Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Sorted by date Results 1 - 19 of 19
HARRINGTON - With available activities outside the home seemingly decreasing each day, golf remains a game that can be played without any close contact to anybody. As of press time, the Harrington Golf and Country Club remains open as long as golfers are willing to practice safe social distancing. "We're going to be open as long as we are allowed to be," manager Melissa Gilmore said. "When you are on the golf course, you aren't within six feet of one another unless you ride... Full story
COLFAX — Health officials reported Monday that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the county has climbed to eight. All of the patients are stable and self-isolating, officials said. In the two most recent cases, patients Nos. 7 and 8 are women; the former is 50-59 years old and the latter is 30-39 years, officials said. The Public Health Department is currently investigating close contacts with recent positive patients, officials said. Whitman County has received a limited supply of personal protective equipment, o... Full story
SPANGLE — A local man was killed early Saturday morning when his pickup crossed the centerline and hit a tractor-trailer head-on. Shane M. Remp, 32, was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:31 a.m. near Milepost 75 of U.S. Highway 195, the Washington State Patrol Reported. The crash occurred when Remp's northbound 2006 Chevrolet Silverado crossed the centerline and struck a southbound 2016 Kenworth driven by Joseph E. Reid, 48 of Spokane Valley, the patrol reported. Reid's t... Full story
OTHELLO — Adams County health officials reported 13 confirmed coronavirus cases late tonight, Monday night, March 30. That's up from five cases Friday, March 27, the last time Adams County Health Department officials released a confirmed tally. Community Health Director Karen Potts, RN said the cases were no longer confined to Othello, but she did not say in which communities the cases were located. At least two cases were involved Othello residents who remain hospitalized. “We are starting to get cases from outside fac...
SEATTLE - The city of Seattle and King County continued their lawsuit against the electorate earlier this week by requesting an emergency extension of an injunction blocking implementation. The measure, approved by voters statewide on Nov. 5, would have generally capped vehicle licensing tabs and taxes at $30 for more non-commercial vehicles. I-976 was supposed to go into effect Dec. 5, but has been held up by the city of Seattle and King County officials who have filed suit... Full story
CHENEY -- Eastern Washington University officials have indicated there will be some layoffs in response to changes on campus resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The layoffs will take place in the housing and dining services due to a reduced number of students being on campus. The university went to all online instruction earlier this month as a measure to combat the spread of the disease sweeping world, and that instruction will remain online the rest of the 2019-2020 academic school year. Officials are still assessing the... Full story
RITZVILLE — The Adams County Health Department reported Friday that there are now three confirmed cases of coronavirus disease in Adams County. Two cases were confirmed Friday by the state Department of Health. The new cases are not linked to the March 21 case, health officials said. All three infected residents are in self-isolation in their homes being monitored by the Adams County Health Department staff. The names of the individuals and their hometowns are not being r...
OLYMPIA — The next Wolf Advisory Group meeting is slated for Tuesday and Wednesday, March 31-April 1. The sessions will be 9 a.m. to 3:45 a.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Wednesday. The meeting will take place digitally, using the Zoom online web-conferencing system. The agenda for Tuesday includes updates on data sharing, collaring wolves, predator-prey research and revising the definition of range riding. Day 2 of the event will include continued discussion on redefining range riding and solutions for areas were w...
Ritzville -- Due to the coronavirus pandemic, East Adams Rural Healthcare is restricting visitors. The hospital's decision to limit visitors was difficult and made only after careful consideration as we witness schools, houses of worship and other venues cancel gatherings, officials said. Some patients will be allowed limited visitation, officials said. Visitors cannot show any symptoms of respiratory infection, including fever, runny nose, cough or shortness of breath. Additionally, children younger than 18 will not be... Full story
KIRKLAND -- Life Care Center, north of Seattle, has been the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak on the U.S. west coast. The company, with headquarters in Cleveland, Tenn., operates or manages more than 200 skilled nursing, rehabilitation, Alzheimer's and senior-living campuses in 28 states. Chelsey (Walter) Earnest, the daughter of Bruce and Debbie Walter of Odessa, is a registered nurse who lives and works in Puyallup for Life Care Centers of America. When a call for help... Full story
It has been said many times that we are in uncharted waters. Frankly, it is daunting and somewhat scary for many. So, I wanted to write a little bit to everyone in our community about this evolving situation with COVID-19 and our response. As a foundational partner to caring for this community along with other private healthcare entities, the department of health, schools and other agencies local and distant, it is imperative to be united and to communicate. With so many closures of businesses and gatherings this becomes... Full story
MAZAMA — Eastern Washington residents wanting to use highways through scenic mountain passes to get to the Puget Sound area or Pacific Ocean are going to have to wait. On Thursday, state Transportation Secretary Roger Millar ordered plowing halted in Washington passes. Effected passes include: Washington Pass accessed via North Cascades Highway (state Highway 20). The pass connects the Methow Valley to the Sedro-Woolley area Cayuse Pass on state Highway 410. Cayuse Pass c...
SEATTLE -- The King County judge who initially blocked the $30 car-tab cap denied most of the challenges to the taxpayer-approved measure. Superior Court Judge Marshall Ferguson ruled this morning, Tuesday, March 24, that the measure meets constitutional muster and can go into effect. But he severed parts of the measure that related to how vehicle valuations are calculated in the Puget Sound region. Those valuations provide the basis for Sound Transit to collect taxes to expan...
Chehalis – Trooper Justin Schaffer, 28, a seven year veteran of the Washington State Patrol was killed in the line of duty when he was struck by a vehicle that was fleeing law enforcement today, Tuesday, March 24. He is the 30th Washington State Patrol employee to die in the line of duty. “We must pause and reflect on the character of each of the men and women we have lost over the years. Like Justin, they each served as one of the state’s guardians and each day of their... Full story
OLYMPIA -- The state earlier today announced all publicly owned lands managed by Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and Department of Fish and Wildlife are closed to the public. The closure will last at least two weeks, officials said, noting it includes wildlife areas as well as public access areas such as trailheads and boat launch facilities.. Gates and facilities will be locked and all public services suspended, officials said. Rangers will be "present to... Full story
COLFAX -- A teenage girl is being reported as Whitman County's third positive coronavirus patient today, Thursday, March 26. The Public Health Department is investigating whom the girl may have come in contact with; her name has not been released. More information will follow when it becomes available, officials said.... Full story
Unintended consequence or bureaucratic power grab? Given the things being ordered behind locked doors of government offices, I’ll take the latter. Tonight, March 25, when the clock strikes midnight, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife is banning all fishing and boating statewide. This closure comes on the heels of a previous order to ban all camping on publicly owned, state-managed lands. The closures, Department of Fish and Wildlife officials say, is in keeping with G... Full story
RITZVILLE — Business groups around Eastern Washington are conducting surveys on the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus, also known as Wuhan Flu, and the response by government agencies. Adams County Economic Development in Ritzville, West Plains Chamber of Commerce in Airway Heights, the Southeast Washington Economic Development Association in Colfax are among them. The goal of the surveys is to learn about business needs in the wake of Gov. Jay Inslee’s orders to shut down or limit most business activities statewide bec...
RITZVILLE -- In response to recent reports regarding coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, Big Bend Electric Cooperative has closed its Ritzville and Mesa offices to the public until further notice. Big Bend Electric personnel will continue to be accessible by calling 866-844-2363, from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, officials said. Power outages can be reported 24/7 by calling 866-844-2363. We will not disconnect residential or commercial accounts for non-pay until further notice, officials... Full story