Pullman police have identified more than 90 calls regarding alleged violations of COVID-19 public health mandates since April with reports of unauthorized social gatherings increasing in recent weeks. Sixteen of those calls have come in this month. Three of those came in yesterday.
Author: Jacob Jones
Jacob Jones has worked as a reporter and photographer for newspapers across Washington state since 2003, covering local government, criminal justice and natural resources. He most recently worked on staff at the Inlander in Spokane and The Daily World in Aberdeen with freelance bylines in the Washington Post, the Spokesman Review, Washington State Magazine and other regional publications. He lives in Pullman. Find more info on our Mission page.
City of Pullman COVID-19 budget cuts take uneven toll on civic services, staffing
Pullman city officials have curtailed spending across departments in response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, but a combination of administrative austerity, labor union dynamics and state restrictions have left some popular civic services disproportionately impacted.
Pullman teachers union calls for online start as school board takes up final decision
“The reopening recommendations that were developed are admirable given the circumstances,” the union president wrote. “But, the moving target is still moving too fast to hit … I and many I represent do not think our plans are developed enough to be reliable and keep our community safe.”
Whitman County mail-in elections suffer recent history of mixups, but not voter fraud
Despite a series of missing or mixed-up ballots in recent years, Whitman County has not had issues with voter fraud or other abuse. Read about how election officials handle your ballot and how to make sure your vote gets counted.
New lawsuit alleges county, clerk violated rights by issuing arrest warrant in 2018
The lawsuit accuses county officials of failing to adhere to state law on arrest warrants, alleging negligence and violations of a woman’s rights. “I believe the clerk’s actions were proper,” the county prosecutor responded.
Officials may tighten local restrictions if WSU fall reopening sparks COVID-19 surge
Public health officials have already linked early returning WSU students to a recent uptick in local COVID-19 cases and fear an in-person reopening of campus next month would require stricter limitations on social or business activities to prevent widespread outbreaks.
An in-depth look at Pullman Police force, accountability following Floyd protests
A Whitman County Watch review of Pullman Police Department use of force practices details a new duty to intervene policy, excessive force complaints and transparency efforts. Just four officers account for 44 percent of force actions.
Rosalia Fire gets state audit finding after 2018 thefts, other districts miss deadlines
The audit report, released Tuesday, calls for Whitman County Fire District No. 7 to tighten internal safeguards to more closely monitor inventory and establish clear policies on tracking public assets. Whitman County Fire Dist. 4 also received a finding for failing to file annual reports.
Whitcom director resigned amid 911 dispatch staffing ‘crisis,’ union no-confidence votes
“Whitcom is in a dire situation,” the dispatch union wrote in December. “Dispatchers worry that Whitcom will soon no longer continue to exist and that their employment will cease. Services offered to our user agencies continue to deteriorate at a rapid pace. Our ability to uphold public safety is at risk.”
Economic nonprofit ‘overwhelmed’ by role in distributing COVID-19 relief money
As COVID-19 shuttered businesses this spring, SEWEDA Director Dawn Smith fired the nonprofit’s Whitman County representative and sent confrontational emails. The messages, obtained via public records request, include criticism of her own staff, multiple references to “losing it” with partners and abundant gallows humor.