Your trusted source for local Pullman, WA news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
Chad Whetzel leads the Whitman County commissioner race with 1,288 votes, ahead of Cody Finch and Tucker J. Senter. The top two candidates will advance to the general election on November 4. Whitman County's voter turnout was 20.43%, with 3,961 ballots counted and around 100 remaining.
The Pine Street pedestrian bridge closes today for final repairs as crews place armoring rock on the river bank. The closure affects Pine Street Plaza and nearby sidewalks, with minor traffic delays expected on Main and Paradise streets. This repair follows the bridge's reopening last week after it was displaced by a flood in February.
A kitchen fire in Pullman, caused by an unattended pan, resulted in an estimated $20,000 in damages early Sunday. The Pullman Fire Department contained the fire quickly, thanks to a three-person crew that enabled faster response times. Fire Marshal Darren Jones stressed the importance of cooking safety and ensuring smoke detectors are functional.
Moscow City Council approved a $139.5 million budget for fiscal year 2026, which includes a 3% increase in property taxes and a 4% cost of living raise for city employees. The budget addresses revenue losses due to a recent Idaho Supreme Court ruling, necessitating cuts in staffing and service fees.
The Appaloosa Horse Club will relocate its headquarters from Moscow to Oklahoma City this fall due to staffing changes and rising real estate costs. The club's museum will remain in Moscow, where it is preparing for new exhibits at the University of Idaho.
Hordemann Pond in Moscow's Kiwanis Park is closed due to a harmful blue-green algae bloom, confirmed by recent water testing. All recreational activities, including fishing, are suspended as exposure to the toxins can cause severe health symptoms.
Firefighters control a wildfire northeast of Pullman, with crews actively extinguishing the blaze. The Pullman Police Department advises residents to avoid the 4000 block of Whelan Road as first responders manage the situation. Further updates will be provided as they become available.
A Pullman man, Alexander Palenzuela, pleaded guilty to communicating with a minor for immoral purposes, reducing a felony charge to a misdemeanor. He received a two-year probation sentence, must register as a sex offender for ten years, and comply with treatment recommendations following a psychological evaluation.
University of Idaho junior Isabelle Monk interned at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., this summer, where she helped organize the Hall of Fame Weekend. Monk connected with baseball legends and witnessed the excitement of thousands of fans attending the event.
A violent storm on July 30, 1931, unleashed walls of water up to 12 feet high in the rural Palouse region of Washington, causing significant flooding. The William Cochrane family experienced the worst impact, with their home swept away and Mrs. Cochrane clinging to a tree for safety. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the disaster.