Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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WAITSBURG – After falling just 13 votes short of the required 60-percent supermajority approval needed to pass a $4.8 million capital projects bond measure in February, the Waitsburg School District is making one more attempt to determine which items voters will support. Mail surveys were sent to district patrons on June 24 with the hopes that the responses will allow the board to craft a bond proposal that voters can get behind. The school board will review the voter responses at their July 1...
WAITSBURG – Colorful waving flags, cheery baskets of hanging flowers, and bright signs welcome locals and passers-by to the newly opened Homestead Farms produce stand located just off Highway 12, at Waitsburg's east end. Owners Debra and Jim Callahan have big plans for the little space and invite the community to join them for their July 1 grand opening event. "This is something we've always thought about doing once we retired," Debra said. "We've been making plans for the last year and a...
WAITSBURG – The Waitsburg City Pool is an even cooler (literally!) place for parents and caregivers to hang out this summer thanks to Friends of the Waitsburg Pool. The recently formed nonprofit purchased several items to combat the number-one complaint of pool visitors – lack of shade. The group, which operates under the umbrella of Rural Youth Enrichment Services, used funds from last fall's Pie-Oneer Fall Festival Invitational Pie Baking Contest to purchase a shade sail, two large picnic tab...
WAITSBURG – At the June 8 Waitsburg School Board meeting, Waitsburg Athletic Director Stephanie Wooderchak received approval to pursue discussions about possible high school baseball, and middle school baseball and softball combines with Dayton beginning with the 2017 season. Both schools, which recently formed high school and middle school football combines, are now looking more closely at the proposals. Waitsburg track coach Jeff Bartlow said end-of-year spring sports sign ups returned with 1...
WAITSBURG – Waitsburg Lions Ken Miller and Brian Richards were selected as recipients of the Melvin Jones award and Lion of the Year, respectively, at the club's annual year-end ceremony on May 31. Miller was nominated for the prestigious Melvin Jones Award by fellow Lion, close friend, and former award recipient Glynn Davis. Davis shared a brief history of the award, named after the founder of Lions Club International, and the highest award one can receive in Lions. Davis explained that the M...
WAITSBURG – Dayton-Waitsburg Head Football Coach Troy Larsen is enthusiastic about the 53 student athletes signed up for the newly formed DW football team. Larsen said the largest number dressed down on the field during spring football was 46 and 32 DW players attended spring camp in the Tri-Cities where the larger turnout allowed DW to schedule camp games for both a JV and varsity squad. "During the three weeks of spring football, coaches were able to coach a team that quickly came t...
PRESCOTT – Sixteen members of the Prescott graduating Class of 2016 proudly made their way down the aisle during Prescott High School's commencement ceremony on the evening of Fri., June 10. "When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you'll be successful," a quote by Eric Thomas, was selected as the class motto. Once the class was seated, the crowd stood as PHS student Angel Prado sang a stirring rendition of the national anthem. Class Valedictorian Jaqueline Velazco w...
WAITSBURG – Close to a dozen community members were in attendance to offer input during the public hearing portion of the June 8 planning commission meeting at the Waitsburg Fairgrounds. The hearing was in reference to a rezone application received by the City of Waitsburg, from Marvin Aronson, who requested that his property at 503 W 2nd be rezoned from residential to commercial. Aronson currently uses the property, located just off of Highway 124, to do hobby automobile and equipment r...
RICHLAND – The Waitsburg Resource Center, Dayton Chronicle, and Dixie Store were all recipients of the 2016 (Southeast Washington Association of School Administrators) SEWASA Community Leadership Award at an honorary awards banquet held at Meadow Springs Country Club in Richland on June 9. The banquet is SEWASA's opportunity to recognize community individuals and groups throughout EDS 123 for their outstanding contributions toward education. Superintendents of 13 districts acknowledge their c...
PRESCOTT - Prescott High School Class of 2016 Valedictorian Jaqueline Velazco and Salutatorian Salomon Martinez earned their titles by being the top scholars in their class. But their gratitude, humility, and desire to give back to the community speaks volumes about their character as well. Valedictorian Jaqueline Velazco, daughter of Jaqueline and Jaime Velazco, ends her high school career with a GPA of 3.85. During high school she was a National Honor Society member, class secretary all four...
WAITSBURG – Twenty graduating WHS seniors made the traditional walk down Kison Court to receive their diplomas at Waitsburg High School's 120th commencement ceremony on Friday, June 3. "If we can't find the road to success, we will make one," was the motto chosen by the class that proudly proclaimed and celebrated its uniqueness as the doors closed on high school and its members looked expectantly to the future. Honor Speaker Caitlyn Jones, with a GPA of 3.26, is the daughter of Collette Jones a...
WAITSBURG – Making preschool available to all students, at no charge, has been a top priority for Waitsburg School Board member Marilyn Johnson, since she was elected in Sept. of 2009. That goal was met on May 11 when the board unanimously approved partnering with the Walla Walla Community College preschool program to provide free preschool to all students. “I’m really excited that we’ll be able to give early education access to all kids. Part of the recent levy dollars were allocated for presch...
WAITSBURG – Several Waitsburg teachers had so much fun attending painting classes at Brushes 'n Brix that they decided to bring share the experience with their students. The elementary school teachers used ASB funds to bring art instructor Barb Newby to Waitsburg to spend two days creating works of art with Kindergarten through fifth grade students. Newby said several of the Waitsburg teachers had painted at her studio, located at the Walla Walla Regional Airport, and had even brought in t...
WAITSURG – This year's annual American Legion Memorial Day Service at the Waitsburg Cemetery included the addition of four names to the memorial wall and a muster for two high school students, Caitlyn Jones and Trey Potts, who have enlisted with the military. Legion Commander Ron Standring and Auxiliary President Rose Engelbrite opened the ceremony, which began with the flag-lowering by Wilson Hollow Wranglers 4-H group members Jared, Drew, and Amy Farley. Waitsburg City Council Student R...
WAITSBURG – Waitsburg resident Melissa Hansen, running as a Republican, is one of six candidates in a race for the District 2 seat on the Walla Walla County Board of Commissioners. That seat, which covers the eastern half of the county, including Waitsburg and Prescott, will be vacated by Waitsburg resident Perry Dozier, who is not seeking re-election. Also running for the position are Republicans Don Gibbard, Todd Kimball, and Jacob Radke, and Democrats Randal Son and Michael Bates. Hansen s...
WAITSBURG – Waitsburg High School freshman Loren Negron has every right to be proud of herself for winning first place in the creed speaking competition at the 86th Washington State FFA Convention over the weekend of May 12-14. But for the Philippine native, the experience became much more than just meeting a goal. It taught her to believe in herself, to be an inspiration to others, and showed her much it means to have the strong support of friends and family. Negron moved to the United S...
WAITSBURG – After weighing input from a handful of citizens who spoke at the May 18 Waitsburg City Council meeting, the council voted unanimously to move forward with the planned removal of five large trees on W. 6th Street. The council also agreed to consider amending the current tree ordinance at an upcoming council meeting. The trees were to be removed earlier this month, because they had caused extensive heaving to the existing sidewalk. Local homeowners have agreed to replace that sidewalk...
WAITSBURG – Outgoing FFA President Tristan Newman gave a touching farewell speech, crediting his "five-foot firecracker" FFA Advisor Nicole Abel, and his father, Travis Newman, as major influences in his life, at the Waitsburg FFA Awards Ceremony on May 17. Bill Stonecipher, who was recognized for more than 40 years of service as an FFA board member, left a few more teary eyes as he referred to the "four or five generations of students I've watched grow up" as his "kids," and made it clear h...
WAITSBURG – The Waitsburg Historical Society debuted the latest of its rotating Wilson Phillips House displays, the Waitsburg Musical History Exhibit, during Celebration Days weekend. The display will also be open to the public during Alumni Weekend on May 28 from 2-4 p.m. Historical Society member and display organizer Mary Phillips encourages all alumni to reminisce and check out the display. "They may even find a picture of themselves," Phillips said. Nancy Otterson will man the museum f...
WAITSBURG – Larry and Pam Conover are honored to be selected as the 2016 Waitsburg Celebration Days parade marshals. That said, Larry admitted his first thought was, "I didn't think we were old enough! Couldn't they find anybody older? We're officially old now!" That type of self-deprecating humor, along with a big dose of humility, is typical of the third-generation Waitsburg farmer who makes light of his contributions to the community he proudly calls home. "I wouldn't live anyplace else!" L...
WAITSBURG – Teachers from all three Waitsburg schools were present and took turns speaking out against a potential reduction in force (RIF) staff cut during the public comment portion of the May 11 Waitsburg School Board meeting. In response, the board opted to take no action on the proposed RIF plan and will allow the Waitsburg Education Association (WEA) the opportunity to examine other ways to cut the budget. At the April 13 school board meeting, Superintendent Carol Clarke informed board m...
WAITSBURG – Kate Hockersmith thought she was out of the Bluegrass business until Chris Philbrook knocked on her door in 2010 saying he wanted to be a Troublemaker and go to Japan. A few days later, Kavin Kuykendall showed up on her doorstep asking if she knew anyone who taught banjo. "It was the strangest thing. At that same time, Emily and Beka Adams were learning to play fiddle, so I opened the doors and had a flood of kids. Most were homeschooled and some came from College Place and D...
WAITSBURG – Where can you get a hamburger meal, dine to live music, and follow it up with a night of dancing for only $10-$15? It’s sounds unlikely, but that’s exactly the deal the Waitsburg Philanthropic Education Organization (P.E.O.) provides to the community during Waitsburg Celebration Days. Local Philanthropy Chair Wendy Davis has organized the event for the last several years and says, even though it is the group’s main fundraiser, keeping costs down so that families can attend is a to...
WAITSBURG – Hard work pays off. It takes a lot of helping hands, but The Waitsburg Lions pulled off another highly successful Rib Feed fundraiser last Saturday. Lions Club President Neil Carpenter is quick to thank the community for supporting the rib and salmon feeds and beer garden fundraisers that will allow the group to donate more than $30,000 this club year. "We just really want to thank everyone for buying tickets to these events," Carpenter said. "Without all the support from the c...
WAITSBURG – A special meeting of the Waitsburg City Council was scheduled for last Tuesday afternoon, but later cancelled, when Mayor Walt Gobel was unable to attend. The meeting was called in response to concerns raised over the planned removal of five large trees along West 6th Street. Removal plans have now been postponed until the issue can be addressed at next Wednesday's regular city council meeting. Waitsburg Attorney Michael V. Hubbard explained the situation in a letter with the s...
