BRIEFS

CITY LEAF BIN AVAILABLE TO CITIZENS

WAITSBURG - The City of Waitsburg has a leaf bin available for citizens to put their leaves in down at the City Shop. It's available Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The city asks that people not push their leaves out into the street as it makes sweeping more time consuming for our public works crew. The city also notes that the railroad is going to be doing work on the crossing on Mill Race road, adjacent to the old mill site on Wednesday, Nov. 16, and the road will be closed that day.

MEMORIAL SERVICE SET

DAYTON -- A memorial service for Olga Kathleen Brown will be held at the United Brethren Church, 1106 S 4th St. in Dayton on Friday Nov. 18th at 5 p.m. Pastor Greg Brownell officiating. A potluck dinner at the church will follow the service.

DAYTON CITY BUDGET PASSES

DAYTON - The Dayton City Council Monday night unanimously passed the 2012 budget. The budget includes a 3 percent sewer rate increase and an 84 cent increase on citizen's monthly garbage bill.

COMMISSIONERS TO SET BUDGET, LEVY

DAYTON -- A public hearing has been established for Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011 at 10:05 a.m. in the Columbia County Commissioners office to hear comments on the proposed 2012 current expense budget and to set the 2012 tax levy rate for the Current Expense Fund and Road Fund. Copies of the proposed budget are available for inspection at the Columbia County Auditor's office during regular business hours. Approval is pending this hearing.

FAIR BOARD MEMBERS NEEDED

DAYTON -- The Board of Columbia County Commissioners is soliciting applications from people interested in serving on the Columbia County Fair Board. Interested persons should apply to the Columbia County Commissioners office at 341 E Main Street, Dayton, WA, (509) 382-4542 or by email: www.columbiaco.com

KIWANIS TURKEY BINGO

DAYTON - The 25th Annual Dayton Kiwanis Turkey Bingo will be held Saturday, Nov. 19 in the Dayton Elementary Multi-Purpose Room. Doors open at 3 p.m. and Bingo goes from 4 to 9 p.m. There will be great food, great prizes, free baby-sitting and a turkey for every bingo.

ENTRY FORMS SOUGHT FOR MACY'S PARADE

WALLA WALLA -- The Downtown Walla Walla Foundation is accepting entries for the 15th annual Macy's Parade of Lights, to be held Saturday, Dec. 3. Entry forms are available at the Downtown Foundation office at 2 South First Avenue, #300; at the Destination Walla Walla information booth at 26 East Main Street; and on the Downtown Foundation website, www.downtownwallawalla.com. Entry forms are due Nov. 28. The Macy's Parade of Lights is traditionally held the first Saturday of December. There is no fee to participate in the parade; however, all entries must be lit. To learn more, contact the Downtown Foundation at 529-8755.

EXTRA DUI PATROLS

WALLA WALLA -- Law enforcement will conduct extra DUI patrols in Walla Walla County from Nov. 24 through Jan. 2. Public education combined with strict enforcement is a proven method for reducing DUI crashes and fatalities. Officers from the College Place and Walla Walla Police Departments, and the Washington State Patrol will commit extra patrol hours to make the roadways safer for everyone. These efforts are part of Washington's Strategic Highway Safety Plan to reduce traffic fatalities to zero by the year 2030. For additional information about the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, visit www.wtsc.wa.gov.

HOLIDAYS AT FORT WALLA WALLA

WALLA WALLA -- The Museum's holiday season runs through Dec. 23. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily (except Thanksgiving Day). Admission is $3.50 adults; $3 seniors 62 and up and students; $1.50 children 6-12; free for kids under six. Information: 509-525-7703, info@fortwallawallamuseum.org, www.fortwallawallamuseum.org. Facebook: Fortwalla Wallamuseum

WEAR HELMETS THIS WINTER

BLUEWOOD -- The cold weather during the holidays does little to keep winter sports enthusiasts inside - especially children. In fact, children ages 14 and under are at a high risk for winter sports injuries. In 2007, there were 17,000 estimated injuries among children from skiing and snowboarding; 24,500 estimated injuries from sledding; and 1,500 estimated injuries from snowmobiles and other equipment. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, ski helmets could prevent or reduce the effects of 50 percent of head injuries suffered by children under 15 while skiing or snowboarding.

BICYCLE CLUB HAS NEW OFFICERS

WALLA WALLA -The Wheatland Wheelers Bicycle Club has elected new officers for 2012. Club members met at Jacobi's Restaurant to cast their ballots. Elected president was Charles Stanger; vice-president: Greg Knowles; treasurer: Jeff Bolander; secretary: Horte Hernandez; social director: Luke Waggoner; media liaison: J. Andrew Rodriguez; bike advocacy: Bill Bialozor; race director: Justin Bannerman; board members: Phil Hoffman, Sean Duffy and Michael Austin.