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Articles written by Lane Gwinn


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  • City hall's new owner, new future

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Apr 10, 2025

    WAITSBURG - The City of Waitsburg's former city hall building has a new owner. Chet Childers of Burbank, Wash., has taken ownership of the historic Main Street building. This was the second bid the Tri-Cities construction company owner has made for the building. Childers withdrew from his first offer after a 90-day feasibility study. His original offer for $175,000 included his vision statement for The Vault, a space that celebrates beer making and soaking. It would offer second-floor hotel...

  • Rural libraries feel federal cuts

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Apr 10, 2025

    WAITSBURG — Waitsburg’s Weller Public Library is facing cuts in services and possibly staffing from the loss of federal funding. The Institute of Museum and Library Services was one of seven agencies functionally eliminated by an executive order to continue reducing federal bureaucracy signed by President Trump on March 14, 2025. While libraries are funded mainly by city and county taxes, federal funding helps pay for workforce training and pilot programs. It helps provide essential library services, including computer and internet access, in...

  • New Mexican food, tours, wine, cocktails at Hotel Hardware Grand Opening

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Apr 10, 2025

    DAYTON - Hotel Hardware invites the public to its official Grand Opening on Friday, April 11 and 12. The celebration will take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on both days. It includes New Mexican cuisine by Dave Hernandez of Cocina Barelas, wine from Tim Doyle of Marginalia Winery, and innovative cocktails at The Bobcat Room. Guests can check out the renovated hotel, The Bobcat Room, and meet Daniel Lopez, the Spokane–based artist behind the "Stand By Me" mural at Hotel Hardware. Hotel hardware i...

  • Barbara Danforth named Waitsburg Celebration Days Parade Marshal

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Apr 3, 2025

    WAITSBURG - The Waitsburg Celebration Days committee is pleased to announce Barbara Danforth as this year's parade marshal. She shares the honor with her late husband, Bob Danforth. Parade marshals are chosen for their commitment to making Waitsburg a great place to live, learn, work, and play.Barbara was the 1948 Days of Real Sport Queen and the Waitsburg Historical Society's 2023 Pioneer of the Year. She supports Waitsburg's FFA, a member of the De Nova Club, and was recognized for 70 years...

  • One door closes, another opens

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Mar 27, 2025

    WAITSBURG - Returning from a trip to Tuscany, Tom and Judy Bennett brought their new-found love of Neapolitan pizza home to Walla Walla. In 2018, they opened Fiasco, a mobile catering business with a wood-fired pizza oven on a vintage truck. In 2022, the couple scaled up their enterprise by opening American 35 in Waitsburg's former American Legion building. They expanded the kitchen and dining room and opened the restaurant to Main Street with two large glass garage doors. But the real star of...

  • Bid accepted for city hall, 2nd offer approved as backup

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Mar 27, 2025

    WAITSBURG —Waitsburg Mayor Marty Dunn called the city council meeting to order on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 7 p.m. at city hall. City council members Jillian Henze, Jennifer Bishop, Kevin House, and City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe were present. Council members Jim Romine and Court Ruppenthal were not present. In public comment, representatives from the Touchet River Roundup, known as Woody’s Pig Roast, told the council they disagreed with a memo from the city administrator to the council. Hinchliffe recommended that the council not all...

  • 4H clubs bring in 795 lbs of donations to Waitsburg Resource Center

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Mar 27, 2025

    WAITSBURG - The Corral Wranglers 4H Club and the Pen Pals 4H Club held a successful food drive on Monday, March 24. There was a lot of energy, laughter, and activity as the kids, their parents, and advisors took in donations for the Waitsburg Resource Center at the Banner Bank parking lot. Over the afternoon and early evening, they collected 795 pounds of food and hygiene items for the community....

  • Decades old dump sours city hall sale

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Mar 20, 2025

    WAITSBURG — The former city hall was back on the market after the last sales agreement accepted at the special council meeting on March 6 fell through on March 12. The offer accepted at the special council meeting was from Walla Walla residents Delbert and Cindy Steinhorst. The couple's bid was $150,000 for the city hall building and a second city-owned property off E. Sixth St. The offer had a relatively quick time frame, with a feasibility contingency date of March 15 and closing on April 1, 2...

  • Waitsburg City Hall under contract…again

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Mar 13, 2025

    WAITSBURG — Mayor Marty Dunn called a special meeting of the Waitsburg City Council for March 6, 2025. The purpose of the meeting was to review and vote on three bids submitted for the purchase of the old city hall building at 147 Main Street. The council accepted the bid from Delbert and Cindy Steinhorst, past Waitsburg residents f who made an offer of $150,000. The offer is for the city hall building and a second vacant lot property on 6th Street the city has for sale. The second property is an oddly shaped, 1.15-acre lot on East 6th Street....

  • Waitsburg Artist presents digital camera obscura March 16 at Combine Art Collective

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Mar 13, 2025

    WALLA WALLA - Carrie Hendrix, musican, luthier, inventor, photographer, and educator is one of the ten Waitsburg artists exhibiting in the "Straight Outta Waitsburg" exhibit at the collective gallery. Hendrix will bring her inventive camera obscuras to the collective for its 'Sundays at the Gallery" on March 16 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. This is a chance for artists and photographers to learn her techniques to create pinhole camera images with a digital camera. Hendrix invites the public to...

  • First Girl Wrestler for the Cardinals looks forward to next year

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Feb 20, 2025

    WAITSBURG - This year, the Cardinals' Wrestling welcomed its first girl competitor to the team. It was a first for Karissa Potts, a junior who only took up the sport this year. "When I started wrestling, I knew absolutely nothing. I wasn't perfect-still not-but in just a few months, I've grown so much and learned more than I ever expected," said Potts. "Wrestling pushes you physically and mentally, and yeah, it's tough, but it's also addicting. Even on the hardest days, it's fun, and I can't...

  • "The Times" makes changes to ensure its future

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Jan 30, 2025

    WAITSBURG — Due to increasing print production costs, I am transitioning “The Times” from a print to an exclusively online publication beginning February 6, 2025. The transition will allow the paper to continue covering local news and support businesses, non-profits, schools, and healthcare systems in the Touchet Valley. “The Times” is committed to providing accurate, fair, and relevant information to its readers and community. I purchased the paper at the end of 2018 when the previous owners planned to close the publication after they coul...

  • Waitsburg Parks and Rec votes to pursue alternative pool site.

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Jan 16, 2025

    WAITSBURG - The Waitsburg Parks and Recreation District(WPRD) board has received the feasibility study it commissioned from PBS Engineering and Environmental in 2024. The purpose of the study was to determine if a pool could be rebuilt at its current location or on one of two alternative sites. The completed study shows a new municipal pool could be built on the alternative site on the north side of the Touchet River. On January 2, the WPRD board voted unanimously to pursue building the new...

  • Holiday trees will go to build bird habitats

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Jan 9, 2025

    WAITSBURG - Nicole Abel and her Waitsburg Ariculture Education students offer fresh cut trees to local businesses and clubs to decorate for the Festival of Trees. The students put up the trees before Hometown Christmas and pick them up again after New Year's Day. The trees are decorated with battery powered lights and unbreakable but creative ornaments to bring color and cheer to the downtown streets. Trees also compete for recognition as the Hometown Christmas fan favorite. The trees were cover...

  • Pizza class moves from Waitsburg to Italy

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Jan 2, 2025

    WAITSBURG - Tom and Judy Bennett brought wood-fired pizzas to Waitsburg in 2022. After buying the former American Legion Post 35 from winemaker Charles Smith, the pair has remodeled, added outdoor seating, and hosted trivia, axe-throwing, burlesque, and live bands. The couple is now adding international travel to the fun. Partnering with The Table Less Traveled, the couple is offering a one-of-a-kind trip to southern Italy to explore Neapolitan pizza's roots. The trip is open to six to 14...

  • Snowmobile adventures new to Bluewood

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Jan 2, 2025

    DAYTON — This year, Bluewood Ski Resort offers two-hour snowmobile adventures for riders aged 18 and over. The guided tour covers 64 miles through Bluewood’s backcountry in the Umatilla National Forest. The 2024 Polaris Snowmobiles can be booked for single or double riders and are included in the price with helmets and goggles. Boots, jackets, bibs, and gloves are available for rent—$ 30 for all, $10 per piece. Prepare for your adventure by wearing adequate winter clothing, including winter socks and snow boots, waterproof gloves, snow pants...

  • "Portraits of Nature" Gallery opens in Waitsburg

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Nov 21, 2024

    WAITSBURG - Growing up in Western Montana, Dave Tipton said he has photographed landscapes and wildlife since the 5th grade. With a passion for wildlife, he found himself wanting to capture everything he encountered outdoors, keeping a constant eye on the weather patterns. His travel includes Canada to Belize, thourhgout Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. He focused much of his attention on Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, and Glacier Park National Parks. Tipton's appreciation for the ever-changing o...

  • Tis the season to be scammed

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Nov 21, 2024

    WASHINGTON — Every day, internet thieves make millions of attempts to take advantage of consumers online. Banks and other financial institutions warn their customers to be constantly aware of scams. They offer information on their websites and online help for customers who get unsolicited or confusing calls or emails from their banks. Three of the most common scams used by cybercriminals during the holidays are: Package Delivery Scams – An estimated three billion packages were shipped last holiday season. Package delivery is an opportunity for...

  • Market at the Depot returns for Dayton's Christmas Kick-Off

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Nov 14, 2024

    DAYTON - The Dayton Historic Depot Museum announced the return of the Holiday Market at the Depot during the town-wide Christmas Kick-Off event on Friday, November 29, and Saturday, November 30. This annual market will showcase handcrafted goods from local artisans and vendors, offering unique holiday gifts and treats for visitors of all ages. The Market at the Depot will feature local vendors offering handcrafted gifts, many priced under $40, making it the perfect opportunity for holiday...

  • Waitsburg to test flood siren 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Nov 14, 2024

    WAITSURG - The Waitsburg Community Health and Protection Committee will test the city's flood siren at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 19. The siren, routinely heard on weekdays at noon, will be set off in a wavering sound pattern at 10 a.m. for approximately a minute, simulating a flooding event. During the test on Tuesday, the Walla Walla County Emergency Management Alert system will send test messages via text, email, messaging, and on cell and landlines to Waitsburg residents while the siren...

  • BooGrass gets us ready for Halloween

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Oct 31, 2024

    TVAMP and RYSE kicked off the Halloween season with their fundraiser "BooGrass" at Waitsburg's Plaza Theater. Music by the Skyline Strings (above), The Epic Minstrels, and their mentors including Kate Hockersmith, Carrie Hendrix, Glen Morrison, and Jimmye Turner....

  • Track your ballot at voter.votewa@gov

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Oct 31, 2024

    OLYMPIA — After unknown persons set off incendiary devices in several ballot boxes in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, last week, Washington voters are reminded to use the ballot tracker at https://voter.votewa.gov. The state website allows voters to register, check their registration data, and track their ballots. Ballots for the general election were mailed on Friday, October 18. Anyone who has not received their ballot can go to https://voter.votewa.gov to verify if and where a ballot was mailed. Walla Walla County voters s...

  • Time runs out Days of Real Sport structures at the Fairgrounds

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Oct 24, 2024

    WAITSBURG — At its meeting on October 16, the Waitsburg City Council voted unanimously to tear down the grandstands, announcer booth, and timing towers at the Waitsburg Fairgrounds. The council found the structures to be surplus and a safety hazard with no value to the city. Weller Public Library Supervisor Sarah Roberts presented an update to the council on the library. She said the interior has been repainted, material checkouts and foot traffic are up from past years, and money has been raised for programs, including the summer reading p...

  • Friends of the Library are valuable to the reading community

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Oct 24, 2024

    WAITSBURG - October 20 through 26 is the American Library Association's 19th annual National Friends of Libraries Week. The Weller Public Library Board and Library Supervisor Sarah Roberts would like to acknowledge the active members of Waitsburg's Friends of the Library. "The Friends of WPL have worked alongside the library staff and Board of Trustees in countless ways, supporting our programming and allowing us to hold events that would otherwise be difficult to support with our small staff,"...

  • The Prescott pool is getting ready for winter and future swim seasons.

    Lane Gwinn, The Times|Oct 17, 2024

    PRESCOTT - After another successful season, the Prescott Pool has been emptied and was being repainted this week to prepare for winter. The pool offers recreation, swim safety and education, and Aquacize classes to the Prescott, Waitsburg, Dayton, and surrounding areas. The Prescott Parks and Recreation has been able to do this with the support of its community and Prescott voters who pass operation levies to fund much of the work. The Walla Walla YMCA partners annually with the district to...

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