Mayor Echanove concludes 26 years at Palouse city hall

At the conclusion of the Palouse city council meeting Dec. 10, Mayor Michael Echanove read thank you notes, swore-in new mayor Chris Cook, effective Jan. 1, and said he would entertain a motion to adjourn – after 26 years as mayor and city councilman.

A motion was made and seconded.

"All opposed?" called Echanove.

Then he paused a moment.

"Motion carried," he said.

That night, they had passed the budget for next year and took in a report on the planning commission's community survey.

Cook, a councilman, will now take the reigns.

"I have truly enjoyed being mayor of the City of Palouse," Echano...