Hells Gate radio club wants equipment back (Washington State)

The founder of the Hells Gate Amateur Radio Club asked Asotin County officials to return the group’s equipment at Stout Ranch on the Lewiston Hill.

Kelly Blackmon, a former Clarkston city councilor, said his radio club has made repeated requests to access the site and retrieve the equipment, but no one at the county is returning calls or emails.

Blackmon attended Monday’s board meeting and spoke during the public comment period. The commissioners didn’t discuss the issue any further, but Sheriff John Hildebrand said he plans to contact Whitman County law enforcement about an investigation that was launched earlier this year.

“As far as we know, it hasn’t been closed out yet,” said Commissioner Chuck Whitman.

In January, the ham radio club made improvements at the site, including adding repeaters, insulation, patching holes and cutting weeds, Blackmon said. The electrical work caught the attention of Clearwater Power, and a Whitman County deputy responded, along with Washington State Labor and Industries investigators.

“At this time, the commissioners cut off our access to the site and turned off our repeaters,” Blackmon said.

The incident also triggered the termination of Russ Pelleberg, the former public works director. He is a member of the Hells Gate club and reportedly assisted members with access to the site.

Read more – Lewiston Tribune: https://bit.ly/4k21jeQ