Week of October 15, 2026
Week of October 15, 2026
WALLA WALLA - This fall, residents of eastern Washington and Oregon will have a chance to visit remote rivers, wild landscapes, working farms, and novel restoration projects-without ever leaving town. The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is returning to Walla Walla for two special evenings on October 28 and 29 at Whitman College's newly renovated Deshler Auditorium (formerly known as Maxey Auditorium), offering audiences a series of award-winning films that celebrate the natural world while...
WAITSBURG - The Waitsburg FFA Alumni and Supporters Charter held a fundraiser at the Waitsburg Town Hall on Saturday, October 10. The dinner and auction raised an estimated $2,500 to fund activities and experiences for Waitsburg FFA students, including sending 1 or 2 members to the FFA Washington Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. Started in 2025, the Waitsburg alumni charter is affiliated with the National FFA organization and Washington State FFA Alumni and Supporters. The current...
Check out the original artwork at the Weller Public Library to pick the one you want. WAITSBURG - The Weller Library Board of Trustees and Library Director Sarah Roberts began a program to display and then auction original paintings at the Waitsburg library. After deciding to exhibit the paintings above the main room bookshelves, they purchased six 24" x 36" canvases. Roberts contacted local artist Lane Gwinn, who created the first set of paintings. Gwinn's paintings highlight six authors,...
DAYTON — The Columbia County Pools and Recreation District has been actively raising funds through grants and benefits. Often, the funding the district has been awarded or has submitted applications for requires matching funds. The pools and recreation district has been awarded grants, including $275,000 from the Washington State Legislature, a $9,360 Innovia Reimbursable Grant, a $5,000 Warren Community Grant, and $7,500 from the Dayton/Columbia County Fund. The Friends of the Pool have raised over $22,000 from its Pool Benefit Yard Sale...
Waitsburg’s youth football team played against Dayton on Saturday, October 10. The young Cardinals ended with a 36- 8 win. Julian Gillentine led the team with four touchdowns. He carried the ball six times, accumulating 155 yards rushing and 53 with three completed passes. On defense, Gillentine made eleven tackles. Playing quarterback, Charlie Reger passed for one touchdown and ran the ball four times for 23 yards. Reger made 10 tackles and an interception. Gavin Watkins scored two two-point conversions. The coaches said all the boys...
Waitsburg Middle School volleyball played two matches on Monday, October 5, at Liberty Christian, Walla Wall,a and on Wednesday, October 7, at Prescott. At LCWW, the young Cardinals played an experienced team. They were the first team to spike the ball, and the first the Cardinals faced with strong serving. The varsity lost 25-8, 25-17, 25-12. Highlights included Jaylynn Gleason with a block and three kills, Ava McCaw with a block, and Oaklee Adams and Adalin Acevedo both serving 88%. The...
For the first time since the dissolution of the Dayton-Waitsburg football combine, the Bulldogs got their first win over the Cardinals. "Cody Chapman is a good coach, and he has a solid team. Nonetheless, the game Friday did not reflect the team I think Waitsburg has. We are a young team. We have a level of natural talent. However, our difficulty is consistency and discipline. We had a great week of practice, working on and reinforcing the discipline we can have. Once we figure out how to stay...
Ads supporting the income tax are being less than honest. The Center Square is one that has called them out: “Politicians and the media are claiming approval of Initiative 645 will “cut funding” for public schools, higher education and health care. There’s only one problem - it’s not true. Why? Because there’s nothing to cut. Washington doesn’t collect a dime of income tax revenue until 2029. It’s not possible to cut something that doesn’t exist.” Source: The Center Square at https://tinyurl.com/2cvs3p46. And for those...
Our American justice system is too important to take for granted. We must have the best and brightest people administering that justice. That’s why my husband Jim and I are proud to endorse Janelle Carman-Wagner for part time District Court Judge. I’ve known Janelle for more than 20 years, and my husband has known her for much longer than that. Her broad experience in civil, family, and criminal law makes her competent and knowledgeable in all the legal matters under District Court jurisdiction. After some court cases, someone may be...
Dear Editor, There are people who will tell you they are about their community, and there are people who simply show up when someone needs them. Richard Schram has always been the kind who shows up. From what I have seen, he steps up because he feels a responsibility to help, not because he wants recognition or a title. That is the same quality I see in his decision to run for Sheriff. Richard knows the responsibilites of the office and the people who do the work everyday. He has the depth of experience to understand the challenges ahead and...
DAYTON — After a harrowing plane crash, Special Forces officer James Belmont (Brad Pitt) and his combat dog, Odin, find themselves stranded deep in the Alaskan wilderness. Together, they are forced into a brutal fight for survival against the elements. From acclaimed filmmaker David Ayer, “Heart of the Beast” is an intense adventure thriller that explores the unbreakable bond between a man and his best friend as they face their greatest battle yet. The Cast includes Brad Pitt, J.K. Simmons, and Anna Lambe. Rated: PG-13 for violence,...
PRESCOTT — The Prescott Joint Park and Recreation District ask its voters to pass Proposition No. 1, the Maintenance & Operation Excess Levy on November’s ballot. This will be a levy for 2026/2027, to collect up to $0.35 per $1,000 of assessed value to raise $175,000. After the pool was closed this summer, children lost a safe place to spend their days, families had to drive to other towns and many missed out because those trips aren’t possible for everyone. The community felt the absence of something that has been a part of Prescott...
As the days have been getting shorter and the mornings colder, my oven has been working overtime. Harvesting another beautiful pumpkin from our garden, and looking for some extra comfort this past weekend, I reviewed some quick-bread recipes from my files. Here, walnuts and plump, tart cranberries are folded into a perfectly spiced pumpkin bread. With the use of orange juice in the batter, the resulting loaf is moist and brightly flavored. Perfect for a holiday brunch, or even dessert, this is...
Fifteen Years Ago October 20, 2011 [Photo Caption] WP's middle school runner Emily Adams, no. 1442, gives a tough finishing kick recently at an invitational in Richland. Twenty-Five Years Ago October 18, 2001 Probably 99% of Waitsburg residents never met Dave Hansen. He was 63 when he died in his sleep on September 17, a retiree from the feed and seed business in the Mt. Vernon – Burlington area. Two years ago, Hansen was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's...
Barbara Cockburn Danforth, at 96 years old, passed away on October 3, 2026, in Walla Walla, WA. She was born on May 6, 1930, in Walla Walla to Jack and Ada Cockburn. She was raised on the family wheat farm 14 miles north of Waitsburg. Barb attended McKay-Alto country school through sixth grade and then transferred to the Waitsburg School District, where she graduated in 1948 as Salutatorian. She was very active throughout her high school years, including participation in the local Rainbow...
Desmond L. Witt-a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend-passed away at home on September 9, 2026, at the age of 88. Des was born on December 5, 1937. Over the course of his life, he worked as a heavy-equipment mechanic and farmed both irrigated and dry land. He remained active for most of his life and dearly loved his horses and dogs. He also enjoyed time outdoors, from the beaches of the coast to the mountains, as well as hunting, fishing, snowmobiling,...
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 &...
