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Articles written by Justin Jaech


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  • Dayton approves utility tax increase to cover county contract

    Justin Jaech, The Times|Nov 28, 2024

    DAYTON — Mayor Roger Trump called the Dayton City Council to order at 6:00 p.m., November 19, 2024. Mayor Roger Trump and council members Tseeny McMunn, Michael Smith, James Su’euga, Laura Aukerman, and Shannon McMillen were at Dayton City Hall. Joann Patras and Kyle Anderson were not present. Duane Goff rose to speak as the only member of the public to speak during the first public comment period concerning the Fourth Street sidewalk project. He spoke on the same topic at a recent city council meeting. He began by asking, “Who is the city?” He...

  • Dayton School Board hires MS assistant basketball coach

    Justin Jaech, The Times|Nov 28, 2024

    DAYTON – The Dayton School Board met in the high school library at 6:30 p.m. on November 20, 2024. The board passed the consent agenda, including approval to hire Jonathan Sanchez as an assistant coach for Middle School Boys Basketball, to accept Michael Field as a volunteer HS Boys Basketball coach, and accept the resignation of Carly Benavides from the position of Title I Paraprofessional. Also within the consent agenda was approval to hold practice for winter sports on Sundays when necessary. The Associated Student Body (ASB) report, i...

  • Port commissioners discuss potential lot sale, legal costs, budget

    Justin Jaech, The Times|Nov 21, 2024

    DAYTON – The Columbia Port Commissioners met at 5 p.m. on November 13, 2024, at the port’s conference room. Commissioners Seth Bryan, Johnny Watts, Mike Spring, and the Executive Director, Jennie Dickinson, were present. Gerry Kaiser spoke during public comment, asking the commissioners to direct Dickinson and her staff to pursue state and federal grants to repair the port’s rail system. He said the federal government has given $150 million to nine municipalities in the state of Washington for rail improvements. Dickinson presented the month...

  • Dayton School students to attend FFA Convention and Expo

    Justin Jaech, The Times|Oct 24, 2024

    DAYTON – The Dayton School Board met in the high school library at 6:30 p.m. on October 16, 2024. School Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen, board members Zac Fabian, Ryan Paulson, Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley, and Business Manager Jana Eaton were present. School board member Aneesha Dieu attended online, and Grant Griffin was absent. The board passed the consent agenda, which, among other things, approved hiring a Middle School Head Boys Basketball coach, accepting a donation of $450 for football helmets from Char and Michael Campbell, and r...

  • Port updated on Knoblock Apartment project

    Justin Jaech, The Times|Oct 17, 2024

    DAYTON — The Port of Columbia Commissioners held their regular meeting at 5 p.m. on October 9, 2024. Port Commissioners Seth Bryan, Johnny Watts, Mike Spring, and Executive Director Jennie Dickinson were present. During public comment, Blue Mountain Action Council’s CEO, Danielle Garbe Reser, said she had hoped to be closing on the Knoblock Apartments property the next day; however, the deal fell through. The property’s owners had refused a two-month extension the Washington State Housing Finance Commission required to complete the fundi...

  • Dayton City Council discussed grant for ADA street compliance

    Justin Jaech, The Times|Oct 17, 2024

    DAYTON — Mayor Roger Trump called the Dayton City Council to order at 6 p.m. on October 9, 2024. Trump and council members Teeny McMunn, Michael Smith, Kyle Anderson, James Su’euga, Laura Aukerman, Joann Patras, and Shannon McMillen were present at City Hall. Dayton resident Theresa Eier addressed the city’s contract renewal negotiations for law enforcement services with the county. She provided the council members with a detailed document with resources on the topic, which may encourage citizen participation. Sheriff Helm thanked local citiz...

  • Dayton School Board study session

    Justin Jaech, The Times|Oct 10, 2024

    DAYTON—The Dayton School Board met for a study session at the high school library at 6:30 p.m. on October 2, 2024. School Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen, board members Grant Griffin, Zac Fabian, Ryan Paulson, Aneesha Dieu, Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley, and Business Manager Jana Eaton were in attendance. The agenda consisted of two primary items: an introduction to the Policy Governance model and a WSSDA Board Self-Evaluation. Rick Maloney, a partner at Policy Governance Associates, presented how the Dieu asked Maloney why some districts that i...

  • Dayton School Board discuss sports and policy

    Justin Jaech, The Times|Sep 26, 2024

    DAYTON — The Dayton School Board met in the high school library at 6:30 p.m. on September 18, 2024. School Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen, board members Grant Griffin, Zac Fabian, Ryan Paulson, Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley, and Business Manager Jana Eaton were present. Aneesha Dieu attended online. The board approved the consent agenda, which included some administrative items and a recommendation to approve the donation of school supplies from the College Place Walmart. The ASB Treasurer, Tristan Rennaker, presented the ASB Report to the b...

  • Dayton city council meeting hear concerns over county contract

    Justin Jaech, The Times|Sep 19, 2024

    DAYTON- Mayor Roger Trump called the Dayton City Council meeting to order at 6 p.m. on September 10, 2024. Trump and council members Teeny McMunn, Michael Smith, Kyle Anderson, James Su’euga, and Shannon McMillen were present at City Hall. City Council members Laura Aukerman and Joann Patras were absent. During the first public coamment period, Dayton resident Theresa Eier spoke on concerns over the city’s contract negotiations with Columbia County for policing services by the sheriff department. Sheriff departments in Washington state are mor...

  • Dayton School Board reviews org chart

    Justin Jaech, The Times|Aug 29, 2024

    DAYTON — The Dayton School Board met in the high school library at 6:30 p.m. on August 21, 2024. School board members present were Chair Jeffrey McCowen, Grant Griffin, and, over Zoom, Ryan Paulson. Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley and Business Manager Jana Eaton were also present. Zac Fabian and Aneesha Dieu were not present. The board passed the consent agenda, including hiring Vikki Griffin as a food service assistant, Judy Ketterling as a high school science teacher, and Stacy Startin as a bus driver. The approved consent also included a $...

  • Deputy Quigg recognized at Dayton City Council meeting

    Justin Jaech, The Times|Aug 22, 2024

    DAYTON- Mayor Roger Trump called the Dayton City Council to order at 6:00 p.m., August 13, 2024. Mayor Roger Trump and all council members were at City Hall, including Teeny McMunn, Michael Smith, Laura Aukerman, Joann Patras, Kyle Anderson, James Su'euga, and Shannon McMillen. Ryan Rundell, speaking for Columbia County, reported July dispatch numbers. The city had 433 law enforcement calls and 172 for the county. There were five city fire calls and eleven for the county. EMS calls were 26 for...

  • Dayton School Board adopts textbook in special meeting

    Justin Jaech, The Times|Aug 8, 2024

    DAYTON- Mayor Roger Trump called the Dayton City Council workshop meeting to order at 3 p.m. on July 30, 2024. Trump, council members Teeny McMunn, Michael Smith, Kyle Anderson, James Su’euga, and Shannon McMillen were at City Hall. Laura Aukerman joined the meeting late on Zoom, and Joann Patras was absent. The council discussed complaints received from residents about fireworks discharged before and after the legal window, including concerns about large fireworks. The council considered the city’s fireworks regulations and the she...

  • Superintendent Wheatley heads first board meeting

    Justin Jaech, The Times|Jul 25, 2024

    DAYTON – The Dayton School Board met in the Dayton High School Library at 6:31 p.m. on July 17, 2024. School board Chair Jeffrey McCowen, board members Zac Fabian, Ryan Paulson, and Aneesha Dieu present. Grant Griffin was not present. The session was Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley's first board meeting. The board passed the consent agenda, which included the resignations of Danica Porter, H.S. science teacher, and Susan Richter, food service assistant. Wheatley also announced Tanya Patton's resi...

  • Pool, road work updates at Dayton City Council meeting

    Justin Jaech, The Times|Jul 18, 2024

    DAYTON- Mayor Roger Trump called the Dayton City Council to order at 6:00 p.m., July 9, 2024. Dayton Mayor Roger Trump and Council Members Teeny McMunn, Michael Smith, Laura Aukerman, Joann Patras, Kyle Anderson, and Shannon McMillen were present at City Hall. James Su’euga was not present. Sheriff Joe Helm updated the council on last month’s calls to his office and reminded them that the National Night Out will be held at City Park from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. Helm promised plenty of free food and drinks. Anderson Per...

  • Port of Columbia hosts Foodstock and Swim the Snake

    Justin Jaech, The Times|Jul 18, 2024

    DAYTON – The Port of Columbia Commissioners held their regular meeting at 5 p.m. on July 12, 2024, at the port office. Commissioners Seth Bryan, Johnny Watts, Mike Spring, and the Executive Director, Jennie Dickinson were present. The Commissioners first dealt with several administrative items, including a detailed examination of the monthly budget report and the 2023 annual report. There were no new leases to announce. Next, the meeting shifted to the public hearing on the Comprehensive Parks Master Plan. There was no public input, so the comm...

  • City accepts Chronicle's high bid for legals

    Justin Jaech, The Times|Jul 4, 2024

    DAYTON - Mayor Roger Trump called the meeting of the Dayton City Council to order at 6 p.m., June 11, 2024. Mayor Roger Trump and council members Teeny McMunn, James Su'euga, Michael Smith, Laura Aukerman, Joann Patras, and Shannon McMillen met at City Hall. Kyle Anderson was not present. Sheriff Helm reported to the council that his department handled 632 incidents in May, including 90 traffic stops, 40 other traffic calls, two DUIs, and six traffic accidents. Helm said his office completed a...

  • Dayton School Board prepares for new superintendent and district reorganization

    Justin Jaech, The Times|Jun 27, 2024

    DAYTON – The Dayton School Board met in the high school library at 6:30 p.m. on June 19, 2024. School Board members present were Chair Jeffrey McCowen, Zac Fabian, Ryan Paulson (on Zoom), Grant Griffin, and Superintendent Rich Stewart. Aneesha Dieu attended the final five minutes using Zoom. No members of the public were present at the meeting or on Zoom. The board approved the consent agenda, which included hiring Anna Fortier as an elementary school teacher, Shannon James as the annual advisor, and Sam Korslund as a bus driver. Two r...

  • Port receives CERB funding for grain cluster project

    Justin Jaech, The Times|Jun 20, 2024

    DAYTON — The Port of Columbia Commissioners held their regular meeting at 5 p.m. on June 12, 2024, at the Lyon’s Ferry Marina. Commissioners Seth Bryan, Johnny Watts, Mike Spring, and Executive Director Jennie Dickinson were present. Watts arrived near the end of the meeting, saying he stopped to assist at a vehicle accident scene. There was no public comment during the first opportunity to do so. In the budget report, Dickinson said it was a low-expense month. Nothing unusual, she commented on the progress of the lighting project. Dic...

  • Dayton School Board tackle 2024-2025 budget

    Justin Jaech, The Times|Jun 13, 2024

    DAYTON – The Dayton School Board met for its monthly work session at 6:31 p.m. on June 5, 2024, in the high school library. School board members present were Chair Jeffrey McCowen, Zac Fabian, Ryan Paulson, Grant Griffin, and Superintendent Rich Stewart. Aneesha Dieu attended using Zoom. The board approved the consent agenda, which included approval of two overnight trips and approval of the 2024-2025 contract with Amy Cox for K-12 Principal. One trip is for students to attend the FFA National Convention on October 23 through 26 in I...

  • Dayton School Counselors present plans to School Board

    Justin Jaech, The Times|May 30, 2024

    DAYTON – The Dayton School Board met in the high school library at 6:30 p.m. on May 22, 2024. School board members Chair Jeffrey McCowen, Zac Fabian, Ryan Paulson, Aneesha Dieu, Grant Griffin, and Superintendent Rich Stewart were present. The board approved the Consent Agenda, which included administrative items and the approval of Polla Laib’s retirement at the end of this school year. Laib has been a teacher for 43 years, the last 38 years at Dayton Elementary. Much of the board meeting consisted of two insightful presentations. The fir...

  • Dayton City Council update

    Justin Jaech, The Times|May 23, 2024

    DAYTON — Mayor Roger Trump called the Dayton City Council to order at 6 p.m. on May 14, 2024. Trump and council members Teeny McMunn, James Su’euga, Michael Smith, Kyle Anderson, Joann Patras, and Shannon McMillen met at Dayton City Hall. Laura Aukerman was absent. Sheriff Helm reported to the council that his department handled 585 incidents in April, including 86 traffic stops, 31 other traffic calls, one DUI, and two traffic accidents. His department is looking for volunteers to help with neighborhood crime watch. In conclusion, Helm said, ...

  • Dayton School Board meeting update

    Justin Jaech, The Times|May 16, 2024

    DAYTON – The Dayton School Board met in the high school library at 6:33 p.m. on May 8, 2024. School board members present were Chair Jeffrey McCowen, Zac Fabian, Ryan Paulson, Grant Griffin, and Superintendent Rich Stewart. Aneesha Dieu attended using Zoom. The board approved the consent agenda, which included approval of an overnight trip for the FFA to the State Convention in Pullman and a tour of the University of Idaho. Overnight stays for the HS softball team to participate in tournament play were also included. The FFA reported that Dayto...

  • Railway storage discussed at Port meeting

    Justin Jaech, The Times|May 16, 2024

    DAYTON – The Port of Columbia Commissioners held their regular meeting at the port's office on May 7, 2024. Commissioners present were Seth Bryan, Johnny Watts, Mike Spring, and the Executive Director, Jennie Dickinson. During the first public comment period, Teeny McMunn thanked the port for its assistance in the community-wide flea market held at the fairgrounds over the weekend. The commissioners handled several administrative items, including the budget report and vouchers. There were no n...

  • Dayton School Board approved lease, reschedules May meetings

    Justin Jaech, The Times|Apr 25, 2024

    DAYTON – The Dayton School Board met in the High School Library at 6:30 PM on April 17, 2024. School Board members present were Chair Jeffrey McCowen, Zac Fabian, Ryan Paulson, Aneesha Dieu, and Grant Griffin. Superintendent Rich Stewart was also present. The board approved the consent agenda, which included the approval of Kelly Steinhoff as a middle school track volunteer, Adam Puckett as MS Head Baseball Coach, and Carlos Norris as MS Assistant Baseball Coach. The consent agenda also included the resignation/retirement of Terry Lambert as a...

  • Council votes against library ballot measure

    Justin Jaech, The Times|Apr 18, 2024

    DAYTON- Mayor Roger Trump called the Dayton City Council to order at 6 p.m.on April 9, 2024. Trump and council members Teeny McMunn, James Su’euga, Michael Smith, Kyle Anderson, Joann Patras, Laura Aukerman, and Shannon McMillen met in city hall. Trump said it was National Library Day and therefore fitting that the council’s first task should be to vote on whether the city will place a measure to withdraw from the Rural Library District on the ballot. Aukerman said community input was mainly against the measure being placed on the ballot. She...

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