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

Will Ortner, Staff Reporter

Staff Reporter - Fall 2019

Staff Reporter - Fall 2018

All content by Will Ortner
CWU’s fall athletes have been granted an additional year of eligibility, and Will Ortner plans to take the NCAA up on their offer.

[Photo] Athletes unsure about potential return in fall 2021 despite additional eligibility

Sean Bessette, Staff Reporter
September 29, 2020

CWU’s fall athletes have been granted an additional year of eligibility, and Will Ortner plans to take the NCAA up on their offer.

Tobacco age limit raised to 21

Tobacco age limit raised to 21

Will Ortner, Staff Reporter
December 6, 2019

On April 5 Gov. Jay Inslee signed a law that raised the age restriction of buying tobacco products to 21 years old. This law, Engrossed House Bill 1074, would go into effect on Jan. 1 2020. Inslee believes...

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Club Council creates Funds Council

Club Council creates Funds Council

Will Ortner, Staff Reporter
November 19, 2019

On Nov. 13 CWU Club Council wrapped up one of their last meetings of the fall quarter. ASCWU VP of Clubs Ashley Klippert led a meeting that touched on the brand new Funds Council, as well as future events...

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Christmas is way too long

Christmas is way too long

Will Ortner, Staff Reporter
November 13, 2019

Well, it’s that time of year again when I complain about Christmas. Yup, I’m the jerk that complains that we play Christmas music too much and for way too long. Now I’m back to complain about how...

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Affordable housing

Will Ortner, Staff Reporter
November 13, 2019

On Nov. 6 at 4:30 p.m., the Ellensburg City Affordable Housing Commission (ECAHC) met at Shaw-Smyser Hall to discuss new applications from new housing developments. The ECAHC wants these housing developments...

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Trade Wars

Will Ortner, Staff Reporter
November 7, 2019

Two of the biggest superpowers in the world, the United States and China, have been caught in the middle of a massive trade war. The war has been going for over a year now and has hit farmers in the Pacific...

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301 makes changes for safety

301 makes changes for safety

Will Ortner, Staff Reporter
October 31, 2019

Under new nighttime management, Club 301 has made changes to make the bar a safer and more appealing place for CWU students to go to on weekends. Son of the owner, Ryan Kellogg, recently took over as the...

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NBA and China: China 1, democracy 0

NBA and China: China 1, democracy 0

Will Ortner, Columnist
October 24, 2019

LeBron James came out this week and finally let everyone know his opinion on the situation between China, Hong Kong and the NBA. Then everything hit the fan. For those of us who were living under a rock...

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Vaping industry’s smoking ruins

Vaping industry’s smoking ruins

Will Ortner, Staff Reporter
October 24, 2019

On Thursday, Oct. 10, the Washington State Board of Health approved an emergency ban of flavored vaping products, preventing the products from being sold. The ban will last until at least until Feb. 7,...

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Club Senate discusses budget

Club Senate discusses budget

Will Ortner, Staff Reporter
October 16, 2019

CWU’s Club Council held their first meeting of fall quarter on Oct. 9 to discuss the addition of a Funds Council. The hot topic of the night for the club representatives was the change in how clubs could...

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ASCWU: Who and what you need to know

ASCWU: Who and what you need to know

Will Ortner, Staff Reporter
October 9, 2019

On Oct. 2, students filed into the SURC Pit for their second chance to meet their ASCWU representatives for this academic year. Students who attended the meeting or watched the live stream of the meeting...

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Opinion: Christmas music is overdone

Opinion: Christmas music is overdone

Will Ortner, Staff Reporter
November 30, 2018

I may sound like the Grinch, but I don’t care: Christmas music sucks. It’s the same five songs by a bazillion different artists everyone listens to from the beginning of November until Dec. 26 if...

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Three new deans are coming to CWU

Three new deans are coming to CWU

Will Ortner, Staff Reporter
November 29, 2018

There will be new deans in three different departments this academic year. CWU came into the school year looking to hire a new Dean of Business, Dean of Student Success and Dean of the Library. While the...

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New rain gutters have been added to Shaw-Smyser after the old ones malfunctioned and caused mold to grow inside the walls of the building.

Fixing the mold in Shaw-Smyser after investigation

Will Ortner, Staff Reporter
November 15, 2018

Black mold was found inside the gutters as well as in the building of Shaw-Smyser in March 2018. Black mold can cause health issues if exposed to it for too long. In March, an investigation was conducted...

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Nicole Soleim (Freshman) finds her best tempo at a rainy XC practice at Ellensburg High School.

Soleim hits her stride for cross country

Will Ortner, Staff Reporter
November 10, 2018

While the rest of us are inside sipping hot cocoa on these crisp autumn mornings, Nicole Soleim and her teammates are training for their next cross country meet. In what is just her sophomore season, Soleim...

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Mario Alfaro is the owner of the Red Pickle food truck.

Red Pickle food truck moves to a restaurant

Will Ortner, Staff Reporter
November 1, 2018

The Red Pickle food truck has been selling Guatemalan-fusion dishes to Ellensburg since they opened three years ago. Mario Alfaro, the owner of the Red Pickle, has a true rags-to-riches story as...

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Professor Charles Reasons was awarded the 2018 Ormsby Award For Faculty Citizenship.

Law and Justice professor Charles Reasons receives award

Will Ortner, Staff Reporter
October 25, 2018

Every year, one professor from six of Washington’s State Universities gets nominated to receive the coveted Timm Ormsby award for Faculty Citizenship. This year, CWU Law and Justice professor Charles...

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Lauren Odette taking the ball down the pitch, defending herself along the way.

Women’s rugby looks to bounce back after opening loss

Will Ortner, Staff Reporter
October 17, 2018

CWU women’s rugby has been known for one thing over the last few years: win- ning. Despite an early season 0-60 loss to D1 Elite Lindenwood the Wildcats expect to have another solid season this year...

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The 1891 Bistro is now open 24 hours a day.

1891 Bistro open 24/7 with new technology lab

Will Ortner, Staff Reporter
October 11, 2018

The 1891 Bistro at CWU underwent some minor changes this summer, in the hopes of making life easier for the students. It was decided that 1891 Bistro would stay open 24 hours a day, seven days a week,...

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Opinion: What is a sack in today’s NFL?

Will Ortner, Staff Reporter
October 4, 2018

As we enter the fourth week of the NFL season, one thing is clear: the league has gone soft. It seems that every time a quarterback gets tackled, a flag gets thrown. Players and fans alike have voiced...

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