2017 In Waitsburg and Prescott : The Year in Review

The struggles and contentions of 2016 allowed for a year of growth and positive movement for the City of Waitsburg in 2017. The former Waitsburg City Fire Department operated successfully as Columbia-Walla Walla Fire No. 2, the city organized a tree committee and a fairgrounds task force to deal with ongoing issues of public concern and the newly replaced Waitsburg Main Street Bridge opened to traffic in December.

As 2017 ends, the school district, under the guidance of new District Superintendent Jon Mishra, holds a timeline for capital bond projects to begin this spring, the city has secured funding to begin work on infrastructure repairs and the city council approved a partnership with the Corp of Engineers for a Flood Feasibility Study.

City government, groups, clubs, individuals and scores of volunteers continue to work hand-in-hand to make Waitsburg the special, one-of-a-kind town that it is known to be. May 2018 be a year of continued restoration and growth.

January

The Waitsburg School District began seeking community input as part of the process to select a new district superintendent to replace Carol Clarke who would retire at the end of the school year.

The Waitsburg City Council approved an agreement with the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Washington State Historic Preservation Office regarding the historic preservation of the Main Street Bridge, which was scheduled to be replaced.

Waitsburg artists Suze Wood and Lane Hill worked with Waitsburg students as part of the Cargenie Picture Lab program.

The Waitsburg Home and School Association held a very successful father-daughter dance fundraiser.

High and middle school Principal Stephanie Wooderchak was named Three Rivers Middle Level Principal of the Year.

City and school crews battles with weeks of icy, snowy weather. Rivers swelled and overflowed in spots, but there was no significant flooding.

February

Tiernan Pearson and Sarah Heze shared their experience of attending the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

The FrogHollow Band and Framing Fables donated their time to play a fundraising concert for Nathan Stueckle who underwent emergency open heart surgery. Nathan is the son of Tuxedo Bar & Grill owner Pam Stueckle.

The Waitsburg National Honor Society donated $500, raised from holding potato bars during high school games, to the Waitsburg Resource Center. Members also serve at the center.

Booster Club President Ross Hamann was named 2016 Booster of the Year for his many hours of volunteer service.

Wrestler Joe Adams took fifth place at the Sate Mat Classic in Tacoma. Adams and Aaron Hoffman both made it to the state competition.

Kendra Smith is named the new Rainbow Worthy Advisor.

The city began accepting applications for citizens to sit on the City of Waitsburg Tree Committee. The advisory committee was reinstated after citizens questioned how the removal of trees was handled, in several incidents in 2016.

Prescott's previously struggling sports program sees success following the demise of the Prescott-Waitsburg athletic combine.

Waitsburg fifth graders created a cookbook to raise funds for the fifth grade ski program.

Waitsburg's city council approved a 5% utility rate increase in order to leverage funds to obtain a loan for imminent infrastructure repairs. Rates will continue to increase 2.5% in 2019 and beyond.

Brooke Mikesell opened Blush Salon & Spa on Waitsburg's Main Street.

March

New Prescott music teacher Jeremy Irland brings his opera experience to the classroom.

Cheyanne Shoun is crowned 2017 Waitsburg Celebration Days Queen. Shoun replaced outgoing queen Emily Adams.

Waitsburg Elementary School students raise $1,200 for the American Heart Association through their annual Jump/Hoops for Heart event.

The Waitsburg City Council waived the $50 new business registration fee, through Feb. 6, 2018, in order to encourage new businesses to the City.

The Waitsburg Celebration Days Committee purchases patriotic boulevard banners to line Main Street, promoting the annual May event.

Senior Emily Adams is honored as a 2016 Evergreen Girls State delegate.

Replacement of the Main Street Bridge hit a glitch when bids come in nearly $100,000 over the engineer's estimate. In June, 2015 the Washington State Legislature appropriated $1.7 million to replace the 90-year-old bridge. It was anticipated that the appropriation would be enough to cover the project. The Port of Walla Walla awarded the city a nine-tenths of one percent sales tax grant of $100,000 to bring the project back under budget.

Tom House, Brandon Boudrieau, Jared Farley and Devin Newman received State FFA Degrees.

Waitsburg's annual city elections were delayed two weeks when city council candidate filings fell one short of a full slate of five members. Council member Karl Newell opted not to file, current councilwoman Debra Callahan filed for mayor, and there were no new council candidates. The filing period was extended and David Paxton, Matt Spring and Jim Romine filed to run for council.

Ethan Carpenter and Paul Gregutt are appointed as the two citizen representatives to the city's newly formed tree committee. Citizen Allison Bond had also applied for the position. Other committee members include Public Works Director Jim Lynch and city council members Kevin House and Kate Hockersmith.

Bill Rodgers was approved to sit on the city's planning commission which still has one empty seat. Current members are Larry Johnson (chair), Karen Gregutt, KC Kuykendall, Brian Callahan, Stan Bly, and Rodgers.

The Waitsburg Knowledge Bowl team placed third at the state competition in Arlington, Wash. Team members Gillian Pope, Leena Baker, Kevin Murphy, Cade Branson, Robert Walsh and Scott Leamy are coached by Brad Green.

Members of youth bluegrass Switchgrass Delta hosted Japanese exchange students in preparation for a planned trip to Japan as part of the Sasayama-Walla Walla Sister City Exchange Program's 45th anniversary cultural exchange.

Over 100 people filled Town Hall to help Roger and Laura Jean Hevel celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary.

After holding preliminary interviews with five candidates, the Waitsburg School Board invited lone candidate, Dr. Jon Mishra, back for a final interview for the position of District Superintendent.

April

Dr. Jon Mishra was selected at the new Waitsburg schools superintendent. Mishra spent the last eight years working in the Hermiston, Ore. school district and said he is looking forward to returning to a smaller district.

Jacob Elder organized the painting of the athletic field bleachers as part of his Eagle Scout project.

Waitsburg junior Chris Philbrook was part of the SEATech construction technology class that won the creativity award for their tiny home at the statewide Showcase of Skills Homeless Shelter Project. The team designed their home with an arched roof painted with a mural.

An energy incentive kick-back from Pacific Power & Light will allow the Waitsburg School District to upgrade lighting and save thousands in energy costs each year.

Incumbent mayor Marty Dunn is easily re-elected, receiving 239 votes to challenger Debra Callahan's 66 votes. Incumbents Kevin House, Kate Hockersmith and KC Kuykendall were re-elected to the council and first-time filer Jim Romine nudged out current council member Karen Gregutt.

Christine Richards opens Essential Therapeutic Massage on Main Street in Waitsburg.

The city council approved an easement with Mary Phillips and John Lieberman which will allow for the placement of a road and waterline when Taggart Rd. is straightened, sometime in the future.

New playground equipment is installed in Prescott's Field View Park. The equipment was purchased with grant funds and private donations.

Tayler Jones and Cade Brason are crowned Queen and King at Waitsburg's junior prom. Court members include: Kelsey Alleman, Braden Miller, Timber Frohreich, Kirsten Miller, Braden Kitselman and Joe Adams.

May

John and Dinah Lindsey will retire after nearly 75 years of coaching and teaching between them. John will retire from the Dayton School District and Dinah from Waitsburg.

Members of the Waitsburg Grange #1 are looking to revive the family-and community-centered organization with a community potluck on May 7. Members have been allowed use of the old Grange Hall which is being remodeled by Eric Turbe of Seattle and Travis Richardson of Waitsburg.

Trevor Johnson starts Johnson Family Towing in Waitsburg.

The Waitsburg Odako Club, organized in 1949, awarded its last $500 scholarship. The club will be long-remembered for its annual Spring Luncheon and Style Show that brought in scholarship award funds.

Howard and Dona Jean Smith are selected at 2017 Waitsburg Celebration Days parade marshals.

Waitsburg Celebration Days weekend will include a parade, car show, brewfest, bonfire, ATV events, food, dancing, vendors, live music, and fun and games.

The Waitsburg Lions Club annual rib feed raises approximately $15,000 that is used to meet local needs.

Waitsburg science teacher Mel McWhorter plans to retire after 30 years of teaching and coaching at WHS.

Jim Davison receives the 2017 Commercial Club's Community Service Award. Marci Perkins, owner of the Waitsburg Business Center, Hiromi's House vacation rental and Omni Guardianship, is awarded Business of the Year.

June

Emily Adams took first place in the 800-, 1600-, and 3200-meter races and took third place in the triple jump at the state 1B track and field tournament in Cheney. Landon Callas took first place in the 300-meter hurdles and set a new state meet record with a time of 39.85. Callas took fifth in the 110 hurdles and seventh place in the 100-meter dash.

Jacob Dunn was named 2016-17 Walla Walla Exchange Club Youth of the Year male recipient, receiving a $1,000 scholarship.

More than 130 alumni, friends, and family members attended the 113th annual Waitsburg Alumni Reunion and Banquet held at the Waitsburg Elementary School multipurpose room.

Jacob Dunn is 2017 WHS valedictorian, Taylor Hays is salutatorian and Skylar Wood and Selina Marcado are honor speakers.

Eddie Perez and Tiffany Robinson are Prescott High School valedictorian and salutatorian.

Timothy Daves placed 4th in the senior division State 4-H Shotgun Shoot.

The 63rd annual Waitsburg Livestock Show and Fair takes place at the Waitsburg fairgrounds.

Dayton and Waitsburg school boards approve moving forward with a full athletic combine between the schools for the coming year. However, because schedules had already been set, WIAA District 9 and SE1B League refused to approve the full combine for Waitsburg until the 2018-19 school year.

Kevin House is named Waitsburg Lion of the Year and Dan Cole received the Melvin Jones Award.

July

Demolition began on Waitsburg's Main Street Bridge.

The Rural Youth Enrichment Services nonprofit organization has added the Urban Forestry Project to their umbrella of enriching youth activities. The project will be an offshoot of the Tree Committee, but will have a different focus and be geared to kids.

The Waitsburg School Board hears from architects regarding the placement and design for the new field house to be built at the athletic field.

Jason Kaehler opens his Mobile Oil Change business.

After investing more than a year and spending thousands of dollars on reports and assessments, City Manager Randy Hinchliffe reported to the city council that two engineers and a risk-control representative agree that the Waitsburg Fairgrounds grandstands are unsafe and demolition may be the best option.

August

"Huge sections of concrete" from prior bridges were discovered during the demolition of the Main Street Bridge, resulting in a $40,000 change order in the contract to replace the bridge. The Port of Walla Walla modified a previous grant amount from $100,000 to $150,000 to cover the change.

Kindergarten teacher Pam Nolan-Beasley spent a week at the pacific Northwest National Lab in Richland as part of a STEM-IT Now Project.

WHS graduate Analisea Araya shares about spending her summer serving children in Uganda, Africa.

Eighteen agencies joined forces to fight a wheat fire northwest of Waitsburg. About 12 Weller Canyon homes were evacuated but no structures were lost. The blaze, which consumed 1280 acres of conservation reserve program (CRP) land, was quickly contained.

WHS graduate, Zach Bartlow, spent his summer playing quarterback for the Turku Trojans in Finland.

Waitsburg Elementary School welcomed two new teachers. Bailey Carson will teach fifth grade and Stephanie Hinchliffe will teach first grade. Carlson replaces Gabe Keifel who moved to the high school to teach science and Hinchliffe replaces Dinah Lindsey, who retired.

In spite of a miniscule turnout of three athletes, the Waitsburg School Board voted to retain the district's cross-country program in the hopes that numbers will increase in 2018-19 when Waitsburg will participate in a full athletic combine agreement with Dayton High School.

Kimmie Hamann is one of six WHS graduates to earn the American FFA Degree – the highest degree in the organization.

Nearly a dozen residents attended the August city council meeting to share opinions on the reconstruction vs. demolition of the fairgrounds grandstands. The council lacked a quorum and agreed to continue discussions at the next meeting.

It was a long day for Columbia-Walla Walla Fire No. 2 on Aug. 29 when the department responded to a railroad fire that sent smoldering ties into the Touchet River and then to a fuel tanker that caught fire in Highway 12.

September

Dorne and Dorothy Hall are named 2017 Pioneers of the Year.

WHS freshman Amy Farley was named champion for her 4-H Equine Individual Presentation at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup on Sunday. She will represent Washington in the Eastern Equine 4-H Roundup in Kentucky in November.

Waitsburg's 45th annual Pioneer Fall Festival took place under sunny skies on Sun., Sept. 17.

With nine children on a wait list, the Waitsburg School Board unanimously approved the addition of an afternoon preschool session to the WWCC preschool program held at the Waitsburg Elementary School.

'Apple Detective' David Benscoter visited Waitsburg on Sept. 30 to give a lecture on his lost apple discoveries and visit heritage apple trees in the area.

The city council agrees to organize a grandstands task for and allow three months to report on a repair/demolition plan for the building and another three months to return with a financing plan.

Melissa Lambert opened PEAK Northwest, offering health and wellness services in Waitsburg and Dayton.

More than 700 people filled the Don Thomas Community Building for the annual Lions Club salmon barbeque which should net about $10,000 in funds to support the community.

October

Barely a week before youth bluegrass band Switchgrass Delta was scheduled to fly to Japan as part of the Walla Walla-Sasayama Sister City Cultural Exchange, band member Chris Philbrook was injured during a football game and needed surgery. Fellow band members Emma Philbrook, Kaleb Kuykendall and Robert Walsh opted not to make the trip without him.

The city council bans unauthorized ATVs from the fairgrounds area and sets the fine for Main Street U-Turns at $100 per offense.

Terry Hofer and Karl Newell enjoy making unique creations and selling "junk" from Hofer's farm just south of Waitsburg.

November

Waitsburg High School classes brought in 829 pounds of food during a competition food drive sponsored by the LEOs and Lions clubs.

Makenna Barron is named 2018 Celebration Days Queen.

A leaking sewer siphon near the Touchet River Bridge was replaced without incident, through pipe bursting, on Nov. 14. The city secured a $750,000 line of credit in case the burst failed and expensive digging in the river was required.

Waitsburg and Dayton were recognized as 2017 Schools of Distinction for making improvements in reading and math for the past five years.

Leena Baker is the new city council student representative, the third in her family to hold the position.

The Prescott Tigers soccer team takes third place at State.

Lisa Naylor receives the Presidential Field Foresters Award for her long career in forest management.

December

Beautiful weather helped make for a fantastic turn-out at this year's Waitsburg Hometown Christmas which featured visits from Santa, Disney princesses and Spiderman, food, shopping, entertainment, a lighted parade and more.

Waitsburg's Main Street Bridge is substantially completed and opened to traffic on Dec. 12. The project will resume, to be fully completed in the spring.

The Waitsburg School District approves a replacement two-year enrichment levy of $2.71 per $1,000 of assessed value for 2019 and 2020.