Ellensburg Community Morning Show, Tuesday, October 13th
NEWS
Bird flu has been found in Kittitas County. The county Public Health Department said yesterday that a federal lab confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza in a backyard poultry flock here on Friday. Health officials say the risk to the general public is very low, but people who keep chickens or other birds should keep an eye out for sick or dead animals and report them to the State Department of Agriculture at 1-800-606-3056. Everyone is asked to stay away from sick or dead wild birds and to keep pets away from them too. The risk goes up in fall and winter as migrating birds move through. If you have questions, Kittitas County Public Health is at 509-962-7515.
The old Nites Inn Motel on South Ruby Street is well on its way to becoming housing. Congresswoman Kim Schrier toured the site last Thursday with HopeSource, the nonprofit behind what's being called the Pathways Project. Foundations are poured, framing is up, and crews are hooking up utilities. When it's finished, the project will have 78 homes — studios, one-bedrooms and two-bedrooms — with 12 units set aside for low-income senior veterans. Schrier secured more than a million and a half dollars in federal money for the veterans' housing. HopeSource says it's already getting calls every day from people asking when they can apply. Applications are expected to open toward the end of next summer.
The City of Ellensburg is looking for two residents to sit on the board of the new countywide Public Facilities District. The county commissioners created the district in July to oversee and help fund public facilities and regional recreation projects. Because Ellensburg is the county's largest city, the City Council gets to appoint two of the five board members. You have to live inside city limits to apply, and applications are due October 30th. Details are on the city website, or call the City Manager's office at 509-962-7221. The city is also taking applications for several advisory boards with terms ending in December, including the Affordable Housing Commission, which has an open seat after Sarah Syverson stepped down last month.
Local Events
The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive today from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Hal Holmes Community Center, 209 North Ruby Street. You can schedule an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. Donors who give through October 18th get a 15-dollar e-gift card.
Tonight on the CWU campus, Duo Velox — Kaitlyn Neufeld on clarinet and Aaron Burr on saxophone — present "Convergence of Chromaticity," a recital of new music for clarinet and saxophone, including a world premiere by composer Alyssa Morris. Admission is free. Check with the CWU Music Department at 509-963-1216 for the start time.
Also this afternoon, CWU students can make their own bag buddies — plushies, beads, charms and keychains — from 3 to 5 p.m. on campus.
And looking ahead to Thursday, the Ellensburg Arts Commission honors artist and teacher Jeannie Johnson and Mural Society president Renee Fyall with this year's Arts Awards. That's Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Valo Cellars, and it's free.
Road Updates
3rd Avenue between Sampson and Anderson Streets is closed and detoured for a sewer tie-in. Once that's done, 3rd will reopen, but the alley between 3rd and 4th will stay closed for about two weeks while crews replace 280 feet of sewer main. Questions go to Public Works at 509-962-7230.
SPORTS
The Wildcats have a busy week. Women's soccer hosts Seattle Pacific Thursday at 5 p.m. at Tomlinson Stadium, then Montana State Billings on Saturday at 11 a.m. The Wildcats are 3-6-4 on the season.
Women's volleyball heads to Alaska this week — Thursday at 8 p.m. against 25th-ranked Alaska Fairbanks, and Saturday at 8 p.m. against Alaska Anchorage. Central is 11-4 overall and 7-2 in conference play.
And Wildcat football, 4-2 on the year and a perfect 4-0 in the Lone Star Conference, travels to Texas to take on Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday at 5 p.m.
WEATHER
A freeze warning is in effect for the Kittitas Valley until 9 a.m. this morning, so cover the plants and give the car a few extra minutes. After that, it's a nice fall day. The forecasted high today in Ellensburg is 63 degrees with a low tonight of 35 degrees. Mostly sunny with calm winds, and partly cloudy overnight. The sunset is at 6:18 p.m. No rain in the forecast, and it warms up a bit tomorrow with a high near 68.
WHAT'S FOR LUNCH AT THE FISH OPEN TABLE?
The FISH Open Table lunch today is blackened chicken, with mashed potatoes, peas, a roll and fruit. The senior lunch is open to all seniors age 60-plus from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ellensburg Open Table at 204 North Main Street, and from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Upper County Senior Center in Cle Elum. The community lunch for anyone needing a hot meal is from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Ellensburg Open Table.
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