Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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Don't miss out on this year's holiday light displays, including these at Locomotive Park in Lewiston, Idaho. Take a drive through neighborhoods, city parks, and downtown Main Streets to enjoy a wonderful Christmas treat....
DAYTON — The Dayton School Board met in the high school library at 6:30 p.m. on December 17, 2025. Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley, Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen, Board Members Pat Davidson, Grant Griffin, and Ryan Paulson were present, with Aneesha Dieu via Zoom. The first order of business was to swear in the three re-elected board members. With the members sworn in, the board duties were reassigned by vote or affirmation: •Chair: Jeffrey McCowen •Vice Chair: Grant Griffin •Facilities: Grant Griffin, Pat Davidson, Ryan Paulson •Budget and Finan...
DAYTON — Mayor Roger Trump called the Dayton City Council to order at 6 p.m., December 16, 2025. Council members James Su’euga, Michael Smith, Glenn Hagfeldt, Kyle Anderson, Laura Aukerman, Shannon McMillen, and Joann Patras were present. Sheriff Helm reported that his department handled 515 total incidents in November, broken down as follows: 202 traffic stops, 21 other traffic calls, and five traffic accidents. Sheriff Helm said his deputies would focus on DUI enforcement patrols this month as part of a Statewide push. He also said there was...
DAYTON — An animated family film, following the biblical story of King David. It doesn’t just focus on the story of David’s youthful battle with the giant, Goliath. Armed with a sling, a few stones, and faith, he stepped up to defeat the terrifying giant. Pursued by power and driven by purpose, David’s journey tests the limits of loyalty, love, and courage—culminating in a battle not just for a crown, but for the soul of a kingdom. Rated PG for action and violence and some scary images, with a runtime of 115 minutes. Many critics agreed th...
Letter to the Editor Thank you, Joan, and all the volunteers who hatched the Spaghetti Fundraiser for the Prescott School earlier this month. Mamma mia, only Pavarotti could sing your praises more eloquently. Egg-cellent job making too much spaghetti! How did you know that wheat-flavored worms are our most treasured treat? Please, we beg you do it again. We will provide the eggs, promise. P.S. Joan, you’re im-peck-able! Merry Christmas, The Hens of Eternal Farm Waitsburg, Was...
Robert Gary "Bob" Rickel, of Waitsburg, Washington, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at Kadlec Regional Medical Center on December 12, 2025. He was 92 years old. Bob was born February 20, 1933, in Omak, Washington, to parents Wilfred and Ida Mae (Howe) Rickel. He spent the first years of his life in a log cabin on his parents' homestead near Synarep, Tunk Valley, Washington. Following Ida Mae's early death, the family moved frequently during Bob's childhood. Bob completed four...
Students in Waitsburg's eighth and ninth grades read books with themes of right and wrong. The eighth graders read "The Outsiders," which follows a 14-year-old Ponyboy Curtis who struggles with right and wrong over two weeks. The class wrote essays on S.E. Hinton's coming-of-age novel. The ninth-grade class read the novel "Of Mice and Men" in preparation for mock trials. This tragic story from the Great Depression era by John Steinbeck is about two migrant ranch workers, George and Lennie....
WAITSBURG - Cheri Mathews scored 16 points, including six for twelve from the free throw line, and rebounded five. Audrey Kiefel had 15 points, nine for sixteen from the free throw line, seven rebounds, and six steals. Olivia Kiefel shot 57% from the free-throw line, had 18 rebounds, three assists, and finished with eight points. Kayla Kuykendall had four assists, and she and Emerson Underwood both had five rebounds and one point. Joslin Nodine contributed two points, and Yaneli scored one...
Fifteen Years Ago December 23, 2010 Local film director Karen Stanton and Waitsburg's Weller Public Library would like to thank supporters for attending the screening of Stanton's film, "A Not So Still Life: The Ginny Ruffner Story," in August. The film remains unreleased and is only screening at festivals and private venues. However, a special pre-release edition DVD of the film is available exclusively to those who attended the screening here in Waitsburg. The screening raised over $600...
While I love sharing treats from my kitchen throughout the year, there is something extra satisfying about gifting edible delights during the winter holiday season. Baking batches of assorted cookies while humming Christmas carols to myself (and sipping boozy eggnog) in the kitchen is a guilty pleasure. From ginger-spiced cookies and chocolate crinkles to colorful iced sugar cookies, I have collected several recipes over the years that always make beloved gifts. These tender cookies, which have...
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 & Vegetable...
Daytrips to lakes and rivers in Columbia County can offer unexpected and welcome wildlife encounters. The best way to observe river otters is to sit quietly above a known feeding area, trail, or slide. Find an angle from which you can avoid surface glare. A pair of polarized sunglasses and binoculars are useful. River otters are wary, and their hearing and sense of smell are well developed. However, they are fairly nearsighted, and they may not notice you if you stay still. Using a 200 – 600 m...
CCPT plans to purchase the port building it leases. DAYTON – The Columbia Port Commissioners held their regular meeting at 5 p.m. on December 10, 2025, in the port office conference room. All Commissioners were present in the Port conference room: Mike Spring, Johnny Watts, and Chair Seth Bryan. Also present was the Executive Director, Jennie Dickinson. There was no public comment during the first public comment period. The commissioners began by approving several routine administrative items. Dickinson briefly discussed Columbia County P...
SPOKANE – Walla Walla Swim Club member, Sydney Smith, took the high point award at the Winter SWAT Swim Invite on December 6 and 7 in Spokane. This is the second year the Waitsburg Elementary student has earned the high point recognition in her division at the Spokane meet. She and her teammates competed against nine other teams, from Walla Walla to Missoula, Montana. Smith swam in the eight and under division and placed first in the 100m individual medley, 100m breaststroke, 100m freestyle, a...
Week of Christmas Tuesday, December 23: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, December 24: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, December 25, Closed Friday, December 26: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, December 27: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, December 28: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Week of New Years Tuesday, December 30: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, December 31: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, January 1, Closed Friday, January 2: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, January 3: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, January 4: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m....
PRESCOTT - The Friends of Prescott Schools and the Walla Walla Columbia School Retirees Association held a successful spaghetti dinner fundraiser on December 8, 2025. The event raised funds for the Prescott School District by serving an estimated 140 dinners, hosting a silent auction, running raffles, and selling Christmas ornaments. The lucky raffle winners were Leona Rees, Jim Briggs, Pat Davison, Linda Barker, Nancy Bickelhaupt, Jim Davison, and Laura Chabre. Thanks to the generosity of all...
DAYTON: “Wicked: For Good” will play for two weekends, December 12 to 16 & 19 to 23. For two holiday seasons, “Wicked,” the Tony Award-winning musical, has become a gravity-defying cinematic sensation. After challenging the Wizard’s totalitarian regime in Oz, Elphaba must grapple with her identity as the Wicked Witch of the West. At the same time, “Glinda the Good” is seen as the nation’s defender against Elphaba. The two witches must make decisions that seal their fates in this second musical installment. “Wicked: For Good” is receivin...
SPOKANE, WA — Innovia Foundation is currently accepting scholarship applications for the 2026-27 academic year. Innovia manages over 50 regional scholarships, awarding more than $400,000 to local students each year. Scholarships are available to students within Innovia’s 20-county service area who are college-bound or pursuing vocational or technical training. Single awards range between $500 and $4,000. “In partnership with generous donors, Innovia is honored to provide educational opportunities to local students each year,” says Shelly...
WALLA WALLA — Columbia REA has chosen three local organizations to receive a 2025 Legacy Grant in the amount of $250,000 each. After careful consideration of all applications, the $750,000 Legacy Grant funds will be shared evenly between: Burbank Wrestling Club for facilities improvement/expansion in cooperation with the Columbia School District Starbuck School District for the installation of new playground equipment Walla Walla Summer Theater Group for renovation and restoration of the Fort Walla Walla Amphitheater Columbia REA has a long his...
Ruth Peterson passed away peacefully on December 11, 2025, after a short illness. She died as she lived, with a tenacious, loving, and determined spirit, surrounded by her family. Ruth Ann, as she was known in her early years, was born in Tyler, Minnesota, as the third. daughter of Albert and Edna Schaffer. She spent her formative years in Elkton, South Dakota, where her family ran the local John Deere dealership, and where Ruth Ann was often found helping her dad with the shop books. After...
Michael Allen White, 79, of Waitsburg, Washington, passed away on November 24, 2025, at his residence. Michael was born on March 25, 1946, in Ontario, Oregon, to Jasper Arthur White and Wilma (Hickey) White. He was raised in the Northwest and graduated from Waitsburg High School in 1964. Michael went on to pursue higher education, earning his Bachelor's degree in Education from Eastern Oregon University and a Master's degree from Washington State University. On January 4, 1969, Michael married...
WAITSBURG - Members of the Waitsburg High School band and the middle school's guitar class performed at the school district's Christmas Concert held on Thursday, December 11. Eighth-grade guitar student, Davina Navarrette, was joined on stage by Kate Hockersmith, Carrie Hendrix, Dan Nechodom, and teacher Elizabeth Jagelski. The guitarists entertained the audience with six holiday tunes, including "Ode to Joy", "Angeline the Baker," "Jingle Bells," and "Feliz Navidad". Navarrette represented her...
WAITSBURG - Waitsburg Middle School boys' basketball teams beat the Touchet Redhawks on Kison Court December 10. The B-squad team won their game 25-7. Andre Navarrette led the team with seven points and six rebounds. Able Creeley scored six points and had seven rebounds. Alex Weis and Hayden Gascon scored four points each, and Ryden Huxoll and Josh Dodd contributed with two points each. Dodd also recorded eight rebounds. The A-squad won their game against the Redhawks 27-16. Arrow Groom scored...
WAITSBURG - Waitsburg High School's boys' basketball team was up 30-9 at halftime at Prescott on Monday, December 8. "I wish the game had ended after that," said Coach Wallace. "The first half, we played hard. We ran our stuff and had some genuinely good plays. After halftime, we played ugly and got lucky to get the win," he added. In the 66-45 win, JJ Gleason and Landen Henry scored 17 points each to lead the Cardinals in scoring. Also in double figures were Paco Kenney with 12 points and...
