Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Sorted by date Results 605 - 629 of 5688
DAYTON—The Dayton School Board held its work session meeting at 6 PM on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. The work session meeting was held in person and on Zoom. All the directors were in attendance, opted to meet in person except for Grant Griffin, who chose the remote option. In November, the superintendent administered the Oath of Office to Aneesha Dieu, Jeffrey McCowen, Grant Griffen, and Korinda Wallace. The newly elected directors swore to support the Constitution of the United States and the State of Washington and faithfully discharge the d...
WAITSBURG—The Waitsburg City Council will move meetings from the Lions Club building hosting an Open House before the regular meeting on January 19 at the new City Hall. Join the council at 106 Main at 6:30 p.m. to check out the new space and stay for the 7 p.m. regular meeting. City of Waitsburg staff moved to the new space in November 2021, after purchasing the space earlier that year. The new City Hall has dedicated office space, ample storage, and a small, attached shop where small machinery will be stored. Light refreshments will be a...
WAITSBURG-It's been a chilly past couple of weeks, with temperatures dipping into the negatives and the National Weather Service reporting as much as 18 inches of snowfall at the end of December. As a result, the streets of Waitsburg became packed with snow, which eventually turned into ice, making it difficult to leave the driveway and navigate the roads. According to Waitsburg City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe, the city does not provide snow removal services for several reasons. One is the...
WAITSBURG—After almost two years of inactivity, the Waitsburg Commercial Club (WBCC) is taking steps to return to business, acting as the city’s Chamber of Commerce and encouraging economic development. The club held two meetings in December. In March 2020, just before COVID-19 changed the way the world does business, Commercial Club members gathered and held an election for officers and board members. Club members present at the meeting elected new officers for president and vice president, secretary, and second vice president. Two new mem...
OLYMPIA—Washington state is experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases, and experts predict increased transmission in the coming weeks. While it is still too early to tell how much of the increase is due to Omicron, epidemiologists with the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) agree it is most likely the dominant strain. While the state waits for complete data from county health departments, the highest single-day of new cases was reported on December 24, with 6,140 new COVID-19 cases. Despite the increase in testing for the holidays, offici...
DAYTON—Support for the Port of Columbia’s broadband infrastructure project is crucial to prividng high speed, reliable, up to date internet to the residents of Dayton and Columbia County. Anne Walsh, speaking on behalf of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, spoke at a December 14 meeting, encouraging the commissioners to support the project, which is being overseen by the Port of Columbia. The total cost of the project totals $2.5 million, and could provide reliable, high speed internet to more than 1,200 homes and businesses in Dayton. The Port ha...
DAYTON—New policing laws and how they affect local law enforcement was the topic at a town hall presentation by Columbia County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday and Wednesday nights last week. The discussion offered an in-person and an online option for all attendees., and the same information was shared both nights. Columbia County Sheriff Joe Helm and County Prosecutor Dale Slack led the discussion both nights to explain the recent legislation HB 1310 and HB 1054. The bills were passed to cre...
WAITSBURG—The Waitsburg City Council met on December 15 for the year’s final meeting. This was the last meeting for outgoing council members Karl Newell and Karen Gregutt. Roughly 15 community members attended the meeting. During public comment, library board member Marie Gagnon provided an update on the Weller Public Library improvements. She shared that a ceiling project was nearly done, and a wiring project that was started last month was nearly halfway complete. All wiring work is being don...
The Dayton City Council convened its regular meeting at 6 p.m. on December 15, 2021. All members of the city council were present except for Byron Kaczmarski. The city council discussed Resolution 1484, which would allow the mayor to execute an interlocal agreement with Columbia County for shoreline planning and master plan updates. Councilmember Mike Paris moved to approve, and Misty Yost seconded. Council passed the resolution unanimously. Next, the Council considered approving a new contract with the union representing the city’s public w...
DAYTON-Touchet Valley Ladies Golf joined efforts to fund the irrigation project at the Touchet Valley Golf course. On December 15, Cherie Hinchliff from Touchet Valley Ladies Golf presented a $2,000.00 check to Sean Thurston, Touchet Valley Golf and Recreation treasurer. This donation was given to help fund the new irrigation project at the Dayton golf course, which will benefit golfers of all ages. The club hosts Junior Golf each year, offering young golfers in our community a free week of...
WAITSBURG-The Waitsburg School Board held its final regular meeting of the year on December 15, 2021. Board member Stephanie Cole was unable to attend. The meeting started with the newest board member, Dr. Carol Clarke, being sworn in by Superintendent Mark Pickel. Clarke will hold the seat formerly filled by Pam Chapman through the remainder of the school year. Secondary Principal Stephanie Wooderchak reported that two Waitsburg High School students, Megan Forney and Brayden Mohney, were...
The Dayton School Board held its monthly meeting using Zoom at 6 p.m., December 15, 2021. All board members were present for the Zoom meeting, David Bailey (Chair), Zac Fabian, Grant Griffen, Jeffrey McCowen, and Fred White. Fred White made a motion to approve the consent agenda, comprised of the minutes for the November 17 and December 1, 2021, meetings, and recommendations to hire Jerry Dedloff Jr. as a custodian and Angie Whaley as the youth & government advisor. Also included in the consent agenda was approval for a stipend for the...
WAITSBURG—A worldwide pandemic, heavy flooding, staff shortages, supply chain issues, and a shortage of funds made for a difficult past two years for the City of Waitsburg. Mayor Marty Dunn and City administrator Randy Hinchliffe sat down with The Times to reflect on the last two years and plans for the next. This year began with public meetings restricted to Zoom or other virtual matters, something that Mayor Marty Dunn said was a learning experience. He said the city council handled everything well and adjusted to the situation as it c...
WAITSBURG-Kindness is alive in Waitsburg. It seems like a prerequisite to becoming part of the community. It comes in all shapes and sizes, in acts big and small. From receiving an unexpected smile on a bad day or heading up an event, kindness is everywhere. The year started strong, with more than 2,000 pounds of food distributed to Waitsburg and surrounding community members. The Waitsburg Christian Church, then led by Pastor Matthew Wyatt, helped organize the day-long event, partnering with...
DAYTON—The Port of Columbia commissioners held their last regularly scheduled meeting of the year at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 08, 2021, via Zoom. Commissioner Shawn Brown called the meeting to order. There was no public comment. The Board approved the minutes of the last meeting and addressed the monthly budget report. The Port Director, Jennie Dickinson, announced the Port received $55,000 in tax revenue from the County. The Port received from the County a bill for the primary election for $7820, which is about twice the past election c...
WAITSBURG-The Waitsburg School Board met Thursday, December 2 for a special meeting. Immediately after adopting the agenda, the board broke for a 15 minute recess. The board recognized long-time member and chair, Ross Hamann, who announced earlier this year that he would not be running for re-election. Hamann served on the board for nearly 20 years. Superintendent Mark Pickel presented Hamann with a plaque that featured the Cardinal logo that Hamann drew years ago. The Cardinal has since become...
DAYTON – The Dayton School District Directors held a meeting, using Zoom, on December 1, 2021, at 6 p.m.. All members of the board were present. As the newly appointed board member, Zac Fabian participated in the board for the first time. Mr. Fabian joined the superintendent, Guy Strot, to take the oath of office. The superintendent postponed discussing the strategic plan until the January meeting when the newly elected board members would join the board. Strot walked the board through a presentation of charts and graphs showing the survey resu...
WAITSBURG-Coming out of a pandemic has been no match for Waitsburg's Christmas spirit. With Hometown Christmas, typically held the second weekend after Thanksgiving, on hold, due to the pandemic, community members have come together to bring plenty of Christmas sparkle to our little town. A little later than normal, the Waitsburg's heARTfelt Christmas celebration will take place on Saturday, December 18. Enjoy local shopping, food, libations, Santa, and a parade through town. Be sure to take a...
DAYTON— The Dayton City Council held a special meeting at 6 p.m., November 23, 2021. All city council members were in attendance except Byron Kaczmarski, who was excused. The council approved the agenda unanimously. There was no public comment. Paul Ihle presented a daycare facility update. Ihle sits on the standing committee studying childcare issues for the Columbia County Health System (CCHS). The committee is working to identify a suitable location. The architect used by the CCHS has been advising on the project and drafting drawings. Once...
DAYTON—In small communities, heroes come from all backgrounds, and they almost never wear capes. They live quiet lives, hiding in plain sight, taking their satisfaction in a job well done. They may be thanked for each job, but not for the bigger impact they have on their communities. That’s not the case for Dayton, however. At least, not if Gordon Gerlitz can help it. “We have to recognize people while they are still going,” said Gerlitz. “Oftentimes, we recognize people after the fact, but...
WAITSBURG-Over the past month, City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe has been helping the City of Dayton with budgetary tasks, filling gaps left after former Administrator Trina Cole was dismissed from her position. Hinchliffe said that he had approached Dayton's mayor, Zac Weatherford, shortly after three employees were fired abruptly in June. He offered to help the city to bridge administrative gaps. "I reached out to Zac (Weatherford) and said, 'hey, if you need anything, just let me know. I'm...
WALLA WALLA/PRESCOTT—The Walla Walla Valley doesn’t miss a single opportunity to spread a little Christmas cheer. This weekend’s lineup of events is sure to make Scrooge smile! Light up the Avenue Kick Off starts the weekend in College Place on Thursday, December 2. The evening kicks off with the official holiday season with the annual Municipal Campus and light pole lighting, followed up by a parade. Stick around after the parade for a giant fireworks show at the old Rogers Lot at 4th and Davis...
WALLA WALLA— The Say Yes! COVID Test At-Home Testing Challenge provides households with access to free, rapid COVID-19 test kits that they can self-administer and is now available in Walla Walla County. Say Yes! COVID Test encourages residents to use the tests to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and keep the community healthy. Walla Walla County residents can now order testing kits online for free home delivery. “Children, adolescents, and adults who are not yet fully vaccinated or at hig...
Lillian Ray Dixon, a 15-year-old female, was last seen on Friday December 3, 2021 at Lewiston High School. According to posts made on social media, Dixon's family believes she is with Jonathon Wayne Bowles, a 36-year-old male, who has lived in Waitsburg, Prescott and Pomeroy throughout his life. Bowles is a registered sex offender with warrants for his arrest out of Garfield County, WA. Bowles and Dixon are believed to be in the Walla Walla or Columbia County area. Bowles' vehicle was abandoned...
WAITSBURG-The Waitsburg City Council met for a regular meeting on November 17, at 7 p.m. During the public comment portion, resident Joy Smith thanked the council for all their work during their terms. The council held a public hearing regarding the city's property taxes. City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe said the city property tax base was assessed at $78 million last year. That figure jumped to a $90 million valuation this year due to new housing builds and sales. The city currently...
