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

Joseph Stanger, Staff Reporter

Staff Reporter - Fall 2021

Scene Editor- Winter 2021

Staff Reporter - Spring 2020

All content by Joseph Stanger
CWU’s network engineers work to solve on-campus connectivity issues

CWU’s network engineers work to solve on-campus connectivity issues

Joseph Stanger, Staff Reporter
November 24, 2021

CWU’s networks provide service to students, staff and guests all across campus, but when a sudden outage can mean the difference between getting an assignment in on time and having to turn it in late,...

Continue Reading
Robbie Blanch

CWU Students weigh in on concert crowd conduct following Astroworld tragedy

Joseph Stanger, Staff Reporter
November 18, 2021

Earlier this month, fans from across the country gathered to attend Travis Scott’s third iteration of the Astroworld Festival, a two-day event in which Scott and various other artists perform in the...

Continue Reading

CWU gives new purpose to fallen leaves

Joseph Stanger, Staff Reporter
November 11, 2021

It’s fall, which means it’s time for the leaves to float down from their branches and end up all over walkways, streets and in the gutters. But, instead of leaving them to decompose, become slipping...

Continue Reading

Questions arise surrounding accessibility at CWU

Joseph Stanger, Staff Reporter
November 7, 2021

Going to classes while living on campus isn’t particularly difficult: you walk the equivalent of a few blocks and you can get almost anywhere within minutes. But, if you’re a wheelchair user, getting...

Continue Reading
Netflix and Walmart partnered in offering Squid Game merchandise, contrasting with the shows meaning.

“Squid Game” has become what it criticizes

Joseph Stanger, Columnist
November 4, 2021

*Light spoilers for the show* If you haven’t already seen it, you’re probably sick of hearing about it. “Squid Game” is a Korean drama series and the latest pop-culture craze to come out of...

Continue Reading
Courtesy of Netflix

Disability Services screens ‘Crip Camp’ for Disability History Month

Joseph Stanger, Staff Reporter
October 26, 2021

In the state of Washington, every October is Disability History Month, a month dedicated to promoting awareness and understanding of disability history and people with disabilities. CWU’s Disability...

Continue Reading
Smoke City

New vape shop opens near campus

Joseph Stanger and Libby Williams
October 21, 2021

A new vape shop, Smoke City Glass and Vape, has opened across the street from Lind Hall. Store manager Henry Abdel said this is his fourth location, with two stores in Yakima and one in Selah.   “I...

Continue Reading
New Bike repair shop Ellensburg Bicycle opens for business

New Bike repair shop Ellensburg Bicycle opens for business

Joseph Stanger, Staff Reporter
October 12, 2021

In early September, a new bike repair shop, Ellensburg Bicycle, opened its doors downtown at 107 E. 3rd Ave. Owned and operated by CWU Alumni Seth Mills, he hopes he and his shop will make biking in Ellensburg...

Continue Reading
The garden was dedicated to late CWU president Donald L. Garrity.

Maintaining Mizuno’s Garden

Joseph Stanger, Staff Reporter
October 7, 2021

Students living on CWU’s campus have likely walked past or through the Japanese Garden, located just west of the SURC. This garden, which was dedicated to late CWU president Donald L. Garrity in 1995...

Continue Reading
Local businesses are forced to find new ways of maintaining business in the new year

New COVID-19 protocols cause issues for local restaurants and businesses

Joseph Stanger, Scene Editor
January 12, 2021

Roughly two weeks before Thanksgiving, Gov. Jay Inslee implemented statewide restrictions on indoor dining to prevent the spread of COVID-19, causing restaurants across Washington to either adapt their...

Continue Reading
“Wonder Woman 1984” review: wonder woman, mediocre movie

“Wonder Woman 1984” review: wonder woman, mediocre movie

Joseph Stanger, Scene Editor
January 12, 2021

“Wonder Woman 1984” is the first of Warner Bros.’ new films to release simultaneously on HBO Max and in theaters, making it easily accessible to those trying to be safe during the pandemic. But is...

Continue Reading
ROTC cadets experience a new kind of training

ROTC cadets experience a new kind of training

Joseph Stanger, Staff Reporter
June 3, 2020

During past quarters, with in-person classes and no social distancing regulations, students might have occasionally seen ROTC cadets training around campus. This quarter, to make sure those in the program...

Continue Reading
Community and competition formed completely online with intramural esports

Community and competition formed completely online with intramural esports

Joseph Stanger, Staff Reporter
May 28, 2020

After a long day of Zoom meetings, work and other responsibilities, it’s finally time to relax, talk to some friends and play some video games. CWU introduced esports to the intramural sports program...

Continue Reading
The ReCycle Bicycle shop has been booked with repair orders and an increase in new customers since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Service Manager Colton Beutel suggests that people may be seeking alternatives to staying inside due to the shutdown.

Bikes are back

Joseph Stanger, Staff Reporter
May 18, 2020

The ReCycle Bicycle Shop has seen a spike in business during the pandemic. Frank Johnston, the owner of the ReCycle Shop, said biking is very important to the town of Ellensburg. “It wasn’t as obvious...

Continue Reading
Office of International Studies and Programs struggles to get students to participate in optional activities

Office of International Studies and Programs struggles to get students to participate in optional activities

Joseph Stanger, Staff Reporter
May 13, 2020

Not a single student showed up to eight out of the 12 events the Office of International Studies and Programs (OISP) put on this quarter. According to the OISP’s program coordinator, Krissy Goecks, the...

Continue Reading
No panic at the dispo

No panic at the dispo

Joseph Stanger, Staff Reporter
May 2, 2020

During the pandemic, many businesses have been forced to close their doors indefinitely. Marijuana dispensaries, however, have not suffered the same fate. According to Washington State’s list of essential...

Continue Reading
A composed victory

A composed victory

Joseph Stanger, Staff Reporter
April 28, 2020

 Earlier this year, Aaron Rausch received a phone call from TVW, Washington State’s public affairs network, informing him he had won their composition competition. The 21-year-old percussion performance...

Continue Reading
How religious groups are adapting

How religious groups are adapting

Joseph Stanger, Staff Reporter
April 22, 2020

CWU’s religious groups are changing the way they meet and interact with one another due to the stay-at-home order. Online software has become the main mode of communication for events and activities...

Continue Reading