Grant County PUD manager to stay on the job
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 5 months AGO
Grant County PUD General Manager Rich Wallen, pictured, who announced his resignation May 7, will be staying as manager.
CHERYL SCHWEIZER/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD General Manager Rich Wallen will continue in that job. Utility district commissioners made the announcement during a workshop Tuesday morning, followed by a statement from Commissioner Terry Pyle warning against listening to rumors.
Commission Chair Tom Flint said commissioners wanted to make it clear where they stood.
“As you know, there has been quite a bit of rumor and misinformation floating around the district,” Flint said. “The commission would like to clarify some of that. The commission has never asked Rich Wallen to resign.”
All five commissioners supported, and still support, Wallen, Flint said.
“With that, (Wallen) will continue to be our chief executive officer,” Flint said.
Pyle too denied that the commission had asked for Wallen’s resignation. He used what he called a “mixed Navy metaphor” to explain the commission’s position.
“We are at a crossroads; the board of commissioners has asked Rich to steer our ship,” Pyle said. “We are asking you to get on board. Everyone at (Grant County PUD) either needs to get in the boat with us or start finding a life jacket.”
Wallen announced his resignation May 7 to take the job of chief operating officer for the Chelan County PUD. His last day would have been June 14.
Pyle said workers would be encouraged to continue voicing their concerns, and that rumors are part of every workplace.
“There are surely problems that need to be faced and corrected. We are asking that those corrections be identified and handled directly and appropriately,” Pyle said.
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.