Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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WAITSBURG – Waitsburg resident Trevor Johnson is putting his army experience to use, operating a new tow truck business, while he furthers his education. The bright green wrecker, with "Johnson Family Towing" emblazoned on the side, is up, running, and ready to go. Johnson recently left his job at The McGregor Company in order to take advantage of the GI Bill to further his education. With over 16 years experience in the army as a recovery specialist (tow truck operator) and diesel mechanic, he...
WAITSBURG – Waitsburg's Odako Club is no more – at least not in an official capacity. The community service organization will award their final scholarship this June, but intends to maintain its tradition of encouraging students. The Waitsburg Odako Club was organized in 1949 and still has two charter members – Velma Sickles and Sheryl Conover. Over time, participation dwindled, and the club collected its last dues in 2012. However, the group has continued to meet in an unofficial capac...
WAITSBURG – Nearly two dozen people gathered at the Waitsburg Christian Church to spend last Saturday learning how faith-based organizations can help in preparing for and dealing with disasters. The FEMA course was hosted by the Waitsburg Resource Center and sponsored by the Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium. Instructor Chris Herring traveled from Durham, North Carolina to facilitate the course that he initiated and helped develop. The Mobilizing Faith-Based Community Organizations (...
WAITSBURG – Waitsburg holds the honor of being home to the very first Grange in Washington, even before Washington was a state. And while memberships have ebbed and flowed over the years, the organization is still alive and ready to become a strong community asset once again. Members of Waitsburg Grange #1 are looking to revive the family- and community-centered organization with a community potluck at 4 p.m. on May 7, to be held at the Waitsburg Grange Hall, just across from Midway Food Mart o...
WAITSBURG – For Waitsburg residents John and Dinah Lindsey, attending a local sporting event together has always required careful consideration, to find a seat in the most neutral location possible. With nearly 75 years of teaching and coaching between them - John in Dayton and Dinah in Waitsburg - the couple is looking forward to retiring together at the end of this school year, bittersweet as it may be. John and Dinah, both known for their strong relationships with their students, will be s...
-Dr. Clarke suggested that the board budget for the same number of students they budgeted for last year, which was 270. The graduating class of 30 is exiting the system and she said there are 15-17 kindergarteners registered for the coming year. She said there should be no problem maintaining the full-time teaching staff of 20. The enrollment average for 2016-17 school year was 291.65. -Approved re-application for a waiver to excuse two days from the 180-day school year for conferences. This...
WAITSBURG – It has taken nearly a year's worth of effort, but a rezone of a property owned by Marvin Aronson just off Highway 124, which was recommended by the Waitsburg Planning Commission, was finally approved by the city council at their April 19 regular meeting. The rezone, from R1-residential to a Flexible C-R Zone wasn't what the applicant initially requested, but was what the commission and council felt was the best compromise for all involved. The rezone has been a lengthy process, a...
PRESCOTT – Last year, Prescott Park saw the replacement of much-needed toddler playground equipment. Just last week, equipment for 6-12 year-olds was installed at a cost of roughly $65,000. As with the $20,000 toddler equipment purchase, the new playground equipment was purchased with grant funds and private donations rather than taxpayer dollars, according to Prescott Joint Parks and Recreation District co-manager Yvonne Jackson. The PJPRD must collect levy funds each year to continue o...
WAITSBURG – It will probably be years in the making, but Waitsburg's city council took the first step toward straightening Taggart Road, making it a straight shot from Millrace Road to Highway 12. At their April 19 meeting, the council approved an easement with John Lieberman and Mary Phillips to allow for the future placement of a road and waterline. The proposal, which would eliminate two 90-degree turns from Millrace Road to Hwy. 12 via Taggart Road, has been a recurring topic at council m...
WAITSBURG – After 14 years in the business, massage therapist Christine Richards still loves what she does. And with her recent move here, she's brought her business, Essential Theraputic Massage, along with her. "I truly love what I do. I love helping people heal," Richards said. Richards opened her new shop, located at 208 Main Street, just inside the Plaza Theater foyer, in Waitsburg last week. The new location is an extension of the business she has operated in Richland, Wash. since 2013. R...
DAYTON – On a dark and stormy night, Purity Dean, a working girl with a secret, seeks shelter form the storm in a Vermont Inn. So begins the very first melodrama to grace the Liberty Theater stage. Pure as the Driven Snow: A Working Girl's Secret, debuts Fri., May 12 and will run through Sun., May 14. Co-directors Bret and Bethany Moser are convinced the audience will roar with laughter as they not only watch – but participate in – the lively, over-the-top production. The Mosers are Liber...
WAITSBURG – Preliminary election results for Waitsburg's mayor and city council members were tallied Monday night, with a few upsets resulting. Incumbent Mayor Marty Dunn received 239 votes, easily holding his position against challenger Debra Callahan, who received 66 votes. But there will be some new faces on the city council, with Terry Jacoy and Jim Romine taking seats on the board. Longtime council frontrunner Kevin House easily retained his title as top vote-getter, receiving 253 votes. S...
DAYTON – Columbia County planning commissioners have received plenty of feedback – mostly negative – in response to the conditional use permit recently filed by Kathy Sali, to open a marijuana store just outside Dayton. A public hearing is planned, though date is yet to be set, to help determine the conditions that will be imposed on the shop. It is to be located at 36711 U.S. Highway 12, just west of the city limits. While many residents would like to see the store banned, Planning Director Kim Lyonnais said that’s not an option. In Septemb...
WAITSBURG – How to deal with a reported increase in water meter tampering became a topic of discussion at the March 15 city council meeting. The council is hopeful that the problem can be mitigated when the meters are replaced in the future. In his monthly update, City Manager Randy Hinchliffe, said that the city was working on the water meter replacement project and has met with a vendor who provided a cost estimate for replacement and installation of the city’s water meters in excess of $300,000. Last October, Hinchliffe told the council tha...
WAITSBURG – At their March meeting the Waitsburg School Board approved a lighting upgrade purchase in Preston Hall that will save the district thousands of dollars each year. An energy incentive kick-back from Pacific Power will allow the district to recoup the investment in its first year, alone. In January, District Facilities, Transportation, and Maintenance Supervisor Colter Mohney, approached the board about checking into options for replacing the deteriorating lighting in Preston Hall. M...
WAITSBURG – Local youth bluegrass band Switchgrass Delta will join with other local talent in a fundraising concert at the Plaza Theater in Waitsburg on Sun., April 23 at 4 p.m. Funds from the concert will help pay for the band's upcoming trip to Sasayama Japan in October. Switchgrass Delta is part of the Touchet Valley Acoustic Music Project (TVAMP). Band members include: Emma Philbrook on mandolin, Chris Philbrook on banjo, Robert Walsh on standup bass, and Kaleb Kuykendall on fiddle. The band...
WAITSBURG – Approximately two dozen citizens showed up to hear from candidates at the April 10 Waitsburg City Elections Candidate's Forum, hosted by the Waitsburg Commercial Club, and held at Town Hall. The mayoral candidates, incumbent Marty Dunn and Deb Callahan, were on hand, along with incumbent council candidates Karen Gregutt, Kate Hockersmith, Kevin House, and KC Kuykendall, and first-time council candidates Lane Hill, Terry Jacoy, Dave Paxton, and Jim Romine. First-time filers Lisa M...
WAITSBURG – Walla Walla County is right on track with their timeline for selecting a new Fairgrounds Manager. Interim Fairgrounds Manager Perry Dozier will hand over the reins to newly selected manager William "Bill" Ogg, of Greeley, Colo., on April 17. Commissioner Todd Kimball, who took the lead to fill the vacancy. said he is impressed with Ogg's experience. "Bill's references read like a "Who's Who" of the fair world, and after his interviews, we felt he lived up to every one of the g...
WAITSBURG – Waitsburg High School senior Jacob Elder got what he wished for when a break in the rain allowed him to finish his Eagle Scout project during Spring Break. He squeaked the requirement in just before his 18th birthday deadline. "I chose repainting bleachers because the paint is coming off and that could lead to wood rot or damage to the boards. It would be easier to repaint them than to replace them later," Elder said. He worked with students, family, and fellow scouts to complete t...
WAITSBURG – Waitsburg High School junior Chris Philbrook enrolled in the Walla Walla Southeast Area Technical Skills Center's (SEATech) construction technology program because he wanted to take advantage of a hands-on learning opportunity. The school year has provided him with plenty of practical construction experience as well as the unexpected opportunity to be part of an award-winning team in a micro house-building contest. SEATech students received the "Most Unique" award in the statewide "...
WAITSBURG – Data is only as good as what you do with it, and Waitsburg Elementary School teachers are working hard to put their data to the best use helping students. At the March school board meeting, elementary teachers Deanna Coulston and Gabe Kiefel shared some of the creative ways Waitsburg is putting student achievement data to work in the classroom. Coulston said one of the factors driving success in the elementary school is the PLCs, or professional learning communities. She said the t...
WAITSBURG – After an extensive interview process, the Waitsburg School Board voted unanimously to offer the positions of Waitsburg Schools district superintendent and elementary principal to Dr. Jon Mishra at a March 30 special meeting. Mishra verbally accepted the offer, via telephone, contingent upon successful contract negotiations. The district held preliminary interviews with five applicants, and narrowed the field to two finalists. One of the finalist withdrew, leaving Mishra as the l...
Incumbent Karen Gregutt has made Waitsburg her home since the summer of 2005. In recent years she has represented Waitsburg on the Washington State Shoreline Management Committee, opened a successful wine and chocolate shop on Main Street, organized and directed Waitsburg's "Art Windows" project last spring, and founded the Waitsburg Garden Club. She has also renovated multiple historic homes and a downtown building in Waitsburg. "I set realistic goals and always follow through on what I say I...
Incumbent council member Kate Hockersmith has lived in Waitsburg since 1992. She has been a 4-H leader, Boy Scout volunteer and Friends of the Library member. She taught preschool/parent education in Waitsburg for 12 years. She currently teaches music, organizes bluegrass jams, and provides music for many community events. She is on the board of Rural Youth Enrichment Services, a member of the Waitsburg Garden Club, the Fairgrounds Revitalization Committee, the Waitsburg Flood Prevention and Eme...
Lane Hill moved to town two years ago and renovated a building on Main Street, which will be used to offer shows, events, and art classes to the community, and to bring workshop tourism to Main Street. She is chair of the Friends of the Fairgrounds committee and is very interested in helping revitalize the Main Street corridor. Hill said she applauds the work of the council, mayor, and city manager and would love to work with them in the coming year. "This has been a tough year and they have...