LATEST NEWS

The Whitman County Prosecutor's Office is now saying a deadly shooting involving a WSU police sergeant was lawful and appropriate. This incident happened last December when a 36-year-old threatened to shoot one of his own roommates.

The Whitman County Prosecutor has found that last year’s fatal officer involved shooting in Pullman was lawful and appropriate. Denis Tracy has reviewed the investigation from the Washington State Patrol into the December 14th incident. 36 year old Brent Kopacka threatened to shoot one of his roommates inside an apartment building near the Washington State University campus. When Pullman Police Officers arrived Kopacka barricaded himself inside his apartment and threatened to start killing people. He then fired at officers and toward a WSU dorm.

The Whitman County Auditor has certified the 2023 General Election results. Councilmember Francis Benjamin is confirmed as the new Mayor of Pullman, Washington. His City Council position will be vacant from January 1, 2024, and Pullman City is preparing to fill this vacancy as per state laws.

The Whitman County Prosecutor’s Office has determined that justifiable force was used in an officer-involved fatal shooting in Pullman last December. Whitman County Prosecutor Denis Tracy announced his findings Wednesday after he reviewed the Washington State Patrol’s investigation into the incident. No charges will be filed, according to Tracy’s written ruling.

PULLMAN - On Tuesday, November 28th, the 2023 General Election results were certified by the Whitman County Auditor, confirming Council member Francis Benjamin as the newly elected Mayor of Pullman, Washington. As such, Benjamin’s City Council position will be considered vacant on January 1, 2024. In concurrence with state...

The Crime Victim Service Center of Whitman County is sponsoring a free photo time with Sensitive Santa on Saturday from 1 to 5 at the ATVP offices in The Gladish in Pullman. The time is reserved for individuals and families with children who have disabilities or sensory issues. To reserve a spot visit http://tinyurl.com/cvscsanta.

The last vote by mail ballots from this month’s general election in Whitman County were tabulated by the auditor’s office Monday night. Francis Benjamin won the Pullman mayoral race with 52% of the vote. Eric Fejeran won the open Pullman City Council post race with 53% of the vote.

A small barn caught fire over the weekend in Farmington. Whitman County Fire District 10 Volunteers out of Oakesdale were called to the blaze on East Chestnut Street around 8:30 Saturday night. The Whitman County Sheriff’s Office reports that the fire may have been caused by a heat lamp. Volunteers from District 3 out of Garfield and District 4 from Palouse helped fight the fire.

COLFAX – The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory. The advisory is in effect from 4 a.m. Friday until 4 p.m. Saturday for all of Whitman County. A snow accumulation of 2-6 inches is expected across much of the area, the weather service said. Light snow is expected to start tonight, which will make for slick driving conditions early Friday.

(The Center Square) – The Pullman Police Department announced last week that it recently obtained a free, military surplus armored vehicle that will be primarily assigned to the Whitman County SWAT unit. The MaxxPro MRAP is described as an “urban rescue vehicle” built to withstand ballistic arms fire and “emerging threats,” according to the police department. It will be deployed in high-risk situations such as barricaded subjects, active shooter incidents,...

A New York based green energy company is expanding its hydrogen research operation at the Colfax airport. Plug Power has signed a ten year lease with the Port of Whitman County for an acre and a half parcel at the Business Air Center. The research company specializes in engineering hydrogen fuel infrastructure for industrial and transportation uses. Plug Power will build an outdoor research facility at the airport to explore technologies in the adoption of hydrogen as a transportation fuel. Researchers will investigate airport hydrogen applications and operations including fuel cell powered ground support equipment and on site storage and dispensing facilities. The facility will be designed to safely handle both gaseous and liquid hydrogen. The research site is expected to be completed next year and create several engineering jobs.

Nov. 29—A national company that researches and develops hydrogen technologies to replace fossil fuels is expanding its presence at the Port of Whitman County. Plug Power has leased 1.65 acres at the Port of Whitman Business Air Center in Colfax for two consecutive five-year terms, according to a news release from the Port of Whitman County.

The Pullman Police Department acquired an armored vehicle for the Whitman County SWAT Team last week. Aaron Breshears, Pullman PD operations commander, said they received the new armored vehicle, the Max Pro, through the government surplus program. The vehicle was previously an armored ambulance for the U.S. Military. “With the...

OLYMPIA, Wash - Citing once again the ambiguity of the Pac-12 bylaws, the Washington Supreme Court Tuesday sided with University of Washington and the Pac-12 and put a hold on a previous ruling while the case is being appealed.

Jon Phillip Cox, 78, lifelong Whitman County registered Angus cattle rancher/wheat farmer, passed away Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, from complications of Parkinson’s disease. The family is still deciding on the details of a memorial service. Jon was born Feb. 7, 1945, in Colfax, the son of Dallas and Lena...

COLFAX — The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) released its third round of Farm to School purchasing grants, awarding four Whitman County School Districts $20,000 each. Garfield School District, Palouse School District, Tekoa School District and Pullman are all on this round of funding for the Farm to...

COLFAX — The Colfax Volunteer Firemen are hosting their annual Firefighters’ Christmas Toy Box Drive and collecting donations. Colfax local Sherry Brackett has donated 150 hats to the yearly cause to provide for children in the area. Brackett said she uses a round loom she learned to make...

COLFAX — The Thrifty Grandmothers shop is awarding at least ten $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors in Whitman County this year. Students eligible for the scholarships must be planning to attend accredited colleges, universities and vocational/technical schools. Applicants have no restrictions on their course of study or career path,...