Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Sorted by date Results 351 - 375 of 805
DAYTON—The state Health Care Authority is providing Columbia County Health System with an initial award in the amount of $150,000 to help focus on the elements needed to achieve accreditation in Patient Centered Medical Home care, said CEO Shane McGuire in an interview last Thursday. “We’re getting quite a large sum of money that can actually influence change,” said McGuire. “The good news here is that we generally funded these efforts out of our operations budget, and figured out the reimbursement part as we went.” “We’ve been trying to do Pa...
DAYTON-This school year has been a learning curve year for the staff at The Club, Dayton's new after school program. Director Jim Pearson said some of the loftier goals originally set by the staff have been amended in order to spend more time on students' social and emotional skills. "We're learning a lot," said Pearson. "We've had to reevaluate our structure." Pearson said by the time the students get to The Club, they are tired of sitting and learning all day and are ready to have more free...
DAYTON-County Commissioner Norm Passmore has submitted his resignation from the Board of County Commissioners, effective Wednesday. Passmore said he, and his wife, Ann, have sold their house in Dayton, and they are in the process of retiring to their home in Oceanside, Ore. where they will be closer to their son's family in Portland, and their daughter and her husband, in Seattle. Recreational opportunities such as hiking are also calling, Passmore said. Passmore said there are a thousand acres...
DAYTON—The new Columbia County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, April King, isn’t all that new to the job in Columbia County. King said she served in the same capacity, back in 2003, when Colleen Fenn was the County’s prosecuting attorney and she enjoyed living and working in Dayton then. “I prefer the smaller communities where you can get to know people,” said King, who was born in Singapore. King said her father’s work as a geologist in the oil business took the family to far-flung places, from In...
DAYTON – There is a kitchen, but there is no breakfast or lunch program for the 18 K-8 students and seven preschoolers enrolled in the Starbuck School District. Surprisingly, that's nothing new. There hasn't been for about 15 years, according to Starbuck School District Superintendent Kevin Graffis. "That's just not acceptable," said County Public Health Director Martha Lanman. "We don't know how many are coming to school without breakfast." That could be remedied if school and public health o...
DAYTON-Associated Student Body (ASB) Vice-President Kira Boggs shared that group's activities with school officials at last week's school board meeting. She said the ASB has raised $500 for the Cush Family, who lost their home in a recent fire. A tropical poster-making contest for all the classes is currently taking place. The winners of the contest will get to wear "beachy stuff" in the commons. The ASB has been meeting regularly to work on the outdated school constitution. High School...
DAYTON--Since she was hired in November, Dayton School District's athletic director, Vicki Luper, has had her hands full. Although she works on a part time basis, Luper wears many hats, including pitch-hitting for High School Principal Kristina Brown, when Brown needs extra help. And, as Dayton's chief athletic booster, she has a visible presence on game days. "I enjoy being back in a small school," Luper said. "In a small community athletics are a big part of the community feel. I think that's...
DAYTON—Outside Superior Court last week, Benjamin Orozco’s attorney, Jane Richards, said Orozco’s poor health and the difficulty in locating material witnesses are responsible for the lengthy amount of time it is taking to bring him to trial. Richards said Orozco has suffered ill health ever since being held in a Mexican jail in 2016 while awaiting extradition to Columbia County to answer to charges stemming from the shooting death of Lance Terry and the wounding of David Eaton, for which he has plead ‘not guilty’. Since Dec. 2016, Orozco ha...
DAYTON--Robert Bryant, an independent auto repair mechanic, is opening an auto repair shop in Dayton this week. "It's a fact," said Bryant, who has been in the auto repair business since 1984. Bryant said he first worked in a Pendleton machine shop rebuilding engines, and he received training in auto repair while working at Round-Up City Dodge in Pendleton. That was followed by a brief stint operating his own auto repair business, "Mobile Technology". Bryant said he continued his formal...
DAYTON—Zac Weatherford was elected Mayor Pro-Tempore for 2019 by the Dayton City Council at their first regular meeting of the New Year. “I’m excited. Zac’s going to do a good job,” said Councilwoman Delphine Bailey who nominated him for the position. Mayor Craig George said that when he moves to Arizona in late spring, the council will have 90 days to appoint a mayor to serve until the end of the year. Affordable Housing The Port’s Economic Development Coordinator, Kathryn Witheringto...
DAYTON-When the Hospital Board of Commissioners met in December, Columbia County Health System (CCHS) CEO Shane McGuire took the opportunity to thank them for their show of support since he has been at the helm of the organization. "You have been great visionaries and you have been very supportive with this community. It has been challenging, but it has been impressive. There are a lot of elements you have allowed me to invest in to enhance services," said McGuire. "We are growing programs, making investments, and bringing on staff." McGuire sa...
DAYTON – In January, the Space Gatos, Columbia County's 4-H Robotics and FIRST Lego League Team, advance to the State Finals in Spokane, after winning the Community Connection Award at FIRST Lego Regionals in Pasco. Their coach, Jeanne Walter, said this is the third year the robotics team has advanced to the final competition. They are one of only six teams out of a field of 28 to do so. Teams compete in Robot Design, Project Presentation and Core Values, and Robot Mission Games. This team h...
DAYTON-If you think Victoria has a secret, wait until you meet Sylvia Charles in the Touchet Valley Art Council production of Nana's Naughty Knickers. This fast-paced romp, co-directed by Leah Stockton and Bev Startin, is a story about a twenty- something girl, named Bridget Charles, who comes to stay with her grandmother in New York City for the summer and discovers that her Nana, Sylvia Charles, is running an illegal boutique out of her apartment. Apparently, Nana is selling handmade naughty...
DAYTON-Tony Waldo, Operation Manager for Columbia Pulp, spoke about the Lyons Ferry Straw Pulp Mill at the annual Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Update meeting, on Dec. 19. Waldo said that construction of the facility has been a little behind schedule, but it will be operational late in the first quarter of 2019. "All the buildings and equipment have been set," said Waldo. "Right now they're working on piping and wiring, and instrumentation." Waldo said 60-100 skilled people will...
DAYTON—At the annual Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy update meeting on Dec. 19, community leaders discussed some of the projects in the Dayton area in the works, and progress that is expected in the next year. Dayton Development Task Force and Dayton Chamber of Commerce Dayton Chamber of Commerce Director Melissa Bryan said the Main Street Approach framework used by the Dayton Development Task Force is working, as people can see in improvements to the building facades, the r...
DAYTON—Craig George, President of the Columbia County Public Transportation Board of Commissioners announced that General Manager Dwight Robanske resigned at last week’s Board meeting. George said Robanske, who has been on paid administrative leave since October, tendered his resignation, effective Friday, December 14. Robanske had been placed on leave while various claims made within the transit agency were being investigated. George said Robanske received his regular paycheck on Dec. 18. In addition to that he will receive pay covering the ti...
DAYTON-Voters in Columbia County were busy this year, with the passage of two levies, along with an election that will result in changes to key positions, in Columbia County. In February, the Dayton School District passed another two-year capital-projects levy. This year the levies paid for new asphalt on the elementary playground and at the bus loading zone, a new heating system, the upgraded communication system, and repairs to the flat portion of the HS roof. The entrance to the elementary...
DAYTON-The Friends of the Fairgrounds-Columbia County have an abiding interest in maintaining the rural and historic nature of the county fairgrounds, said the group's president, Julia Mead. Since forming in Oct. 2017, the group has accomplished much, under the umbrella of the Columbia County Community Network. "They have been invaluable to our progress with guidance for prioritizing projects, setting a budget and seeking grants," said Mead. Eventually the FFCC will spin off as an independent...
DAYTON—Talk to someone about how you feel. That was the take-away message about suicide when the Columbia County Coalition met last week. Matthew Wyatt, Pastor of the Waitsburg Christian Church, said the topic of suicide is something most people want to avoid. “That’s not working”, he said. “Let’s get the message out.” Wyatt said the best policy is to encourage adults and youth to talk about suicidal feelings with people they can trust. “As a leader I am doing my very best,” said Rick Walters, Prevention Counselor at the Dayton School Dis...
Economic Development Coordinator Kathryn Witherington and Port of Columbia Executive Director Jennie Dickinson posed with the “Jolly Green Giant” at the Port’s first annual Night Market at the Blue Mountain Statin on Friday night. The replica of the Green Giant was one of the items purchased by Dickinson from the estate of Jan and Owen Agenbroad. Owen Agenbroad was a research agronomist for the Green Giant Company in Dayton for 30 years. He and Jan passed away in 2016....
DAYTON-Bluewood Ski Area's 2018-19 season is set to begin on Friday as the ski area welcomes skiers and snowboarders to the mountain. According to Bluewood General Manager Kim Clark, there was 20 inches of snow at the base and 23 inches at the summit last week. The National Weather Service forecast is calling for more fresh snow heading into opening day. Bluewood will be open Friday through Sunday, and then daily from Dec. 20 through and including January 1, except for Christmas Day, when it is...
DAYTON-Tyler Usco and Amanda Toms want you to relax when you visit their new café and boutique at 217 East Main St. in Dayton. Usco said there was a soft opening for the Winter Rose Café & Boutique during Christmas Kickoff and now they are ready for some serious business. "We've been steadily picking up business," he said. Usco, who got his start cooking at the Marcus Whitman Restaurant in Walla Walla, said his Spicy Avocado Bagel has been a hit. He also recommends the Papa Scramble and the P...
DAYTON—A pre-trial conference for accused murderer Benjamin Orozco has been set in Columbia County Superior Court for Jan. 9. Orozco has entered a plea of not guilty to charges of second degree murder in the shooting death of Dayton resident Lance Terry, and first degree assault, in the wounding of Dayton resident David Eaton 20 years ago. Orozco and an acquaintance, David De la Rosa, became involved in a confrontation with Eaton and Terry behind the PDQ convenience store in downtown Dayton o...
December 5, 2018 DAYTON—High School Senior Kaleigh White was interviewed and accepted by members of the Dayton School Board at last week’s meeting to be a student representative on the Board. White said she is interested in political science and the opportunity to be a representative on the board will give her a “feel for things.” White cited a lack of respect by students for their fellow students and teachers as problematic, as well as a lack of student participation in sports and clubs....
DAYTON-The Friends of the Dayton Community Pool met with city officials last week to discuss whether, and if so, how to move forward on repairing or replacing Dayton's pool. The city's 35-year-old pool was closed for safety reasons this summer because of infrastructure problems, including a leaking pool tank, inoperable boiler and water heater systems, and dangerously cracked decks. City officials and the Friends group have reviewed the condition assessment report performed by an architectural f...
