Week of May 28, 2026
Week of May 28, 2026
DAYTON- New to Dayton since August 2024, Carissa Linder is the proud owner of the old Umpqua bank building at 257 East Main Street. Her vision for the building is to create a community art center, which she is calling "The Den". The Den stands for dynamic education network and will serve as a framework that inspires people to create in an accessible and enjoyable way. "We're all artists," she said. "If you think you're not, all I have to say is that you haven't found the thing that speaks to...
WALLA WALLA - The Kirkman House Museum is hosting a week of fun for kids from Monday, June 22, to Friday, June 26. The Kids First Summer Camp offers young campers a variety of activities in history, science, and creativity, including a Bunker Hill water-balloon battle. Here is the line up for the week: Monday, June 22 Learn to write and illustrate a short story, make stick puppets, and put on a puppet show. Tuesday, June 23 Learn about plants and gardening. Make a Macrame hanger and plant a...
DAYTON – The Dayton School Board met in the High School Library at 6:30 p.m. on May 20, 2026. Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley, Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen, and Board members Pat Davidson and Grant Griffin participated in person in the school library. Aneesha Dieu and Ryan Paulson joined remotely. After routine administrative items, the Board accepted the personnel report, included in the consent agenda, which this month listed only three resignations: Tyler (Tiger) Dieu from the position of Grounds Custodian, Sarah Reser from the position of...
Benevides at State Golf Waitsburg High School senior Blake Benevides shot a 110 in the first round at the WIAA 1B/2B Boys High School State Golf Championships at MeadowWood Golf Course in Liberty Lake May 20-21. Coach Caris Lynch said that Benevides missed the cut-off at 95 to proceed to the second round. Kenney to State Track Senior Teegan Kenney from Waitsburg High School will compete in all four of his track events at the WIAA 1b/2b/1A State Championships at Eisenhower High School, May 28-30. Kenny qualified for State at the 1B District 6...
I am honored to announce my support for Richard Schram for the next Sheriff of Walla Walla County. I have known Richard for over 20 years. In that time, he became one of the most respected leaders that I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Richard stands out as a mentor to all who know and work with him. He is highly praised by other law enforcement professionals in the Walla Walla Valley and throughout the state of Washington and across this great country in which we live. In my 43-year law enforcement career, I have literally worked...
Letter to the Editor: I am extremely proud to endorse Richard Schram for Sheriff. Richard has the experience, knowledge, and understanding of the issues in Walla Walla County, making him the right choice for Sheriff. I’ve known him since 2016 and he has shown absolute commitment to safeguarding the lives, property, and individual liberties for all people in Walla Walla. When I first met Richard, I immediately knew he was someone I could trust. He is dedicated to serving the community in ways that are hard to fathom. When Richard does...
WALLA WALLA - Columbia REA announced the official results of its 2026 Board of Directors election at the cooperative's 88th Annual Meeting of the Members, held April 23, 2026, at Columbia REA headquarters in Walla Walla. This election is especially significant as Walla Walla resident Rick Lugar was chosen by the members to fill the District One position vacated by Greg Knowles, who retired after 15 years on the Columbia REA Board of Directors. Rick has spent much of his career in the public...
DAYTON – The film follows George Hardy (Hugh Jackman), a shepherd who loves his sheep and raises them only for their wool. Every night, he reads murder mysteries aloud, pretending his sheep can understand. Not only can they understand, but they also argue afterward about whodunnit. When George is found dead under mysterious circumstances, the sheep realize it was murder and think they know how to solve it. The local cop, Tim Derry, has never solved a serious crime in his life, so the sheep conclude they will have to solve it themselves. It...
WAITSBURG - The Columbia Walla Walla Fire District #2 is partnering with the American Red Cross to offer free smoke alarm installations for Waitsburg residents. "Basically, we partnered with the Red Cross, trying to get smoke alarms into homes that may not otherwise have them," said CWWFD#2 Chief Matt Spring. "Bottom line: Smoke alarms save lives. The program involves minimal paperwork; we schedule an appointment and install alarms in homes that have requested them. We do a small in-home fire...
WAITSBURG - This year, five veterans who passed away will be added to the Waitsburg Memorial Wall. They are Donald Elder, Michael Greer, William Hinchliffe, Jack McCaw, and Robert Rickel. Members of Jack McCaw, Bill Hinchliffe, Mike Greer, and Robert Rickel's families were at the ceremony held in front of the Veterans' Memorial Wall in the city's cemetery. The four will be added to the wall, later this year. The American Legion and Auxiliary #35, invited veterans, families, the community, and...
The Waitsburg citywide yard sale is on Saturday, June 6. “The Times” will publish its annual go-to map for the event in its June 4 issue. The map includes addresses and information on participating garage and yard sales in Waitsburg and Prescott. It is free to be included on the map, and yard sale participants should send their addresses, items for sale, or any other information to advertising@waitsburgtimes by Monday, June 1. Please include your name, contact number, and email. This information will not be on the map. Information for the...
Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Frank Reser Memorial Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship is available to Waitsburg High School seniors and alumni. Interested applicants can obtain the necessary materials from the Waitsburg High School office. Please ensure that all completed materials are returned to the WHS office by May 29,...
WAITSBURG - Waitsburg students enjoyed a presentation by Tomas Barraz, a Vive18 co-founder and national speaker, on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. The day began with an assembly for students in grades 9-12, followed by a second presentation for students in grades 6-8. Barraz spent his lunch break empowering students in the Natural Helpers club to continue efforts, create sober social spaces, and shift school culture from the inside out. Growing up in a small rural community, Tomas saw the...
Fifteen Years Ago May 26, 2011 Riding shotgun in a World War II jeep, Veteran Jim Hansen greets other Veterans before the start of the parade, which honored them and coincided with Armed Forces Day. DHS junior Caitlin Riley takes on her padded principal, Andy Maheras, in a session designed to teach girls the basics of self-defense. Sophomore Chandra Richardson, WYCA's Ann Passmore and Deputy Columbia County Prosecutor June Riley look on. April Students of the Month for Waitsburg Elementary are...
One of the things I most look forward to in late spring is the first bite of a plump sun ripened strawberry. This week, I noticed the first few bright red fruits ready for picking in our backyard patch. For the next couple of weeks, we will be plucking them by the bowlful. When fruit, such as strawberries, are perfectly ripe, and in-season, the general rule is the simpler the preparation the better. Which is perhaps why the combination of ripe strawberries with shortcake biscuits and whipped...
Blake Benevides Blake Benevides is the son of Valerie and Shawn and has siblings Quinn and Claudia, both WHS alumni. Benevides came to Waitsburg School as an eighth grader and attends WHS full-time. He has been a member of FFA for four years and was on the homecoming court his freshman year. As a basketball standout in his junior and senior years, Benevides received the Most Improved Award and All-League Honorable Mention his junior year and made the All-League First Team and was voted Most...
Gary Craig Lasater passed away in the early morning of January 5, 2026, at Providence Hospital in Walla Walla, Washington. He was born August 18, 1935, in Walla Walla to Redman Lasater and Claire Lycan Lasater Groth. Gary graduated from Walla Walla High School, Wa-Hi, in 1953 and served in the Air Reserve in the mid-1950s. Flying was an important part of Gary's life from an early age. His father and mother were both pilots, and Gary earned his private pilot's license when he was young. Over the...
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 &...
