Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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WAITSBURG-Last fall, Waitsburg School's Superintendent Mark Pickel read an article about getting kids active in programs after the pandemic. The article encouraged schools to utilize faculty and staff members' talents, interests, and expertise to develop new student programs. Pickel contacted preschool teacher Eleanora Montgomery and her husband, Mark, who are skilled beekeepers. Mark Montgomery grew up in Western Washington, where his father raised bees as a hobby. After graduating from WSU in...
DAYTON – Local residents active in their community have been meeting with Blue Mountain Community Foundation (BMCF) and Innovia Foundation to plan the Raise the Blues Endowment Campaign, which will contribute to a brighter future for Columbia County. The campaign invites residents of Columbia County to join with their neighbors to give back to the place they call home. Donors will have an opportunity to make an impact that lasts. BMCF has set two goals for The Raise the Blues Campaign; both will improve the future of our county. One goal is t...
DAYTON—“Shazam! Fury of the Gods” continues the story of teenage Billy Batson (Zachary Levi) who, upon reciting the magic word “SHAZAM!,” is transformed into his adult Super Hero alter ego, Shazam. This movie is an action/adventure, comedy, fantasy that the Rotten Tomatoes critics rated as 51% favorable, but the audience gave it an 87%. It is rated PG-13 for sequences of action and violence, and language. The IMDb parent’s guide notes this movie has moderate levels of profanity, violence and gore, and frightening and intense scenes. The... Full story
Dear Editors: I read the letter in last week’s paper written by Regina Weldert, a valued, productive business owner in our county and a beloved friend to many. That there should be one ounce of fear in her for her own safety as well as her other trans friends in Washington or across the country, is a statement of failure on the part of all of us that call ourselves Americans. We founded this country not on Judeo-Christian standards, but on the freedom of the individual and the freedom of independence. When our Declaration of Independence s... Full story
As many Columbia County residents know by now, there is a petition circulating that proposes to put the dissolution of the Columbia County Rural Library District on the ballot. Dissolution of the district would result in the permanent shuttering of the library. All the books would be sent to the State Library to be redistributed or destroyed. All the computers and other equipment would be surplussed, along with the furnishings. The building itself would be returned to the city and would likely remain empty unless or until the city finds funds... Full story
To the Editor The Dayton Memorial Library has been a hot topic of conversation for months now. These conversations are important. Expressing our concerns is a part of civic discourse as long as we do so respectfully. My concern is access to information. Did you know that there are over 29,000 items available through our library district? (For perspective, the controversy has been over 11 books.) What a resource for our community! Our librarians are also an excellent resource for library patrons. They are knowledgeable and helpful. Thank you,... Full story
Betty Ann Fletcher, longtime Dayton resident, passed away March 25, 2023 in Walla Walla. She was 90 years of age. A Memorial Service to celebrate her life will be held Thursday, April 6th, at 1:00 PM at the Dayton First Congregational Church. Betty Ann was born September 13, 1932 in Dayton to W. Ray and Annabel Jackson Rogers. She grew up in Dayton with her younger sister Rita Rae and graduated from Dayton High School in 1951. Annabel worked very hard as a single mom to raise her two daughters... Full story
Jack Otterson, 86, Waitsburg WA, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2023. Jack was born to Otto and Ruth Otterson in Jackson MN and moved to Waitsburg in 1945. Jack graduated from Waitsburg High School in 1956, and attended Eastern Washington College after graduation. Jack married his high school sweetheart, Nancy, and enjoyed 63 happy years of marriage. Jack and Nancy had three children: Tammy, Laurie and Jack Jr. Laurie preceded her family in death. Jack was a patriarch in his community and... Full story
WAITSBURG-The snow is disappearing, and daffodils and other early spring visitors are popping up. Work in the garden has begun in earnest. The Waitsburg Commercial Club is sponsoring a Spring Decoration contest for yards and storefronts this year. Decorating started on March 21 and will continue through April 16, when the club's board directors will select winners. Bring out the bunnies, chicks, tulips, flower baskets, and other springtime decorations to brighten your yards and storefronts. Be...
Parents Ben and Samantha Shafer (WHS graduates) of Twin Falls, Idaho, announce the birth of their son Thomas Roy Shafer. Thomas was born at St. Lukes Hospital on Tuesday, January 17, weighing 5 pounds 4 ounces. After spending six days in the NICU, everyone is home and healthy. Grandparents are Neil and Linda Henze of Waitsburg, and Ed and Stasia Shafer of Scappoose, Oregon. Great-grandparents are Donnarae Smith of Waitsburg and Monty and Susan Price of Walla Walla and Steve Shafer of College...
WALLA WALLA—The Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office (WWCSO) and the Washington State Parks Safe Boating Programs are offering the Adventures in Boating class for free in Burbank Chief Deputy Richard Schram is a state-certified instructor for the Adventures in Boating class. He will teach the course and certify boaters applying for their mandatory Boater Education Card from Washington State Parks. The free classes will be held in Burbank, Wash., in April and Walla Walla, Wash., in May. The first class will be held at 9 a.m. on April 15 at Fire S...
WAITSBURG-The Inland Northwest Chorale presented a concert at Waitsburg High School on Saturday, March 25. The free concert included Waitsburg high school and middle school students who participated in musical numbers and a dance performance as part of the show's finale. Thirty-three members of the chorale, an accompanist, and five "singing waterglass" players practiced for eleven weeks before the Waitsburg concert. The non-profit chorale is directed by Music Director and Conductor R.Lee Fries....
WINDSOR, COLO.- The prize for winning the National Wheat Yield Contest is a trip to the Commodity Classic. Award-winning Limagrain Cereal Seeds (LCS) farmers had a fan club waiting for them when they arrived at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. "The National Wheat Yield Contest is a fantastic opportunity for growers to showcase their blockbuster yields, and the Commodity Classic gives winners a chance to connect with each other and to the farming community as a whole,"...
POMEROY-The wrestling tournament held in Pomeroy on Saturday, March 25, was successful on many levels. There was fantastic club support from the families, excellent sportsmanship from the wrestlers, and team empathy and support during a medical emergency. Best of all, the kids had a blast competing. Lydia Mertens placed second, and Ian Mertens, Wyatt Parrish, and Calvin James each placed third in the tournament. The Matbirds wrestlers showed improved techniques and growth. The Matbirds will...
DW COMBINE—With the Dayton-Waitsburg combine ending this school year, an agreement hs been made between the school districts and WIAA regarding high school student transfers and sports eligibility. High school students who wish to transfer between the Dayton and Waitsburg school districts must submit transfer paperwork through Friday, June 23, 2023, to attend the non-resident school district and maintain their eligibility for sports. Here are issues to consider: For athletic eligibility in this specific case, a “transfer” will be defined as hav...
DW COMBINE—DW track athletes competed in their third meet of the season at Asotin on Tuesday, March 21. The Wolfpack recorded several Personal Records (PRs) while competing against athletes from Asotin, Clarkson, Colfax, Davenport, Liberty (Spangle), Lind-Ritzville, Pomeroy and Walla Walla Valley. Men’s results: 100-meter Sprint: 34 competitors Name Ranking Time Reuben Yutzy 12 12.39 PR Hudson Reser 14 12.48 Teegan Kenney 17 12.76 Tristan Rennaker 28 13.89 200-meter sprint: 24 competitors Hudson Reser 12 26.62 PR Teegan Kenney 21 28.33 Sho...
WAITSBURG-The Royal Block welcomes oral historian, Randy Lewis, to share legends associated with the Columbia Plateau Cultural Area at the Royal Block in Waitsburg on April 1, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public (21+). Lewis, or K'ayaxan in his native tongue, will also provide a screening and an insightful exposition of "A Winter's Tale," a student film produced by Amelia Yokel Egbert in association with Icicle Creek Center for the Arts. A Q&A will follow the film,...
Adult Fiction: "A Summer to Remember" by Erika Montgomery. Experience the salty breeze of a Cape Cod summer as it sweeps through this romantic and timeless debut novel tinged with a love of old Hollywood. "People We Meet on Vacation" by Emily Henry A sparkling novel that will leave you with the warm, hazy afterglow usually reserved for the best vacations. "The Night She Disappeared" by Lisa Jewell. A thriller about a young couple's disappearance on a gorgeous summer night, and the mother who...
Portlandia Vintners has just released a pair of non-vintage bubblies. I particularly like this Syrah-based rosé. It’s not expensive for a traditional (Champagne) method sparkler – that is not a cheap process. NV means it’s comprised of juice from more than one vintage. Lovely to look at – a fading sunset hue – it is one of a handful of sparkling Syrahs in my experience. This one avoids unnecessary tannins or earthy funk and might easily be mistaken for a sparkling Pinot Noir, which is a good...
WAITSBURG-Waitsburg High School Freshman, Karissa Potts, started skiing at age three with her dad Casey. Later Casey signed up Karissa to be a coach for the Special Olympics team. He thought she would be good at it, and he was right, as Karissa has been a coach for the past ten years. Every Saturday from January through March, Karissa is at Bluewood coaching a beginner skier and two middle school students who ski at the intermediate level. The team traveled to Mission Ridge the weekend of March...
DW COMBINE—The DW golf team had three members participate in two golf matches last week. On Wednesday, March 22, freshman Carson Potter led the team with a score of 61 on the 9-hole Wine Valley Golf Course in Walla Walla. William Daves and Sarah Daves both recorded a score of 76. On Thursday, March 23, the team traveled to the Walla Walla Country Club. Potter recorded a score of 64, Sarah Daves scored 74, and William Daves scored 78. Coach Mike McGhan was pleased with the kids at both competitions. Sarah improved her score on Thursday by k...
WAITSBURG—The Waitsburg School Board of Directors will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. The purpose of the meeting is to vote on an employment contract for David Woods as Superintendent and Elementary School Principal. The board of directors selected Woods from the four candidates who made it to the final round of interviews. The meeting will include a public comment period and will be held in person at the Waitsburg Elementary School library. It will not be available on Zoom....
My garden awaits Spring, and I am back from my trip to Los Angeles. Daniel worked diligently to assemble the new patio furniture and did a great job. So, what should I write about now? Daniel suggested (jokingly) I ask ChatGpt to write this week's column. The Microsoft program is one of the hot topics in the news lately, so maybe it's time to learn more about artificial intelligence. I am fairly "tech savvy." I am as good as most, better than many, and not nearly as good as the very young. What...
WAITSBURG-Twenty-five volunteers went to the Waitsburg High School gym on March 22 to donate blood. The Waitsburg High School National Honor Society (NHS) hosted the event, and the American Red Cross provided medical personnel from the Tri-Cities. "It was very successful," said NHS advisor Olivia Leid who appreciated the turnout. The donated blood stays in the Pacific Northwest unless there is an emergency. NHS students Natalie Teal, Sarabeth McGowen, Levi Boudrieau, Monte Pettichord, Makenna...
Ten Years Ago March 28, 2013 [Photo Caption] The Waitsburg High School Knowledge Bowl Team pretends to pose in front of the real Space Needle in Seattle. L to R: Thibault Martinelle, Alex Leathers, Hannah Grant, Emma Philbrook, Cherry Dai, Meara Baker, EJ Meserve and Coach Brad Green. Twenty-Five Years Ago April 2, 1998 Turning a hobby into a business is the impetus for Joe Jr. and Jean McCown’s new rock, mineral and mining-related business, which is starting operation at 232 Main Street, in t...
