Week of April 23, 2026
Week of April 23, 2026
DAYTON – The Dayton City Council met at 6 p.m. on April 14, 2026. Michael Smith presided as mayor pro tem in the absence of Mayor Roger Trump. Council members Shannon McMillen, James Su’euga, Glenn Hagfeldt, Kyle Anderson, Joann Patras, and Dave Harvey attended. The council approved the consent agenda and approved claims, vouchers, and warrants. There were no action items for the council to consider. Ryan Paulson, Public Works Director, told the council that the state has declared a statewide drought. This is the fourth year in a row that...
WAITSBURG - The Waitsburg Commercial Club held its annual meeting and awards dinner at Waitsburg Town Hall on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Guests enjoyed dinner, wine and beer, and a dessert auction. Commercial Club President Tiffany Baxter nominated officers and attending members approved Brittany Crane as President, Karen Huwe as first Vice President, Paul Mantz-Powers as second Vice President, Joy Smith as Treasurer, and Tiffany Baxter as Secretary. After dinner, Karen Huwe presented Waitsburg...
DAYTON — The Dayton School Board met at 6:30 p.m. on April 15, 2026. Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley, Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen, and Board Members Pat Davidson, Aneesha Dieu, Grant Griffin, and Ryan Paulson were present in the school library. The Board passed the consent agenda. In addition to routine administrative items, the agenda included hiring Leah Turner as MS Assistant Softball Coach and accepting Max Tritt as a volunteer HS Baseball Coach. Finally, the Board approved FFA participation in the FFA State Convention, May 13–16,...
POMEROY — Waitsburg and Dayton track athletes competed in the District 6 1B meet at Pomeroy on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, against 10 other schools. Top 10 boys: •100m –4th Teegan Kenney (Waitsburg) – 12.23 SB*; 5th Garret Yost (Dayton) – 12.35 PB** •1600m – 3rd Paquette (Dayton) – 5:31.62 PB •3200m – 2nd Ian Rushing (Dayton) – 14:46.48 •300m hurdles – Liam Kiefel (Waitsburg) – 52.48 •Discus – 8th Liam Kiefel (Waitsburg) – 67’ 8” •Triple jump – 8th Liam Kiefel (Waitsburg) – 32’ 10”B •400m – 2nd...
DAYTON — This year’s TVAC Variety Show features 60 talented local performers, including many brave newcomers. Jae Goodridge, one of the show’s directors, said, “What I love most about directing the Variety Show is giving people the opportunity to experience being a part of community theater, especially those who never thought they could perform on a stage, or learn choreography, or hear an audience applaud them for their talents.” He continued, “Watching their confidence build and seeing them discover how fun it is to come...
Waitsburg Historical Society Community Yard Cleanup, needs VOLUNTEERS on May 2nd, 9:00 - Noon, with a possible follow-up on May 9th if needed. From tidying up the Bruce House and Wilson Philips House to planting flowers, we need your...
Connor Goulette Connor Goulette is a full-time student at Waitsburg High School. He joined the Waitsburg School District as a freshman. The son of Jesse and Michelle Goulette, he has three older siblings: Ashley, Ana, and Tyler. He became involved in FFA during his freshman year, participating in the first-year member event and helping at school concessions. In elementary and middle school, Goulette participated in baseball. Currently, he enjoys playing in the men's softball league in Walla...
Fifteen Years Ago April 21, 2011 Nearly 600 riders paid a visit to Waitsburg and its surrounding countryside this past weekend during the 15th annual Tour of Walla Walla. This 3-day, 4-stage cycling race brought bicyclists from all over to Waitsburg's downtown. Fletcher Baker will be sworn in as the first-ever student representative on the Waitsburg City Council on Wednesday. Port of Columbia Manager Jennie Dickinson poses with Port Commissioners Dale McKinley, Lawrence Turner, and Gene Warren...
While experimenting in the kitchen, I love when the addition of a single extra ingredient can elevate a classic recipe in exciting new ways. Here the homey snickerdoodle, a buttery cookie steeped in childhood memories, has crushed caraway seeds added to the cinnamon coating for a sophisticated twist on the warm-spice notes. Delightfully chewy, and not too sweet, these lovely morsels have an addictive flavor. Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), softened ¾ cup granulated sugar...
DAYTON - The Touchet Valley Community Showcase brought local business owners, health providers, artists, musicians, and creators together on April 18, 2026, at the Columbia Fairgrounds. The family-friendly event offered community members experiential and educational interactions with nearly 50 vendors. Some of the valley's newest businesses, including Dayton Quilt and Laundromat, and Modern Pioneer RV Services in Starbuck participated. Guests got to work out with Lucy Nichols, owner of Trans4m...
Virginia Rae Henze, 79, of Burbank, Washington, passed away on March 29, 2026, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She was surrounded by loved ones. Virginia was an amazing woman – daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend – and she will be missed immensely. Virginia (Ginger) was born on July 29, 1946, to Robert and Margaret Segraves in Walla Walla, Washington. She grew up in Waitsburg with her parents, brothers John and Gary, and sisters Roberta and Lola. She...
Barbara Gale Abbey passed away peacefully on April 13, 2026, at the age of 79, just weeks shy of her 80th birthday. Barbara was born on May 1, 1946, in Dayton, Washington, to Michael and Joyce Saxon. She began her education in Dayton before moving with her family to Waitsburg in 1955. She attended local schools and graduated from Waitsburg High School with the Class of 1964. On January 23, 1965, she married Robert William Abbey, and they welcomed their son, Donald Michael Abbey, in November...
Eila Trudgeon Whelchel was born in Estacada, Oregon, on January 5, 1927, to Nelson Guy and Tiney Catherine (Carver) Trudgeon. Her early life was shaped by the Great Depression, which prompted the family's move to Jerome, Idaho, when Eila was four years old. During the 1930s, they lived in the Boise Valley, and the family grew to include sisters, Mary Viola and Joyce Ann. During this era, both her father and her grandfather worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The family later...
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 &...
