Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Sorted by date Results 1178 - 1202 of 2772
DAYTON—The Columbia County Rural Library District board has announced the resignation of Library Director Dusty Waltner, who has accepted another job, effective July 31. Board Chair Karin Spann said because of uncertainties concerning COVID-19, and possible budget shortfalls, the decision has been made to appoint Kristie Korslund as Interim Director, for six months. As an employee at the library, Korslund has been involved in the library’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “This will get us through budgeting at year-end when we hopef...
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Coronavirus Response Joint Information Center reported on a new Center for Disease Control (CDC) report that emphasizes that COVID-19 can cause prolonged illness, including in younger people. The CDC released on Friday, July 24, findings from a telephone survey that indicates more than one-third of people diagnosed with COVID-19 who did not need hospitalization, had not returned to their usual state of health within two to three weeks of being tested. Among those b...
WAITSBURG—Matt and Krystal Wyatt Helping Hands of Waitsburg just announced a plan to clean up Preston Park this Saturday, August 1st, at 9 a.m. Lend a helping hand to clean up all sandbags that were left to help with the flood and remove the reminders of the devastation that affected over 60 homes in our community. We can also help out our City of Waitsburg workers who are doing a fantastic job with a high workload. With enough trucks and workers, the task will go very quickly. Needed: • Trucks to load sandbags • Masked workers with glove...
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released the latest statewide situation report on Friday, July 17, which shows that Washington State as a whole is in an explosive situation. Transmission continues to increase or accelerate across most of Washington state. All indicators of the extent of viral spread are higher than last week, except for Yakima County. In both eastern and western Washington, cases are increasing fastest among 20-29-year-olds and are also growing in both younger and older age groups around them. There is n...
WALLA WALLA—The public is invited to attend the Walla Walla District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, change-of-command ceremony set for 10 a.m. on Friday, July 24. The ceremony will be live-streamed on YouTube at https://youtu.be/yPcI4jURgIY. Lt. Col. Richard T. Childers will assume command of the District from departing Commander Lt. Col. Christian N. Dietz, who commanded the Walla Walla District for two years and is moving on to serve as Chief of Engineering Plans and Operations and Deputy Engineer for Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) at C...
OLYMPIA—Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler extended his emergency order requiring health insurers to cover telehealth and copays for testing. On Friday, July 17, Kreidler directed all state-regulated health insurers to make additional coverage changes to help consumers during the coronavirus pandemic. The orders are in effect until August 16 and include coverage for treatments and testing necessary during the current pandemic. Health insurers must continue coverage for telehealth service, and visits to drive-up testing sites are to be b...
Julia Leavitt has been promoted to Sherwood Trust’s Program Director, announced Sherwood Trust CEO Brian Hunt. Leavitt joined Sherwood Trust in November 2019 as Program Manager. As Program Director, Leavitt has responsibility for Sherwood Trust’s programming and education, including the Nonprofit and Community Learning Center, the annual Community Leadership program, and ongoing communications that support the Walla Walla Valley’s essential nonprofit sector. Leavitt also works to help support the Trust’s local grantmaking programs. “Sherwo...
DAYTON—Columbia County Public Health Director Martha Lanman has reported one new positive case of COVID-19, over the past weekend, in a woman under the age of 50. To date, 339 people have been tested for the virus in Columbia County. A woman in her 60s tested positive in March and has since recovered. Seven people related to one household who tested positive have also recovered. A man under the age of 50 has tested positive on July 9 and is recovering at home. Two tests are pending. There h...
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today approved $2,005,000 in low-interest loans and $1,170,000 in grants for economic development, public infrastructure development and economic feasibility studies targeting business growth, job creation and broadband development in eight rural communities across the state. Projects awarded funding are in the following counties: Walla Walla County received funding for two projects: $50,000 grant to the City of College Place for a planning study for the city-owned F...
DAYTON—During their work session on Monday, the Columbia County Commissioners discussed whether to give county voters an opportunity to voice an opinion about creating a 51st state, called Liberty. Earlier this month Danette Bolyard, a spokesperson for the Liberty State Movement, presented the board with a petition signed by 30 people asking that an advisory vote be placed on this November’s general election ballot. Commissioner Chuck Amerein, who is in favor, said it can be viewed as a protest vote and would place the state legislature on not...
CLARKSTON, Wash.—Officials at Lower Granite Lock and Dam are closing dam crossings to the public for two weeks. The closure started on July 10, due to COVID-19 health concerns. Dam officials will provide an update status on crossings in about 14 days. Public dam crossings are still available at Little Goose Lock and Dam and Lower Monumental Lock and Dam. Travelers can call 1-888-DAM-INFO (1-888-326-4636) for the most current dam-crossing information....
DAYTON—A local favorite health and wellness center is reopening after a long COVID closure. VIVE is operated by Levi Sowerby, a health and wellness coach that provides customized plans to meet your goals. VIVE, located at 446 E. Main Street in Dayton opened again on Monday, July 13. Hours are Monday through Friday 6-8 a.m. and 4:30-7 p.m. Call (828) 989-1347 with any questions or visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/vivebody....
DAYTON—In an effort to raise needed funds for operations, the Dayton Historical Depot Society has adapted their Evening at the Depot fundraiser this year which complies with the Stay Home, Stay Safe order. This year’s event will consist of an online auction running July 25 - August 1, culminating with a fun Zoom event on the evening of August 1. The Society hopes to raise $40,000 with this event. The auction is open to everyone, buying an event ticket is not required to bid on this year’s items. While the auction is not open yet, infor...
WALLA WALLA—Sherwood Trust is looking for community-minded leaders of all experience levels for its 2020 Community Leadership program. The no-cost program begins in September and culminates in the summer of 2021 with a collaborative project. The deadline for nominations is July 31, 2020. The Community Leadership Program has for 16 years strengthened local leadership and community-building abilities with a hands-on, interactive program to develop leadership and community-building skills for Walla Walla Valley residents. In collaboration with Rur...
DAYTON—Port of Columbia Executive Director Jennie Dickinson said the county’s unemployment rate held relatively steady, at 10.5 percent in May, compared to 10.4 percent in April. June rates are not yet available. The state unemployment rate dropped from 15.8 percent to 14.8 percent over the same period of time, she said. Additional emergency assistance is on the horizon to help local businesses and nonprofits. The Port will be the conduit for funds from three different sources. Dickinson sai...
WALLA WALLA-The Walla Walla branch of American Association of University Women (AAUW) are hosting two candidate forums next week. The County Commissioners and Superior Court Judges will be at the first candidate forum on Tuesday, July 14th at 6:30 p.m. The State Representatives will be at the second candidate forum on Thursday, July 16th at 6:30 p.m. Since in-person gatherings are not possible at this time, the forums will be conducted via a Zoom meeting hosted on the Walla Walla Valley Chamber...
OLYMPIA—On July 3, Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman approved Benton, Franklin and Yakima counties to move to a modified Phase 1 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Safe Start plan. Effective July 3, the following activities are permitted in Benton, Franklin and Yakima counties: • Construction as permitted in Phase 2 guidance. • Manufacturing as permitted in Phase 2 guidance. • Restaurants for outdoor seating only at 50% of existing outdoor capacity. • In-store retail at 15% indoor capacity with indoor activities limited to 30 minutes. ...
PENDLETON, Ore.—For only the third time in its history, The Pendleton Round-Up has been cancelled. Organizers could not ensure the safety of the community due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Happy Canyon Indian Pageant and Wild West Show have also been canceled for 2020. The events had been scheduled for Sept. 16-19. The Round-Up was previously cancelled in 1942 and 1943 due to World War II. "It is with a heavy heart that the 2020 Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon will not be taking place thi...
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Small Business Administration expanded the eligibility criteria for the EIDL program earlier in June. Small businesses may check eligibility and apply for an EIDL on the U.S. Small Business Administration website, located here: https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/ . Interest rates are 3.75% for small businesses, 2.75% for nonprofits. EIDLs may be used on common operational expenses that cannot be paid due to effects of the pandemic, this includes debt payments, payroll, accounts payable and other bills. EIDLs can be u...
DAYTON—The State of Washington has announced additional grants for emergency small business support funded through the federal CARES Act. Details will be posted in the Port of Columbia newsletter, as they become available. The grants will be administered by Port officials. This new round of grants is in addition to the those awarded to local businesses last month, through the Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant Program, according to Port of Columbia Executive Director Jennie Dickinson and Dayton Chamber Manager Molly W...
June 19 The reporting party in 1300 block of Barleen Drive was scammed out of 1,000 dollars, Walla Walla. June 22 A hit and run occurred in the county at an address on Interchange Road over the weekend. Walla Walla County. June 24 Reporting Party stated that items that fell out of the back of his SUV were picked up and taken in the 13900 block of Dodd Road. Burbank, WA. June 25 Reporting party in the 57 block of Farmland Road reported being scammed out of money, Walla Walla. June 29 Deputies responded to the 100 block of W. Birch St regarding...
Governor Jay Inslee and Secretary of Health John Wiesman announced on Saturday, June 27 that the Washington State Department of Health is putting a pause on counties moving to Phase 4 of the Safe Start recovery plan. Eight counties were eligible to move from Phase 3 to Phase 4 before the pause. “Phase 4 would mean a return to normal activity and we can’t do that now due to the continued rise in cases across the state,” Inslee said. “We all want to get back to doing all the things we love in Washington during the summer, and fully open our eco...
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Food Assistance program distributed 1.3 million pounds of food and served more than 192,000 clients during the week of June 25. In addition, during the first two weeks of June, WSDA and the state continued its support of the COVID-19 response partnership distributing 168,174 Washington Emergency Food Boxes across the state. The governor’s food security coordination team is looking ahead to address staffing concerns in August as Title 32-funded National Guard deployment winds down....
DAYTON—The Columbia County Rural Library District is moving ahead with summer programing despite the pandemic. Young readers are encouraged to sign up for their new Summer Reading Program, which began on June 15. The program gets a technological spin this summer as readers are encouraged to sign up for a computer application called Beanstack. Touted as the ‘Fitbit for Reading,’ the app lets patrons time reading sessions, log books by scanning their ISBN numbers, keep a log of current and past reading, track daily reading stats, and achie...
The Blue Mountain Resource Conservation and Development Council recently announced that the annual Swim the Snake event has been sidelined due to COVID-19. Organizers said that due to the increase in COVID-19 cases; and the need to mask up in Washington State, the organization cannot get approval to use the Franklin County Lyons Ferry Park for the event. Additionally, KOA Lyons Ferry is limiting access to the marina and camping for August and September; and the Columbia County Sheriff’s River Patrol boat is not available for policing the e...
