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Articles from the February 1, 2017 edition


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  • Bob Stout fills Palouse city council seat

    Feb 1, 2017

    Reviewing three applicants for vacated city council position No. 7, the City of Palouse Jan. 24 appointed Bob Stout to the seat. He takes over after the resignation of representative Christopher Langsett in December. A former Moscow citycouncilman, Stout who now lives in Palouse, works in development at the University of Idaho. “We had three excellent candidates,” said Palouse Mayor Michael Echanove. “Any of them would've been perfect.” Tim Sievers and Greg Hooper were the other two candidates considered....

  • Tekoa will keep its payphone

    Feb 1, 2017

    The City of Tekoa has decided to keep its payphone. After discussion by the city council on the $852 annual expense, a decision was made at its Jan. 23 meeting. “We decided to leave the phone,” said Mayor John Jaeger. “It's probably the only emergency phone for people who don't have a cell phone. And there's not a lot of cell service in Tekoa.” Installed outside the current library and former city hall – across from the Empire Theatre – the phone is maintained by Frontier Communications. The city once had two payphones with another outside the...

  • Whitman CD annual meet set for Feb. 9

    Feb 1, 2017

    The annual Whitman Conservation District Meeting will be Feb. 9 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the LaCrosse Café, 204 South Main Street, LaCrosse. The agenda will include Ted Nealey, Endicott, Grazing Cover Crop Trials, 5 to 5:30; Doug Finkelnburg, Lewiston, Cover Crops with direct seed wheat rotation in North Central Idaho, 5:30-6; Kurtis Schroeder, Pullman, How does the interaction of Acidic Soil and Root Diseases affect productivity in Wheat?, 6-6:30; dinner catered by the LaCrosse Café, 6:30-7:30, and discussion of what kind of conservation p...

  • Pullman C of C presents dinners

    Feb 1, 2017

    The Pullman Chamber of Commerce will be presenting two winemaker's dinners for the Valentine's Day weekend. The special dinners come at a cost of $100 per person and will feature a five-course meal from Banyans on the Ridge and wine pairings from Merry Cellars. This will be the sixth time the Pullman Chamber has put on the Valentine's Winemaker's Dinners. The dinners will be Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10 and 11. Each night will begin with a reception at 6 p.m., with the first course set to be served at 6:30 p.m. Gratuity is included in the...

  • Good Old Days Feb. 2

    Feb 1, 2017

    8 years ago The Commoner Jan. 29, 1892 For many weeks various and conflicting reports have been going the rounds concerning the Union Pacific shops at this place, says the Tekoa Globe. The first report which threw the town into a furor of excitement was to the effect that the shops and roundhouse, together with all the other railroad interests were to be taken away at once, and located at Starbuck. Two weeks later the report was confirmed and made a certainty in the minds of the people, when two car loads of machinery were taken out of the...

  • Empire door plan on meeting agenda

    Feb 1, 2017

    A question about whether to install a doorway connecting Tekoa's Empire Theatre and the adjoining Community Center will be the subject of a meeting Feb. 21 at the theater at 7 p.m. Members of the city council will present a plan for a wheelchair-accessible doorway between the two buildings. Main purpose of the door would be to provide access to restrooms without having to walk to the downstairs restrooms in the theater or go to the Tekoa public restrooms across the street. Some Tekoa residents have questioned whether a doorway would affect the...

  • Etcetera Feb. 2

    Feb 1, 2017

    Visiting pastor at Garfield Lee Books, former pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church, and his wife, the former Karen Peacock, will lead worship Sunday, Feb. 5, at 10:30 a.m. at Garfield United Methodist Church, 2nd and Union, Garfield. GP to honor vets Garfield/Palouse High School is requesting the presence of all area veterans to be honored at the basketball game against Touchet this Saturday, Feb. 4. To participate, veterans are asked to be at the gym at Palouse no later than 4:45 p.m., where Scott Thompson will sing the national anthem...

  • Obituaries Feb. 2

    Feb 1, 2017

    Henry M. Larson Funeral services for Henry M. (Hank) Larson, 75, will be Saturday, Feb. 4, at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in DeSmet, Idaho. Father Robert Erickson will officiate. A reception will follow the service. Mr. Larson died Saturday, Jan, 28, 2017, at his rural DeSmet home. A graveside service will be at Fairview Cemetery in Rockford at a later date. Born July 17, 1941, at Tekoa to Vernon Larson Sr. and Blanche Pfeifer Larson, he was raised on the family farm south of DeSmet with his brother and two sisters. He attended...

  • St. Ignatius in limbo

    Kara McMurray, Gazette Reporter|Feb 1, 2017

    Status of the former St. Ignatius Hospital building in Colfax remains on hold after a pending sale stalled out in December, according to Valoree Gregory, Colfax unified executive director. The potential buyer reportedly hit a snag with the cost of doing an environmental assessment on the building. At that time, Gregory said she was working with building owner Anthony Girges and the potential buyer to see if the required environmental study could be completed so the building sale could go through. “The sale is still on hold,” Gregory said las...

  • Savvy Senior: How to Guard Against Medicare Fraud

    Feb 1, 2017

    Dear Savvy Senior, What are the steps seniors need to take if they suspect Medicare fraud? Suspicious Sandy Dear Sandy, Medicare fraud costs taxpayers more than $60 billion every year, making it one of the most profitable crimes in America. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips for preventing, detecting and reporting it, if it happens to you. What is Medicare fraud? In a nutshell, Medicare fraud happens when Medicare is purposely billed for services or supplies that were never provided or received. Here are a few examples of some d...

  • Schmick hesitant on prospect of new distracted driving bills

    Feb 1, 2017

    Ninth District State Representative Joe Schmick and the Washington state legislature may soon consider two new bills aiming to limit smartphone use while driving. Drafted by Rep. Jessyn Farrell, D-Seattle, House Bill 1371 would prohibit any hands-on interaction with handhelds of any kind while driving. This would include cellphones, smartphones and/or any forms of communication such as texting. A companion senate bill, SB 5289, sponsored by Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, was filed last week. “I haven't heard the debate on these (bills) y...

  • Pullman schools, WSU issue statements after Trump immigration ban

    Kara McMurray, Gazette Reporter|Feb 1, 2017

    After President Donald Trump Friday signed an executive order on immigration, banning travel to the U.S. by citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries, suspending all refugee admission for 120 days and barring all Syrian refugees indefinitely, Pullman Public Schools issued a statement expressing its commitment to educate all students. “In light of recent events and concerns, Pullman Public Schools remains committed to serving all students. We believe that it is the right of every child, regardless of immigration status, to access a f...

  • Menus: Week of Feb. 6-10

    Feb 1, 2017

    AT ENDICOTT SCHOOL: Mon.: Chickenwich with lettuce and tomato, fries, grapes. Tues.: Taco with lettuce and tomato, refried beans, banana. Wed.: Macaroni and cheese, salad, veggies, fruit tray. Thurs.: Swiss steak, rice, green beans, carrot sticks, apple slice. Fri.: BBQ beef sandwich, baked beans, cauliflower, strawberries. AT GARFIELD/PALOUSE SCHOOLS: Mon.: Cherry blossom chicken, rice, stir fry vegetables, egg roll, applesauce, mandarin oranges. Tues.: Baked potato, ham, taco meat, shredded cheese, chili, roll, broccoli, cheese sauce, peaches...

  • Library calendar Feb. 2

    Feb 1, 2017

    Thursday, Feb. 2 Colton – 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. – Ozobots STEM Program – Tiny robots are invading the Colton Library. Kids grades 5 and up are invited to come explore robotic programming and learn to digitally control the Ozobots. Colton – 6 to 7 p.m. – Book Club – “Where’d You Go, Bernadette?” by Maria Semple; everyone is welcome to join this lively discussion. Check out the book in regular or large print, audio or eBook. Friday, Feb. 3 Palouse – 3:30 p.m. – Ozobots STEM Program – What is an Ozobot? Ozobots are tiny, line following robots progra...

  • Crazy 8s Math Club gathers in Palouse

    Feb 1, 2017

    Beverly Pearce, Palouse librarian and fire support crew member, showed her firefighter gear and equipment at Crazy 8s Math Club in Palouse. Crazy 8s is an after-school club designed to get kids fired up about math. Youngsters learned how firefighters do speed math to figure out how much water they will need to put out a blaze and what the color of a fire hydrant means....

  • Gun club results

    Anne Lowe, Gazette Correspondent|Feb 1, 2017

    Endicott Endicott Gun Club results from its weekly competition are as follows: Open-Mike Melcher 22, Brandon Phillips 21, Clark Miller 20, Dave Johnson 20 and Jim Pelissier 20; Lady-Jessica Geissinger 21; Junior-Connor Pelissier 25, Joe Vietz 23, James Gilchrist 19 and Preston Peterson 18; Handicap-Jessica Geissinger 21, Jim Pelissier 20, James Gilchrist 17 and Brandon Phillips 16; Doubles-Connor Pelissier 19, Joe Vietz 15, Jim Pelissier 15 and Jessica Geissinger 15....

  • Pullman CC hosts speakers at Hill-Ray Ag Day luncheon

    Feb 1, 2017

    Pullman Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Farm-City Day Luncheon Tuesday at Hill-Ray Plaza in Colfax. Various speakers provided information in their areas of expertise. Speakers included Tom Kammerzell, Port of Whitman County Commissioner; Tony Bean, executive director of the Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport; Greg Zanavich, Tidewater Barge Lines, and Whitman County Commissioner Dean Kinzer. The luncheon speaker was Daniel Conner from Columbia Grain in Pullman. Attendees were also introduced to members of the Garfield/ Palouse robotics team...

  • Poet laureate to visit libraries

    Feb 1, 2017

    Washington state poet laureate Tod Marshall. Washington state poet laureate Tod Marshall will visit the Endicott Library next Thursday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m., and the Palouse Library Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. Appointed by Governor Jay Inslee to serve through 2018, Marshall is visiting schools, libraries and other venues across the state to help raise awareness and appreciation for poetry. Marshall’s work includes three published collections of poetry including “Bugle,” which won the Washington State Book...

  • Kneale rite fills Selbu Lutheran

    Karen Broeckel, Gazette Correspondent|Feb 1, 2017

    Dusty A capacity crowd filled the Selbu Lutheran Church last Saturday for the celebration of life for local native, Gary Kneale, who passed away Dec. 17 in Phoenix, Ariz. Overnight guest at the home of David and Phyllis Stueckle was their grandson, Jonathan Stueckle, who is in the United States Air Force, stationed near Boston. He was on a business trip to Joint Base McChord-Ft. Lewis near Tacoma and stopped for a visit with his grandparents and also with his parents, Doug and Cheryl Stueckle at their home in Coeur d’Alene. Harm and Jan S...

  • LaCrosse FFA meats trio places fourth at nationals

    Debbie Casey, Gazette Correspondent|Feb 1, 2017

    Lacrosse Members of the LaCrosse FFA meats team had the opportunity to compete in the National Western Round-Up competition in Denver, Colo. The team placed fourth in the national event. Abigail McGregor, Britte Harder and Nicole Harder made the trip after being approved by the state advisor to be the team to represent Washington state at the national contest. Only one team per state was allowed to compete in Denver. The day before the competition, the girls went to Laramie, Wyo., for a practice contest at the University of Wyoming. They...

  • My Favorite Recipes: Meet Pete Koerner, Colfax

    Kara McMurray|Feb 1, 2017

    Pete Koerner, proprietor of the Top Notch Café in Colfax, home of the world’s best burgers. Prior to arriving on the scene in Colfax, Pete Koerner lived and worked in several places across the country. Growing up with his father in the military, Pete was born in Jacksonville, Fla. His family moved several places during his childhood, and they arrived in Washington state in the '70s. Since college, he has worked in the food industry in one way or another. “I started as a dishwasher, back when...

  • Nancy Taylor wraps up weather recording career

    Feb 1, 2017

    Nancy Taylor of LaCrosse has closed out her career as a volunteer weather recorder. Taylor was honored two years ago by the National Weather Service for 40 years of service. The award is called the Thomas Jefferson award. She said her late husband, Dick Taylor, had a keen interest in the weather, and his enthusiasm proved to be contagious. The Taylors, who moved to LaCrosse from Tempe, Ariz., to take over an electrical business, started recording the weather Nov. 1, 1974. Mr. Taylor died in September of 2001, and she continued to take the...

  • Snow pack caves in roof of Tekoa storage building

    Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter|Feb 1, 2017

    An estimated 1,200 square-foot section of roof came down at the former Cohn Motor Co. location and later Redfern & Sons Motor Company. Part of a roof collapsed on one of the original Tekoa buildings Jan. 26 due to snow. The red-brick building on the corner of Crosby and Main Street is known as the former Cohn Motor Co. location and later Redfern & Sons Motor Company. Keith Anderson of Tekoa has owned the building since 2006. “I've had several people look at it,” Anderson said. “Everyone says it'...

  • Hen House Chicks reopen after nearly three weeks following flood, leaks

    Kara McMurray, Gazette Reporter|Feb 1, 2017

    The Hen House Chicks is back in business after nearly three weeks of closed doors. The business was forced to close after flooding in the basement of the building took out a furnace and left the building without heat. Tick Klock Drug and Palouse River Quilts also had minor flooding in their basements, but the Hen House Chicks had about three feet of water in its basement. “We had the lowest basement,” said Nancy Cochran, business owner. The flooding was the result of a water main break. During the business closure, Cochran would go to the sto...

  • Snow hits again

    Feb 1, 2017

    Two men pause during plowing near Fit in Colfax on Tuesday morning. Overnight storms once again left snow to be plowed off streets, sidewalks and parking lots. Starting all over again – a woman shovels on Mill Street in Colfax Tuesday morning. The ATVs got to work Tuesday morning after another wave of snow hit Colfax. This one is making a pass by Eells Park in Colfax....

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