2020 - Year in Review

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 valuable tools in continuing the workings of County business with the public during pandemic closures.

28). Plans to move forward with the Garfield County Fair in September were made at the May 19 Fair Board teleconference meeting with the “Phasing” process as its measurement. Due to the ongoing concern of COVID-19, the Board voted to restrict the 2020 fair to Garfield County residents only.

The Port of Garfield Commissioners approved a $64,458.92 payment to M&L Construction and with authorization to resume construction on the broadband system.

The Garfield County Hospital District received a legislative grant in the amount of $245,000, earmarked for the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) of installation of a new electrical system and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system for the old hospital portion of the building.

Three-way race for County Commissioner Position 1, with incumbent Commissioner Wynne McCabe seeking re-election with a challenger Larry Ledgerwood. Three republican candidates, Vonni (Vonda) Mulroney, P. Ernest Kimble and Jim Nelson have filed for Positon 1, which is currently held by Robert K. Johnson, who announced that he would not run for another term.

JUNE

4). Garfield County was approved to move into Phase 2, which allows several local businesses to conditionally reopen.

Fairgrounds approved for graduation ceremony on June 13, 2020, if the county has moved into Phase 3.

A total of 38 tests have been administered for COVID-19, all negative, and the County is eligible to apply for a Phase 3 variance under the Governor’s Stage Start Plan.

Army Veteran Dale Fellows, 88, received a Quilt of Valor on his birthday May 28, 2020. Alice Gwinn of the Lewis Clark Quilts of Valor group pieced, quilted and bound his quilt.

County struggling through revenue shortfalls. An expected state funding loss of $400,000 from decreased fuel taxes will impact county road maintenance budget and other public works.

11). Garfield County’s Phase III application has been approved by the Washington State Department of Health (WSDH) affirmed by Governor Inslee.

Alyssa Wolf, Valedictorian, and Evan Bartels, Salutatorian, will be the commencement speakers for the 2020 Graduation ceremony held at the Garfield County Fairgrounds, June 13.

The “Free Summer Lunch, Breakfast and Weekend Program” starts June 18 and runs through August 28.

The School District has received seven preliminary examples or options to consider for reopening school in the fall for the 2020-2021 school year form the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, according to Rachel Gwinn, superintendent.

18). Class of 2020 Commencement exercises were held at the Garfield Fairgrounds, with Valedictorian Alyssa Wolf addressing the Class of 2020 “Persevere through Adversity” and Salutatorian Evan Bartels addressing his fellow classmates as “Strong, Resilient and Adaptable.”

The Garfield County Fire District (GCLFD) Board of Commissioners held a second interview with candidate James Cleveland.

25). The Garfield County Fair Board made the decision to move forward with the 2020 fair at the June 16 meeting which will need approval by the County Commissioners.

Swimming pool opened with a free swim day Friday June 19. Lifeguards on duty this summer are Kaylee Schmidt, Josie Zimmerman, Katie Boyer, Raelin Borley, Joran Tucker, Kyler Denny, Jayden Slusser, Vegas Vecchio, Crystie Gardon.

Chris Workman of the Transportation Improvement Board asked Luke Antonich of TD&H Engineering to provide an installation cost for the new sidewalk on the north side of Columbia in the Columbia Fifth to Sixth Street Project, since it was not part of the initial bid.

JULY

2). High School basketball standout Maddy Dixon has signed to play basketball at the University of Providence in Montana.

Kyson Fruh, Firefighter and EMT, is working full-time for the summer, helping out the Garfield County Fire District while it is short-handed. Fruh is a student at Walla Walla Community College, studying Fire Science.

Trio of Teachers retire this year: Sanford Bates, 34-years in Pomeroy of a 37-year career, Sandra Bates teaching 21 years, Marcus Pedersen 35 years in Pomeroy of a 38-year career.

The Board of Commissioners for the Garfield County Fire District met in executive session to discuss offering the position of Fire Chief to James Cleveland, Jr., currently living In Ashburnham, Mass., with a motion made to offer him the position with the proposed employment package and an unspecified start date.

9). Pomeroy School District Business Manager Kelly McKeirnan reported that the Pomeroy School District will not need to reduce staff as many other school districts are being forced to do and will be able to give a 1.6% salary increased to the staff, as recommended by the State at the board meeting June 29.

School Board approves summer school sports protocol, for any school team that would like to practice and run drills during the summer vacation.

Former Pomeroy native Marcus Flerchinger has received a Quilt of Valor during a presentation at his Clarkston, Wash., home on June 26, 2020. His quilt was made quilted, bound and presented by Alice Gwinn of Pomeroy.

Kevin Lassiter, a recent local graduate, received his Eagle Scout rank on June 20, 2020 at the Genesee Senior Center, Genesee, Id.

An apparent drowning victim was discovered in the Snake River near 21 Wawawai Grade Road on July 3, 2020. The body was identified as Troy Cleve Genn of Clarkston, Wash.

16). The project to repair the damage caused by water seepage into the Garfield County Extension building and according to Rod Norland, County Road Superintendent, got under way with sod removal and excavation along the side wall on July 6. The cost of the project was estimated at $25,000 and an additional $15,000-$20,000 to install the storm drain.

The Garfield County Hospital District Board authorized co-CEO Mat Slaybaugh to conduct more research into the purchase of the CT scanner and the hospital improvements at the recent board meeting July 6.

The Walla Walla Community College Foundation announced eight Pomeroy students, Gustavo Alvarez-Torres. Tanner Bremer, Jim Englander, Heidi Heytvelt, Phoenix Kinsall, Sean Kinsall, Jaden Steele, and Gabriel Vasquez, were awarded the Harold and Helen Shepherd Foundation Scholarship for the 2020-21 year.

Primary Election to decide three-way Commissioner race; Local Commissioner Candidate for District 1, Ernie Kimble, Vonni Mulrony, Jim Nelson; for District 2 Wynne McCabe and Larry Ledgerwood.

Trio in the running for Asotin/Columbia/Garfield Counties Superior Court Judge; Vic Bottomly-Clarkston, Brooke J. Burns-Clarkston, Scott Marinella-Dayton.

23). An attempted burglary occurred at the Pirate Pit Stop and Café, formerly known as Pomeroy PDQ, on July 15 at approximately 3 a.m.

Al Damron and his wife, Vickie, have opened a new restaurant here called Palace Meats and Deli located at 847 Main Street.

Special Education Para-pro Kathy Hilde Feider, a woman with a big heart and gentle nature, has retired after serving the children of the school district for 22 years.

James Cleveland has accepted the Fire District’s offer to be the Fire Chief, at an annual salary of $78,000 and a start date August 31, 2020.

Celebrating 40 years of Employment with Garfield County Hospital District, Kayleen Bye, Registered Nurse, a dedicated, long-standing employee of Garfield County Hospital District was honored.

The Board of County Commissioners made the decision to approve $44,000 for the new sound system for the courtroom at the County Courthouse.

30). City approves $80k fix to street. Soft spots discovered during construction of the Fifth to Sixth Street Project will be properly addressed thanks to an $80,000 infusion from the state. And City Council opted to not replace 350 feet of water main due to logistical and timeline issues.

Garfield County’s two confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus have had little and no contact in the community, both are doing well and being isolated at home or out of the county.

The contract between M&L Construction, the company building the broadband system, and the Port of Garfield, was terminated by mutual agreement, and approved by Commissioners at the July 21 meeting. Port Director Diana Ruchert also requested the Port return to having two meetings per month until the broadband project is completed.

Saluting Our Farmers Special Edition. The East Washingtonian’s second “Saluting Our Farmers” Special Edition, spotlights a Garfield County Ag producer with an extensive feature story and photographs of Dixon Land and Livestock.