Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Articles from the January 27, 2022 edition


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  • Make a Difference!

    The Times|Jan 27, 2022

    Columbia County and Walla Walla County voters will have the chance to support area schools, including those in Prescott, Waitsburg and Dixie in the February special election. Districts are asking voters for new or renewed levies that pay for programs not funded by the state. Please vote and return your ballot by Feb. 8....

  • School Board honored at January meeting

    Beka Compton, The Times|Jan 27, 2022

    WAITSBURG-The Waitsburg School Board met Thursday, January 20, at 6 p.m. The meeting was held in person and via Zoom. At the beginning of the meeting, school board members received gift bags, flowers, and treats from various classes and organizations within the district. The Waitsburg High School, Honor Society members, served up fresh-baked cookies and punch, and each board member was given a hand-drawn card from Waitsburg's fourth-graders. "We just want to recognize the hard work these are...

  • Phinney appointed acting Public Works Director

    The Times|Jan 27, 2022

    COLUMBIA COUNTY—The Columbia County Commissioners met for a regular workshop meeting on Tuesday, January 25. The commissioners started the meeting with a ten-minute executive session, during which direction was taken, but no action was taken. Public Works Director Charles Eaton took the floor, speaking about appointing an acting director, effective February 1, following his resignation. After discussing the position with Eaton, the commissioners appointed Amber Phinney as the acting director. Phinney, who is currently the department’s business...

  • City Council reviews flood plan, committee assignments

    The Times|Jan 27, 2022

    WAITSBURG—The Waitsburg City Council met Wednesday, January 19, for a regular meeting. Waitsburg resident Terry Jacoy spoke during public comment, asking the council to reconsider the $10 utility tax implemented last year to help fund flood repair projects. Mayor Marty Dunn started the meeting with Resolution 2022-743, a note of appreciation to Dr. Roger Hevel, who was not able to attend. The mayor spoke of the many contributions Dr. Hevel and his late wife Laura Jean have made to the community. The two have donated to the Weller Public L...

  • Letter to the Editor

    The Times|Jan 27, 2022

    Dear Editor: In response to Vicki Zoller’s letter to ‘The Times’ on January 6, 2022... I was disheartened to see that mudslinging and character assassination were used to undermine Commissioner Charles Amerein’s posture regarding the broadband project. I heard Commissioner Amerein’s position statement on that, and it is apparent to me that Ms. Zoller is not being forthright in her depiction of it. Missing were statements made by Commissioner Amerein regarding the source of funding for said project, i.e....CARES act/ARPA funds. Commissio...

  • Walla Walla USACE district announces work plans for infrastructure funding

    The Times|Jan 27, 2022

    WALLA WALLA—The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, has released their work plan for the funding appropriated by the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA). The IIJA has allocated approximately $55 million directly to the Walla Walla District for the following projects in fiscal year (FY) 2022 • $22.7 million for the replacement of downstream gate gudgeon anchors, spillway hoists and gates, and the acquisition and installation of a second derrick crane, dredging and surveys, flowering rush abatement, the reh...

  • Walla Walla Dance Company performance postponed

    The Times|Jan 27, 2022

    WALLA WALLA—Walla Walla Dance Company announces a new performance schedule for “The Adventures of Alice” at Gesa Power House Theatre. Originally scheduled in January, the dance program is now scheduled on Wednesday, February 23, Thursday, February 24, Friday, February 25, with performances starting at 6:00 p.m. “We feel it is in the better interest of all to delay this joyous event in consideration of everyone’s health, comfort, and safety,” says Walla Walla Dance Company Director Justine Clark. “The Adventures of Alice” is presented by th...

  • Department of Health changes COVID-19 dashboard

    The Times|Jan 27, 2022

    OLYMPIA—The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) changed how it presents information on its COVID-19 Data Dashboard on January 21. The goal is to display current trends and information that are most applicable to the current phase of the pandemic. DOH is also adjusting the frequency of COVID-19 dashboard updates from daily to three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The most visible updates are to the Current Status tab on the dashboard. A new format will focus on three measures necessary for monitoring COVID-19 in Washingt...

  • Injuries, low participation drive DW to request WIAA reclassification

    Beka Compton, The Times|Jan 27, 2022

    DAYTON/WAITSBURG—At the Waitsburg School Board meeting, DW Athletic Director Sam Korslund reported that all basketball had been canceled for the weekend after coaches tested positive for COVID-19, as well as some athletes. As of Monday, January 24, the girls basketball team was able to resume practice and return to their game schedule, but the boys games were still canceled. For up-to-date information, be sure to visit www.dwsports.org and sign up for text or email notifications. Korslund said t...

  • COVID-19 outbreak interrupts classes, sports

    The Times|Jan 27, 2022

    DAYTON—Dayton School District announced Tuesday, January 25, that the secondary grades (6-12) will temporarily return to online learning beginning January 26. A COVID-19 spike in the community prompted the switch. The district said they plan to return to in-person learning on Monday, January 31. Due to a high number of COVID-19 cases, the Columbia County Public Health Department (CCPH) and Chief Health Officer have halted all DW Athletic Combine basketball activities beginning Wednesday, January 26, with a plan to reevaluate on Monday, January... Full story

  • FFA Trap off to a good start

    Karen Huwe, The Times|Jan 27, 2022

    Pullman FFA hosted the first trap shoot of the season on Saturday, January 22 in Colton. Six Waitsburg FFA students participated and finished third out of six teams. FFA instructor, Nicole Abel, stated "It was a really good shoot to start with as we have a lot of novice shooters on the team. They were able to see how the trap shoot works and not to be in a hurry or overwhelmed." Pullman FFA Alumni donated items, including beanies, shotgun shells, hats and other items and each shooter's name was... Full story

  • A piece of Waitsburg History could be yours.

    The Times|Jan 27, 2022

    On February 11, Waitsburg City Council will consider bids for two properties, including 147 Main Street, which until recently housed City Hall. The building is one of two properties the City has decided to surplus. The bidding process is described in the legal notice by the city. The council will consider the bid amount and the proposed use for the property. Most of the wooden structures on Main Street were destroyed in a fire in September 1880. Using locally sourced brick, new buildings... Full story

  • Scroll, Click, Eat: Online grocery shopping offers new experiences

    Beka Compton, The Times|Jan 27, 2022

    Going to online grocery platforms can be a huge step up for your pantry One of the worst side effects of the pandemic (or maybe just growing up) is how grumpy a run to the grocery store makes me. When major chain grocery stores transitioned to include online ordering, I was a little happier. However, it seemed like everyone in the county was happier, and it wasn't long before pick-up slots were hard to book. Once bitten, I decided to investigate other online options and tried three out. They...

  • Local Book Review:The Waitsburg Family 1858 -1900 The Beginning

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Jan 27, 2022

    One of the first couples I met in Waitsburg was Sandra and Lupe Torres. They owned the building next door to the commercial property I bought in 2015. They owned Nothing New Antiques, one of only a few businesses open on Main when I arrived. After moving to town in 2004 and looking for a new adventure, the Torres bought and restored their building, including lodging upstairs. They embraced the history of their building and incorporated many of the original features into their remodel. Sandra... Full story

  • Where Did All the Extra Time Go?

    Vicki Sternfeld-Rossi, The Times|Jan 27, 2022

    We have shortened the hours at the restaurant to dinner service only on Friday and Saturday nights. No more lunches, and no longer opening on Wednesdays and Thursdays. We have added Take & Bake, a much simpler undertaking. Theoretically, with the reduction in the hours, I should have much more free time. Where is it? I am working out more. It turns out that last year’s insomniac impulse purchase of the Mirror was a good decision. I am taking all sorts of classes, including Zumba, stretch, weight...

  • PIONEER PORTRAITS

    The Times|Jan 27, 2022

    Ten Years Ago January 26, 2012 The Waitsburg City Council last week unanimously voted to deny its support of the revitalization of a flood control district that would use taxing powers to help prevent flooding in the Touchet and Coppei rivers. “If our people don’t like raising our water bill $3.50, they’re sure not going to like this,” said Councilman Orville Branson. City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe said the city had previously two flood control districts, but both went defunct because... Full story

  • Frittata Verdure

    Luke Chavez, The Times|Jan 27, 2022

    My favorite recipes tend to be ones that serve as a technique and ratio guide, leaving ample room for experimenting with flavors. These are the versatile recipes that I turn to when assessing what's in the fridge or pantry while trying to plan a weeknight dinner that doesn't involve another trip to the grocery store. Among these trusted kitchen staples is this frittata recipe which easily comes together in one pan and can be adjusted to include an array of ingredient combinations. Here, I went...

  • Build an Emergency Kit

    The Times|Jan 27, 2022

    Disaster can strike at any moment. Pastor Cameron Hedges shared this reference guide from www.ready.gov to help you be prepared in the event of an emergency. After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for days or even a week. Being prepared means having food, water, and other supplies to last for five days to two weeks. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. Make sure your emergency kit is stocked with the items on the checklist below. Download a printable... Full story