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POMEROY––The local grocery store, Pomeroy Foods, previously owned and operated for 34 years by Mark Schmidt, was recently purchased by Dave Swearingen and Jason Hill of Entiat, Wash. The store will have a new name: Pomeroy Food Center. The new owners are a father and son team. Swearingen is not new to the grocery retail trade: his father went into the grocery business in 1984 when he bought a store in Entiat. In 2004, Swearingen and his wife Renee went into business with his parents in the Ent...
POMEROY–The Garfield County board of commissioners (BOCC) discussed weed growth and wind damage repair at their meeting on August 29. Ditch repair on the Lewis Road that was done earlier in the year has overgrown with weeds and the commissioners discussed possible strategies to deal with them with County Road Crew Chief Rod Norland. Cutting weeds with a grader, spraying, rogueing, and seeding grass were discussed. An electrical support at the Garfield County Fairgrounds was damaged, likely by w...
WALLA WALLA–The United States Department of Education has awarded Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) $654,889 through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Supplemental Support under the American Rescue Plan (SSARP) program. The award provides support to low-income and high-need WWCC students, and it reinforces the college's efforts to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Chair of the Senate Education Committee and a senior member of the Senate A...
SPOKANE–Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) weighed in on Washington Governor Jay Inslee and Senator Patty Murray's published report and recommendations leaving the door open for breaching the Lower Snake River dams. "The report and recommendations released by Governor Inslee and Senator Murray are a welcome step back towards reality, but the fight is far from over. For months, they led a sham process paid for by Washington taxpayers and pandered to radical environmen...
POMEROY–The Garfield County Transportation Authority (CTA) passed a transit development plan, a zero fare policy, and signed a memorandum of understanding for Quality Behavioral Health’s recovery navigator program at their meeting on August 22. The transit development plan is a six-year plan that outlines CTA’s goals for the next six years. A plan is submitted yearly. This year’s plan includes building a maintenance facility. It is on file at the CTA office and will be submitted to the Washing...
By Jim McKeirnan Garfield County Weed Coordinator Special to the East Washingtonian POMEROY–Poison Hemlock is extremely prevalent in Garfield County this year. It tends to thrive in damp, moist soil. We have just experienced a very wet spring in our county. Because of the damp conditions of the soil, Poison Hemlock is abundant in the area. Some large patches have developed. As these patches mature and dry out, it takes very little disturbance (like walking through the area) to create a dust o...
POMEROY–Garfield County Hospital District would like to introduce the newest member to its medical team, Marybella Dodson, ARNP. She was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Seattle. During her teens, Marybella, "Bella" began working in the Judson Park Retirement Home in the facility's restaurant as a dining-room server. Her mother was also employed there as a housekeeper in the Alzheimer's unit. Bella would often go and visit her and mingle with the residents. At age 15, she began working in t...
POMEROY–The Garfield County Commissioners (BOCC) voted to join a class action settlement against AmerisourceBergen Corporation, Cardinal Health, Inc, and McKesson Corporation, all three opioid manufacturers at their meeting on August 22. Other plaintiffs include all Washington State counties, as well as cities with a population over 10,000. Garfield County’s share of the proposed settlement is $3,000 per year up to a total of $64,000. The suit is being handled by the Washington State Att...
CLARKSTON–The Southeast Washington Economic Development Association has named Erika Stricker as Executive Director of the nonprofit which focuses on enhancing economic vitality and community development in the southeastern Washington counties of Asotin, Garfield, and Whitman. "I am very much looking forward to continuing the amazing work this organization has done to strengthen the economic vitality and diversity of our beautiful little corner of Washington," Stricker said. "We will remain focus...
POMEROY-The Garfield County board of commissioners (BOCC) was advised of new hire for the Health District; and discusses an idle account at their meeting on August 15. The Health District reported that they have hired Shelly Slaybaugh as Garfield County’s community health worker under South Eastern Washington Alliance for Health’s program which is placing community health workers in several local counties. They also approved resolutions 2022-15 and 2022-16. Resolution 2022-15 creates Amendment 6...
POMEROY-The Pomeroy City Council advised of a $10,000 grant recall; authorized Mayor Paul Miller to sign lease and service contracts and discussed the booster pump station preliminary design report at their meeting on August 9. A Blue Mountain Community Foundation grant for $10,000 has been recalled due to the funds not being spent during the grant period, which ended in June. This does not impact future award possibilities. The council authorized Mayor Miller to sign leases with the Garfield Co...
POMEROY–Garfield County Hospital will receive a $1 million grant to replace an aging electrical system for a Critical Access Hospital (CAH). The award is made available through the American Rescue Plan Act, Emergency Rural Health Care Grants Programs, of $74 million designated to improve healthcare in vulnerable communities. Garfield County Public Hospital District No. 1 will receive a $1 million grant to replace an aging electrical system for a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) to ensure it has the capacity to respond to COVID-19 and future p...
POMEROY–The Eastern Washington Agricultural Museum (EWAM) plan a work day on September 12 at 10 a.m., for making space for new items, especially in building No. 2; grants possibilities; and other business. The EWAM discussed a plan to organize the museum buildings, especially No. 2, to provide more space for new items such as the new motors and recently acquired are photographs from Alynda Benson, in addition to creating better overall flow. A work day to evaluate displays and plan relocation is set for September 12 at 10 a.m. It was also d...
New program covers tuition, books, supplies for local students who are new to the college WALLA WALLA–Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) continues to find new ways to make college possible for local residents. A first-year pilot of the new Warrior Pledge will cover tuition and other educational expenses for as many as 50 students this fall—from the start of their studies through graduation. You are eligible to participate if you live in Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield or Asotin counties in Washington; Umatilla County, Oregon; or Nez Per...
POMEROY–The Blue Mountain Artisan Guild (BMAG) will begin to accept Man Cave show entries August 29. The reception for this show is scheduled for Thursday, September 1 at 5-7 p.m. All the Man Cave items will be the main feature with Nick Hastings as one of the Junior artists, so far. Crafts can be in leather, wood, painting, photography, metal, weaving, sewing/knitting/crochet/embroidery, taxidermy, car or furniture restoration. Submitted by Suzanne Grove, Acting Secretary...
POMEROY––Incumbent Sheriff Drew Hyer received about a hundred more votes than challenger Kurt Miller, and Garfield County voters approved Proposition No. 1 to fund emergency communication systems and facilities, results from the August 2 Primary Election showed. Voter turnout in Garfield County was 52.47%, with 893 ballots counted as of the election deadline, with an estimated 35 remaining to be counted, preliminary results indicated. Proposition No. 1 saw an overwhelming 71.8% approval, 588 casting yes votes to 230 opposed. Proposition No....
POMEROY–The annual Community Calendar, promoted and provided in partnership with the Pirate Booster Club and the Gwinn family, order and payment deadline is set for August 15, 2023. The Pirate Booster Club and the Gwinn family have partnered to provide the Community Calendar of birthdays and anniversaries for 2022-23 (September-August). Orders will be based on a select, small number of paid orders only. Some participating members have been contacted, but want to make it available to anyone who wishes to be included. Each calendar is $10 per fam...
POMEROY–The Garfield County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) hosted an award ceremony at their meeting on August 8. Garfield County Engineer Manager/Surveyor Ron Weeks was presented with County Road Administration Board's Program Manager of the Year for 2022 award. He was nominated by County Engineer Grant Morgan, who cited Weeks' excellent and efficient work on the road overlay project accomplished earlier this year. "He's my right hand man," Morgan said. "We couldn't do what we do without someone...
POMEROY–The Community Economic Forum is scheduled at the Pataha Flour Mill on August 16 at 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The Community Economic Forum meeting will take place at the Pataha Flour Mill, 50 Hutchens Hill Road on August 15 starting at 11 a.m. Discussion and updates will focus on the Garfield County Hospital District strategic plan, Southeast Washington Economic Development Association (SEWEDA), water, infrastructure improvement and the wayfinder sign project. The Chamber of Commerce will provide lunch. The public is invited to submit questions a...
WASHINGTON, D.C.–The City of Pomeroy could receive federal funding of $436,000 for local water system improvements through a Senate Appropriations bill secured by U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA). Sen. Murray, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, stated she has secured nearly $230 million in Congressionally-directed spending for Washington state projects in the fiscal year 2023 draft Senate Appropriations bills. The nearly $230 million secured by Sen. Murray represents a 98% percent increase over last year and will fund c...
Garfield County Hospital District is proud to announce May's Employee of the Month, Anna Wessels. She was nominated by her co-workers who state, "She is always willing to help out whenever she can." Anna is originally from Pomeroy, Wash. When she was a year old, she moved to the neighboring community of Dayton, Wash. She attended grade school in Dayton Elementary and then in 2010, her family relocated back to Garfield County. Anna graduated from Pomeroy Junior/Senior High School in 2019. Her...
POMEROY–The Port of Garfield County commissioners discussed broadband contract, certifications, and authorized Port Manager Diana Ruchert to accept two bids. The Fiber-To-The-Home contract for Pataha has been received and is signed by all necessary parties. Bids will be opened on September 1, and the estimated cost is $400,000. The Port commissioners were certified in Open Public Meeting and Public Records Training at a seminar in Walla Walla. It is a four-year certification. Manager Ruchert w...
WHITMAN COUNTY–Washington State and Garfield County Fire District No. 1 deployed assistance for the Central Ferry Riparia blaze which burned more than 3,000 acres in a wild fire August 4, 2022. State fire assistance was mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan in support of local firefighters which included a three-member team and brush truck from the Garfield County Fire District No. 1. Together they worked to contain the Riparia Fire located in Whitman County, at Central Ferry. The Riparia was estimated a...
GARFIELD COUNTY–A Lewiston, Idaho, man was injured in a one-vehicle accident three miles east of Pomeroy last Thursday, August 4. Mathias J. Hamilton, 32, was driving a green, two-door 2014 Chevrolet Cruze, which left the roadway, struck a guardrail, then continued down the embankment where it rolled into a culvert at 6:11 p.m. He was reported to have sustained injuries and was transported to St. Joseph Medical Center. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the Washington State Patrol. TKT Towing assisted with the damaged vehicle. The i...
Washington, D.C.–Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) helped introduce the American Confidence in Elections (ACE) Act, comprehensive legislation to strengthen election integrity and restore confidence in the voting process. “I believe we must restore trust and confidence in our election system,” said Rodgers. “Every American – Republican, Democrat, and Independent – deserves to know that their vote is counted when they go to the polling place or mail in their ballot. This legislation takes a huge step towards sho...