BRIEFS

SPORTS MEETINGS COMING UP

WAITSBURG - A Mandatory WP parent and athlete Fall Sports Meeting at 7 p.m., Aug. 6 in the Waitsburg High School Auditorium. There will be a mandatory WP coaches meeting, for all coaches for 2012-2013 sports, at 8 p.m., on Aug. 6 at Waitsburg High School in the third-floor staff work room.

WAITSBURG MAN GETS FELLOWSHIPS

WAITSBURG - Dr. Matt Lyons, the son of Rusty and Les- lie Lyons of Waitsburg, was honored with a graduation dinner ceremony on June 22 in Seattle. He is a chief resident in Uni- versity of Washington's orthopedic residency program. Lyons grew up outside of Waitsburg and graduated from DeSales High School in 1998. He attended the University of Washing- ton's undergraduate and medical schools. After five years of surgical residency training in orthopedics, Lyons has accepted two fellowships at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. The first year will be in sports medicine followed by a second year of hand and arm surgery.

CAR PROWLERS PROBLEMATIC

DAYTON -- Car prowls are on the rise, Sheriff Walt Hessler said. Hessler reminded the city council and attendees during the council meeting on Monday, July 9, to lock their vehicles in order to protect their property.

"If you want to leave your car unlocked, at least take your guns out of it," Hessler said. "It's an ongoing situation and I'm at wits end on how to rectify it."

Firearms in unlocked vehicles have been an issue for the Sheriff's department and Hessler hopes people will keep their vehicles locked and dangerous items out of unlocked cars.

He reminded everyone to keep track of their car keys and to be especially cautious of leaving keys in unlocked vehicles.

DINNER & A MOVIE

DAYTON -- Time for a great dinner and a movie at the Liberty Theater! On Friday, July 27, join the Liberty Theater for a special dinner featuring authentic Indian cuisine, followed by the Liberty Theater premiere of the film "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel," starring Judy Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy and Tom Wilkinson. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. and tickets are $25 per person. Tickets are available online at www.libertytheater.org or you can come into the chamber office on Main Street and purchase tickets there. Tickets are limited, so get them soon.

BMAC BENEFIT RAISES $12K

WALLA WALLA -- Golfers eager to tackle Wine Valley Golf Club's challenging links course and 29 sponsors raised more than $12,000 for the Blue Mountain Action Council Food Bank during the Walla Walla Association of Realtors' (WWAR) eighth annual Care and Share Golf Tournament. The June 26 four-member scramble drew 30 teams, who vied for prizes at many holes and ponied up extra contributions through putting and driving contests, a raffle, and purchasing mul- ligans. The Blue Mountain Action Council Food Distribution Center distributes food to four local pantries in Walla Walla County, keeping nutritious food on the tables of those who can't always afford to feed their families.

BALLOTS MAILED SOON

WALLA WALLA - Primary election ballots in Walla Walla County will be mailed on July 20. Military and overseas bal- lots were mailed June 22. The county auditor's office will begin processing ballots daily, beginning Monday, July 23 and continue through Monday, Aug. 20 between the hours of 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on weekdays. The Elections Department will begin processing ballots through the tabulator on Aug. 7, Primary Election Day, at 10 a.m. Preliminary election results will not be released until after 8 p.m. on Aug. 7. Get out and vote!

SUMMER FIRE SEASON BEGINS

OLYMPIA - With the start of fire season, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is requesting assistance from the public when it comes time to fight wild- fires. Landowners can provide good directions, assist in open- ing gates, and ensure roads are opened. Quick and unhindered access for firefighters may be the difference between a small smoldering campfire and a large catastrophic wildfire. The job of DNR firefighters and forest wardens is to protect lives, resources and property from wildland fires on private and state- owned forestland. To minimize fire cost and damage, DNR firefighters try to keep fires as small as possible. In order to do this, they need to gain access to fires quickly. Landowners are also requested to observe the department's summer burn ban that is in place for all DNR-protected lands within the State of Washington. The burn ban took effect on July 1 and will last until Sept. 30.

OPENING ON ADVISORY COMMITTEE

WALLA WALLA -- Walla Walla County is seeking persons interested in serving as a representative for the Business/Indus- try position on the Walla Walla County Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC). This committee assists in the develop- ment of solid and hazardous waste handling programs and policies in support of resource conservation and environmental protection. For further information on the role of the SWAC, please contact Melissa Warner, Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Walla Walla at 524-4549.

The application form may be obtained from the Walla Walla County Commissioner's Office, County Public Health and Legislative Building 314 W. Main, Walla Walla, on the County website www.co.walla-walla.wa.us, or by calling 524-2505. Application deadline is Aug. 3, 2012.