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  • Free Kids School Clothes

    The Times|Aug 6, 2020

    DAYTON—School clothes will be available free of charge on Sunday, August 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sponsored by the Seventh Day Adventist Church-Community Service Center, this event takes place in the parking lot at 1525 4th Street in Dayton. Call for more information regarding possible COVID-19 mandated closures (509) 382-4020....

  • Matlock fire

    The Times|Aug 6, 2020

    Firefighters from a Umatilla National Forest Type 6 engine dig up and quench remaining hot spots along the line of the Matlock Fire. The lightning-caused fire burned 85 acres in the Umatilla National Forest, 13.5 miles northwest of Ukiah, Oregon, it is now 95% contained. Some hazards and fire traffic remain in the area of the Matlock Fire, so to protect public and firefighter safety, the public is asked to avoid the fire area. A road closure map can be viewed on the Matlock Fire InciWeb site at...

  • Meet the Prescott Superintendent

    The Times|Aug 6, 2020

    PRESCOTT—New Prescott School Superintendent Justin Bradford is inviting the community to meet with him to share their concerns, hopes, and vision for the Prescott School District. On Wednesday, August 12 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mr. Bradford will be available to meet with at the Prescott School Library. The library is located at 207 South A Street in Prescott. A second opportunity to meet the Superintendent will be on Friday, August 14 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Vista Hermosa Community Center, located at 1111 Fishhook Park Road. Please note: V...

  • COVID-19 Information

    The Times|Jul 30, 2020

    Find detailed, accurate COVID-19 activity levels in our counties and our state here: Walla Walla County Health Department lists new, confirmed, recovered, and active cases in isolation daily at 5 p.m. at this link: https://www.co.walla-walla.wa.us/government/health_department/index.php The site also lists confirmed cases by community, gender, and age. Columbia County lists positive cases in-county and out of county (for those who contracted the virus in the county but live in another county), recovered cases in county and out, as well as...

  • Walla Walla County adds 'Subscribe by Cellphone' feature to emergency notifications

    The Times|Jul 30, 2020

    WALLA WALLA—Would you like to receive County emergency notifications directly to your cell phone? Walla Walla County Emergency Management has added a new feature to its Citizen Alert emergency notification system from Everbridge to make it even easier to sign up for Alerts, Advisories, and Community Messages. Residents can text their Walla Walla County zip code to 888777 and receive real-time alerts and advisories directly from emergency management and other local agencies. There is no charge for registering, but standard text messaging rates w...

  • Botany in the Blues; online presentation and field trip planned

    Tracy Thompson, The Times|Jul 30, 2020

    WALLA WALLA—The Blue Mountain Land Trust is introducing their new Botany in the Blues series, co-sponsored by the Washington Native Plant Society. The conservation organization will facilitate a “close-up” look at the plant diversity of our local Blue Mountains. Two options available: Join in on Wednesday, August 5th, at 7 p.m. for an online introduction to the local plant life found in our Blue Mountains accompanied by Emil’s Botany Booklet. Take this online session by itself and hit the tra...

  • Waitsburg passes utility tax to fund flood control

    The Times|Jul 30, 2020

    WAITSBURG—The City of Waitsburg passed a $5.00 per user per month increase in utilities for the remainder of the year, then an additional $5.00 per month per user starting in January of 2021 to be used to help fund flood control improvements and repairs in and around the City of Waitsburg. Without an active flood control district, the City has limited funding options for flood control expenses. The City Council considered a variety of options, including a general property tax increase or a property tax bond before settling on the utility tax i...

  • Weller Public Library offers summer projects

    The Times|Jul 30, 2020

    WAITSBURG—The Weller Public Library will be offering activities for area youth in lieu of the summer reading program. Supplies will be available for pickup in the library foyer. This week, the library will be holding a coloring contest with prizes for the participants. There will be a dropbox at the library for completed pages, and children must put their names on their coloring page to get a prize. The projects will be: July 30- Coloring Contest August 6: Dinosaur Dig August 13: DIY Kite K...

  • Dayton Memorial Library Director resigns

    The Times|Jul 30, 2020

    DAYTON—The Columbia County Rural Library District board has announced the resignation of Library Director Dusty Waltner, who has accepted another job, effective July 31. Board Chair Karin Spann said because of uncertainties concerning COVID-19, and possible budget shortfalls, the decision has been made to appoint Kristie Korslund as Interim Director, for six months. As an employee at the library, Korslund has been involved in the library’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “This will get us through budgeting at year-end when we hopef...

  • COVID-19 can cause prolonged illness

    The Times|Jul 30, 2020

    OLYMPIA—The Washington State Coronavirus Response Joint Information Center reported on a new Center for Disease Control (CDC) report that emphasizes that COVID-19 can cause prolonged illness, including in younger people. The CDC released on Friday, July 24, findings from a telephone survey that indicates more than one-third of people diagnosed with COVID-19 who did not need hospitalization, had not returned to their usual state of health within two to three weeks of being tested. Among those b...

  • Help clean up Preston Park this Saturday at 9 a.m.

    The Times|Jul 30, 2020

    WAITSBURG—Matt and Krystal Wyatt Helping Hands of Waitsburg just announced a plan to clean up Preston Park this Saturday, August 1st, at 9 a.m. Lend a helping hand to clean up all sandbags that were left to help with the flood and remove the reminders of the devastation that affected over 60 homes in our community. We can also help out our City of Waitsburg workers who are doing a fantastic job with a high workload. With enough trucks and workers, the task will go very quickly. Needed: • Trucks to load sandbags • Masked workers with glove...

  • COVID-19 is on a path to runaway growth in Washington state

    The Times|Jul 23, 2020

    OLYMPIA—The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released the latest statewide situation report on Friday, July 17, which shows that Washington State as a whole is in an explosive situation. Transmission continues to increase or accelerate across most of Washington state. All indicators of the extent of viral spread are higher than last week, except for Yakima County. In both eastern and western Washington, cases are increasing fastest among 20-29-year-olds and are also growing in both younger and older age groups around them. There is n...

  • Army Corps of Engineers Change of Command Ceremony Friday morning

    The Times|Jul 23, 2020

    WALLA WALLA—The public is invited to attend the Walla Walla District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, change-of-command ceremony set for 10 a.m. on Friday, July 24. The ceremony will be live-streamed on YouTube at https://youtu.be/yPcI4jURgIY. Lt. Col. Richard T. Childers will assume command of the District from departing Commander Lt. Col. Christian N. Dietz, who commanded the Walla Walla District for two years and is moving on to serve as Chief of Engineering Plans and Operations and Deputy Engineer for Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) at C...

  • State health care changes continue

    The Times|Jul 23, 2020

    OLYMPIA—Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler extended his emergency order requiring health insurers to cover telehealth and copays for testing. On Friday, July 17, Kreidler directed all state-regulated health insurers to make additional coverage changes to help consumers during the coronavirus pandemic. The orders are in effect until August 16 and include coverage for treatments and testing necessary during the current pandemic. Health insurers must continue coverage for telehealth service, and visits to drive-up testing sites are to be b...

  • Julia Leavitt named Program Director for Sherwood Trust

    The Times|Jul 23, 2020

    Julia Leavitt has been promoted to Sherwood Trust’s Program Director, announced Sherwood Trust CEO Brian Hunt. Leavitt joined Sherwood Trust in November 2019 as Program Manager. As Program Director, Leavitt has responsibility for Sherwood Trust’s programming and education, including the Nonprofit and Community Learning Center, the annual Community Leadership program, and ongoing communications that support the Walla Walla Valley’s essential nonprofit sector. Leavitt also works to help support the Trust’s local grantmaking programs. “Sherwo...

  • Gatherings restricted to ten in Phase 3 counties

    Michele Smith, The Times|Jul 23, 2020

    DAYTON—Columbia County Public Health Director Martha Lanman has reported one new positive case of COVID-19, over the past weekend, in a woman under the age of 50. To date, 339 people have been tested for the virus in Columbia County. A woman in her 60s tested positive in March and has since recovered. Seven people related to one household who tested positive have also recovered. A man under the age of 50 has tested positive on July 9 and is recovering at home. Two tests are pending. There h...

  • Walla Walla County receives funding from Washington Community Economic Revitalization

    The Times|Jul 23, 2020

    OLYMPIA—The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today approved $2,005,000 in low-interest loans and $1,170,000 in grants for economic development, public infrastructure development and economic feasibility studies targeting business growth, job creation and broadband development in eight rural communities across the state. Projects awarded funding are in the following counties: Walla Walla County received funding for two projects: $50,000 grant to the City of College Place for a planning study for the city-owned F...

  • Columbia County commissioners considering advisory ballot for 51st state

    Jul 16, 2020

    DAYTON—During their work session on Monday, the Columbia County Commissioners discussed whether to give county voters an opportunity to voice an opinion about creating a 51st state, called Liberty. Earlier this month Danette Bolyard, a spokesperson for the Liberty State Movement, presented the board with a petition signed by 30 people asking that an advisory vote be placed on this November’s general election ballot. Commissioner Chuck Amerein, who is in favor, said it can be viewed as a protest vote and would place the state legislature on not...

  • Lower Granite Lock and Dam crossings to be closed until late July

    The Times|Jul 16, 2020

    CLARKSTON, Wash.—Officials at Lower Granite Lock and Dam are closing dam crossings to the public for two weeks. The closure started on July 10, due to COVID-19 health concerns. Dam officials will provide an update status on crossings in about 14 days. Public dam crossings are still available at Little Goose Lock and Dam and Lower Monumental Lock and Dam. Travelers can call 1-888-DAM-INFO (1-888-326-4636) for the most current dam-crossing information....

  • VIVE Health and Wellness center to reopen

    The Times|Jul 16, 2020

    DAYTON—A local favorite health and wellness center is reopening after a long COVID closure. VIVE is operated by Levi Sowerby, a health and wellness coach that provides customized plans to meet your goals. VIVE, located at 446 E. Main Street in Dayton opened again on Monday, July 13. Hours are Monday through Friday 6-8 a.m. and 4:30-7 p.m. Call (828) 989-1347 with any questions or visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/vivebody....

  • An Evening NOT at the Depot

    The Times|Jul 16, 2020

    DAYTON—In an effort to raise needed funds for operations, the Dayton Historical Depot Society has adapted their Evening at the Depot fundraiser this year which complies with the Stay Home, Stay Safe order. This year’s event will consist of an online auction running July 25 - August 1, culminating with a fun Zoom event on the evening of August 1. The Society hopes to raise $40,000 with this event. The auction is open to everyone, buying an event ticket is not required to bid on this year’s items. While the auction is not open yet, infor...

  • Applications Open for 2020 Sherwood Trust Community Leadership Program

    Jul 16, 2020

    WALLA WALLA—Sherwood Trust is looking for community-minded leaders of all experience levels for its 2020 Community Leadership program. The no-cost program begins in September and culminates in the summer of 2021 with a collaborative project. The deadline for nominations is July 31, 2020. The Community Leadership Program has for 16 years strengthened local leadership and community-building abilities with a hands-on, interactive program to develop leadership and community-building skills for Walla Walla Valley residents. In collaboration with Rur...

  • New from the Port of Columbia

    Michele Smith, The Times|Jul 16, 2020

    DAYTON—Port of Columbia Executive Director Jennie Dickinson said the county’s unemployment rate held relatively steady, at 10.5 percent in May, compared to 10.4 percent in April. June rates are not yet available. The state unemployment rate dropped from 15.8 percent to 14.8 percent over the same period of time, she said. Additional emergency assistance is on the horizon to help local businesses and nonprofits. The Port will be the conduit for funds from three different sources. Dickinson sai...

  • Two candidate forums to be held next week

    the Times|Jul 9, 2020

    WALLA WALLA-The Walla Walla branch of American Association of University Women (AAUW) are hosting two candidate forums next week. The County Commissioners and Superior Court Judges will be at the first candidate forum on Tuesday, July 14th at 6:30 p.m. The State Representatives will be at the second candidate forum on Thursday, July 16th at 6:30 p.m. Since in-person gatherings are not possible at this time, the forums will be conducted via a Zoom meeting hosted on the Walla Walla Valley Chamber...

  • Benton, Franklin and Yakima counties approved to move to modified Phase 1 of Gov. Jay Inslee's Safe Start plan

    the Times|Jul 9, 2020

    OLYMPIA—On July 3, Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman approved Benton, Franklin and Yakima counties to move to a modified Phase 1 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Safe Start plan. Effective July 3, the following activities are permitted in Benton, Franklin and Yakima counties: • Construction as permitted in Phase 2 guidance. • Manufacturing as permitted in Phase 2 guidance. • Restaurants for outdoor seating only at 50% of existing outdoor capacity. • In-store retail at 15% indoor capacity with indoor activities limited to 30 minutes. ...

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