Oakesdale Prohits Dumping; Provides For Green Recycling.

NO DUMPING!  PLEASE, no more dumping cardboard at the old bus barn! This is private property and it is considered illegal dumping of waste! Unfortunately there is no cardboard recycling available in Oakesdale. You must dispose of it in your garbage or take it to the Whitman County Transfer Station for recycling.

June was the last month to burn your yard waste. However, you can recycle your grass clippings, tree & shrub trimmings at Oakesdale's outdoor recycling center. Branches must be under 12 inches in diameter. NO HOUSEHOLD WASTE IS PERMITTED

Please remember to close the gates when you are done.

Obituary: Grace Evelyn Brown

 

Grace Evelyn Brown (12/28/1929 - 08/06/2011) BROWN,Grace Evelyn Grace was born December 28, 1929, the daughter of John and Lilly Dahlgren of Rockford, WA. Grace passed away on Saturday, August 6, 2011 at Spokane Valley Good Samaritan Society. She graduated from Fair-field High School in 1947. Grace married her husband, Lauren Brown of Rockford in 1947 and they lived in the Rockford area where Grace and Lauren had three sons. Grace and Lauren moved to Spokane for a short time but moved back to their ranch in Freeman in 1964. She especially liked traveling and camping with her husband and sons and their families. Grace was also an avid card player and loved to cook and being surrounded by all of her family and friends. Grace was preceded in death by her parents John and Lilly Dahlgren and her three sisters Ruby, Thelma, and Haz

Rockford Mini Mart Opening August 10, 2011

Dave Nagra worked inside the store today to get his business at 216 S 1st St., in Rockford, Wash., ready to open next Wednesday, August 10th.

Rockford residents look forward to the opening of the Rockford Mini Mart, which General Manager- Sandy Sanders closed last year, leaving only the card-operated Exxon gas pumps operational.

While Dave and his helpers worked inside, Gary's Sign Service installed distinctive red canopy-like Rockford Mini Mart signs around the top of the building outside. The signs spell out what Nagra will offer customers, but he says he plans to cater to local customers needs.

"When customers tell me what is wanted, I hope to provide it," Dave said.

He plans to stock the mini mart much like previous owners had, including pizza which was a popular item, and the usual items in a "quick-stop" mini mart.

Work on the building has progressed for months, and fresh paint, general cleanup and maintenance has vastly improved the looks of the property at the southeast end of Rockford's downtown business district. New flooring, counters, display shelving and other updates make the interior equally as pleasant and attractive, and provide an overall impression of cleanliness and pride of ownership. LED signs will replace the gas-price sign as soon as Gary's Sign Service installs them.

Nagra's business is one of several gas and mini-mart businesses in Spokane, Wash., owned by the East India family, who moved into Spokane in 1994.

Dave said Rockford Mini Mart hours will be 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., seven days a week.

Give a warm welcome to the Nagra family.

August 4, 2011 Proclaimed Palouse Community Center Board, Volunteers and Supporters Day, in Palouse, Washington

A proclamation by Mayor Echanove and the Council of the City of Palouse, Washington.

Whereas, the Palouse Community Center Board and other volunteers and supporters are the pride of our community, their work enriches all of our lives;

Whereas, the Palouse Community Center Board and other volunteers and supporters can move mountains; no obstacle too big, nor burden too heavy, when the only reward is that of accomplishment;

Whereas, the magic of volunteerism shines a light so brilliant, it can guide for generations.

To all of you, we thank you.

We therefore proclaim August 4, 2011, as Palouse Community Center Board, Volunteers and Supporters Day, in Palouse, Washington.

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All are invited to the new Palouse Community Center groundbreaking.

Tomorrow, August 4^th, at 5:30.

Free hotdogs and cake.

Ecology Youth Corps, The Best of the Best, Glean Roadside Litter

Many adults jump to the erroneous conclusion that any kid doing roadside work must be a juvenile delinquent penalized with community service. Nothing could be farther from the truth about the  six teens, wearing highly visible orange and reflective-yellow vests, who picked up roadside litter on Hwy. 58 from the Idaho/Washinton border to Rockford in the morning of August 3, 2011, and then spent their afternoon gleaning litter along Hwy. 27 from Rockford to Latah, Wash.

Although Road Work Ahead  and Ecology Youth Project signs alerted motorists, what wasn't visible to drivers passing by were the unique T-shirts these exemplary youth proudly wore -- also orange -- and emblazoned with logo in yellow letters, "Best of Our Youth. Jobs For Youth Service to Washington."

Their leader, Zig Parvey explained why 'the best' is exactly what these young people are. Out of some 500 online-applicants, only 36 teens, ranging in age from 14 to 17, achieved the distinction of being interviewed for Ecology Youth Corps  (EYC) 2011 summer jobs, crew members are hired based on their interview score and references. The teens were working in the second session, July 28 - August 19, 2011.

In addition to litter pickup during the 17 days each crewmember works during a summer, 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday - Friday (37.5 hours per week), a strong emphasis is placed on recycling. Their paycheck, $8.67 per hour, is mailed to their home twice a month.

The EYC program in this region places an important emphasis on the environmental education of its crew members. During their 30-minute lunch break, Parvey led discussions on environmental issues such as waste reduction, pollution, energy and water conservation, biodiversity, and sustainability. Parvey's pride in her crew, who were eating brown-bag lunches at a table in Rockford Park, was a joy to behold.

Projects and inter-crew competitions will be included during their working term. EYC youth will also tour Spokane's Waste-to-Energy plant, as well as, fish hatcheries, recycling centers, aluminum can smelters or other places of environmental significance. Some crews may spend time working at the recycling center or delivering an anti-litter message to the general public at fairs, parks, or rest areas.

Contacts include, Lynette Kuehl, Program Secretary, Phone: 509-329-3434 (Email: lkue461@ecy.wa.gov), and Gary Lambacher, Program Coordinator, Phone: 509-329-3506 (Email: glam461@ecy.wa.gov.) Both are located at Department of Ecology, Eastern Regional Office, N. 4601 Monroe, Spokane, WA 99205.

Thanks to the teens employed in the environmental program, roadsides are a lot cleaner in the area.

Freeman School Activities Start in Mid August

Students at Freeman Schools begin activities shortly after the middle of August, so it's not too early to visit the school calendar now to prepare, whether your student lives in the Freeman School District, or outside of the district but plans to enroll in Freeman K-12.

Information and contact information is available online here, http://www.freemansd.org/freeman/site/default.asp.

If you do not live in the Freeman School District and you have a K-12 aged student you are interested in registering at Freeman, please call the district office at 291-3695 for an application to be placed on the 2011-2012 choice list. Once approved, we will contact you to come pick up a registration packet.

Palouse Region Library News August 1-7, 2011

 Each year all fourteen branches of Whitman County libraries close for their annual computer and building maintenance. Libraries closed August 1-7, 2011 include Albion, Colfax, Colton, Endicott, Farmington, Garfield, LaCrosse, Malden, Oakesdale, Palouse, Rosalia, St. John, Tekoa, and Uniontown.

For more information visit, Whitman County Library

Spokane County Library branch at Fairfield will maintain regular hours. August 2, 2011 features include 10:30 a.m., Play & Learn Storytime (ages 2-5):  an hour of fun, stories, songs and fingerplays followed by activities that explore the concepts of math, science, art and literacy. 1:00 p.m. Wii Are Gaming Get your game on, grab your favorite wii games.  or board games, & come to the library for an afternoon of games & snacks.  The branch provides the wii, the munchies, and a few games to share; you bring your friends!  (Rated E for everyone or T for Teen only, please. Grades 6 and up.)

Visit, Spokane County Library

 

Job Opening at US Post Office in Rockford, Wash.

Rockford Post Office has an opening for a Postmaster Leave Replacement position. Apply online at http://www.usps.com/employment. Applicants need to log in, have a valid email address and an eCareer Profile to apply for jobs with the Postal Service.

The part-time position, to fill-in when the Postmaster is on leave, is a non-career position with no benefits. Pay, $9.45 per hour. Duties include sort and distribute mail daily, window services, etc.

Call Kami Thieren OIC, Rockford, Wash., Post Office: (509) 291-3178 for details.