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  • Dayton May Lose After-School Program

    Jillian Beaudry, The Times|Jan 26, 2012

    DAYTON - Dayton School District's after-school program is losing its grant funding at the end of the school year and may be at risk for not being continued by the district because there's no way to fund it, Superintendent Doug Johnson said. For the past five years, Washington State University has funded Dayton's afterschool program through a 21st Century grant. The grant ends with the last day of school this year, Johnson said. The district wasn't in charge of the finances for the program, but Johnson estimates it cost about $75,000 a year to...

  • Get Ready For ‘Nunsense!’

    Jillian Beaudry, The Times|Jan 26, 2012

    DAYTON - The Touchet Valley Arts Council will have crowds roaring with laughter in its newest musical theater comedy "Nunsense." The show, about five nuns who must raise money to bury fellow nuns who accidentally died of food poisoning, sing and dance and crack jokes the whole way to prove that nuns really can be funny. The show runs Friday, Jan. 27, through Sunday, Jan. 29, at the Liberty Theater. The show is not recommended for children under age 10. Bev Startin directs the show, her first...

  • Council Says ‘No’ To Flood Group

    Jillian Beaudry, The Times|Jan 26, 2012

    WAITSBURG - The Waitsburg City Council last week unanimously voted to deny its support of the revitalization of a flood control district that would use taxing powers to help prevent flooding in the Touchet and Coppei rivers. "If our people don't like raising out water bill $3.50, they're sure not going to like this," said Councilman Orville Branson. City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe said the city had previously two flood control districts, but both went defunct because of a lack of volunteers. Recently, a group of citizens, Allison Bond,...

  • Prayer Event Inspires Unity

    Jillian Beaudry, The Times|Jan 19, 2012

    WAITSBURG - Despite the long-standing sports rivalries in the Touchet Valley that provide competition and fun between our small towns, the local clergy are hoping to blur the lines and bring together members of the religious community in the quarterly Touchet Valley Call to Prayer. "We want to invite people of the (local) congregations to come together and realize their unity as Christians," said Greg Bye, the pastor of the Redeemer Lutheran Church of Dayton. The majority of churches from...

  • What Lies Beneath

    Jillian Beaudry, The Times|Jan 19, 2012

    DAYTON - This journey seemed simple enough. I found an interesting piece of information on the Columbia County website about its jail. Not only is it in the longest-operating courthouse in the state and turning 125-years-old in 2012, but the jail cells in the basement are from the brig of a ship. This is the way many great newspaper feature stories begin. We take a tidbit of interesting or weird information and we expand on it. And as journalists work, we ask for help all the time. We need help...

  • Prescott Community Church Gets New Pastor

    Jillian Beaudry, The Times|Jan 12, 2012

    PRESCOTT - Th e Krutsch Family came to Prescott last month to call the Prescott Community Church their new home. And even though they've never lived in a town as small as Prescott, they're adjusting just fine. "We're excited about pastoring and getting to know this community," said Mike Krutsch, the church's new pastor. Mike moved here with his family on Dec. 29 from Denver, Colo. Mike is 41 and his wife Kim is 39. They have two children, Kyle, 5, and Callie, 3. Steve Hoffman, the chairman of...

  • Break-Ins At Dog Pound

    Jillian Beaudry, The Times|Jan 12, 2012

    DAYTON - One break-in and one attempted break-in to rescue dogs at the Dayton dog pound near the city's water treatment plant recently, said city staff. On Christmas Eve, a member of the city's Public Works Department noticed the gate at the pound had been pulled back enough to free one of the dogs, said Sal Benavides, the assistant superintendent of the department. On Jan. 3, another breakin at the pound was attempted. Benavides said someone tried to use bolt cutters to release a dog, but it looked as though the bolt cutters weren't large...

  • Sheriff Ramps Up Patrols

    Jillian Beaudry, The Times|Jan 12, 2012

    DAYTON - A recent break-in and possible sighting of the elusive squatter who has been breaking into vacant homes in Dayton has spurred the Columbia County Sheriff's Office to step up patrols in the area, Sheriff Walt Hessler said. The sheriff's department believes at least one transient has been breaking into vacant homes and staying overnight and stealing valuables. The department released a general description of the man last month, who has been sighted by several witnesses, but not closes enough for a police sketch. Authorities describe him...

  • State Cuts Drug Task Force

    Jillian Beaudry, The Times|Jan 5, 2012

    DAYTON - State funding for the Drug Task Force that helped bust last summer's big marijuana grows and helped reduce the availability of drugs in the Touchet Valley was eliminated last month. The drug task force ceased operations Dec. 31. It began in 2005. Walla Walla and Columbia counties were part of the South Eastern Narcotics Team that also included Asotin and Garfield counties. The state provided $1.5 million per year to different agencies through a grant for the task force. About $ 5 7 , 4...

  • Get Ready To Take The Plunge!

    Jillian Beaudry, The Times|Jan 5, 2012

    WAITSBURG - Joanna Lanning is getting ready to take the plunge. Last year, Lanning, and two Waitsburgers, Patty Hazelwood and Vicki Hamann, took a dip in the Columbia River to raise money for Special Olympics of Washington. Lanning is the WP cross country coach, Hazelwood is a special education teacher and cheerleading coach Hamann is a paraprofessional at the high school. Lanning raised $800 last year. This year her goal is $1,000. "The majority of the funds stay right here," Lanning said of th...

  • Cuts Hit County Budget Hard

    Jillian Beaudry, The Times|Jan 5, 2012

    DAYTON - Columbia County's 2012 budget is slightly higher than in 2011, but because of state funding cuts, a few integral departments will be losing a substantial amount of money from the previous year. "We're trying to maintain our level of service, even though we're in (a tough) economic situation," Auditor Sharon Richter said. The 2012 budget, passed Dec. 28 by the county commissioners, has an amount of $3,587,498. This increased just slightly from the 2011 county budget that had an amount of $3,516,682. There will not be any layoffs at the...

  • BORN TO RIDE

    Jillian Beaudry, The Times|Jan 5, 2012

    WALLA WALLA - For nearly 50 years, horse-loving women in the Walla Walla Valley have had a place to call their own. In 1962, the Valley Girls Barrel Racing Association was created to bring together the best barrel racers of all ages in the area. Many of them hail from the Touchet Valley, including Kelli Currin and her daughter Shayla, who have been active in the barrel racing and rodeo scenes. The Currins live in Dayton. Kelli has been racing since she was young and brought up her daughter in...

  • Jesus Doll Hanging Stuns Town

    Jillian Beaudry, The Times|Dec 29, 2011

    WAITSBURG - The Baby Jesus figure from Waitsburg's Presbyterian Church was found hanged by a tree near the church Monday morning. Pastor Bret Moser of the church said the recent incident is a violent crime and is asking the community to help find the suspects. Moser said a neighbor saw spectators in front of the church on Main and Fifth streets taking photos Monday morning about 8 a.m. and upon realizing the hanged figure, alerted Moser and removed it. Deputy Brian Bush with the Walla Walla...

  • Heart BEAT

    Jillian Beaudry|Dec 29, 2011

    A Gift For Future Nurses A s we've all finished unwrapping our sweaters, scooters and snowboards after the recent holidays, another kind of gift must be noted. The Baker Family, Anita and Tom, give $500 to $800 to nursing students at Walla Walla Community College. This is one of the best gifts because an education and a career never gets replaced by a newer model or goes out of style. At last month's PEO Career Tea at Waitsburg High School, Anita Baker pitched this scholarship to the students...

  • Grant Money To Help Local Salmon

    Jillian Beaudry, The Times|Dec 22, 2011

    WAITSBURG - Salmon in Walla Walla and Columbia counties will be very happy to know some local conservation groups have received millions in funding to improve fish passage and fish habitat. On Dec. 12, the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office announced it was giving $30 million in grant money to different organizations across the state to help recover the salmon population. The grant money will provide more than 300 jobs over the next four years, according to the organization's website. Columbia County will receive $265,720 for...

  • New Pizza Biz Hopes To Draw Families, Fun

    Jillian Beaudry, The Times|Dec 22, 2011

    DAYTON - A new business in Dayton is offering up casual, family-style pizza to fill residents' tummies. Time Out Pizza, at 134 East Main Street, opened very quietly on Oct. 27, said co-owner Phillip Sortomme. Sortomme, his wife Samantha and Smantha's father Eldon Wittig wanted to open up another family pizza store and thought Dayton was the perfect place. "We like the town," Sortomme said. "And we noticed there' no (pizza) delivery around here." Wittig has owned and operated pizza restaurants...

  • Commercial Plan Now In Hands Of Task Force

    Jillian Beaudry, The Times|Dec 22, 2011

    DAYTON - Last Wednesday evening, community members gathered in the library's Delany building to see the final suggestions from an architect company as to what the city's Historic Commercial Avenue could look like in the next 10 to 20 years. Dougherty Landscape Architects, from Eugene, Ore., was the company hired to redesign the street to enhance its connection to Main Street and link the county courthouse, Blue Mountain schoolhouse and all of the "jewels" in between. "It was (David Dougherty's)...

  • Waitsburg May Conduct A Recount

    Jillian Beaudry, The Times|Dec 22, 2011

    WAITSBURG - Citizens of Waitsburg should be ready to be recounted. City Manager Randy Hinchliffe said the recent federal census count was lower than the city believes it is, at 1,217 people. With a lower count, the city will receive less money from the state each year, he said. The state currently dishes out funding through liquor tax, gas tax and other revenues based on the city's current population. With a low count, Hinchliffe is worried that until the next census, the city could miss out on a good amount of state money. "If you leave it...

  • Prison Cuts Change Lives

    Jillian Beaudry, The Times|Dec 15, 2011

    WALLA WALLA - About 160 positions were eliminated at the Washington State Penitentiary recently, affecting many valley residents. Chad Lewis, spokesman for the Washington Department of Corrections, said the cuts made two weeks ago are the result of an analysis earlier this year that showed the state could reduce the budget for corrections as well as the custody levels at different prisons. As of last Monday, there are 32 prison employees residing in Dayton, 14 in Prescott and 49 in Waitsburg, according to Shari Hall, a public information...

  • Stobie Shows Off Petroglyphs

    Jillian Beaudry, The Times|Dec 15, 2011

    DAYTON - There is something unusual hanging around in Dumas Station's tasting room outside of Dayton - petroglyphs. Dayton artist Monica Stobie was hanging out with fans and wine tasters last Saturday at her gallery showing. Her work is on display through Dec. 17. "I was thrilled to (show my work) locally," Stobie said. The framed art was hung on wine barrels and brought earthy browns and bright turquoises into the space. The art features recreations of petroglyphs, a drawing or carving on...

  • Glasby Pleads Not Guilty

    Jillian Beaudry, The Times|Dec 15, 2011

    DAYTON - Skyler Glasby, of Dayton, pleaded not guilty to three counts of forgery and one count of third degree theft at the Walla Walla County Courthouse Monday. Glasby is in custody in Walla Walla County for allegedly using counterfeit $20 bills. Glasby was arrested Wednesday, Nov. 30, at a mobile home on Plaza Way in Walla Walla after a 21- hour standoff with police. The standoff began at about 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29 when Glasby and Joseph Dejesus, 20, fled arrest by the police and retreated into the mobile home. Police said both Glasby...

  • Dayton Decides On Levy Amount

    Jillian Beaudry, The Times|Dec 15, 2011

    DAYTON - The Dayton School District will be asking voters in February to approve two ballot measures that will maintain operations in the district, keep technology up-todate and pay for a safer set of high school bleachers. The school board voted unanimously last Wednesday night to put two issues on the ballot for the Feb. 14, 2012, special election, said Superintendent Doug Johnson. One measure is a maintenance and operations levy that will replace the current levy voters are paying that is set to expire. The new maintenance and operations...

  • Kids Cross Off Their Lists

    Jillian Beaudry, The Times|Dec 15, 2011

    WAITSBURG - Waitsburg's Town Hall was turned into a child's Christmas-shopping paradise last Thursday night. For about 15 years, community volunteer Rose Englebrite said the hall has played host to vendors who set up tables and sell gifts for $10 and under for the community children to purchase as gifts for their families. "It's just a night for the kids to come out and shop for what they want to," Englebrite said. Children love the event because they get to leave the parents behind and take...

  • White Stallion Up For Sale

    Jillian Beaudry, The Times|Dec 8, 2011

    WAITSBURG - A community staple that has played host to the daily "coffee club" for years is up for sale. The White Stallion Restaurant on Preston Avenue was put on the market by the Blanc Family on Nov. 24, said Tarah McCaw with Williams Team Homes. The restaurant is listed for $139,000 and includes a little more than an acre of land, the building and all of the furnishings. McCaw said there have not yet been any offers on the property, but the real estate office has receive a handful of phone calls from interested parties. The Times was...

  • Volunteer John Watts Earns Top Dog Award

    Jillian Beaudry, The Times|Dec 8, 2011

    DAYTON - Firefighter John Watts, with Columbia County Fire District 2 and the City of Waitsburg's department, is living a dream. "Deep down, everybody wants to be a firefighter," Watts said. Watts, 39 and living in Huntsville, is a safety officer at the state penitentiary in Walla Walla. Last month, he graduated from a firefighter training academy in the Walla Walla Valley and received the Top Dog Award out of his class of 15 students. Going through the academy has become Watts' favorite time...

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