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

David Snyder, Staff Reporter

Staff Reporter – Winter 2021

All content by David Snyder

Ellensburg Police Department now using body camera technology

David Snyder, News Director/Staff Reporter
May 6, 2021

The next time you are involved in a traffic stop with an Ellensburg police officer, your interaction will be recorded on video.  The EPD acquired 42 body cameras, along with eight new in-car camera...

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The mystery of presidential candidate Ralph Dean Templeton: A local cold case

The mystery of presidential candidate Ralph Dean Templeton: A local cold case

David Snyder, Staff Reporter
March 9, 2021

Dean Templeton probably wasn't going to win the 1976 United States presidential election as a write-in candidate. From what is documented about him, he was more of a penniless drifter than a politician.  However,...

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A crew of six unionized linemen claim city is bargaining in bad faith

David Snyder, Staff Reporter
March 2, 2021

The problem with “second chances” in American pro sports

David Snyder, Columnist
February 23, 2021

There's a systemic issue with sports in this country that starts at the top in professional sports leagues and trickles down to the amateur ranks.  We prioritize competitiveness over decency. Nothing...

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Kittitas County health officer weighs in on recent CDC masking study

Kittitas County health officer weighs in on recent CDC masking study

David Snyder, Staff Reporter
February 23, 2021

On Feb. 10, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a study suggesting that how people mask up in public can significantly increase protection against coronavirus. The CDC tested...

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Local non-profit organization receives community help after thieves take $10,000 worth of items

David Snyder, Staff Reporter
February 16, 2021

When Kittitas Environmental Education Network (KEEN) staff members arrived at Helen McCabe State Park on Feb. 1, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. That was, until they noticed someone had jimmied the...

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Local radio host Steve Scellick retires after decades on-air

David Snyder, News Director
February 12, 2021

On New Year’s Eve, local country radio host Steve Scellick retired from his long-running morning show on KXLE-Ellensburg. However, he’s not quite riding off into the sunset yet. Scellick plans to...

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FISH requests Valentine's Day cards for Meals on Wheels senior clients

FISH requests Valentine’s Day cards for Meals on Wheels senior clients

David Snyder, Staff Reporter
February 9, 2021

FISH Community Food Bank’s Meals on Wheels program, a nutritional delivery service, will deliver Valentine’s Day cards to homebound seniors living across Kittitas County. Meals on Wheels clients...

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Murals in Ellensburg

Murals in Ellensburg

David Snyder, Staff Reporter
February 2, 2021

They're painted in the alleyways, on the rooftops and atop the sides of age-old brick buildings. Ellensburg's collection of public murals started as far back as the 1880s and continues to grow today. According...

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Ellensburg Downtown Association promotes local restaurants to help them survive winter slow down

Ellensburg Downtown Association promotes local restaurants to help them survive winter slow down

David Snyder, Staff Reporter
January 26, 2021

According to Taylor Villwock, public relations coordinator for the Ellensburg Downtown Association (EDA), the toughest financial stretch of the year for downtown Ellensburg restaurants is between January...

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Several retailers now carry hemp-based CBD products as interest in them grows.

Local businesses invest in CBD products

David Snyder, Staff Reporter
January 20, 2021

Cannabis Central Store Manager Margaux Ulstad wouldn’t call cannabidiol (CBD) a "super chemical," but because of its many believed medical benefits, the business has found a diverse market for its CBD...

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[Video] Students vote in-person in the SURC

November 10, 2020

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[Video] Where CWU students vote could impact local election results

David Snyder, Senior Reporter
November 3, 2020

Earlier this week, CNW asked students how they felt about the candidates on their county ballots. Of those who already voted, most either admitted not knowing much about the candidates or not remembering...

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[Video] CWU isolates students in Wendall Hill Hall B after coronavirus cluster found

David Snyder, Senior Reporter
October 27, 2020

Last Monday, Central Washington University teamed up with the Kittitas County Health Department (KCPHD) to test 169 residents and staff for coronavirus at the Wendell Hill residence hall. This came after...

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[Video] Old and new Homecoming traditions come together

October 20, 2020

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[Video] Political rallies takeover downtown Ellensburg

David Snyder, Senior Reporter
October 12, 2020

Daily political rallies have turned a quiet town into a loud one. At the intersection of 5th and Main, in Ellensburg, passing cars blast their horns at a group of Black Lives Matter protestors. Local...

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Kittitas County general election forums

David Snyder, Senior Reporter
October 7, 2020

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[Video] KVJSA brings organized youth sports back to Kittitas County

David Snyder, Senior Reporter
September 29, 2020

On September 9, Kittitas County announced it would permit organized recreational youth sports to play this fall under Washington State guidelines for Phase 3. Following a brief delay - due to poor air...

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