The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

7TH STREET PROJECT STARTS

WAITSBURG - Starting Thursday, Sept. 1, the city of Waitsburg will be grinding asphalt so the city can replace the water line on W. 7th St. The work will take 20 days and will take place on W. 7th street from Orchard to Arnold.

COUNTY FURLOUGH DAY

DAYTON - On Friday, Sept. 2, some Columbia County offices will be closed because of a budgetary furlough day. Those offices affected by the furlough and will be closed are the assessor, auditor, county commissioners, facilities maintenance, human services, personnel/risk management, public health, public records, treasurer and WSU extension. Crisis and residential mental health services will remain open seven days a week. Other offices that will remain open are superior court, district court, county clerk, coroner, prosecuting attorney's office, sheriff's office, jail, juvenile justice center/court services, emergency management, emergency medical services and public works department. All offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 5 to observe the Labor Day holiday.

PRESCOTT LIBRARY BENEFIT

PRESCOTT - The Friends of the Prescott Library is having a book and bake sale on Saturday, Sept. 17 and Sunday, Sept. 18. The sale will take place inside the Prescott Lions Hall in conjunction with the Prescott Community Club's Lions Hall Breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. both days. There will be books and magazines for sale as well as homemade baked goods. Come for breakfast, and pick up a book and some dessert for the road. All proceeds from the sale go to the Friends of the Prescott Library. For more information, visit prescottfriends@wwrurallibrary.com

SCHOOL GETS CLEAN AUDIT

STARBUCK - The Starbuck School District was audited for school years 2008-2010 and the district did not violate state laws in any way, the report said. The audit checked for misappropriation or misuse of public funding by the district. The report did say "certain matters" were discussed with the district and it is working with the district to solve them.

LYONS FERRY'S NEW PUMP

STARBUCK - Over the Labor Day weekend, a new pump out station will be installed at the Lyons Ferry Marina. The pump will cost $9,227 and three-quarters of the cost will be covered by a Clean Vessel Pumpout Grant. The new pump will help reduce pollution from vessel sewage discharges into local waterways.

CAREFUL IN THE FOREST

DAYTON - As of Aug. 26, the Umatilla National Forest now has restrictions on the use of internal combustion engines, chainsaws and generators in its land. Campfires and smoking were already prohibited. The new restrictions have been put into place because of increased fire danger, hot, dry weather conditions and concerns for public safety.

SPECIAL AIR OFFER

WALLA WALLA - Alaska Airlines is offering a discount and perks to those who fly round trip into the Walla Walla Airport. Customers will get a 20 percent discount on flights to Walla Walla, tasting fees waived at more than 55 wineries, two-for-one priced tickets to the Power House Theatre reserve seating performances of "Marilyn: Forever Blonde" or Truman Capote's "A Christmas Memory" and the golf cart fee waived at the Wine Valley Golf Club. Tickets must be purchased between Sept. 9 and Sept. 30 and travel through Jan. 31, 2012. Taxes, fees and blackout dates apply. Visit wallawallawine.com or Alaska Airlines for more information.

SHERIFF'S FOUNDATION MEETS

WALLA WALLA -- The Walla Walla Sheriff's Foundation Board of Directors will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 7 at the Walla Walla Regional Airport Conference Room. Those in attendance will learn more about the organization's equipment, supplies, infrastructure and other needs. Sheriff John Turner will be a keynote speaker and will talk about how and why the foundation's work is critical to enhancing law enforcement's capabilities in the community. Community members interested in learning more about the foundation and how to support it are invited to attend.