Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
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PULLMAN – A serial rapist convicted in a number of 19-year-old Pullman rape cases has been sentenced to life in prison. Kenneth Downing was sentenced to life in prison, without the possibility of parole for at least 214 months, during a Friday, Aug. 19, hearing before Whitman County Superior Court Judge Gary Libey. Downing was convicted of four counts of first-degree rape and second-degree assault with sexual motivation, records show. If released from prison, Downing will have to register as a sex offender, records show. He will be on life-time...
The wheat harvest is underway across Whitman County. Pictured, a Tekoa-area farmer uses his combine to harvest wheat alongside state Highway 27 north of town....
EWAN – A fire that broke out Thursday afternoon was in patrol status on Monday, Aug. 22. The Wagner Road Fire broke out at about 2:04 p.m. Aug. 18 and grew to nearly 800 acres by late Thursday evening, officials said. The blaze was burning in dry grass, and in stubble and active wheat fields. The dry grass and brush was taller than two feet, officials said, noting in many areas the height exceeded 4 feet. That night the fire flared up and grew to about 7,000 acres, officials said. As of Monday, state fire officials estimated the blaze at 7...
OLYMPIA – Washington's Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) State Superintendent, Chris Reykdal announced his plan for high school students ages 16 and over to earn elective credits toward their high school diploma through paid work experience verified by their school in a media briefing on Thursday, August 4. Nearly 30 percent (45,000-55,000) of Washington's students are employed in high school. "Through work experience, students learn employability and leadership skills-skills...
ST. JOHN – Several families are combining their stage skills for three performances of "The Pirates of the Penzance" this coming Friday and Saturday. Directed by Eastern Washington University student Dominic Treis of St. John, the free performances will take place at Eccles Community Hall, 9752 state Highway 23. Show times are 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27. Sound is being managed by Ken Treis. Jackie Widhalm and Danielle Treis handled costumes, while D...
Sheriff’s Office August 16 8:57 a.m. - North Main Street, Rosauers; Behind, Colfax. The Sheriff's office assisted the Colfax Police Department with a call. 9:57 a.m. - North Madison Street, Tekoa Care Center, Tekoa. The Sheriff's office received a report of a subject with abnormal behavior. 10:21 a.m. - Storment Road and Winona South ROad, Endicott. The Sheriff's office responded to a report of an unoccupied vehicle in the ditch. 11:19 a.m. - Whitman County. The Sheriff's office responded to a report of suspicious circumstances. 12:24 p.m. - S...
COLFAX – Local 2013 high school graduate, Bradyn Ellis, 28, is returning to the area as a dentist at Whitman Family Dental. After graduating from Corban University, a private Christian University in Salem, Ore. in 2017, Ellis went onto study at University of Iowa. Just recently graduating June this year. Ellis started with Whitman Dental a couple weeks ago. "Right now he's working with another dentist, while he works up his patient list. Then he'll be working here full time," said Lindsay M...
PULLMAN – The Auto Dealers for Health program has raised more than $250,000 in funds for Pullman Regional Hospital since 2012. This year they celebrate ten years of partnership with Wysup Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram and Chipman & Taylor Chevrolet dealerships. "It's exciting to see Pullman Regional Hospital grow into the state-of-the-art facility that it is with the help of local auto dealers," said Fran Amend, owner of Chipman & Taylor Chevrolet. Michael Wysup, owner of Wysup Chrysler Jeep Dodge R...
They say that you never get a second chance to make a first impression, but in my book, the city of Colfax has been an exception to that rule. My first impression of the city was formed over a decade ago on a snowy Saturday spent at the Colfax High School Gymnasium. On that fateful morning, my elementary basketball team tipped off against the Bulldogs, expecting an easy win to add to our undefeated record. In the months leading up to that weekend, the dominating performance of the 2011-12...
Gov. Jay Inslee responded to the national COVID-19 health crisis by closing the public schools in Washington state to in-person instruction from March 2020 to September 2021 and allowing them to reopen sporadically the fall of 2021. The governor also mandated the use of masks and other face coverings and implemented social distancing rules in daycares and schools from March 2020 to March 2022. We are now learning that two years of these strict policies have imposed long-term harm on the 1.1...
My husband and I recently got into a discussion about the differences in the labeling of chicken. He saw a post on social media outlining the supposed differences between “pasture raised,” “cage raised,” “cage free,” and “free range.” It is easy to get caught up in the virtuous marketing of “pasture raised,” “cage free,” and “free range” versus “cage raised.” It is easy to imagine flocks of chickens strutting through pristine green fields and foraging for their food, but too often food labeli...
Column touched hearts of volunteers I am the Washington State Coordinator for the Quilts of Valor Foundation. Frank Watson wrote a beautiful column in the recent edition of the Whitman County Gazette. He offered kind words honoring the many volunteers who construct these quilts honoring our veterans and active duty men and women. I shared his column with all 450 members of the Quilts of Valor program in Washington and the comments were very touching. Cindy Hoover – Olympia Sen. Schoesler omitted info on police pursuits In a recent op-ed, s...
COLFAX – During the month of September the Whitman Heritage Digital Collections team will be hosting presentations about Whitman County Library's online digital photo collection. Presentations are open to everyone hosted at four local branches: Rosalia Branch: Thursday, Sept. 1 Presentation 6:00 PM/ Scanning 4:00-6:00 PM Oakesdale Branch: Monday, Sept. 12 Presentation 2:00 PM/ Scanning 3:00-5:00 PM Albion Branch: Thursday, Sept. 15 Presentation 6:00 PM/ Scanning 4:00-6:00 PM Tekoa Branch: Tuesda...
TEKOA – From 1960 to 1974, Tekoa couple Milo and June Yale owned and operated Yale’s Food Store with the help of their six children. Long after the store’s closure, friends, neighbors, and classmates of the Yale family say they continue to speak highly of the family’s impact on the community, and second child Tim Yale has been no exception. After graduating from Tekoa High School in 1964, Yale’s studies first took him to Washington State University, and later to graduate education in Northern Ca...
Hi there, Pard. Yep, it’s me, Alphonse Wilson, the one they call Windy. But this ain’t pertickler a good day for ol’ Windy. Fact-a-matter is, if I was to study how to do that depression stuff? This’d be a good day to start. Ya see, it’s what’s called an annual-versary of a sad time fer me, and I thought I might repercussion it to you today, so’s mebbe you won’t have to have your heart broke, neither. It was the flat-out tail end of love, ya see. After all them months together, too. Hey, I allus figgered we’d be together for … well, life. Oh...
Whitman hospital and Medical Clinics • Wyatt Walker Barnett, a boy, was born Aug. 17 at 6:45 a.m., to parents Max and Tera Barnett of Colfax. He weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces, and was 21 inches long. Paternal Grandparents are Beverly and Kelly Barnett of Colfax. Maternal Grandparents are Steven and Donna Seler of Lolo, Montana. Wyatt joins two brothers Jackson and Leo, and sister Emma, at home. • Rosemary Lucille Appel, a girl, was born on Aug. 17 at 8:12 a.m., to parents Neil and Liz Appel of LaCrosse. She weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces, and was...
MaryEllen Laughary (Faulkner) of Spokane was born 6-14-1943 and died 8-18-2022 after a nine-year battle with multiple myeloma. In her life, MaryEllen graduated from Shadle Park High School and EWU, built a marriage of almost 50 years, raised six children, taught scores of students in and around Spokane, made and then gave away hundreds of quilts. In all of her endeavors, MaryEllen wrapped her family, friends, co-workers, and students in complete, unconditional love like one of her many quilts....
Kathy (Zakarison) Snyder, 63, passed away August 7, 2022 in Colorado. Kathy was born April 3, 1959 to Cliff & Ann Zakarison. As a young girl growing up in Pullman, WA, she participated in 4H working with horses, sheep and cows. Kathy graduated from Pullman High School in 1977. She enjoyed snow skiing and riding horses throughout her life. She attended Western Washington University after high school where she studied graphic design. Kathy moved to Colorado to pursue her graphic arts career and...
Long-term Eastern Washington resident, Nancy Rae (Bowen) Garrett, passed away on August 10, 2022 at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Washington. Nancy was born on January 15, 1935 in Spokane, Washington to Walter and Margaret Bowen. Nancy was the oldest of three daughters. Nancy grew up in Spokane where she was surrounded by her large and loving Italian-American family. She graduated from Marycliff High School in 1953. She met the love of her life, Jack S. Garrett, while in high school....
Donald D. Anderson, 96, a resident of Ivy Court in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho passed away on Aug. 15, 2022 at his home at Ivy court where he has made his home for 3 years. Don was born on Sept. 27, 1925 at Garfield, Wash. to Martin and Martha (Parkinson) Anderson. He attended his school at Garfield, Wash. and graduated from the Garfield High School. Mr. Anderson farmed in the Garfield – Palouse area from 1948 to 1972. He later became school maintenance man working for the Gar Pal school district for...
Richard Allen Utke, 67, passed away on August 21, 2022 at his home outside of Colfax. He was born on August 31, 1954 to LeRoy and Wilma (Gering) Utke. No services are being planned. Corbeill Funeral Home in Colfax is caring for the family....
COLFAX – The fire house fire located at 611 S. Meadow Street on Saturday Aug. 12 is completely destroyed, confirmed Fire Chief Michael Chapman in an interview Thursday, Aug. 18. “It was unfortunately a total loss,”said Chapman. The cause of the house fire is under investigation. Chapman could not comment as to what the owners were doing now, due to having not talked to the owner of the house since the fire on Saturday. The fire was completely out on Sunday, Aug. 13, “They finished the majority of it on Sunday,” Chapman said. There were crew...
OWNER/LOCAL AGENCY: Town of Malden, Washington PROJECT: Malden Well 3 Drilling and Testing Contract No: PE21-96103-000 ENGINEER: TD&H Engineering 303 E. 2nd Avenue, Spokane, WA 99202 (509) 622-2888 Estimated Cost of Project: $400,000 - $450,000 Sealed bids for the following described construction will be received by Town of Malden at: (1) By mail to the office of the Clerk/Treasurer at P.O. Box 248, Malden, WA 99149, until 2:01:00 P.M., P.S.T., of the bid opening date. Notification by the Post Office will be considered as actual receipt of the...
Employment 3 Program Representative-Payroll: This position is responsible for compiling, processing and preparing the County payroll program with speed and accuracy, exercising confidentiality. Creates and submits monthly, quarterly and annual reports relating to payroll, continuously seeking better and modern ways to report digitally. To communicate with Human Resources and Department Liaisons regarding updated information on employees’ wages and positions and other program issues as they arise. Works directly with accounting software v...
8 Years Ago From the Colfax Gazette, Friday, August 27, 1897 Broke Out of Jail Monday night at Pullman, three men whose names were not known, were seen breaking into the residence of J. M. Palmerton. The officers were notified and the men captured while still in the house. The were locked up and preliminary examination fixed for Tuesday afternoon. When the officer went to bring the prisoners into court, he found the lockup vacated, the three burglars having escaped during the morning. The...