Week of December 19, 2024
Week of December 19, 2024
DAYTON–The Dayton School District closed Friday, December 13, due to elevated absentees, and the Starbuck School District independently opted for early dismissal as well. Over the week, absentee rates rose well above 10%, and on Friday, December 13, Dr. Lewis Neace, Public Health Physician, encouraged school closure as a precautionary measure. In addition, all sport events were canceled as well. The past week has experienced an influx of flu and respiratory illnesses. Dr. Neace thought it...
DAYTON–Columbia County Health System reported a net loss of $876,000 for October at the December 4 Board of Director's meeting with a year-to-date income of $754,000. The board also reviewed and approved a grant proposal for the Columbia Family Clinic expansion. The financial report for October reflected the loss, mainly attributed to the net patient revenues being down $710,000 below budget and bad debt being $515,000 higher than budgeted. Deductions and allowances were also $288,000 higher...
The Dayton FFA Chapter attended the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind., where the group attended team-building events, listened to speakers, participated in leadership training and explored the cities many attractions. Participants are: front left to right Graci Turner, Lila Hutchens, and Rozlyn Magill. Back left to right - Lyam Donohue, Rosemary Yutzy, Raymond Yutzy, and Gloree Grace. -Submitted...
With Christmas Day just around the corner, Santa and Frosty the Snowman give welcoming waves to Daytonites and passersby...on the lush green of Flour Mill Park. Question is: will Dayton have a White Christmas, like the one Bing Crosby croons about at this time of year? According to weather forecasters with The Old Farmer's Almanac, we here in God's Country of southeastern Washington, have a "chance" of a white Christmas. East of the Cascade crest through Washington, there's that "chance," but...
DAYTON–Capital levy funds will go to work in 2025 on the Dayton gym roof, the School Board decided at a November 20 meeting. The gym roof has three layers of roofing on it, according to Supt. Jeremy Wheatley, and a contractor scanned the roofing with a Tramex device, locating a small amount of moisture in two places. Directors opted to pursue bids for the roof renovation, which preliminary estimates show in the range of $500,000, Wheatley said. The two leaking areas will be addressed with the project, which is expected to replace the...
DAYTON–Due to Christmas and New Year's Day falling on Wednesday this year, deadlines for the December 26 and January 2 editions of the Dayton Chronicle will be early. The temporary deadline for both weeks will be 5 p.m. Friday prior to each edition. For the December 26 newspaper, the deadline will be Friday, December 20. For the January 2, 2025, edition, the deadline will be Friday, December 27. Merry...
OLYMPIA–Sen. Mark Schoesler will return to the Senate committee that addresses agricultural issues when the Legislature's 2025 session begins next month. The 9th District senator learned he has been appointed to the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee this week. Schoesler, a fifth-generation farmer who grows wheat, barley and fall peas and raises cattle, is pleased about coming back to the ag panel. For many years, his Senate leadership responsibilities prevented him from...
Every December, a familiar debate resurfaces: Are Christmas traditions rooted in paganism or pure Christian celebration? This year, it's time to set the record straight and reclaim the profound spiritual meaning behind our most beloved holiday. Contrary to popular misconceptions, Christmas is not a stolen pagan festival, but a powerful testament to Christianity's ability to transform cultural expressions into a celebration of divine love. Early Christian missionaries didn't simply replace...
Rosemary's Place, working under the guidance of YWCA Walla Walla & Columbia Counties, was awarded a $7,500 grant from the Puget Sound Energy Foundation. This generous donation will support childcare assistance programs, helping put quality, licensed childcare in reach of more Columbia County families. Presenting the check were, left to right, Anne Walsh, PSE Senior Wind Resource Advisor, and Joanie Hudson, PSE Administrative Specialist. On hand to accept were Anita Jackson, Kelilah Benavides,...
Lorraine Bramhall July 12, 1045–December 11, 2024 Lorraine Bramhall, longtime Dayton resident, passed away Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at the Rivers Walk Assisted Living in Dayton. She was 79. Lorraine was born July 12, 1945, in Dayton to Lesta and Wanda Greiner Walker. She grew up around Dayton with her older sister Lawana. In her younger years Lorraine was active in Cub Scouts and 4-H. She enjoyed riding horses around Dayton with her girlfriends. She was a cheerleader in high school and...
December 20-29 "Moana 2" Walt Disney Animation Studios' epic animated musical Moana 2 reunites Moana and Maui three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she's ever faced. The Rotten Tomatoes critics' consensus says "riding high on a wave of stunning animation even when its...
Ten Years Ago December 17, 2014 Long-time Dayton attorney, State Representative and community supporter Terry Nealey will be retiring as an attorney with Nealey & Marinella at the end of this year. Nealey, 67, will be celebrating his 34 years of business and life in Dayton at a reception at the Seneca Activity Center. Five–term County Commissioner Charles G. "Chuck" Reeves, D. V. M. will be the guest of honor at a retirement Open House. Dr. Reeves, 66, opted not to seek re-election after 20...
Very large ships aren't designed to go backwards. They are built as efficiently as possible to go forward, even to the detriment of not being able to easily go backward. Though some ships can go backwards, it takes expert navigating and precise use of the controls. Most require the help of tug boats. Believers have something in common with big ships. The Lord has designed us to go forward, not backward. He warned us we would face all kinds of obstacles and challenges, yet we are always moving...
The end of a calendar year is a time of celebration. From Halloween to New Year's Day, people attend an array of parties, dinners and other gatherings. Although alcohol is not a vital component of these occasions, quite frequently adult beverages are part of the equation. And when everyone is toasting for one reason or another, it can be easy for people to lose track of their alcohol consumption. When everyone is laughing and reminiscing with drinks in hand, it can be challenging to determine...
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 48. South wind around 6 mph. Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Southeast wind around 6 mph. Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Saturday: Rain likely, mainly after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Saturday Night: Rain likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Sunday: A chance of rain...
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston...
It's always gratifying when a major news organization cuts through the political spin and informs readers of what is really happening with government budgets. Amid loud claims of a supposed state budget deficit, a Seattle Times editorial on Sunday correctly notes that "...tax collections for public services are up." Only in the public sector is a slowdown in the rise of expected tax revenue called a "shortfall." For most of us a rise in household income of say, 8%, instead of an expected 10%,...
