Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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DAYTON—The Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment, offered through Columbia County Library, is aimed at helping adults acquire the skills they need in today’s workplace. “People without basic computer know-how are at a disadvantage when it comes to finding a job because employers expect basic computer skills for most jobs, including many entry-level positions,” said Todd Vandenbark, Library Director. “We joined Northstar because it will help our patrons have a better chance at getting jobs and getting ahead.” The free set of assessments includes...
WAITSBURG-A lack of volunteers at the Columbia-Walla Walla Fire District 2 has had an ongoing impact on the community it serves, primarily Waitsburg. Fire Commissioner Ashley Strickland cannot stress enough that emergency medical volunteers are in dire need in the area, especially those who can respond to daytime calls. Still, it's not just Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) that are being sought. If being at the forefront of saving lives or battling flames is not your thing, the department...
DAYTON – The Port of Columbia held its regular meeting at 5 p.m., March 9, 2022. Chair Genie Crowe, Commissioners Johnny Watts and Seth Bryan, and Port Director Jennie Dickinson, were present. There were members of the public attending in person and over fifty joining on Zoom. Board Chair Crowe opened the meeting with public comment. Dickinson began by reading two from many letters submitted to the board. County Commissioner, Charles Amerein, wrote of his fear that leasing port property to the H...
WAITSBURG-Spring is in the air, and there is opportunity at the upcoming Waitsburg Friday Market. Formerly the Waitsburg Farmers Market, the small outdoor market opened last year with a handful of local vendors, including Whoop'em Up Hollow Farms, Bread Head, and Dusty Britches Farm. This year, organizers are making changes as it prepares for opening day. Nancy's Dream Garden owners, Doug Biolo and Janet Lawrence, are the market's managers, and owner of Dusty Britches Farm, Noelle Olson, is the...
"My name is Olha, and I am in the capital of Ukraine, in Kyiv. We live in a shelter now. Today is the eleventh day of war, and I want to show you the place I live in." Kyiv, Ukraine-That was the start of a video sent to The Times via email on Tuesday morning. Reporter Beka Compton had a sinking feeling, knowing that while she sipped her morning iced Americano, the young woman who sent the email was getting ready to hunker down for another night of war. Olha Oltarzhevksa is a 22-year-old...
DAYTON – The Dayton School Board held a regularly scheduled work session meeting at 6 p.m. on March 2, 2022. All Board members were in attendance. The night before, the School Board held a two-and-a-half-hour special board meeting which consisted of a long executive session. At the beginning of the meeting, Board Chair Jeff McCowen announced an executive session would be held under IAW RCW 42.30.110 (f). This section of the Open Public Meeting Act (OPMA) allows a closed session specifically t...
WAITSBURG-Since accepting bids for two properties on Main Street last month, the city sees the surplus process coming to an end by the March City Council meeting. The sale of 124 Main Street, the lot that the City of Waitsburg purchased as a pocket park in 2018, was tabled in November after the council questioned the real estate policy and its lack of flexibility in accepting bids. The first call for bids gave the city only three options after receiving qualified bids: accept the highest offer,...
Ukraine—The Russian military invasion of Ukraine has caused a fast-moving and dangerous humanitarian crisis. As the Russian troops have moved into the country, it has become clear that civilians are being targeted. The people of Ukraine have been forced to decide between becoming refugees, leaving their lives behind, or staying and resisting Putin’s forces. Finding food, gas, medicine, and safe shelter has become difficult for Ukrainians staying in the country. As it has become increasingly apparent that the Russian military is targeting civ...
WAITSBURG-It was a full house on Saturday night at the Royal Block, when a crowd of more than 30 gathered for a book reading by local author Markeeta Little Wolf's from her new book, The Wrestler's Daughter. Little Wolf knows how to hold an audience, and the Royal Block has continued to create a space that works well for readings and live music. With Little Wolf, you get both. Sound system checked, podium in place, and a petite guitar on its stand, she launched into an entertaining introduction...
DAYTON-The Columbia County Rural Library District welcomes the WSU Extension's Master Gardening Program for a four-week intro into all things gardening, starting with the dirty work- literally! The program begins on March 7 and the first Monday of each month, through June. Director of Library Services Todd Vandenbark said the first class would be about seeds and soil. An introduction to soil, additives, composting, and the benefit of worms will be the second session's topic, and the third...
Prescott finds solutions to bring swimming and drowning prevention training to students. PRESCOTT-Students at Prescott Schools will soon be headed to the Walla Walla YMCA for swimming, CPR, and first aid courses. WWYMCA Executive Director Karen Hedine shared that the new program was made possible through a Community Impact Grant, offered by the Sherwood Trust. Hedine said the grant supports two primary objectives: Providing drowning prevention and swim lessons for all Prescott School District...
WALLA WALLA—Due to declining cases of COVID-19 in the community, Providence St. Mary is easing visitor restrictions to allow two visitors/support people per patient beginning on February 23, 2022. The visitors must remain the same individuals throughout the patient’s stay/appointment and cannot rotate. They may come once a day and may not come and repeatedly go within the same day. Patients who are expected to pass away in 12 to 24 hours may have four visitors at a time, and those visitors may rotate. For example, if a family of 10 wanted to vi...
WALLA WALLA/COLUMBIA COUNTIES—Grocery stores, childcare facilities, gyms, bars, and restaurants are just a few of the indoor industries in Washington preparing for a sooner-than-anticipated mask mandate lift. Governor Jay Inslee Monday announced that Washington’s mask mandate will be lifted on March 12, instead of the original March 21 date. The announcement was made in a joint statement with the governors of California and Oregon, following updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “We’ve continued to monitor...
PRESCOTT—Flat tires, locked doors, and empty gas tanks are just a few common car troubles that Roadside Northwest can help with. Brian Danaher said that he founded Roadside Northwest in 2014, after he worked various jobs in auto shops and service stations. He said he left the car repair industry because, at the time, it was notorious for trying to sell services that customers didn’t need. He was working for a roadside service company in Hillsboro, Ore., and upon leaving that job, he took his las...
Save the date! WAITSBURG-The Waitsburg Class of 2023 will show the movie Alaskan Nets on Saturday, March 19, a fundraising event presented by Alaska Airlines. The Alaskan Nets website states that the award-winning film tells the story of a small Alaskan village and their 2018 boys' basketball team. It's a story about life and a story about a community overcoming hardship. There are two sacred traditions on the remote Southeast Alaska island of Metlakatla: fishing and basketball. Waitsburg High S...
A news brief titled Dayton Historical Depot Society director leaving post was accidentally included in the March 3, 2022 print edition. The March 11, 2021 news brief announced the resignation of past director Tamara Fritze. Shellie McLeod is the current Depot Director & Events Coordinator of the Depot. Our apologies for any confusion....
WAITSBURG-Sales agreements will be negotiated with the city for two Main Street properties after bids were accepted at the February 16 Waitsburg City Council meeting. Mayor Marty Dunn, Councilmembers Jillian Henze, Jim Romine, Randy Charles, and Kevin House were in attendance. Councilmember Court Ruppenthal was not available for the meeting. During the public comment portion, Tom Bennett asked if there was a way to address the dog waste left on the sidewalks and in the alley behind his building...
DAYTON – The Dayton School Board convened their regular meeting, both in-person and over Zoom, at 6 PM, February 16, 2022. Present were Superintendent Guy Strot, Chair Jeffrey McCowen, Vice-Chair Grant Griffen, Zac Fabian, Korinda Wallace, and Aneesha Dieu. The meeting was well attended by the public, both in-person and online. The Consent Agenda, consisting of past minutes and several personnel changes, mainly in the coaching staff, was approved unanimously by voice vote. Before the first public comment portion of the meeting, McCowen gave an...
WAITSBURG—The Waitsburg School Board met Thursday, February 17, for a regular monthly meeting. Board members Christy House, Stephanie Cole, Lisa Morrow, Carol Clarke, and Sarah Boudrieau were all present. Secondary Principal Stephanie Wooderchak had a short report this month, sharing that the ski days had beautiful weather so far, and the kids were enjoying their time at Ski Bluewood. Wooderchak said the Social Studies curriculum committee had been meeting to determine if there is a need for a...
WAITSBURG-Wine enthusiasts, art lovers, and musicians have all enjoyed the opening of the Royal Block, in Waitsburg last year. Preparing for the third book reading in less than a month signals the interest in the new venue from local authors and readers alike. The Times columnist Brad Trumbo debuted his book, Wingshooting the Palouse, earlier this month at the Royal Block with a book signing event. The evening was well-attended by readers, upland game hunters, friends, and curious folks drawn...
DAYTON—Columbia Pulp, LLC, announced in a press release on February 12 that it would idle operations, effective February 18. The decision will affect approximately 80 employees over the next several weeks. The reduction in workforce will affect employees at the company’s headquarters in Dayton and the production plant at Lyons Ferry “We made this very difficult decision while continuing to evaluate our strategic options,” said Terry Ryan, Columbia Pulp’s Interim CEO. “We are acutely aware that...
DAYTON- The Port of Columbia Commissioners held their regularly scheduled meeting at 5:02 p.m., February 9, 2022. For the opening public comment period, Jorie Aukerman, a resident of Dayton for four years and Executive Assistant at Columbia County Health Systems, spoke on the need for a childcare center in Dayton. She is the mother of an eleven-week-old child and said she is very interested in hearing the Port's presentation about the childcare center. Aukerman said she hopes to remain in her...
DAYTON-At a Monday morning meeting on February 14, The Club President, Jim Pearson, presented to the Columbia County Commissioners on The Club, following its request for $5,000 from the Juvenile Justice Fund. The Club provides affordable afterschool and school break programs for more than 100 area youth. At its peak before COVID-19 restrictions, The Club had more than 200 members enrolled. Pearson told the commissioners that the past couple of years had been challenging for The Club, facing chal...
DAYTON—The City Council meeting went into session at 6:07 p.m., February 9, 2022. Mayor Zac Weatherford, Council members Teeny McMunn, Dain Nysoe, Laura Aukerman, Misty Yost, and Tiger Dieu were in attendance. The Columbia County Emergency Management Director Ashley Strickland reported that contracted maintenance on the communications systems should be complete by the next City Council meeting. The Consent Agenda was approved with Laura Aukerman abstaining because she said she did not receive a copy of the claim vouchers to review. Mayor Zac W...
Makaiwi Wachter is serving the Waitsburg, Dayton, Walla Walla, and Prescott area WAITSBURG-If that honey-do list just keeps getting longer, it may be time to change over to a handyman-do list. Coppei Creek Handyman Services is ready to lend a hand, whether your deck needs refinishing or the unruly TV cables are driving you crazy. Originally from the Vancouver, Washington area, Makaiwi Wachter pursued a career in hospitality, working in the food and wine industry. That field landed him in Dayton,...
