2021 – Year In Review The year we took steps toward "back to normal"

The East Washingtonian continues its annual look back at the year just completed, 2021, in this second installment of the Year In Review. Our hope to our readers is that these short snippets of events from last year bring back fond memories.

Charlotte Baker

Editor and Publisher

March 25

Seventeen local Gun Club Members participated in the 2021 Camas Prairie Trap Shoot in Walla Walla last weekend. Pomeroy Gun Club member Larry Bunch won four trophies: 2020 Handicap Veteran Singles, Championship Sr. Veteran Winner, CPTA 2020 Preliminary Singles Sr. Veteran Winner, and High Over All Sr. Veteran Winner.

APRIL

1) The Garfield County Commissioners approved the Washington Rural Counties Insurance Program (WRCIP) as their new provider.

Pomeroy Assist and local volunteers made 55 Easter Baskets for local low-income families.

Pomeroy Gun Club members held annual awards and fun day March 28. The Club also held its annual meeting and Election of Officers. Annual trophies and awards were presented by Junior Club Director Kenny Bott.

8) The 11th Annual Spinners Easter Egg Hunt held at the Lybecker Field and Crystal Springs Golf Course, accompanied with wonderful weather. Winners of the Grand prizes were Kavin Bumstad, Gus Feider, Ellison Phelps, and Rory McKeirnan.

The School District was gifted a "Flash timing," purchased by alumni Gary Peters, which was put into action at the first track meet of the season.

School District anticipates 40% decrease in transportation operating budget. The district will move forward with the purchase of a new bus, due to the current TVF funding and addition dedicated funds in place.

The Garfield County Commissioners (BOCC) approved the Nutrition Program, the Emergency Management and Public Assistant Grant Agreement D20-2044 grants and the Bell guardrail project during the meeting on 5 April, 2021.

15) Although the Spring Jackpot Show met with inclement weather, spirits were high and turnout great. Kendall Dixon showed her steer and her brother, Tyler Dixon, ended his class with a happy grin and a presented steer.

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.

David Jones, M.D. of the Palouse Heart Center, part of Pullman Regional Hospital, will be a cardiology consultant for Garfield Country Hospital's telehealth program.

Governor signs Rep. Mary Dye's tree bill to cool urban heat-emitting coastal cities. The bill seeks to address the problem by incentivizing the strategic planting of trees in urban coastal areas.

Commissioners 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.

Pirate pole vaulter Colton Slaybaugh finished first in the pole vault at Pomeroy's first meet of the Covid season.

A measure sponsored by Rep. Skyler Rude, R-16-Walla Walla, to allow for the straw pulp to be used as post-container recycled content for single use carry out bags, unanimously passed both the House and Senate chambers.

22) County Commissioners approved the interlocal agreement between Whitman and Garfield counties to work for and bill each other.

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.

June's Pioneer Day celebration and May Spring Bus Tour were canceled due to COVID-19 Phase 3 limitations.

The Garfield County Transportation Authority discussed an upcoming remodel of the public works facility at its April 19 meeting. Phase 3 has not affected the bus capacity restriction yet, with buses continuing to seat four passengers. No changes can be made until Governor Inslee changes the guidelines

The Pony Punchers, a local rider group, hosted a scavenger hunt play day at the fairgrounds Sunday, April 18.

29) Garfield County Health District announced zero active cases the county during April.

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.

Progressive agenda of taxes, environment, police reform and overruns are real priorities of Washingtonians in 2021 remote session, say Sen. Mark Schoesler, Rep. Mary Dye, and Rep. Joe Schmick.

The third phase of the Low-and-Moderate Income (LMI) survey conducted by the Evergreen Rural Water of Washington, will begin Tuesday, My 4 between 5:30-7;30 p.m. and Wednesday morning if needed.

Local High School senior Emma Severs signed a letter of intent to play for the Community Colleges of Spokane (CCS) Sasquatch during the school's morning assembly on April 21.

The Port is planning a ribbon cutting ceremony for the completion of the laying of the main line of fiber internet in Pataha.

The Garfield County Fire District No.1 has received grants from Innovia, Pacific Power Foundation, All in Washington and Volunteer Firefighter Assistance totaling $21,000.

The Garfield County Museum will open for summer hours beginning May 5.

MAY

6) The School Board approved a policy regarding student discipline in an effort to minimize student removal from class. New curriculum and transitioning Kindergarteners would replace Preschool and focuses on preparing children to go to Kindergarten.

House Bill 1091, the proposed "high-cost fuel standard" to improve the climate, was passed.

Commissioners signed an interlocal agreement with Jamestown Networks (JNET) for installation and service of an internet and voice over internet phone system for the Courthouse.

Pole vaulter Colton Slaybaugh set a new school record-and a personal best and vaulted into the top position in the state 1B standings with a 14-5½.

The Cascade Collegiate Conference named 2019 Pomeroy graduate Deana Caruso one of Lewis Clark State College's selections to First-Team, All-Conference for Women's Golf and gets academic honors with brother Devon.

13) The Garfield County Hospital set aside $60,000 for the purchase of ultrasound equipment.

The City Council approved an ordinance vacating a portion of Arlington and Tenth Streets at a special meeting May 5, and the use of the City Park for the Farmer's Market. Danielle Evans has been working with the Chamber of Commerce and plans are to have the market open from 4-7 p.m.

The Port ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on May 13 at 11 a.m. and expects Rep. Mary Dye, R-9, and Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-9, to attend.

Commissioners decided to remain in the Behavioral Health Organization (BHO) pool after hearing a discussion over the Criminal Justice Treatment Account, a state fund for criminal justice drug offenses paid to a nine-county pool May 10.

Ron Harrison and Elvin (Sonny) Harper were recently awarded a Quilt of Valor in honor of their military service, by Cindy Klaveano, who pieced the quilts together and Alice Gwinn, who quilted the final touches.

20) The Port celebrated the February, 2021, completion of "Fiber to the Home" project that is now bringing high-speed internet to Pomeroy. Washington State representativies Joe Schmick, R-9, Colfax, and Mary Dye, R-9-Pomeroy attended. Port Commissioner Ed Crawford cut the ribbon. Other officials included Lisa Brown, director of the Dept. of Commerce; Janea Delk, Executive Director for Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB): Port commissioners Matt Harris and Larry Scoggin, and Diana Ruchert, Port Manager.

Pirate golfer Chase Caruso teed off on the difficult Prospector Golf Course at Surcadia near Cle Elum, site of the EWAC District Golf Match May 4. Caruso finished ahead of the field with a 95 on the par 72, 18-hole course.

The Rural Arterial Program will fund Kirby Mayview Road project.

27) The Garfield County Health District announced the addition of a board member as required by new Foundation of Public Health Services regulations.

Garfield County Fair Board president Sara Lunsford said the traditional Pioneer Breakfast event, usually held to raise money for the fair, is not going to happen this year and asked the group for other fundraising ideas.

A dedication service for the Fallen Veteran's Memorial, located at the east entrance of the Pomeroy City Cemetery, will be held May 29, 2021.

Commissioners opened and read two bids for the hay crop for the Garfield County Fairgrounds, awarding the bid submitted by Ledgerwood Farms at $90 a ton.

JUNE

3) The School District will present the 2021 High School graduating class at the "130" Commencement Ceremony in the high school gymnasium on June 5. Guests are limited to 20 per graduate and graduation will be livestreamed on the Pomeroy Jr-Sr High School Facebook page.

Following the welcome by Senior Class President McKenzie Watko, addresses were given by Salutatorian Tyson Kimble, and Valedictorian Nick Vendeland.

NEVER FORGET! Moving tribute to the fallen veterans of Garfield County culminated in two fly-overs by member of the "Hangar 180" group out of Lewiston.

Rep. Mary Dye, R-9-Pomeroy, helped several state lawmakers secure $5 million in the state capital budget of $20.8 million project for the EL 47.5 pump station delivery system near Warden, Wash. to provide water to an estimated 10,500 acres of farmland in the Columbia Basin.

W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area River Restoration work requires campground and lake closures.

10) Mortarboards take flight as the Pomeroy High School Class of 2021–180 Days of Different–celebrates their commencement with a bit of levity. The 16 seniors now bound forth into the world.

Columbia Pulp reopening and has begun the re-start process of its wheat straw pulp mill in Lyons Ferry.

Both opponents of Walker Flynn were pinned by the Pirate wrestler at the league meet in Davenport June 3.

Curtis Winona wrestled in the 170 lb. classification and split the two matches at Davenport.

17) Garfield County Memorial Hospital now open for visitors. Co-CEO Mat Slaybaugh introduced new Chief Financial Officer Lance Spindler. Spindler is here for the remainder of June, returning to his hometown of Soldotna, Alaska, and will work remotely the majority of the time and travel to work in-house a few days a month. Telecardiology equipment has arrived and been installed.

The community gathered over $25,000 for a City Park makeover and to "Save the Gazebo," a 111-year-old iconic structure, and the repairs have been completed. The historic building will receive a fresh coat of paint this week.

Commissioners signed a bi-annual Voluntary Stewardship Program contract for 2021-2023 with the Washington State Conservation Commission to provide $50,000 to producer and $35,000 for program management.

Fire Chief James Cleveland introduced a possible replacement for fire engine 11.

A two-vehicle collision that injured one occurred in Garfield County on State Route 12 at milepost 420, Monday June 14, 2021. Driver of a truck and trailer combo, Javier J. Chavez, 27, of Granger, Wash., failed to yield to the vehicle driven by Theda A. Grinwis, 76, of Spokane, Wash.

Blue Mountain Community Foundation announced 14 awards totaling $108,924, 15 in support of proposals to improve the health of residents of Columbia, Garfield, and Asotin counties.

Walker Flynn was pictured pivoting his opponent in the championship round, A. Chilsen of Reardon, winning both matches and topping the 160 lb. class in the Southeast League.

24) Pastor Roger Pedersen was awarded an appreciation plaque by Assist Garfield County Humanitarian Services, an expression of their deep appreciation for his generous and long-time service to Pomeroy.

Tina Meier is first Sheriff's Office Certified Public Safety Executive, announced Sheriff Drew Hyer.

Gwen Schwemmer received a Quilt of Valor at the final 2020-21 awards assembly for the Elementary School on Jun7, honoring her service in the United States Air Force.

Port Commissioners passed the Pataha Creek RV Park rate schedule Resolution 2021-4, removing the monthly rate to leave only daily and weekly rates, and stating a maximum stay of 30 days.

Contrary to recent claims that Snake River Spring Chinook runs are on the path to extinction, returns increased for the second year in a row, by 27% increase from 2020 levels and 55% larger than 2019 returns.

The 2021 Wrestling Season was short and intense, with four Pirate wrestlers competing in the regional match. Braedyn White, 182-lb. class, finished second, and Will Winona, 195-lb.division, finished third. Walker Flynn and Curtis Winona Wrestled tough but weren't able to make the podium.