Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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DAYTON — Established in the United States in 1963, Older Americans Month is celebrated every May. The Administration for Community Living (ACL), a federal agency, leads the county’s celebration recognizing older Americans’ contributions and recommitting efforts in serving the older adults in our communities. This year’s theme, “Powered by Connection,” focuses on the profound impact that meaningful connections have on the well-being and health of older adults – a relationship underscored by the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the healing eff...
WAITSBURG & DAYTON — On December 27, Abby Grende, an advocate for Waitsburg Little League parents, met with Snake River Little League (SRLL) President Jessica Ruffcorn and Little League District Representative Brennan Moore to discuss a potential contract for 2024. The three-year contract, approved at the Waitsburg City Council meeting on December 20, allows SRLL to use the Waitsburg Fairgrounds ballfields beginning with the 2024 Little League season. Grende said the terms of the agreement w...
WAITSBURG-Results from a community survey sent to the public by the Waitsburg School Board last month showed overwhelming support for continuing the athletic combine severed in November, according to results presented at the December 15 Waitsburg School Board meeting. Last month, the Dayton School Board voted to end the DW Wolfpack athletic combine, effective January 2023, for middle school programs. This allowed the middle school boys' basketball team to finish the season as a combine but...
Activities this weekend include a Trunk or Treat at the Waitsburg Prespryterian Church Parking lot on Sunday; Axe Throwing at American 35, Friday; Witch Witches Dinner, 5 - 8pm Sunday; Gaudy Gals are hosting A Spectacular Sales Event, Saturday at Town Hall; Trick or Treating everywhere; 21+ Halloween Party at Whiskey Canyon Friday 8pm -Midnight(ish). Check out the details in the Calendar on page six.and have a Happy Halloween!...
WAITSBURG-A lack of volunteers at the Columbia-Walla Walla Fire District 2 has had an ongoing impact on the community it serves, primarily Waitsburg. Fire Commissioner Ashley Strickland cannot stress enough that emergency medical volunteers are in dire need in the area, especially those who can respond to daytime calls. Still, it's not just Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) that are being sought. If being at the forefront of saving lives or battling flames is not your thing, the department...
This week the telephone lines at The Times offices were hacked. When dialing the old number, callers are connected to suspicious calling centers NOT affiliated with The Times. Please DO NOT call the old number (509) 337-6631 or give out personal information to these scam artists. Our new number is (509) 337-3042. Please, update your contact information. When called, we always answer the phone with a friendly “Hello, Waitsburg Times!” Thank you, and we look forward to hearing from you aga...
DAYTON-Old phones, computers, and tablets are getting a second chance, thanks to an unofficial project created and run by Dayton's Gordon Gerlitz. Gerlitz, who recently came out of retirement after owning and operating a computer business for nearly twenty years, has been collecting phones and other pieces of technology that were sitting around, unused. He spends a few hours of his day wiping hard drives and removing any trace of the previous owners. Next, he installs software updates as needed....
WAITSBURG—As the number of COVID-19 cases associated with local schools dropped this week, the Dayton and Waitsburg School District superintendents made the calls to bring back in-person learning starting February 1. The Dayton School District announced the switch to remote learning for all secondary students on January 25 after the rapid rise of student cases in grades 6-12, paired with many of the staff and teachers out sick, forced the decision. The district continues to monitor COVID-19 cases in the school and community. As of Monday, J...
WAITSBURG-Over the past month, City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe has been helping the City of Dayton with budgetary tasks, filling gaps left after former Administrator Trina Cole was dismissed from her position. Hinchliffe said that he had approached Dayton's mayor, Zac Weatherford, shortly after three employees were fired abruptly in June. He offered to help the city to bridge administrative gaps. "I reached out to Zac (Weatherford) and said, 'hey, if you need anything, just let me know. I'm...
TOUCHET VALLEY-It will be a busy weekend in the Touchet Valley, so clear your calendars! From golf tournaments to demo derbies, fun is bound to be had. Friday, July 16, the Waitsburg Block Party will be in full swing at 6 p.m. Bring an entree to grill, plus a side dish or dessert to share at 702 Orchard Street in Waitsburg. BBQs will be available to use, and Walla Walla Dj David Long will keep the music playing. Grab your chairs, bring your favorite yard games, and spend the evening with...
WAITSBURG—Columbia-Walla Walla Fire District 2 (D2) fire commissioners met Wednesday, June 9, for a regular meeting. During the meeting, Ashley Strickland presented the revised Fire Chief job description, expectations, and recommendations to the board. The hiring committee began revising the job description and expectations for the Chief position, a few months back. The committee included Strickland, who acted as the head of the committee, Matt Spring, Brooke Mikesell, Dane Henze, Jake Long, and...
THE TIMES-Roadside assistance is closer than ever for Waitsburg residents. Kyle's RSA, owned by Kyle Sickles, is now available for "everything but the tow." Sickles said that he got the idea for a roadside service business after speaking with local towing company owner Trevor Johnson, who suggested that Sickles start small with a service business before investing in a tow truck, and other necessary equipment. "They told me that it's a lot to take on," Sickles said. "They said to start with the r...
WAITSBURG-Many students are eagerly anticipating the start of the new sports seasons after traditional fall and winter sport schedules were cleared to keep athletes safe. At this time, Washington Interscholastic Athletics Association (WIAA) has labeled sports as 'high,' 'moderate' or 'low' transmission sports, based on contact players have during training and game play. For example, Golf is a 'low' risk sport, while basketball is considered a 'high' risk sport. WIAA uses individual county COVID-...
4 isn't necessarily a year we want to look back at too closely just yet. There was no shortage of bleak headlines, it's true, but this year also proved how well the Touchet Valley bands together in adversity. Most viewed stories on Waitsburgtimes.com by month ❏ January 1884 Local racer signs deal with racing company ❏ February 4266 Waitsburg homes and farms underwater ❏ March 3486 Inslee announces statewide social gathering restrictions ❏ April 1477 Walla Walla County COVID-19 cases doubled i...
After more than four years with The Times, Teeny McMunn is retiring. Since joining the team, Teeny has handled a long checklist of essential newspaper needs. She has handled advertising, legals, bookkeeping, payroll, taxes, and subscriptions. If you needed a subscription or renewal, Teeny was the gal who made sure the paper was in the mail. Needed to place an ad? Talk to Teeny. Birthdays, obituaries, birth announcements, and the inevitable correction, Teeny was the driving force! Her job didn't...
From vibrant poinsettias to reclaimed furniture, Waitsburg businesses have everything you need to be the favorite Santa in your family. This holiday season, shop your local businesses, whether storefront or online, and share the uniqueness of where you call home with friends and family. Nancy's Dream Garden Center received their shipment of Christmas trees-be sure to ask about their holiday deals!...
WAITSBURG—The Columbia/Walla Walla County Fire District 2 (CWWCFD2) Commissioners met Wednesday, November 4 via Zoom call. During the meeting, the commissioners discussed renewing the Emergency Medical First Response Agreement with Columbia County Fire District 3 and heard from Chief Moynihan on station updates. The board of commissioners and Chief Moynihan were joined by Columbia County Emergency Management Director Ashley Strickland while they reviewed the Emergency Medical First Response A...
The Green Giant outside of Dayton, Washington gets a needed refresh with paint and weed maintenance....
Calling all goblins, ghouls, and ghosts! Halloween is still happening in the Touchet Valley, with some minor adjustments. Social distancing will be enforced at all events listed below for the safety of all the spooky participants. Per state guidelines, face masks will be required in addition to a costume mask. Halloween costume masks are not accepted forms of face coverings. Downtown Waitsburg plans on getting spooky on Saturday, starting at 4 p.m. with David Long, Walla Walla DJ, providing music at the Fire Station on Main. Does anyone know th...
9- year survivor tells her story DAYTON—Eileen McMunn, “Teeny” to those who know her, is an eighteen-year survivor of breast cancer, an amazing feat considering her cancer was identified as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). This type of breast cancer is not fueled by estrogen and progesterone receptors, or by HER2, a type of protein. It accounts for 15-percent of breast cancer in the Caucasian population and 35-percent in the African American population Though TNBC cancer can have the s...
Dayton-Licensed Massage Therapist Kahla Harrington describes herself as an introvert. She can appear shy, but she's acted on stage before. She's apprehensive about being in front of crowds, but her smile can light up a room. And behind that smile lies a competitive spirit that strives for excellence. She has been an athlete all her life, playing soccer for 15 years and then distance running. In the first year of her work as a massage therapist, she once was told, "You'll never be better at this...
In the wake of February’s flooding event, the Blue Mountain Long-Term Recovery Group (BMLTRG), a multi-state, multi-county organization, has been formed to reflect the structure of similar long-term disaster recovery groups across the nation. The new group will continue the work taken on by multiple community groups in our region including the Waitsburg Flood Mitigation Group. BMLTRG’s Executive Committee is co-chaired by Christy Lieuallen from the United Way of the Blue Mountains and David Reinholz from The Community Action Program of Eas...
DAYTON—Andrew Bassler, of Dayton, chose to combine his career and his love of fishing when he took the Education Coordinator position with the Salmon in Schools program. After four years of teaching local students about all-things salmon, he is ready to pass the torch to someone new later this year. “I didn’t really know much when I started,” the avid fly fisherman said. “It was as much a learning opportunity for me as it was for the kids.” Bassler said that serving as the Education Coordinator...
There is not much one can control during a pandemic. Many people have lost something 'normal' during these times, but the Class of 2020 has lost the last few months of their senior year. Community members around the nation are banding together and thinking of creative ways to honor students in their final year of high school. Social media has served as a great rallying platform for Class of 2020 parents from all over. A little over a week ago, a 'Be the Light' movement emerged on Facebook. Last...
Columbia County's second largest employer and third-highest taxpayer began an orderly shutdown of its wheat-straw pulp mill on Sunday, March 29, and completed the suspension of operations on Tuesday, March 31. Although classified as a critical manufacturing facility according to Gov. Inslee's Stay Safe, Stay Home declaration, the Board of Managers decided to layoff 93 salaried and hourly workers, retaining only eight employees. "This action was taken to protect employees and their families and...
