Wekenman retires after 19 years on Palouse council

Rick Wekenman, 19-year Palouse city council veteran, cast his last vote Tuesday night, capping one of the longest terms in the town's history.

Appointed in the years after the flood of 1996, Wekenman saw a myriad of issues and acted as mayor pro-tem since his second year in office.

He was appointed in 2000, after serving on the planning commission.

"It's been a long haul, we've seen a lot of good things happen in those 19 years," said Wekenman, who retires at the same time as Michael Echanove, a 26-year councilman and mayor.

His decision to go was related.

"With Michael leaving, I thought it w...