Press Releases and Public Service Announcements

Current top press releases and PSAs for

Kittitas County Law & Justice Council Grant Application 2024 06/01/2023
The Kittitas County Law and Justice Council is offering mini grants to organizations and community programs that support the law and justice system.
KCPHD Releases 2022 Annual Newsletter 05/31/2023
The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) is excited to release the 2022 Annual Report. The goal of the report is to inform the community of our major activities in 2022, which include highlights around our workforce, partnerships, projects, as well as the Community Health Assessment, and Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) Funding.
Kittitas County Public Health Champion Recipients Announced 05/26/2023
The Kittitas County Board of Health Advisory Committee (BOHAC) is pleased to announce that the Kittitas County Fire Protection District #6 will be awarded the 2023 annual Kittitas County Public Health Champion Award. The award is in recognition of their work to care for some of the most vulnerable people in our community and their goal of understanding people wholistically and addressing all their needs. The award will be presented during the Kittitas County Board of Health meeting on Thursday, June 15th, 2023, at 10:00 am. The meeting is open to the public.
17-Year-Old Drowned in Floating Accident on Cle Elum River 05/23/2023
On Saturday, May 20, a group of seven young people from the Moses Lake and Warden area launched down the Cle Elum River near the Salmon La Sac campground on a raft of connected innertubes. Within minutes, their makeshift raft was caught by tree limbs and underwater hazards and swamped by the fast-running river. The party was scattered, and one juvenile suffered an injury to his ankle. When they gathered, they realized a 17-year-old male was missing. They called for help around 12:30 pm.
Risk of Xylazine in Opioid Use 05/22/2023
Health agencies across the United States are reporting an increase of Xylazine detected in overdose deaths and in seized illicit drug supplies. Regional Local Health Jurisdictions (LHJs) warn the general public about Xylazine risk in opioid use.
Worth Remembering 05/18/2023
When someone dies the coroner searches for their family. But what happens when someone dies estranged from family, or none can be found? Any arrangement made in advance by the deceased is honored. But what happens if no arrangement is made? Or what happens if next-of-kin is found but can’t afford the cost of service? What happens if next-of-kin is not old enough to claim their loved one? All good questions. In Washington State there is a process where the coroner is responsible for the disposition of the “unclaimed”.
Monthly Upper County Builder Outreach Meetings 05/05/2023
Kittitas County Community Development Services (CDS) will begin holding monthly Builder Outreach meetings in the Upper County on the 2nd Tuesday of every month. The meetings will take place at 9:00am in the Cle Elum City Council chambers located at 119 W 1st Street in Cle Elum, WA.
Electronic Submittals Now Accepted for Residential Building Permits and Fire Marshal Permits 05/01/2023
Kittitas County Community Development Services is now accepting electronic submittals for residential building permits and Fire Marshal permits.
Notice of Upcoming Candidate Filing Week 05/01/2023
Beginning on May 15th and continuing through May 19th, the Kittitas County Auditor’s office will accept declarations of candidacy for all open elected positions scheduled to appear on the 2023 General Election Ballot.

   
Kittitas County Agencies Work Together to Locate Toddler 04/25/2023
At around 9:20 this morning, 4/25, a family in the Umptanum area several miles southwest of Ellensburg called 911 to report their 3-year old girl ran off into the rough sagebrush around their remote residence. They’d already searched for 20 minutes and were worried about their toddler among the steep canyons and other hazards of the high country where they live.
Scholarships and Virtual Passes Available for the 2023 Community Summit 04/19/2023
The Kittitas County Developmental Disabilities program is offering 3 full scholarships and 10 virtual passes to the 2023 Community Summit: A Decade of Community. Individuals interested in accessing the scholarships or virtual passes, must apply by April 28th at https://web.cvent.com/event/a34976b3-5200-44e5-9e74-f00ed4484887/summary
Kittitas County Public Health Champion Award Nominations Due by April 28, 2023 04/18/2023
Submit Public Health Champion Award nominations before April 28th, 2023. The Kittitas County Board of Health Advisory Committee (BOHAC) is sponsoring the ninth annual Kittitas County Public Health Champion award. The award is intended to honor and recognize individuals, groups, or organizations that have made significant contributions to the health of Kittitas County. To date, there have been no nominations received for the 2023 annual award.
Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) Offering Vital Records Ordering Online 04/17/2023
The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) is now offering vital records online. KCPHD has partnered with Permitium to offer birth certificates and death certificates online via the KCPHD website at www.co.kittitas.wa.us/health. Only vital records from Washington State are available. Birth certificates from 1907 to present are available and death certificates from 2014 to present are available to be requested online to qualified applicants.
Community Development Services Office Closure 04/13/2023
In accordance with Kittitas County Resolution 2023-062, Kittitas County Community Development Services Office announces office closure on April 19th.
Auditors Office Partners with Secretary of States Office to Invest in Election Security 04/04/2023
The Kittitas County Auditors Office has been approved by the Secretary of States Office for up to $80,000 in election security investments this year, with additional investments expected in 2024 and 2025.
Federal Government to Fund $11.17M in Wildfire Defense Grants in Kittitas County 03/28/2023
All Wildfire Defense Grant proposals in Kittitas County announced to be funded.
Kittitas County Public Health Champion Award 03/16/2023
The Kittitas County Board of Health Advisory Committee (BOHAC) is sponsoring the ninth annual Kittitas County Public Health Champion award. The award is intended to honor and recognize individuals, groups, or organizations that have made significant contributions to the health of Kittitas County. This award is made possible by a generous donation from former Kittitas County Health Officer Jim Gale.
KCPHD Releases New Customer Feedback Survey 03/15/2023
Today, the Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) released an updated customer feedback survey. https://kittitas.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2mGTynFcOw0zrdY is the new link where customers, stakeholders, and agency partners can provide feedback to KCPHD. The feedback we receive will be used to improve our services and how we engage with the community.
Kittitas County Coroner applauds unanimous passage of Senate Bill 5523 addressing forensic pathologist shortage. 03/14/2023
Rural counties in Washington State are having to deal with a lack of forensic pathologists, and the resultant backlog of cases when they try to schedule autopsies or receive final autopsy reports. State Senate Bill 5523 addresses this problem and is aimed at providing much needed relief.
Vantage Hwy Road Closure 03/07/2023
Vantage Hwy will be closed between Naneum Rd and Fairview Rd