Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 155
DAYTON – The Dayton School Board held its June 18, 2025, meeting at the high school library at 6:30 p.m. Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley, Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen, directors Grant Griffin and Ryan Paulson were present in the library. Aneesha Dieu joined the meeting on Zoom, and Pat Davidson did not attend. The board approved the consent agenda, which included hiring Jamie Trump as the high school assistant volleyball coach, Cody Chapman as the high school head football coach, Joe Howard as the middle school girls’ basketball head coach, and...
DAYTON – The Port of Columbia Commissioners met at the Lyons Ferry Marina at 5 p.m. on June 11, 2025. Commissioners Seth Bryan, Johnny Watts, Mike Spring, and Executive Director Jennie Dickinson were present. During public comment, Chuck Ketterman asked about the urgency to sell the railroad, expressed by Watts at the last meeting. He said the commissioners should seek carefully thought-out answers to questions concerning the sale of the railroad, as it is an important issue. Watts responded, saying there was no urgency other than what e...
DAYTON – The Dayton School Board met at 5:30 p.m. on May 21, 2025. Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley and board members Grant Griffin and Pat Davidson were present in the school library. Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen attended remotely on Zoom. Aneesha Dieu joined about 26 minutes later on Zoom. Ryan Paulson did not attend. The board approved the consent agenda, which included approval of a $3,000 donation to the school library from Neighbors United for Progress, a trip to Silverwood for the band, and an overnight trip to the State Softball t...
DAYTON — Mayor Roger Trump called the Dayton City Council to order at 6 p.m. on May 13, 2025. Trump, council members James Su’euga, Kyle Anderson, Michael Smith, Glenn Hagfeldt, and Joann Patras were present at City Hall. Shannon McMillen did not attend. Laura Aukerman participated using Zoom. Belinda Larsen, the Chamber of Commerce Director, said the road closure permits for the Dayton Days parade and All Wheels Weekend have been submitted. She said the chamber will soon put the Dayton High School Senior banners on the Main Street light pol...
DAYTON — The Dayton School Board met at 5:30 p.m. on April 16, 2025. Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley, the Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen, and board members Aneesha Dieu, Grant Griffin, Pat Davidson, and Ryan Paulson were present. The board approved the consent agenda, including a $1,500 grant from Skyline Adventures to buy ski clothes for the fourth and fifth-grade ski program. Three overnight FFA trips were approved in the agenda for the State Convention in Pullman, the National Convention in Indianapolis, and an FFA Officer training in Asotin. T...
DAYTON—The Port of Columbia Board of Commissioners held its regular meeting at 5 p.m. on April 9, 2025, at the port’s conference room. Commissioners Seth Bryan, Johnny Watts, Mike Spring, and Executive Director Jennie Dickinson were present. Dickinson presented the director’s report. She said there were two new leases, a residential property and the Red Band Cellars units at the Rock Hill Industrial Park. Red Band signed a one-year lease for the three units with a one to two-year option and ended the lease for its tasting room at Blue Mountain...
DAYTON—Mayor Roger Trump called the Dayton City Council meeting to order at 6 p.m. on April 8, 2025. Trump, council members James Su’euga, Kyle Anderson, Michael Smith, Laura Aukerman, Glenn Hagfeldt, and Shannon McMillen were present at city hall. City Council member Joann Patras did not attend. In public comment, Michael Brady Patton told the council that he moved to Dayton three to four years ago after retiring from the pharmaceutical and medical device field. He spoke about his water bill, saying there was no water usage data from Dece...
DAYTON – The Dayton School Board met in the high school library at 5:30 p.m. on March 19, 2025. Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley, Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen, board members Aneesha Dieu, Grant Griffin, and Ryan Paulson were present. Pat Davidson was in attendance. The board approved the consent agenda, including a gift of $269.70 to the Class of 2025 from the Class of 2025 parents. The consent agenda included the following personnel changes: Jack McCaw was hired as HS Assistant Baseball Coach, the resignation of Ajay McNarland as MS Head V...
DAYTON- Mayor Roger Trump called the Dayton City Council to order at 6 p.m. on March 11, 2025. Trump, Council Members James Su’euga, Joann Patras, Michael Smith, Laura Aukerman, Glenn Hagfeldt, and Shannon McMillen met at city hall. Kyle Anderson was not present. During public comment, Columbia County Treasurer Carla Rowe said the 15-day grace period for city utility payments was too short since bills sometimes arrive too late for residents to respond. She also mildly admonished the mayor and council for making jabs at the County Administration...
DAYTON – The Port of Columbia Commissioners held their regular meeting at 5 p.m. on March 12, 2025, at the port’s conference room. Commissioners Seth Bryan, Mike Spring, and Executive Director Jennie Dickinson were present. Commissioner Johnny Watts was absent due to a scheduling conflict. The commissioners approved the last meeting’s minutes, monthly budget, vouchers, and leases. Dickinson said CHS had an automatic lease renewal with a 3% rent increase. The commissioners approved the port taking electronic payments. Dickinson addressed the t...
DAYTON — Mayor Roger Trump called the Dayton City Council to order at 6 p.m. on February 11, 2025. Trump, council members James Su’euga, Joann Patras, Michael Smith, Laura Aukerman, Kyle Anderson, and Shannon McMillen were present. During the public comment period, Dayton resident Theresa Eier spoke about the recall petition she intends to file against Columbia County Sheriff Helm. Eier also discussed her litigation against Columbia County for “withholding records and a lack of transparency.” Eier said there were 600 documents withheld for 600...
DAYTON — The Port of Columbia Commissioners held their regular meeting at 5 p.m. on February 12, 2025, at the port’s conference room. Commissioners Seth Bryan, Johnny Watts, Mike Spring, and Executive Director Jennie Dickinson were present. The commissioners handled a few administrative items, including approving minutes from past meetings and reviewing the monthly budget report. There were no new or amended leases to review. The commissioners reviewed and approved a sewer agreement with the City of Dayton, which allowed wastewater pipes to...
DAYTON – The Port of Columbia Commissioners held a workshop to discuss the potential sale of its railroad assets on February 5, 2025. Commissioners Seth Bryan, Johnny Watts, Mike Spring, and Executive Director Jennie Dickinson were present. The meeting was a workshop for the edification of the commissioners, and public comment was not available. Stakeholders were invited to participate, including the rail operator, customers, and the city. Ryan Paulson represented the City of Dayton, which holds utility rights-of-way along and across the r...
DAYTON – The Dayton School Board met in the high school library at 5:30 p.m. on February 6, 2025. Dayton School District Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley, Business Manager Jana Eaton, Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen, and board members Aneesha Dieu, Grant Griffin, and Ryan Paulson were present. The sole purpose of this meeting was to select a new board member from candidates who applied for the position. Candidates were Melissa Gemmell, Brenda Henderson, Katie Lied, and Pat Davidson. Board members separately interviewed each candidate for about 30 m...
DAYTON — The Dayton School Board met in the high school library at 6:30 p.m. on January 22, 2025. Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley, Business Manager Jana Eaton, and Student Representative Lila Hutchens were present. Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen and board members Aneesha Dieu, Grant Griffin, and Ryan Paulson were present. A board position remains vacant, and persons interested in volunteering should contact the district office for more information. The board re-elected McCowen as board chair and Griffin vice chair. In the consent agenda, the b...
DAYTON — Mayor Roger Trump called the Dayton City Council meeting to order at 6 p.m. on January 14, 2025. Trump and council members James Su’euga, Joann Patras, Michael Smith, and Shannon McMillen attended the meeting at Dayton City Hall. Kyle Anderson was not present, and Laura Aukerman joined the meeting later. Sheriff Helm reported 565 incidents in December, consisting of 134 traffic stops, 23 other traffic calls, one DUI investigation, and 16 traffic accidents. Helm reminded everyone to drive appropriately, considering the winter weather. H...
DAYTON – The Columbia Port Commissioners held their regular meeting at 5 p.m. on January 8, 2025, at the port’s conference room. Commissioners Seth Bryan, Johnny Watts, Mike Spring, and Executive Director Jennie Dickinson were present. The meeting began with public comment. Some concerns regarding the potential sale of the port’s railroad included the loss of the railroad and the effects on grain transport if the Snake River dams were to be removed. Seth Murdock spoke first, saying that with continued government ownership, he was concerned that...
DAYTON – The Port of Columbia Board of Commissioners held its December meeting on December 18, 2024, at 5 p.m. Commissioners Seth Bryan, Johnny Watts, Mike Spring, and Executive Director Jennie Dickinson were at the port's conference room. The meeting began with a public comment period where county residents, including local farmers, questioned selling the port's railroad and right-of-way. Concerns included the possible adverse effects on grain transport should the Snake River dams be r...
DAYTON – The Dayton School Board met in the high school library at 6:30 p.m. on December 18, 2024. Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley, Business Manager Jana Eaton, and Student Representative Lila Hutchens were present. Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen and board members Aneesha Dieu, Grant Griffin, and Ryan Paulson were present; Paulson attended using Zoom. Zac Fabian was not present. The board passed the consent agenda, which included surplus items and approval of a $1,000 grant from NW Grain Growers for a new baseball/softball scoreboard. An ASB r...
DAYTON- Mayor Roger Trump called the Dayton City Council meeting to order at 6 p.m. on December 3, 2024. Trump and council members Teeny McMunn, James Su’euga, Laura Aukerman, Joann Patras, Kyle Anderson, and Shannon McMillen were present at City Hall. Michael Smith was not present. Sheriff Helm kicked off the meeting by reading monthly statistics. He mentioned positive comments he’d received regarding the city’s new radar speed signs installed at both ends of Main Street. Helm said the sheriff’s office is participating in “Toys for Tots,” an...
DAYTON — Mayor Roger Trump called the Dayton City Council to order at 6:00 p.m., November 19, 2024. Mayor Roger Trump and council members Tseeny McMunn, Michael Smith, James Su’euga, Laura Aukerman, and Shannon McMillen were at Dayton City Hall. Joann Patras and Kyle Anderson were not present. Duane Goff rose to speak as the only member of the public to speak during the first public comment period concerning the Fourth Street sidewalk project. He spoke on the same topic at a recent city council meeting. He began by asking, “Who is the city?” He...
DAYTON – The Dayton School Board met in the high school library at 6:30 p.m. on November 20, 2024. The board passed the consent agenda, including approval to hire Jonathan Sanchez as an assistant coach for Middle School Boys Basketball, to accept Michael Field as a volunteer HS Boys Basketball coach, and accept the resignation of Carly Benavides from the position of Title I Paraprofessional. Also within the consent agenda was approval to hold practice for winter sports on Sundays when necessary. The Associated Student Body (ASB) report, i...
DAYTON – The Columbia Port Commissioners met at 5 p.m. on November 13, 2024, at the port’s conference room. Commissioners Seth Bryan, Johnny Watts, Mike Spring, and the Executive Director, Jennie Dickinson, were present. Gerry Kaiser spoke during public comment, asking the commissioners to direct Dickinson and her staff to pursue state and federal grants to repair the port’s rail system. He said the federal government has given $150 million to nine municipalities in the state of Washington for rail improvements. Dickinson presented the month...
DAYTON – The Dayton School Board met in the high school library at 6:30 p.m. on October 16, 2024. School Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen, board members Zac Fabian, Ryan Paulson, Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley, and Business Manager Jana Eaton were present. School board member Aneesha Dieu attended online, and Grant Griffin was absent. The board passed the consent agenda, which, among other things, approved hiring a Middle School Head Boys Basketball coach, accepting a donation of $450 for football helmets from Char and Michael Campbell, and r...
DAYTON — The Port of Columbia Commissioners held their regular meeting at 5 p.m. on October 9, 2024. Port Commissioners Seth Bryan, Johnny Watts, Mike Spring, and Executive Director Jennie Dickinson were present. During public comment, Blue Mountain Action Council’s CEO, Danielle Garbe Reser, said she had hoped to be closing on the Knoblock Apartments property the next day; however, the deal fell through. The property’s owners had refused a two-month extension the Washington State Housing Finance Commission required to complete the fundi...
