Whitman County Gazette - Serving Whitman County since 1877

COLFAX - St. Ignatius Hospital's transformation to an events center and hotel is underway.

Owner Austin Storm plans to include a restaurant, artist studios, and classrooms.

Storm is starting by raising money to repair room-size sections of floors damaged by a leak in the roof. The damage extends through four floors.

"To stabilize it so it's not getting worse, that is the first quest," said Storm. "There's a column of damage in the building. It really is a rescue mission at this point."

Water effects in the 1893 structure have been ongoing for 10 to 20 years. St. Ignatius ceased operations...