Articles written by Will Demarco
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 39
Whitman County moves to install GIS to manage public data
After years of consideration, Whitman County is moving to implement a geographic information system (GIS) to better manage and present a wide variety of public data. GIS is a digital data management system used extensively by local governments...
New Whitcom director named
The Whitcom Executive Board named its new executive director during a special closed meeting last week. Tara Murker, a Puyallup resident with almost 25 years of experience in the field, was selected to head the county's 911 dispatch center in...
Pastor Phil Misner and family say farewell
Local pastor Phil Misner said his goodbyes this month after announcing his upcoming departure to serve as assistant to the bishop in Spokane. Phil has led Sunday services at both Peace Lutheran in...
Revised outdoor amusements ordinance gets county approval
The Whitman County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a “complete re-write” of the Outdoor Amusements or Assemblies Ordinance at their Monday meeting. The ordinance aims to regulate large events and gatherings in the unincorporated areas of...
Pullman teachers get raise in face of looming budget funding deficit
Pullman teachers struck a tentative deal last week to raise their pay 17 percent over the next two years. If approved, Pullman instructors will see a 15 percent pay increase in the upcoming school year, along with a two percent increase for the...
Crops looking strong as harvest continues
As the 2018 harvest rolls on, growers are reporting encouraging crop numbers. Pacific Northwest Farmers Co-op Grain Division Manager David Weitz at Colfax said the area's harvest this year is 20-30...
Lentil Festival marks 30th year
The 30th National Lentil Festival will be Friday and Saturday, Aug. 17-18, throughout Pullman. The Tase T. Lentil mini golf tournament will begin at 9 a.m. Friday at the Airway Hills Golf Center, with tee times running throughout the day. Teams of...
Bellevue Healthcare buys Buri's Medical Equipment
Buri's Medical Equipment in Colfax has sold its assets to Washington-based Bellevue Healthcare. Buri's has served the area for more than 21 years, but owner Angela Buri says it's time to spend more...
New administrative team starts Rosalia school year
Following the retirement of the Rosalia School District principal, secretary and part-time superintendent in June, three administrators have joined the district. Matthew McLain is stepping in to replace Darrel Kuhn as Rosalia principal, bringing...
Bunyard Automotive donates car to Colfax residents
Bunyard Automotive in Colfax this week donated a car to a local family. As part of their new autoclub program, owner Jacob Bunyard purchased a Ford Focus from an online seller in Spokane, fixed up a...
First Thursday returns with new events
Colfax Chamber of Commerce will add two events to the August edition of its First Thursday event today from 3 to 9 p.m. in Colfax. Beginning at 6:30 a kids race inaugural popsicle fun run will debut. Participants will run, walk or jog a short distanc...
PAL campaign aims at mental health stigma
The Palouse Advocacy League (PAL) last week sat down with residents at local eateries for conversations about mental health and suicide prevention as part of its "Three Days in July" campaign. The...
Historic Pullman train depot to undergo conversion
The Northern Pacific train depot in Pullman is getting a makeover – one that will tell the story of the town and its co-evolution with the railroads that spanned more than a century. With hopes to t...
Port debates backing I-5 fiber project
In a split vote last Thursday, Port of Whitman County Commissioners signed a letter of intent to collaborate with ports from across Washington on a telecommunications conduit along the I-5 corridor and tentatively pledged to contribute $800,000 to th...
Candidates for judge, state representative give views at PLWV forum Wednesday
Candidates running for District 9 State Representative and Whitman County District Court Judge set forth their views and fielded audience questions at the League of Women Voters of Pullman forum at...
Structural damage found in Public Service Building
After learning an inspection found severe structural damage localized in two sections of the Public Service Building in Colfax, Whitman County Commissioners approved a resolution Monday for funds for...
Stone buildings at LaCrosse in line for restoration work
Efforts by LaCrosse Community Pride and the Whitman County Library to restore LaCrosse's historic rock houses have transformed the structures in recent years, and there's much more to come. Built...
Candidates outline views at Colfax forum
Candidates running in Washington's primary election laid out their views during the Pullman League of Women Voters forum Tuesday night at the Colfax library. In the congressional race, Democrat Lisa...
First 'Try'athlon raises $5,000 plus
Organizers of the first annual "Try"athlon in St. John Monday, June 23, said the event had a strong initial showing and will be returning in 2019. According to event organizer Amy Swannack, the...
Garfield/Palouse senior to compete in bull riding at high school nationals
Garfield/Palouse High School student Jordan Paddock has qualified for Washington's National High School rodeo team and will soon compete in bull riding at the national high school finals July 15-21...
Tradition reigns for Fourth of July
The Johnson parade, the traditional kickoff event for the county will start again at 10 a.m. at the north end of Johnson. Kathy Wolf of Uniontown, one of the Johnson organizers, noted the Johnson...
Fruit tree fire blight hits county with wet spring
Fire blight, a disease that affects apple, pear and other fruit trees, has taken a harsh toll this year due to an unusually wet spring. The disease thrives during growing seasons with particularly...
Advocacy League lists local mental health providers
The Palouse Advocacy League has released a comprehensive list of mental health providers in Whitman and Latah County. The organization was previously called The #3 Memorial Fund which was created after the death last January of WSU quarterback Tyler...
Mural brings color, character to St. John
Visitors to St. John can catch a glimpse of our region's scenery not just in the rolling hills that surround them, but in the colorful mural being painted by Kat Wiley. A June graduate of St....
LaCrosse Farmers Festival offers a variety of attractions
The annual LaCrosse Farmers Festival Saturday, June 23, will offer an array of entertainment and food options for all ages. Festivities will begin at 8 a.m. with a flea market put on by Route 26 on West 2nd Street. At 9 a.m., there will be a quilt...