WAITSBURG - Waitsburg resident Jane Butler, age 90, has deep family roots in the Touchet Valley through her husband Bob. Butler has lived in town about 50 years, non-consecutively, and is being honored for her family history with the Pioneer of the Year award from the Waitsburg Historical Society.

"I feel honored," Butler said of the award.

She learned she was to be the honoree at the upcoming

Pioneer Fall Festival on Sept. 18 through a letter from Bettie Chase, a member of the historical society.

The historical society in 1986 began giving awards annually to locals whose ancestors helped t...