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Articles from the August 5, 2021 edition


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  • Vickie Lee (Watts) Cook

    Aug 5, 2021

    Vickie Cook passed away peacefully at her home in Colfax on July 29, 2021. She is now no longer tethered to the physical ailments and challenges she battled for most of her life. Vickie was born August 3, 1957, in Sandpoint, Idaho, to Rolland and Maxine Watts, joining an older brother (Steve). The family moved several times during her school years as her father pursued a career in law enforcement that would eventually lead them to Colfax, Washington, in 1971. Along the way she attended schools... Full story

  • Geneva Linde Brannan

    Aug 5, 2021

    Geneva 'Gene' Linde (Carroll) Brannan, age 88, of Walla Walla, Washington, passed away on July 7, 2021. Gene was born to John Fabian Carroll and Geneva (Lindburg) Carroll on December 20, 1932, in Colfax, Wash. Gene was from a large family of 10 girls and two boys, attending all her school years in the Colfax schools. She graduated from Colfax High School in 1950. Gene attended college at Eastern Washington in Cheney, but left school and returned to Colfax to marry Harlan Brannan on July 14,... Full story

  • Charles Marshall Yoke

    Aug 5, 2021

    Charles Marshall Yoke, loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and devoted friend passed away peacefully at home in Spokane surrounded by his family to enter his eternal home with his Savior on July 21, 2021. Dad was born in Spokane, Washington, on January 25, 1929, where he, his father, Marshall, mother, Harriet, and Sister, Mary Alice, lived. The family moved to Plaza, Washington, during Dad and Aunt Mary Alice's grammar school years, where his parents owned a small mercantile and gas stat... Full story

  • Leorman 'Lee' W. Sczenski

    Aug 5, 2021

    Lee Sczenski, age 89, passed away July 24, 2021, at his home in Tekoa, Washington, from heart failure. A memorial gathering will be held at the family home in Tekoa at 405 E. Henkle Street at 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 7, 2021. A family urn burial service will be held at 3:00 PM at Goldenrod Cemetery in Tekoa. Leorman Walter Sczenski was born on August 7, 1931, in Viola, Idaho, to Nicholas and Dorothea (Rogers) Sczenski. He was raised in Plummer, Idaho, and attended schools in DeSmet and Plummer. Following his schooling, Lee enlisted in the... Full story

  • Laverne Sharp

    Aug 5, 2021

    After a 4-year battle with an aggressive Melanoma, our precious Dad, Grandfather, Brother-in-Law, Uncle, Cousin and Friend went to be with his Lord and Savior on July 29, 2021. Laverne Sharp was born on Nov. 30, 1930, in Thornton, Washington. His parents were Howard Lester Sharp and Roxie Roberts Sharp. In 1936 Laverne attended First Grade at the school in Steptoe, Wash., which is still operating today. The family moved to LaCrosse, Wash., in 1937 where Laverne attended grades 2-5. The family... Full story

  • Thomas Zornes

    Aug 5, 2021

    Thomas A. Zornes, 78, of Oakesdale, passed away July 27, 2021, at Sacred Heart Medical Center. He was born April 27, 1943, to Robert and Emily (nee Miller) Zornes in Spokane. He graduated from Lewis and Clark before entering Gonzaga University where he obtained a B.S. in Physics. Zornes then served as a Captain and nuclear weapons specialist in the United States Army. He was stationed in South Korea during the Vietnam War. After separating from the military, he then attended WSU to earn a... Full story

  • Rosalia gains another Eagle Scout

    Whitman County Gazette|Aug 5, 2021

    ROSALIA - Ben Pritchett made the rank of Eagle Scout while being part of Rosalia's Troop 1588. Pritchett built two covered benches for the Rosalia City Park as part of his project, said Bruce Pritchett. The benches are on the south side of the pool and replaced the set of bleachers removed three years ago because of safety concerns. Ben Pritchett thanked the people supporting him on his project along his 11-year scouting career. There is a ceremony for Ben Pritchett and his fellow Eagle...

  • Distinguished Young Women names 2022 state reps

    Whitman County Gazette|Aug 5, 2021

    PULLMAN - Six Whitman County high school seniors are competing to represent the state of Washington at the 2022 America's Distinguished Young Women Program. There is no audience on Aug. 7 during the program due to COVID safety measures. "This is the state's 64th annual scholarship program. Its goal is to emphasize education by providing scholarship opportunities to outstanding college-bound high school girls, and to encourage personal development in all young people," said event co-chair...

  • District court

    Whitman County Gazette|Aug 5, 2021

    Cole McPherson is guilty of assault in the fourth degree and sentenced to 364 days in jail with 362 days suspended, fined $1,000 with $650 suspended, $43 in fees, 24 months supervised probation, required alcohol and drug evaluation, 12 months random drug testing, and $2,137 restitution....

  • Whitman County Jail bookings

    Whitman County Gazette|Aug 5, 2021

    Robert A. Beyer, 26, booked July 27 for DUI. No bail. Daniel D. Sallee, 30, booked July 27 for a U.S Marshal Service hold for a federal violation. Maxwell R. Lang, 19, boked July 28 on a warrant from Whitman County Superior Court for failing to appear regarding charges of minor in possession of alcohol and obstruction of justice. Bail $10,000. Christoper M. Doney, 41, booked July 28 for contempt of court for violation of a drug court order. No bail. Zachary J. Fanjul, 31, booked July 28 for a warrant from Whitman County District Court for...

  • Sheriff's office

    Whitman County Gazette|Aug 5, 2021

    Monday, July 26 5:29 a.m. – Tennessee Street, Steptoe – A deputy conducted a welfare check. 9:25 a.m. – Sheriff’s office – A sex offender registered their address. 10:22 a.m. – Second Street, Garfield – A deputy assisted a citizen. 12:09 p.m. – Whitman Avenue, LaCrosse – There was a report of a person pulling a boat with an ATV. 1:52 p.m. – Johnson Road, Pullman – A person complained about two dogs getting into a horse trailer every day. 2:34 p.m. – Sheriff’s office – A deputy assisted with fingerprinting. 3:44 p.m. – Whitman Avenue, Rosalia ...

  • Freedom vs. socialism

    Aug 5, 2021

    In the free and open society of a constitutional republic, when you say something or do something, it is sometimes cheered or cursed, sometimes laughed at or applauded. But mostly and most beautifully folks just go their own way and mind their own affairs. However, in a socialist society, you are compelled to conform and do what the government tells you to do. So, take your “Fauci Ouchi,” also wear your Inslee mask, and don’t object or you will be canceled. Travis Brock Colfax...

  • Calls for action on climate change

    Aug 5, 2021

    Is it time yet to confront climate change? The weather we’ve experienced this summer foreshadows what we will experience more and more frequently in coming years. The situation isn’t hopeless: there’s still time to avert the most damaging effects of climate change, but it’s going to take a national commitment. Among the policies the Congress can enact this year is to place a price on carbon dioxide pollution. Multiple sources confirm that carbon pricing alone will reduce the US’s greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030. There are several w...

  • Trump supported COVID vaccines

    Aug 5, 2021

    If there are any Americans out there who are still loyal to Donald Trump, listen up! Don’t be sidelined by “Trumpian talking heads.” Stay focused on Trump! He and Melania are both vaccinated, and Trump said, “I would recommend it and I would recommend it to a lot of people that don’t want to get it and a lot of those people voted for me, frankly.” Trump told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo, “It is a great vaccine. It is a safe vaccine and it is something that works.” He said, “It works incredibly well. 95%, maybe even more than that ... and it i...

  • Justice needs to be applied evenly

    Nancy Churchill, Dangerous Rhetoric|Aug 5, 2021

    As the Pelosi-led Jan. 6th Commission gets underway it has become obvious that Justice in America is now corrupt and politicized. On one hand, we saw over 500 large and destructive riots which occurred in Democrat-run cities all across the United States during the summer of 2020. These riots caused billions of dollars of property damage, destroyed lives, and laid waste to entire communities. On the other hand, we have a single, large protest supporting Republican President Donald J Trump, which...

  • Voted against 'Defund the Police' bills

    Rep. Joe Schmick, 9th Legislative District|Aug 5, 2021

    During the 2021 legislative session, I spoke out against – and voted against – a slew of bills brought forward by the activist “Defund the Police movement. It was obvious at the time that these bills were vague, poorly written, and would have disastrous impacts on our local communities. I had hoped that the other side would take our amendments in committee or on the House floor, or work in a good-faith, bipartisan fashion to address the concerns of larger, urban areas without hampering our l...

  • Japanese hydrogen pilot may work in Washington

    Don C. Brunell, Business analyst|Aug 5, 2021

    The 2020 Toyko Olympics were billed as the “Hydrogen Olympics!” Then along came COVID and sporting events worldwide were put on hold. The summer games were delayed until 2021. Postponing the games cost Japan billions and thwarted its efforts to showcase the Japanese “Green Growth” strategies. Japan, like the United States, plans to become carbon-neutral by 2050. While countries like China are betting on lithium batteries, Japan’s centerpiece is hydrogen. As Japanese researchers develop n...

  • Plasti-Grin Anticipitus

    Aug 5, 2021

  • State unemployment claims drop by 10%

    Whitman County Gazette|Aug 5, 2021

    OLYMPIA — New unemployment claims dropped by 10% from the week before. For July 18-24 the state Employment Security Department registered 4.554 new claims for unemployment payments. Compare to the same week in 2020, it’s down 84%. Overall, 11,097 people are drawing from unemployment, which is down by 1.5% from the week earlier. “The 4-week moving average for initial claims is at 5,257 … the 4-week moving average of initial claims pre-pandemic (was) 6,071 initial claims. That level represents the lowest levels of initial claims for regular...

  • Blocked highway

    Aug 5, 2021

  • Swannack joins call to promote COVID vaccination shots

    Garth Meyer, Gazette reporter|Aug 5, 2021

    COLFAX - Whitman County Commissioner Art Swannack was in a call with Gov. Jay Inslee on July 26 to promote COVID-19 vaccinations. The state Secretary of Health and 15-20 others joined as state officials seek suggestions for how to increase COVID-19 vaccinations in Eastern Washington. Representatives on the line were mainly from Whitman, Asotin, and Garfield counties. Swannack made two suggestions on the call. One was not to pester farmers too much at this time of year because of harvest, and...

  • Governor Inslee requires masks at schools

    Roger Harnack, Gazette publisher|Aug 5, 2021

    OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee ordered all public school districts in the state to require students and employees to wear masks on school grounds when classes resume in the fall. Inslee blamed the need to wear masks on residents who have chosen not to get vaccinated against COVID-19, during a press conference on July 28. "We will continue our existing policies regarding masking, all students and employees will be required to wear masks around each other in the building, regardless of their vaccinatio...

  • Annual water summit set for Oct. 21

    Whitman County Gazette|Aug 5, 2021

    PULLMAN - The 18th annual Palouse Basin Water Summit is set for Oct. 21 at SEL Event Center in Pullman. The event is to feature award-winning and nationally recognized water conservation and efficiency experts. Local water experts and scientists are going to be on hand to speak about the Palouse Basin water resources. Water officials based in Pullman and Moscow are giving updates on area water conservation programs. For more information, go to www.Palousebasinwatersummit.org....

  • Deputy helps elderly lady with dog

    Whitman County Gazette|Aug 5, 2021

    COLFAX - An elderly woman stopped to walk along the Colfax Trail but her old dog found the heat too much. She called 9-1-1 on July 24 for help. A Whitman County Sheriff's Office deputy arrived and found the large older dog passed out on the railroad tracks because of the heat, according to Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers. The woman talked about needing a wheelbarrow to move her pet. The deputy was able to connect her with a farmer to retrieve the tired pet....

  • Pullman hospital requires worker vaccinations

    Whitman County Gazette|Aug 5, 2021

    PULLMAN - Pullman Regional Hospital requires employees to be vaccinated against COVID by Oct. 27. "Ultimately, we believe this course of action is most consistent with our mission, vision, and values. The vaccine is the most valuable technology for fighting the pandemic," said Allison Weigley, director of external relations. COVID vaccination is a condition of employment, as of Aug. 1. Current employees are given until Oct. 27 to complete the two-step vaccination process. If the Centers for...

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