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Articles from the January 25, 2017 edition


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  • On the Record Jan. 26

    Jan 25, 2017

    MARRIAGE LICENSES Jordan Ray Kemp, 21, and Ashleigh Arlene Masters, 25, both Pullman, Jan. 17. Jason Paul Van Geelkerken, 28, and Kelly Anna Messick, 28, both Moscow, Jan. 23. REAL ESTATE Michael and Linda Bradley, Pullman, to David and Peggy Flaherty, Pullman, house on SE Fancy Free Drive, Pullman, $137,000, Dec. 14. David and Peggy Flaherty, Pullman, to Mandy Spencer, Pullman, house on NW Bryant Street, Pullman, $175,000, Dec. 14. Francis and Sheri Jeschke to Robert Crossler, house on NW Sunrise Drive, Pullman, $289,000, Dec. 15. Teresa...

  • Frank Watson: The Importance of a Command Presence

    Jan 25, 2017

    Several years ago shortly after I had been assigned my first command, I was called out late at night to a tense situation. All I knew was that the issue was in my squadron. As I walked up, a security policeman asked me who I was; I told him, and he loudly addressed the crowd, “It’s okay now the commander is here.” I immediately felt a great burden of responsibility. I spent the next several years trying to justify that security policeman’s statement: “It is okay now the commander is here.” I had to develop what I call a command presence; a...

  • Bob Franken: Trump Won the News Conference

    Jan 25, 2017

    Donald Trump should do press conferences more often. Not for the country's sake, certainly not for the media's sake, but for his. He really shouldn't have waited 167-plus days to hold one, because the man gives great sound bite. Although I've participated in probably thousands of these staged encounters as a reporter, they're not my favorite way of getting news -- you almost never get any. The guy at the podium controls the proceeding. He can get his message out with little challenge from the assembled journalists, who are limited to a...

  • I’m Wolf Blitzer, period!

    Jan 25, 2017

    “Hello, I’m Wolf Blitzer, and this is the Situation Room.” But, it wasn’t. It was Jake Tapper opening his news program, The Lead, on Monday. He wanted to give his viewers an example of “alternative facts.” Tapper’s opening was in response to an uproar over the weekend. Sean Spicer, President Donald Trump’s press secretary, excoriated the media for reports on the turnout at Trump’s inauguration. Spicer claimed that it was the most attended and watched inauguration in history, “period.” That is an obvious falsehood, and Spicer was called on...

  • Bulletin Column

    Jan 25, 2017

    These reports are from the previous four issues of the Daily Bulletin in Colfax. They are reprinted here for the benefit of Gazette readers who reside outside of Colfax. Some accounts have been updated. GRANDSTAND PLAN STARTS The Palouse Empire Fair Foundation intends to develop a plan for the type of grandstand to replace the structure now used at the fair. Brian Jacobs, foundation member, told the fair board Monday night the group wants to get an idea of the needs and specifications for a new grandstand. Replacing the structure is one of the...

  • Lancers crunch Tekoa/Rosalia

    Jan 25, 2017

    Liberty teams Tuesday posted big wins over neighboring Tekoa/Rosalia at Spangle. The Lancer boys rolled out a 73-35 win with Tyler Haas hitting 16, and the girls topped the Timberwolves 76-52 with Maisie Burnham hitting a league-high 31 points and Christine Denny hitting 16. Tatiana Mendoza led the T-wolves with 17. Tekoa/Rosalia girls booked a 57-38 win at Springdale in the Saturday league round with Mendoza hitting 16 points. They rolled out a 14-5 charge in the fourth quarter to get the win. Friday at Rosalia, the TR girls battled...

  • Dragon girls stop Colfax short of top slot

    Jan 25, 2017

    Colfax senior Taylor Garcia gets attention from three St. George's defenders, from the left, Shayla Melendez, Mia Smith and Hailey Higashi, as she lines up a shot Friday. Kate Tender of St. George's runs into Piper Cai as she attempts to drive the baseline. Madi Cox is at left for the Bulldogs. Colfax girls booked a split in NE league action over the weekend to land in a tie at 9-2 for the number-two notch in the NE league race. The Bulldogs Friday were derailed on the home court by a St....

  • 1B girls: Oakesdale, Colton build on league lead

    Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter|Jan 25, 2017

    St. John/Endicott sophomore Riley Lamb shoots against Garfield/Palouse Jan. 14 as Katie Arrasmith defends for the Vikings. Both 9-1 in the Southeast 1B league, Oakesdale and Colton picked up more wins this week, including Oakesdale's victory over top 2B team Dayton Monday night in non-league play. Chasing Oakesdale and Colton in the Southeast 1B are Pomeroy (8-2), Touchet (5-5) and Garfield/Palouse (5-5). With four more league games to play, Colton and Oakesdale will meet again Feb. 4 in...

  • Pomeroy in control of Southeast 1B boys

    Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter|Jan 25, 2017

    The Pirates are saying, “Bring me that horizon” as they pull away from their Southeast 1B rivals with a 10-0 league record. With four league games to play, Waitsburg holds second at 7-3 followed by Prescott (6-3), Garfield/Palouse (6-4) and Colton (6-4). Garfield/Palouse will play Pomeroy next on the road Friday. In other key games this weekend, Colton plays at Waitsburg Saturday and Prescott goes to Gar/Pal. Grangeville 58 Colton 29 Colton beat them by 23 earlier this month. This time Gra...

  • Wrestlers take fourth at Kittitas

    Jan 25, 2017

    Colfax and Garfield/Palouse wrestlers placed fourth in the Koyote Classic meet Saturday at Kittitas with 77 points. Selah topped the 17-team meet with 172 points, and host Kittitas placed second at 155.5. Travis Knauff of Garfield/Palouse won the 145-pound class. Knauff rolled up a string of three pins and stopped Tommy Ott of Kittitas in the last 12 seconds of the championship match. Placing second were Chris Jones in the 138 class and Augie Allenbach in the 220 class. Dane Hall finished fourth in the 152 class after losing by two points to...

  • Colfax beats Dragons, holds second

    Jan 25, 2017

    Colfax senior Danny Robinson drives the baseline past St. George's Cade Peplinski in the first half Friday at Colfax. Robinson finished with 14 points in the game. Colfax boys, who have already booked some battle wins in the league campaign, pulled out their biggest comeback Friday on the home boards when they dropped St. George's 51-45 before a home crowd. The Bulldogs struggled in the first quarter against the Dragons' pressure defense and trailed 5-16 after the first frame. They cut three...

  • Ports considering ‘on-call’ project limits

    Kara McMurray, Gazette Reporter|Jan 25, 2017

    The Port of Whitman County Commissioners were asked to consider a proposal by the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) to impose limits for on-call public works projects. The proposal limits port districts statewide to $40,000 for on-call projects. Anything higher than that would have to go through the public bidding process. “Cities, school districts and towns already have these powers, and the state auditor made a recommendation that ports do this for up to $40,000,” said Port Properties and Development Manager Debbie Snell. Snell sai...

  • St. Boniface opts out of National School Choice Week

    Jan 25, 2017

    With National School Choice Week activities underway around the state and country, Guardian Angel St. Boniface School in Colton has opted out this year. Citing weather and next week's Catholic Schools Week activities, Principal Lori Becker said they decided to hold off. “With everything going on, we decided, 'let's just be normal for a week,'” she said. In previous years during National School Choice week, St. Boniface students have been seen wearing the yellow scarves sent by the national organization which puts on the event. National Sch...

  • Ports seeking telecommunications bill

    Kara McMurray, Gazette Reporter|Jan 25, 2017

    The Port of Whitman County, along with the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA), is working with Ninth District Representative Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy, on a bill to the legislature to refine telecommunications authority for ports statewide. Joe Poiré, executive director at the Port of Whitman County, said the association and ports are looking to update the authority to be more in line with technology today. “The legislation is 17 years old,” he said. “And we want to refine that authority.” Passed June 8, 2000, the law gives port district...

  • Students honor Colfax board prior to meeting

    Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter|Jan 25, 2017

    School board members Brian Becker, Robert Smith, David Nails and Jennifer Hauser watch as Colfax High School students Kyle Appel and Lauren Claussen perform Monday night. School board members, from right, Terry Huber, Brian Becker, Robert Smith, David Nails and Jennifer Hauser receive plaques as part of “Board Appreciation Night” in the Colfax Library. At the end of the table are Superintendent Jerry Pugh and district office secretary Shawn Stine. Colfax student representatives saluted the Col...

  • School facilities meet slated at Colfax Jan. 31

    Jan 25, 2017

    A meeting will be at 6 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Colfax High School library to gather input on school district facilities. The meeting will begin with discussion followed by a tour of facilities to conclude at 7:30. Superintendent Jerry Pugh has called the meeting for input on conditions of the practice field, auditorium, classrooms, roofs of Jennings Elementary and the high school and more. “Everything’s on the table,” Pugh said. “We’re really interested in our community’s input. It’s their school.” Appearing at the meeting will be Dax Logsdon fro...

  • Endicott club donates $7,000 for pool boiler

    Kara McMurray, Gazette Reporter|Jan 25, 2017

    Front: Louise Owens, Jerine Gray, Carol Larsen and Cinda Tribble of the Endicott Community Club, and Nancy and Tony Anderson of Parks and Rec. Back: Anne Lowe, Sue Bafus, Laura Jones and Myrna Morasch of the Endicott Community Club. The need for a new boiler at the Endicott pool is one step closer to being fulfilled thanks to a donation from the Endicott Community Club. The club donated $7,000 to the pool Jan. 21. The donation came as a surprise to pool manager Nancy Anderson, who said she had...

  • Looking for leaks or worse

    Jan 25, 2017

    Colfax fire and police responded to a report of a possible collapsing building at 122 S. Main last Thursday shortly before 3:30 p.m. The Colfax pumper truck and ladder truck were dispatched to the scene. The call was made after ceiling panels at Hen House Chicks began to fall because of water damage. The panels had been hit by water which had come down from the roof of the building which had sprung a leak during the runoff during last week’s thaw. The city ladder truck was extended to the top o...

  • Uniontown to debut chocolate walk Feb. 4

    Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter|Jan 25, 2017

    Sausage is in March, chocolate is in February. Uniontown businesses are putting on the first Uniontown Chocolate Walk Saturday, Feb. 4, with locations across town giving out chocolate items from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. “We just decided we wanted to do something fun and get people to go out of their houses in this winter weather and to Uniontown and our little shops,” said Julie Hartwig, curator for the Dahmen Barn. “And chocolate makes you feel better.” The event will start on the south end of town at...

  • County seeks applications for .09 funding awards

    Kara McMurray, Gazette Reporter|Jan 25, 2017

    Whitman County Commissioners voted Jan. 17 to open the application period for proposals for funds from the county’s Economic Development Public Facilities (.09) Fund. The commissioners opened the fund at $100,000 for 2017. “It’s the same amount as we’ve done for years,” said Maribeth Becker, clerk of the board. The .09 funds are intended to be used for public economic development projects. Last year, the Blue Ribbon Advisory Task Committee (BRATC) awarded funds to the Tekoa theater project and the Colfax High School track renovatio...

  • Relay for Life events to merge

    Kara McMurray, Gazette Reporter|Jan 25, 2017

    A Relay for Life event will not have a Colfax edition this year. Organizers of the Relay have decided to make a shift to combine the Whitman County and Pullman groups and host the event in Pullman. “It will be for this year, for a while,” said Taylor Persello with the American Cancer Society in Spokane. Persello said the move could be a permanent one, or it could be one that lasts just a couple of years. “Sometimes things run their course, and you need to re-energize,” said Gail Webster, who formerly served on the Whitman County Relay for Lif...

  • Boat builder buys space at Wilma

    Kara McMurray, Gazette Reporter|Jan 25, 2017

    The Port of Whitman County has closed the sale on one of two buildings it has owned at the Port of Wilma. Debbie Snell, Port properties and development manager, reported to the Port board last Thursday that the sale closed Jan. 17 for the building at 1845 Wilma Drive. Buyer Mark Huett plans to locate an aluminum boat building facility in the structure which he purchased for $230,000. The process on the sale began last summer, and it was extended to allow Huett more time to come up with the funds for the purchase. The building was the former sit...

  • ‘For Art Sake!’ raises $1,100 for SJ school art

    Kara McMurray, Gazette Reporter|Jan 25, 2017

    From left to right: Valerie Brewer, school board member; Travis Echanove, St. John art teacher; Mark Purvine, St. John principal; Amanda Webb, St. John Community Club event coordinator; Shantyl McGuire, school board member, and Suzanne Schmick, St. John/Endicott superintendent, at the check presentation to the art department. St. John Community Club last week wrote a check to the St. John school art department after raising $1,100 through a community event. “It was a full house in the c...

  • Legals Jan. 26

    Jan 25, 2017

    IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHITMAN IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LELAND D. CLARK, Deceased. NO. 17-4-00008-38 PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030) The Personal Representative named below has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent that arose before the decedent’s death 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 1...