The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG/PRESCOTT – Twenty-fourteen has been a year of change, from the transfer in ownership of The Times at the beginning of the year, to the pending dissolution of the WP sports combine agreement reported just last week. With a new sports bar and restaurant taking shape on the east side of town, a trio of bronze sculptures being readied to adorn Main Street in time for the City's 150th anniversary celebration and the potential to break ground on a new subdivision, it appears that 2015 will be equally noteworthy.

January

Big changes took place at The Times when Ken Graham became the eighth publisher to own the newspaper. Graham, who had been hired as The Times' editor in 2013, purchased the business from Imbert Mathee, who had purchased it from Loyal and Kathy Baker in 2009.

Wes and Katie Leid and Jeff Broom established a WHS Alumni Scholarship Fund, owned by the WHS Alumni Association Committee and overseen by a sub-committee. Two $1,000 scholarships were to be awarded in 2014 to continue in perpetuity.

After nearly 70 years of dedicated service Ivan Keve and Dorne Hall transferred leadership in American Legion Post #35 to husband and wife duo, Ron and Cindy Standring. Ron took over as Legion Commander and Cindy assumed duties as Adjutant/Finance Officer.

Black Dog Rescue, situated in the Waitsburg Hardware Store operated by John and Marilyn Stellwagon, has placed nearly 2,000 animals in "forever homes."

February

Pam Alexenko was awarded 2013 Booster of the Year.

Logan Dozier received the Youth Initiative Award from the Walla Walla County Traffic Task Force for an anti-texting campaign he organized and ran in May of 2013.

Prescott school district ($615,000), Waitsburg school district ($1.08 million) and Walla Walla County EMS levies ($0.50-per$1,000 of assessed value) each passed with substantial margins. The Waitsburg school levy showed the largest increase -- from $882,000 in 2012 to $1.08 million -- largely due to increased technology needs.

WP wrestler Tristan Newman took fourth place in the 285-pound class at the state tournament in Tacoma.

Waitsburg's City Council approved contracting with professional consultant Jeana Garske in order to work with Sherwood Trust to secure funds for public art to adorn Main Street. The City is moving forward with plans to create a park and historical site at the former site of Waits's Mill.

March

Evergreen Boy's and Girl's State representatives Erik Sandoval, Meara Baker, E.J. Meserve, Emily Wilson and Yesenia Escalante reported on their experiences at the 2013 conventions.

Prescott received a $25,000 grant from Pomegranate Center to create a "gathering space" in the burned out lot between the Tuxedo Bar & Grill and the Prescott library. International artist Milenko Matanovic and his team of designers facilitated the community-based project.

Dan Cole, Ken Cole, Jr., Guy McCaw and Byron Seney, along with wives Trina, Elizabeth, Lynn and Kim shared plans to demolish the former White Stallion restaurant building and replace it with a family eatery -- the Whiskey Creek Sports Bar & Grill.

Waitsburg's knowledge bowl team placed 5th in the state meet in Arlington, Wash. Team members included: Leighton Dorman, Nick Pearson, Chad Pearson, Hanah Grant, E.J. Meserve, Meara Baker and Emma Philbrook.

April

Waitsburg students, McGregor Company staff and Ag Center for Excellence representatives participated in an FFA-hosted Nutrients for Life Field Day in Perry Dozier's field, south of town. The field day was part of an FFA Helping Communities Grow project spearheaded by Kimmie Hamman.

The Waitsburg Matbirds hosted 310 wrestlers in a Little Guy Wrestling Tournament on April 5. Four Matbirds placed at the April 12 State Little Guy Tournament in Spokane: Carlos Norris (1st place), Caleb Barron (2nd place), Theo Anderson (3rd place), Gavin Gould (4th place).

The Waitsburg school board voted to hire an additional part-time certificated teacher to allow for one teacher per elementary grade lever, rather than combined classes. Sixth grade will move from the elementary school to Preston Hall in the 2014-15 school year.

Waitsburg schools received multiple recognitions in the State Achievement Awards.

Waitsburg's city council approved a $6 water rate increase to meet imminent water line repair needs.

May

Waitsburg's Celebration Days was a success and included several new events such as an in-city GPS Poker Run, a Brew Fest and a lawnmower rodeo.

Waitsburg Public Works Director Dan Katsel received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his 39 years service from the state Department of Health.

The Waitsburg Lions Club sold 775 tickets to their annual rib feed fundraiser.

Megan Morrison was crowned Waitsburg Celebration Days Queen at a Town Hall coronation ceremony attended by area royalty. Gary Thomas and Jeff Broom are selected as 2014 WCD parade marshals.

The Waitsburg Resource Center organized a free "Knock Out Boredom" Summer Fun program. The Waitsburg school district applied to the Seamless Summer Food Program and offered free summer lunches and breakfasts for the first time.

The Waitsburg school board approved elminating the local senior project requirement since it is no longer required by the state as a graduation requirement.

Waitsburg's FFA chapter received first place in the state (and a check for $5,000) at the state FFA convention for their Nutrients for Life Helping Communities Grow project.

June

Owen Lanning, Emily Adams and Kobie Brown scored five medals between them at the state track and field meet in Cheney.

Jessica Welch replaced Laura Schnick as the Prescott library branch manager.

Nick Pearson (4.0 GPA) was valedictorian and Heidi Miller (3.962 GPA) was the salutatorian for the 2014 WHS graduating class.

Prescott High School graduated 19 seniors with Emily Wilson as valedictorian and Erik Sandoval as salutatorian.

Waitsburg's school board approved an "add alternate" bid with the city of Waitsburg that allowed for a driveway from Main Street into the Academy Street parking lot, in order reduce traffic congestion.

Prescott celebrated the culmination of its Vacant Lot Project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Terry Jacoy received the prestigious Lion's Club Melvin Jones Award.

July

Café owner Allison Bond left the Coppei Café and handed the keys to Emry and Sandy Kleck, owners of The Q Wood Fired Grill.

Waitsburg resident Christopher Elliot shot and wounded a police officer in Rainier, Ore. and was later found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot.

Chad, Nick and Chloe Pearson and Kavin and Kassidy Kuykendall joined Walla Walla teens in serving the needy in Guatemala.

Moreno & Nelson Construction broke ground on the Main Street ADA project, a grant-funded project that allowed for the replacement of sidewalks on both sides of Main Street from Third through Eighth streets.

Three West Nile Virus cases are suspected in Waitsburg.

August

Local FFA members gathered donations and delivered them to those affected by the Carlton Complex Fire – reported to be the largest wildfire in Washington's history -- near Pateros, Wash.

Gabe Keifel was hired as a part-time sixth grade language arts and math teacher at Preston Hall and longtime substitute Wenda Parr replaced Jennifer Fischer as the fifth grade teacher.

Waitsburg's city council modified the municipal code that allowed only licensed monument companies to set headstones in the city cemeteries.

Several Waitsburg and Dayton students enrolled in programs at the new Southeast Area Technical Skills Center (SEATECH). The $11.5 million facility is located on the Walla Walla Community College camps and offers courses in digital media, health sciences, manufacturing and welding and sustainable energy.

Waitsburg's city council approved the art commission's selection of artists to complete the historic art pieces that will grace Waitsburg's Main Street. Squire Broel will create an obelisk- shaped piece titled "The Founding Fathers" memorializing Sylvester Wait, William Bruce and William Preston and Wayne Chabre will sculpt "The Game Table," an interactive piece honoring Fannie Weller.

September

Eight-year-old Makenna Barron was selected to sing the national anthem at the Pendleton Round-Up rodeo.

Walla Walla county commissioners voted 2-1 to approve a ban on the production, processing nad sale of marijuana in the unincorporated areas of Walla Walla County.

Waitsburg FFA representatives Kimmie Hamann and Mikala DeRuwe joined Advisor Nicole Abel in an all-expense-paid trip to San Francisco to present their award-winning Nutrients for Life program before attendees at the World Fertilizer Conference.

Jim and Geraine Hansen are named 2014 Pioneers of the Year.

October

Former Waitsburg resident Tom Richardson received the Silver Spotlight Award from the Washington Health Care Association for his lifetime volunteerism.

Ashleigh Hubbard and Devon Harshman were selected to Waitsburg's 2015 Celebration Days court.

Food Services Supervisor Susan Wildey worked with local suppliers to treat students to a meal made completely from locally sourced foods as part of the state's Taste of Washington campaign.

Kathryn Kuykendall won the American Legion Auxiliary Americanism Essay contest at the national level.

Twenty-nine year old Prescott resident and mother of three, Jenna Morton, died in a head-on collision 12 miles east of Burbank. The Prescott and Waitsburg communities rallied to raise funds for the family.

Emma Philbrook was sworn in as Waitsburg's city council student representative.

November

WP Cross County runners Emily Adams and Landon Callas placed in the top third at the state X-C meet. Adams placed 18th out of 66 runners and Callas placed 41st out of 137 men runners.

Waitsburg's Order of Eastern Star Chapter #9 celebrated its 125th anniversary with a catered dinner, business meeting and fashion show.

The WP football team qualified for the state playoffs for the sixth consecutive year.

Waitsburg Public Works Director Dan Katsel retired after 40 years on the city crew.

Times file photo

Artist Squire Broel presents his obelisk shaped "Founding Fathers" design to Waitsburg's art commission.

The Waitsburg school board approved a collective bargaining agreement between the Waitsburg School District and the Waitsburg Education Association.

The WP Tigers soccer team took second place, falling to Mount Vernon Christian, at the 2B state soccer championship game in Sumner, Wash. This was the third time in the last four years the Tigers have reached the state final four tournament.

December

Jubilee Leadership Academy won the WORLD News Group's "Hope Award" and received a check for $25,000.

The Waitsburg planning commission will consider a preliminary plat proposal for Whoopemup Meadows, a 42-acre housing subdivision to be developed by Gene and Mary Warren of Warren Land Company.

Prescott opted to end the WP athletic combine agreement effective with the 2015-16 school year. Concerns over funding and declining participation were cited as the reason for the dissolution.