Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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WAITSBURG – In a 2018 budget recap, Waitsburg Mayor Marty Dunn listed completion of the Main Street Bridge as one of the most important projects completed in 2018. Looking forward, the Waitsburg City Council approved a 2019 budget of $1.98 million, slightly lower than last year’s $2.17 million budget, at its Dec. 27 meeting. While “substantially complete” in 2017, the Main Street Bridge project was finally checked off as officially complete in 2018. The roughly $1.8 million, three-year project...
Council members Mayor Marty Dunn, KC Kuykendall, Kevin House, and Kate Hockersmith were present. Terry Jacoy and Jim Romine were absent. Following a public hearing, council approved the 2019 final budget. (See story on this page.) Danielle Carpenter provided a Parks and Recreation Board update. Discussion on the possibility of changing the current City election process to fall in line with election laws of the state. Passed a resolution allowing the city administrator to submit a grant application to the Washington State Military Department...
WAITSBURG – With a new year ahead, and the paper under new ownership, The Times thought it would be fun to take a walk around Waitsburg to learn what local agencies, businesses and organizations are anticipating in the coming year. In this multi-part series, The Times will work its way up and down Main Street, check in with off-Main businesses, and talk with churches, clubs and organizations to learn their plans for 2019. The series kicks off this week with a Waitsburg School District update f...
DAYTON – In January, the Space Gatos, Columbia County's 4-H Robotics and FIRST Lego League Team, advance to the State Finals in Spokane, after winning the Community Connection Award at FIRST Lego Regionals in Pasco. Their coach, Jeanne Walter, said this is the third year the robotics team has advanced to the final competition. They are one of only six teams out of a field of 28 to do so. Teams compete in Robot Design, Project Presentation and Core Values, and Robot Mission Games. This team h...
DAYTON-If you think Victoria has a secret, wait until you meet Sylvia Charles in the Touchet Valley Art Council production of Nana's Naughty Knickers. This fast-paced romp, co-directed by Leah Stockton and Bev Startin, is a story about a twenty- something girl, named Bridget Charles, who comes to stay with her grandmother in New York City for the summer and discovers that her Nana, Sylvia Charles, is running an illegal boutique out of her apartment. Apparently, Nana is selling handmade naughty...
On December 28, Netflix Tweeted that over 45 million Netflix accounts (45,037,125 to be exact) had already tuned in to watch Bird Box, the latest Netflix original movie starring Sandra Bullock. That's more than one-third of the 130 million worldwide Netflix account holders. In 1998, the Copyright Term Extension Act (AKA The Mickey Mouse Protection Act) extended copyright protections by 20 years (from 75 years to 95 years), meaning no new works have entered the public domain for the past 20...
All day, every day, we use things. While this sounds ridiculously simple, think about it: when you make a tuna fish sandwich, you grab the can opener, scoop tuna into a bowl with a spoon, stir in mayonnaise, spread the filling on with a knife, and cut the final product in half on a cutting board. When any of the elements you use – spoon, knife, bowl, cutting board – is beyond boring and ordinary, it adds a jolt of beauty to the experience. "There is a satisfaction that comes with a com...
One of the perks of having your older kids home for the holidays, at least around my place, is the ongoing discussion of which movies are worth seeing. Preferred genres and styles run the gamut among myself and my offspring so it’s fun to find a flick that makes everyone’s “like” list. My nineteen-year-old recently recommended Hunt for the Wilderpeople that I felt deserving of review. A bit of research reveals that it premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and was shown throughout New Zea...
WAITSBURG-Times owner and publisher Ken Graham has sold the newspaper to Waitsburg resident Lane Gwinn. The sale was effective Jan. 1. Gwinn is also owner of the 10 Ton Press art studio on Waitsburg's Main Street, as well as the building that houses the studio and 10 Ton Coffee. "I know Lane is committed to maintaining strong news coverage in Waitsburg and throughout the Touchet Valley," Graham said. "I'm confident The Times will be in good hands for years to come." Gwinn becomes the ninth...
DAYTON-Tony Waldo, Operation Manager for Columbia Pulp, spoke about the Lyons Ferry Straw Pulp Mill at the annual Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Update meeting, on Dec. 19. Waldo said that construction of the facility has been a little behind schedule, but it will be operational late in the first quarter of 2019. "All the buildings and equipment have been set," said Waldo. "Right now they're working on piping and wiring, and instrumentation." Waldo said 60-100 skilled people will...
DAYTON—At the annual Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy update meeting on Dec. 19, community leaders discussed some of the projects in the Dayton area in the works, and progress that is expected in the next year. Dayton Development Task Force and Dayton Chamber of Commerce Dayton Chamber of Commerce Director Melissa Bryan said the Main Street Approach framework used by the Dayton Development Task Force is working, as people can see in improvements to the building facades, the r...
DAYTON—Craig George, President of the Columbia County Public Transportation Board of Commissioners announced that General Manager Dwight Robanske resigned at last week’s Board meeting. George said Robanske, who has been on paid administrative leave since October, tendered his resignation, effective Friday, December 14. Robanske had been placed on leave while various claims made within the transit agency were being investigated. George said Robanske received his regular paycheck on Dec. 18. In addition to that he will receive pay covering the ti...
WAITSBURG--How to move forward with the Waitsburg Fairgrounds, and particularly the grandstands facility, continued to be a major challenge for the Waitsburg City Council this year. A fairgrounds task force, which was formed in 2017, asked the told the council in February that they would like to receive more community input regarding options for the grandstands. The council agreed to add an advisory item on the April city election ballot, asking voters to select their preferred option for the...
DAYTON-Voters in Columbia County were busy this year, with the passage of two levies, along with an election that will result in changes to key positions, in Columbia County. In February, the Dayton School District passed another two-year capital-projects levy. This year the levies paid for new asphalt on the elementary playground and at the bus loading zone, a new heating system, the upgraded communication system, and repairs to the flat portion of the HS roof. The entrance to the elementary...
DAYTON—The Dayton City Council decided to table a request from PocketiNet, of College Place, for a franchise agreement with the city to install fiberoptic line north of Main St, between Front St. and 2nd St, and the ability to expand in the future. During the public hearing Mayor Craig George read letters of support for local businessman David Klingenstein, owner of Touchet Valley TV, whose family has been in business in Dayton since 1953 and who is providing local cable and internet service. Klingenstein told the council he plans to build o...
Drivers passing through downtown Dayton this Christmas season have been greeted by Santa Claus, showing off the town's new antique tractor, which is on display in front of Flour Mill Park. The tractor was donated to Dayton's All Wheels Weekend event by Bill and Michele Konz, of Dayton (shown in this photo with Santa). It's a 1939 Farmall Model M, made by International Harvester, and it runs like a top. All Wheels Weekend Committee Chair Bette Lou Crothers says the event committee is planning to...
DAYTON-The Friends of the Fairgrounds-Columbia County have an abiding interest in maintaining the rural and historic nature of the county fairgrounds, said the group's president, Julia Mead. Since forming in Oct. 2017, the group has accomplished much, under the umbrella of the Columbia County Community Network. "They have been invaluable to our progress with guidance for prioritizing projects, setting a budget and seeking grants," said Mead. Eventually the FFCC will spin off as an independent...
Skiers enjoyed sunny weather and good snow on the first weekend of skiing this winter at Bluewood Ski Area....
DAYTON—Talk to someone about how you feel. That was the take-away message about suicide when the Columbia County Coalition met last week. Matthew Wyatt, Pastor of the Waitsburg Christian Church, said the topic of suicide is something most people want to avoid. “That’s not working”, he said. “Let’s get the message out.” Wyatt said the best policy is to encourage adults and youth to talk about suicidal feelings with people they can trust. “As a leader I am doing my very best,” said Rick Walters, Prevention Counselor at the Dayton School Dis...
WALLA WALLA—Bluegrass group Grandma and the Boys has released a new album with classic gospel favorites. The band is led by Grandma Jo Shay, who plays mandolin and 12-string guitar. Grandma is accompanied by Joe McCutcheon, who plays lead guitar and her son, Shawn Wray, on bass guitar. Grandma and the Boys have been making music together for eight years. They play regular gigs at assisted living facilities and attend the annual Blue Mountain fiddlers’ jam. Shay is also a familiar face at the Mythical Movable Bluegrass Jam hosted by Kate Hockers...
For Keith Rislove, who has been a working artist for more than 60 years, life seemed destined toward baseball, when, upon graduation from high school, he received two offers from major league teams. But the Korean War intervened, and while overseas he found himself taking over the events coordinator job of his military mentor. After being discharged, he pursued commercial art, studying advertising and graphic design at the Los Angeles Art Center. After 37 years in the industry, he retired, only...
Economic Development Coordinator Kathryn Witherington and Port of Columbia Executive Director Jennie Dickinson posed with the “Jolly Green Giant” at the Port’s first annual Night Market at the Blue Mountain Statin on Friday night. The replica of the Green Giant was one of the items purchased by Dickinson from the estate of Jan and Owen Agenbroad. Owen Agenbroad was a research agronomist for the Green Giant Company in Dayton for 30 years. He and Jan passed away in 2016....
In an article in last week’s Times regarding the Dayton Swimming pool, we incorrectly reported the cost estimate provided by the city to replace the pool as $27 million. The actual cost estimate is $2.7 million. Our apologies for the error. The Dayton City Council will next meet on Wednesday, Dec. 19, and is expected to discuss pool issues further at that time....
DAYTON-Bluewood Ski Area's 2018-19 season is set to begin on Friday as the ski area welcomes skiers and snowboarders to the mountain. According to Bluewood General Manager Kim Clark, there was 20 inches of snow at the base and 23 inches at the summit last week. The National Weather Service forecast is calling for more fresh snow heading into opening day. Bluewood will be open Friday through Sunday, and then daily from Dec. 20 through and including January 1, except for Christmas Day, when it is...
After a year-long project, construction at Rainbow Lake is completed, and the area (including Campground 3 and the access road to Deer Lake) is open to the public, according to Assistant Wildlife Area Manager Kari Dingman. Rainbow Lake and Deer Lake are closed to fishing for the season but will be stocked and ready for the March 1 opener....
