Whitman County Gazette - Serving Whitman County since 1877

I give a special thanks to all those who maintain Colfax Cemetery, and do such remarkable work in preparing it for celebrating Memorial Day. We honor not only those who served in uniform on that day, but also our family and friends who have preceded...

The decline of American culture can be seen clearly in the self-absorbed characters in daytime soap operas and the outlandishly excitable contestants in daytime game shows. The 50-60 year runs of shows like “General Hospital,” “Days of Our...

Former President Donald Trump’s Operation Warp Speed succeeded. He brought us today’s miracle vaccines. He wants you all to get it. He said, “I hope everyone remembers when they’re getting the COVID-19 vaccine, that if I wasn’t president,...

The prostitution opinion article missed one “small” detail. What about design? As an example, dad bought this really nice Case IH Quadtrac. The engine is designed to run on diesel, though, it will run on gasoline. I’d get serious acceleration...

What is the right answer on the climate solutions quiz, the great test of our time? Top-down directives for green infrastructure? Not if we want to keep American jobs secure, energy reliable and affordable, and technological ingenuity strong, argues...

As if the black and brown lives that have been snuffed out by police without justification isn’t enough, there are other recent events that reveal the inadequate training and/or integrity of some police and law enforcement personnel. A 73-year-old...

A well-orchestrated plan, or an unimaginable set of events that just fell into place with the United States front and center... You tell me! Scare people with a virus, force them to wear masks then place them in quarantine. Count the number of dead...

My guide dog needs to stay focused when we are walking to be able to keep us safe. She loves her work. What bothers her is when other dogs run up to us. I did not think this was going to be a problem, since we have a leash law here in Colfax. I...

I’m by no means a mathematician but when the public works director and county commissioner come out and say they gave out $150,000 in additional rock budget and spent $300,000 on crushing that adds up to $450,000. Where is the other $1 million...

My letter is in response to Bill Forhan, of Leavenworth, in last week’s paper. At last, a brave individual is willing to come forward to intelligently address the actual need to keep the dams exactly where they stand. All of us benefit. Get a...

Declining salmon runs, just like global warming/climate change is just another misunderstood problem that could be solved without removing any dams or spending small fortunes employing lawyers and environmentalists that do not understand the...

Today I received three phone calls. When I returned the calls according to my caller ID app on my telephone each one was fraudulent. The numbers they gave me were ‘no longer in service,’ according to the message by the phone company. A...

Appreciation for union leadership and workplace improvements cannot mean that every business must therefore subscribe to the union. While willingness to raise standards, offer education and training, and ensure onsite safety are excellent qualities...

There are some things I like about Amazon and my Amazon Prime Account, but Amazon isn’t perfect. I like the fact that I can stay at home and order the exact hardware fittings I want without sorting through bins at hardware stores. I like knowing...

The use of single thought is dangerous. Group think, the act of surrounding yourself with only like-minded people, is one of the only things that can kill democracy. This is sadly an issue in our education system. Teachers can’t seem to tell the...

Public Works accountability When Whitman County Public Works was soliciting all that the road levy tax increase would do for the rural residents of Whitman County, I thought it could be beneficial, but have yet to see the benefit. They hired three...

With the clock ticking on our opportunity to limit global warming to the critical 2 degree increase by 2030, we need a bill in Congress that is both effective and bipartisan. A carbon fee and dividend policy, where a fee is assessed on carbon fuels...

I am writing in regard to the recent statement by Whitman County Commissioner Michael Largent in regard to the dam breaching proposal by Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson. The Nez Perce Tribe and its people have had a treaty of 1855 in place since before...

As children, we hear many insightful stories that are simple, but often full of meaning. The one mentioned above seems to resonate with what is happening in our country today. Right before our eyes, we are seeing over and over the truth. Even though...

I recently read your opinion piece, “History Under Fire,” in the Feb. 4 edition of the paper and wholeheartedly disagree with your premise. House Bill 1372 is a bill to replace Marcus Whitman’s statue in the National Statuary Hall collection...

People are manipulated through fear. •Fear of terrorism •Fear of climate change •Fear of the corona virus The politicians and media, with the help of academia and other recipients of money from the government, fan the flames of fear. People...

It is my opinion that Chris Skidmore remain as our county health director. He already knows what is required to fill the position; no training needed. And most importantly, he knows the needs of this community. He will continue to do an upstanding...

I understand the need for ethical policing but I must agree with policy director James McMahan - the bill is very vaguely written and does not acknowledge officer safety. This bill restricts the use of necessary tools our officers have to work with...

I read with dismay about Rep. Cathy McMorris Rogers’ flip flop on challenging the certification of the Electoral College. But apparently the protest on Jan. 6 made her change her mind. I’m sorry, but that is (using the biblical phrase from the...

The riots around our nation’s Capitol were instigated by a president who — in imitation of the great dictators of Europe such as Mussolini, Hitler and Franco — could convince, without a stitch of evidence, millions of Americans that the...