Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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WAITSBURG - The Waitsburg Commercial Club is hosting a candidate forum at its monthly meeting on Thursday October 30, at noon, at Ten Ton Studios. All candidates for Waitsburg office were invited. Bart Baxter, Marty Dunn, and Brian Richards confirmed they will be in attendance. Wendy Richards and Wendy Carter will give presentations on the Parks and Recreation District levy. The public is invited to attend and learn more about the Waitsburg candidates and levy. Ten Ton Studio is at 216 Main...
WAITSBURG - Anyone with a cellular or internet connection has most likely experienced scam attempts. These attempts take many forms and keep changing as safeguards are put in place. On November 5, 2025, Karen Huwe, Pastor Heidi Lum, and the Town Hall Board are hosting a scam intervention and information meeting for seniors. The event will take place at 10:30 a.m. at the Waitsburg Town Hall. Speakers will include representatives from the Waitsburg branch of Banner Bank and the Walla Walla...
WALLA WALLA— Dozens of community organizations announced a coordinated response to fight hunger through the Walla Walla Valley Hunger Relief Coalition (WWVHRC), led by Blue Mountain Action Council. The coalition is asking community members to donate funds and food to the WWVHRC to address the possibility that the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, will not issue benefits on November 1 due to the federal government shutdown. SNAP benefits help over 42 million Americans, including seniors, v...
DAYTON - Three students from Waitsburg High School had the opportunity to attend the Southeast Washington Music Educators Association (SEWMEA) Mass Band event in Dayton on October 22. "When students participate in mass band concerts, they get to feel and play what the composers wanted their pieces to sound like when a large band executes the piece with all instrumentation. The sound becomes magical and expressive with meaning. I was very proud of our three girls from the high school band," said...
OLYMPIA – County elections offices throughout Washington have mailed ballots to all voters for the Nov. 4 general election. More than 5 million voters will receive a ballot for the November general election, when voters will decide on a statewide constitutional amendment, along with local offices and measures. Voters participating in the election must return their ballot by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Ballots can be returned by mail, placed in an official ballot drop box, or hand-delivered to a county voting center. Ballots returned by mail m...
The successful annual fundraiser for RYES will feature four local bluegrass bands and a silent auction. WAITSBURG - BooGrass is coming back to The Plaza in Waitsburg on October 26 at 4 p.m. The annual bluegrass concert and silent auction is a fundraiser for Rural Youth Enrichment Services, a local 501 (c) (3) non-profit established in 2009. The Plaza Theater was built in 1928 and has always hosted BooGrass on the Sunday before Halloween. Projects under RYES include Touchet Valley Acoustic Music...
DAYTON — The Dayton School Board met in the high school library at 6:30 p.m. on October 15, 2025. Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley, Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen, and board members Pat Davidson and Ryan Paulson were present. Aneesha Dieu joined via Zoom, and Grant Griffin was absent. The board approved the consent agenda, including the CTE Career & Technical Education and the four-year plan. Dieu asked that it be removed from the consent agenda and designated as an action item so it could be covered more thoroughly. Wheatley offered to make a p...
DAYTON - Mayor Roger Trump called the Dayton City Council to order at 6 p.m., October 14, 2025. All council members were present: James Su'euga, Michael Smith, Glenn Hagfeldt, Kyle Anderson, Laura Aukerman, Shannon McMillen, and Joann Patras. Sheriff Helm reported his department handled 579 total incidents in September, broken down to 103 traffic stops, 29 other traffic calls, 4 DUI investigations, and eight traffic accidents. Helm spoke about the training, including advanced training in drug...
DAYTON – The Port of Columbia Commissioners held their regular meeting at 5 p.m. on October 8, 2025. Commissioners Johnny Watts, Mike Spring, Executive Director Jennie Dickinson, and Economic Development Coordinator Shane Laib were present. Chair Seth Bryan attended via Zoom. During public comment, Skip Mead expressed frustration that he was speaking for the third time on the same issue and asked, “How many times do I have to say it? Don’t sell the railroad.” Commissioners handled several administrative items, including setting a public...
COLUMBIA COUNTY - At the Port of Columbia's Economic Development Steering Committee meeting last week, Katie Leid provided an update on progress made by the Board of Commissioners for the Columbia County Parks and Recreation Pool District (CCP&RPD) to build a community pool. Leid, board Treasurer, told the committee about the plan to build a new pool at the site of the old Dayton Community Pool and to upgrade the existing pool house. She said Lyle Smith, CEO of WMS Aquatics, met with the pool...
DAYTON - Columbia County's Sesquicentennial event drew community members, past and present, to celebrate on Saturday, October 4. The event began with the Blue Mountain Artists, who created and displayed work at Moose Creek Café, Dayton Historic Depot, and Locally Nourished. After the opening ceremony at the Depot, neighbors shared a free "Chuckwagon" lunch by The Q BBQ. From there, guests could take a guided tour through downtown, learning about the county's past through living history...
WALLA WALLA/ WAITSBURG — Common Roots Housing Trust is hosting two information sessions for anyone seeking a path to affordable homeownership. Topics will cover how a community land trust model works to create permanent, affordable homeownership opportunities. Members from the trust will be on hand at the events to explain how to navigate the eligibility process and find resources, including financial counseling, for renters and first-time buyers. Through the CLT model, Common Roots will be able to sell homes on their land for approximately $...
DAYTON-The Port of Columbia and the Sesquicentennial Committee will unveil a legacy mural commissioned for the 150th Celebration on October 4, 2025. The mural, located at the Palus Museum on Main Street, has been one of the city's best-kept secrets. A local farmer lent one of his trucks to park in front of the mural as it was being painted. The completed painting has been under wraps, creating curiosity leading up to its unveiling. The port and committee selected the design submitted by Emily...
PRESCOTT - The Prescott School District, working with the Office of the Superintendent and the Financial Oversight Committee, has been addressing financial shortfalls that threaten its future. As the school board works to save the district from dissolution, Prescott and neighboring communities have stepped up to save the Prescott School District. Here are some of the ways individuals or businesses can immediately help: Donate items for the Prescott Education Association's silent auction that...
WAITSBURG - Safety Always Matters is a fire and life safety program developed by the City of Walla Walla Fire Department to teach elementary school students how to respond to emergencies. Presentations are in collaboration with local fire departments and school districts. On September 23, members of the College Place and Walla Walla Fire Departments, and Walla Walla Fire District #4 presented the S.A.M. program to the Waitsburg Elementary School. "Not only do the kids love interacting with the...
DAYTON - The National Safety Council recognizes outstanding advances in safety through the Green Cross for Safety Awards. The awards honor community partnerships, programs, individuals, researchers and corporations that make a significant impact on safety issues through advocacy, innovation, and excellence. On September 15, Puget Sound Energy and Principal Engineer Ryan Severe were awarded the Green Cross for Safety Innovation Award at the NSC Safety Congress and Expo held in Denver, Colorado....
DAYTON-Columbia County is celebrating its 150th anniversary with many activities planned for Saturday, October 4. The lead agency for the celebration is the Port of Columbia. The Port’s Economic Development Coordinator, Shane Laib, said an opening day ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. in the Dayton Historic Depot courtyard at 222 East Commercial Avenue. Confirmed keynote speakers are Columbia County Commission Chair Marty Hall, Dayton Mayor Roger Trump, Town of Starbuck Mayor Zonia Dedloff, a...
The Waitsburg Historical Society hosted its annual Fall Festival on Sunday, September 21. Cooler weather may have kept some visitors home; those who came were hungry. The Lions Club sold more bison burgers than last year, selling out. Before the rain began, the Historical Society honored the Gagnon Family as Pioneers of the Year. Almost the entire audience stood after family members were invited to the front of the stage. There were plenty of places to stay out of the rain, including the...
DAYTON – The Dayton School Board met in the High School Library at 6:30 p.m. on September 17, 2025. Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley, Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen, board members Pat Davidson, Grant Griffin, and Aneesha Dieu were present. Public Works Director Ryan Paulson joined the meeting an hour late due to a power outage affecting much of the city. As the first order of business, Wheatley swore in Jaelynn Chapman, a junior, as the student representative to the school board.The personnel report included the following hires: Elementary ASB Co-Ad...
Waitsburg - A busy weekend in Waitsburg included an all-ages block party, the Lions Club Salmon Feed, and the Waitsburg Historical Society Fall Festival. The first annual Royal Block Party was held in the alley behind the hotel, Ten Ton Studios, Plaza Theater, and Wolfling Coffee. There was food, music, alley bowling, and ring toss from 5 until after 9 p.m. Wolfling Coffee opened its back door for in-progress shop tours and a chance to meet owners Caitlyn Potts and Trevor Corbin. Next door,...
DAYTON - The Dayton City Council met on September 9, 2025. Mayor Roger Trump, council members James Su’euga, Michael Smith, Glenn Hagfeldt, Kyle Anderson, Shannon McMillen, and Joann Patras were present. Laura Aukerman did not attend. Port of Columbia Economic Development Coordinator Shane Laib presented plans for the 150th Anniversary (Sesquicentennial) of Columbia County celebration scheduled for October 4, 2025. The council expressed interest in the commemorative mural at the Palus Museum and was told the mural will be unveiled at the c...
WALLA WALLA - Twenty-four pets, including 12 cats and 12 dogs, went to loving homes during the Blue Mountain Humane Society's Adoption Event at Walla Walla Toyota on Sunday, September 14. Everyone who drove into the busy Toyota dealership was greeted with barks and smiles. The event is made possible with the support of Walla Walla Toyota, which hosts the adoption event, and media sponsor Elkhorn Media Group. Generous private and community sponsors covered adoption fees for many of the dogs and...
WAITSBURG - On Sunday, September 21, the Waitsburg Historical Society will host the Pioneer Fall Festival, with an afternoon of food, horse-drawn carriage rides, pioneer craft demonstrations, antique farm equipment, museum tours, and the "Vintage Style Show." The Style Show begins at 1:30 p.m. and will feature clothing from the late 1800s to the Roaring Twenties-a journey from hoop skirts that concealed a woman's shape to more modern styles that accentuated it. Generous volunteers will model...
WAITSBURG - This year, the Waitsburg Historical Society has selected the Gagnon Family as the Pioneers of the Year. Members of the family will be honored at Fall Festival on September 21 at the Bruce House Museum. The Gagnon family's deep roots in the Walla Walla Valley farming community date back to the arrival of Marcel Gagnon in 1855. He immigrated from Quebec to the United States and became a citizen at the age of 18 in 1849. Along with other retired Hudson Bay fur trappers, he settled in...
WAITSBURG - September is the American Library Association's Library Card Sign-up Month. The theme "One Card, Endless Possibilities" is a reminder that signing up for a library card can be the first step toward academic achievement and lifelong learning. Weller Public Library Director Sarah Roberts visited Waitsburg Elementary classes on Monday, September 8, to show students how library cards can give them access to books, ebooks, audiobooks, games, and other resources. Roberts also helped new...
