Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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The Dayton School Board formally announced three finalists have been chosen to move forward in the search process to replace retiring Superintendent Doug Johnson. The three candidates selected are Effie Dean, Guy Strot, and Andie Webb. The chosen candidate would begin their duties on July 1. All three of the candidates are also currently working in the state of Washington. The three candidates will participate in final district interviews with Dayton’s administrative staff and school members all day on Monday Feb. 10. The public portion of t...
DAYTON—I suffered from a headache after hanging out in the office of the county commissioners for most of the day, last Tuesday, and I wasn't looking forward to doing another interview. But I had already scheduled one with Lorraine Ortega, the owner of a new spa in Dayton called Purple Sage Day Spa. During our interview, Ortega was kind enough to offer me a complimentary waterless pedicure. How could I say no to that? So, while I kicked back on a heated table and listened to the soothing s...
Months ago, when I was first asked to write this column, I made a list of holidays and events to write about, and the foods that would be fun, interesting, maybe traditional or unexpected. Oops! Super Bowl Sunday was on my list, but, I admit, I forgot. I never developed a strong affinity for football. Maybe, it’s a result of six years playing flute in marching bands, while the worst teams ran back and forth across the field. This year I did watch the game with friends, while feasting on a v...
Growing up a hunter, my mother and I agreed rarely in our views of humans interacting with our ecosystem, save for our thoughts on habitat conservation and a deep appreciation for nature's beauty and songbirds. Sitting together by the back-porch door of her Appalachian home, sipping a warm beverage as a light snow falls through the naked deciduous forest, marveling over visitors to her bird feeders is something I have dearly missed since leaving home. This is a simple example of the power that...
Not all people, upon retirement, stop working. Some people, like Nancy Monacelli of Walla Walla, find themselves working long days, all through the week, and enjoying every moment of it. "I launched my business three years ago when I flunked retirement," the confectioner, who creates artisan toffees, chocolates, and snacks from recipes she has been refining for the last 30 years, says. "For years, I made baskets of my candy for family, friends, and co-workers, as well as to take to gatherings...
WALLA WALLA-Is self care high on your New Year's resolution list? No matter what level of self care you claim, Gillian Herbrandson, licensed esthetician and proprietor at Sivana Day Spa and Boutique, has the next level for you. Sivana opened officially in late October 2019, the second business to do so in the new Showroom on Colville building. Joining the Combine Art Collective, the Market by Andy's and others, the space is now becoming a one stop shop of sorts. Back in November, however, it...
A welcoming presence is on board at Waitsburg City Hall, with the addition of Brittany Zuger to the staff as the new Deputy Clerk. A Waitsburg native, and Waitsburg High School graduate, Zuger was until recently, the Lead Preschool teacher for Educational Service District (ESD) 123 in Prescott, WA. where she taught for three years. With a busy household that includes her two-year old daughter Lynlee, Zuger is also glad to be working closer to home. She is excited about getting to interact with...
WAITSBURG-Scrambling to set extra tables up is a fundraiser coordinator's 'best and worst case scenario' and that is exactly what happened at Lena Beren's Coronation Dinner on Saturday night. Her hard work over the past few months blew Director Ann Adams' expectations out of the water. Waitsburg Town Hall filled up quickly, with the expectation of 80 or so people, which turned into nearly 120 people. The walls were lined with silent auction items from various local businesses and generous...
DAYTON—Columbia County Health Sytstem CEO Shane McGuire has announced plans to fill a gap in care for people who don’t need skilled nursing care, but who fail to thrive at home, with an option for assisted living. The plan is to have two “units” built and located just to the north end of the CCHS campus. This would place residents close to the walking paths and health system resources, such as dietary services, he said. “We have had conversations with more than one developer that would be willin...
WAITSBURG—In less than a month, residents of Waitsburg will vote on a replacement levy for Waitsburg School District. The district’s proposed Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy will be used to sustain school programs and services that the State does not fully fund as part of “basic education.” The current school levy that is up for renewal was approved by Waitsburg voters in 2018, meaning the proposed levy is not a new tax. If approved by voters, the 2020 levy will help cover the gap between state funding and the actual cost of oper...
The Walla Walla County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Levy will be on the February 2020 Special Election ballot. Voters will have the opportunity to renew the EMS Levy that has been in place since 1990. The renewal of an existing levy is known as a Continuation Levy. Every six years the EMS Levy must be renewed by a vote of the people. Money from the levy is only used to fund EMS. The EMS Levy provides funding that enables the following: Continuing education of EMS providers Providing equipment such as ambulances, defibrillators, medication,...
DAYTON-Patients who need pre-operative and post-operative orthopedic care can now receive that care from a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, and certified physician assistants, at Dayton General Hospital's Physical Therapy Department. The hospital district has contracted with Lewiston Orthopedics for this service. Physical Therapy Department Manager Michael Schwarz said he approached Columbia County Health System CEO Shane McGuire about a year ago regarding the possibility of bringing...
DAYTON—The Columbia County Health System (CCHS) board of commissioners began their January meeting with a few changes. Wes Leid is now the President of the Commission, taking over from Bob Hutchens. Jim Kime was appointed by the board to fill the remainder of Ken Dyball’s term in District 3. Dyball has resigned from the board, but his term won’t expire until Dec. 31, 2020. This first meeting was a busy one, lasting over two hours. During the meeting the commissioners finalized their monthly cale...
January 12 Traffic complaint/investigation on N. Tausick Way/Reservoir Road, Walla Walla. January 16 Juvenile was in possession of marijuana at school 800 Abbott Road, Walla Walla. January 17 A suspicious person, Mr. Avalos, was parked in his vehicle on Chase St. just north of Orchard St. This is a direct violation of his probation as he is within 250 feet of the Garrison Middle School Campus, Walla Walla. January 23 Someone at an address on Wilson Hollow Road reported fraudulent activity on a credit card, Walla Walla County. January 24 Tools...
WALLA WALLA-Danielle Garbe Reser announced her campaign for State Senator in the 16th Legislative District as a Democrat on Tuesday, January 21. She will be vying for outgoing Senator Maureen Walsh's seat along with former two-term Walla Walla County Commissioner Perry Dozier (R - Waitsburg) and two-term State Representative Bill Jenkin (R-Prosser.) Garbe Reser, a Walla Walla resident, recently stepped down as the CEO of Sherwood Trust, a private foundation serving Walla Walla and Columbia...
Port of Columbia Economic Development Director Kathryn Witherington is leaving her Columbia County position to become the next executive director of the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation. She has been with the Port since March, 2018. "The main thing that's really important for me to say is that my departing is it is not in any way a negative thing. It's just a good new opportunity to advance my career. I've really loved my time at the Port, and I've learned a lot. I'm excited to take my new skills...
OLYMPIA—As the investigation into 2019 novel coronavirus continues, the Washington State Department of Health is sharing important data points to help the public understand and track the progress and the work being done statewide. The immediate health risk from novel coronavirus to Washington residents is still considered low at this time. Across the state, the Washington State Department of Health have identified 8 persons under investigation (PUI). A person under investigation (PUI) is an i...
They say it's a "poor workman who blames his tools." I have good reason to dispute that. I've found in sports, luck beats skill any day. A few years ago, I was coerced by my boss to join my colleagues and play golf at his country club. My prior golf experience was on a par-3 course, using my late 88-year-old aunt's left-handed golf clubs (I'm right-handed). I acquiesced, went to Roger Dunn golf shop to purchase an entire set of clubs, irons, putter and bag for $69. I felt the shame of golf club...
January 2020. Can you believe it? We're wrapping up a month that saw some big changes for those of us hauling children around in our cars. Washington State lawmakers passed some new car seat laws that went into effect January 1, 2020, and I sat down with Child Passenger Safety Technician and Columbia County Public Health Program Coordinator, Chelsey Eaton to learn more about the new laws and car seat safety. The changes align Washington state's law with the most recent recommendations from the...
WAITSBURG-Susan Wildey attended her first Girls on the Run event last year with her niece, and that was all the inspiration she needed. Wildey, who is the Food Services Supervisor at Waitsburg Elementary, has teamed up with school board member Christy House and school counselor Rosy Nechodom to help young girls in Waitsburg recognize their potential while getting a bit of exercise by offering Girls on the Run at the school. "The program creates an environment for girls to really set goals,...
The Walla Walla Symphony will welcome Grammy Award-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (LAGQ) to the stage of Cordiner Hall on Sunday, February 9 at 3pm. Recognized as one of America's premier instrumental ensembles, the LAGQ is comprised of four uniquely accomplished musicians who bring a new energy to the concert stage. They will perform a program that includes Latin, African, Far East, Irish, Folk, and American Classics music to transport you around the world in a single concert experience....
WALLA WALLA—The Walla Walla Fair & Frontier days will present information about the upcoming 154th event at the Walla Walla Fair & Frontier Days at the Showcase Kick-Off Party on Saturday, February 1, 2020, at the historic Fairgrounds Pavilion. Doors open at 4:45 p.m. Professional Rodeo Clown, JJ Harrison, will be the evening’s Master of Ceremonies. A dinner catered by A Chef’s Creation takes place at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a presentation announcing the featured concert performers, a silent and dessert auction. The evening caps off with...
WALLA WALLA—Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by morning it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated and with a killer in their midst, detective Hercule Poirot must identify the murderer—in case he or she decides to strike again. Murder on the Orient Express is directed by Brian Hatley and...
WALLA WALLA—The Downtown Walla Walla Foundation is hosting their first Walla Walla BrewFest on Saturday, February 8 from 12 - 4 p.m. The event will feature samples from 25 breweries and cideries from Washington and Oregon, including Paradise Creek Brewery, Chief Springs Fire and Irons Brew Pub, Blue Mountain Cider Company and more. Five-ounce sample sizes will be served at 16 venues in downtown Walla Walla including Allegro Cyclery, Book & Game, Coffee Perk, Marla June’s Clothing, Sears Hom...
DAYTON-Benjamin Orozco has been sentenced to a gross total of 447 months at a maximum-security prison for the second-degree murder of Lance Terry and the first-degree assault of David Eaton, in a shooting that took place in Columbia County, on July 7, 1996. Orozco, now 46 years old, will serve 192 months for the second-degree murder charge, and 123 months for the first-degree assault charge. Each charge carries an additional sixty-month firearm enhancement, and these sentences will run consecuti...
