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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Palouse councilwoman dies during kayak trip

From staff reports
A Palouse city councilwoman was found dead early Friday morning, frozen after she capsized during a kayak trip down the Palouse River. Alison Webb, 54, set out on a kayaking trip Thursday afternoon, according to a news release. Family notified the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office when she did not arrive at her destination. Webb began her float trip near Wellesley Road in Latah County, but capsized somewhere during the trip, according to the release. Investigators from multiple agencies searched through the night for her body. She was found at 8:30 a.m. Friday morning. Investigatorbelieve Webb died after she was exposed to extremely cold overnight temperatures, but the exact cause and manner of death will be determined by the Whitman County Coroner’s Office. Webb was appointed to the Palouse city council in 2012, and ran for re-election this year, trailing opponent Doreen Hanson by just a few votes.