Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 54
OLYMPIA — A bill to help cool heat-emitting cities such as Seattle passed the House and Senate unanimously, and is on its way to the governor. The measure was introduced by Rep. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy, who represents the 9th Legislative District, which includes southern Spokane County Dye said larger cities retain heat from rooftops, pavement and other heat-absorbing materials, creating what is known as “urban heat islands.” “During the summer, downtown Seattle can be as much as 17 degrees warmer than surrounding rural areas,” Dye said. “These ho...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — An Eastern Washington congresswoman is co-sponsoring a bill to help workers with disabilities get the training they need to be employed. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane, partnered with Rep. Bobby Scott, R-Virginia, in introducing the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act. If passed and signed into law, McMorris Rodgers said it would provide states and other agencies with resources to help handicapped individuals get training while also phasing out subminimum wages, which are allowed under Section 1...
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...
OLYMPIA — Washington residents 16 and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine starting April 15. Gov. Jay Inslee made the announcement Wednesday. Washington follows more than a dozen states making vaccines available to anyone 16 and older. Inslee said the decision came after assurance from the federal government of increased allocations of vaccines to Washington, and concerns about rising case numbers in several parts of the state. About 3.3 million people in Washington are vaccinated....
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Winter wheat planting is down while spring wheat increased for 2021, according to estimates from the National Agricultural Statistics Service. In Washington, winter wheat planted is down 3% from last year, with a total of 1.75 million acres sown. For spring wheat, the statewide crop is estimated at a 7% increase for a total of 580,000 acres. Barley in Washington is unchanged at 90,000 acres. For Idaho, the 730,000 acres of winter wheat planted is a slight increase from 2020....
PULLMAN — The Police Department has partnered with Cordico to create an app to provide officers with access to mental health services. The nature of police work leaves officers at high risk for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression and suicide. “No one should ever feel blocked from accessing help at times of need due to their schedule or location or concerns about confidentiality, and that is especially true of our public safety personnel,” stated Cordico CEO Dr. David Black. The new phone app provides access to therapists, peer suppo...
MALDEN — Malden and Pine City area residents have until April 12 to submit a U.S. Small Business Administration application. Or, they will likely be ineligible for further disaster relief assistance after the fire last Labor Day. More information may be found online at SBA.gov/disaster, or call 800-659-2955. For Pine Creek Community Operations, call 509-508-9806....
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...
COLFAX — Colfax softball returns April 13. The team lost its season last year due to the pandemic and subsequent shutdowns. They are back with new coach Tracy Imler succeeding Michelle Miller. The 2019 team played at state, losing in the early rounds. The Bulldogs now return six starters from two years ago, led by seniors Rian Jones at catcher, Perry Imler at third base, Helena Hahn at shortstop, and Anni Cox at second base. Junior pitchers Jorja Koerner and Justice Brown are also back. “What I’ve seen so far is looking pretty good,” said Co...
COLFAX — The Colfax High School baseball, softball, golf and track seasons are set to begin competition on April 13. The baseball team opens at Liberty, to start a Tuesday-Saturday slate of games that run until May 4. The abbreviated regular season would be followed by short regional playoffs. The Bulldogs softball team starts at Asotin, to follow at home April 17 against St. George. The softball regular season runs until May 4, followed by short regional playoffs. For track, Colfax opens at a home jamboree with Liberty, Reardan, Ritzville, D...
SUNNYSIDE — The St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse boys came home with their first victory of the baseball season April 1. The team opened a doubleheader at Sunnyside Christian (1-3) with a 12-1 win. The Knights (1-3) then took the nightcap, 23-12. Individual stats were not reported. The Eagles previously dropped two games on March 27 to the undefeated Touchet Indians, 25-15 and 16-11. Touchet leads the 1B Southeast-West league with a 4-0 record. The Eagles return to the baseball diamond Tuesday, April 13, when they travel to Pomeroy for a d...
TOUCHET — The Colton/Garfield/Palouse baseball team remains winless this season after being swept by Touchet on March 31. The Vikings (0-6) lost the opener, 17-13, and the nightcap, 10-6, to the undefeated Indians (4-0). Individual stats were not reported. CGP remains on spring break until April 17, when they will host the Sunnyside Christian Knights (1-3). In another game last week, CGP, 8-4, to the undefeated Pomeroy Pirates (4-0), 8-4, on the road March 30....
TOUCHET — The Colton Wildcats remain undefeated in fast pitch softball after sweeping Touchet on March 31. The Colton (4-0) girls topped the home Indians (0-2) by scores of 18-2 in the opener and 13-0 in the nightcap. Individual stats were not reported. The win follows the Wildcats’ sweep of the DeSales Fighting Irish (1-3) on March 27 in Walla Walla. In that doubleheader, Colton won the opener, 15-0, and the nightcap, 20-8. The Wildcat girls return to action April 13, when they travel to Tekoa to face the 1-3 Timberwolves....
WALLA WALLA — The Tekoa-Rosalia girls won one and lost one March 30 in a fast pitch softball doubleheader at DeSales. The Timberwolves (1-3) lost the opener to the Fighting Irish, 18-8. Individual stats were not reported. They then rallied to top DeSales (1-3) in the nightcap, 25-8. The Tekoa-Rosalia girls get a two-week hiatus for spring break. They return to their home diamond in Rosalia for a doubleheader at 2 p.m. on April 13 against league rival Colton (4-0)....
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 - A new gathering limit of 10 people was placed within Pullman as part of an emergency order issued by the Whitman County Health Department on April 2. The move is in response to rising COVID-19 cases tied to Washington State University (WSU) students. "I'm pretty proud of my health department and health director. That was the right move at the right time," said Michael Largent, Whitman County commissioner. The order limits a maximum of 10 people for outdoor social gatherings that are...
PULLMAN — An old steam plant could see new life for the Port of Whitman and Washington State University. The port is seeking $45 million from the federal government to develop the 1935 electricity plant. It features a tall smokestack at the southwest edge of campus. The port filed an Infrastructure Priority Solicitation Form with Sen. Patty Murray’s office for the project. The coal-fired plant once produced all the power and heat for the university. It was converted to natural gas allowing for extra space inside to be used for other pur...
COLFAX — A letter to the editor in last week’s Gazette about spending a levy increase drew a response from Whitman County Public Works Director Mark Storey. He talked to county commissioners about it at a workshop Monday. “I have no problem taking criticisms for my decisions,” Storey said. Letter writer D.W. McCall, of Farmington, questioned expenditures and a lack of gravel on gravel roads following the approval of a road levy increase in November 2019. “Number one, nobody got raises, nobody got bonuses, the revenue can only go to roads,” S...
TEKOA — A 31-year-old Tekoa man faces criminal charges for threatening and attacking his grandparents despite their insistence he is mentally ill. Ryan G. Keller was arrested on March 30 after he allegedly resisted Whitman County deputies and assaulted his grandmother. He faces two counts of harassment – threats to kill, two counts of assault in the fourth degree – domestic violence, and resisting arrest in Whitman County Superior Court The arrest happened during a second call for help on the same day. “(Grandmother) had called in and said (K...
