“Of course, everything has changed with COVID and the economy and the financial woes that have hit our nation,” the commission chair said, adding, “I’m kind of thinking it will be a zero percent [increase] from me this year just because of the COVID situation.”
Category: Local News
Colfax man’s lawsuit challenging COVID-19 closures re-filed to avoid federal court
Kevin Akesson, of Colfax, filed two complaints last week in Whitman County Superior Court seeking to block enforcement of the governor’s emergency proclamations. His 17-page filing argues the immediate threat of overwhelming the health care system has passed and local officials should take over any restrictions.
County’s Phase 2 request outlines COVID-19 surge capacity, new WSU testing program
Public health officials described a local ventilator capacity of up to 10 patients as well as plans to roll out a high-volume testing program at Washington State University among the details in the county’s recent Phase 2 variance request.
Several county, legislative positions up for election as candidate filing opens May 11-15
Just three local races will be up for election: Dist. 1 County Commissioner, Dist. 2 County Commissioner and Superior Court Judge. Voters will also cast ballots this fall on the Fifth U.S. Congressional Dist. position as well as the state Ninth Legislative District positions.
Sheriff’s office down $200,000, other depts cut 5 percent in COVID-19 budget plan
County officials expect they will have to continue adjusting the budget as the revenue impacts of COVID-19 closures become clearer in the coming months. “There are absolutely going to be impacts at each and every office here at the county,” the sheriff said.
Colfax settlement over police chief’s firing includes resignation, $435,000 payment
The agreement settled the approximately 18-month battle over Rick McNannay’s disputed termination in January of 2019 that resulted in his reinstatement last summer. Former Mayor Todd Vanek had fired McNannay over hiring practices from 2016. McNannay alleged his termination was retaliation for pushing back on budget limitations.
Former student files lawsuit against WSU alleging inaction on warnings prior to rape
The plaintiff, who graduated in 2019, filed the lawsuit last month, alleging the university had direct knowledge of multiple complaints against a WSU Vancouver student for sexual harassment, groping and stalking prior to his transfer to Pullman where he was convicted of raping her soon after.
Testing capacity has limited ability to track COVID-19 as first local case is confirmed
With the county’s first positive COVID-19 case announced today, public health officials say limited testing capacity has “greatly impacted” their ability to contain the local spread of the virus while reinforcing the need for consistent social distancing.
Settlement between WSU, former provost details terms of ‘transition year’ in Seattle
A newly released settlement agreement from last fall between WSU and former provost Mitzi Montoya outlines the terms of her transition to faculty as well as payouts if she finds a new job and additional relocation expenses. Read the entire seven-page document here.
Voters Guide: Making sense of the upcoming 2020 presidential primary and caucus
Many voters throughout the state have wondered about how the primary ballot works and why they must declare a specific political party affiliation in order to participate. Here are a few takeaways and links to related coverage of the process.