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POMEROY–As the community steps into 2025, it's an ideal moment to take a quick look back at the year that was, and a deeper look forward at the work still ahead. Below is an update on where we stand as a community, and what we can expect in the months ahead. Booster Pump Installation at 18th St. and Columbia. The Booster Pump installation at 18th St. and Columbia is well underway. DW Excavating, based out of Davenport, was awarded the contract in November, and construction began in December. T...
POMEROY––The Garfield County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) heard a report of progress on the wind and solar code, and discussed wolf collaring and phone service change particulars at their meeting on Jan. 13. County Prosecutor Matt Newberg, County Engineer Shawn Turpin, and outside counsel Ken Harper presented the board with an update on the expected progress of the new wind and solar code currently being reviewed by the County Planning Commission. Harper stated that the review is going slo...
Ten Years Ago January 21, 2025 Surrounded by family and classmates, Pomeroy High School senior Savannah Ruark signed a letter of intent on Friday to play volleyball at Walla Walla Community College. She will play middle hitter for the Warriors. A member of the Pirate varsity volleyball team all 4 years of high school, Savannah and her teammates won the State 1B championship this past season. Twenty-Five Years Ago January 26, 2000 With the increased amount of CRP acres in western Garfield...
Submit an Event Wednesday, Jan 22 Ski Bluewood–CLOSED Meals on Wheels–Request service 509-843-3008, Senior Center–7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Senior Center Meals–Senior Center, 695 W. Main St.–12 p.m. BINGO, Pomeroy Senior Center–1 p.m. Denny Ashby Library–12–6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan 23 Ski Bluewood–9 a.m.-4 p.m. Food Bank Distribution Day–865 Main St.–9 a.m.-12 p.m. Pinochle, Pomeroy Senior Center–9 a.m. Denny Ashby Library–1-7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan 24 Ski Bluewood–9 a.m.-4 p.m. Meals on Wheels–Request service 509-843-3008, Senior Center–7:30 a.m.-1:30...
POMEROY-The Garfield County Planning Commission addressed conflict-of-interest allegations and discussed changes made to the revised alternative energy code at their meeting on Jan. 8. Commission chairwoman Wendi Watson, responding to allegations of conflict of interest, said she wants to be transparent and stated that she has family members who have signed leases with wind energy companies. She also stated that she has no personal profit arising from the proposed wind turbine projects. Changes...
POMEROY-The City of Pomeroy has been issued a violation by the Environmental Protection Agency for failure to complete the Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) according to the minutes of their Jan. 7 meeting. The LSLI deadline was October 16, 2024. The City is required to issue a public notification informing Pomeroy citizens of the violation every quarter until the inventory is submitted. Staff have been working on the LSLI over several months and Crew Superintendent Mike Lockard "has not found...
Ten Years Ago January 14, 2015 Dawn Waldal received a warm reception from guests at Blue Mountain Artisan Guild's open house Thursday. The owner of Wild Country Wearables on Main St. in Pomeroy displayed several paintings from her collection. Besides Dawn's paintings, the event also featured a "free-for-all" display of paintings without a collective topic. Twenty-Five Years Ago January 19, 2000 Pomeroy Junior Miss Mandy McKinley went to Pullman on Sunday for the start of this week's state...
POMEROY-The Garfield County board of commissioners (BOCC) approved a change of fax supplier and approved the 2025 wage schedule at their meeting on Jan. 6, the first of the new year. The Commissioners approved changing the supplier of faxing services to West Fax, who will provide seven HIPPA-compliant lines for a monthly bill of $99.65. The county is currently paying $108 monthly for six lines. The lines will maintain their current numbers. Commissioner Jim Nelson questioned the necessity for...
POMEROY–The Garfield County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) appointed two members to county boards, passed the 2025 budget, and approved inter-fund transfers at their meeting on Dec. 23. The BOCC appointed Dave Taylor to the county Planning Commission. Taylor will fill a vacancy left by Pat McGreevy’s resignation. “Dave has been attending planning commission meetings as a liaison, so he’ll be able to jump right in,” Commissioner Justin Dixon stated. The board also appointed Justin Warren to...
By Jeanine (Richardson) Kern East Washingtonian Guest Columnist As an incoming Freshman at Pomeroy High School, I memorized the FFA Creed, and those opening words still have meaning today: I believe in the future of farming (agriculture). I write this letter as someone who cares about the future of Garfield County, as a landowner representing Richardson Family Farm, LLC as managing member, and with insight into energy demands, and specifically renewable energy demands in the private sector. I am...
Ten Years Ago December 31, 2014 Dear Friends, This is my final commentary for 2014-and my first as Senate Majority Leader, the person who leads the governing group of senators. The 25 other members of our Majority Coalition Caucus gave me that title early this month when we met to elect our leadership team for 2015-16. The stage is nearly set for next year's legislative session. As of this week we know what the governor's priorities are for 2015, and they don't look very much like the things...
POMEROY–The Garfield County Planning Commission discussed pages 91-99 of the proposed alternative energy code and tasked staff with research at their meeting on Dec. 18. The part of the code discussed pertained to conditional use permits of wind energy facilities. Particular areas of discussion were setback requirements, soil protections, and property right protections. Commissioner Kyler Lovgren shared his priorities of public safety, environmental safety, property rights, and reflecting the c...
By Naomi Scoggin East Washingtonian Reporter POMEROY–The City Council appointed James Fuchs as interim councilman, approved an inter-local agreement for law enforcement and court services, and discussed grant funds according to the minutes of their Dec. 10 meeting. To fill the seat left empty by Jim Harris's retirement, the council appointed James Fuchs who will serve as interim councilman until the seat is filled by the fall 2025 election. The council approved an updated inter-local a...
POMEROY–The Lady Buccaneers look to wrap up the 2024 side of this season's schedule with away games at Dayon this Friday and at Liberty Christian on Monday, December 30 following a pair of losses to Whitman County rivals Garfield-Palouse and Oakesdale. The Lady Nighthawks pummeled the Lady Pirates with a 21-point second half to edge the team 31-20 in the league counter. Lucy Hockett lifted her team with 13 game-high points. Isabella Field was Pomeroy's top scorer with six. At Palouse, G...
POMEROY–The Garfield County Public Health District approved several resolutions, discussed the health officer position, and discussed GCPHD programs at their meeting on Dec. 16. Dr. Daniel Kaminsky, who has served as Garfield County's health officer for several years, attended his last meeting with the GCPHD. Dr. Kaminsky extended great appreciation for the opportunity to serve and wished the department well in future endeavors. Garfield County will receive health officer services from Dr. M...
POMEROY–The Garfield County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) held a public hearing regarding the 2025 budget, the six-year transportation improvement plan and discussed planning commission meetings at their meeting on Dec. 16. A public hearing was held regarding the 2025 budget. No public comment was brought forward. There was also no public comment regarding the six-year transportation improvement plan public hearing. Both matters will be addressed at the next BOCC meeting. The commissioners d...
WALLA WALLA–Pomeroy’s Quality Behavioral Health is one of a number of nonprofits which received grants awarded by the Blue Mountain Community Foundation recently. Some $223,200 in grants were awarded to local nonprofits based in and serving the communities of Umatilla, Walla Walla, Columbia and Garfield Counties. Quality Behavioral Health received $18,000 to support operations. This focus is one way that the board and staff of BMCF are embracing Trust-Based Philanthropy – a grantmaking philosophy that puts the emphasis of grant funding on su...
Ten Years Ago December 17, 2014 Blue Mountain Artisan Guild recently hosted a "Girls Night Out" at the art center in Pomeroy. A dozen participants painted two watercolor pictures with Christmas themes, and enjoyed refreshments. The snowman paintings are now on display in the BMAG window. Twenty-Five Years Ago December 22, 1999 "What Christmas Means to Me"-Pomeroy Elementary School Third Graders-Tye Knebel: "What Christmas means to me. Christmas is about Jesus's birthday. Mary and Joseph had...
Julie Claassen October 27, 1953–December 11, 2024 It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved wife and mother, Julie Claassen, who passed away on December 11, 2024, at the age of 71. Julie was born on October 27, 1953, in Pomeroy, Wash., to Kenny and Jeanne Price. She later moved to Spokane, where she graduated as a registered nurse from Deaconess College of Nursing. In 1975, Julie married Curt, and they moved to Tekoa, Wash., for three years, where Curt worked on the far...
POMEROY-The Garfield County Planning Commission released the first draft of a new alternative energy code to the public at their meeting on December 4. The commission neither approved nor disapproved of the draft, stating that they had too many questions about it still to commit to a stance. The decision to release it to the public was made to allow Garfield County citizens time to view it before the formal public comment period started. The plan has can be viewed on the Garfield County...
POMEROY––The Garfield County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) announced temporary closure of gravel sales to the public, discussed the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office budget, and approved two inter-fund transfers at their meeting on Dec. 9. Public sale of gravel from county pits will be closed due to low gravel supply. What gravel is left will be held in reserve to attend to spring thaw needs on the county’s gravel roads and emergency flooding response. Sales will be re-evaluated at the next ti...
Ten Years Ago December 10, 2014 Pomeroy High School head track coach Adam VanVogt was named the 2014 1B Washington State Track Coach of the Year by the Washington State Coaches Association. The Pirate boys' track team was the 2014 boys' State 1B champions at the State meet in May last year. VanVogt was the association's State B Coach of the Year in 2003 when the Pomeroy boys' team won the State championship that year. VanVogt was also the 2003 District 9 Coach of the Year. Twenty-Five Years Ago...
POMEROY-Christmas season in Pomeroy has officially arrived! Kicking off with ornament painting at the Blue Mountain Artisan Guild and cookie decorating at The Baker's Table, November 29 wound down with the Pomeroy Chamber of Commerce's Starlight Parade and pictures with Santa in the Pioneer Plaza. The Starlight Parade is traditionally the day after Thanksgiving. This year it featured floats, horses, and even a Naslund Disposal garbage truck, all decked out with Christmas lights. Jolly Old Saint...
POMEROY-The Garfield County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) passed levy certifications, approved a law enforcement contract with the City of Pomeroy, and signed a letter of intent to withdraw from the Washington Counties Risk Group at the Nov. 25 meeting, and approved a contribution to the Community Heart and Soul project, approved the purchase of an internet switch, and discussed ways to bring down the county's insurance premiums at their meeting on Dec. 2. The BOCC passed resolution...
POMEROY-The Garfield County Hospital District board of commissioners introduced Dorothy Sawyer, interim Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) and discussed the electrical project at their meeting on Dec. 2. Dorothy Sawyer, of the Spokane area, is serving as the interim CNO for Garfield County Memorial Hospital while candidates for the permanent position are being interviewed. Sawyer stated that as CNO she is preparing for an upcoming survey by monitoring citations from previous surveys, as well as...