Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Sorted by date Results 2 - 26 of 3302
WAITSBURG - The sun is out, and tulips are blossoming, and as usual, volunteers are preparing Waitsburg for spring and summer. Volunteers were out replanting the pots along Main Street. Karen Gregutt was joined by Jim Strawn, Janice McIntyre, Trisha Knee, Richard Hines, Corben Ketelson, Patrick, and Dayna. After the recent flooding, the city's sandbag supply needed to be restocked. Members of the Waitsburg football team came to the rescue, helping Marshall Nechrom and others fill, move, and...
Martin Vasquez Martin Vasquez's parents are Alisha and Josh Vasquez. Martin started at Waitsburg High School in his sophomore year. He is a full-time WHS student. Vasquez has volunteered at the Waitsburg Lions Club rib and salmon feeds. In addition, he helped paint the football field for home games and worked at school concessions. In the community, he has raked leaves for elderly residents and assisted with the FFA Festival of Trees fundraiser during Hometown Christmas. Vasquez's favorite...
Fifteen Years Ago April 14, 2011 Bill Clemens presents the grant award check from the Pacific Power Foundation to Jessica Atwood, co-chair of the Downtown Dayton Playground Committee, as they stand at the site of the future playground. The recent wresting Little Guys wrestling tournament at Waitsburg's Kison Court helped raise interest in the sport among middle and high school students in the area. In action here is Austin Kimmon, a Dayton member of the Waitsburg Matbirds. Prescott seniors David...
We make several trips to the southern Washington coast throughout the year. From the lazy sunny days of summer to the dramatic storms of winter, there is something special about each season. My favorite time to visit is September through October, when the weather is still lovely and the post-Labor Day tourist crowds are much smaller. Last week, we were able to sneak off for a quick weekend get-away where we were met with perfect weather and a chance to satisfy our built-up seafood cravings. At t...
WAITSBURG - What a dream-my grandies and their mom were arriving from Portland for a weekend visit that included Valentine's Day and a 14th birthday. They love being at our Milton-Freewater farm-ranch, officially called "The Franch." The donkeys entertain, the cows embody bovine contentment, and Grandpa gives the youngsters driving lessons on the ATV and tractor. There's plenty of room to spread out, play games, and cook meals together. But a visit over four days with two celebrations calls for...
4:30 a.m. – I awake to the sound of crickets. "Thank God!" The classic iPhone alarm releases me from a fitful night of what felt like daggers being twisted in my lumbar spine. "Par for the course," I think, groaning as I stretch; my lower back straps begrudgingly limbering up. The concrete floor is cold beneath my feet as I shuffle toward the bathroom, flicking on the coffee pot, which Jack had thoughtfully prepped last night. 4:35 a.m. – I shuffle back to the futon and rummage through an ove...
Fifteen Years Ago March 31, 2011 Dubbed the "Hee-Haw Honies," Columbia County Fair Board Vice President Debbie Bailey, Secretary Christine Broughton, volunteer LeeAnn Literal and President Miranda Bowen perform a skit during Saturday's kickoff. Leroy Cunningham, founder of Rural Green Youth Enterprises talks to contruction worker Carmen Castaldo outside the first-ever space for the socio-economic youth program: the former Nothing New Antiques store on Waitsburg's Main Street. New Sheriff John...
With the warmer days and the first flowers blooming, my mind has turned to planning some springtime entertaining. A decadent weekend brunch with friends, full of lively conversation, and hopefully a mimosa or two, is a favorite daytime option. Here, my recipe for a classic hollandaise sauce is poured over a seasonal variation of eggs benedict, featuring cured salmon and fresh asparagus in place of the Canadian bacon. Ingredients: For the Hollandaise: 4 egg yolks 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed...
Does this reader's photo capture a sunbeam or alien contact? Are Waitsburg's wild turkeys communicating with extraterrestrials, or are they feathered E.T.s?...
Fifteen Years Ago March 24, 2011 4-Paws Dog Obedience Class (a 4-H club) will be holding their first organizational meeting of the year on Monday, March 26 at 4 p.m. at the Hockersmith home in Waitsburg. [Photo Caption] Tell-tale signs of spring include this year's bumper crop of kids at the Monteillet Fromagerie just west of Dayton. Joan and Pierre-Louis Monteillet reported the birth of 60 goats and 45 sheep this year with another 10 and 25 of each on the way respectively. The farm is among...
After six years of living in the Inland Northwest, there are still a few things about the other side of the state that I miss terribly. At the top of this list is access to fresh, local seafood, something I might have taken for granted at the time. Thankfully, there are many wonderful options for local and sustainable seafood that can be found flash-frozen in area grocery stores. Domestic, wild-caught shrimp, frozen raw, have become a staple in our freezer, perfect for quick weeknight dinners....
WAITSBURG-On March 12, Waitsburg High School's National Honor Society partnered with the American Red Cross to organize a blood drive at the school gym. NHS students Sarah Daves, Sara Wilson, Hope Adkins, Karissa Potts, and Bea Karl signed in the registered donors and assisted advisor Shannon Schreindl at their second drive this school year. Twenty-one donors contributed a total of twenty-five units of blood. Of these donors, 12 had type O blood, and four were first-time donors. One single...
Fifteen Years Ago March 17, 2011 Waitsburg Elementary School Students of the Month for February are 4th graders: Honesty Alexander and Kelsey Alleman with 5th graders Austin James and Tyler Wood. Waitsburg's newest young bluegrass band, the Rezonators, includes members: Emily Adams (fiddle), Kassidy Kuykendall (mandolin), Chris Philbrook (banjo), Beka Adams (guitar), Emma Philbrook (mandolin), and Kavin Kuykendall (banjo). Twenty-Five Years Ago March 15, 2001 Waitsburg's spring baseball season...
There are few sensory experiences more inviting than the smell of fresh baked bread filling your home. Though I was once terribly intimidated by bread making, through careful and delicious experimentation it become a satisfying addition to my kitchen repertoire. While pulling a fresh loaf from the oven is sure to impress special dinner guests, it can also be a wonderful way to elevate a middle-of-the-week meal for two. Recently, while researching recipes in preparation of our family Saint...
WAITSBURG - The following Waitsburg Elementary students received P.R.I.D.E recognition for preparedness at the March 6 assembly: Kindergarten: Vivian Mewes and Joanna "Jo Jo" Giacalone 1st: Vera Ahler and Greyson Moore 2nd: Ayla Brabant and Kennedy Henze 3rd: Finley Huxoll and Corben Brock 4th: Vaida Langford and Clayton Katsel 5th: Elise Pearson and Julian Gillentine 6th: Oaklee Adams and Arya Hillman P.R.I.D.E. is a Waitsburg School program to highlight the traits of Preparedness, Respect,...
NEW YORK, NY - This month, items from the Jim Irsay collection are being auctioned by Christie's. Jim Irsay inherited the Indianapolis Colts from his father and served as the principal owner, chairman, and CEO until his death in May 2025. The billionaire built a collection based on his interests in popular culture and music. It is considered one of the largest and most significant guitar collections, including instruments originally owned by Elvis, Prince, The Beatles, The Stones, and Johnny...
Fifteen Years Ago March 10, 2011 Members, parents, siblings and coaches from 17 eastern Washington youth wrestling teams gathered in Waitsburg for the first tournament of the five-week Little Guys wrestling season. The 10 a.m. flag salute at Kison Court included an Honor Guard. Nearly 500 competitors participated in this first big tournament hosted by Waitsburg. Columbia County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Joe Helm checks the speed of oncoming traffic on Highway 12 in Dayton on Tuesday. Little...
WAITSBURG — Between February 23 and 28, Waitsburg FFA members wrapped up a fun week of activities during National FFA Week. On Monday, the members wore blue, treated the staff to a soda bar, and held a chapter meeting. On Tuesday, members dressed in blue and voted for the 2026 Harvest Court. The court result was announced on Western Wednesday. This year’s Harvest Ball Court consists of freshmen Carter Barron, Joslin Nodine, sophomores Gavin Mikesell, Makaelyn Mikesell, juniors Griffin Hinchliffe, Kayla Mikesell, and seniors Koyen Fortune and...
WAITSBURG - The Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction selected the Waitsburg School District as one of five to offer the Natural Helpers program. The OSPI describes the program as a peer-to-peer support program designed for middle and high school students. Since friends tend to go to friends for support or advice, the program helps students recognize when peers need help, and how and when to connect them with, and how to do so. Natural Helpers refer to youth who are seen...
When I was a boy living in a linear neighborhood between beef cattle and silage corn fields, my best friend Sarah and I often hid among the branches of a sweeping eastern hemlock. The stately evergreen reached toward the sky with its conical shape, its low branches sprawling over the ground. Sarah and I would sit on the branches, laugh at each other's jokes, and invent silly childhood games, like creating our own language. Describing my and Sarah's unique language as nonsensical is an adult...
Fifteen Years Ago March 3, 2011 Cougars have been seen more often in recent years in Columbia County. Just two weeks ago, Dayton resident Derek Katsel found one roaming through his backyard before it was taken down by a Fish & Wildlife official. High School students from Dayton, DeSales in Walla Walla and Waitsburg competed in Tuesday's Knowledge Bowl at the WHS auditorium. Former Seattle Supersonic Shawn Kemp signs autographs for fans at Ski Bluewood on Saturday during the resort's first Snow...
As spring green colors are finally popping up in our yard, I found myself craving tender green flavors. Rainbow chard braised with aromatics in stock and wine, is a favorite side dish that I love to prepare throughout the year. Here, the addition of potato gnocchi and sweet peas turns the braised greens into a delightful main course. For serving, a dollop of ricotta cheese adds a luscious creaminess, while fresh lemon zest and juice adds brightness. Ingredients: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 3...
Fifteen Years Ago February 24, 2011 Both the girls and boys Cardinals basketball teams celebrated district tournament victories at Whitman College in Walla Walla this past Friday. They made history by becoming the first teams to win the title at the same time. Cole and Brittany Lindsey, married just last year in Puerto Rico, left for a missionary adventure to Kenya last week. Young wrestlers and their support staff roll up the mats that are too old and worn out for the growing wrestling...
Waitsburg Elementary students participated in the annual Kids Heart Challenge on Friday, February 13, in the high school gym. The students rotated through stations, participating in activities such as jumping rope, hula-hooping, bowling, and basketball. A heart-healthy snack was served at one station. Students in kindergarten through sixth grade received donations from family and friends and raised over $ 3,000 for the American Heart Association. Kennedy Henze was the top money raiser,...
WAITSBURG - The Waitsburg High School's leadership class and FFA Advisor Nicole Abel have enrolled in the peer-to-peer program, "Teens in the Driver Seat". The program began in Texas in 2002 as an initiative under the Texas A&M Transportation Institute. "Teens in the Driver Seat" is available to high schools in 28 states, including Washington, which introduced the program in 2021. The teen driving program promotes traffic safety by addressing specific risks for teen drivers. Risks identified by...
