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POMEROY–The Garfield County Commissioners (BOCC) heard anticipated placement of fiber optic at the fairgrounds, approved Resolutions 2021-40 and 2021-03, elected board assignments, and held the Garfield Health District meeting at its January 25 meeting. Public Works anticipates a trench for fiber optic will be dug from the light pole at the edge west of the bleachers to the along the fence where it will come out by the Dick Brown Building, run underground to that to the sheep barn then go i...
OLYMPIA–Rep. Mary Dye, R-9, Pomeroy, ranking Republican on the House Environment and Energy Committee, released this statement following the committee passage of House Bill 1091 by House Democrats last Thursday. The measure would enact a low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS), and authorize the state Department of Ecology to create a clean fuels program, which could eventually increase the cost of gasoline by 57 cents per gallon and diesel by 63 cents per gallon. "It is incredibly disappointing and u...
POMEROY–Garfield County Hospital District announces vaccination will be available by appointment only at the Dick Brown Building at the Fairgrounds every Friday beginning January 29, 2021. Vaccine supply is limited, so to meet the communities need, call the Health District at (509) 843-3412 to be put on a list; a scheduler will call you to get scheduled for your shot when you are eligible; and due to required screening before and monitoring after, plan to be there for around an h...
By Larry Bunch POMEROY–After a blustery second Camas Prairie shoot January 16–17, Pomeroy Gun Club competed in the third of the 10-week competition on January 23 and 24 with more moderate conditions. The Junior Shooters shot on Saturday morning for the third Camas Prairie event. In the 12-year-old and under Division Peyton Cannon and Braxton McKeirnan led the young shooters with an 18 and a 16 in singles. McKeirnan had the top Handicap score with an 18 and Byron Collier and Peyton Cannon had 16s. Sub Juniors were led by the 21 of Brodie Mag...
Big bucks on security OLYMPIA–Taxpayers will pick up the $1.5 million tab for the 10-day heavy Washington State Patrol/National Guard presence surrounding the Capitol prior–during–after inaugural week. Submitted by Sen. Mark Schoesler Fences prohibit access to hearings OLYMPIA–This week, a large number of people signed into the hearing for SB 5114, the straight-to-Phase-2 bill, but the fences around the capitol meant people were unable to rally at the “people’s house” or even testify in person. Submitted by Sen. Mark Schoesler $339 million...
POMEROY–COVID-19 vaccine center set at the Dick Brown Community Building, Garfield County Commissioners approved increase in fairground RV rental space and fair ticket costs for 2021, the creation of Fair Board by-laws in the works, and Shepherd Foundation approved a $10,000 grant, the Garfield County Fair Board heard recently. Garfield County Health District (GCHD) will be using the Dick Brown Community Building beginning January 29 on Fridays and Saturdays through the month of February to administer COVID-19 vaccines. Set-up will be on F...
OLYMPIA–A pandemic can't stop the state FFA officers from making their annual visit to this former state FFA officer. I'm proud to see three of the six hail from our 9th District! From left: Secretary Gunnar Aune, Colfax; Treasurer Alissa Whitaker, Moses Lake; Reporter Haley Gilman, Eastmont; President Cole Baerlocher, Colfax; Vice President Lauren Stubbs, LaCrosse; Sentinel Tysen White, Finley....
POMEROY––Two projects here are underway, the Pomeroy City Council heard at its January 5 meeting. The Gazebo Restoration Project at the City Park was started on December 29 and the Fifth Street Lift Station repair projects is underway. Concrete has been poured and, moving forward, the Gazebo project appears to have a week or two to go, discussion indicated. Council was told there has been some concern expressed about the paint colors of the gazebo. Mayor Paul Miller asked Council members to thi...
By Loyal Baker POMEROY––State auditors will likely include a “finding” in their report, Chief James Cleveland informed Garfield County Fire Commissioners January 12. Auditors requested additional information, Cleveland said, concerning a revolving account with a debit card that had been established at the former Pomeroy US Bank by former chief Kris Darby. “Because it’s a government entity, you really couldn’t have it, so what the former chief did was put it in his name, the ‘Chief Kris Darby Revolving Account,’” said Deedee Weymouth, District...
POMEROY–WSU Extension in the Blue Mountain region and the Columbia County Weed Board are co-hosting a regional Weed Management and Cereal Grain Conference On-line on Thursday, January 28, 2021 from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1–3 p.m. on Zoom. There is no charge to participate in the conference. Five WSDA and five Oregon Department of Ag pesticide re-certification credits have been applied for. Participants must sign into the meeting and register between 8:45–9 a.m. on January 28; be present for entire presentation to receive credits. Verific...
Expanding the power of decision By Sen. Mark Schoesler OLYMPIA–Senator Mark Schoesler is co-sponsor of bill SB 5039, to reform the emergency-powers law by making all proclamations subject to legislative approval after 30 days. Governor Inslee have made two kinds of proclamations during this pandemic using powers granted by state law after a state of emergency has been declared. The bans on inside dining and other activities are done with proclamations which prohibit such; the other proclamations suspend certain laws such as renewal of d...
POMEROY–COVID-19 vaccines should arrive here this week. Upon the shipment arrival, appointment scheduling and immunization for healthcare worker only can begin. For now, Garfield Health District (GHD) and Garfield County Hospital District (GCHD) are planning for mass vaccination by securing staff and space. Presently, GHD and GCHD have been notified State Guidance for B1 vaccine eligibility has been extended to 65 years and older. More information will be available in next week’s East Washingtonian newspaper and breaking news is available on...
WASHINGTON, D.C.–Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) expressed her point of view after voting against the impeachment of President Donald J. Trump. "I analyzed the Article of Impeachment through the lens that has guided my decision-making throughout my time in Congress: the oath I took to support and defend the Constitution. The Article presented before the House centers around whether President Trump's words directly incited the violence that took place at the U...
By Sen. Mark Schoesler, Rep. Joe Schmick and Rep. Mary Dye OLYMPIA–Just as 2020 will always be remembered as the "COVID-19 year," the 2021 legislative session already is being recalled as one in which nearly everything was done remotely, preventing the public from accessing the Legislature in person and hampering citizens' ability to fully connect with the legislative process. This year's 105-day session began January 11. Legislative sessions typically begin with plenty of excitement and a...
POMEROY–The Garfield County Commissioners approved the Health Saving Account (HSA) contribution payment of $400 per employee per month at the January 11 regular meeting. The amount subsidizes the $5,000 deductible for the HSA at the back, according to Board Clerk Donna Deal. In the past, a contribution of $600 per employee per month was made to back fund the health saving accounts for all county employees, Deal explained. Last year, the board approved lowering that contribution to $400 which has maintained the level they have set. Again, a c...
POMEROY–The community is experiencing low COVID case number; Two active cases as of January 11 with some testing happening at the hospital but not much which is a good sign for our community. Even though minimal cases are being reported, Inslee has placed Washington State back to Phase 1 as of this morning January 11, 2021. This means infection numbers will have to meet required minimums in all nine counties contained in the East Region (Ferry, Stevens, Pen Oreille, Lincoln, Spokane, Adams, Whit...
POMEORY–The Drug Free Communities $125,000 grant was recently awarded to the Pomeroy Partners for Health Families. They are one of 201 coalitions in the United States receiving the annual funds for the Drug Free Communities Support Program. The purpose behind the 1997 Drug-Free Communities Act, is to provide grants to community coalitions in their efforts to prevent and reduce the incident of youth substance abuse and to grow healthier family relationships. The grant will allow Pomeroy P...
CENTRAL FERRY–Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness has invested $4.5 million to better serve its Pacific Northwest customers with three new million-gallon tanks, adding efficiency to area distribution facility and reducing the carbon foot print. The Agri-chemical company increased the storage capacity from 500,000 gallons to more than 3.5 million gallons at its Central Ferry location to better serve area customers. "This is a significant investment for Wilbur-Ellis and re-confirms our commitment to our g...
This is the January 14 installment of the East Washingtonian's look back at 2020. -Charlotte Baker Publisher & Editor MAY 21). Garfield County had been granted approval to move forward to Phase 2 of the Governor’s Safe Start recovery plan. Hospital co-CEO Mat Slaybaugh outlined the upcoming construction that will upgrade the electrical infrastructure in the original hospital portion of the building. Library Drive-In Wi-Fi Hotspot Available for Free Internet Use. Teleconferencing, the Courthouse drop box and courtroom sound system have become v...
Majority already moving forward toward state income tax By Sen. Mark Schoesler WASHINGTON STATE–Majority Democrats are looking to fast-track state income tax and once again trying to call it anything but an income tax by using the term “excise tax” in the title of Senate Bill 5096: “Concerning an excise tax on gains from the sale or exchange of certain capital assets.” Apparently, it is such a priority that a public hearing on the bill has already been scheduled for next Thursday. January 14, 2020 in the Senate Ways and Means Committee...
POMEROY–The first of the Camas Prairie 10-week shoot for the Pomeroy Gun Club launched the weekend of December 9–10. Using the new stipulations under the COVID–19 protocols, the start of the season was fairly successful. The Junior shooters started their 2021 season on Saturday morning with Braxton McKeirnan leading the 12-year-old and under group with an 18 X 25 in singles and a 16 in Handicap. Byron Collier had a 16 in Singles and Levi Bowen had a 16 in Handicap. In the Sub Junior Division Mason Garcia and Gunner Magill paced the group with...
WASHINGTON STATE–The government roll-out of vaccine distribution which began before Christmas, has met management issues fostering inoculation delays or holds. The federal government's "Operation Warp Speed" to develop a COVID-19 vaccine certainly wasn't secret. Governor Inslee and his Department of Health had many months to prepare for distributing the two approved vaccines received by our state before Christmas. Yet by the middle of this week Washington ranked 38th of the 50 states in a...
Chairman Justin Dixon named committee assignments in the first commission meeting of 2021 this week. Dixon will continue as chairman in addition to representing Garfield County on the Washington Counties Risk Pool, Washington Counties Insurance Fund, Blues Intergovernmental Council, the Snake River Salmon Recovery Board, and the Noxious Weed Board. Commissioner Jim Nelson will cover the Washington Association of Counties, the Legislative Steering Committee, Public Health District, Council of Governments Aging and Long Term Care and the Greater...
POMEROY–Inland Cellular began fiber optic installation this week, starting with the Jack Peasley residence on Arlington Street here Monday. He and a neighbor across the street will be able to test out the benefit of faster internet via fiber optic services as soon as Monday of this week. "It is starting here first and the house across the street," said Peasley. "It is so exciting to see it finally happening." Fiber optic availability to rural communities was made possible by legislation i...
Employment opportunities for SNAP participants WASHINGTON, D.C.–The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced a final rule enhancing employment and training opportunities for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants. SNAP participants have exclusive access to training and support services to help them enter or move up in the workforce through state SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) programs. Sno-Park use soars OLYMPIA–Due to COVID-19 indoor entertainment restrictions, the Washington State Parks Winter Recreation Pro...