Week of March 19, 2026
Week of March 19, 2026
WAITSBURG - Rain and warmer weather over the weekend of March 14 and 15 caused flooding in Walla Walla and Columbia counties. In Waitsburg, city workers monitored the Touchet and Coppei rivers as rain and snow melt raised water levels. Waitsburg City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe said the city reached out early Saturday morning to warn residents in the areas most likely to flood. Overtopping from the Touchet River surged onto properties east of the Preston Bridge, on Highway 12. Many of the...
WALLA WALLA - Kirkman House Museum invites the public to step back in time as it reopens for its 2026 season on Saturday, March 21. Visitors can tour one of Walla Walla's most storied Victorian mansions and explore a curated special exhibit tracing the evolution of aprons from utility to fashion. Located just three blocks from Main Street in downtown Walla Walla, the museum will be open weekends this spring from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Admission fees apply. Children under seven. NARM cardholders...
OLYMPIA - The Washington State Parks system stands as a historic institution, predating the National Parks system and overseeing 122,000 acres across the state. Many of Washington's most iconic landmarks, such as the Deception Pass bridge, Palouse Falls state waterfall, and orca sightings at Lime Kiln, are found within state parks. Washington's state park system attracts residents and tourists. They see the most visitors per acre of any other state-managed lands agency, with more than 40...
OLYMPIA—Students in Washington have a variety of graduation pathways established by the state legislature in 2019. Among these is achieving a qualifying score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. Since 2019, an increasing percentage of graduates have completed the ASVAB. The Office of Superintendet of Public Instruction reported that over 5,400 graduates (7.2%) reported completing the ASVAB as a graduation pathway in 2025. With more graduates completing the ASVAB each year, the OSPI has not had data to determine whether ASVAB...
DAYTON - Mayor Roger Trump called the Dayton City Council to order at 6 p.m., March 10, 2026. The mayor and council members James Su’euga, Michael Smith, Glenn Hagfeldt, Kyle Anderson, Joann Patras, and Dave Harvey were present. Shannon McMillen was absent. Opening public comment, Dayton School District Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley expressed gratitude for city residents’ school support, including their volunteering and attendance at sporting events. He said the district and the kids appreciate the support. Transitioning to board...
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Department of Health has extended RSV immunizations for infants through April 30. RSV immunizations are usually available from October to March. This extension gives parents more time to protect infants who have not received RSV protection. “Extending RSV immunizations helps keep babies out of the hospital while disease activity remains high,” said Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, State Health Officer, DOH. “If your infant is younger than 8 months or a higher-risk toddler between 8 and 19 months old is not...
DAYTON – The Columbia Port Commissioners held their regular meeting at 5:00 PM on March 11, 2026, in the Port conference room. Commissioners Mike Spring and Scott Hudson were present in the Port conference room. Johnny Watts was not present. The Executive Director, Jennie Dickinson, was also present. In the first public comment period, Dayton Chamber Director Belinda Larsen said she was representing Friends of the Trail, a group that approached the Chamber about renewing interest in the Touchet Valley Trail. On behalf of the group, she...
WAITSBURG-Waitsburg Middle School's girls' basketball coach, Karen Huwe, held an awards assembly on Wednesday, March 11, in the high school auditorium. Following the welcome, the assembly began with middle school ASB President Kaitlyn Paul leading the flag salute. After the flag salute, Huwe thanked the crowd for supporting the players throughout the season and highlighted some of the drills and competitions that the girls competed in during practices. Next, participation certificates were...
To the Editor I was horrified to see your front page photo of junk candy sold at our New Dollar General. Our community deserves better options to healthy affordable foods not just cheap sugar. Obesity rates for children and teenagers have reached record highs. What do WA DOH and HHS have to say about the nutritional and health value of these products? Sincerely, Susan Hosticka Dayton,...
WALLA WALLA — The Walla Walla County Master Gardener plant clinics will begin on April 7 at the Washington State University Extension Office. The clinics will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The plant clinics are run by university-trained Master Gardeners, who volunteer to help residents cultivate healthy, productive, and resilient landscapes. Master Gardeners undergo extensive training in plant science, horticulture, and integrated pest...
WALLA WALLA - Former Walla Walla County Commissioner and local business owner Greg Tompkins announced he is running as an Independent for the Walla Walla County Auditor position. "I have chosen to run as an Independent for this position as there are no political decisions made by the County Auditor," said Thompkins. The county auditor is an elected position and will be on the general election ballot in 2026. Currently, the position is held by Sheryl Park, who has also registered as a candidate....
DAYTON — Elvis sings and tells his story like never before in a new cinematic experience from visionary filmmaker Baz Luhrmann. One reviewer said, “‘EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert’ isn’t just a concert - it’s an emotional experience. You can feel his energy, joy, and vulnerability. The restored footage and live sound make it feel like you’re right there in the audience, cheering along with everyone. It’s impossible not to get caught up in the excitement and emotion.” Rated PG-13 for smoking and language, and has a runtime of...
DAYTON-The regular meeting of the Columbia County Parks and Recreation Pool District was held on February 26 at 5 p.m. Topics of discussion included fundraising opportunities. The district recently learned that it did not receive the $600,000 Capital Campaign legislative grant it applied for. There are three other grants in process. The district will continue to pursue fundraising opportunities and grants needed to build the pool. In May, the district will hold a yard sale to benefit the pool...
WALLA WALLA — After 160 years, the fair is “Just Getting Started,” returning on Septemper 2 through 6, with Wednesday’s opening night performance by legendary rock band, Cheap Trick. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016, Cheap Trick continues captivating fans with electrifying live performances featuring hits like “I Want You to Want Me,” “Dream Police,” “The Flame,” and “Surrender.” Cheap Trick has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide and performed live over 6,000 times. Thursday, September 3,...
WALLA WALLA-The Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center will host a Veteran Patient Orientation on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. This is a hybrid event and can be attended in person or virtually. Attend in person at the Jonathon M. Wainwright VA's main facility at 77 Wainwright Dr. in Walla Walla. The event will be on the second floor of building 143, in conference room 2101. Join the presentation virtually at tinyurl.com/JMW-VPO-032426. This informational session is open to all Veterans and their families who...
WAITSBURG-On March 12, Waitsburg High School's National Honor Society partnered with the American Red Cross to organize a blood drive at the school gym. NHS students Sarah Daves, Sara Wilson, Hope Adkins, Karissa Potts, and Bea Karl signed in the registered donors and assisted advisor Shannon Schreindl at their second drive this school year. Twenty-one donors contributed a total of twenty-five units of blood. Of these donors, 12 had type O blood, and four were first-time donors. One single...
There are few sensory experiences more inviting than the smell of fresh baked bread filling your home. Though I was once terribly intimidated by bread making, through careful and delicious experimentation it become a satisfying addition to my kitchen repertoire. While pulling a fresh loaf from the oven is sure to impress special dinner guests, it can also be a wonderful way to elevate a middle-of-the-week meal for two. Recently, while researching recipes in preparation of our family Saint...
Fifteen Years Ago March 17, 2011 Waitsburg Elementary School Students of the Month for February are 4th graders: Honesty Alexander and Kelsey Alleman with 5th graders Austin James and Tyler Wood. Waitsburg's newest young bluegrass band, the Rezonators, includes members: Emily Adams (fiddle), Kassidy Kuykendall (mandolin), Chris Philbrook (banjo), Beka Adams (guitar), Emma Philbrook (mandolin), and Kavin Kuykendall (banjo). Twenty-Five Years Ago March 15, 2001 Waitsburg's spring baseball season...
Thursday, Dec. 11 Breakfast Pancake on a stick Lunch Chicken Alfredo Breadstick Fruit and Vegetable Friday, Dec. 12 Breakfast Breakfast Burrito Lunch Pepperoni or Cheese Pizza Fruit & Vegetable Monday, Dec. 15 Breakfast Breakfast Pizza Lunch Hamburger Tater Tots Fruit & Vegetable Tuesday, Dec. 16 Breakfast Biscuits & Gravy Lunch Nachos Fruit & Vegetables Wednesday, Dec. 17 Breakfast Ultimate Breakfast Round Lunch Turkey Sandwich Fruit &...
