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May 7, 2026 (Moscow, Idaho) — Pursuant to City Code Title 5, Section 17-5, regarding establishing the Outdoor Irrigation Season for 2026, Public Works Director and Deputy City Administrator, Tyler Palmer, has consulted with appropriate staff, researched temperature and precipitation information, and determined that the 2026 Irrigation Season for the City of Moscow shall start Monday, May 11, 2026. 

During the declared Outdoor Irrigation Season, the City encourages residents to refrain from outdoor irrigation until precipitation and soil moisture decreases to a point that landscaping needs supplemental water.

“Mid-May is typical for the start of Moscow’s irrigation season,” says Director Palmer. “We always aim to delay as long as possible, but this spring’s precipitation has come in just a few heavy bursts rather than steady rain, and current conditions and forecasts are what dictate the opening of irrigation season. The City of Moscow urges everyone do their part and water only when absolutely necessary.”

Title 5, Section 17-5 of the Code states: “Outdoor Irrigation shall be allowed only between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. local time, during the Outdoor Irrigation Season unless modified by variance pursuant to this Chapter. Outdoor Irrigation shall be prohibited at all times not within the declared Outdoor Irrigation Season, unless permitted by Variance [as issued by the Deputy City Administrator—Public Works and Services].”

Additional irrigation information and the Water Conservation Ordinance Variance Application are located on the City of Moscow website.

Questions regarding the Irrigation Season or variance process should be directed to Kelli Cooper, Sustainability Programs Coordinator, at (208) 883-7122.

###Story Contact: Tyler Palmer, Public Works Director and Deputy City Administrator 
Phone: (208) 883-7096
Email:Tyler Palmer

May 5, 2026 (Moscow, Idaho) — Moscow Fire Chief Brian Nickerson was recognized last weekend at the Idaho Fire Chiefs Association (IFCA) annual conference for his outstanding contributions to fire service leadership across the state.

Chief Nickerson received the IFCA Distinguished Service Award in recognition for his work over the past year representing volunteer organizations statewide, his contributions to Idaho’s mutual aid plan, and his coordination of emergency deployments across the state. Notably, he helped lead response efforts to the Sunset Fire in North Idaho, implementing innovative deployment models and resource strategies. His efforts also helped strengthen collaboration with the Idaho Office of Emergency Management and the Idaho Department of Lands.

In addition to the recognition, Chief Nickerson was sworn in for another term as Vice President of Operations for the IFCA, a statewide organization representing fire service professionals throughout Idaho.

“We are incredibly proud of Chief Nickerson and the leadership he continues to bring to Moscow and to fire departments across Idaho,” said Mayor Hailey Lewis. “His work ensures our community is better protected and that Idaho is better prepared for emergencies large and small.”

The City of Moscow is grateful for Chief Nickerson’s dedication to public safety and his commitment to representing Moscow in the state.

###Story Contact: Bill Belknap, City Administrator
Phone: (208) 883-7000
Email:Bill Belknap

MosCo Moving Forward

Arts Education Classroom Ribbon Cutting & Presentation

Please join Moscow Contemporary on April 29th from 5:30 – 7:30 PM for the grand opening of their new Arts Education Classroom. Co-hosted by the Moscow Chamber of Commerce, the ribbon cutting will be preceded by a brief(!) presentation on the impact of the new space, MosCo’s financial position since moving to the Palouse Place Mall, and exciting plans for the future. Come out for an evening of light snacks and drinks to celebrate our expansion and the great activities the classroom will support for the artistically curious.

Catering by JS Catering, wine provided by Merry Cellars, and beer from Paradise Creek Brewery. A big thank you to Moscow Building Supply, Tim Gresback Injury Lawyer Inc., Allstate Insurance-Ted Curet, and the more than 50 individual donors that made this possible.

Event site: https://www.moscowcontemporary.org/upcoming/mosco-moving-forward

For more information:

Roger Rowley

mosco@moscowcontemporary.org

Website: www.moscowcontemporary.org

Open gallery hours: 12-5pm Tuesday-Friday, 11-4pm Saturday

Installation/gallery admission is free.

The Latah County Human Rights Task Force will sponsor  a Living Voices presentation of a program entitled, Our Revolution” on Wednesday, May 6 at 6:30pm at the Lecompte Auditorium of the 1912 Center. The program is free and open to the public. Living Voices, home based in Seattle, offers touring programs that bring life to history through live performance blended with archival, film, and photos, providing a dynamic active experience of how the world looked and felt during a significant time in history.

With actor Jesse Smith, “ Our Revolution “ focuses on the Black experience during the American Revolution as it asks the question, “who gets to be free? “ Following the story of a Black colonist fighting in the American Revolution, this moving performance highlights the complexities of liberty and nationhood. An audience discussion will follow the presentation.

This program was chosen as the first offering of the Latah County Task Force for the celebration of America250. It will be followed by a display at Human Rights Day at the Farmers Market on September 12 with the theme, “Democracy – An American Treasure.”

A flyer will follow sent by Molly Pannkuk, point person for this event. mollypannkuk1@gmail.com

Hello, Moscow Arts Community – 

It is time to recognize artistic greatness! The biannual Mayor’s Arts Awards is coming up this year and we are eager to hear about artists in all media who contribute to Moscow arts and culture. Don’t forget all the amazingly creative businesses, educators, and arts advocates – there’s an opportunity to recognize all kinds of folks at this event.

The Mayor’s Arts Awards recognize individuals and organizations who have shown substantial support of and excellence in the arts. The event is biennial, with a nomination and selection process facilitated by City of Moscow Arts staff and members of the Moscow Arts Commission and finalized by the Mayor. Award recipients will be honored in online promotions and an awards ceremony on November 5, 2026. 

Individuals, students, businesses, and organizations that are makers of or advocates for the arts are eligible. Awards may be given based on excellence in all media for art-making, including the literary, performing, culinary, and visual arts. Nominees should be those individuals or organizations that have made a significant contribution to the arts and cultural climate of the City of Moscow through distinguished support and service or creative accomplishments. 

Nominations are being accepted for the following award categories:

All nominations must be submitted via Submittable: https://moscowarts.submittable.com/submit. 
No emailed or paper nominations will be reviewed. 

More information about the program, including a list of past award recipients, is available here:  https://www.ci.moscow.id.us/215/Mayors-Arts-Awards

The mission of the Moscow Arts Commission is to enrich the community by celebrating and cultivating the expression of all forms of art and culture.

City of Moscow Arts Department

206 E Third Street Moscow, ID 83843
https://www.ci.moscow.id.us/186/Arts


Megan Cherry, Arts Manager
(208) 883-7036
mcherry@ci.moscow.id.us

Moscow Chamber of Commerce + Visitor Center Welcomes Kendra Chilbert as New Executive Director

The Moscow Chamber of Commerce + Visitor Center is pleased to announce Kendra Chilbert as its new Executive Director. Chilbert will begin her tenure on Monday, April 27.

Chilbert joins the Chamber after serving for the past three years as Assistant Director of Alumni Industry Outreach at the University of Idaho. In addition to her professional role, she has remained actively engaged in the community through service on both the Moscow Chamber of Commerce + Visitor Center Board of Directors and the Moscow Charter School Board.

This appointment marks a “full circle moment” for Chilbert, who previously worked at the Chamber from 2015 to 2019 as Events and Communications Coordinator. A proud 2014 University of Idaho graduate, she brings both institutional knowledge and a deep connection to the Moscow community. She looks forward to building on the strong foundation established by past Executive Directors while guiding the organization into its next chapter.

The Moscow Chamber of Commerce + Visitor Center is one of Idaho’s most active and community-rooted business organizations, dedicated to connecting commerce and community. Staff and Board members alike are enthusiastic about Chilbert’s leadership.

Board President Andy Severson shared, “We are excited to welcome Kendra as the new Executive Director of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce + Visitor Center. She has been involved with the Chamber in many ways over the years and brings a strong track record of community engagement. We are confident her passion for building community and her firsthand knowledge of the Chamber will serve our members well, and we look forward to this next chapter.”

Community members are invited to meet Chilbert at a welcome social hosted by Neat Whiskey Bar on May 1 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM.

The City of Moscow announces the submission period for Storm Drain Murals with proposals accepted until 5 p.m. on May 29, 2026.

Artists are invited to submit designs for mobile mini-murals on sign stands, to be placed near highly-visible storm drain inlets. The Storm Drain Mural program was created to raise public awareness for the direct connection between storm drains and local streams. This is an opportunity for artists to share two-dimensional artwork with the public while illustrating Moscow’s commitment to the environment.

Up to two selected artists will provide designs for vinyl installation on City-provided sign blanks to communicate the function of the City’s storm sewer system and its connection to local streams. The murals will be on display for two to four years. 

This call is open to youth and adult artists who live in Latah County, Nez Perce County, Asotin County, Whitman County, Nez Perce or Coeur d’Alene tribal members. All submissions will be reviewed by a selection panel and a total of two designs will be selected for installation. Each selected artist will receive an honorarium of $300 upon completion of the artwork.

Like many cities, the City of Moscow’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) flows directly into local waterways, including Paradise Creek. Paradise Creek and the South Fork of the Palouse River are listed as impaired waterbodies by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. The City is covered by a Phase II Idaho Pollutant Discharge Elimination System MS4 permit by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. This permit gives the City legal authority to discharge surface water into our local receiving waters. It also lays out specific requirements that the City of Moscow must meet to maintain compliance with its provisions. As part of one of these requirements, Moscow is required to conduct Public Education and Outreach activities. Stormwater murals are a way to meet portions of this provision in a way that engages the community, aligns with the City’s commitment to the Arts, and supports local artists. 

Stormwater runoff from streets, parking lots, and other impervious surface areas, does not go to the Water Reuse & Reclamation Facility for treatment like sanitary sewage does. The water, and whatever it carries, can affect the water quality of our local streams and rivers, as well as those downstream. Things like trash, cigarette butts, sediment, nutrients from fertilizer and dog waste, oil, paint, etc. can degrade water quality and habitat for aquatic life. Successful submissions will be those that address the impact that stormwater has on the ecosystem as well as communicating the shared responsibility to protect precious resources.

Submission form: https://moscowarts.submittable.com 

More information about this project is available here: https://www.ci.moscow.id.us/218/Public-Art

The mission of the Moscow Arts Commission is to enrich the community by celebrating and cultivating the expression of all forms of art and culture.

City of Moscow Arts Department

206 E Third Street Moscow, ID 83843
https://www.ci.moscow.id.us/186/Arts


Megan Cherry, Arts Manager
(208) 883-7036
mcherry@ci.moscow.id.us

Moscow, Idaho – Inland North Waste is thrilled to invite one and all to our fifth annual Earth Day Celebration on Saturday April 25th from 4-7 PM at East City Park in Moscow, Idaho. As in years past, this will be a free, family-focused event with live folk music from Frogtown USA, free food courtesy of C&L Locker and INW Staff, adult beverages for purchase by Shattuck Brewery, story time from the Moscow Public Library, face painting, informative and interactive displays, games, giveaways, and more in honor of the countless people and organizations who go above and beyond to clean, protect, and preserve our environment.


We will be joined this year by the Moscow Food Coop, the City of Moscow, Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee, Department of Environmental Quality, Palouse Land Trust, Palouse Clearwater Environmental Institute, Sierra Club, Nimíipuu Protecting the Environment, University of Idaho Extension, Moscow Contemporary Art Gallery, and Girl Scouts of America.


Earth Day at East City Park is part of Inland North Waste’s ongoing ‘We Wave Back’ campaign, which seeks to celebrate and give back to the Palouse community. Be sure to check INW’s website, Facebook, and Instagram accounts as the date gets closer for further information on the event itself.


What: 5th Annual Earth Day Celebration

Where: East City Park, Moscow, ID

When: April 25, 2026

Why: Because at Inland North Waste, We Wave Back!

The City of Moscow will host its Annual Downtown Cleanup this Friday, April 17, from 9:30 am to 11:00 am.

Join the City of Moscow for this community-wide volunteer event, rain or shine. Volunteers will be picking up litter and debris in the downtown core. Tools and trash bags will be provided. Volunteers should wear weather-appropriate clothing and close-toed shoes, and are encouraged to bring their own gloves, though a limited number of gloves will be available on site. 

The cleanup will begin at 9:30 am at Friendship Square and volunteers will disperse from there. Refreshments will be provided to volunteers at the Chamber of Commerce. 

Individuals who wish to volunteer are encouraged to register by visiting the City’s GivePulse page for the event. Groups can register by contacting Kelli Cooper, Sustainability Programs Coordinator, via email or by phone at (208) 883-7122. 

###Story Contact: Kelli Cooper, Sustainability Programs Coordinator
Phone: (208) 883-7122
Email: Kelli Cooper

Pullman, WA : — For its 2025-26 season finale, Regional Theatre of the Palouse (RTOP) invites audiences to journey “Into the Woods,” Stephen Sondheim’s masterful fusion of beloved fairy tales that transforms the familiar into something profound, unexpected, and extraordinarily human. This captivating musical is onstage April 16 – 26.

Written by the revolutionary composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim with a book by James Lapine, “Into the Woods” premiered on Broadway in 1987, garnering multiple Tony Awards and cementing its place in the world of musical theatre excellence. The production intertwines the classic tales of Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, and Rapunzel with an original story of a Baker and his Wife on a quest to reverse a curse that has left them childless.

“Into the Woods” stands as one of the most definitive showcases of Sondheim’s unparalleled ear for music. His intricate yet conversational lyrics paired with complex and emotionally resonant music create a theatrical experience that is simultaneously accessible and profound for audiences. The first act delivers the fairy tales we think we know, but the second act boldly ventures to question what lies beyond “happily ever after”. The show explores the consequences of getting what you wish for and the moral complexity and parallels of real life’s interconnected journeys.

RTOP’s production of “Into the Woods” brings together talented performers from across the country blending with local actors throughout the region, featuring elaborate costumes, immersive scenic design, and mesmerizing technical elements. The score includes some of Sondheim’s most richly layered compositions, including “Children Will Listen,” “No One Is Alone,” “Giants in the Sky,” and the captivating “Agony”.

The production is directed by theatre professional and Palouse native Michael Todd. Community board member Tina McClure serves as musical director, along with WSU graduate student, Patrick Bradl Suarez as assistant music director. Andres Felipe is the choreographer and performing as the Baker, with costume design by RTOP Executive Director and producer, John Rich.

“We’ve assembled an extraordinary team both onstage and behind the scenes to do justice to this monumental work,” adds Rich. “Our production honors Sondheim’s legacy while bringing fresh energy and perspective to a show that continues to resonate with audiences today.. ‘Into the Woods’ demands nothing less than excellence from every department, and our team has risen to meet the challenge.”

INTO THE WOODS : APR. 16-26, 2026 

Matinees at 1:30 PM; evening performances at 7:30 PM

BUY TICKETS NOW AT:
Box Office: Open Monday – Friday from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Regional Theatre of the Palouse, 122 N Grand Ave, Pullman WA 99163

Online: https://www.onthestage.tickets/regional-theatre-of-the-palouse/individual-tickets

Phone: 509-334-0750

GENERAL ADMISSION: $30.00-$35.00

Group sales and Student tickets are also available.

ABOUT RTOP

Regional Theatre Of the Palouse (RTOP) began life in 2007. It is the first theatre to open in Pullman’s historic downtown since 1927. RTOPs construction revealed the hidden potential of the historic Downen Building located at 122 North Grand Avenue.

RTOP is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, Our mission is to promote the arts and art education through quality theatre. Since 2007, we have produced 79 Broadway classics, revivals, premieres, and award-winning shows. We also offer performing arts workshops, summer musical theatre camps, voice lessons, and acting classes.

Regional Theatre Of the Palouse

118 N. Grand Avenue
Pullman, Washington 99163
Box Office: 509.334.0750
Website: https://www.rtoptheatre.org

CONTACT: 

John Rich 

Executive Director 

Regional Theatre of the Palouse 

director@rtoptheatre.org

(509) 334-0750

Join the Latah County Historical Society for Suds with a Scholar on Thursday, April 30th at Hunga Dunga Brewing Co (333 N Jackson St) in Moscow. Beginning at 6:30 pm, Dr. Lee Sappington will present “We Can Take It,” a talk about the history and work of the Civilian Conservation Corps in North Idaho throughout the 1930s.

Lee Sappington holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Washington State University and is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Idaho with a focus on cultural resource management and the history and archaeology of the Columbia Plateau.

Entry to this event is $12 for LCHS members, $15 for the general public, and includes a guest’s first beer. Additional beverages and food will be available for purchase. Tickets may be acquired in advance at latahcountyhistoricalsociety.org/suds.

Media contact:
Hayley Noble
208-882-1004
hnoble@latahcountyid.gov

The City of Moscow, in conjunction with the Intermountain Fair Housing Council (IFHC), is hosting a free Fair Housing training on Wednesday, April 22nd from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The training will be held in the Lecompte Auditorium at the Moscow 1912 Center located at 412 East Third Street.

Topics will cover the history of the Fair Housing Act, reasonable accommodations and modifications, elements of a fair housing allegation, as well as a closer look at current hot topics in fair housing.

The training is open to the public and will prove to be especially beneficial to consumers, housing providers and managers, realtors, lenders, housing advocates, and government personnel and officials. The presenters will be IFHC Education Director Peg Richards and IFHC Executive Director Zoe Ann Olson. Moscow’s Fair and Affordable Housing Commission encourages all interested parties to attend this important training opportunity.

Attendees are encouraged to register online or in person the day of the event beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Questions regarding the event, interpretation, or reasonable accommodations should be directed to Peg Richards at prichards@ifhcidaho.org. For questions regarding the location/parking, please contact Lucy Falcy.

###
Story Contact: Lucy Falcy, Planner I, Community Development Division
Phone: (208) 883-7095
Email:Lucy Falcy

Moscow, Idaho – In light of the recent closure of the Latah County Jail due to failed inspections, Latah County is running a Jail Community Survey. The survey seeks the input and feedback of Latah County residents to help inform and guide Jail planning. The Sheriff’s Office is inviting all County residents to provide feedback.


The Latah County Jail, located in the basement of the County Courthouse Building, was built in 1973 and has remained relatively unchanged in its 53 years. Some minor upgrades have been made, including ADA renovations to some cells in 2015.


In 2025, the Jail failed both a reinspection performed by the Moscow Fire Department and an inspection performed by the Idaho Sheriff’s Association. These inspections showed facility concerns including fire detection and suppression systems, electrical concerns, cells below mandatory standard size, ADA requirements, staff and inmate safety, and plumbing failures.
In a proactive move to ensure community involvement, the Latah County Commissioners and the Sheriff have created this survey as part of a public education and input effort to help residents understand the situation and provide feedback to the County on possible solutions and funding options. It is available online on both the Latah County and Sheriff’s official websites. Additionally, for those active on social media, links to the survey will be shared across the Latah County and Sheriff’s Office social media channels.


So far, 698 respondents have taken the survey. The survey is being administered by the County’s municipal advisor, Clearwater Financial, and as such all responses are anonymous to the County.


The Latah County Sheriff’s Office encourages every resident to participate in this survey. This is an opportunity for the community to learn about the Jail, have their voices heard, and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of public safety in Latah County. If any community groups would like a tour of the Jail they can contact Captain Shane Anderson.


The survey can be accessed at https://bit.ly/LatahCountyJailSurvey


Latah County Jail Project Webpage: https://projects.latahcountyid.gov/jail-facility-upgrade/


For media inquiries or more information, please contact:
Captain Shane Anderson, Latah County
shanderson@latahcountyid.gov
(208) 882.2216 Ext. 1320

March 23, 2026 (Moscow, Idaho) — The City of Moscow and the Moscow Arts Commission present three exhibitions at Moscow City Hall. The artist reception from 5-7 p.m. on March 26, 2026, includes readings by artists beginning at 6 p.m. inside Council Chambers on the 2nd floor. The reception features refreshments made by Wilder Catering.

Eye Say Potato
Eye Say Potato
March 26 – May 29, 2026
1st Floor, Moscow City Hall

The Box Gallery on the 1st floor of Moscow City Hall presents the works of ceramicist and interior designer Tara Lew. “Eye Say Potato” invites viewers to experience a whimsical take on Idaho’s most iconic agricultural staple. This unique exhibition of “seeing” spuds showcases a collection of ceramic tubers with a little something extra—an “eye-opening” perspective on nature gone haywire.

In Stereo
In Stereo
March 26 – May 29, 2026
2nd Floor, Moscow City Hall

Sound emanating from two sources, when carefully designed, creates the experience of a three-dimensional auditory environment. This stereo image, perhaps an illusion, nonetheless creates the sensation of a rich and layered space that surrounds the listener. While the music may originate from two separate speakers, the combined effect multiplies the spatial, emotional, and visceral impact.

At the Third Street Gallery’s exhibition, “In Stereo,” 9 pairs of artists create separate artworks that coordinate with one another to create a unique and immersive, total vision. Visitors are invited to experience some of the artworks using their own phones and earbuds. Artists include:

Corey Oglesby & Devin Becker
John Larkin & Terry Lawhead
Miriam Akervall & June T Sanders
Shelly Gilmore & John Larkin
Jordan Clinger & Arman Bohn
Josie Cohen-Rodriguez & Jules Diaz
Jonah Radeke & Gianna Starble
Colin Criss & Ben Carpenter
Jake Wilson & Stacy Isenbarger

Plush
Plush
March 26 – May 8, 2026
3rd Floor, Moscow City Hall

Ah, the Baroque period. Opulence sets the stage, with every texture and shaft of light suggesting DRAMA. Whether glistening metal or heavy skirts falling just-so, the textures of this time are dipped in golden light and grandeur. Enter the contemporary plush toy, a familiar friend there to comfort us. But wait – teddy bear becomes implicated in the gilded Baroque intrigue! Innocent no more, these furry friends come into a new life as the story unfolds.

This exhibition features paintings made by UI Art + Design students.

The Box Gallery and the Third Street Gallery are located inside Moscow City Hall at 206 E. Third St. Moscow, ID.

Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.

For more information about the gallery, please visit: https://www.ci.moscow.id.us/230/Third-Street-Gallery

MOSCOW, Idaho — Music lovers are invited to come out and support the upcoming Rendezvous in the Park 2026 festival at the Road to Rendezvous Benefit Concert on Saturday, March 28, at the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre, 508 S Main St Moscow, ID.

The evening will feature an energetic lineup of live performances headlined by the Pacific Northwest’s hottest Latin band, Milonga!, along with local favorites Forró for All and The Pond. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the show beginning at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $20 at the door. Advance tickets are available online at: www.kenworthy.org/events-calendar/road-to-rendezvous/

Proceeds from the concert will directly support the Rendezvous in the Park 2026 Music and Arts Festival, helping bring high-quality live music and vibrant Rendezvous for Kinds arts programming to the community.

“This benefit concert is a chance for the community to come together, enjoy incredible live music, and help make Rendezvous in the Park 2026 an unforgettable experience,” organizers said.

Don’t miss this exciting night of music, dancing, and community spirit—all for a great cause.

Event Details:
What: Road to Rendezvous Benefit Concert
When: Saturday, March 28 | Doors at 5 p.m., Show at 6 p.m.
Where: Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre
Tickets: $20 at the door or online

For more information visit: www.rendezvousinthepark.com/road-to-rendezvousand

To purchase advance tickets, visit www.kenworthy.org

(Moscow, Idaho) — City of Moscow Fire Officials have announced the 2026 spring burning season will be:

March 17 through April 26

Open burning is allowed for garden waste, tree trimmings and brush only.

The following conditions are required for open burning:

  1. Burning shall be at a distance of at least 25 feet from any building, structure, or other combustible material when the pile size is 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height. Anything larger shall be 50 feet or more from any structure or other combustible material.
  2. A garden hose with water supply or other fire extinguishing equipment shall be on hand and a competent person will be at the burn site at all times until the fire has been totally extinguished. Persons who are burning debris must be in legal control of the lot or parcel of land on which the burning is to take place.
  3. There will be no burning on public land.
  4. No waste matter shall be burned which will, in the burning process, produce toxic, dense or offensive odors.
  5. No burning will be allowed after dark and persons who are burning debris will make sure that all fires are totally extinguished before leaving the site.
  6. No demolition or construction site burning is permitted during this burning period.
  7. This burning period shall not include lot burning, leaves, grass trimmings, or any rubbish containing paper products.
  8. A written permit is not required for this burning period. However, it should be noted that persons who do not meet all of the above requirements may be subject to fines as per the City of Moscow Code.
  9. Burning will be ordered immediately discontinued if: 1) The Fire Chief or his designee on duty determines that smoke emissions are offensive to occupants of surrounding property, or if open burning is determined by the duty officer to constitute a hazardous condition; 2) The Department of Environmental Quality issues an air quality forecast and caution with a mandatory burn ban. Information regarding air quality conditions and burn bans can be obtained by calling (866) 790-4337 or (208) 373-0502.

###Story Contact: Dan Ellinwood, Division Chief/Fire Marshal
Phone: (208) 882-2831
Email:Dan Ellinwood

March 12, 2026 (Moscow, Idaho)  – The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Moscow beginning 11:00 PM tonight through Saturday afternoon. Heavy rain from an atmospheric river is expected to bring up to 3 inches of precipitation, potentially pushing Paradise Creek to flood stage (9.2 feet) by late Friday morning. 

Moscow Residents Be Advised

Areas of Concern

Based on current forecasts, flooding is most likely to impact:

Residents in flood-prone areas should monitor rising water levels and remain alert for official Flood Warnings. Additional information can be found at www.weather.gov.

###Story Contact: Steve Schulte, Street/Storm Manager
Phone: (208) 883-7097
Email:Steve Schulte

Mark your calendars for Thursday, March 19th at 7PM for a very special DOG-FRIENDLY sowing of Christopher Guest’s sidesplitting comedy, Best in Show, with all proceeds going to support the Humane Society of the Palouse. We will be rolling out the red carpet for dog-friendly dogs and their well-behaved humans and paying tribute to the late, great Catherine O’Hara, so expect plenty of adorable photo opportunities, special themed refreshments for two- and four-legged folk, information on available pets and services from HSoP, and the rare treat to see a spectacular film on the big screen with your fur family.

Tickets are $15 for a dog and their human, $10 for an unaccompanied adult, and $5 for children. All proceeds will be given directly to HSoP, so you will be supporting a great cause, to boot. Make sure to lock in your spot right away, as space is limited for both species. Tickets can be purchased through the Kenworthy website here.

Some notes on the proceedings:

March 10, 2026 (Moscow, Idaho) — The Moscow Human Rights Commission will host an Immigrant Rights Forum on Tuesday, March 24, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at Moscow City Hall, 206 E 3rd St. The event is free and open to the public, and no registration is required.

The Moscow Human Rights Commission has invited students from the Immigration Litigation and Appellate Clinic at the University of Idaho College of Law to present as part of its ongoing efforts to promote community education and dialogue on human rights issues affecting residents. The presentation will provide an overview of the clinic’s work, discuss immigrant rights—particularly in the enforcement context—and introduce basic concepts in immigration law, including common immigration pathways.

Community members interested in learning more about foundational concepts surrounding immigrant rights and immigration law are encouraged to attend.

March 6, 2026 (Moscow, Idaho) — The City of Moscow and Farmers Market Commission invite the public to participate in selecting art to be featured on this year’s Moscow Farmers Market poster. The Farmers Market Commission received 15 qualifying entries for consideration and selected five entries as finalists.

Members of the public may vote for their favorite design starting at 8:00 am on Friday, March 6 until 8:00 a.m. on Friday, March 27. The public will be able to cast their vote via an online gallery. The design with the most votes will be selected, with the artist receiving a $500 honorarium for their work.

For more information, contact the Community Events Division at farmersmarket@ci.moscow.id.us.

For additional information regarding the Moscow Farmers Market please visit:

ci.moscow.id.us/197/Farmers-Market
facebook.com/MoscowFarmersMarket
instagram.com/moscowfarmersmarket

University of Idaho international students and employees will showcase the culture, food and music of over 25 countries — from Brazil, to Taiwan — during the annual 28th Cruise the World from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 29, in the Bruce M. Pitman Center. Last year, this event welcomed over 2,700 attendees from all across the region!

Cultural performances will be given throughout the event, with students performing traditional dances and songs as well as demonstrating other activities from their home counties. The event is hosted by the International Programs Office. Admission is free. Food and drink will be available for purchase with cash only.

Find more information online at: www.uidaho.edu/cruise
or the Cruise the World 2026 Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/share/18R9RnQjGp/
For more information on the event, contact Mimi Kestle at mkestle@uidaho.edu.

March 6, 2026 (Moscow, Idaho) — The City of Moscow and Farmers Market Commission invite the public to participate in selecting art to be featured on this year’s Moscow Farmers Market poster. The Farmers Market Commission received 15 qualifying entries for consideration and selected five entries as finalists.

Members of the public may vote for their favorite design starting at 8:00 am on Friday, March 6 until 8:00 a.m. on Friday, March 27. The public will be able to cast their vote via an online gallery. The design with the most votes will be selected, with the artist receiving a $500 honorarium for their work.

For more information, contact the Community Events Division at farmersmarket@ci.moscow.id.us.

For additional information regarding the Moscow Farmers Market please visit:
ci.moscow.id.us/197/Farmers-Market
facebook.com/MoscowFarmersMarket
instagram.com/moscowfarmersmarket

###

Story Contact: Amanda Argona, Community Events Manager
Phone: (208) 883-7132
Email: Amanda Argona

Moscow— February 28, 2026

Loess

An evolving sculptural installation and dance/sound performance series by Corrie Befort

From March 5th – May 30th, 2026, Moscow Contemporary presents Loess, Corrie Befort’s evolving sculptural installation and performance series commissioned by Moscow Contemporary through generous funding from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

Loess (pronounced luss) is a reimagining of the Palouse landscape’s shapes and inhabitants, natural and unnatural. Landforms and bodies accumulate, re-organize and bury each other over the exhibition’s three months. Throughout, dancer and inter-media artist Corrie Befort will be visibly at work inside the installation, changing its seasons, contours and character to embody the eroding, human-handled, surreal loveliness of the Palouse. Befort interweaves natural and artificial materials including wool, nylon, grasses, cattail, jute, shellac resin and synthetic polymers, sourced primarily from local suppliers and fields, to create both massive and palm-sized forms.

Embedded in the installation are dispersed sound environments and localized sonic elements created by sound artist Jason E Anderson. These synthesized sounds merge with and distort the visual textures.

Over five performance weekends, acclaimed dancers from Seattle, Portland and NYC join a brilliant local cast, as well as an ensemble of wet-felters, to inhabit and re-calibrate the shifting textile environment. Each performance is a unique event, scored for its specific casting and altered scenography. Technical and responsive, these select dancers manipulate Befort’s choreographic structures and improvised scores to Anderson’s synthesized sound. Finely tuned group patterns manifest and disintegrate, carving paths and demarcations. Each performance includes a brief discussion between artists and audience about how the scores operate.

The performance schedule is as follows:

Thurs March 5th, 2026
6-7pm Opening Reception, free
7pm Performance with Local Cast, $10
8-9pm Q+A with artists

Sat March 21st, 7pm + Sun Mar 22nd, 2pm, $12
with Emily Stone (PDX), Chelsey Byrd Lewallen (Moscow) and Local Cast

Fri/Sat April 10th + 11th, 7pm, $12
with Ben Goosman (NYC), Mary Margaret Moore (SEA) and Local Cast

Fri/Sat May 8th + 9th, 7pm, $12
with Hendri Walujo (SEA), Linda Austin (PDX) and Local Cast

Sat May 30th, 7pm, $12
Closing Performances with Local Cast

Performance Tickets: https://www.moscowcontemporary.org/loess

Music & Sound Design: Jason E Anderson (Gift Tapes, LIMITS, WSU Libraries Audio Lab & Synth Lab)

Local Cast: Michael Schumacher (Amsterdam/Clarkston), Corrie Befort, Hannah Turner (Spokane/Moscow) and Deena Goodgold (Chicago/Moscow), with guests from the University of Idaho Dance Ensemble and Animal Dances class among others.

Loess is the most current iteration of Unnamed Shapes, Corrie Befort’s ongoing intertwining of movements, images, objects and time. Unnamed Shapes has been supported by the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture, the Bossak/Heilbron Charitable Foundation, and through Performance Works Northwest and UW bst residencies.

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY: Corrie Befort is a dancer and inter-media artist presenting time-based visual and performance works for stage, screen, museums, galleries and non-traditional spaces since 2001. Formerly based out of Seattle and Tokyo/Yokohama, she has danced professionally between the US, Japan and Europe. Befort co-created performance companies Salt Horse and LIMITS, has designed scenography and effects for acclaimed Seattle/NYC artists and directs internationally award-winning films. She currently lives in the Palouse region of Eastern WA where she develops inclusive movement education programming for Moscow Contemporary, adapts textile and filming techniques, works with sound-artist Jason E Anderson/LIMITS and dances with Michael Schumacher.

Befort’s work has appeared or been presented through Dance Ga Mitai (Tokyo), BankART (Yokohama), ODC San Francisco, SF MoMA, The Northwest Film Forum., The Seattle Art Museum, The Henry (SEA), On the Boards, SCUBA touring program and Risk/Reward among others with residencies at the P.A.R.T.S school (Brussels), La Figlia (Fraine, IT), Performance Works Northwest (PDX), bst (University of WA) and Studio Current.

Websites: https://www.cBefort.com + https://www.moscowcontemporary.org/loess

February 24, 2025 (Moscow, Idaho) — The City of Moscow is seeking nominations for the 2026 Mayor’s Earth Day awards. Since 2006, the awards have recognized Moscow residents for sustainable practices that foster environmental sustainability through conservation, recycling, reuse, construction/design, and public education. Categories for the awards include:

Worthy candidates who don’t fit into these categories will also be considered. 

Nominations should include the names of the nominator and nominee, contact information for both, and a brief description of why the nominee is worthy of recognition. 

Nominations are due by March 17, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. and may be submitted by letter to the City of Moscow, Administration Department (ATTN: Sustainable Environment Commission), P.O. Box 9203 Moscow, ID 83843 or by email to the Sustainable Environment Commission at sec@ci.moscow.id.us. The Sustainable Environment Commission will forward recommendations to Mayor Hailey Lewis, who will determine the award winners.

For more information, please contact Kelli Cooper, Sustainability Programs Coordinator at (208) 883-7122.

Pullman, WA — The unforgettable music of Broadway legends Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II will light up the stage this winter as the Regional Theatre of the Palouse (RTOP) presents Rodgers & Hammerstein’s A Grand Night for Singing, running February 19 through March 1, 2026. With a Meet the Musicians: A Cabaret Concert, taking place Saturday, February 7.

This Tony Award–nominated musical revue is a joyful celebration of one of the most influential partnerships in theatre history. Featuring more than 30 beloved songs, the show takes audiences on a sweeping journey through classics from Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, and The Sound of Music—along with hidden gems rarely heard onstage.

Originally conceived by Walter Bobbie and arranged by Fred Wells, A Grand Night for Singing premiered on Broadway in 1993 and quickly became a favorite for its fresh, inventive approach to timeless music. Rather than telling a single story, the revue reimagines familiar songs in surprising and emotionally rich ways, revealing new meaning and depth in every performance.

“Rodgers and Hammerstein changed musical theatre forever by blending powerful storytelling with unforgettable music,” says director Michael Todd, a Palouse native and longtime theatre professional. “If you grew up loving these songs, you’ll experience them in a whole new way and if you’re new to musical theater, there’s no better place to start.”

Between 1943 and 1959, Rodgers and Hammerstein created five groundbreaking Broadway masterpieces establishing the modern musical and shaping American theater for generations. A Grand Night for Singing honors that legacy.

RTOP’s production features a dynamic ensemble of talented performers from across the country and professional local musicians. The creative team includes: Executive Director, John Rich; Artistic Director, Michael Todd; Musical Director, Tina McClure; Choreographer, Andres Felipe; and Costume Designer, John Rich.

A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING: FEB. 19 – MAR. 1, 2026

OPENING NIGHT

Thursday FEB 19th at 7:30 pm

OPENING NIGHT DINNER RECEPTION

begins at 6:30 pm for donors and season pass ticket holders

CLOSING NIGHT

Sunday Mar 1st at 1:30pm

OTHER SHOW DATES

Friday FEB 20th at 7:30pm

Saturday FEB 21st at 1:30pm

Saturday FEB 21st at 7:30pm

Sunday FEB 22nd at 1:30pm

Wednesday FEB 25th at 7:30pm

Thursday FEB 26th at 7:30pm

Friday FEB 27th at 7:30pm

Saturday FEB 28th at 1:30pm

Saturday FEB 28th at 7:30pm

BUY TICKETS NOW

Box Office Open Monday – Friday from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Regional Theatre of the Palouse, 122 N Grand Ave, Pullman WA 99163

Online https://www.onthestage.tickets/regional-theatre-of-the-palouse/individual-tickets

Phone 509-334-0750

GENERAL ADMISSION $30.00-$35.00

GROUP SALES 10% savings on group sales of 10 or more tickets.

STUDENT ADMISSION $20.00

ABOUT RTOP

Regional Theatre Of the Palouse (RTOP) began life in 2007. It is the first theatre to open in Pullman’s historic downtown since 1927. RTOPs construction revealed the hidden potential of the historic Downen Building located at 122 North Grand Avenue.

RTOP is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, Our mission is to promote the arts and art education through quality theatre. Since 2007, we have produced 78 Broadway classics, revivals, premieres, and award-winning shows. We also offer performing arts workshops, summer musical theatre camps, voice lessons, and acting classes.

PULLMAN, Wash.—February 4, 2026— Schweitzer Wellbeing Center (SWC) is excited to announce the launch of its new aquatic fitness program, with classes beginning Feb. 9.

Designed for individuals of all fitness levels, the new lineup of aquatic fitness classes focuses on helping participants:

Aquatic fitness sessions provide a low-impact, high-benefit approach to exercise, ideal for those seeking a gentle yet effective workout supported by the natural resistance of water.

Classes are offered on a drop-in basis for maximum flexibility.

For more information, please contact the Schweitzer Wellbeing Center at 509-334-5700 or visit selinc.com/wellbeing.

About Schweitzer Wellbeing Center
SWC is a community-focused health and fitness facility in Pullman, Wash., owned and operated by Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL). The facility was originally funded by a generous gift from the Schweitzer family and opened in 2000, before being donated to the Pullman School District. In 2025, SEL renewed its commitment to community well-being by acquiring and revitalizing the center, ensuring modern amenities, expanded programming and a safe, welcoming environment for all ages.

The Moscow Renaissance Fair has announced its annual Poster Contest for the 2026 festival, inviting artists of all ages to submit original artwork for a chance to be featured as the official poster for the 53rd Annual Moscow Renaissance Fair.

The winning artist will receive a $200 cash prize, and their design will be used to promote the 2026 fair throughout the region.

Poster submissions must be received on or before 5:30 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026. Entries may be dropped off at Tye Dye Everything, 527 S. Main Street in Moscow.

Public judging will take place during the Winter Market on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., offering the community an opportunity to view and vote on the submitted designs.

Artists are encouraged to capture the spirit, creativity, and historical charm of the Moscow Renaissance Fair through their artwork. Contest rules, guidelines, and the official entry form are available online at www.moscowrenfair.org/poster_contest.html.

The Moscow Renaissance Fair is a long-standing community tradition celebrating art, history, music, and imagination, and the annual poster contest plays a key role in showcasing local creativity.

For full contest details, deadlines, and submission requirements, visit the Moscow Renaissance Fair website.

Moscow, Idaho (January 21, 2026) — The Washington State Department of Commerce (DOC) Housing Trust Fund is awarding Palouse HFH $900,000 to offer down payment assistance to six qualifying homeowners over the next three years in rural Whitman County.

The median home price in Whitman County was $350,000 last October, which is too much for anyone making the median income to afford. Habitat for Humanity builds homes for local individuals and families with steady income, and partners with local banks to create an affordable monthly payment (no more than 30% of their monthly income). But that leaves a gap between what a moderate-income homeowner can afford and the value of the home. The down-payment assistance funds help close that gap by offering the homeowner a 0% interest loan that is eventually repaid when the homeowner sells. Palouse Habitat will use those funds to help future homeowners in Whitman County.

“We need all the tools in our toolbox if we’re going to help address the shortage of affordable housing on the Palouse,” shared Executive Director Jennifer Wallace. “This funding was made possible in large part thanks to effort by our state senator, Mark Schoesler, who has advocated that state funding support affordable homeownership as well as affordable rentals, changing a decades-long culture at the DOC that was focused on funding affordable rentals. Affordable homeownership offers both an affordable home and the chance to build long-term security.”

“In 2024, Palouse Habitat for Humanity set an ambitious goal to double our home-building capacity in response to the growing need for safe, affordable housing across the Palouse. As we enter 2026, we are wrapping up three homes and have maintained our Ramps & Rails/Home Repair program to help our neighbors age safely in their homes,” said Wallace.
Palouse Habitat was one of 43 projects funded out of over 70 applications across the state. The Hills and Rivers Housing Trust, the City of Pullman, and LC Valley Habitat for Humanity were also funded for affordable homeownership projects in Pullman and in Asotin County.

Palouse Habitat for Humanity is the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, and has built simple, decent, affordable housing in Latah and Whitman counties since 1992. Palouse Habitat has three homes under construction in Palouse, Pullman and Moscow, and operates a home repair program, focused on exterior accessibility: ramps, steps, handrails, etc. To date, we’ve completed over 520 projects to help low-income homeowners have safe access to and from their homes.

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For more information on Palouse Habitat for Humanity and ways to make a difference in your community, please visit our website at palousehabitat.org, or contact Jennifer Wallace at 208-883-8502 or director@palousehabitat.org

Moscow— January 19, 2026

Loess

An evolving sculptural installation and dance/sound performance series by Corrie Befort

From March 5th – May 30th, 2026, Moscow Contemporary presents Loess, Corrie Befort’s evolving sculptural installation and performance series commissioned by Moscow Contemporary through generous funding from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

Loess (pronounced luss) is a reimagining of the Palouse landscape’s shapes and inhabitants, natural and unnatural. Landforms and bodies accumulate, re-organize and bury each other over the exhibition’s three months. Throughout, dancer and inter-media artist Corrie Befort will be visibly at work inside the installation, changing its seasons, contours and character to embody the eroding, human-handled, surreal loveliness of the Palouse. Befort interweaves natural and artificial materials including wool, nylon, grasses, cattail, jute, shellac resin and synthetic polymers, sourced primarily from local suppliers and fields, to create both massive and palm-sized forms.

Embedded in the installation are dispersed sound environments and localized sonic elements created by sound artist Jason E Anderson. These synthesized sounds merge with and distort the visual textures.

Over five performance weekends, acclaimed dancers from Seattle, Portland and NYC join a brilliant local cast, as well as an ensemble of wet-felters, to inhabit and re-calibrate the shifting textile environment. Each performance is a unique event, scored for its specific casting and altered scenography. Technical and responsive, these select dancers manipulate Befort’s choreographic structures and improvised scores to Anderson’s synthesized sound. Finely tuned group patterns manifest and disintegrate, carving paths and demarcations. Each performance includes a brief discussion between artists and audience about how the scores operate. 

The performance schedule is as follows:

Thurs March 5th, 2026
 6-7pm Opening Reception, free
 7pm Performance with Local Cast, $10
 8-9pm Q+A with artists

Sat March 21st, 7pm + Sun Mar 22nd, 2pm, $12
 with Emily Stone (PDX), Chelsey Byrd Lewallen (Moscow) and Local Cast

Fri/Sat April 10th + 11th, 7pm, $12
 with Ben Goosman (NYC), Mary Margaret Moore (SEA) and Local Cast

Fri/Sat May 8th + 9th, 7pm, $12
 with Hendri Walujo (SEA), Linda Austin (PDX) and Local Cast

Sat May 30th, 7pm, $12
 Closing Performances with Local Cast

Performance Tickets: https://www.moscowcontemporary.org/loess

Music & Sound Design: Jason E Anderson (Gift Tapes, LIMITS, WSU Libraries Audio Lab & Synth Lab)

Local Cast: Michael Schumacher (Amsterdam/Clarkston), Corrie Befort, Hannah Turner (Spokane/Moscow) and Deena Goodgold (Chicago/Moscow), with guests from the University of Idaho Dance Ensemble and Animal Dances class among others.

Loess is the most current iteration of Unnamed Shapes, Corrie Befort’s ongoing intertwining of movements, images, objects and time. Unnamed Shapes has been supported by the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture, the Bossak/Heilbron Charitable Foundation, and through Performance Works Northwest and UW bst residencies. 

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY: Corrie Befort is a dancer and inter-media artist presenting time-based visual and performance works for stage, screen, museums, galleries and non-traditional spaces since 2001. Formerly based out of Seattle and Tokyo/Yokohama, she has danced professionally between the US, Japan and Europe. Befort co-created performance companies Salt Horse and LIMITS, has designed scenography and effects for acclaimed Seattle/NYC artists and directs internationally award-winning films. She currently lives in the Palouse region of Eastern WA where she develops inclusive movement education programming for Moscow Contemporary, adapts textile and filming techniques, works with sound-artist Jason E Anderson/LIMITS and dances with Michael Schumacher.

Befort’s work has appeared or been presented through Dance Ga Mitai (Tokyo), BankART (Yokohama), ODC San Francisco, SF MoMA, The Northwest Film Forum., The Seattle Art Museum, The Henry (SEA), On the Boards, SCUBA touring program and Risk/Reward among others with residencies at the P.A.R.T.S school (Brussels), La Figlia (Fraine, IT), Performance Works Northwest (PDX), bst (University of WA) and Studio Current.

Websites: https://www.cBefort.com   +   https://www.moscowcontemporary.org/loess

You’re invited to help us celebrate the Latah County Historical Society with the Volunteer Appreciation event on Sunday, January 25th from 3-5pm at the 1912 Center’s Lecompte Auditorium (412 East 3rd St, Moscow). We’ll recap events of the past year, discuss our plans for 2026 and beyond, and honor the hard work of our volunteers with the presentation of the Volunteer of the Year awards. Then enjoy a presentation by longtime friend of LCHS and Head of Special Collections and Archives at the University of Idaho Library Dulce Kersting-Lark. This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, please contact lchslibrary@latahcountyid.gov or call (208) 882-1004.