Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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PRESCOTT - After another successful season, the Prescott Pool has been emptied and was being repainted this week to prepare for winter. The pool offers recreation, swim safety and education, and Aquacize classes to the Prescott, Waitsburg, Dayton, and surrounding areas. The Prescott Parks and Recreation has been able to do this with the support of its community and Prescott voters who pass operation levies to fund much of the work. The Walla Walla YMCA partners annually with the district to...
DAYTON — The Port of Columbia Commissioners held their regular meeting at 5 p.m. on October 9, 2024. Port Commissioners Seth Bryan, Johnny Watts, Mike Spring, and Executive Director Jennie Dickinson were present. During public comment, Blue Mountain Action Council’s CEO, Danielle Garbe Reser, said she had hoped to be closing on the Knoblock Apartments property the next day; however, the deal fell through. The property’s owners had refused a two-month extension the Washington State Housing Finance Commission required to complete the fundi...
DAYTON — Mayor Roger Trump called the Dayton City Council to order at 6 p.m. on October 9, 2024. Trump and council members Teeny McMunn, Michael Smith, Kyle Anderson, James Su’euga, Laura Aukerman, Joann Patras, and Shannon McMillen were present at City Hall. Dayton resident Theresa Eier addressed the city’s contract renewal negotiations for law enforcement services with the county. She provided the council members with a detailed document with resources on the topic, which may encourage citizen participation. Sheriff Helm thanked local citiz...
DAYTON — The story of photographer Elizabeth ‘Lee’ Miller (starring Kate Winslet), a fashion model who became an acclaimed war correspondent for Vogue magazine during World War II. The Rotten Tomatoes website movie summary was that “Miller’s singular talent and unbridled tenacity resulted in some of the 20th century’s most indelible images of war, including an iconic photo of Miller herself, posing defiantly in Hitler’s private bathtub. Miller had a profound understanding and empathy for women and the voiceless victims of war. Her images di...
To the editor, As a concerned resident of Walla Walla County, I wholeheartedly support Bertha Clayton for County Commissioner. Bertha understands that the role of the County Commission is not only defined by state law but also by the needs of our community. With an approved 2024 budget of $145.9 million, it’s crucial that we have a leader who prioritizes transparency, accountability, and responsible growth. In the 10+ years I’ve known Bertha, I have always been impressed by her drive, hard work, and, most importantly, her kindness. Ber... Full story
To the Editor, For several years, the two major political parties, both nationally and locally, have become more polarized than ever before. Common sense dictates residents of Walla Walla County would be best served when decisions are reached for the good of the whole. Bertha Clayton is the solution. Throughout her campaign, she has reached out to elected officials, department heads, county employees, governmental entities, large and small businesses and individuals to educate herself, and has garnered a wealth of information to be prepared to... Full story
Dear Editor, As a long-time early childhood educator, I was responsible for the safety of many 3, 4, and 5-year-olds. I believe in the sacred duty to love, nurture, and protect the vulnerable young. One of the most troubling teacher trainings I ever experienced addressed the need to have a plan for the scenario when no parent was available to receive the child at the end of the school day. Why, you rightly may ask, would a child be sent off with a hug to school in the morning and have nobody to care for them a few hours later? The answer:... Full story
To the Editor, The semiquincentennial (250-year) celebration of the creation of the United States will last several months (from March 5, 2024, commemorating the Boston Massacre, through July 4, 2026, commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence). Those brave founders, standing up to Britain, which had the most powerful navy in the world and a huge army besides, set forth ideas that have inspired the possibility of a democracy which allows diversity. Democracies are always works in progress, requiring a maintenance that... Full story
Sean William Stonecipher Sollars, 18, of Waitsburg, died in a single-car rollover accident on August 31, 2024, on Middle Waitsburg Road. Sean was the son of Suzanne Stonecipher-Sollars and Mark Joseph (Joe) Sollars. Sean was attending WSU and studied Agriculture Technology and Production with a minor in Crop and Soil Sciences. He was home for the Fair to sell his 4H steer. Sean was born on May 18, 2006, at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, Wash. Sean spent his early years through kindergarten... Full story
WALLA WALLA — The Walla Walla Valley Chamber offers an internship for someone interested in agriculture and its connection to the Walla Walla Valley business community. Anyone interested in this opportunity to have a positive impact on the community and grow personally and professionally should email the chamber at info@wwwchamber.com....
WALLA WALLA—Film WWV, a project of the Walla Walla Valley Chamber, has teamed up with community partners Team WWV, The Wine Alliance, the Downtown Foundation, and Visit WW to partner with Power P.A. Course and Washington Filmworks. Full scholarships are available for local budding filmmakers to take a strong first step in a film career by learning the role of Production assistant. Washington Filmworks’ FWD Funding Initiative has funded scholarship opportunities for underrepresented communities, including rural and female applicants. Learn mor... Full story
WALLA WALLA –— Walla Walla Community College received $128,521 from the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide financial assistance to students in the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program. The WWCC was one of 27 colleges and commercial driver training programs in the U.S. to receive funds through the agency’s Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training Grant Program. The program offers grants to support career opportunities for veterans and students living in rural communities and to meet the nation’s growing demand for truck... Full story
Columbia County Parks and Recreation department received a $1,500 grant from the Pacific Power Foundation for the underground irrigation installation at the Touchet Valley Golf Course. Pictured are Sean Thurston, Friends of the Touchet Valley Golf Course Fundraising Coordinator; Sheila Andreatta, Pacific Power Regional Business Manager; and Tyler Huff, Columbia County Facilities Manager.... Full story
(above) American 35 owners Tom and Judy Bennett in Capri. (below) “Pizza diplomacy” the couple made pies in this oven for a family in Sorrento....
COLUMBIA COUNTY—The Columbia Board of Commissioners is seeking proposals for the new Office of County Coroner. Currently, the state requires county prosecutors in counties with fewer than 40,000 to perform coroner services. Effective January 1, 2025, general statute prohibitions on coroners practicing law will preclude county prosecutors from acting as both coroner and prosecutor. The county is asking for proposals outlining the new coroner’s office’s structure, organization, and estimated budget. The candidate should show how they inten... Full story
At this year’s Pioneer Festival in Waitsburg, Lane Gwinn introduced me to Kari Isaacson. Lane mentioned that I write for “The Times,” and I added that I write what could be called an aspiring Erma Bombeck column. Kari immediately piped in with “The Grass is Always Greener over the Septic Tank,” one of Erma Bombeck’s classic lines and the title of one of her many books. The mention of septic tanks brought back teenage memories of living on Long Island, New York, in a 1953 Levitt house. Which, of course, had a septic tank. It seemed monthly tha...
WAITSBURG - The Plaza Theater, originally named The Neace Theater, was built in 1929. "The plaza is an especially fun place to hold our bluegrass concert event," said Touchet Valley Acoustic Music Project founder Kate Hockersmith. "It has great charm, acoustics and the history of the building is close to the history of bluegrass music which became popular with "Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys" in the early 1930s." This year, TVAMP brings BooGrass to the Plaza Theater on Sunday, October 27 at... Full story
WAITSBURG-From October 19 to November 23, Explore artwork by Rachel L. Smith at Tate Art Waitsburg Studio. Greg and Twila Tate, owners of the studio, invite the public to the opening reception on Saturday, October 19 from 4 p.m to 7 p.m. Smith is a multidisciplinary artist working with ephemeral materials to create mixed-media, collage, performance, and installation works. "My practice is built on collecting, altering and combining ephemeral materials, thread and unrelated subject matter that...
WAITSBURG - The Waitsburg High School volleyball team lost 25-15, 25-14, and 25-8 against St John-Endicott on Thursday, October 10, in Waitsburg. Before the start of the match, four seniors were recognized by the school and their families. Jessika Lambert, Alyssa Hollingsworth, Morgan Lindsey and Madison Kaehler and families.... Full story
WAITSBURG — The Waitsburg Cardinals football team’s four-game win streak ended on Friday, October 11 at Garfield-Palouse. The Vikings won 56-22 in a tough game between two well-matched teams. The Vikings led 14-0 at the end of the first quarter. After a slew of runs in the second quarter, Koyen Fortune found the endzone for six points, and a quarterback keeper by Isa Reyes added two more points. Garfield-Palouse scored 22 points, ending the second quarter 36-8. The Cardinals scored in the third quarter on a pass to Brenton Segraves, fol...
Ten Years Ago October 16, 2014 Clients visit Denise Lane at her Blue Valley Acupuncture Clinic here for many reasons. Some have injuries to joints, some have arthritis, and some have chronic headaches or back pain. Some come just to relieve stress. “About 70 to 80 percent of my patients respond to acupuncture,” Lane said, explaining that their pain or other symptoms are reduced after a series of treatments. “Some don’t at all, some people’s responses are temporary, but many patients have dram...
(Adapted from Pasquale Sciarappa Recipes) This recipe can be served as an entrée or with bread as an appetizer. It uses chorizo a highly seasoned sausage made with fresh pork for Mexican style and smoked for the Spanish version. This recipe uses Spanish chorizo which is seasoned made with garlic and either sweet or hot smoked paprika which gives it a deep red color. It is a dark, smoky, and tangy sausage. Because Mexican and Spanish style chorizos have such different flavors, they are not interchangeable in recipes, so be sure to use Spanish ch...