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  • New Activities at Dayton Library

    Michele Smith, The Times|Mar 17, 2016

    DAYTON--A book chat for people who like to read, reading with a dog for children, and a contest to help design new library cards, are in the works at the Dayton Memorial Library. "Sit, Stay, Read" is an activity that will help children improve their reading skills and reading confidence, according to the children's librarian Carolyn Laib. Laib said that on Fridays at 3:30 p. m., beginning on March 18, children can cuddle up and read with Tex, Laib's three-year-old Australian shepherd. Tex has...

  • Jaech Joins Dayton School Board

    Michele Smith, The Times|Mar 17, 2016

    DAYTON-At the regular school board meeting on March 2, Superintendent Doug Johnson administered the oath of office to its newest school board director, Justin Jaech, Sr. The directors also presented outgoing director Steve Martin with a plaque in appreciation of his many years of service on the board. "If anybody deserves recognition, you do," said board chairman Dan Butler. Martin told the directors that his availability to meet the requirements of serving on the school board had been getting...

  • School Board Ponders Project Timeline

    Michele Smith, The Times|Mar 10, 2016

    DAYTON--In his report to the school board on March 2, Dayton School Superintendent Doug Johnson said he met with maintenance supervisor John Delp to develop a potential timeline to complete some of the items on the list of capital projects. Funding for those projects was approved by voters last month. It was decided by the school principals and the board that replacing the communication system should take priority over other projects on the list. Elementary school principal Pam Lindsley said...

  • Dayton Hires Code Compliance Officer

    Michele Smith, The Times|Mar 10, 2016

    DAYTON-Did you know the City of Dayton has two residential zones? Do you know what animals city residents can keep and house in each zone? The City of Dayton has a new code compliance department, staffed by a new code compliance officer, who is going to provide answers to those questions, and more, and who will make sure public nuisance, animal control, street, building and zoning ordinances are complied with inside city limits. Clint Atteberry was hired on Feb. 18, to tackle municipal code viol...

  • Hospital Board Hears Construction Phasing Plans

    Michele Smith, The Times|Mar 3, 2016

    DAYTON—Phasing documents for the hospital renovation and enhancement project have been uploaded to the CCHS website at build.cchd-wa.org., according to CEO Shane McGuire. In his report to the hospital board commissioners on Feb. 24, McGuire highlighted some of the details in each of the four phases of the project. He told the commissioners that construction of the new physical therapy and rehabilitation services department, the new main entrance, and early work on the public access corridor w...

  • Watershed Group forming in Columbia Co.

    Michele Smith, The Times|Mar 3, 2016

    DAYTON—On Feb. 24, watershed stakeholders in Columbia County heard about an optional incentive-based program for protecting and enhancing critical areas, while promoting agriculture in the county. Bill Ehler, from the Washington State Conservation Commission, presented information about the Voluntary Stewardship Program, to roughly thirty people in attendance at the meeting, which was held at the county fairgrounds. VSP is a program that is allowed under the state Growth Management Act, and whos...

  • After School Program Starts This Month

    Michele Smith, The Times|Mar 3, 2016

    DAYTON—Beginning Tuesday, March 8, third, fourth, fifth and six graders in the Dayton School District can participate in an after school enrichment program. Students will meet three days a week, for four weeks, and be given the opportunity to explore a variety of activities including, art, dance, flag football, gardening, basketball and hoop shooting, soccer, and granola-making. The After School Task Force has been meeting regularly since April, 2015 to discuss plans for the program. In J...

  • A New Antique Store in Dayton

    Michele Smith, The Times|Feb 25, 2016

    DAYTON-Cottage Path Antiques and Collectibles is open in Dayton. In November 2015, Caroline McFarland moved her antiques and collectibles business out of the shop on her Tucannon River property and into the new digs at 125 East Main Street. McFarland's shop is filled to overflowing with antique furniture, Victoriana, glass collectibles, linens, dishes, and much more. There is also an extensive collection of toy horses. "I try to have something for everyone," McFarland said. McFarland said that...

  • Dayton Depot Presents Local Quilts

    Michele Smith, The Times|Feb 18, 2016

    DAYTON--The Dayton Historic Depot is showing a new quilt exhibit for 2016. Tamara Fritze, museum director at the Depot, said there are 25 quilts in the exhibit and they range in age from almost 100 years old to just a few months old. A few of the quilts are older, but most are modern, she said. Fritze said the fabrics used in the quilts are traditional and modern. Reproduction fabric was used in some, as well as batik and flannel, she said. Sylvia Demaris' quilt, Burgoyne Surrounded, is a Civil...

  • Commissioners Approve Project Plans

    Michele Smith, The Times|Feb 11, 2016

    DAYTON—At their meeting on Feb. 3, the Columbia County Commissioners heard from Public Works Director Andrew Woods about holding public hearings for citizens impacted by plans to replace the Vernon Smith Bridge on Rose Gulch Road, and by work that is scheduled to begin in 2016 on South Touchet Road. The commissioners approved an informational meeting to be held at the public works department at 415 North Guernsey Avenue in Dayton for anyone impacted by the Vernon Smith Bridge replacement p...

  • New Reading Activity for All Ages at the Library

    Michele Smith, The Times|Feb 11, 2016

    DAYTON-There is a new activity for readers at the Dayton Memorial Library, called "Blind Date with a Book." During the month of February, readers can check out books written by authors with February birthdays. However, there is a catch. The contents of the books are unknown, because they are wrapped in plain brown paper, with only subtle clues provided as to their contents. Some of the clues written on the wrappings are: A small town – A preacher with an agenda, really scary guy with a big n...

  • Combine for Football Approved by Dayton School Board

    Michele Smith, The Times|Feb 11, 2016

    DAYTON — At their regular meeting on Feb. 3, the Dayton School Board gave their unanimous approval to the football combine between Dayton and Waitsburg. Superintendent Doug Johnson said if the Waitsburg School Board approves the union at their meeting on Feb. 10, the paperwork can be sent to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association. Johnson said the combined team will play in the 2B league, mostly against teams in the Yakima Valley. He also said there are still some logistical i...

  • Hospital Redesign Takes Shape

    Michele Smith, The Times|Feb 4, 2016

    DAYTON-At their board meeting on Jan. 25, Columbia County Health System commissioners heard from CEO Shane McGuire about latest schematic showing the new layout of Dayton General Hospital after the upcoming remodel is completed. "We are still refining the schematic," said CEO Shane McGuire about the redesign. The schematic shows the emergency room entry where the current main entry is. It will be moved slightly to the right of the existing entry, replacing some business offices, McGuire said. Co...

  • Dayton School Board Records are Now Online

    Michele Smith, The Times|Feb 4, 2016

    DAYTON-Paula Moisio, business manager for the Dayton School District and President of the Blue Mountain Heritage Society, has been working with the Washington State Archives branch of the Office of the Secretary of State to get the oldest school board minutes and resolutions digitized. The board meeting minutes go all the way back to July, 1903, she said. The resolutions are from the years 2009 going back to 1963, she added. Moisio said that in March 2011, the Washington State Archivists began...

  • Hospital Redesign Takes Shape

    Michele Smith, The Times|Feb 4, 2016

    DAYTON-At their board meeting on Jan. 25, Columbia County Health System commissioners heard from CEO Shane McGuire about latest schematic showing the new layout of Dayton General Hospital after the upcoming remodel is completed. "We are still refining the schematic," said CEO Shane McGuire about the redesign. The schematic shows the emergency room entry where the current main entry is. It will be moved slightly to the right of the existing entry, replacing some business offices, McGuire said. Co...

  • CCHS Board Elects Officers

    Michele Smith, The Times|Jan 28, 2016

    DAYTON-January has been a busy month for the commissioners of the Columbia County Hospital District, as they settle in to 2016. On Jan. 14, a swearing-in ceremony was held in the hospital cafeteria for Ken Dyball, who replaces Jim Kime on the board, and for Wes Leid, who replaces Lisa Naylor. Also in January, a special meeting of the hospital commissioners was held on Jan. 21 for the purpose of electing officers for 2016. New board members Bob Hutchens and Ken Dyball were elected, respectively,...

  • Dan Butler Is New Dayton School Board Chair

    Michele Smith, The Times|Jan 28, 2016

    DAYTON-At their regular meeting on January 20 the Dayton School Board elected new member Dan Butler as chair, Dave Bailey, vice chair, and Dan Andrews as legislative representative for the 2016 school year. Voluntary board assignments, based on interest and expertise, were also made at the meeting. Bailey will act as WIAA representative, Andrews will be on the facilities committee, Butler said he would like to be on the budget and finance committee, and Director Katie Leid will serve on the...

  • CYF Holds Strategic Planning Day

    Michele Smith, The Times|Jan 28, 2016

    DAYTON—Forty-two community members gathered at the Best Western Hotel Conference Room in Dayton on Jan. 21 for a day-long strategic planning session. Following the session, Peggy Gutierrez, Director of the Coalition for Youth and Families, said that most of the goals for the planning session were met. These included: Involving all segments of the community in the discussion Taking an in-depth look into the needs and resources of the community Developing a comprehensive plan, going forward S...

  • District Courtroom to Get Makeover

    Michele Smith, The Times|Jan 21, 2016

    DAYTON-The Columbia County District Courtroom, located at 535 Cameron Street in Dayton, is getting a make-over, according to Kriston Daugherty, District Court Administrator. After discussing the need for greater security in the courtroom with others at a municipal department head meeting in September, Dougherty approached the Columbia County Commissioners to ask them to approve plans to create a more secure layout inside the courtroom, which they did. They also approved $4,000 from the...

  • Dayton Schools' M&O levies provide approximately 25% of district's budget

    Michele Smith, The Times|Jan 21, 2016

    DAYTON – In December, the Dayton School Board adopted a resolution to request voter approval for an M&O levy to replace the one that is set to expire this year. The new levy amount will be slightly higher than the one it would replace, increasing from $1,300,000 to $1,460,000. Ballots were to be mailed to voters on Wednesday, according to County Auditor Sharon Richter. The M&O levy will help support programs including athletics, food services, and hiring a K-12 school counselor, according to S...

  • New Summer Event Planned

    Michele Smith, The Times|Jan 21, 2016

    DAYTON—Representatives from the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, the Port of Columbia and Southeastern Washington State Parks are preparing a new event for Columbia County. In July and August, the New Old Time Chautauqua is teaming up with the Washington State Parks System to bring live entertainment and workshops to State parks and nearby rural communities, for the purpose of connecting the communities to their parks. Washington State Park Program Specialist for the Blue Mountain Area, Clara D...

  • After School Program in Works for Dayton

    Michele Smith, The Times|Jan 21, 2016

    Dayton—An After School Task Force, formed by the Coalition for Youth and Families, has been meeting regularly since April, 2015 to discuss creating an after school enrichment program for Dayton students. The group is getting closer to making the program a reality. The ASTF decided at their meeting on Jan. 12 to offer a pilot program to fourth, fifth and sixth graders during the last four weeks in March. The program will be held three days a week, and students will be able to choose from among th...

  • Neaces Join CCHS as New Docs

    Michele Smith, The Times|Jan 7, 2016

    DAYTON-Waitsburg natives Gwynneth Neace, DO and her husband, Lewis Neace, DO, are the newest physicians to join the Columbia County Health System. The Neaces say they are happy to be home, and are looking forward to working in the community. Dr. Gwynn Neace received her Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from the University of Health Sciences in Kansas City, Mo., in 1977. She has been Board Certified in Pediatrics since 1989, and has practiced most recently at Metropolitan Pediatrics, in...

  • Final 2015 CCHS Meeting Summary

    Michele Smith, The Times|Jan 7, 2016

    DAYTON—At their meeting on Dec. 21, CCHS hospital commissioners adopted a resolution finalizing the selection of Shane McGuire as CEO of the hospital district. They also approved the 2016 budget, and discussed the hospital remodel/redesign. The budget for 2016 shows projected net revenue of $12,537,174, expected expenses totaling $13,508,178, and an operating loss of $971,004. Non-operating sources of revenue, money from donations and grants, interest income, and tax revenue, adds back $...

  • Columbia Pulp Updates Building Schedule

    Michele Smith, The Times|Dec 24, 2015

    DAYTON – On Wednesday, Columbia Pulp CEO John Begley presented an updated timeline for groundbreaking for the firm’s straw processing plant, which it plans to build near Lyons Ferry in northwest Columbia County. He also talked about moving the company’s laboratory from Seneca Foods, Corp., to the former Columbia Cut Stock buildings. The discussions took place during the annual Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) meeting, held at the Columbia County Fire District #3 station. (See...

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