Bulletin Column: March 19, 2020

These reports are from the previous four issues of the Daily Bulletin in Colfax. They are reprinted here for the benefit of Gazette readers who reside outside of Colfax. Some accounts have been updated.

DISTRICT COURT HEARINGS POSTPONED

Whitman County District Court has postponed its hearings starting Tuesday. The hearings in Whitman County's lower misdemeanor and infraction court were set to begin at 8:30 a.m. in Pullman City Hall.

Whitman County Superior Court ordered that all criminal readiness hearings and jury trials in the county, currently set between March 16 through April 30, are continued for a scheduling hearing Friday, May 1.

COUNTY CLERK WORKING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

The Whitman County Clerk and staff will be working behind closed doors until otherwise notified. The staff will be present and working during regular office hours, but the door will be closed to the public to keep the staff healthy and away from the risk of contracting the coronavirus.

A clerk will be present at hearings to record the proceedings and process pleadings.

Email and fax filing fees have been suspended. Fees assessed for opening new cases that are electronically filed should be paid online. A drop box is available for those filing in person, but is discouraged by the clerk's office. Email filings can be sent to clerk@whitmancounty.net and fax filings to 509-397-3546.

The processing of passports at the clerk's office has been suspended at this time. If a passport is needed residents can check with the Pullman Post Office.

The list of immediate changes at the clerk's office can be found on the county website, whitmancounty.org, under clerk.

PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY UPDATE

As of March 16, 10,883 ballots have been counted in Whitman County for the Presidential Primary Election. The current voter turnout is 44.12 percent of the 24,664 registered voters in Whitman County. There are still 50 ballots left to be counted.

Bernie Sanders remains the Democratic favorite for the county with 2,943 votes, with a voter percentage of 44.18 percent. Joseph Biden remains in second with 2,011 votes, with a voter percentage of 30.19 percent. In the county, 6,661 of the 10,883 were Democratic votes for this election.

Donald Trump had 4,130 votes for the Republican count, with 82 write-in votes. For this Presidential Primary Election, 4,212 voters in the county voted Republican.

TAKE-OUT OPTIONS IN COLFAX

With the governor's announcement Monday regarding the closures of restaurants, bars, entertainment and recreational facilities, many Colfax businesses have made changes to accommodate residents and stay open.

The Colfax Chamber of Commerce posted on its Facebook page stating that Fonk's Coffeehouse, Subway, Zips, Top Notch, Double J. Ranch Cookies in the Mercantile, Home Sweet Home Treats in the Mercantile, Eddy's, Westside Pizza and 165 Degree Brew will be offering take-out and some of these will have delivery or curbside services.

The Colfax chamber also offered in its post a thank you to the health department for visiting the businesses in town and answering any questions so these businesses can stay open.

ROTARY CLUB MEETINGS CANCELED

All meetings of the Colfax Rotary Club are canceled due to the governor's recommendation against public gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic. A notification will be sent out when meetings will resume.

PUBLIC COMMENT MEETING

The Colombia River Systems Operations is allowing the public to review and provide comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Study through April 13. Tuesday night begins the string of teleconferences to allow residents to make comments heard.

The phone-in comment meetings begin Tuesday and will run through the end of the month. The phone sessions will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Additional sessions will be March 18, 19, 25, 26 and 31. The number to call is 844-721-7241 and the access code is 5998146#. Participants will have a three-minute time frame to make their comment.

"We know COVID-19 is front and center in the minds of many in our community as they grapple with how to best keep their families safe, but we are hopeful the citizens of Whitman County will participate in this public comment process from their homes by calling in or submitting written comments," said Sarah Highfield, Port of Whitman communications director.

Highfield said there is a high probability that the port will make a public comment during the CRSO DEIS teleconference meeting this evening.

COUNTY, CITY OF Colfax MAKE EMERGENCY DECLARATION

The City of Colfax declared a state of emergency as of March 16. The declaration states that it was made as a result of COVID-19 conditions which impact the life and health of the residents, the economy of Colfax and is an imminent danger that affects life, health, property or public peace; and actions must be taken quickly to respond to this emergency.

Whitman County Commissioners also passed an emergency declaration for the county Monday.

There were no positive coronavirus cases in Whitman County as of Tuesday, but the emergency declaration will allow resources to be more accessible.

"CRAZY DAYS" TO RETURN

The Colfax Chamber of Commerce has announced that "Crazy Days" will return.

The former summer event in Colfax, centered on Main Street businesses, is set to run July 9-11, to feature various events, from bands on Spring Street, a cornhole tournament and possible beer and wine tasting event at the fairgrounds. No plans are official yet. The event would have no parade. Plans are underway in a time when gatherings of large numbers of people are being canceled due to the coronavirus.

"Hopefully by then, things will be settled down and people will want to come out and do things," said Allie Cofer, Chamber of Commerce project coordinator.

WSU SPRING SPORTS CANCELED

Due to the coronavirus, all spring sports at Washington State University are canceled for the 2020 season. The athletic department acted in alignment with the Pac-12 Conference and guidelines put in place by Washington Governor Jay Inslee. All conference and non-conference competitions through the end of this academic year have been canceled.

According to WSU Athletics, other organized team activities are also suspended through April 2. Spring sports at WSU include baseball, golf, track and field, rowing and tennis.

AVISTA TO SUSPEND POWER AND NATURAL GAS DISCONNECTIONS

Avista Utilities have suspended power and natural gas disconnections in Washington and Idaho. All Avista offices are closed to the public as of Wednesday, March 18.

PULLMAN UNDER STATE OF EMERGENCY

Pullman Mayor Glenn Johnson declared a State of Emergency for the City of Pullman, Thursday, March 12. This emergency declaration facilitates potential future assistance related to the coronavirus, including business assistance from the Small Business Administration, as well as access to regional and state resources.

This declaration is a way to ensure all necessary resources will be available if needed during this time of COVID-19.

Along with the emergency declaration, the City of Pullman opened an Emergency Operations Center at the Pullman Police Department. The EOC will manage emergency-related information and resources as needed.

Mayor Johnson urges Pullman residents to continue to support local businesses during this time of uncertainty. Support for local businesses is critical to maintaining the local economy. Johnson said he knows that local businesses have instituted additional measures to protect employees' and consumers' health.

Washington State University President Kirk Schulz has informed Pullman community leaders that Mom's weekend has been canceled. The status of the Macklemore concert is yet to be determined.

Schulz called Pullman Mayor Glenn Johnson to inform him the event was canceled due to the coronavirus.

WINTER WEATHER WEEKEND ON THE PALOUSE

Winter was not done yet on the Palouse as a winter weather advisory was in effect for the area from 11 p.m. Friday to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14.

The National Weather Service issued this advisory due to expected snow and blowing snow. Snow accumulations were estimated to total up to two inches in some areas with wind gusts up to 35 mph.

Areas under the advisory were Colfax, Pullman, Rosalia, LaCrosse, Oakesdale, Tekoa, Uniontown, Moscow, Plummer, Potlatch and Genesee.

Slippery road conditions were expected Friday night and into Saturday morning with patchy blowing snow that could significantly reduce visibility over rural portions of Whitman County.

In a press release from the National Weather Service, brisk northeast winds and potentially the coldest temperatures of the season were expected to bring low wind chills and could cause impacts to agriculture and livestock.

INCREASED HIGHWAY PATROLS FOR SPRING BREAK

The Washington State Patrol announced March 11 that they will conduct added patrols as WSU students begin to leave for this week's spring break, March 16-20.

Starting Thursday, March 12, state troopers will focus on distracted driving, speeding and other violations which may cause collisions.

The WSP will increase their presence on State Route 26, 195 and Interstate-90 going over Snoqualmie Pass.

WSU TO MOVE TO ONLINE CLASSES

Washington State University has announced a move to all online classes after spring break for the remainder of the semester due to the coronavirus.

Classes at all WSU campuses will begin in an online format March 23. The spring semester ends May 8.

Campus facilities will otherwise remain open, including dining halls and dormitories. WSU employees will still come to work on campus.

Pullman Mayor Glenn Johnson has encouraged residents to continue to shop in Pullman to ease the economic impact of the virus. The City of Pullman also announced available loans from the federal Small Business Administration, for up to $2 million per business – the first time the loans have been offered due to a health emergency.

WRITER'S FESTIVAL ANNOUNCED FOR SUMMER

The Palouse Writer's Guild and Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators have announced a writer's festival to take place on the Palouse this summer.

The June 27 event at the 1912 Center in Moscow will include workshops, a keynote speaker and a free, family-friendly, evening "Books and Brews" feature.

Winners of the Palouse Writers Guild First Chapter Contest will be awarded at 6:30 p.m. during Books & Brews.

For more information, go to palousewritersguild.org.