The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Ten Years Ago

August 24, 2006

The Waitsburg Cardinal Football Program began workouts last week in preparation for the Sept. 1 opener against Enterprise (Ore.) in Waitsburg. These returning lettermen will lead the team in the 2006 campaign. Jeff Hofer, John Gertsch, Tyson Cole, Aaron Leal, Dakota Hopkins, Austin Dabulskis, Adam Fitzhugh, Morgan Baker, Fred Cunz, Josh Wilson, Cole Janovich, Nick Cloin, Jeremy Nichols, Kellen Gerke.

At least one home has been lost and Dayton and Columbia County has been enveloped in a smoky curtain as dry lightning Monday night ignited tiner-dry fuels in three separate locations. The residence of Lester and Jana Eaton in Crall Hollow was lost Tuesday, according to Jennie Dickinson of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce.

Rep. Cathy McMorris will present a $20,000 check to the City of Waitsburg Friday at 9 a.m. at City Hall. Mayor Martin Dunn will be on hand to accept the check from Rep. McMorris. The funds, granted by USDA Rural Development, will allow the City to purchase a new street sweeper.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

August 22, 1991

A feature article in the Sunday, August 11 Union-Bulletin by writer Jeremy Meyer has created some interest in Waitsburg’s favorite storyteller, Berger Chase. His one-liners, appearing weeky in The Times, have brought enquiries from KIRO News in Seattle. They Meyer story went out on the wire, and as of this writing has been reprinted in Yakima, Salem, Oregon and Twin Falls, Idaho, to name just a few. Fame just couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

Superintendent Ed Larsen invited board members to take a walk through the gym. The floor have been re-finished, and 78 like-new lockers, purchased from Walla Walla Country Club, have been installed. The place is in excellent condition, thanks to lots of work this summer by Jim Young and crew and Jeff White and his crew.

Fifty Years Ago

August 18, 1966

Photo caption: The six combines that make up Jim Hansen’s working unit are here aligned on a steep sidehill for a picture during last week’s harvesting. By the end of the season, Jim and his men will have cut 6000 acres in less than 30 days.

If Waitsburg has a title of “Good Samaritan,” then it surely must go to Ralph Rankin. Ralph is not only a good citizen in the area of keeping his own house, lawn, and flower garden in tip condition – he has an eye for city beautification. Ralph has undertaken the project of planting grass, trees, and shrubs on the parking leading into Waitsburg. This has been a summer-long effort, and the grass is now coming along nicely. The “beauty strip” is a fine addition to the town, and will serve to give visitors a welcome first impression of our city.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

August 22, 1941

Mr. George Lowery who has been with the Pillsbury Mills on the Coast has accepted the position of head miller at the Preston-Shaffer Milling Co. here and will work under E.J. Call, superintendent.

G.L. Burgund, proprietor of The Quality Bakery, this week purchased the 2-story brick building on Main Street, next to Carpenter’s of W. M. Burch.

A fishing party composed of Roy Allen, Bob Butler, Bill Keve and Dorrell Jones expect to leave Friday for a few days fishing on Butte Creek, in the Umatilla Forest Reserve. Our mouth is all set in anticipation of a couple of good sized trout when the boys get back.

One Hundred Years Ago

August 25, 1916

There is to be a Grand Harvest Ball at the Main Street dancing platform Saturday night under the management of Rock St. Jacque. Music will be furnished by the Kinder 6-piece orchestra.

W. H. Ingalls, Dahl Jones, and C. R. Testerman returned home Friday from a fishing trip on the Little Salmon. They report fair success but said it was so cold part of the time that they nearly froze. In fact the morning they came out they went through a little snow on the divide.

Mrs. J. W. Bruce and son Ivan have broken camp at Thayer’s and moved home the first of the week and we understand that the Bailey and Cox camps will move in probably the first of next week.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

August 28, 1891

The wheat market is still very stiff, and with no indication of going lower in price, but with every prospect of going higher. We glory in the prosperity of the farmers of this favored land.

Since he married Kettie O’Shea, Parnell has an entirely different idea of home rule.

An honest boy found a lap robe in the street last Tuesday and left it at this office where the owner is invited to call and get his property.