Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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WAITSBURG - The iconic musician Dolly Parton passed away on Tuesday, August 25. She lived an exemplary life of art, love, and generosity. This extraordinary woman's vision changed childhood for millions of kids internationally. In Eastern Washington, Parton's legacy lives in every book delivered, every story shared, and every child inspired to dream bigger through the Imagination Library of Washington. She began the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to provide free, high-quality books to...
OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Commerce recommends the following agencies serving wildfire impacted regions: ChelanDouglas Community Action Council Serves: Chelan and Douglas Counties Phone: 5096626156 Website: cdcac.org Northwest Community Action Center Serves: Yakima County, South Phone: 509-865-7630 North Opportunities Industrialization Center of Washington Serves: Adams, Grant, Yakima Phone: 509-248-6751 Website: oicofwa.org Okanogan County Community Action Council Serves: Okanogan County Phone: 5094224041 Website: occac.com R...
KENNEWICK — For only the second time in history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis. Patients may already be feeling the impact, and donations are urgently needed to save lives. Summer blood donations are at a four-year low, worsening this season’s blood shortage. All blood types are needed; however, the situation is especially dire for type O blood. The supply of type O positive blood has dropped below a one-day supply. The Red Cross must limit the distribution of these blood products to hospitals. Now is the time to...
OLYMPIA — In a press release dated July 17, 2026, the Washington Secretary of State Office stated: “As expected, the information presented yesterday does not change the fact that claims of widespread election fraud have been repeatedly disproven. “What we heard last night sounds like concern about election security, when in fact this administration has dismantled the critical federal cybersecurity programs that support our elections. “We have been aware of and responding to foreign nation-state attempts on our election systems since before...
OLYMPIA — Primary voting begins July 17, the following are the dates and deadlines for Wash. voters: July 17 – Start of 18-day voting period (through Election Day). Ballots are mailed out and Accessible Voting Units (AVUs) are available at voting centers. July 27 – Online and mail registrations must be received 8 days before Election Day. Register to vote in person during business hours and any time before 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. August 4 – Deadline for Washington State voter registration or updates (in person only). August 4 – Primary -...
OLYMPIA — On Friday, May 29, the U.S. Postal Service released a proposed rule for handling ballot mail in federal elections in alignment with Executive Order 14399 regarding elections. “This is an unnecessary rule and does nothing to provide security in our elections. We’ll continue to evaluate and provide feedback to the USPS,” Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said. “Once again, we’re seeing federal overreach that threatens to undermine the rights of eligible voters and override states’ authority over elections. This is clearly another attempt b...
OLYMPIA - Trump issued an executive order on March 31, 2026, directing the creation of a national voter list and restricting mail-in voting. The order calls on the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to make the list. It also instructs the United States Postal Service to send mail-in ballots only to verified voters. Though Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that the order is legally foolproof, legal experts believe it is unconstitutional. A previous...
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed 26 measles cases across four counties this year, marking an increase from the three cases reported in a single county on January 16. The 26 measles cases reported in the first two months of 2026 are more than double the 12 cases reported in 2025. Over half of the measles cases reported in Washington in 2026 are linked to an outbreak, defined as three or more related cases. No measles outbreaks were reported in 2025. N...
WAITSBURG — There is still time to sign up or revisit existing health insurance plans in Washington state. The annual open enrollment period closes on January 15. Due to the expiration of extended Affordable Care Act tax breaks, the state has said that costs may rise for many Washington residents with subsidized healthcare plans. Plan holders need to check the status of their existing plans before enrollment closes. The state created the Washington Healthplanfinder to help residents find and keep health coverage based on income. Available p...
OLYMPIA – The following is a statement by the Washington State Department of Health: Vaccines save lives. Childhood immunizations prevent serious illness, hospitalization, long-term complications, and death. They also help stop the spread of disease in families, schools, and communities. Changed federal recommendations have removed routine childhood immunizations for several diseases that can have serious health impacts, including hepatitis A and B, rotavirus, RSV, influenza, and meningococcal disease. Weakening routine childhood vaccine recomm...
OLYMPIA — As families gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, it’s important to keep fire safety in mind to ensure a safe and joyful holiday. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Thanksgiving Day has the highest number of home-cooking fire incidents nationwide, and residential fires are approximately three times more likely to occur on this day than on any other day of the year. The Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office offers the following fire safety tips: • Watch what you cook: Keep a close eye on cooking food and never l...
OLYMPIA - Organic baby formula, ByHeart, has recalled all of its products nationwide on Tuesday, after federal and state health agencies began investigating an outbreak of botulism linked to powdered infant formula produced by ByHeart. Fifteen infants in 12 states have been hospitalized, including one infant from Lewis County, Washington. All of the reported outbreak cases were associated with the consumption of ByHeart brand powdered infant formula. ByHeart has voluntarily recalled the f...
OLYMPIA — Every year from October 15 to December 7, Medicare allows recipients to switch plans. And we all know that Medicare can be a confusing topic. Plans can change every year, so it’s essential to review yours to ensure it still works for you. Choose reputable sources for information. Talk with your employer’s HR representatives. Utilize official government websites, including Healthcare.gov, Medicare.gov, Medicaid.gov, and wahealthplanfinder.org. Familiarlize yourself with medical and insurance terminology to understand deduc...
OLYMPIA—Secretary of State Steve Hobbs received a request from the U.S. Department of Justice, dated September 8, 2025, for all fields of Washington’s voter registration list. On Tuesday, September 23, Hobbs responded that his office can only provide the publicly disclosable information permitted under state law. Pursuant to RCWs 29A.08.710 and 29A.08.720, publicly disclosable fields are the registrant’s name, address, year of birth, and voting history. Registered voters’ data including the last four digits of a Social Security numbers...
OLYMPIA - Dolly Parton founded her Imagination Library in tribute to her father, who was unable to read and write. It helps families worldwide have access to free reading materials, sharing the love of reading and the power of books with their children. In 2022, the state Legislature, in partnership with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), expanded access to the Imagination Library to all children in Washington...
OLYMPIA — The 4th of July can be filled with fun and excitement for everyone. Due to this year’s high-heat and dry conditions in the state, the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office recommends viewing fireworks at a public display where possible. In 2024, fireworks were responsible for 156 injuries and 271 fires in Washington State, with the highest concentration of incidents occurring on the Fourth of July. When setting off fireworks at home, the Marshal offers the following suggestions to stay safe: Only use legal consumer-grade fireworks. H...
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Library (WSL) announced program closures to the public for its research library and the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library. There will also be a restriction of services at those locations after the state legislature did not include funding in the signed 2025-27 state budget. Both the research library in Tumwater, Washington and the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library (WTBBL) in Seattle will be closed to the public starting July 1 and will remain closed until further notice. Staffing and resource cuts...
OLYMPIA –The measles outbreak in the United States has surpassed 800 confirmed cases across 24 states, including a fifth reported case in Washington. The Washington State Department of Health urges parents and caregivers to protect their children from the disease with two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Adults are also encouraged to verify their measles vaccination status online at MyIRmobile.com or with their provider. “I’m worried that some data show that Washington kindergartners have lower rates of MMR cover...
OLYMPIA — Starting May 7, 2025, Americans will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of identification to board domestic flights. This requirement also applies to accessing certain federal facilities. Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005, and states must create IDs requiring applicants to prove their identity and legal U.S. residency and have certain counterfeit-resistant features. The Washington REAL ID is the Enhanced ID or Enhanced Driver’s License. It is not mandatory to change to either; other forms of ID...
OLYMPIA — Washington state employees increased their non-perishable food, books, and money donations for the Well Fed, Well Read campaign during the 2025 Washington State Combined Fund Drive. The Combined Fund Drive is a Washington state workplace giving program for active and retired public employees to give to the charity of their choice through payroll contributions and agency fundraising events. It is an Office of the Secretary of State program. The campaign ran from April 1 – 15, and state employees donated more than 2,908 pounds of food,...
OLYMPIA — Paddle sports, including kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding, are among the most popular activities in Washington State. A Recreation and Conservation Office study showed 52% of survey respondents participate in paddle sports, up 28% from a 2017 study. Rising safety incidents show the importance of education on paddle sport safety. Paddle sports account for 61% of reportable boating fatalities between 2023 and 2024. Out of 22 paddle sport fatalities, 18 occurred when the individual was not wearing a life jacket. In r...
OLYMPIA— The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) announced the publication of the 2024 Target Zero Plan. Target Zero is Washington’s goal to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries on Washington’s roads by 2030. The updated plan reflects the state’s ongoing commitment to traffic safety and outlines a comprehensive approach to addressing the critical factors contributing to fatal and serious collisions. Since its inception in 2000, Target Zero has provided a strategic ro...
OLYMPIA – Nobody likes to see food go to waste, especially during the holiday season. Why not get inspired this holiday season? A few simple tips can help you reduce waste and save money. When food ends up in the trash, it means wasted money – but once that trash ends up in a landfill, it also produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. To help holiday hosts reduce the amount of food they waste, the Washington Department of Ecology is launching a holiday edition of its “Use Food Well” food waste prevention campaign. Washington wastes half a...
OLYMPIA — With the 2024 wildfire season underway, the Washington Department of Ecology is launching an enhanced air quality monitoring map to help Washingtonians track air pollution and take steps to protect their health and the health of their families. Ecology has made the air monitoring map more accessible on smartphones and tablets, and it can be downloaded to a smartphone or desktop computer. The map draws the most accurate and real-time data from the state’s network of more than 80 air quality monitoring stations, providing a col...
OLYMPIA, WA. — According to the USDA, seven days were suitable for fieldwork in Washington, unchanged from the previous week. The continuing drought in Western Washington has caused difficult farming conditions. Central Washington dealt with heat and lack of moisture, which impacted wheat and forage crops. Forage crops had little regrowth; in some areas, cattle grazed fields that should have had a second hay-cutting. In Yakima County, daytime highs for the week started in the lower 80s but neared triple digits by the end of the week. The c...
