Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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WAITSBURG – Elizabeth Jaegeski, Waitsburg's K-12 Music Specialist, took on the challenge of bringing back a high school performance art class. "We started the year discussing our bodies, movement, and being comfortable taking on a character. Rule one was to respect each person's journey in developing their character," said Jaegeski. Using puppets and a stage first purchased by Nancy Bickelhaupt for her classroom and now used by school counselor Rosy Nechodom, the class is producing a show on bul...
DAYTON- Mayor Roger Trump called the Dayton City Council meeting to order at 6 p.m. on December 3, 2024. Trump and council members Teeny McMunn, James Su’euga, Laura Aukerman, Joann Patras, Kyle Anderson, and Shannon McMillen were present at City Hall. Michael Smith was not present. Sheriff Helm kicked off the meeting by reading monthly statistics. He mentioned positive comments he’d received regarding the city’s new radar speed signs installed at both ends of Main Street. Helm said the sheriff’s office is participating in “Toys for Tots,” an...
WAITSBURG - On Friday, December 6, the Friends of the Waitsburg Pool and Waitsburg Parks and Recreation hosted a fundraiser, successfully raising over $16,000. The evening began with a concert, by The Frog Hollow Band at The Plaza Theater. The band generously donated their performance, raising funds from general admission and VIP tickets. After the concert, The Plaza opened its doors to kids for a free movie, including adult supervision, allowing parents to attend the after-concert events at...
DAYTON - The health system in Columbia County is tackling a growing challenge with a blend of innovation and compassion. With 28.6% of the county's residents aged 65 or older-a figure expected to rise to 32% by 2030-the Columbia County Health System prioritizes the needs of the county's aging population. To address healthcare challenges and improve patient outcomes, the critical access hospital district launched the multi-disciplinary Population Health Team. "Our community's aging presents...
WAITSBURG - Waitsburg fourth through eighth-grade students competed in an Amazing Shake gauntlet on Monday, November 25, at Preston Hall. The students were challenged at six different stations. Each student had one minute per station to impress the judges. They were judged on appearance, Je Ne Sais Quoi (i.e., an appeasing quality), handshake, confidence, verbal poise, nonverbal behavior, adaptability, and task completion. The five stations were: Current Events – Participants introduced t...
WAITSBURG - Waitsburg senior Cedar Stegall loves being part of Future Farmers of American, FFA. Recently, she filled out the application, sent her resume, and was interviewed before being selected to be a Sentinel – an FFA District Officer. Stegall looks forward to the program's opportunities to travel and meet new people. She completed her district officer training in Sequim, Washington, where she went on industry tours and learned more about her role as an officer. Stegall attended a m...
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 – 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...
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...
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...
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 - The Waitsburg School District held its Veterans' Day program led by Music Director Elizabeth Arebalos-Jagelski on November 7, 2024. Interim Superintendent Dr. Carol Clarke opened the program, followed by students singing the Star-Spangled Banner during the Presentation of Flags. Student Body President Cedar Stegall gave a reading of the history of Veterans Day. Veterans, family, and community members enjoyed music performed by students under Jagelski's direction and a guest speaker...
Park and Recreation Pool levies in Prescott and Columbia CountyOLYMPIA, WA — The polls in Washington state closed at 8 p.m. on November 5. Updated results are available for : Columbia County at www.columbiaco.com/616/2024-General-Election, Walla Walla County Election Results are available at https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20240806/wallawalla/ Washington State, including all county results, are posted at https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20241105/default.htm. Voters can check to see that their ballot has been processed for the election at...
DAYTON - The Liberty Theater and TVAC Productions will present "Fiddler on the Roof" premiering on November 14 and running through December 7, 2024. The musical is based on "Tevye and his Daughters" and other stories by Sholem Aleichem. Tevye, a poor dairyman in the village of Anatevka, tries to maintain his Jewish religious and cultural traditions as outside influences encroach upon his family's lives. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his five...
WALLA WALLA: The Walla Walla County Public Works crew was recognized by the American Public Works Association at its annual Night of Excellence Awards event on October 10. The crew received the Chapter Hero's Award from the APWA 's Washington chapter. Walla Walla's Lead Foreman, Tom White, and Administrative Services Supervisor, Amy Paolino, brought the city's public work crew's efforts to find a cost-effective, long-term solution to gravel road and pavement maintenance to the APWA's state...
WAITSBURG - Preston Hall Middle School held its Fall Sports, PRIDE, and Attendance Awards assembly on Thursday, October 24. The 2024 Cardinal Volleyball and football teams were introduced at the assembly and received recognition certificates. Many students received certificates for great attendance of 90% and excellence in attendance with 99% in September. and Alex Zuniga. PRIDE Awards for September: Preparedness Sixth Grade-Wyatt Parish, Seventh Grade-Flynn Richardson, Eighth grade-Sasha...
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...
WAITSBURG - Waitsburg High School held homecoming activities during Spirt Week from October 14 – through 18. The 2025 seniors added some new class competition events for this year. The week started with America Day on Monday, and students and staff wore red, white, and blue. At the afternoon assembly, one student from each grade (9-12) donned a blowup costume and competed in a dance. Sophomore Trace Nesje was the winner, performing as an oversized alien. Junior Blake Benavides was a chicken, f...
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...
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...
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 — 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...
WAITSBURG - The Plaza Theater, originally named The Neace Theater, was built in 1929. "The plaza is an especially fun place to hold our bluegrass concert event," said Touchet Valley Acoustic Music Project founder Kate Hockersmith. "It has great charm, acoustics and the history of the building is close to the history of bluegrass music which became popular with "Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys" in the early 1930s." This year, TVAMP brings BooGrass to the Plaza Theater on Sunday, October 27 at...
DAYTON — The Columbia County Parks and Recreation Pool District will host a town hall meeting to present and discuss the proposed excess levy on the November 2024 ballot. The public meeting will be held at the Dayton Multipurpose Room at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. The Parks and Rec commissioners encourage community members to come and learn first-hand about the proposed excess levy, ask questions, and have an open conversation about the pool district’s needs, goals, and pri...
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...
