Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Sorted by date Results 526 - 550 of 792
DAYTON—Last week the Columbia County Board of Commissioners decided to hold off on mid-October plans to start demolition of the east grandstand at the county fairgrounds, pending a proposal from a group of about 20-25 local people calling themselves the Columbia County Friends of the Fairgrounds. Each person on the committee has an area(s) of overlapping or special concern regarding the county’s recently drafted Facilities Improvement Plan. For Lee Ann Literal, the plan to demolish the east grandstand, at a cost of $40,000, figures large on her...
DAYTON – In his financial report for August, Columbia County Health System Controller Tom Meyers said another gross revenue record was set for the month of August. “We’ve had two really good months,” Meyers reported to the commissioners. Gross patient revenue reached an all-time high of $2,040,988, which was $67,000 over the previous record for July, 2017, he said. Meyers pointed out higher volumes in the Emergency Department, Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies, and in ultrasound. Volumes were higher in both health clinics, which i...
DAYTON--Many things have changed throughout the years at rural libraries like Dayton's. Eighty years ago most library patrons shivered and quaked to hear librarians sternly reminding them to "Be quiet!" and "Take the gum out of your mouth!" "You did not want to be late with a book," remembers former Dayton Memorial Librarian Lynn Williams. Back then checking books out of the library required familiarization of the card catalogue. All books were indexed according to subject, author, and title. Wi...
DAYTON— At last week’s regular meeting of the Board of Columbia County Commissioners, Emergency Management Services Director Lisa Caldwell said radio equipment malfunctions continue to cause county-wide disruptions in communication and that public safety is being compromised as a result. The county is moving forward with a public hearing in the commissioners’ chambers on Nov. 20, at 11 a.m. regarding levy certification for the proposed one-tenth of one-percent county-wide sales tax to be used...
STARBUCK - Three buses carrying community leaders, stakeholders, members of the media and other well-wishers left the fairgrounds last Wednesday for a one-hour tour of the Columbia Pulp Lyons Ferry Pulp Plant. The tour was followed by a celebration and reception at the fairgrounds and an evening celebration at Woody's Bar & Grill. Eveleen Muehlethaler, a senior advisor at Columbia Pulp, was onboard Bus No.2 to give an overview of the project, provide an updated timeline, and answer questions....
Re-opening of the rail line will be celebrated during Dayton on Tour DAYTON – After several years of embargo on a portion of the track in need of repairs, the The Port of Columbia’s short line railroad is ready to resume full service. A Grand Re-opening Celebration is planned for 10 am Sat., Oct. 7 at the Dayton Historic Depot, at 222 E Commercial St. in Dayton. After a short ribbon-cutting celebration, attendees are invited to visit with the rail operator and climb aboard the engine.coffee and treats will be served. The Port of Columbia own...
Dayton-Drivers will be able to get a wash, wax and shine when the Classy Chassy carwash reopens early next year, according to owner Kyle Anderson. Anderson, who also owns Kyle's Custom Toys & Towing, said he and his crew have been busy putting the finishing touches on the exterior of the building, which is located at the corner of S. Cottonwood and Hwy. 12. Work will begin on the interior as soon as the roof is finished, he said. The carwash will require new plumbing, machines, and vacuums....
DAYTON-Visit Dayton's own version of "Cheers" on October 7 and finally see what is inside the pre-1890s era metal floor safe that has been in Kurt Campbell's possession since he discovered it in the basement of Woody's Bar & Grill 13 thirteen years ago. Campbell's Century Celebration will take place on October 7, when the restaurant opens at 11 a.m. until closing at 1 a.m. Campbell is featuring the art of Kim Bruzas and the soothing tones of Ordinary Men, along with the many eclectic items he ha...
DAYTON- Even little towns can do big things! Dayton and Waitsburg community members pulled together enough popular votes to win the Dayton Boys and Girls Club a $25,000 State Farm Neighborhood Assist national grant. A kick-off celebration is planned for noon on Saturday. State Farm Insurance office representative Samantha Edwards said the Dayton Boys and Girls Club was one of 40 recipients of the award. State Farm agent Bette Lou Crothers entered the Boys and Girls Club, which will be housed in...
DAYTON—Dayton on Tour, featuring four events in one, will take place on Sat., Oct. 7. Maps for the annual Dayton Historic Home Tour are available at the Dayton Historical Depot Museum on Saturday, between the hours of 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for the tour which will take place from 1-4 p.m.. Proceeds help support the Dayton Historical Depot Society. “The Historic Home Tours offer the public a rare opportunity to tour beautiful historic private residences in our community,” said Dayto...
DAYTON-School is back in session and the Dayton School District Board of Directors had their first meeting of the new school year last week. All board members were present, with the exception of Dan Andrews, who has resigned from the board. Student enrollment in September was 392 FTE, slightly higher than budgeted, said Superintendent Doug Johnson. Business Manager Paula Moisio said the District had a successful 2016-17 school year and the goal going forward is to make sure reserves stay strong...
DAYTON-Peggy Guiterrez, who is the Drug Free Coordinator Grant Program Director in Columbia County, is retiring. Guiterrez said she was serving as the Prevention Specialist at Blue Mountain Counseling when the Coalition for Youth and Families was encouraged by the state Prevention Services Manager to apply for the Drug Free Communities Grant in 2011. "We applied in 2011 and missed the cut off by two points, so we applied again in 2012 and received the grant on our second attempt," she said....
DAYTON-Savonnah Henderson has been around art her whole life. Her father, Steve Henderson, is an internationally known fine artist. She has two paternal uncles and one paternal sister who are artists. Her brother Jordan has recently shown his Colombian-trip-inspired wood carvings and charcoal drawings at the Wenaha Gallery, and her father has several of his paintings on display there, now. And Savonnah is now employed at the gallery as a framer and manager-in-training, according to Pat Harri...
DAYTON – The federal Health Care Authority has made 1.2 billion dollars available to promote Medicaid transformation projects over the next five years. Nine counties in the HCA’s Greater Columbia Region, including Columbia County, stand to benefit, according to Martha Lanman, the County Public Health Administrator who serves on the leadership committee. The Greater Columbia Region was originally sponsoring eight projects and Lanman picked “5,2,1,0,” which is a Chronic Disease/Wellness project that targets diabetes prevention in children. “5,2,1...
DAYTON-We all know fair treats aren't healthy eats. For instance, one funnel cake contains a whopping 760 calories, with 50 gm of fat. Add the strawberry topping and you have a sugar high you may not recover from. And one 500 calorie corn dog contains half of your daily allotment of sodium and 20 gm of fat. But doubly-rewarding, guilt-free indulgence can be yours if you purchase your fair treats from local fraternal organizations, such as the Dayton Lions Club, Kiwanis, and 4-H, where nothing...
COLUMBIA COUNTY - At their August meeting, Port commissioners heard from Lyons Ferry Marina KOA managers Jim and Angela McArthur about their plans to sell the business at the marina. The McArthurs told the commissioners they will leave at the end of the 2017 season, and they are sorry to leave, because they see a lot of potential for growth, with the news about the Columbia Pulp mill. The McArthur's have recommended to the Port that a personal friend, Steve Klonz, take over from them. Klonz is...
DAYTON--The Columbia County commissioners continue to look at additional ways to streamline departments and budgets. At last week’s regular meeting of the BOCC, Commissioner Norm Passmore said talks are underway to create one county-wide maintenance department. The county does not plan to replace Parks and Recreation Manager Roger Trump when he retires at the end of 2017, so money for his wages and benefits would go directed to the newly created maintenance department, according to Passmore. H...
DAYTON-Dayton natives, Carlos "Charlie" Oribio, and Sebastiana Radebaugh, are now working alongside Shakira Bye and Vicki Zoller, Head Librarian Dusty Waltner, and pages Don Fulbright and Andrew Price, at the Dayton Memorial Library. Dusty Waltner said Oribio learns quickly, has a lot of enthusiasm and has good customer skills. "His last employer said he is the ideal employee," she said. Oribio said he was happy to be working at the same library he spent many happy hours in as a youth. While in...
DAYTON-Steve Martin has a new job title. He is now the Executive Coordinator for the Governor's Salmon Recovery Office. Martin said he started his new job on Aug. 1, and he is currently traveling back and forth from his office in Olympia to, his home in Dayton. "I have no plans to move. I am deeply rooted in our community," said Martin, whose wife Jody and twin daughters are at home in Dayton. Martin said he will be "mostly on the road", as he has been tasked with building relationships with...
DAYTON--The Washington state legislature recently approved a four-year, 7.3 billion education package to satisfy a Supreme Court ruling requiring the state to fully fund basic education. The burden of basic teacher salaries will now be shifted to the state from local districts and salaries will be paid depending on regional housing costs. The amount set aside from the package for 2018-19 biennium is $1.8 billion. Details about how funds will be disbursed and what the rules are, are being...
DAYTON— The final estimate from FEMA for the cost of repairing city roads damaged by winter snow and ice has come in at roughly $1,034,700.00, said City Administrator Trina Cole, at last week’s city council meeting. “FEMA provides 75% of the funding. The state authorized that portion of their capital improvement budget; they will provide 12.5%, and the city is obligated for 12.5%,” she said. “The money is in the bank,” she added. “As soon as we finish design and put it out for bid, we can go to construction.” Construction will take place early...
DAYTON—At last week’s school board meeting the Dayton School District Board of Directors approved a plan to form a committee that will work with a Waitsburg School District committee to achieve a full combine for sports and activities for the 2018-19 school year. Waitsburg School District Superintendent Jon Mishra and Waitsburg School District Chairman of the Board of Directors Ross Hamann were at Wednesday’s board meeting to ask the DSD Board of Directors to move forward on developing a commi...
DAYTON—There will be something for everyone at the 2017 Columbia County Fair, which takes place this year on Sept. 8-10. Step right up and see if you have what it takes to win Freddie’s games! Freddie Prez is bringing games and contests to the fair, including the chance to win $10,000 in a Frisbee contest. Catch Freddie Prez roaming the Midway on Friday from 3-4:30 p.m., from 5:30-6 p.m., and from 7-9:30 p.m. On Saturday, Prez will be on the Midway from 3-3:30 p.m., and from 5:30-6 p.m., and...
Dayton – Beau Sabin and Rick Nicely of Pillars of Society Woodworks, LLC have been tasked with moving a small log cabin from its current site in the backyard of a home on W. Richmond St., to its new location at the Smith Hollow School House Museum, and with its reconstruction. The cabin was unbuilt, beginning with the last piece added when it was first built. The pieces are being numbered, and photographed, before they are moved. "The more pictures, the more documentation, the better," said S...
At last week’s meeting the Columbia County Board of Commissioners signed agreements between the county and the U.S. Geologic Survey Department, and between the county and the Department of Natural Resources for high resolution lidar topographic mapping of the county, that will take place in the fall of 2017. Public Works Director Andrew Woods told the commissioners, “FEMA is on board for flood maps. The DNR is on board for slopes and rockslides. The USDS wants the maps, and the Corps will hap...
