The Observer

Kittitas County issues masking directive

Bailey Tomlinson, News Editor
May 22, 2020

Cloth face coverings that cover the nose and mouth will be required in Kittitas County beginning May 23. They will be required when indoors, in confined public settings and when unable to maintain six-foot...

Update on Twin City Foods outbreak

Bailey Tomlinson, News Editor
May 10, 2020

Note: This story was updated on May 11 after originally being posted on May 10. Kittitas County has 49 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of May 10, with that number subject to change as more test results...

County variance application put on hold in light of new cases

Bailey Tomlinson, News Editor
May 8, 2020

Kittitas County’s variance application has been put on hold following a 16th confirmed case of COVID-19. A press release from the Kittitas County Public Health Department confirmed the 16th case as a...

Kittitas County to request accelerated opening

Bailey Tomlinson, News Editor
May 4, 2020

Kittitas County will be applying to immediately begin phase two of Gov. Jay Inslee’s phased reopening plan, county officials announced during a press conference. Called a variance, the application will...

Protesters gather at county courthouse

Nicholas Tucker and Bailey Tomlinson
May 1, 2020

The Kittitas County Business Coalition held a protest against statewide health orders in front of the county courthouse on May 1. At the core of the protest was the concern that businesses, particularly...

COVID-19 related changes in Kittitas County

Bailey Tomlinson, News Editor
April 24, 2020

Several updates to changes related to COVID-19 in the county were announced via a series of press releases by the Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD). Medical services available Residents...

Dining Services terminates majority of student employees

Nicholas Tucker and Bailey Tomlinson
April 15, 2020

CWU Dining Services has terminated the majority of its student employees, according to Director of Dining Services Dean Masuccio. This was announced via an email employees received from Assistant Director...

Virtual health services offered during COVID-19

Abigail Duchow, Senior Reporter
April 15, 2020

Many of the health services provided to students during the usual school year will still be provided virtually. These services include Student Counseling Services, Student Health Services, Wellness Center...

COVID-19 changes impact education majors

Abigail Duchow, Senior Reporter
April 15, 2020

Due to COVID-19, CWU made the decision for all classes to be taught online, and K-12 education is now closed for the rest of the school year. These changes impact education majors, as a lot of them need...

Stay-at-home orders impact local businesses

Mitchell Roland, Senior Reporter
April 9, 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Ellensburg businesses are learning to adjust to a new reality. Gov. Jay Inslee issued a stay-at-home proclamation for the state on March 23 in an effort to prevent...

Longtime Kittitas resident dies from COVID-19 complications

Mariah Valles, Orientation Editor
April 8, 2020

A longtime and respected Kittitas County resident has died from COVID-19 complications, according to the Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD). This is the first COVID-19 related death for Kittitas...

COVID-19 restrictions mandated but not enforced

Abigail Duchow, Senior Reporter
March 29, 2020

The “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order mandates that all people in Washington State must immediately cease leaving their home except to do essential activities like grocery shopping, getting medical services...