LEWISTON — KLEW-TV anchor and news director Anna Velasquez, of Lewiston, is resigning from her job Wednesday.
The departure is bittersweet, Velasquez said in a social media post.
“It’s been my honor to have told many of your stories and to cover our communities as best we could with all of our challenges being such a small operation,” Velasquez said.
Her favorite reporting has always been profiling people who make their communities better places, such as KLEW’s Community Heroes, she said.
She started a 26-year career in television journalism at KLEW, worked at stations in places such as Seattle, Bakersfield, Calif., and Albuquerque, N.M., before returning to KLEW for her present job in 2015.
Velasquez hasn’t decided what she will do next, but said she knows it’s time for a change.
“I’m excited to start this new chapter in my life,” Velasquez said.
Wasem’s lunch counter gets reboot
CLARKSTON — The iconic lunch counter at Wasem’s Pharmacy in Clarkston is going big in its revival as a separate business by a woman who once worked there as a cook.
Plate-size pancakes and a five-meat sandwich called the “Ultimate T” are popular at the counter, which is called Big T’s, said the owner, Tina “Leonard” La Fave.
The pancakes ($6.95) are made to order with chocolate chips, blueberries or strawberries in the batter and served with sausage or bacon.
The Ultimate T ($15.99) is filled with bacon, pastrami, ham, turkey, roast beef, cheese, tomato, avocado and lettuce.
The counter is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 800 Sixth St. Breakfast and lunch are served all hours it’s open.
La Fave was working as a bartender at Charlies House near the Bait Shop Grill in Lewiston when she learned about the opportunity to run the eatery.
The idea appealed to her because it gives her an opportunity to use skills she developed as a cook at the counter and owning a hair salon called Big Tease in Pomeroy. The latter had a 10-year run that ended in 2011.
The name of Big T’s is a homonym derivative of the salon name, Big Tease. Similar to her salon in Pomeroy, she hopes the counter becomes a popular place for community members to socialize.
“I’m trying to be retro and new,” La Fave said.
Lewiston hospital contributes millions of dollars annually to the community
LEWISTON — St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston provided $12 million in health services to those in need in 2022.
That statistic is part of an annual community benefit and economic impact report released by the hospital this month.
It demonstrates the hospital’s “continued commitment to ensuring everyone has access to care, regardless of their ability to pay,” according to a news release from St. Joe’s about the report.
The hospital is “cognizant of the responsibility” that accompanies being one of the area’s largest employers and an “active community partner,” said CEO Ed Freysinger in the news release.
St. Joe’s has more than 100 board-certified physicians and providers who work in primary care and specialty practice.
“The accomplishments and contributions listed in our 2022 community benefit report speak to the hospital’s impact and to the hard work and dedication of our remarkable team of providers, employees, partners and volunteers,” Freysinger said.
Other highlights of the 2022 report included in the news release are:
The hospital added 46 affiliated providers and made more than $5 million in capital improvements, such as investments in robotics, radiation oncology and other medical equipment.
St. Joe’s distributed more than $45 million in salaries, wages and benefits for its approximately 660 employees and contributed $150,000 in professional development and tuition assistance.
The hospital paid more than $5 million in provider, payroll, property and sales taxes.
Bergen and Meyers create new real estate team
LEWISTON — A pair of Realtors who together have 30 years of experience in the industry have formed a new business.
Gary Bergen and Tami Meyers left Century 21 Price Right and created Team BMC with Silver Creek Realty Group at 307 19th St., Suite 5B, in Lewiston across the road from URM. His wife, Jaime Bergen, is their assistant and has a real estate license.
Silver Creek is based in Meridian, Idaho, and describes itself on the company’s website as the largest real estate brokerage firm in the state.
Its coverage area includes more than 60 communities such as Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, Boise, Idaho Falls and Twin Falls, according to its website.
“We felt it was time to change because Silvercreek offered us more resources in technology and marketing assistance that aligned more with our business style,” Bergen said.
Bergen and Meyers are available by appointment. His phone number is (208) 816-1750. Her number is (509) 552-9492.
Banner’s Best is in Lewiston
An employee of a Lewiston financial institution has received the Banner’s Best award.
Tyler Garrison, a senior commercial loan specialist at Banner Bank in Lewiston, won the honor from his employer. It recognizes that he surpassed individual professional goals, demonstrated excellence and consistently delivered outstanding service to the bank’s clients, communities and his colleagues, according to a Banner Bank news release.
Less than 4% of all Banner Bank employees are selected for the Banner’s Best award. Recipients are chosen by members of executive leadership.
Banner Bank has 150 offices in Idaho, Washington, Oregon and California. Among them are branches in Moscow, Orofino, Clarkston and Pullman.
TitleOne adds an office administrator
A Lewiston business that supports real estate transactions has hired a new employee.
Amanda Sneve is an office administrator and escrow assistant at TitleOne in Lewiston. She previously worked at Homebridge in Lewiston for six and a half years as a licensed loan partner.
TitleOne’s Lewiston address is 1230 Idaho St. It has other locations in Idaho, Washington and Montana.
Williams may be contacted at ewilliam@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2261.
