Press Releases and Public Service Announcements

Current top press releases and PSAs for

2024 Candidate Filing 04/15/2024
2024 General Election Preparation - Candidate Filing Week
Kittitas County Public Health Champion Award 04/12/2024
There is still time to nominate a Kittitas County Public Health Champion! The Kittitas County Board of Health Advisory Committee (BOHAC) is sponsoring the tenth annual Kittitas County Public Health Champion award. Any individual, group, or organization that has made a significant contribution to the health of Kittitas County can apply.
Kittitas County Community Health Assessment (CHA) Released 04/03/2024
The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) is excited to announce the completion of the most recent Community Health Assessment (CHA) for Kittitas County! The CHA is conducted every five years and provides a comprehensive evaluation of the county’s health. The finalized CHA is now accessible on the Kittitas County Health Department’s website at Kittitas County Public Health | Home Page.
Kittitas County Public Works - Vantage Highway Paving Project 04/01/2024
Kittitas County Public Works has hired Granite Construction to perform paving operations on Vantage Highway beginning at No. 81 Road to the City Limits. This project entails the removal of 3” of the current roadway surface and replacing it with 3” of new hot mixed asphalt. Along with new pavement, there will be roadway, utility, and survey monuments lowered to avoid conflict with the construction equipment.
Treasurer's Office in Upper County during April 03/26/2024
Treasurer's Office offers property tax payment collection in Upper County
Notice of Request for Proposal for Banking Services for Kittitas County 03/01/2024
The Kittitas County Treasurer’s Office requests proposals for Banking Services from retail banking institutions with full-service branches located in Ellensburg, Washington. The Banking Services necessary include depository, disbursement, and safekeeping services. The full Request for Proposal document is available on the Kittitas County Website.
2024 Kittitas County Property Tax Statements 02/26/2024
The Kittitas County Treasurer's office has announced that the 2024 property tax statements were mailed on 2/22/2024.
Thwarted Burglary Near Ellensburg part of Organized, Targeted Crime Trend 02/09/2024
Around 7:30 pm on Tuesday February 6, a home in the Grasslands area of Kittitas County just east of Ellensburg was burglarized by three Hispanic males. Investigation has shown the crime was part of an organized ring of burglaries and thefts targeting the owners of Asian and Indian small businesses.
2024 Kittitas County Tax Roll Certified 01/12/2024
On January 12, 2024, the 2024 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.
Recorded Document Fees Set to Increase in 2024 12/11/2023
Effective January 1st, 2024, document recording fees, which are set by state law, will increase from a standard fee of $203.50 to $303.50. The increase is due to the passage of SHB 1474 during the 2023 legislation session which added an additional $100 surcharge.
Lodging Tax Funding Recommendations for 2024 12/06/2023
The county-wide consolidated lodging tax workgroup met Friday, December 1, 2023, to review 2024 grant applications for special events and projects. Funding for the grants comes from a special sales tax collected on overnight lodging facilities throughout the county. The tax is collected by Kittitas County and the cities of Roslyn, Cle Elum, and Ellensburg. Each entity contributes 13% of the collected funds for this annual grant process and appoints representatives to the workgroup that reviews the applications. Funds made available by each jurisdiction this year totaled $429,506.95. The workgroup recommended awards totaling $.429,506.95.
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).
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.
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.
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.