Commentary / Waitsburg & Walla Walla County
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What to Do About 'Vaping'
OLYMPIA— Proposed legislation focusing on e-cigarettes and other vapor inhalation products would tighten the state’s control over the legal smoking age, labeling and advertising requirements and retailer licensing. House Bill 1645 takes a hol...
Emma Philbrook: STUDENT LIFE
I really do hate to use this column for promotional purposes, but I’d like to take this opportunity to put in a plug for an upcoming event. If you’ve read my column for a while, you know that I don’t...
Ken Graham: From the Publisher
First of all, if I were coach of the Seattle Seahawks, I might very well have called for a pass on second and goal from the one, with 26 seconds left on the clock and only one timeout remaining. An...
Emma Philbrook: Student Life
I got a bit of a bonus on my last case. For a minute, I fantasized about relocating to a part of town where one didn’t have to look both ways before stepping onto the sidewalk, then about hiring an a...
Governor's climate control proposal faces business opposition
OLYMPIA - After two days of hearings that drew hundreds to the state capitol, Gov. Jay Inslee’s carbon reduction proposal has the full attention of Washington lawmakers. In an effort to curb climate change while raising money for transportation a...
Top Ten Facts About the Seahawks
1. According to a fan poll by the web site Reddit.com, the Seattle Seahawks are the most hated NFL team in the state of California. We’ll take that as a compliment. (The most hated team in the P...
Vacations Happen; Even to Me
“So, Mom,” I said. “Yeah?” “So here we are. We’re strolling down the street in Leavenworth, in America, looking at German buildings. We’re eating gelato, the Italian equivalent of ice cream. I’m ca...
Public Land Surplus Water Rights Could Aid Farmers, Communities
OLYMPIA—Farmers, private businesses and neighboring communities could have more access to water if legislators succeed in requiring state agencies to lease surplus water rights on public land. In prior sessions, some lawmakers have tried to push t...
Pressure From a Strong Dollar
In the 23 trading sessions following Dec. 18, 2014, the Chicago March wheat futures contract dropped $1.22 per bushel. The average bid for Pacific Northwest white wheat in Portland also declined by about 90 cents (approximately 73% of the Chicago...
The Future of Dayton's Streets is "TBD"
The City of Dayton is asking the city’s voters next month to approve a sales tax increase within the city of 0.2%. The funds will be used to help improve the city’s streets and sidewalks. If the Feb...
Not Even the Seahawks Could Provide Inspiration for This Column
Inspiration for this column is a bit like wind power. When the wind blows, you get power. When the wind blows too hard, you can’t use all the power. And when the wind isn’t blowing, you’re in a consi...
Underage viticulture students may get sipping privileges
OLYMPIA — Lawmakers are considering legislation to allow university students between ages 18 and 21 to taste alcohol in the classroom. But don’t plan a celebratory high-five unless you’re an aspiring winemaker. “It’s imperative that someone l...
Lawmakers Launch Unusual Proposals
OLYMPIA - Would your legislator ever consider decriminalizing heroin possession? Or maybe turning the Supreme Court justices’ elections partisan? What about allowing teenagers to taste alcohol? The 2015 legislative session is just getting started, b...
How Not to Pay for College
Every once in a while some adult in my family will tell a hilarious joke about my being able to pay my way through college. I laugh. They look confused. And I find out that it wasn’t supposed to be a...
Another shot at pot: Lawmakers prepare marijuana follow-up bills
OLYMPIA--Two years after Washington voters ended pot prohibition lawmakers are wading through a thicket of proposed reforms that aim to stabilize an industry struggling to get off the ground. “Right now I call it the wild, wild west,” Senate Dem...
Ken Graham: FROM THE PUBLISHER
About four years ago, when I was publisher of the Blue Mountain News, I interviewed State Representative Terry Nealey as he was preparing to start the 2011 legislative session. The economy was in the...
Emma Philbrook: STUDENT LIFE
It’s been one of those days. After wasting two cups of good pecans on a batch of gritty pralines, I discovered that one of my college applications is missing some components – in other words, tha...
Nealey Prepares for 2015 Legislative Session
DAYTON – Republicans are in a stronger position in the Washington state legislature this year, and the state's economy is stronger as well. Those are two factors that State Representative Terry Nealey...
MERRY CHRISTMAS, FROM THE PUBLISHER
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their...
EMMA PHILBROOK: STUDENT LIFE
I t's almost Christmas, and if any of you are anything like me you'll still be trying to get some last-minute shopping in - in order, of course, to ensure that all of your loved ones get the perfect gift. When it doesn't quite work out like that,...
