YAKIMA, Wash. -- State Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, announced today that he’s closing his district office in Ellensburg to save money.

Fret not, though, 13th District constituents; Hinkle insisted this afternoon that he’ll be available as always.

“I’ve got my cell phone (number) on my business card,” he said. “I encourage people to call me.”

He just wasn’t using the Dolarway Road office enough to justify keeping it open. Closing it will save the state several hundred dollars a month, he said.

“It was kind of an expense that wasn’t really paying off,” Hinkle said.

Hinkle and his 13th District state House colleague Rep. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, will hold monthly “office hours,” during which they will address questions and concerns from local residents. The first is set for 10 a.m. to noon on June 11 at the Cottage Cafe in Cle Elum. Hinkle and Warnick will host office hours at the Kittitas County Courthouse in Ellensburg the same day from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Their 13th District counterpart in the Senate, Sen. Janéa Holmquist, R-Moses Lake, announced today a “district office day” of her own. Holmquist will meet with Kittitas County residents Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kittitas County Courthouse.

- Pat Muir