High school graduation rates dipped in at least 20 states after the first full school year disrupted by the pandemic. An analysis shows that the drop has impeded nearly two decades of nationwide progress toward getting more students diplomas. Schools have received large sums of federal aid that could be used to help students to … Read more
ELLENSBURG – A woman wielding a knife reportedly chased a student at Central Washington University before a standoff with police on Saturday. The student ran into the Recreation Center and barricaded the doors to get away from the woman who was running after her along Walnut Mall. Police were able to safely evacuate several hundred … Read more
ELLENSBURG – A Kittitas County man who eluded police for months after he was linked to two overdose deaths last year is now in custody. Ellensburg Police say Jonathan Rivera-Venegas was booked into the Kittitas County Jail Jan. 21 on controlled substance homicide charges, stemming from the August 2021 overdose deaths of a 16 and … Read more
OLYMPIA – State health officials are urging residents to be patient with a new site to order free at-home COVID-19 tests. The state Department of Health launched a new state portal on Friday and said not all of the tests have arrived and they anticipate supply and demand will exceed the current amount pretty quickly, … Read more
QUINCY – State troopers were busy this weekend with two major accidents on SR 28. A 22 year old driver was injured in a box truck rollover wreck Friday morning on state Route 28 west of Quincy. Roman A. Zhuchenya [zoo ken ya] reportedly skidded off the highway and overturned, blocking both directions of SR … Read more
CLE ELUM – The Cle Elum Taco Bell says they’ve closed the restaurant for good. The fast-food eatery permanently shuttered on Jan. 18. In a press memo, Yakima Restaurants Inc., the former owner, say they were unable to renew their lease and have not found an alternative location in the area. The Taco Bell in … Read more
OTHELLO – Spokane Teachers Credit Union has closed a couple of its local branches due to staffing shortages caused by the spread of the omicron variant of coronavirus, a news release stated. Ritzville has been drive-thru only and the Othello branch is completely closed until Tuesday, Jan. 25. Coronavirus cases in Adams County have increased … Read more
EAST WENATCHEE – A 17-year-old boy was injured after he was hit in a wrong way wreck by an intoxicated driver on SR 28 Friday morning. The 17-year-old from East Wenatchee was going east on SR 28 when Washington State Patrol says, 21-year-old Jaime Ramirez-Pacheco was traveling in the opposite direction and crossed the centerline … Read more
Pneumonia outbreaks in herds of bighorn sheep in Okanogan [ow·kuh·naa·guhn], Chelan and Yakima counties has prompted state officials to intervene this month. Aerial captures of sheep are set to happen in late January and they will be caught and outfitted with radio collars to give Department of Fish and Wildlife officials a picture of how … Read more
EPHRATA – The Port of Ephrata has a new tenant. Barrett Aircraft will lease a 24,000 square-foot hangar on Port property to conduct aircraft repair and maintenance in addition to storing aircraft. The hangar was built by the military and will officially open on Feb. 7. Officials said they are already getting the facility ready … Read more