The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

HERMANNS TRIAL DELAYED

WALLA WALLA - The trial of Waitsburg resident Adam Hermanns, one of two suspects in a home invasion in College Place in April, is now set to begin July 13.

Hermanns and fellow defendant Antonio Contreras of Walla Walla, who will be tried separately, pleaded not guilty to one count each of first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary and first-degree kidnapping.

The 23-year-old Waitsburg resident has also been accused of first-degree burglary and second-degree assault for allegedly entering a different College Place residence a few days earlier.

SUMMER READING THEME

WAITSBURG - Weller Public Library would like to thank Tom House, Kyle Martin and Karlie Pettichord-Mathews for this summer's theme of Jungle Safari for the Summer Reading Program.

The Summer Reading Program is open to all students who have completed first grade or higher. It runs for the first ten weeks of summer vacation every Thursday from 2pm to 3pm. Every week there is a different activity and a snack. Special prizes and drawings will take place on the last day, as well as a pizza party. Students must sign up to participate in the SRP. Sign-ups take place through July.

Story time is open to all ages of children who have not yet completed first grade. Story time happens year round every Thursday from 10:30 to 11:15. All reading programs are free and do not require Waitsburg residency.

CHAMBER NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

DAYTON - The Dayton Chamber Of Commerce is looking for volunteers to help out while the circus is in town June 30.

The chamber hopes to staff parking of vehicles for the performances at the future home of the Blue Mountain Station with two shifts of eight volunteers each. The shows are at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm.

For more information, call 509-382-4825.

FOOTBALL CAMP STARTS

WAITSBURG - The 2011 WP Youth Football Camp starts Monday, June 13.

Prospective participants from grades 3 - 8 can sign up that morning at 10:45 a.m. at Cardinal Field in Waitsburg.

The cost of the non-contact football camp, which runs 11 am - 5 pm daily, is $30 and $20 without the T-shirt. The program includes invidual instruction at every position on the field; Drill work and fundamentals; passing league games and tournament; punt, pass and kick competition; sportsmanship awards; BBQ lunch and sports drinks.

For more information, call 509-337-9474.

HALF OFF CAMPING

BURBANK - Outdoors enthusiasts can enjoy 50 percent off Monday through Thursday camping all season long at recreation facilities managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers near Ice Harbor Lock and Dam.

They include Hood Park, open May 1 through Sept. 30; Charbonneau Park, open May 1 through Sept. 31; and Fishhook Park, open May 20 through Sept. 7;

Discounts are automatically applied at time reservation is made online, at the call center, or at campgrounds as well for non-reservable sites managed as first come first serve sites. America the Beautiful, Senior and Golden Age Access passes honored for an additional 50 percent discount.

Contact information unless stated otherwise: Ice Harbor Natural Resources Management. Telephone: (509) 547- 2048.

TOURISM MEET & GREET

WAITSBURG - The next Meet & Greet for the Touchet Valley Tourism Alliance has been set for Wednesday, June 15, at 5 p.m. at the Rawhide Bar & Grill in Starbuck.

The Meet & Greet sessions are designed to allow tourism oriented businesses and agencies to network, become informed about each other and explore tourism promotion initiatives.

For more information, call 509-337-6631.

RIDING FOR A CAUSE

WALLA WALLA - The Wheatland Wheelers Cycling Club is sponsoring the 6th annual Ann Weatherill Cycling Classic on Saturday, June 18. Ann Weatherill was a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay, Garrison Middle School teacher, mother and cyclist who was struck and killed by an oncoming motorist passing other vehicles on a group bike ride with friends on State Highway 124 between Prescott and Waitsburg on Mother's Day in 2004.

The proceeds from this event are used by the Blue Mountain Foundation's "Ann Fund" and the Wheatland Wheelers Cycling Club to promote bicycle safety programs in the Walla Walla Valley.

This is a recreational bike ride offering 3 separate routes of 30, 62, and 100 miles. All three routes start at Pioneer Park in Walla Walla and follow portions of largely rural roads in Walla Walla and Umatilla Counties.

For information, call Brad Daly at 509-520-2288.

WAYFINDING PROJECT

WALLA WALLA - The Regional Wayfinding System project, spearheaded by Partnership Walla Walla and Tourism Walla Walla, received another key funding source yesterday when the Sherwood Trust awarded a $44,000 Community Development grant for Phase 2 of the endeavor.

The purpose of the project is to develop a seamless and cohesive transit system through the use of a coordinated signage layout, walking kiosks and the latest smart phone technologies. This wayfinding system will allow visitors and local residents to reach their destinations expeditiously, resulting in an experience that fosters return visits, and economic growth.