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Articles from the December 24, 2020 edition


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  • Colfax R.V. park to expand

    Garth Meyer, Whitman County Gazette|Dec 24, 2020

    Colfax — A plan is underway to remodel and expand the R.V. park at the Palouse Empire Fairgrounds from 82 spots to almost 140. In a discussion with county commissioners Monday, Bill Tensfeld, fair director, said it would take an estimated $300,000 – which county commissioners have previously budgeted for – to move an exit road 100 feet, replace all electrical and water lines (updated to current code), improve drainage, take out stumps from trees cut down two years ago, add some fencing and hydo-seed new grass. Reasons cited for the project by J...

  • Firemen's Toy Box donation

    Dec 24, 2020

  • Rattlesnake Flat wind farm complete

    Katie Teachout|Dec 24, 2020

    RALSTON — A virtual ribbon cutting ceremony took place Dec. 15 to mark the completion of the 160 MW Rattlesnake Flat Wind Farm. Construction of the 57 wind turbines connected to Avista Utilities’ transmission grid as part of a 20-year purchase power agreement between Clearway Energy Group and Avista began in April. Adams County Commissioner John Marshall, Adams County Development Council Chairman David Baumann and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy CEO were joined at the virtual ribbon-cutting by Gov. Jay Inslee and Public Lands Commissioner Hil...

  • Library Calendar: Dec. 24-31

    Dec 24, 2020

    Thursday, Dec. 24 – Friday, Dec. 25 Closed All libraries are closed on Dec. 24 & 25. Access to our web resources including the catalog, downloadable books, Newsbank collection, and Kanopy streaming are always available. Happy Holidays! Saturday, Dec. 26 Coloring Contest All ages and all towns are invited! Turn in your artwork to Oakesdale or Tekoa Libraries in person or over email by Dec. 30. Stay tuned to see who the winners will be! Monday, Dec. 28 Book Club, 5:30 p.m. This month, we are discussing "The Snowman" by Jo Nesbø. Join in the co...

  • 'Snitches' target 71 in Whitman County

    Staff Report, Whitman County Gazette|Dec 24, 2020

    COLFAX — Gov. Jay Inslee’s so-called “snitch list” shows 71 coronavirus complaints filed against Whitman County businesses, churches and public agencies between Oct. 1 and Dec. 15. Even Whitman County government offices were targeted, as was the city of Pullman offices and Washington State University, according to the list. Most of the 18,602 complaints statewide during that timeframe were made anonymously or by individuals requesting their names be withheld. The Gazette has filed a public records request for information on those filing...

  • Voter turnout could trip 2021 elections

    Jana Mathia, Whitman County Gazette|Dec 24, 2020

    COLFAX — The Nov. 3 general election saw a high voter turnout of 86.4%, far higher than in previous years. While that speaks highly of voter involvement in the election, it could mean snags for measures on the ballot in 2021 due to validation requirements. Bonds, including street maintenance and operation levies, require a voter turnout of at least 40% of the most recent general election to be validated. That could be a problem for any municipality running on the 2021 ballot, based on past issue that have passed, yet failed for lack of v...

  • Public gives final pot plan input

    Garth Meyer, Whitman County Gazette|Dec 24, 2020

    COLFAX — Whitman County commissioners Monday morning had the first of two sessions of a final public hearing for their coming decision on a proposed marijuana ordinance. With commissioners stating they would like to vote on the matter Dec. 28, a handful of members of the public commented on a Planning Commission draft proposal, including amendments, put forth last week by county commissioners. The proposal would allow more marijuana businesses to open in unincorporated Whitman County, but would put additional restrictions on them. C...

  • Have a Merry Christmas!

    Dec 24, 2020

  • Scout Cai looks to build on college track career

    Blake Timm|Dec 24, 2020

    SEATTLE – Former Colfax High School athlete Scout Cai prepares for her potential last turn in college next spring, looking to burnish a decorated career at Seattle Pacific University. A senior - with an added outdoor season of eligibility due to the pandemic - Cai is a three-time NCAA Division II All-American in indoor pentathlon, outdoor heptathlon and pole vault. She was named the 2019 U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Indoor West Region Field Athlete of the Year. S...

  • Library Calendar: Dec. 24-31

    Dec 24, 2020

    Thursday, Dec. 24 – Friday, Dec. 25 Closed All libraries are closed on Dec. 24 & 25. Access to our web resources including the catalog, downloadable books, Newsbank collection, and Kanopy streaming are always available. Happy Holidays! Saturday, Dec. 26 Coloring Contest All ages and all towns are invited! Turn in your artwork to Oakesdale or Tekoa Libraries in person or over email by Dec. 30. Stay tuned to see who the winners will be! Monday, Dec. 28 Book Club, 5:30 p.m. This month, we are discussing "The Snowman" by Jo Nesbø. Join in the co...

  • Man booked for possession of two drugs

    Staff Report, Whitman County Gazette|Dec 24, 2020

    PULLMAN — A man being held Whitman County Jail on $5,000 bail for alleged possession of methamphetamine and heroin will be arraigned Jan. 8. Whitman County Superior Court records show Pullman Police and Whitman County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Cavan Simenson, 28, following a Dec. 23 traffic stop for expired tabs in the Taco Bell parking lot, 425 NE Stadium Way. Deputies were speaking to a front seat-passenger identified as Simenson about not wearing his seat belt when deputies observed him allegedly exhibiting signs of recent drug use...

  • Gov. Inslee extends shutdown to Jan. 11

    Roger Harnack, Franklin Connection|Dec 24, 2020

    OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee this morning extended his coronavirus lockdown measures until 11:59 p.m. Jan. 11, “unless otherwise extended.” Jan. 11 is the opening day of the upcoming legislative session, and Democrats Sen. Andy Billig of Spokane and Laurie Jinkins of Tacoma have said there won't be public access to government buildings. Billig is the Senate majority leader and Jinkins is the House majority leader. They are two of the so-called "four corners" of leadership in the Legislature. The remaining two "corners" are Republicans Rep. J.T....