BRIEFS

COUNCIL DENIES DEVELOPERS

WAITSBURG - Waitsburg City Councilors denied a reprieve request by Walla Walla area developers David Corbett and Mark Jones last Wednesday.

Three years ago, city councilors approved a subdivision plan, Waitsburg Estates, proposed by Corbett and Jones for several acres on Wood Street, just north of the old Jackpot gas station (now Midway Food Mart) on Highway 12.

The men had until this spring to begin work on improvements to the 27 lots, including water, septic and roads. To date, no work has been done.

Corbett stated they hadn't started work yet because of the economy, which "completely collapsed in 2008," and he and his business partner hoped the council would extend their deadline, but council declined.

"I'm very frustrated," Corbett said Tuesday. "I don't think their decision was fair to the citizens of Waitsburg. We've done everything they've asked us to do."

"It boiled down to the fact they'd had three years to begin their development, and they'd done nothing in that time," Waitsburg Mayor Walt Gobel said this week.

Councilors agreed, with Scott Nettles abstaining and Orville Branson absent, that the developers should reapply with the city when they were ready to begin work installing septic, water and roads.

Corbett said he felt city councilors didn't consider his position well. "They didn't consider the amount of money we'd already invested locally nor the thousands of tax dollars we've paid annually on the different lots," he said.

Those tax dollars will be "completely eliminated now," Corbett said. "It will just be taxed as a seven-acre piece of ground. "

SHOVELS STAND READY!

DAYTON - The official groundbreaking ceremony for Blue Mountain Station, to be located west of Wagon Road and north of Highway 12 in Dayton, has been set for April 15.

Port of Columbia commissioners will award the contract for infrastructure work on "the world's very first destination eco-food processing park" at a special meeting March 16.

Those interested in participating in a roundtable discussion with growers and processors should contact Port Manager Jennie Dickinson by Friday at jennie@portofcolumbia.org.

MISSING SNOWBOARDER FOUND

DAYTON - A missing snowboarder from the Tri-Cities area was found in the wee hours of Sunday morning after a long search into the night at Ski Bluewood.

Matt Thompson, 29, was reported missing at around 5 p.m. on Saturday. He had last been seen in the early afternoon in a back country area of the ski resort.

Bluewood Ski Patrol personnel and volunteers from the Blue Mountain Snowmobile Club were able to pick up the trail, according to a news release from Columbia County Emergency Management.

Searchers located Thompson at around 1:30 a.m. in the Wenaha drainage, after he had reportedly become disoriented in an unfamiliar section of Bluewood.

Thompson was found in good condition and was evaluated by personnel from the Columbia County Fire District 3 Ambulance.

WAITSBURG HONORED AGAIN

WAITSBURG - Waitsburg High School will be recognized by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction on April 27 at a ceremony hosted by Lincoln High School in Tacoma for overall achievement and extended graduation rate. This is the second time the school has been tapped for the awards.

Superintendent Carol Clarke attributed the school's success to "an outstanding staff with tremendous community support."

HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING

WAITSBURG - The Waitsburg Historical Society will hold its annual meeting on February 28 with a 7:15 p.m. session at the Wilson-Phillips House to view the new flooring followed by the business meeting at 404 Main Street beginning at 7:30 p.m. Annual reports will be given as well as election of officers for the coming year.

TUCANNON KICKOFF

POMEROY - Seven of eight Tucannon lakes will open for fishing on March 1, which kicks off the 2011 fishing and camping season.

Spring is busy in the valley with the annual Blue Mountain Archers 3-D bow shoot in March (one of the largest in Southeast Washington), turkey season in April, free camping fundraiser at the Blue Mountains KOA for children with cancer in May, fishing, wildflowers, wildlife viewing and camping.

The Blue Mountains KOA and Last Resort Kampstore posts stocking reports, hours of operation, special event information at www.thelastresortrv.com or www.facebook.com/ bluemountainskoa. The phone number is 509-843-1556.

LIBRARY SEEKS ADVICE

PRESCOTT - The Prescott Library is looking for ideas on how to use the now-vacant space next to the library on D Street. The space, donated to the library, was the site of a building that burned.

Suggestions cards are available at the Tuxedo Bar & Grill, the Co-Op, Sandy's Market or the library.