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DAYTON–The Columbia County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) heard from Prosecuting Attorney Dale Slack who advised them of a change in RCW 36.16.030 that the prosecuting attorney will no longer be an ex officio coroner for counties with a population of less than 40,000 as of January, 2025. "So, there is a change in statute that they passed a couple years ago that takes effect in 2025," said Slack. "Basically, it requires first of all and foremost for the commissioners to decide whether or not t...
DAYTON–The City Council addressed House Bill 5824, and de-annexation of the city from the Columbia County Rual Library District at the workshop on March 19. In addition, they discussed a change in business hours for City Hall; results of the recent audit; and a change in the utility responsibility for property owners and their tenants. City Clerk Misty Yost provided information about HB 5824 which passed the legislature, but is waiting to be signed by the governor. The premise of this bill w...
DAYTON–Local High School student Kaylee Coleman, receives an adaptive tricycle from the Charge Syndrome Foundation. Kaylee Coleman is a sophomore at Dayton High school who has CHARGE syndrome. This complex syndrome affects her sight, hearing, sinuses, speech, ability to eat, growth, reproductive health, balance, and has palsy and scoliosis. Coleman and her mother Becky Gibson, attended a Charge Syndrome Foundation Conference in Florida July 2023 by a scholarship from Washington State Sensory D...
DAYTON–The City Council heard public comments about the library annexation and feedback about council members and policies at the March 12 meeting. Katie Roughton spoke to the council about her request for the annexation of the city into the Columbia County Rural Library District (CCRLD) to be put on the November ballot for a vote. "I really appreciate the workshops you have had, but it is really frustrating to listen to you talk about what you think I am getting at, and then I am not able to i...
DAYTON– The Port of Columbia Board of Commissioners (PORT) approved applying for a CERB loan to build a facility for a potential new business, Mainstream Malt, at the meeting March 13. In addition, the public addressed concerns over the Port Commissioners' recent decision to change the status of the Executive Director's contract from a contracted position to non-contracted. The board unanimously approved the request to apply for the CERB loan package. The application would be submitted by the d...
By Jessica Ruffcorn Dayton Chronicle Reporter DAYTON–Public Works Director Ryan Paulson presented a map and discussed plans on how best to use a $2 million grant to resurface most of the roads in the city. The resurfacing project will use a process called Otta Seal, a surface treatment that uses a medium of rock that interlocks with each other like hot mix. Otta Seal can look like gravel after immediate installation, but over time the black oils will work up, creating the appearance of a normall...
DAYTON–The Dayton School Board voted to extend a contract offer to Jeremy Wheatley, pending contract negotiations, for the position of the school superintendent at their meeting on March 7. Wheatley was one of three candidates who were the subjects of a day-long interview process involving school staff, students and the community March 6. Other candidates were current Dayton School Secondary Principal Guin Joyce, and Jodi Thew of Baker City, Ore., who previously lived in Waitsburg and was e...
DAYTON–During the regular board meeting of the Dayton School District on March 7, the board approved the recommendation to approve the School Improvement plan and Title 1 reading plan for Dayton Elementary School. Principal Amy Cox, along with Teachers Jamie Rushing and Darby Souza, presented a report showing the board what testing is being done, what data is being collected and how the staff is utilizing that data to improve learning opportunities for students. Tests provided to students t...
DAYTON–The Columbia County Parks and Recreation District (CCPD) discussed funding options; first steps in pool blueprint; Town Hall Meeting; and approved Resolution 2024-01, at the meeting February 29. CCPD Chairperson Dianne McKinley reviewed RCW 39.50 which would allow the municipal corporation to borrow money for a short-term obligation. As the district currently has no funding, this would allow them to pay off already-accruing bills such as the ballot initiative fees to the county and upcoming expenses such as attorney, accountant, and p...
DAYTON–The Youth and Families Coalition presented a key leader conference to discuss the effects drugs have on our youth, their families, and community at the Liberty Theater, February 29. The panel of leaders included Kim Emery, the Columbia County Clinic Director, Columbia County Sheriff Joe Helm, Madison Richardson, and Wyntr McCauley, both youth leaders from Dayton High School, Dayton secondary principal Guin Joyce, and Dale Slack, Columbia County Prosecuting Attorney. Each panel expert g...
DAYTON–Port of Columbia Commissioners heard discussion on a possible new business opening here and glass-recycling protocol at the meeting held on February 14. The Port received an update that a new business, Mainstream Malt and Grain Cluster, that works with malt is considering Dayton as a possible location for the business. Mainstream Malt and Grain Cluster is presently working with Port Executive Director Jennie Dickinson. "The strategy that would work best for them is Option 2, where we woul...
DAYTON–The City Council held a workshop on February 20 for the purpose of discussing a possible golf cart policy, reviewing the council policy and ethics handbook, and discussing the request for a ballot initiative on the topic of library annexation. The council discussed the request for a golf cart ordinance that would allow residents to drive their golf carts from their homes to the golf course. Clarity of the law in this matter must come from the Sheriff's Office, but have not had that d...
By Jessica Ruffcorn Reporter DAYTON–The Dayton School's FFA Trap Shoot Team requested approval from the School Board to travel to Wenatchee for the state tournament at the most recent board meeting on February 21. FFA Advisor Melanie Morgan along with 3 members of the Trap Shoot team; Luke Collier, Andrew Wetz, and Lyam Donohue presented their full itinerary to the board with a request that the board approve them to go to their State Tournament in Wenatchee in April. The team is made up of f...
DAYTON–The City Council discussed a previously made request regarding the Columbia County Rural Library District annexation issue and heard a formal complaint of an alleged ethics violation at the February 13 meeting. Katie Roughton of Dayton, who had asked the Council to address two topics relating to the Rural Library District at a meeting in January, again asked the Council consider adding the issue of annexation of the library district to the November ballot so city residents could vote o...
DAYTON–Port of Columbia Commissioners voted 2-1 to change the status of the position of Port Executive Director from contracted to a non-contracted, at-will position following an executive session during the Commission's regular meeting February 14. The executive session was called to discuss Executive Director Jennie Dickinson's contract. Dickinson has led the Port administration since 2007. The contract under which Dickinson worked ended the end of January, 2024. "I don't believe that there i...
DAYTON–The City of Dayton Public Works Department was approved for a $2 million grant and addressed surplus property during the meeting February 13. Public Works Director Ryan Paulson notified the council that Public Works have been approved for a $2 million grant to cover the cost of approximately 90% of street resurfacing in town. According to the information presented to the Council, the grant covers the cost of a new type of road seal called OTTA Seal. It is considered more cost e...
DAYTON–The Columbia County Commissioners (BOCC) signed Blue Mountain Intergovernmental Council memorandum; approved job description updates; the remodel of the fairgrounds jockey office; and other business meeting February 5. The board also held two executive meetings to discuss personnel issues, and potential litigation against the county. No action was taken following the executive sessions. Commissioners also signed the Blue Mountain Intergovernmental Council memorandum pertaining to a U.S. F...
Dayton - The School Board were informed of a grant received by the FFA for the purchase of a truck and stock trailer; and heard a presentation from the counseling team on the disciplinary program at the work session on February 7. FFA instructor and advisor Melanie Morgan stated the FFA received a $40,000 grant to purchase a truck and stock trailer. The board approved the purchase of a truck and stock trailer not to exceed $40,000 which would go into the general equipment pool, with priority...
DAYTON–The City Council heard discussion for a new golf cart policy; school lease and code of ethics at the meeting February 6. Many council members had concerns about writing a policy for allowing golf carts on Main St., that would be aligned with local laws, liability, and safety concerns. Another consideration is the cost of updating the intersections, signage, increase to insurance for liability. Public Works Director Ryan Paulson stated updating one crosswalk would cost the city $5,000. "...
DAYTON–The City Council held a workshop meeting on January 23 with discussion of the need for committees and discussed a potential ballot measure that would withdraw the City of Dayton from the Columbia County Rural Library District. In the past each city council member would be chair of a committee and other council members would be members. They worked alongside city employees to discuss topics such as transportation, Public Safety, and Parks and Grounds. Public Works Director Ryan Paulson p...
DAYTON–The Columbia County Commissioners held a special meeting where they heard a presentation on Emergency Management plans by Tina Bobbit On January 22. Commissioners also approved a new position and salary for employee Ashley Kilts. Bobbit's presentation included information about RCW 38.52, which outlines the requirements of the state and local agencies to ensure that steps are made to ensure disaster preparedness. Bobbit stressed the importance of the need of locals to not only volunteer,...
DAYTON–The Columbia County Park and Rec Pool District held its first regular board meeting on January 25. Choosing an official name was just one of the many housekeeping items they worked on at this meeting. The board invited Prosecuting Attorney Dale Slack to the meeting to offer legal advice while they worked on setting up policies and procedures. This is the first of many meetings where they will be discussing and writing a mission statement, policies and procedures, and bylaws. The board approved the appointment of Katie Leid to the p...
DAYTON–Newly elected Parks and Rec Board members Dianne McKinley, Lisa Naylor, Terri Hessler, and Ted Lowe, took their oath of office at a special board meeting on January 18. Board member Katie Leid was absent. The special meeting initialized the new Parks and Recreation Board, McKinley as the Chairperson and Naylor as the Secretary/Public Records Officer. and established their regular meeting date for the last Thursday of each month held at Fire District No. 3 conference room at 5 p.m. They d...
DAYTON–Whether a co-ed group of students should utilize an AirBNB rental for overnight accommodations was discussed by the Dayton School Board during its January 17 meeting, and the decision tabled until the next meeting. School directors had reservations about the FFA Trap Team's proposed overnight stay when it attends a future Idaho meet. "I have a little bit of a reservation myself with the proposed day," said Board Chairman Jeff McCowen. "Information is a little bit limited. I am not 100 p...
DAYTON–The City Council went into executive session immediately at the first meeting of the year on January 9 to discuss the civil lawsuit filed by local resident Theresa Eier against Councilwoman Laura Aukerman and the City of Dayton over alleged violations of public records laws. The executive session was with the City's lawyer Megan Clark by zoom. Clark was selected to represent the City by the Association of Washington Cities Eier filed the suit in Walla Walla County Superior Court on Novemb...
