Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Sorted by date Results 4309 - 4333 of 5705
WAITSBURG – The City of Waitsburg has a new tool to help with future planning related to the city’s water system. Anderson-Perry Technical Manager Howard Boggs introduced the city’s newly developed water model at the Oct. 29 city council meeting. The city requested the water model earlier this year, initiated partly by the proposed Whoopemup Meadows housing development and also to help the city identify weaknesses in the current water system. “We always had a good idea of what the city’s...
Mayor Walt Gobel and council members Kevin House, Karl Newell, and Debra Callahan were present with Marty Dunn and K. C. Kuykendall absent. Howard Boggs from Anderson-Perry gave a review of the city’s recently completed water model. See story on page 5. Approved Main Street Bridge agreement with Anderson-Perry. Approved motion to give notice to terminate agreement with Waitsburg Ambulance Service. This will allow EMS funds that currently pass through the city, to go directly to Fire District #2. Approved WWVMPO amendment to include a...
WAITSBURG – From pumpkin producers to pool plungers, Rural Youth Enrichment Services (RYES) is intent on giving local kids a helping hand. RYES is a nonprofit organization, founded in 2009, with the goal of providing a wide variety of activities to youth of all ages, with a primary emphasis on entrepreneurial activities, self-sustaining gardening, green technologies, and bringing arts and music into the community. "The original view was that we would provide the programs ourselves, but that h...
WAITSBURG – Nearly 250 student musicians, from eleven area schools, joined together to perform at a mass band and choir concert held at the Waitsburg High School gymnasium on Wed., Oct. 21. The mass choir was directed by Kraig Scott, who teaches organ and directs the choral studies program at Walla Walla University. Scott has played organist recitals throughout North America, Europe, and the Far East. His most recent travels as a choral conductor took him to a choir festival in Kiev, Ukraine, w...
DAYTON – On the morning of Wed., June 25, Dayton resident and volunteer fireman Mike Ellsworth set out on a fairly routine 24-mile bicycle ride from Dayton to just west of Waitsburg. On the return trip, Ellsworth was clipped by a vehicle, also heading east, knocked off his bike, and slammed into the borrow ditch in front of Bill and Joanne Poolman's home on Highway 12. "The last thing I remember is those two pink flamingoes on their porch," he said. In the meantime, Ellsworth's wife Kathy heard...
DAYTON – Dayton Memorial Library children's librarian Carolyn Laib doesn't need a watch to know what time school lets out. The library's newly remodeled basement quickly filling with children is clue enough. The new kid-friendly space is now filled with fun activities and will soon see the addition of a LEGO robotics program, courtesy of a Washington State Library/Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant. The library's newly reconfigured space makes the downstairs more kid-friendly while k...
WAITSBURG – Preston Hall students in Lynn Martin's seventh and eighth-grade science classes have been studying the impact of humans on ecosystems. Those studies have focused largely on negative impacts, but last Tuesday the students visited the Pasco wastewater treatment plant and The REACH natural history museum in Richland, and learned that humans can have a positive impact as well. Martin said that former middle school teacher Russ Knopp arranged, and helped chaperone, the field trip, w...
WAITSBURG – In our Oct. 1 issue, The Times reported that Waitsburg artist Suze Wood had created a GoFundMe account to raise funds for surgery for her horse, Duke. Since then, Duke has been able to receive necessary medical care and is recovering nicely. Wood and Duke were struck from behind by a speeding pickup truck, while taking a leisurely ride down Gallaher Road in late August. Duke's only long-term physical injury was some bone chips that required surgical removal. However, Duke's t...
WAITSBURG – Fifteen years ago, Waitsburg teacher Sandy McCaw initiated the 'Leave Your Mark' fundraiser to raise money for the Waitsburg High School Alumni Association. Today, the alumni association is once again selling personalized brick plaques and making a push to send in a large order that will complete the project. For $50, graduates can have a bronze plaque placed on a brick, alongside original bricks, outside the east entry to the high school, in the area known as the link. There are c...
For me, the best part of being a reporter is that I get to hear people's stories. Almost every time I interview someone, I'm amazed by what I learn. In fact, that's somewhat of a job detriment because I often want to learn more about something that has nothing to do with what I'm supposed to be reporting on. Reporting is a good excuse to get to know people, and getting to know people is often full of surprises. Everyone has a story, and they're often not what one would expect. I think that's a...
Weller Public Library 212 Main Street, Waitsburg Hours: Mon. and Thurs. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Storytime: Mon., 10:30 a. m. X by Sue Grafton (Adult Mystery): Grafton's dark and chilling novel features a remorseless serial killer who leaves no trace of his crimes. Once again, Grafton wastes little time in identifying the sociopath. The true test is whether detective Kinsey Millhone can prove her case against him before she becomes his next victim. Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter (Adult Thriller): C...
DAYTON – The Columbia County Board of Commissioners on Monday met with County Planning Director Kim Lyonnais to discuss potential changes to the county’s zoning ordinance to identify where marijuana businesses can be located. The Commissioners gave direction to Lyonnais to establish the following zoning designations for marijuana businesses: Marijuana growing operations will be allowed in all “A” (agricultural) zones, but not in “AR” (ag/residential) zones. Marijuana processing businesses...
Main Street Trick-or-Treat Dayton Main Street Oct. 30, 3-5 p.m. Bring your ghosts and goblins out for a safe and festive downtown trick-or-treating experience. Participating businesses will have a bright orange pumpkin sign on their door or window. Pumpkin Carving Prescott Lions Hall (Corner of D St. and Hwy 124) Oct. 30, 5-6 p.m. Kids ages 2-15 are invited to carve pumpkins and enjoy hotdogs with mac & cheese, hot apple cider, and fun! Boldman House Museum Trick-or-Treat Boldman House, Dayton (410 N. First) Oct. 31, 4-6 p.m. Spooky characters...
Columbia County Superior Court October 21, 2015 First Appearance/Arraignment: Richard D Streck III, 40, transient; failed to appear at first appearance. Charged with one count of identity theft in the second degree, a class C felony, and one count of obstructing a law enforcement officer, a gross misdemeanor. He was allegedly found by a Columbia County deputy, hiding behind the HVAC unit in the crawl space of a house, with two other individuals. When questioned, Streck allegedly gave a false name. He is also charged for having a hatchet handle...
DAYTON – The Columbia County Public Hospital District now has a new president of the commission, and a new board member. At their regular meeting last week, Commission Vice-President Jim Kime turned the gavel over to the board’s newly selected chairwoman Lisa Naylor, who will serve until January, 2016. The commissioners then selected long-time farmer and local resident Bob Hutchens to fill the seat recently vacated by Ted Paterson, who has retired. Hutchens spoke before the commissioners about h...
PRESCOTT – Due to a lack of qualified applicants Prescott will not be able to offer a preschool program after all. Prescott schools superintendent Brett Cox reported at the district’s Oct. 22 school board meeting, that the anticipated ECEAP program had been cut. “Unfortunately, the ESD was unable to follow through with the preschool program due to a lack of qualified applicants. They had four who qualified and they needed 20 to run the program,” Cox said. He explained that the initial predictions indicated 39 students in the district qualifi...
Tabled a decision on Policy #2255 Alternative Experience Courses until better information on cost is available to help determine a compensation package and make sure the program can be funded properly. Approved supplemental contract for hire of Denice Garrow at .2 FTE. Approved contract for flooring to finish remodel of district cottage capital improvement project which will then be completed under budget. Approved collective bargaining agreement for 2015-2018. Approved Eureka Match Curriculum for Vista Hermosa. Preliminary discussion of 2016...
DAYTON—At their regular meeting last week, Dayton School District Superintendent Doug Johnson gave the directors some preliminary background information regarding the two levies that are set to expire in February. Johnson also stressed the importance of passing a resolution to place a levy proposal on the election ballot no later than December 4, in order to be received by the County auditor on December 11, as required. Johnson said the M&O levy, which funds between 20-25% of the District’s bud...
DAYTON—At their regular meeting on Oct. 14, the Port of Columbia Commissioners heard from representatives of Walla Walla Natural Foods, Inc. about that firm’s plans to establish a co-packing facility on Port land. Fruits and vegetables in jars would be processed at the facility, they heard, and opportunities would be given to other farmers to use the facility. According to Murray Eggers, co-owner/operator of Walla Walla Natural Foods, Inc., Americans need healthy, natural foods that are har...
DAYTON – The Columbia County Hospital District board of directors has narrowed its search for a new CEO to three candidates. Last week, Tom Tomasino, who recently left his CEO position at Whidbey General Hospital and Clinics in Coupeville, Wash., was interviewed by the board and met with community members in Dayton and Waitsburg. This week, the other two finalists, both internal candidates, were interviewed by the board. They are Lee Holter, who is currently Chief Financial Officer, and Shane M...
Waitsburg first graders enjoyed the fall sunshine during the annual visit to pick pumpkins at their teacher, Dinah Lindsey's, pumpkin patch. Lindsey isn't sure just how long she's been taking students to pick pumpkins, but thinks it must be over 30 years....
WAITSBURG – Folding chairs replaced fire trucks in the bays of the Waitsburg City Fire Station during a well-attended open house on Wed., Oct. 14. Community members, fire officials, and city and county representatives discussed three issues: the annexation of the City of Waitsburg into Walla Walla Fire District No. 2, the EMS levy on the Columbia County portion of Fire District No. 2, and upcoming changes for ambulance service in Waitsburg. Annexation of Waitsburg into Walla Walla County Fire D...
DAYTON – Social media expert, Josh Wade, will offer a free presentation on how to use social media to win and build business online. The four-hour course will take place at Dayton's Best Western Plus Hotel on Tues., Oct. 27, from 4-8-p.m. The class, which is hosted by the Port of Columbia and the Southeast Washington Economic Development Association, will focus on how to acquire new customers through the use of tools like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and other online venues. Wade is a c...
DAYTON-Just what does "KP" refer to in golf parlance? Many of us do not know, but it is a sure bet that the ladies in the Touchet Valley Women's Golf Club do. The TVWGC members met recently at the LC at the Green restaurant for an end-of-season brunch, and to honor long-time members Janice Davis, Ellen Burris, and Marie Sullivan. Sullivan is the oldest member of the TVWGC, at ninety, and remembers golfing with her husband, Merle, at the Dayton Country Club and Golf Course in the 1940s and '50s....
DAYTON – On Monday, ag students from Dayton High School took a quick trip to the Columbia Compost facility a mile north of Dayton, on Eager Road. There, Steve Martin, Columbia Compost's owner-operator, explained to the students the process for turning yard waste into compost for use as a soil ammendment. To begin with, he explained, yard waste must be ground up, so it's dense enough to allow bacteria to feed, but loose enough to allow oxygen to circulate. Then water must be added – not too lit...
