Your Hometown News Source
Your Hometown News Source
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
June 24) Pomeroy High School Junior Braedyn White wrestled a steer in the Washington State High School Rodeo, winning first place, which gave him enough points to qualify for the nationals in Nebraska next month.
JULY
1) It’s Hot—An upper-level ridge with easterly winds is contributing to very high temperatures, especially west of the Cascades, according to Meteorologist Matt Callihan with the National Weather Service in Pendleton. On June 28, the highest temperature in Pomeroy was 106° F.
Annual Independence Day Picnic at the Mill is a celebration of our nation’s heritage and liberation from oppression. The community is invited to the Flour Mill on July 4.
Rachel Gwinn, Pomeroy School District Superintendent, presented Community Leadership awards from the Washington Association of School Administrators to the Garfield County Hospital and Health districts at the Garfield County Commissioners meeting June 28.
Clair Reisdorph, first grader, daughter of Annakah and Austin Reisdorph and Robby VanVogt, sixth grader, son of Amy and Adam VanVogt, were the two winners of the ‘Bikes for Books” program sponsored by Evening Star Lodge No.30.
8) Garfield County Fire District responded to a pickup fire which had extended into the grass on SR 12. Units responded and contained the 20-acre secondary fire.
The Pomeroy School Board voted to change students’ community service requirements. Students are now required to accumulate 40 hours of service between their freshman and senior years.
Groups of families of the Pomeroy community spread blankets on the Garfield County Fairgrounds’ lawn to “ooh” and “aaahhh” at the sparkling brilliance of the Alvin L. Landkammer private family Independence Day fireworks display Monday evening, July 5.
The Garfield County Fire District No. 1 Commissioners approved a budget addendum resolution for $22,000 at a special meeting.The Fire District has so far received $22,000 in grant funds this year, and the budget addendum is to shuffle the grant money into budget line items depleted by non-planned expenses.
15) The Board of Garfield County Commissioners (BOCC) announced at their meeting on July 12 that the County Road crew and public works will be assisting with water hauling to the Asotin Creek Fire in the Umatilla National Forest.
Pomeroy-managed Umatilla Forest closed as Green Ridge Fire continues. Fire fighters continue battling the Green Ridge Fire burning on the Pomeroy Ranger District, approximately 30 miles east pf Walla Walla, Wash. The Lick Creek Fire, grew moderately on Sunday, July 22, gaining approximately 8,703 acres, according to the USFS.
Internet flourishing in Pomeroy, grant opportunities to ring it to Pataha and County. Fiber optic internet in Pomeroy, classified as Phase 1, has been hooked up to most homes, Port of Garfield County Manager Diana Ruchert announced.Manager Ruchert will travel to Lacey, Wash., to testify for a Department of Commerce grant to extend fiber internet to Pataha.
The two newest Garfield County Deputies Camdon Costello, and Tiffany Williamson, have recently graduated the Spokane Police Academy and are now in field training.
The Alvin L. Lankammer Memorial Scholarship of 500 was presented to Logan Ledgerwood, a 2021 Pomeroy High School graduate, who will be attending Lewis Clark State College, prior to the fireworks show at the Fairgrounds July 5.