While there is no longer a state mask mandate in place, the Washington Police Department advises the public to respect requirements that are still upheld by some businesses and other buildings.
Washington Police Chief Jim Lester says his department has responded to some mask disputes at local businesses in the month since Governor Kim Reynolds lifted her mask mandate and other COVID-19 gathering restrictions. Lester says their response is typically educational, informing patrons that businesses have the legal right to require face coverings of its guests, “We respond as we’re called and the patrol officers do a great job in communicating those things to the patrons that are there that may be upset that they have to put a mask on or they don’t have a mask, or it’s frustrating because they may have to at one place but not another place and things like that. But we just reiterate that this is the business’ choice and it’s also your choice on whether or not you go to that bu
A first reading was approved making changes to the animal protection and control ordinance at the most recent Washington City Council meeting.
The council held a workshop on the revisions, which gives Police Chief Jim Lester more discretion to settle situations before they make their way to City Administrator Brent Hinson or the council, in light of recent dog bite cases. Mayor Jaron Rosien comments on the chapter’s adjustments, “Chief Lester’s predecessor wanted an ordinance that was extremely black and white, which was what we kind of dealt with before where there was no gray area. And the changes proposed here in chapter five which we can look at basically just allow more discretion, more options for chief to work with the law and give options. And I think it serves not only the police department better, it serves the public better.”
The Washington City Council approved two event requests and a purchase request from the police department at their recent meeting.
The council approved requests for the eighth annual Kewash Half-Marathon, 10K, 5K event on April 17th, and for summer events hosted by the Washington Public Library. Library Director Bryna Walker says they plan to hold events for school aged children at Central Park and the bandstand, in order to mitigate COVID-19. After a closed session the council approved the purchase of a panic alarm system for city hall and the library at the request of Police Chief Jim Lester, at an estimated cost of about $21,897. The proposed system will require a policy addition to the city’s emergency operations plan and some staff training on when to activate the system.