Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 15650
PULLMAN — The Environmental Resilience Commission will hold its next meeting at 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6, in Council Chambers, City Hall, 190 SE Crestview Street, Building A. The meeting will include roll call, approval of minutes from the previous session and a review of the City Council’s recent updates and the Commission’s 2024 objectives. During the Friday, Aug. 2, meeting, the Commission discussed several important matters, including updates from the July 30 City Council meeting, where resolutions on cost distribution to the Pullm...
PULLMAN — The Pullman City Council convened Tuesday, Aug. 27, to discuss the establishment of a Transportation Benefit District (TBD) and the potential for a 0.1% sales tax increase to fund critical transportation projects. The meeting featured extensive public comments, including strong advocacy for improved pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. Mike Urban, Director of Finance & Administrative Services, outlined the rationale behind the TBD, noting its potential to generate funds for various transportation needs, including road repairs and p...
PULLMAN — The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have honored the City of Pullman with the 2023 Excellence Award for Best City Project. The accolade recognizes the successful completion of the Arterial Streets Resurfacing 2020 project on Pioneer Hill, finalized in 2021. The Arterial Streets Resurfacing project, carried out by prime contractor Motley-Motley, Inc., involved resurfacing 1.3 miles of deteriorated streets on Pioneer Hill. The project utilized a cost-effective g...
PALOUSE — Residents have come to the rescue of Shady Lane trees on Shady Lane being attacked by an infestation of Western Pine Beetles. Palouse City Administrator Misty La Follett said a couple of residents applied for a grant from the Department of Natural Resources to fight the pine beetles. Local residents, husband and wife, Al Pancoast and Kayla Johnston noticed Shady Lane trees were starting to die and contacted the city. Pancoast said the grant came out to just over $100,000 to restore the forest. “It’s a grant for the removal of dead...
COLFAX — A homeless Pullman who allegedly held a woman against her will pled not guilty to all charges in Superior Court. In a Superior Court arraignment Friday, Aug. 30, James S. Olson, 33, of Pullman pled not guilty to charges of domestic violence, residential burglary, third degree assault and a resisting arrest misdemeanor. Superior Court Judge Gary Libey, read the charges and accepted the state’s recommendation to sign a pre-trial no contact order. Libey said the pre-trial contact order requires Olson to not have any direct contact or ind...
COLFAX - The fair is just around the corner and another year of the annual Palouse Empire Threshing Bee is in the books, leaving a harvested field for trailers to park during fair festivities. Horses and teamsters gathered to bring history to the fairgrounds, Sunday, Sept. 1, as a crowd of people gathered around to watch. Palouse Threshing Bee Association Secretary Jessica Erickson said despite the heat, the morning harvest went well, with all their equipment working. "We got rained out last...
COLFAX — An Oregon man pled guilty during Superior Court, Friday, Aug. 30, to leading Whitman County Sheriff’s Deputies on a high speed car chase in Colfax. Gordon, Jr. Griffin, 41, of McMinnville, Ore., pled guilty to attempting to elude a police vehicle, possession of a controlled substance and possession of cocaine. Superior Court Judge Gary Libey said the state moved to dismiss the other charges of third-degree driving with a suspended license and two counts of first degree assault. According to public record, Whitman County She...
RITZVILLE — The local 9th Legislative District senator was released on his own recognizance Saturday night, Aug. 31, after being arrested for allegedly driving drunk and hitting two other vehicles. Sen. Mark Schoesler, 67, of Ritzville, was arrested by citation for driving while under the influence of alcohol following the Saturday night performance of the Ritzville Rodeo. According to Police Chief Dave McCormick, he had a blood-alcohol level of 0.14 at the time of his arrest. The citation will be referred to Adams County District Court, which...
COLFAX — The Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics Board of Commissioners discussed upcoming hydroseeding for the RV park at the Wednesday, Aug. 21, meeting. Board President Georgie Leinweber updated the board on building and grounds, reporting that the hillside of the RV park will be hydroseed in late September. The RV park is is designated for Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics (WHMC) employees, agency staff, patients and the patients family while they are in the hospital. Reservations are required to stay and stays are limited to 16 w...
PULLMAN — The Pullman School Board met to discuss many agenda items, including budget status, Washington State graduation requirements and more. The Pullman School Board convened on Wednesday, Aug. 14, in the Paul R. Sturm Community Room at Pullman High School. The meeting began at 6:30 p.m., led by Board President Nathan Roberts, and was attended by Vice President Amanda Tanner, Director Arron Carter, Superintendent Bob Maxwell, Assistant Superintendent Roberta Kramer, Finance Director Diane Hodge, and Executive Director of Operations Joe T...
COLFAX — Board members discussed several topics ranging from safety, bus bids, budgeting and policies during the Colfax School District Board meeting Monday, Aug. 26. Superintendent Jerry Pugh reported to the board he continued to meet with the emergency management to plan for community-wide safety control. “Next summer we’re going to do an in-depth table top exercise in February,” Pugh said, noting all the district windows and doors are now numbered except for the second story of the high school. “Elementary is done throughout,” said Pugh....
TEKOA — Tekoa School Board is set to meet to discuss multiple action items including budgeting and hiring new staff members before the 2024-2025 school year begins Tuesday, Sept. 3. The Tekoa School District Board of Directors held a regular meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 28, at 6 p.m. at the Tekoa School District Office. The agenda for this meeting, which occurred after press time for this publication of the Whitman County Gazette, included several key items. The consent agenda, according to the agenda, covered the approval of various financial r...
PALOUSE — In response to recent concerns over a chemical monitoring violation notice, Palouse Mayor Tim Sievers has issued a letter reassuring residents of the safety of the city’s water supply. The notice, which was emailed to the community, indicated a “Chemical Monitoring Violation” due to the city’s failure to submit several required water samples in 2022. Mayor Tim Sievers clarified in his letter that the violation was solely related to the failure to report and not due to any exceeding of contaminant levels in the water. “This hap...
COLFAX — The final results from this month’s primary election in Washington have been tallied, revealing key outcomes across various races and measures. However, a mandatory recount will soon take place in one key contest. In Whitman County, voter turnout for the primary was 42.62%, with a total of 9,690 ballots counted out of 22,735 registered voters. The final certification of these results for Whitman County occurred Tuesday, Aug. 20, setting the stage for the general election in November. According to Whitman County Auditors office, these a...
COLFAX - The Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics experienced an operating loss of $1,042,000, due to lower patient intake during the harvest season this summer. Board Commissioner Kathy Wride reported the finance committee meetings to board commissioners at the Wednesday, Aug. 21, board meeting. Wride said that cash disbursements for July came to $5,930,342.70, noting two payments came through, normally only getting individual months. "An extra $330,000 did get through there, and then health...
COLFAX - New teachers introduced themselves to Colfax School District Board members at the district school board meeting Aug. 26. Emily Bopp, the new Kindergarten through 12 grade choir teacher introduced herself first. Bopp originally from Spokane, said she moved to Pullman after finishing her Master's Degree in Musicology. "The elementary went great today," Bopp told board members. Kindel Evanoff, the new Transitional Kindergarten teacher stood up to introduce herself as the second new hire...
PULLMAN — A homeless Pullman man faces several charges after allegedly holding a woman against her will. According to reports, Whitcom dispatched and officer for an order violation 9:17 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 25, to an apartment at 1590 Northeast Northwood Drive. It was reported that Katherine Gunn, 39, called to report her friend Melena R. Powers, 37, was being held against her will by James S. Olson, 33, of Pullman. Pullman Officer Mike Leggett reported Gunn said Powers had a no-contact order against Olson and Olson was keeping Powers locked i...
RITZVILLE — The local 9th Legislative District senator was released on his own recognizance Saturday night, Aug. 31, after being arrested for allegedly driving drunk and hitting another vehicle twice. Sen. Mark Schoesler, 67, of Ritzville, was arrested by citation for driving while under the influence of alcohol following the Saturday night performance of the Ritzville Rodeo. According to Police Chief Dave McCormick, he had a blood-alcohol level of 0.14 at the time of his arrest. The citation wi...
COLFAX — On September 21, 1932, three notorious criminals—George “Machine Gun” Kelly, Albert Bates, and Edward “Eddie” Bentz—executed a daring robbery at the First Savings & Trust Bank. The gang stole $71,605 in cash and securities, which, adjusted for inflation, would be equivalent to approximately $1,643,988.08 today. This represents a staggering increase of $1,572,383.08 over 92 years. The heist began around 2:30 p.m. when the armed men stormed the bank located at 102 North Main Street, a sturdy two-story building with a flat roof and front...
COLFAX — The Whitman County Commissioners signed an interlocal agreement with the Benton County Coroner’s Office during the Monday, Aug. 19, regular meeting. Whitman County Commissioner Tom Handy moved to sign the cooperative agreement with Benton County to use facilities. “It’s a great idea that you’re willing to sign it,” said Whitman County Coroner Annie Pillars. “This allows us another place to have autopsies. We need better options, so thank you for that.” The Interlocal agreement was moved and seconded for Whitman County Coroner’s offic...
GARFIELD — The Garfield-Palouse School District will hold its regular school board meeting on Thursday, Aug. 22, from 7 to 9 p.m. The meeting will be in-person and accessible via Zoom, allowing for broader community participation. The agenda will begin with introductions and opportunities for attendees to address the board. Following this, any changes to the agenda will be discussed. The consent agenda includes several important items, such as the approval of accounts payable across various funds, the ratification of the 2024-2025 o...
PULLMAN — A man has been charged with multiple felonies in connection to the alleged rape of a child. Davis Eneas, 33, faces charges in Whitman County Superior Court, including second-degree rape, child rape and indecent liberties. The investigation began last April after Pullman Police responded to a domestic violence incident. Detectives now believe that Eneas assaulted an underage girl. Currently held in Spokane County Jail on a separate matter, Eneas is awaiting transfer to Whitman County to face these charges. Authorities have noted t...
PULLMAN — The City Council convened on Tuesday, August 13, to review financial updates and discuss significant resolutions affecting the city’s future. During the meeting, Council members received an overview of the city’s revenue sources. Intergovernmental funds constitute 37% of the revenue, while grants have recently been successful, their sustainability still needs to be determined. Contract services with institutions such as Pullman School District, Spokane Falls Community College and others contribute 34% of the city’s revenue. Miscellane...
PULLMAN — Pullman Village Centre Cinemas will permanently close its doors on Thursday, Sept. 5, after 21 years of serving the Pullman community. The theater’s closure is due to mounting financial pressures, including the city’s admissions tax, rising property taxes and the escalating costs associated with Washington state’s minimum wage laws. In a press release, the theater cited these economic challenges as significant factors in its decision to shut down. Despite the closure, moviegoers from Pullman will still have options nearby. Village...
COLFAX –– The Palouse region is buzzing with activity as combines move through fields harvesting wheat. More than half of the state's winter wheat and 20% of its spring wheat has already been harvested this month. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is predicting a strong yield this year, estimating an average to above-average harvest of around 146 million bushels. This forecast brings some relief to farmers, who have struggled with drought, extreme heat and low yields in recent years. Des...
