State to fund election security upgrades
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 4 months AGO
Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs
OLYMPIA — The Washington Secretary of State’s office announced Monday in a news release that they will provide Washington county elections officials with up to $80,000 to improve local election security. More than $3 million is available statewide through the Information Security Funds program.
“Election security and protecting our election systems from cyber threats remain my office’s top priority,” said Secretary of State Steve Hobbs in the release. “A significant amount of work to secure our elections, however, resides at the county level. This additional funding will go a long way in helping counties enhance their election security efforts, especially as cyber threats continue to escalate in severity and frequency.”
According to the release, counties can use the funding to purchase or upgrade their security software and hardware, hire IT security personnel, make structural improvements and conduct other changes that protect election systems from cyber threats and security risks.
The announcement specified that counties that wish to apply for funds must have an installed and operational Albert sensor that is monitoring the network for cyber threats and attacks. The application deadline is June 14, 2024.
ARTICLES BY STAFF REPORT
Connell woman killed in Booker Road crash
CONNELL — Charges are pending against a Kennewick man following a collision about 12 miles south of Othello that killed a Connell woman and injured three other people Tuesday evening. A Washington State Patrol press memo said intoxicating substances were a factor. Jessica Zarate, 37, Connell, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near the intersection of SR 17 and South Booker Road, the WSP memo said. She was driving south on Booker Road approaching the intersection when her car was hit by a pickup driven by John Reiss, 62, Kennewick. Edgar Garcia Quirino, 28, Othello, was driving north on SR 17 and ran into Zarate's car, the WSP memo said. The crash occurred at about 6:40 p.m.
Wheeler Road closed because of traffic collision
UPDATE: The road was reopened as of noon, according to a GCSO media release. MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Office has announced there is a road closure between Road 3-NE and Road S-NE. There was a serious traffic collision. GCSO is asking for drivers to avoid the area and find alternative routes. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Doors opening: The Currents will provide homeownership for more local workers
About 104 homes are planned at the former Atlas sawmill site
Teachers, nurses, firefighters and other workers who keep Coeur d’Alene running will soon have more places to buy a home in the community where they work. About 104 homes are being planned to be built at Atlas Waterfront, on roughly 10 acres that are part of a swath of land that was once home to the Atlas sawmill and is being redeveloped. Ignite CDA, the city of Coeur d’Alene’s urban renewal agency, is leading this effort.