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October 07, 2021
Vol. 120 NO. 2
Three protests in three weeks of classes
Young entrepreneurs create a space for themselves in the local restaurant scene
Campus saw protests concerning the LGBTQ community, reproductive rights and abortion
By Laynie Erickson Staff Reporter Two new restaurants opened in Kittitas County this summer. While the restaurants differ in both menu and atmosphere, they do share something unique in common. Both are owned and operated by entrepreneurs in their 20’s. Long-time Ellensburg roommates and friends Mackenzie Cohen, 27 years old, and Jillian Johnson, 28 years old started their own businesses with the goal of expanding the food industry in the community. Cohen opened Kittitas Cafe, a hometown coffee shop back in June. In early September, Johnson opened Julep, a southern kitchen and cocktail bar. Both young entrepreneurs live under the same roof in Ellensburg with their husbands. They started their careers in the food industry working at the Tav, before deciding to each use their skills and experience to expand Kittitas County’s restaurant options. While both agree their youth and energy have been an advantage in their entrepreneurial endeavors, they’ve faced their share of challenges. Mainly, finding financial backing. While many older, more established business owners may have easier access to the capital needed to open a restaurant, Cohen said she believes that experience in the industry was far more important.
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COMMUNITY RAISES AWARENESS FOR FENTANYL OVERDOSES Photo taken by Stephen Martin/The Observer, A memorial at the local skate park, located on 2nd Ave and N. Pearl, commemorates those who have passed from overdose.
By Stephen Martin Staff Reporter Members of the Ellensburg community gathered Friday outside of the courthouse to raise awareness for the six local residents who have died of fentanyl-related overdoses in the past year. The protest was attended by over a dozen community members, including the families of several of the victims. Rick Jackson, resident of Ellensburg since the 70s, organized the protest after going to several memorials for the victims. “I’ve watched all four memorials so far, and it broke my heart, and I don’t want to see this anymore,” Jackson said. “I’m a dad of two so I’m not gonna sit down, I’m out here doing something.” Jackson, who is homeless, personally knew many of the victims from time spent staying at the skate park.
“I’ve been staying there every night for the last four months. All the kids at the park know me,” Jackson said. “And I’ve seen everything going good and everything going down.” Jackson said he hoped the protest would raise awareness and prevent any further deaths. “Make bigger awareness. Put it out. Let everybody know,” Jackson said. “Just making awareness for everybody is all I’m doing. Just watching over the kids.” In a Daily Record article, Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Rich Elliott said typically CWU students comprise approximately 35 to 40% of overdose calls, which include alcohol poisoning and fentanyl-related overdoses. Pam Tuggle Miles, who works for Community Health of Central Washington, also attended the event. She said she believes the county needs to be more transparent with its handling of the crisis.
“Let us know, as a community, that the eyes are on this and that there are some things that are being done,” Miles said. “Who’s reaching out to the families? Is the school reaching out to kids and saying, ‘We have a mental health counselor, if you have a place that you need to go and talk, we have a place where you can come.’?” She also left out several pamphlets on the courthouse lawn containing information about health resources and wanted to make it clear that help is available to those who need it. “Here in our county, we have the Kittitas County Health Network,” Miles said. “And you can go on the website, there’s different groups, like Community Health of Central Washington, KVH, Comprehensive Health, and Merit Resources.” There is a memorial at the skatepark for the six who have died.
By Star Diavolikis, Stephen Martin News Editor & Staff Reporter This report involves details that could be upsetting for some viewers. Three different protests have occurred on the Ellensburg campus between Sept. 28 and Oct. 5, a couple of which created encounters among students and visitors. Keith Darrell and Anders Clark, two Christian men, visited CWU’s Ellensburg campus on Sept. 28 to share their message that students need to embrace God, and that LGBTQ lifestyles are an “unforgivable” sin. Darrell and Clark stood outside the SURC in the afternoon for several hours, yelling and speaking to students about Christianity’s importance to everyday life. While preaching, Darrell said he felt no remorse for those in the LGBTQ community. “If all of them [LGBTQ persons] killed themselves, I wouldn’t cry for them, I wouldn’t shed a tear,” Darrell said.
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