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By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

Graphic by Teagan Kimbro/The Observer

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...

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Breaking: North Hall resident's laptop catches fire

Breaking: North Hall resident’s laptop catches fire

Bailey Tomlinson, Staff Reporter
March 17, 2020

Around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, there was an electrical fire in one of the dorm rooms at North Hall. There were no injuries. Riley Kizziar, a resident of North Hall, said she was doing homework...

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Riel Hanson

Club Council discusses new elected position

Abigail Duchow, Staff Reporter
March 11, 2020

New Position: Interclub Associate President The VP of Clubs and Organizations, Ashley Klippert, described the new position that will be replacing her current position. The new position is titled Interclub...

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Mary Park

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...

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Riel Hanson

Ellensburg blue agate unique to Kittitas County

Abigail Duchow, Staff Reporter
March 11, 2020

Ellensburg blue agate is a gemstone that is unique in that it is only found in Kittitas County. It was discovered in 1905 by the first mayor of Ellensburg, Austin Miers. It has since become a staple of...

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CWU cancels spring commencement

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...

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Téa Green

Academic Affairs VP position gone

Abigail Duchow, Staff Reporter
March 4, 2020

The senate discussed changes that are being applied to the ASCWU Constitution. The position of Vice President for academic affairs will be removed and replaced with the position of Senate Speaker....

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L&L building falling apart

L&L building falling apart

Abigail Duchow, Staff Reporter
March 4, 2020

The representative for the History department, Björn Pellmyr, described one of his experiences with the elevator in the Language and Literature (L&L) building. He said a couple of weeks ago, a student...

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Téa Green

Wellness center seeks new space

Abigail Duchow, Staff Reporter
March 4, 2020

“Students have no confidential space to discuss intimate partner violence, recovery, and mental health,” was the beginning to a resolution regarding the Wellness Center. The Wellness Center was a topic...

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

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...

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COVID-19 results pending for Kittitas County resident

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...

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

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...

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