX — A group organized by Colfax Mayor Jim Retzer convened March 27 at the burned property on Cromwell Street to clean up the grounds. They hauled nine tons of debris to the county landfill, along with five loads of burnt tree limbs and brush. A dumpster for metal was also filled for Pacific Recycling. "We pretty much cleaned up that property once and for all," said Retzer. "We had a big crew, everyone worked great and we got a lot accomplished." The group of about 15 people worked from 8 a...
COLFAX — The Colfax High School ASB has extended the deadline to April 13 for recipe submissions for its fundraiser cookbook, “Bulldog Bites” Proceeds go to help pay for sports referees, since no concessions have been allowed for the current season. Concession stands are an ASB fundraiser. Cookbooks will be sold later this spring for a project price of $15. Recipes may be sent to ASB advisor Heidi Lowe at heidi.lowe@csd300.org....
COLFAX — A total of 14 Athenaeum club members met via Zoom for their annual business meeting March 19. Jane Aune presented a program on the card game Bridge. The next meeting will be Guest Day April 2. Hank Hannigan from Whitman Hospital will present the program....
UNIONTOWN – A traffic stop led to two pounds of methamphetamine and the arrest of two people March 24. Lisa Bond, 43, of Clarkston, and Elsie Paradiso, 65, of Clarkston, were charged for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver in Whitman County Superior Court. Deputy Tyler Langerveld stopped a vehicle on State Route 195, just south of Uniontown, at about 1:30 a.m. on March 24, according to Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers. When checking the status of the driver’s license he allegedly found Bond’s was suspended. “After speakin...
STEPTOE – A large tree fell down near Hume Road during high winds Sunday. It was removed from the roadway by a crew from Whitman County Public Works. Results of the storm included various fallen branches. “No major reports of anything else at this time,” said Brandon Kruger, operations manager for the county’s road and bridge maintenance....
COLFAX – Whitman County commissioners approved adding an employee to the superior court clerk’s office. The position was closed last year as a result of revenue losses and budget cutbacks due to COVID. The cost will be $23,000 for the full-time equivalent position with benefits, which is clerical data entry. The budget increase will be for 2021....
COLFAX — The Colfax High School ASB has extended the deadline to April 13 for recipe submissions for its fundraiser cookbook, “Bulldog Bites” Proceeds go to help pay for sports referees, since no concessions have been allowed for the current season. Concession stands are an ASB fundraiser. Cookbooks will be sold later this spring for a project price of $15. Recipes may be sent to ASB advisor Heidi Lowe at heidi.lowe@csd300.org....
OLYMPIA — An informal virtual discussion on salmon with state and tribal co-managers will be held March 31. Topics include cooperative management. It’s one of a series of public meetings regarding part of the North of Falcon salmon season-setting process. “North of Falcon” encompasses waters north of Oregon’s Cape Falcon, marking the southern border of Washington State’s management of salmon stocks. This includes the Columbia River, Puget Sound and the coastal area. For more information, go to wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/management/...
PULLMAN — “OneWSU” was the word at the 2021 State of the University event, given Tuesday at the Lewis Alumni Centre. WSU President Kirk Schulz and Provost Elizabeth Chilton spoke. Plans are not finalized for OneWSU as feedback is sought and more information is released. “This is a multi-year process,” Schulz said. “I think it’s really important that we spend the time to have the conversations that we need to, and that we stay on a deliberate pace.” Chilton stated the WSU campuses and extension locations are united now, and the idea is to impr...
COLFAX — A change to 10-digit dialing is coming to the 509 area code in October. Mandatory dialing of the area code starts Oct. 24, according to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). On that date calls made without dialing the area code with the seven-digit phone number will not go through. No phone numbers will change because of the directive. In addition, safety and security equipment such as alarms and medical alert devices will need to be programmed for 10-digit calling. People in Western Washington switched to 10-digit dialing in 2...
TEKOA — Changes to the decking and railing on the Tekoa trestle are out to bid from the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. The state is removing railroad ties, installing new concrete deck panels and steel railing across the top of the trestle. The project is part of the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail, formerly the John Wayne Trail. The 115 –foot tall, 975-feet long structure crosses over State Route 27 at the edge of Tekoa. The estimated cost for the work is $950,000 to $1.05 million. Advertising for bids began March 19...
