Week of January 29, 2026
Week of January 29, 2026
GOLDENDALE, WASH. - Americans are accustomed to having all the electricity we want, when we want it. As more of our electricity comes from wind and solar, managing the grid has become more challenging. Wind and solar generate electricity during limited conditions, which may not align with demand. One solution to maintaining consistency is using battery storage for renewable energy. However, storing using traditional battery technology requires substantial infrastructure and maintenance. In...
WAITSBURG -Last Saturday, January 24, the Waitsburg Alumni Association President, Deanna Tipton, presented a $1,000 donation to Ross Hamann, President, and Julie Karl, Vice President of the Waitsburg Booster Club. The Waitsburg Alumni Association's mission is not only to support graduates through scholarships and financial support but also to foster a sense of community through events and gatherings, and to facilitate networking opportunities for alums. "The board feels that it's important to...
Waitsburg City Council met for the first meeting of the year on January 21, 2026. Council members Jennifer Bishop, Kevin House, and Brian Richards, Mayor Marty Dunn, and City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe met at City Hall. Jim Romine and Jillian Henze were in Olympia, Wash., for City Action Days, a conference hosted by the Association of Washington Cities. Romaine joined the meeting in progress via Zoom. After approving the minutes from the December meeting, the council heard year-end reports from the Walla Walla Sheriff’s Office, Weller...
WAITSBURG — Waitsburg School District has a two-year replacement Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy on the Feb. 10, 2026, ballot. This levy will replace Waitsburg’s current levy, approved by voters in 2024, and is now up for renewal. This is not a new tax. If taxpayers approve, the school district will use the levy to support school programs not fully funded by the state. Please feel free to contact the Waitsburg Superintendent’s Office at 509-337-6301 with questions or to learn more about the school levy. 2026 Levy Quick...
DAYTON – The Dayton School Board met in the high school library at 6:30 p.m. on January 21, 2026. Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley, Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen, and Board Members Pat Davidson, Grant Griffin, Aneesha Dieu, and Ryan Paulson were present. The board passed the consent agenda, which included hiring Mary Ann Walling as an elementary teacher and Mike Garrett as a high school volunteer golf coach. The consent agenda accepted a book vending machine from the Friends of the Library. There was no public comment. Four members of the...
The Cardinal boys' basketball team lost to Oakesdale on Friday, January 23, and played well but lost to Tekoa-Rosalia on Saturday, January 24, in their last home game of the season. Against Oakesdale, Waitsburg held its opponent to eight points in the first quarter and was only down by nine at halftime before frustration set in, and the team went from competitive to mad and flat-footed. In the 54-26 loss, Blake Benevides scored ten points, and Landen Henry scored eight for the Cardinals....
Waitsburg Middle School girls' basketball team won their first game of the season against DeSales on Monday, January 26, on Kison Court. The Cardinals led 10-0 at halftime. Points were scored by Jaylynn Gleason, Ava McCaw, Ryleigh Fabian, and Reagan Fabian. The Irish outscored the Cardinals in the third quarter 8-6. The team flew down the floor and scored nine points to DeSales three points in the fourth quarter to win 25-11. Gleason led the team in scoring with 10 points and rebounded 6....
Seniors were honored during home games on January 23 and 24. Senior cheerleaders Hope Adkins and Mattilynn Carter, and basketball player Addison Crenshaw, were honored with their families on January 24. Wrestling manager Karissa Potts and wrestlers Jarod Hankins and Graycen Teal with their families and supporters on January 23. Waitsburg High School's boys' basketball seniors and their families/supporters were honored before their last home game on Saturday, January...
The Waitsburg High School girls' basketball team lost its last home game of the season against Tekoa-Rosalia on Saturday, January 24. In the 58-31 loss, Olivia Kiefel had a season-best 21 points, including 11 of 12 free throws, and 5 rebounds. Cheri Mathews had seven points and six rebounds, and Kayla Kuykendall and Joslin Nodine each contributed 8 rebounds. The Lady Cardinals have two games remaining this season. They play at St. John-Endicott on Friday,...
WAITSBURG - Waitsburg Booster Club recognized Wendy and Lance Carter as "Boosters of the Year" at halftime of the boys' basketball game on Saturday, January 24. The Carters show their support for the Waitsburg Cardinals by donating a lot of time at the Cardinals' merchandise booth at home games, Hometown Christmas, and during the Cardinal Kickoff at the beginning of the school year. Lance is the current secretary of the Waitsburg Booster Club, and Wendy previously served as secretary. They...
DAYTON — It is that time of the year for Toyota’s Free Ski Friday at Bluewood Ski Resort. Bring your Toyota to Bluewood on February 6, 2026, and receive one free lift ticket for the day. One free lift ticket will be given for each Toyota, Lexus, or Scion vehicle driven to the resort. Tickets are valid only on the day of the promotion, February 6, 2026. To receive your free ticket, look for the Toyota and Bluewood representatives at the entry to the upper parking lot for a paper ticket for the day. For more information, updates, and rules...
WAITSBURG — The Waitsburg Commercial Club is asking the public to send nominations for this year’s Community Service Awards. There are four awards, which will be presented during the club’s annual meeting and dinner on April 21, 2026. The nomination letters should include a statement on why the person or business deserves to recognition in one of the following categories: • Community Service Award – A person who has performed unpaid community service over several years to the benefit of the Waitsburg community. • Business of the...
DAYTON — The Washington State premiere of “Doc Franklin Escapes Cambridge (An Artificial IntelliGent’s Adventure)” by Barbara Pease Weber will be performed live from January 30 to February 1. Bev Startin directs an all-local cast in this hilarious comedy about a soon-to-retire university professor, Dr. Otis Franklin, who escapes the doldrums of academia by accompanying his brilliant doctoral candidate, Lizzie, to a scientific symposium in Atlantic City. On their way to the conference, Doc and Lizzie stop to visit Lizzie’s nana,...
WASHINGTON — Anderson Perry & Associates is committed to fostering the next generation of engineers in the community it serves. Over the years, the engineering firm has awarded more than $240,000 in scholarships in Eastern and Central Oregon and Eastern Washington. This year, AP is offering four $5,000 scholarships to high school seniors who plan to pursue an engineering or related degree. The deadline to submit applications is March 30, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. Requirements for applicants: Current high school transcript, highlighting...
This Great Blue Heron is a regular visitor on the Touchet River in...
Fifteen Years Ago January 27, 2011 Army Pfc. Jeffery M. Hofer has graduated from the Fire Support Specialist Advanced Individual Training course at Fort Sill, Lawton, Oklahoma. Hofer graduated from Waitsburg High School in 2009. He is the son of Waitsburg residents Jeffrey T. Hofer and Lynda C. Stokes. The field artillery specialists serve in intelligence activities, including target processing in field artillery, cannon battalions, division artillery, artillery and maneuver brigade, and...
As regular readers of my column might recall, I often use my time in the kitchen to satisfy my periodic bouts of wanderlust. Recreating discoveries made during past travels, or dreaming of future trips, cooking and eating have become an extension to my passport. Music, like great food, can have the effect of transporting me to faraway places, with my kitchen playlist often influenced by what is on the stove. There are passionate Mexican corridos on my stereo when stirring a pot of mole, while...
Thursday, Dec. 11 Breakfast Pancake on a stick Lunch Chicken Alfredo Breadstick Fruit and Vegetable Friday, Dec. 12 Breakfast Breakfast Burrito Lunch Pepperoni or Cheese Pizza Fruit & Vegetable Monday, Dec. 15 Breakfast Breakfast Pizza Lunch Hamburger Tater Tots Fruit & Vegetable Tuesday, Dec. 16 Breakfast Biscuits & Gravy Lunch Nachos Fruit & Vegetables Wednesday, Dec. 17 Breakfast Ultimate Breakfast Round Lunch Turkey Sandwich Fruit &...
