Your Hometown News Source
Your Hometown News Source
Sorted by date Results 1151 - 1175 of 1648
POMEROY–The Garfield County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) signed an interlocal agreement with Jamestown Networks (JNET) for installation and service of an internet and voice over internet phone system for the County Courthouse at their meeting on May 3. County Engineer Grant Morgan gathered information, communicated between the departments involved, and worked to bring the agreement to fruition. The BOCC passed Resolution 2021-11, transferring $25,000 from the current expenses fund to the f...
POMEROY–The District School Board approved policy 3241 regarding student discipline in an effort to minimize student removal from class, and policy 3432 relating to emergency drills, with one drill a month required during the recent meeting on April 27. The board went on to discussed the seventh grade six week curriculum course called “Making Healthy Decisions for the 21st Century” defining sexual assault behavior and providing ways to stop it. Parents are free to opt their children out of an...
Restricted area on West Capitol Campus no longer in place; fence to be removed OLYMPIA–An order restricting access to portions of West Capitol Campus since January is no longer in place, and that means fencing surrounding the area will come down. Removal work is scheduled for Tuesday morning May 4. Moffitt, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs WASHINGTON D.C.–Jenny Moffitt, who presently serves as Undersecretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, will be nominated to serve as United State Department of...
OLYMPIA–A key bill for agriculture, Senate Bill 5172, took a bumpy route before being passed by the Legislature during the final weekend. Senate Bill 5172, introduced by one of my Republican colleagues, 14th District Sen. Curtis King of Yakima, attempted to defuse a potential time bomb caused by a recent court ruling that could cause a devastating problem for Washington’s dairy industry and other parts of our state’s economy. For 60 years, state law exempted the agriculture industry from payin...
POMEROY – Pomeroy Partners Coalition for Healthy Families and the Garfield County Sheriff's office coordinated "Drug Takeback Day" a national event supported by the Drug Enforcement Agency, on April 23. The national date for the event was scheduled to occur on Saturday April 24, however, Pomeroy Partners Coalition for Healthy Families Coordinator Melody Darby believed turnout would be better on a Friday so moved the event to April 23. Tables were set up on the Garfield County Courthouse lawn b...
POMEROY–Garfield County Health District announced zero active cases for Garfield County during the month of April at the Garfield County Commissioners' meeting April 26. The amount of testing has not dropped, and an estimated 37% of the county population has been vaccinated. Health District Program Coordinator Jessica Nelson is working with the School Wellness Committee to promote healthy nutrition. They are currently promoting fresh fruits and vegetables with a fruit basket in the school o...
POMEROY–The third phase of the Low-and-Moderate Income (LMI) survey conducted by the Evergreen Rural Water of Washington (ERWoW) will begin Tuesday, May 4 between 5:30–7:30 p.m. and Wednesday morning if needed. The LMI survey funded by the South Eastern Washington Economic Development Association (SEWEDA), City of Pomeroy, Garfield County and Port District of Garfield County which became available earlier this month on April 1, completed the first two phases; survey mailing to all residents followed by a reminder letter has been achieved, wit...
State Capital gains bill By Sen. Mark Schoesler OLYMPIA–A compromise version of the Senate Bill 5096 was agreed upon. According to our caucus budget/tax analyst, the agreed-upon version of the bill includes language that says: “The tax levied in subsection (1) of this section is necessary for the support of the state government and its existing public institutions.” If this language remains in, it is likely that a court would defer to the Legislature’s determination and conclude that the tax is not subject to a referendum. Governor sign Sc...
POMEROY–To hold the annual Pancake Breakfast or not to hold the event which coincides with the already canceled Pioneer Day Parade and activities, is the question for board members of the during the recent Garfield County Fair Board meeting April 21. The pros and cons of trying to hold the Pancake Breakfast were debated due to the postponement again this year of Pioneer Day activities on the second weekend in June, which include the Pioneer Parade and program, Food Fair and other events that t...
POMEROY–The Garfield County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) accepted the resignation of Garfield County Planning Commission Board Chairman Fred Zach at the weekly meeting on April 26. After two and a half years on the Garfield County Planning Commission board, Chairman Fred Zach has tendered his resignation. Commissioner Justin Dixon extended his appreciation for his time stating “Fred will be missed.” Road crews will be working on patch jobs for the rest of the week and then switch to crack...
POMEROY–The Port of Garfield is planning a ribbon cutting ceremony for the completion of the laying of the main line of fiber internet in Pataha on May 13. The time has not yet been set. Laying of the main line of fiber internet in Pataha has been completed, and the retainage will be released as soon as the final paperwork is finished. There was a snafu in the notice of completion with the omission of a subcontractor, but the problem has been identified and the notice is being rewritten and c...
POMEROY–The Garfield County Fire District No. 1 (GCFD) has received grants from Innovia, Pacific Power Foundation, Shepherd Foundation, All in Washington and Volunteer Firefighter Assistance totaling $21,000. The Innovia Foundation awarded $7,000 which went for two Nitronox systems; Pacific Power Foundation of $1,500 which will go toward the purchase of a stair chair; a combination of $7,500 previously granted from Shepherd Foundation and matched by All in Washington for the LUCAS automated C...
POMEROY–The traditional June Pioneer Day celebration and May Spring Bus Tour are canceled due to COVID–19 Phase 3 limitation. The COVID-19 virus has caused the postponement of one of the oldest community events in Garfield County for another year. According to current Pioneer Association president Jim Ruchert, “Since all of our activities are geared around a lot of people, we think it prudent to postpone events this spring and wait and see what the future brings. We have not forgotten about our mission and plan to continue as soon as possi...
POMEROY–The Garfield County Transportation Authority (GCTA) discussed an upcoming remodel of the public works facility at their April 19 meeting. The main concern was space for bus storage and washing, as well as a drive-through feature so busses wouldn't have to back out of their wash rack. No decisions were made on the remodel. GCTA also discussed a plan to switch to a voice over internet phone system, which would save $130 a month and offer faster line transfers. There has been no action t...
POMEROY–The Garfield County Commissioners (BOCC) approved the interlocal agreement between Whitman and Garfield counties during the April 19 meeting. The signed and affirmed Interlocal cooperation agreement allows the two counties to work for and bill each other. The agreements are also in place with several surrounding counties, County Engineer Grant Morgan said. Road crews patched potholes last week, and will continue this week. Road Maintenance Chief Rod Norland encouraged any reports of i...
WALLA WALLA–Students seeking careers as police officers or desiring other jobs within the criminal justice field now have the opportunity to earn a Bachelor in Applied Science (BAS) with a Concentration in Criminal Justice Administration from Walla Walla Community College (WWCC). The four-year degree fills a need within the region and allows students to obtain the background that can help them succeed as police officers and move up the ranks into management positions. The College is enrolling s...
Garfield County District Court–Judge Thomas Cox February 24, 2021 Jesus A. Davila, of Pasco, pleaded guilty to the gross misdemeanor offense of Obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer. Davila was fined $143. Sierra N. Hoskins, of Walla Walla, pleaded guilty to the gross misdemeanor offense of Theft 3rd Degree. Hoskins was sentenced to serve 15 days jail. March 10, 2021 Kristy Chamberlain, of Starbuck, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor Driving While License Suspended 3rd Degree. Chamberlain was f...
POMEROY–The Garfield County Hospital District accepted Dr. David Jones, M.D., of Palouse Heart Center which is part of Pullman Regional Hospital, as the cardiology consultant for Garfield County Hospital's telehealth program at the board meeting April 4. A grant received by Northwest Regional Health Network, of which Garfield County Hospital is a part will initially fund the program. It will operate on a six-month trial basis to ensure its sustainability. No starting date for the program was a...
OLYMPIA–On the warmest days in the summer, Seattle and other coastal cities can be as much as 17 degrees warmer than surrounding rural areas. The hotter temperatures not only affect the atmosphere, but create warm stormwater and sewage drainage that flows into Puget Sound, resulting in algae and risking fish populations. A bill authored by Rep. Mary Dye seeks to address the problem by incentivizing the strategic planting of trees in urban coastal areas in Washington state. House Bill 1114 was s...
POMEROY–The Garfield County Commissioners (BOCC) approved funding for a golf cart path project on city-owned property at the Crystal Springs Golf Course. The county will match costs with the City of Pomeroy up to $10,000 this year. Construction will start as soon as possible. Planned improvements include a jersey barrier border along part of the way to stop the bank from sloughing into the path. The BOCC has proclaimed National Public Safety Tele Communicator's Week as April 11-17 at the m...
POMEROY–A co-op formed by several County Ports, identified as Petrachor, is helping with public broadband projects across the state and will be the consultant and trouble mapping service for the fiber internet through the Pataha area, Port of Garfield Manager Diana Ruchert announced at the meeting on April 6. The Port of Garfield County has signed a two-year contract with Petrachor for their services. The United States Forest Service needs tile replaced throughout most of their building; the P...
POMEROY–The City Council heard Jack Peasley of Southeast Washington Economic Development Association (SEWEDA) speak about the Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) proposal to have Evergreen Rural Water of Washington (ERWoW) conduct another survey, funded by the City of Pomeroy, Garfield County, the Port of Garfield and SEWEDA. The last time a survey was done it was not a “full-blown” survey and the city fell below the percentage of the population qualifying as LMI needed to be eligible for state and federal grants. Peasley indicated if Pomeroy gets...
Rural ambulance bill becomes law By Sen. Mark Schoesler OLYMPIA–Senate Bill 5198, the rural ambulance bill sponsored by Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, passes the Legislature and was signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee. The bill allows ambulance-service providers to fill personnel shortages in Garfield and Farmington Counties, with ambulance drivers with no first aid or EMT training, but must be 18-years or older, pass a background check and have a clear and valid driver’s licenses. USDA Boosts Food Assistance for Homeless Young Adu...
OLYMPIA–A measure sponsored by Rep. Skyler Rude, R-Walla Walla, to allow for straw pulp to be used as post-consumer recycled content for single use carry out bags has unanimously passed both the House and Senate chambers. The original bill SB5323 effective January 1, 2021, banning the single use carry-out bags, requires new manufactured bags contain at least 40% recycled product. “The Legislature passed a plastic bag ban with Senate Bill 5323 in 2020,” said Rude. “The law, which was scheduled to take effect January 1, has yet to be impleme...
WALLA WALLA–The Walla Walla Community College will share insights on its 2021 strategic planning process during an online Community Forum from 5 to 6 p.m. on April 15. “Our strategic planning is designed to assess the needs of our communities and students and to guide our future development and growth. It’s been vital for the College to hear from our students, faculty, staff and community stakeholders,” WWCC President Chad Hickox said. Earlier this year students, faculty and staff completed a Climate & Needs Assessment and members of the gen...