The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

OLYMPIA — As kids across Washington head back to the classroom, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) encourages everyone to get caught up on their vaccinations to help keep families and communities healthy and safe. Children entering...

OLYMPIA—Individuals and families may receive refunds of up to $1,200 through Working Families Tax Credit if they meet eligibility requirements. The program is modeled after the Earned Income Tax Credit program; applications may be submitted... Full story

OLYMPIA—Governor Jay Inslee signed a bill on Monday, initially sponsored by Representatives Klicker, Leavitt, Barkis, Jacobsen, Waters, Chapman, Reed, and Graham, increasing affordable housing options in the state. House Bill 1293 streamlines the...

OLYMPIA—The costs associated with flooding exceed all other natural hazards in Washington state. Each year, there is a better than 80% chance that ten or more flood events will occur, and the frequency of floods will increase as the climate...

OLYMPIA — Washington Sno-Park permits go on sale starting November 1, 2022. The State Parks Winter Recreation Program manages over 120 recreation sites, or Sno-Parks, across the state, which recreators can enjoy during the winter season. Parking... Full story

OLYMPIA—Since 1972, National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD) is celebrated on the fourth Saturday of September to recognize generations of sports people for their contributions to the conservation of our nation’s rich sporting heritage and...

OLYMPIA—Nearly 30% (45,000–55,000) of Washington’s high school students are employed. State Superintendent Chris Reykdal announced a plan to allow students ages 16 and up to earn elective credits toward graduation through verified paid work...

OLYMPIA —Thanks to federal COVID-19 relief funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), many families in Washington state will have another round of food assistance available to them while children are home during the summer break. Calle... Full story

OLYMPIA— 988 is the new, nationwide, three-digit dialing code for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The 988 dialing code connects people via call, text, or chat to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL), where compassionate,... Full story

OLYMPIA—The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission invites visitors to enjoy a state park on Saturday, June 11 in celebration of National Get Outdoors Day, Sunday, June 12 in recognition of Free Fishing Day, and Sunday, June 19 in honor...

OLYMPIA—Washington’s tuberculosis (TB) cases are rising, putting state and local public health officials on heightened alert. Widespread disruptions in public health and healthcare services and missed TB diagnoses due to similarities in symptoms...

OLYMPIA — The Office of the Secretary of State received multiple reports of third-party canvassers presenting themselves as elections officials and going door-to-door across Washington asking residents about their voter information and other...

OLYMPIA – On April 13, the Washington State Board of Health (SBOH) voted not to include COVID-19 in the state’s immunization requirements for school entry at this time. As stated in today’s SBOH meeting, the Washington State Department of...

  OLYMPIA–Thousands of doses of a potentially life-saving COVID-19 drug are available in the state of Washington, potentially benefitting those at highest risk for hospitalization and death from COVID-19.  Evusheld (tixagevimab co-packaged with... Full story

OLYMPIA—Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs encourages Washingtonians to do their due diligence and conduct research on the charities or nonprofits to which they donate to support relief efforts in Ukraine. “Americans are a generous...

OLYMPIA—Washington state legislative bill HB1928 (2021-22), concerning equine industry support, has passed the House and moved to the state Senate. On February 28, the Senate sent the bill to the Rules Committee for a second reading. Sponsored by...

OLYMPIA—Governor Jay Inslee last week announced that, on March 21, the indoor mask mandate will be lifted for most settings. The February 17 announcement was made after nearly two years of mandated mask-wearing, and recent rapidly declining... Full story

OLYMPIA—Abbott Nutrition announced late on Thursday, February 17, that it is voluntarily recalling powdered infant formula produced at their Sturgis facility in Michigan. This includes Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare brand formula. The recall comes... Full story

OLYMPIA—The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) changed how it presents information on its COVID-19 Data Dashboard on January 21. The goal is to display current trends and information that are most applicable to the current phase of the...

OLYMPIA‚—The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is recommending people 18 and older choose to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) instead of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine. This update follows...

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), is updating the health and safety requirements for high contact indoor sports in the wake of a multi-school, multi-county outbreak. The outbreaks are linked to a series of wrestling...

OLYMPIA—Vaccines remain the best public health tool available to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission, and preserve our healthcare system. The emergence of the omicron variant in Washington further emphasizes the importance of...

OLYMPIA—Across the state, more than 129,000 children ages 5 through 11 have received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine since eligibility expanded to include younger kids Nov. 3. Vaccinating children is a crucial step...

OLYMPIA— ’Tis the season for happy holidays, charitable giving…and scammers. The Office of the Secretary of State is encouraging people to “give smart” this holiday season to help them ensure their charitable donations go to their intended... Full story