Canyon Road overlay project begins Monday, July 20, with crews working 10 hours daily for seven weeks. The project includes chipseal on Ellensburg streets July 21-23, and a public hearing on easement vacation will be held August 3. Residents should expect traffic disruptions during this period.
The Ellensburg Police Department (EPD) released its 2024 annual report showing a 67% decline in juvenile crime, including a 75% drop in violent offenses. Mental health referrals have increased 191% since 2015, and there were no overdose deaths reported in 2024. The report also notes a 48% rise in drug enforcement activity.
Air quality in Ellensburg has been affected by wildfire smoke, prompting a health advisory from the State Fire Marshal. Residents are urged to monitor air quality and take precautions, particularly for those with respiratory conditions. Two fires in Okanogan and Kittitas counties—B and O and Ryegrass Coulee—have triggered state fire mobilization, with evacuations in effect as of July 8-9.
The City Council will hold its March 1, 2021 meeting remotely due to pandemic restrictions, with updated public participation guidelines. Central Transit has also released a new fixed-route map available in English and Spanish, effective November 26, 2024. Kittitas County has launched an updated online portal for public records requests and property searches.
What to watch next: The Canyon Road project timeline, continued wildfire smoke impacts, and the August 3 public hearing on easement vacation for the Canyon Road project.