The Observer

Stay at home orders announced at county and state level

Bailey Tomlinson, News Editor
March 23, 2020

Kittitas County residents have been ordered to remain in their homes by Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) Health Officer Dr. Mark Larson, by means of an official health order. Soon...

Fifth COVID-19 case in Kittitas County brings new measures

Bailey Tomlinson, News Editor
March 23, 2020

A fifth patient has tested positive for COVID-19 in Kittitas County, according to a press release from the Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) on March 23. The patient is a 59-year-old...

CWU cancels spring commencement

The Observer Staff
March 21, 2020

Note: This story will be updated as information becomes available. March 20, 2 p.m. - CWU cancels spring commencement CWU will not host an in-person graduation ceremony in spring due to COVID-19. The...

ASCWU offers financial help to students in need

Bailey Tomlinson, News Editor
March 21, 2020

The Associated Students of Central Washington University (ASCWU) are liquidating all funding to go towards students who need financial assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students can apply through...

Kittitas County Public Health Department recommends shelter in place

Bailey Tomlinson, News Editor
March 19, 2020

A Kittitas County press release states the Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) is recommending that if possible, people shelter in place, or voluntarily isolate in their homes, to avoid exposing...

Kittitas County confirms fourth positive case in elementary school

Bailey Tomlinson, Staff Reporter
March 18, 2020

The fourth case of COVID-19 in Kittitas County is an employee of Lincoln Elementary School. This is according to a Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) press release sent out this morning. The...

Hay exporters face challenge of moving hay during virus outbreak

Mary Park, Staff Contributor
March 11, 2020

The coronavirus outbreak is not only impacting the healthcare system but the global supply chain as well. In Kittitas County, the loss is trickling down to hay farmers and exporters. China has the world’s...

CWU cancels spring commencement

Mariah Valles and Nicholas Tucker
March 7, 2020

Note: This story will be updated as information becomes available. March 20, 2 p.m. - CWU cancels in-person commencement CWU will not host an in-person graduation ceremony in spring due to COVID-19. The...

Update: Two more Kittitas residents under investigation for COVID-19

Mariah Valles, Managing Editor
March 3, 2020

COVID-19 test results came back negative for the Kittitas County resident who was tested on March 2, according to a Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) press release. The March 2 test makes...

COVID-19 results pending for Kittitas County resident

Mariah Valles, Managing Editor
March 2, 2020

A COVID-19 test was sent out today for a Kittitas County resident. The Kittitas County resident is being hospitalized in Western Washington and is in critical, but stable condition, according to a press...

Inslee declares state of emergency following first COVID-19 death in U.S.

Mariah Valles, Managing Editor
February 29, 2020

A man died from COVID-19 at the Evergreen hospital in Kirkland, Washington, marking the first death by the virus in the U.S. Gov. Jay Inslee responded by declaring a state of emergency. “This will...

CWU student test results negative after week of isolation

Mariah Valles, Managing Editor
February 12, 2020

Test results for the CWU student who was tested for the novel coronavirus came back negative on Friday. Immediately after the results came in, the student was released from isolation, according to Kittitas...