Press Releases and Public Service Announcements

Current top press releases and PSAs for

Local Increase in Seasonal Flu Activity 11/20/2023
Kittitas County is seeing an increase in local seasonal influenza (flu) activity, specifically Influenza A. Influenza A is the most common type of influenza currently circulating. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, tiredness, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea.
Kittitas County Sheriff's Office Receives Accreditation Award 11/16/2023
This week the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office was accredited by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC).
Cooke Canyon Road Closure 11/13/2023
KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS ANNOUNCES A ROAD CLOSURE ON COOKE CANYON ROAD

Between Brick Mill Road and Schnebly Road

BEGINNING NOVEMBER 27, AND ENDING MAY 2024
Come Watch Screening of UNSEEN: How We’re Failing Parent Caregivers and Why it Matters 11/06/2023
Come watch the screening of Unseen: How We’re Failing Parent Caregivers and Why it Matters at the Morgan Performing Arts Center at 400 East First Avenue in Ellensburg on November 14th. The screening is free and doors open at 5pm with light refreshments available. The documentary will start at 5:30 pm with a panel discussion immediately following the screening.
Kittitas County Receives 2022 Financial Audit Report 11/03/2023
The State Auditor’s Office conducts Financial Audits on local governments each year to ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal laws while verifying that internal processes are functioning properly.
Faust Road Closure 10/30/2023
KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS ANNOUNCES A ROAD CLOSURE ON FAUST ROAD.
Avian Flu Detected in Kittitas County 10/28/2023
Avian influenza, or bird flu, has been detected in Kittitas County. On October 27th, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) sent a press release stating “A Kittitas County flock owner reported the sudden death of multiple birds in their small domestic flock of mixed birds. The WSDA avian health team responded and test results came back positive for the virus.” A recent case has also been confirmed in neighboring King County via the WSDA website.
Kittitas County has Veterans Services Officer Available 10/17/2023
Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) is pleased to announce the addition of a Veterans Services Officer (VSO) to the services offered by KCPHD. Timothy Paxton, the new VSO, is available to assist veterans along with their dependents and survivors. The VSO is available Monday through Friday at the Morris Sorenson building located at 507 N Nanum Street in Ellensburg, Washington.
Respiratory Virus Season 2023-2024 Explained 10/11/2023
Respiratory virus season is here. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), fall and winter are a time when viruses that cause respiratory disease usually circulate more heavily in the community. Many people might call this flu season, but the season now includes the virus COVID-19 in addition to the seasonal flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
2023 Annual Drive-Thru Flu and COVID-19 Clinic is October 25, from 7 am to 4 pm 09/29/2023
The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) and Community Health of Central Washington (CHCW) will be holding the annual drive-thru flu vaccination clinic on October 25, 2023, from 7 am to 4 pm.
Notice of Cle Elum Transfer Station Scale Project Construction 09/28/2023
The Upper Kittitas County Cle Elum Transfer Station will be down to one scale for both inbound and outbound traffic between 10/02/2023-12/21/2023 due to construction.
Kittitas County Jail receives $800k Grant from US DOJ 09/28/2023
The Kittitas County Jail (KCJ) has been awarded a US Department of Justice grant of $797,044 to treat inmates with substance use disorders or addictions. The grant will support the jail’s Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) program, which started under a similar $600,000 grant in 2020. The increase in funds for this second three-year grant period will provide increased nursing staff and counseling services.
Disabled-Parking Violation Leads to Drug Trafficking Arrest 09/27/2023
On Tuesday morning, 9/26, Kittitas County Sheriff's Deputy Matt Meckley observed a Ford pickup parked in a disabled-parking stall at the Pilot truck stop in west Ellensburg with no disabled-parking license plate or placard displayed. When he ran the license plate of the truck, it did return to a Ford pickup; but the registration was for a dark green truck, and this pickup was white.
Burn Ban Lifted for Kittitas County 09/25/2023
Kittitas County Fire Marshal, today announced that Kittitas County will lift the county wide burn ban effective September 25, 2023 at noon.
22-Year Old Ellensburg Man Killed in One-Vehicle Accident 09/18/2023
Last night, 9/17, shortly after 11 PM, KCSO Deputies and EPD Officers responded to a report of an apparent one-vehicle rollover collision on Naneum Road, north of Vantage Highway and east of Ellensburg.
Town Hall Meeting in Cle Elum Hosted by Board of County Commissioners 09/11/2023
The Kittitas County Board of Commissioners is holding a Town Hall Meeting in Cle Elum, WA this Thursday, September 14th, 2023, at 5:30pm. The event will take place at the Upper Kittitas County Courthouse located at 700 East 1st Street, Cle Elum.
Public Health Provides Free Vaccines for Morgan Middle School Students 08/28/2023
The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) will be providing free vaccinations on August 29, 2023, from 10am to 5pm for Morgan Middle School students as a part of the school’s Bulldog Day student orientation event. Because this event is hosted by Morgan Middle School, only students who are enrolled at Morgan Middle School can be vaccinated. Consent forms have been sent out though the school portal for parents or guardians to complete. Parents must be present for students to receive vaccinations unless the consent forms are completed and signed by a parent or guardian prior to the clinic. The following vaccines will be provided:
Health Officials Warn of Local Rise in Opioid Overdoses 08/24/2023
The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) has been informed by local emergency response personnel of a sudden increase in opioid overdoses in the Ellensburg area, presumed to be caused by fentanyl laced pills. KCPHD recommends that anyone using illicit opioids (hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, heroin, as examples) for any reason and that anyone spending time with someone using or suspected of using illicit opioids should have naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, and an overdose prevention plan.
Airport Rd Sidewalk Closure 08/23/2023
Notice of Sidewalk Closure
Kittitas County Air Quality Conditions Update 08/21/2023
Kittitas County continues to be under an air quality alert, issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) through Wednesday, August 23, 2023 until noon. Smoke from several fires continues to affect air quality in Kittitas County. As of 10 am today, the monitors in Ellensburg and Cle Elum are showing Very Unhealthy air. To view the interactive map, please visit Interactive Maps (wa.gov).