Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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This summer has been busy for fire and county emergency management departments. In July, there were fires that resulted in Level 3 evacuation orders. One fire went from Level 1 to Level 3 in eight minutes, according to Patrick Prucell, Walla Walla County Emergency Management Coordinator. Level 1–Be Ready to evacuate by having a plan and a go-kit ready. Level 2 – Be Set to evacuate at a moment’s notice, there is significant danger in the area, and it can change quickly. Level 3 – Go Now! Leave immediately, without delay. Do not stop to gather...
DAYTON - On August 2, The Scotsman, a new wedding and community events center in Dayton, officially opened. Emma Schutt, Kelli Schutt, and Gerrit DeVos did the honors at Saturday's ribbon-cutting ceremony sponsored by the Port of Columbia in celebration of their achievement. Guests were invited to tour the remodeled space and meet local vendors, including Hotel Hardware, Tipsy Boards, and Fifth & Willow, that are available for events at the new venue. DeVos, owner of DeVos Builders, said it...
DAYTON – Columbia County Prosecuting Attorney Dale Slack is leaving the office on September 1, 2025. Slack was in private practice in Dayton for four years as a criminal defense attorney, and a contracted public defender in the Columbia County District and Superior Courts. Slack joined the prosecutor's office in 2015 as a deputy prosecuting attorney was elected to replace Prosecutor Rea Culwell in 2018. "One of the office's deputy prosecutors will fill the position until the Columbia County C...
The opening of Wolfing Coffee on Main St. in Waitsburg is getting closer as this week the building's exterior is being prepped for painting and the interior is framed and being drywalled....
DAYTON - The Harting Grade Fire was first reported around 4 p.m. on Friday, July 25, less than three miles from Dayton. After burning 336 acres, the fire was contained on Sunday, July 27. Acting Columbia County Fire District 3 Fire Chief Michael Field requested that the Washington State Fire Marshal implement the Fire Service Resource Mobilization Plan to provide resources to assist local firefighters, including air support. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office contacted residents on S....
DAYTON - "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" has come to The Liberty Theater with creatures, forest animals, a queen, and diminutive miners. The familiar red truck from the Missoula Children's Theatre arrived in town on July 27. This year, the talented duo who will produce the show are friends who met at Central Michigan University. They graduated in 2024, where Ashley Chalela, 23, earned a BFA in acting/directing, and Willem Jewell, 23, a BAA in theatre and interpretation with a minor in...
DAYTON - The Bobcat Room at Hotel Hardware hosted a pop-up with food from the iconic and sorely missed restaurant, the Whoopemup Hollow Cafe. For those who miss, and those who missed, the Whoopemup when it was in Waitsburg, the Bobcat Room brought one of the owners in for a pop-up event. On July 26, Val Mudry made Whoop 'Em Up gumbo and cornbread for a room full of grateful Bobcat Room customers. Padraic Slattery commented on Facebook that he first read about the Whoopemup ten years ago and...
DAYTON & WALLA WALLA - Local kids are in for a week of theater and music, including live performances to share what they've learned with the community. The Missoula Children's Theatre and Walla Walla Symphony and Music Organization's Rock Camp are offering free summer programs the week of July 28. The Missoula Children's Theatre is returning to Dayton's Liberty Theater with a production of "Snow White". The program is open to kids entering first grade through 12th grade. Pre-registration is...
WALLA WALLA - Brasserie Four is presenting an art exhibit with work by Jim German, on view from June 2 through August 9, 2025. On Monday, July 21, the restaurant hosted an artist reception with champagne and Etruscan snacks, reminiscent of the artist's past cocktail bar in Waitsburg. The exhibit includes a series of large drawings of irises on large, unframed, and unruly paper. By the end of the reception, almost all the drawings had red dots, indicating they had been sold. There were also...
DAYTON — The Friends of the Pool Committee in Columbia County, Washington, was awarded several grants for its program to provide basic swimming lessons for area youth, and advanced training for older kids wanting to be certified as lifeguards and swimming instructors. Dayton and Columbia County have not had an operational public swimming pool since the end of 2017. Since then, many local kids have not had the opportunity to learn how to swim and are at risk of drowning. The Innovia Foundation awarded the committee $13,000. The committee r...
DAYTON -The American Heart Association recognized the Columbia County Health System with five Get With The Guidelines awards. The awards are given to participating hospitals and health systems that demonstrate a commitment to follow the AHA program's research-based guidelines for the treatment of heart disease and stroke. The CCHA participates in the Get With the Guidelines and Mission: Lifeline programs, which provide hospitals nationwide with up-to-date expertise from the American Heart...
WALLA WALLA - On Sunday, July 13, Fort Walla Walla Museum will become the hiding spot for a seasoned criminal, Orvy Whipstitch Horvathan, an escapee from the Washington Territorial Prison. He is a member of the Turkey Creek Gang, known for their horse-thieving, cow tipping, and audacious robberies. Fort Walla Walla welcomes visitors to hunt down clues detailing this dastardly escapee's run from justice. Bring your wits and gumption to follow Orvy's trail and help the territorial sheriff find...
WALLA WALLA — Throughout the growing season, volunteer Master Gardeners share their extensive knowledge in various gardening practices with their local community. Master Gardeners are university-trained volunteers who provide research-based information about gardening, environmental stewardship, and horticulture topics. They receive in-depth training, often offered by universities or their extension services. The Walla Walla WSU Expansion Office in Walla Walla is accepting applications for its 2025/26 Master Gardener Program, which begins in Oc...
WAITSBURG - After the success of last year's cheer camp, Waitsburg Parks & Recreation added six new summer activities. The first was Skateboard Camp, held at The Slab next to Simply Sawdust. For three days, eight beginner skaters worked with coaches John Langford, Austin Casey, and Grant Godard to learn the basics and have a great time. Kids love to jump on a board, but they don't always have the skills or skater's etiquette to ride safely. With a focus on safety, coaches began each day with a...
PRESCOTT- The Prescott High School All-Class Reunion was held on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Along with 1975 and 2000 class members, Jack McCaw was recognized from the class of 1945. Accompanied by his daughter Laurie Withers, McCaw was honored with a slideshow including pictures of his grade school basketball team, his high school and Navy photos, his late wife Lauretta's senior photo, and a video of him singing in a quartet at a Liberty Theater play. McCaw enlisted in the U.S. Navy just before...
WALLA WALLA - Storyteller Warren Etheredge is hosting two short film events that will put Walla Walla's Gesa Power House Theatre at the center of storytelling through short film this July. On Thursday, July 10, the theatre will present "Veterans Tell Their Stories: Red Badge Project" with stories from Walla Walla and Washington wounded warrior veterans. The evening will include an hour of short films and live presentations from veterans who have crafted their stories through the Red Badge...
OLYMPIA — The 4th of July can be filled with fun and excitement for everyone. Due to this year’s high-heat and dry conditions in the state, the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office recommends viewing fireworks at a public display where possible. In 2024, fireworks were responsible for 156 injuries and 271 fires in Washington State, with the highest concentration of incidents occurring on the Fourth of July. When setting off fireworks at home, the Marshal offers the following suggestions to stay safe: Only use legal consumer-grade fireworks. H...
WAITSBURG — The Waitsburg Commercial Club is hosting two meetings on Thursday, June 26. At noon, the club will hold its monthly meeting at Ten Ton Studios, 216 Main St. in Waitsburg. The meeting will include a public information presentation regarding the August 5, 2025, ballot measure proposing a two-tenths of 1% sales tax to support critical public safety services in the county. The open session will offer the public an opportunity to learn about how the tax revenue would fund the modernization and sustainability of WW County’s emergency ser...
WAITSBURG - On July 4th, the Waitsburg Historical Society will dedicate a new flag at the Bruce Museum and invites the public to join the celebration. The free event will follow Waitsburg's Patriots Parade starting in front of Banner Bank and ending at the museum's lawn. The Patriots Parade started in 2011, when Laurette McCaw challenged her husband Jack McCaw and the late Tom Baker to carry a United States flag down Main Street on the 4th of July, wearing shorts. John and Marilyn Stellwagen...
WAITSBURG - The Waitsburg City Council met on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at City Hall. Mayor Marty Dunn, council members Jillian Henze, Jim Romine, Kevin House, Court Ruppenthal, Jennifer Bishop, and City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe were present. In public comment, the board heard from Joy Smith, who shared news that Sherwood Trust had provided $173,000 for Common Roots Housing to purchase two Waitsburg parcels. Waitsburg Parks and Recreation Commissioner Wendy Carter informed the board that...
COLLEGE PLACE - The Blue Mountain Land Trust has helped secure the future of two local, community-focused farms in the Walla Walla Valley. Hayshaker Farm offers a wide selection of organic produce, including vegetables, fruit, and herbs. As part of its commitment to values-based farming, Hayshaker utilizes draft horses for its fieldwork, including plowing, discing, harrowing, cultivating, and harvesting. The farm has rented 11.53 acres of prime farmland at the edge of College Place. The...
WAITSBURG – On June 16, the Waitsburg Parks and Recreation District announced it is running a levy on the November General Election ballot to fund the district and facilitate the reopening of a Waitsburg community pool. The announcement took place at the proposed site of the new pool facility. Waitsburg Parks and Rec and Friends of the Waitsburg Pool have raised over $90,000, selected a new pool site, identified a builder, and had the site confirmed for viability through a 2-D hydraulic flood s...
No Kings protesters gathered at the Walla Walla Courthouse at noon, holding signs and raising their voices. The event, hosted by the Walla Walla Activist Network, was spirited and peaceful with minimal counterprotest. After organizers spoke on the steps of the courthouse, the crowd began a procession through downtown Walla Walla. Many drivers passing the procession honked and waved in solidarity. This was one of thousands of "No Kings" protests held nationwide on Saturday, June 14, 2025....
WAITSBURG - This spring, twenty-one girls, ages five to eight, from the Waitsburg and Dayton area joined the Blue Mountain Girls Softball League. The practices took place in Dayton, and the girls played games in both Dayton and Walla Walla. The season kicked off on March 31st and wrapped up at the end of May. There were two teams, both sponsored by Elk Drug of Dayton. The team coaches were Chelsie Abel, Krissy Chapman, Michelle Jenkins, and Kent Jenkins. It was a fantastic season filled with...
DAYTON — It’s time to get revved up for this year’s All Wheels Weekend in Dayton. It is a weekend of high-octane fun with vintage cars on display and tough vehicles pitted against each other in the Demo Derby. There will be all the familiar events including Cackle Cars, Drag the Gut, and live music on the courthouse lawn on Friday. On Saturday, there will be all-day food and craft vendors, and the Show’ n Shine car show will line Main Street. Old favorites include “Crazy Costume,” formerly the “Drag Race” race, Outlaw Lawn Dragster races,...
