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Articles from the February 20, 2020 edition


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  • Survey will open grant doors

    Dotty Van Vogt|Feb 20, 2020

    POMEROY–Jack Peasley of the Southeastern Washington Economic Development Association (SEWEDA) told the council he met with Michelle Bly of TD&H Engineering regarding an earlier Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) survey. According to that survey, the city is currently ineligible to receive a wide variety of grants. The city did a multiple question survey using computer-generated random house numbers and did not notify people ahead of time. Peasley offered to have SEWEDA conduct another LMI survey. He said if he can get it done by mid-April, it will m...

  • Predators among us

    Dotty Van Vogt|Feb 20, 2020

    POMEROY–A cougar was sighted at Heaton Gulch by Terry Brandon on February 4 at about 5:30 p.m. The large cat crossed Main Street and headed southeast toward the grain elevators across from Pomeroy Foods. At the time, there was snow on the ground so he was able to confirm the tracks. He reported the incident to the Sheriff's Office....

  • Growing predator problem and limited control has people concerned

    Melissa Gemmell, Special to the East Washingtonian|Feb 20, 2020

    DAYTON–Over fifty Columbia County residents gathered to share concern over the growing problem of area predators, namely wolves and cougars during a meeting called by ex-Columbia County Commissioner Don Jackson and former member of the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Commission (2013-2019) Jay Holzmiller. Coyotes and bears were also discussed. The core issue is current protections for these animals have increased their numbers and therefore their predation of elk, deer and other a...

  • Public alert system set to go

    Connie Boyer|Feb 20, 2020

    POMEROY–Garfield County Emergency Management Director John Hirsch, met with the Garfield County Commissioners Monday, February 10, 2020, to present the contract with AlertSense, a crisis management, public mass notification and emergency alert system. The cost for the system has been paid by contributions from most of the public service agencies in the county. It will provide a community-wide alert system that can be accessed by emergency responders as well as members of the public during a major emergency. Citizens can receive alerts on c...

  • It's a doggie dog world

    Dotty Van Vogt|Feb 20, 2020

    POMEROY–Community members Sue Nelson and Gail Turner, spoke to the council regarding the issue of allowing people to walk their dogs on city property. Nelson has examined Ordinance Number 672 of the Pomeroy Municipal Code as well as Washington State RCW 9.08.010, which addresses allowing vicious dogs to run at large and RCW 16.08.040, which places liability on the owner of any dog which bits a person on public property or legally on private property. In a letter presented to council members she referenced these and local statutes already on t...

  • Quote of the Week

    Feb 20, 2020

    “If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.” – A. A. Milne...

  • Olympia Update

    Joe Schmick|Feb 20, 2020

    OLYMPIA–Voters around the state should be concerned that their voice is not being heard in Olympia. Two of the first bills passed by the House of Representatives would increase business taxes on employers and potentially raise gas prices by 57 cents per gallon and diesel by up to 63 cents per gallon. Contrast this with recent action at the polls where voters rejected a carbon pricing scheme, have continually rejected a state income tax, and voted in favor of $30 car tabs multiple times. Additionally, in 2015, the Washington Gas Tax Increase Adv...

  • On the Edge of Common Sense

    Baxter Black|Feb 20, 2020

    Just count me out,” said Wilford as he lay there in the dirt, A shoein’ rasp behind his ear, a hoof print on his shirt. “I’ll handle this,” said Freddie, “You jus’ git outta the way. This sorry bag of buzzard bait has met his match today.” The horse weren’t much to look at, just the kind a trader’d buy But you knew that he’d be trouble when you looked him in the eye. It was small and mean and glittered, as deep as Jacob’s well, Like lookin’ down the smoke stack of the furnace room in Hell. Fredd...

  • Pomeroy Gun Club

    Bryan McKeirnan|Feb 20, 2020

    e word to describe this weekend Camas Prairie Shoot for the Pomeroy Gun Club. The wind pushed shooters off balance as they tried to hold still during each shot. But that didn’t seem to fazed Steve Brown as he went straight 25/25 from the 16-yard line and 24/25 from the 20-yard line. Tracy Hanger led the pack in Continentals shooting an impressive 23. The high scores from each division are: Adult 16yd-25s: Steve Brown; 24s–Clark Capwell, Lee Koller, Mark Lawrence; 23s–Buck Geiger, Mitch Ruchert, Jeff Wade; Adult Handicap High Score...

  • Hospital Update

    Feb 20, 2020

    POMEROY–This week we wanted to discuss the operational and financial situation of the Hospital District. Currently the District only offers those services which are required for us to maintain our license as a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) as well as the clinic. We are required to have an emergency room with lab, x-ray services open 24-hours, seven days a week, as well as acute care. As a CAH, we get cost based-reimbursement from Medicare. This is our largest source of income so at this point we cannot afford to stop being a hospital. The o...

  • Census a focal point at upcoming Pomeroy Community Forum

    Feb 20, 2020

    POMEROY–The upcoming Census issue is part of the agenda which will be fully discussed at The Pomeroy Community Forum held at the Pataha Flour Mill on Tuesday, February 25 at 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Reports and updates from Garfield County Hospital, Blue Mountain Action Council (BMAC) Juan Sanchez, SEWEDA and other local entities will also be presented. The agenda is as follows: Garfield County Hospital will present information regarding the upcoming Special Levy. Cindy Wolf will be leading the discussion. Blue Mountain Action Council–Juan Sanchez with...

  • Pomeroy Pioneer Portraits

    Dotty Van Vogt|Feb 20, 2020

    Ten Years Ago February 24, 2010 Pomeroy Pirate wrestling team placed second at the 2010 State Class B wrestling tournament in Tacoma. Sixty items, including photos, can now be searched and viewed online, through the Denny Ashby Library website: http://www.pomeroy.lib.wa.us. Creation of the collection was made possible through the Washington Rural Heritage Program, whose goals are to enable small and rural libraries around the state to create digital collection of unique items that tell the stories of their communities and to make these...

  • Obituary

    Feb 20, 2020

    Richard Ray Ruchert April 4, 1982- February 2, 2020 Richard Ray Ruchert took his first peaceful steps into Heaven on Sunday, February 02, 2020, at Pomeroy. He was 37-years-old. Richard was born to Rick Ruchert and Brenda Ruchert in Pomeroy, Wash., on April 4, 1982. When he was just 7-months-old, he had an ear infection that turned into spinal meningitis, leaving him disabled. Richard attended school at Pomeroy School District where he had wonderful teachers and fellow students who all supported...

  • Lady Pirates v. Oakesdale for state berth Friday

    Feb 20, 2020

    POMEROY–The Lady Pirates will face Oakesdale Friday in Walla Walla to battle for a return trip to the state tournament. Oakesdale has been the Lady Pirates' toughest competitor this season. The game tips off at 6 p.m. at WWCC's Dietrich Dome Friday, February 21. Number one Pomeroy opened District 9 1B play with a sweet 39-29 win over No. 10 Garfield-Palouse here February 14. The win, coupled with No. 3 Oakesdale's 51-34 victory over No. 4 Colton, advanced the team to the championship game. "...

  • Winona, White headed to state

    Feb 20, 2020

    REARDAN–Two Pomeroy wrestlers qualified for the State Wrestling Meet in Tacoma next weekend, finishing the 1B/2B Region 3 Tournament here in third and fourth places, plus a third Pirate is state-bound as an alternate. Braedyn White, 170 lb., and Will Winona, 182 lb., finished third and fourth, respectively, to qualify, and Curtis Winona, 160 lb., was fifth and is an alternate. Dayton-Waitsburg's Carlos Norris qualified at the 1B/2B Region 2 in Oroville. These three guys battled their guts out i...

  • Pirates advance then fall to Vikings

    Feb 20, 2020

    PALOUSE–To advance to regionals, the Pomeroy Pirates will have to win the consolation-bracket contest with Prescott on Friday, and another game Saturday. The Bucs beat SJEL 56-33 to play in to the District 9 1B tournament, but fell to Garfield-Palouse in the first round Saturday by the nearly identical score of 54-33. The Pirates will need their "A" game Friday at 4:30 p.m. at the WWCC Dietrich Dome in Walla Walla. Prescott prevailed in both meetings this season, 51-41 on Jan. 10 and 71-53 on J...

  • Michael Ramirez

    Feb 20, 2020