Press Releases and Public Service Announcements

Two arrested for January Robbery, Kidnapping, and Attempted Murder 04/16/2025
At 9:20 pm on January 21, an injured woman flagged down a passing car on I-90 near milepost 57 near Snoqualmie Pass. The driver called 911 and drove her to nearby medics and law enforcement. She was transported to Harborview Hospital.

The woman told detectives she was abducted at her apartment in the south Seattle area by three Venezuelan men who stole $20,000 in gold jewelry she had purchased for her business. They pushed her into their car, threatened to kill her and her family, and tortured her with a power drill to get her bank account information. Finally, they drove to Snoqualmie Pass, pushed her over a concrete barrier along I-90, and shot her. She lay still in the snow as the men drove away, leaving her for dead. The men returned to the woman’s apartment, where they stole her car.
Candidate Filing - 2025 General Election Preparation 04/16/2025
2025 General Election Preparation


Beginning on May 5th and continuing through May 9th, the Kittitas County Auditor’s office will accept declarations of candidacy for Local Elected Positions scheduled to appear on the 2025 General Election Ballot. For a complete listing of open positions, visit: https://voter.votewa.gov/ScheduledRaces.aspx?y=2025&c=19
Help Us Gather More Responses about the Behavioral Health Needs in Kittitas County 04/15/2025
Kittitas County Public Health Department launched a behavioral health needs survey to understand the needs in Kittitas County on March 27, 2025. Behavioral health is a term that includes both mental health and substance use. We need help gathering additional survey responses. Please help us by taking the survey and sharing with friends, family and coworkers.
Government Entities Support National Child Abuse Awareness Month 04/01/2025
April is National Child Abuse Awareness Month, and throughout the month, several buildings in Kittitas County will feature blue lighting to call attention to the effort. Central Washington University, the City of Ellensburg, and Kittitas County will be participating in the campaign by lighting up their buildings with blue to highlight the importance of child abuse awareness.
Bender Road Closure Extended 04/01/2025
Bender Rd closure between MP 0.00-MP 0.13 near the Reecer Creek Rd intersection has been extended until final improvements can be completed. Flooding has impacted construction and detour routes resulting in a temporary closure of the detour route. The detour route will be reopened when flood waters recede, and Bender Road is tentatively scheduled to reopen April 11th.
Help Us Gather Information about the Behavioral Health Needs in Kittitas County 03/27/2025
The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) is asking for participation in a behavioral health needs survey. Behavioral Health is a term that includes both mental health and substance use. The survey is open and available online at https://kittitas.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8647ooGY8A2KUCO. After you complete the survey, you can enter to win a $25 gift card for your participation.
Treasurer's Office in Upper County during April 03/24/2025
Treasurer's Office offers property tax payment collection in Upper County
Kittitas County Public Health Champion Award 03/17/2025
The Kittitas County Board of Health Advisory Committee (BOHAC) is sponsoring the eleventh 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.
Kittitas County Public Health Notified of Influenza Related Death 03/14/2025
The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) received notice of a death related to influenza in Kittitas County. “We realize that Kittitas County is still a small community; we want to acknowledge the loss of this individual and provide the appropriate information to the community,” states Health Officer Dr. Mark Larson.
Kittitas County Public Health Notified of Additional Pertussis Cases in the County 03/06/2025
The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) has received notice this week of another pertussis case in Kittitas County. As a result, KCPHD is working closely with Central Washington University (CWU) to try to stop any potential spread. The confirmed case of pertussis is associated with CWU men’s rugby team.
Update on Umptanum Road Restrictions 03/04/2025
Weight restriction removed on Umptanum Road between milepost 2.68 and 5.22. A suggested speed limit of 20mph is in place until further notice.
County Seeks Volunteers to Serve on Elected Official Salary Advisory Committee 02/27/2025
The Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners is accepting applications from citizens interested in advising the County on how much it should pay its Elected Officials (excluding Judges and County Commissioners).
Kittitas County Declares Emergency for the Armory Building – Main Event Hall 02/27/2025
Today the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners signed a resolution to declare an emergency for the structural beam failure in the Armory Building at the Kittitas Valley Event Center. The main event hall is the only space identified as a hazard and no one is allowed in the event hall portion of the building until the beam failure has been resolved. The main event hall is the only spaced identified as a hazard. However, the rest of the Armory facility is safe; Kittitas Valley Event Center staff continue to provide work with rental facilities and events. The Noxious Weed Control Board and the WSU Extension Kittitas County site are continuing to operate.
Kittitas County Public Health Department to Provide Childhood Vaccine Clinics 02/19/2025
The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) will begin providing childhood vaccine clinics onsite at 507 N Nanum Street in Ellensburg. The first clinic will be held on February 24th from 8am to 12pm, by appointment only. Childhood vaccines are available for anyone from the age of 6 months through 18 years old (until their 19th birthday). There is no cost for the vaccines or the appointment. Please call 509-962-7515 to schedule an appointment.
Kittitas County Building Department Going Paperless 02/10/2025
Beginning April 1, 2025, the Building division of Kittitas County Community Development Services will be going paperless.
2025 Kittitas County Tax Roll Certified 01/15/2025
On January 15, 2025, the 2025 Kittitas County Tax Roll was certified. The process for printing Tax statements will begin soon and mailing of the statements is expected in mid-February.
Kittitas County is Accepting Proposals to Increase Affordable Housing 01/02/2025
Kittitas County is accepting proposals to increase affordable housing in Kittitas County. The county estimates that there will be $250,000.00 available to increase the available inventory of affordable housing. Proposals can be around acquisition, rehabilitation, or construction of affordable housing. Applications and additional information is available at Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners | Boards, Committees, and Commissions. The application including attachments are due by January 24th at 5pm.
KCPHD Working With Discovery Lab to Address Pertussis 12/23/2024
The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) received notification of a positive pertussis (also known as whooping cough) case for a four year old child. Currently, the case does not appear to have any link to the recent pertussis case with the Ellensburg High School Wrestling team. KCPHD is working with the family around potential contacts with others. Those potential contacts include Discovery Lab in Ellensburg.
Kittitas County Public Health Pertussis Update 12/20/2024
The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) is thankful to Ellensburg High School for following the recent recommendations to address a confirmed case of pertussis associated with the high school wrestling team.
Kittitas County Public Health is Working with Ellensburg High School to Address Pertussis 12/18/2024
The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) is working with Ellensburg High School to address a confirmed case of pertussis. The case is associated with wrestling; KCPHD is recommending that all wrestlers (male and female) along with any associated staff get tested for pertussis. “The goal of getting everyone tested and stopping practice now,” states Health Officer Dr. Mark Larson, “is to get this stopped and not prolong the spread of pertussis so the team can get back to practicing as soon as possible in a safe way.” Any wrestler for Ellensburg High School and associated staff should contact their health care provider for a PCR test.