As initial vaccinations topped 1,050 people countywide, read about the plans for expanding those efforts and find out how to check when you may be eligible. The state also announced new reopening rules this week.
Category: Local News
Resignations, ballot boxes and COVID-19: Our most-read and impactful stories of 2020
As we did last year, we again want to review some of our more impactful reporting from the past 12 (long) months and share some operational background for transparency. Our local coverage found a wider audience this year as other regional news media picked up on stories we first published here.
About 250 local ballots rejected, no fraud found in look back at challenging election
The county auditor disputes a recent claim of election observer obstruction. Local officials rejected 249 ballots with questionable signatures, late postmarks or other issues. Some impatient voters resubmitted ballots amid national anxiety over the election process.
Officials praise ‘smooth’ local election, voters can still cure ballots for final count
As tensions have continued over national election outcomes, the county auditor noted her office has received numerous calls from people questioning the integrity of the results. Election staff will continue counting ballots this week and contacting voters who may need to “cure” ballots that have missing signatures or other issues.
Voters can still register through Election Day, details on local election services and turnout
County Auditor Sandy Jamison wrote in an email today that election staff will be available for in-person registrations from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday until Nov. 3 at the Elections Center at 304 N. Main Street in Colfax. The office will be open until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Healthcare staff say WSU unprepared for fall COVID-19 response, endangering workers
Multiple employees with WSU’s medical care service, Cougar Health, say university officials failed to adequately prepare over the summer for the return of thousands of students to Pullman — leaving staff scrambling to provide campus-based COVID-19 care with insufficient equipment or guidance.
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.
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.
Pullman business surveys describe early COVID-19 effects on staffing, operations
While some businesses indicated by March they had not yet seen any impact from the COVID-19 closures, others reported significant losses in revenue as WSU students left the area and customers hunkered down. “We try to be prepared for hard times,” one owner wrote, “however we did not expect a pandemic combined with stock market upset.”