Articles written by Tracy Thompson
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 106
By 
Walla Walla tries out downtown plaza on Main Street
WALLA WALLA-Kathryn Witherington stepped into her new job as Executive Director of the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation in early February of this year. Previously the Economic Development Director of...
Walla Walla Town Hall generates emotions, ideas
WALLA WALLA —The Walla Walla City Council’s second Town Hall held to address police policies and other issues in the region took place over Zoom on Thursday, July 23. Fifty-four individuals spoke, having previously signed up in advance for the opport...
Prescott School District plans for in-person instruction
Justin Bradford is excited to get underway as the new Superintendent of Prescott School District. Most recently, he was the Director of College Place School District's Special Education Department, an...
Botany in the Blues; online presentation and field trip planned
WALLA WALLA—The Blue Mountain Land Trust is introducing their new Botany in the Blues series, co-sponsored by the Washington Native Plant Society. The conservation organization will facilitate a ...
Take the Challenge to learn more about racial equity and social justice issues
WALLA WALLA—The Walla Walla YWCA is putting forth a challenge to anyone who wants to accept it; spend twenty-one days deepening your understanding of, and willingness to confront, racism. Those who accept the Challenge can sign up on the YWCA’s web...
Hayshaker Farm: High quality, nutrient-dense, colorfully diverse produce
My vegetable epiphany happened after I purchased a bag of Hayshaker Farms Wild & Fancy salad mix from The Market by Andy's in Walla Walla. I have been trying to eat a mostly vegetable-based diet for a...
Small's Family Farm
Seth Small of Small's Family Farm took some time during a busy harvest season to talk about his family's approach to farming, and his marketing efforts to bring his single variety flour to...
Walla Walla couple finds gardening oasis
When Mark Brucks and Susan Monahan were getting ready to retire after living and working in Austin, TX for twenty years, they carefully developed a list of criteria for their new home town. The list...
Walla Walla's first Town Hall addresses public's concerns about policing
WALLA WALLA—The Walla Walla City Council held the first of three Town Halls in response to a large community outcry over-policing policies and the issue of a police officer’s tattoo which inc...
Business owner sets her own standards
WALLA WALLA—Individual business owners in Walla Walla are all managing Governor Inslee's mask wearing proclamation in their own unique ways. Cugini's Italian Import Foods on Wallula in Walla Walla p...
City of Walla Walla to host three Virtual Town Hall meetings on law enforcememt
WALLA WALLA—At the Walla Walla City Council meeting held on June 24, plans were outlined for three, possibly four, virtual Town Hall meetings. The meetings will be held in July and August to address public concerns over a variety of law e...
Summer ritual continues despite the virus
MILTON-FREEWATER, Ore.-Lampson's U-Pick Blueberries adjusted capably for the coronavirus by instituting an appointment system to manage the number of people picking in the fields at one time. Eight...
Additional cases put Phase 3 in jeopardy for Walla Walla County
WALLA WALLA—Walla Walla County’s application for entry into Phase 3 appears to be in jeopardy (see story, page 5) due to Monday’s announcement from health officials that twelve additional COVID-19 cases were reported since Friday, June 19th...
Prescott Pool getting ready to re-open
PRESCOTT-Prescott Pool Manager Kyra Hartley is a highly experienced lifeguard and swimming instructor and she recently stepped into the role of Pool Manager at the Prescott Pool. A double major in...
We still need to decide about masks
Sixteen weeks into this pandemic and I’ll admit, I’ve grown a little weary of the mask debate. Excuse me, cloth face-covering discussion. It seems endless, and redundant, and far too enmeshed in emotions and political parties. It’s exhausting! Do I...
Walla Walla County applies for a modified Phase 3
WALLA WALLA— Walla Walla County Commissioners decided at a special meeting on Thursday, June 18 to apply for a modified Phase 3 of Governor Inslee’s Safe Start plan. Phase 3 of the state’s plan allows outdoor recreational gatherings to be limit...
Walla Walla nurse travels to Harlem Hospital to help
Skills and experience gained along with bonds of friendship WALLA WALLA-A Walla Walla native and WA-HI graduate, Jenna Watts was just finishing up a nine-week traveling nurse stint at Harlem Hospital...
Washington State school officials release guidance for upcoming school year
OLYMPIA—Washington State education officials released a guide to reopening schools for Fall 2020 on Thursday, June 11. The document lays a framework for schools to begin planning what their return to school in the fall looks like. The guidance was d...
Walla Walla collaborates to promote safer outdoor dining and shopping
WALLA WALLA-Plans are underway to boost business income in Walla Walla's downtown corridor through active collaboration between the City, local agencies and business owners. The proposals all encourag...
Black Lives Matter rally draws a peaceful, thoughtful crowd
WALLA WALLA-A grassroots group of people of color from the Walla Walla Valley community organized a second Peace Rally on Sunday, June 7 near Walla Walla's Land Title Plaza. With impassioned speakers...
Pioneer Park Aviary killings prompt outrage and fundraising
WALLA WALLA-The news of repeated break-ins and killings of birds at the Pioneer Park Aviary in Walla Walla has prompted an outpouring of support and funding from community members. Walla Walla Police...
Peaceful protest in Walla Walla on Sunday calls for justice for George Floyd
WALLA WALLA-The announcement for the protest was seen on a Facebook post, listing the 1 p.m. time, the Land Title Plaza as the place, with the words 'Peaceful Protest' as the title. The post also feat...
Waitsburg Grocery vandalized in early hours
WAITSBURG-Early morning on Monday, June 1, glass from one of the front doors as well as glass from a side door were broken in a possible attempt to gain entry at the Waitsburg Grocery on Main Street....
A Walla Walla woman's experience with the coronavirus
East Coast born and raised, Liz Fraser of Walla Walla is known for her candor. Two weeks ago, she openly let her Facebook friends know that she had tested positive for the Coronavirus. In the post,...
Pet grooming guidelines released
Is your dog looking rough these days? For many breeds, a regular grooming schedule is a must. My dog Rocco is a miniature schnauzer, which is a double-coated breed that has a wiry topcoat and a soft...
