Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Sorted by date Results 937 - 961 of 5665
OLYMPIA—The Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) has announced a new campaign targeting a small group of drivers: Those who refuse to wear seatbelts. The campaign began on social media, on the radio, and at select locations on November 16, 2020. “Washington has a success story to tell when it comes to seat belts,” says Shelly Baldwin, WTSC legislative and media director. “More than 93 percent of Washingtonians buckle up. Most of us know that wearing a seat belt improves your chances...
OLYMPIA—Governor Jay Inslee announced a new wave of restrictions last weekend, amidst the third wave of COVID-19 in Washington. “Today, November 15, 2020, I have to report to Washingtonians, is the most dangerous public health day in over 100 years of our state’s great history,” Gov. Inslee began his Sunday-morning release. “It is troublesome that I have to report that there is a pandemic raging across our state.” COVID-19 cases have more than doubled over the past two weeks across the state,...
WAITSBURG-The U.S Army Corps of Engineers' Walla Walla District has awarded a $1.5 million contract to Northbank Civil and Marine, Inc. for levee repairs along the Touchet River in Waitsburg. Northbank Civil and Marine is a Vancouver, WA based company with a primary focus on marine, heavy civil, and industrial construction. Established in 2014, Northbank Civil and Marine has assembled a team that specializes in projects like dam and navigational locks rehabilitation, hydro-electric related...
Due to school board concerns with the rising number of active COVID-19 cases in Walla Walla County, Waitsburg School District will switch to distance learning starting Monday, November 23rd and continue in this learning mode to Wednesday, November 25th. While this was not an easy decision and may not be well received by everyone, the consensus of the board is that this is the right decision for the circumstances at this time. It is important to note that currently, there are no confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus in any of our school building...
In May, we remember all of the men and women who have given their lives fighting for our country. On November 11, Americans remember all veterans who have served. Veterans Day was first celebrated as Armistice Day, recognizing the end of the First World War. The War was officially over on June 28, 1919, after the Treaty of Versailles was signed. The fighting stopped months before the Treaty, when an armistice was put into place on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month....
WAITSBURG-Columbia/Walla Walla County Fire District 2 recently reviewed an Emergency Medical First Response Contract to decide whether the fire district would renew the agreement with Columbia County Fire District 3. The current contract expires on December 31, 2020. Columbia/Walla Walla County Fire District 2 (CWWFD2) is based in Waitsburg and covers Waitsburg-area 9-1-1 calls. Most of the area District 2 covers is in Walla Walla County, however, a portion of the district north of Waitsburg and...
DAYTON—Columbia County and the City of Dayton have reached an agreement regarding the terms of an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) for Law Enforcement services, Emergency Management/Dispatch services, and District Court services, which the County provides to the City. County and City officials, and their legal representatives, spent all day last Thursday working out the details. The meeting was presided over by Walla Walla Attorney Michael S. Mitchell. Last year the County requested a substantial rais...
DAYTON—After several years of wrangling with Medicaid managed care organizations for underpayments to the Hospital District, Molina Healthcare has come through with a substantial payment. CCHS CEO Shane McGuire told the hospital board of commissioners, at the end of October, about a $524,000 payment to the Health System from Molina Healthcare. Kudos go to Cheryl Skiffington, the District’s Revenue Cycle Coordinator, and Wendy Wilkins, who has been contracted to negotiate and maintain payer con...
WALLA WALLA-Providence St. Mary has tightened up visitor restrictions due to a recent surge in Walla Walla County COVID-19 cases. Guided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, Providence St. Mary Medical Center (PSSMC) has reduced the number of visitors a hospitalized patient may see. The changes went into effect on Monday, November 9. One visitor per day will be allowed. Multiple visitors a day are temporarily prohibited. Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 may...
DAYTON— In March of 2018, Columbia County, the City of Dayton, and the Town of Starbuck entered into interlocal agreements for the 2019 Regional Comprehensive Plan Update, with Columbia County taking the lead. The County Planning Department was recently notified about being selected to receive an Award for Excellence in Planning in the 2020 Washington State Awards Program from the Planning Association of Washington (PAW) and the American Planning Association. The letter reads: “The jury was imp...
WAITSBURG—The Columbia/Walla Walla County Fire District 2 (CWWCFD2) Commissioners met Wednesday, November 4 via Zoom call. During the meeting, the commissioners discussed renewing the Emergency Medical First Response Agreement with Columbia County Fire District 3 and heard from Chief Moynihan on station updates. The board of commissioners and Chief Moynihan were joined by Columbia County Emergency Management Director Ashley Strickland while they reviewed the Emergency Medical First Response A...
OLYMPIA—Important changes regarding how the public accesses vital records such as birth and death certificates become effective January 1, 2021, according to officials at the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). The Vital Records Modernization Act, passed and signed into law in 2019, changes the types of records available to the public and who can access these records. It also increases the fee for vital records and requires updates to data sharing agreements. Some of the changes include: • Limiting the release of certified copie...
PENDLETON, Ore.—Umatilla National Forest officials ask forest visitors to use caution, plan ahead and know the weather and forest conditions before heading out into the woods. The Forest has already received snow in higher elevations this fall. Snowstorms can often bring wind, snow, and rain that can substantially impact road and trail conditions, causing hazards and obstructions in roadways. Fall weather can be unpredictable and is a busy time of year on the Umatilla National Forest. Hunting is a primary activity during this time, inc...
DAYTON-Mandi Wendt has announced the closure of the Weinhard Café and Bakery. Wendt said in a Facebook post, there is more to running a small restaurant than just serving people. The time spent planning the menu, cleaning, maintaining the building and equipment, and doing the book work is enough to make a person question why anyone on earth would want to. "I can tell you why a person wants to do it, though. It is because they love doing it," she said. "After seven years of ownership, my love...
SPOKANE—Last weekend, my mom and I had to head to Spokane while a family member was in surgery. Sacred Heart's COVID-19 restrictions only allow for one visitor every 24 hours, so we were unable to go into the hospital and decided to check out a few plant nurseries while we waited for surgery updates. My mom and I are both houseplant collectors. Plants have become my 'quiet-place,' and I've spent several hours just wandering around local nurseries as a way to destress. We spent a couple of h...
The combination of a Sunday morning, the 5:30 a.m. flight, and a prediction of snow hardly made for the perfect travel day, but we made it to the airport on time, before the snow without hitting a deer, checked our bag, and zipped through security. A smooth start to our trip to Los Angeles for our doctor and dentist appointments. I love to fly. I still get an adrenaline rush when the plane takes off, and admittedly I breathe a quiet sigh of relief when the plane safely lands. I also love the...
WALLA WALLA-Blue Mountain Television proudly presents Secret Life of the Forest: The Northern Blue Mountains to stream for free. The 13-part series explores the natural history of the northern Blue Mountains. Bask in the beauty and splendor of this massive mountain range and the plants and animals that inhabit this little-known landscape without leaving the comfort of home. Author and conservationist Mike Denny provides context throughout the journey connecting wildlife to our local landscape's...
OLYMPIA—Washington State Parks will offer free, live-streamed weekly virtual programs from Goldendale Observatory State Park Heritage Site. Troy Carpenter, State Parks interpretive specialist, will present the one-hour Goldendale Observations programs at 7 p.m. on Sunday evenings, starting Nov. 15, via Washington State Parks' YouTube channel. The upcoming schedule of programs: Sunday, November 15 Surrounded by Robots: More than 60 years of satellites State Parks' first YouTube live show will b...
DAYTON-Coldwell Banker Walla Walla has donated $800 to The Club for operating costs. A check was presented by local realtors Benedicte and Loic Carbonnier. "On behalf of The Club, I wish to extend our sincerest thanks to Coldwell Banker Walla Walla for their generous financial support. Community partners like Coldwell Banker are critical to our ability to provide important programs to the youth of the Touchet Valley." said Jim Pearson, The Club's Director....
WAITSBURG-Not everyone is as excited to wake up in Hawaii and go to bed in Washington as Lark, the dog. On October 28, a Hercules C-130 flew more than 600 dogs and cats from the Kauai Humane Society to Seattle's SeaTac Airport, in what is being called the 'largest animal rescue flight in history' by Hawaii's Emergency Management. The Kauai Humane Society is an open-admissions shelter that takes in more than 3,000 animals each year; however, there are limited adoptive homes since it is an island...
WALLA WALLA—Walla Walla County has signed a contract with Providence St. Mary Medical Center to provide COVID-19 quarantine housing at the Providence Southgate Medical Park’s main building (the former Walla Walla General Hospital) in the 400 unit. The unit would provide voluntary housing for COVID-19 positive individuals who cannot successfully quarantine in their current living situation and are not ill enough to require professional care or hospitalization. The unit will serve as a small motel. Walla Walla County previously provided qua...
DAYTON—There are six new cases of COVID-19 since Tuesday, October 29, as reported by Public Health Administrator Martha Lanman to the County Board of Health on Monday. She said the six cases in Columbia County are from two different sources and are unrelated. There were 13 tests performed over the weekend. Lanman said she and Dayton School District Superintendent Guy Strot have agreed to allow in-person instruction at school to proceed. “We feel like the kids are safer in school,” she said....
Statewide measures Referendum Measure No. 90 Approved 59.65% Advisory vote No. 32 Repealed 59.6% Advisory vote No. 33 Repealed 57.55% Advisory vote No. 34 Repealed 60.19% Advisory vote No. 35 Repealed 52.74% Senate Joint Resolution No. 8212 Rejected 52.61% Federal Candidates Congressional District 5 Cathy McMorris Rodgers 59.38% Dave Wilson 40.44% Statewide Candidates Governor Jay Inslee 59.37% Loren Culp 40.33% Lt Governor Denny Heck 47.21% Marko Liias 33.73% Secretary of State Kim Wyman 51.75% Gael Tarleton 48.14% State Treasurer Mike...
WAITSBURG-The future is sunny and bright for the Prescott School District. The school board plans to make a final decision on a solar array project that can save the district thousands of dollars in energy costs. Apollo Solutions Group (ASG) approached former Prescott School District Superintendent Brett Cox before Justin Bradford took over the position this year. An Energy-Savings Company (ESCO), ASG works with clients, including school districts, universities, colleges, and city and county...
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) continues progress on COVID-19 vaccine distribution planning efforts. DOH is encouraging healthcare providers to prepare to enroll as approved COVID-19 vaccine providers, sending an official letter with enrollment information. Provider enrollment is the first step in setting up approved COVID-19 vaccine provider locations. Long-term care facilities can also enroll in a program that will provide a COVID-19 vaccine for their residents and staff. On October 16, the White House announced a f...
