Stories from this compilation are excerpted from weekly newspapers from around the region. This is the second of a two-part Regional News Roundup; the first part was published Saturday.
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GRANGEVILLE - The Main Street brick strip is going away.
The Grangeville City Council on May 7 tasked public works with removing the downtown Main Street brick strip as time and the budget allow. Personalized bricks will be replaced with a colored and stenciled concrete, the same as that which was incorporated by the city at Heritage Square.
Interested parties will have an opportunity to keep the personalized bricks.
"They'll have a year," Mayor Wes Lester said, adding that the city already has a pallet of bricks it removed from Heritage Square six years ago - and none have yet been claimed.
The decision follows up on a March 5 meeting when Lester brought the longstanding issue before the council. The city has been exploring what to do with the 2-foot strip that extends along both sides of Main Street from Meadow to College streets. The strip was installed during the 2000 Main Street revitalization project, with personalized bricks sold as part of a private effort to help reduce costs to property owners.
However, in the nearly two decades since, sections of the brick trench have settled, causing an uneven surface, and many spots that haven't been maintained by property owners are covered in dirt and weeds. The council has discussed the problematic strip in the past, but members were always split on whether it was a city or private responsibility.
"We need to put that in the budget," Councilor Scott Winkler said Monday.
"I agree, but how much?" Councilor Michael Peterson asked.
According to Public Works Director Jeff McFrederick, estimates are $10,000 per block; back in March, an estimated project total was around $25,000. McFrederick advised undertaking the work in a five-year plan because of the cost involved.
"We need to figure out what to do," he said. "From a liability standpoint, we need to start making headway with this."
"It's a hazardous mess," Councilor Beryl Grant said.
- David Rauzi, Idaho County Free Press, (Grangeville), Wednesday
Friends of the Pool in Dayton to begin fundraising
DAYTON - Vicki Zoller from the newly formed Friends of the Dayton Community Pool Committee was present at last week's city council meeting to talk about efforts the committee is making to help raise funds for repairs at the Dayton City Pool. The city recently decided to close the pool because it has significant structural issues.
Zoller said the committee is working with the Columbia County Community Network to set up a 501c3 organization under its umbrella.
She said the committee is writing grants to help with funds and transportation for youth in the summer recreation program, so they may travel to Prescott and Walla Walla pools this summer.
"We're looking for a long-term, great solution for the community," Zoller said.
The committee will seek help from the city and from citizens through fundraisers, as well as grants.
"We're not looking into a levy at this time, but that is not off the table," she told the council.
Anything that is done will need to include ongoing maintenance of the pool, she said.
"We can't rebuild it and dump it on the city to maintain it, because the money just won't be there," she said.
Zoller said the Friends of the Dayton Community Pool plan on being the hub through which fundraising will take place.
"We have officers for our group and a fairly decent committee, but more members are welcome," Zoller said.
- Michele Smith, The Times, (Waitsburg), Thursday
St. Baldrick's nets $16,000
COLFAX - The final count for the 2018 St. Baldrick's head-shaving event at Colfax High School for childhood cancer research is more than $16,000 in donations. The goal was $15,000, set by student ASB leaders who organized the campaign. An assembly for head-shaving was held April 19. It was the fifth time the event was held at Colfax.
The St. Baldrick's program began in 2000 with the first head-shaving event in New York City. It has since funded $234 million in childhood cancer research grants.
- Whitman County Gazette, (Colfax), Thursday
