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DAYTON– Engineering consultant Anderson Perry is close to 30% complete on the Touchet Valley Trail (TVT) design, the Port of Columbia Board of Commissioners were advised, prompting the Board to set in motion plans for a public meeting regarding the TVT in January. Anderson Perry is working on the design for the Touchet Valley Trail. Dickinson reported they are close to 30% complete on the design but are faced with one place along the rail line where the right-of-way overlaps with the City of D...
DAYTON–The City Council, presided by Mayor Pro Tem Dain Nysoe, passed a resolution authorizing funding for Third Street Sidewalk Replacement project; approved handing over additional CARES funding to the Port of Columbia; agreed on the Starbuck and Columbia County joint application for the Community Development Block Grant; gave its blessing on a plan for a drive-through Halloween; and the Mutual Aid Agreement mediation date set for November 5, all during the October 14 meeting. The Council p...
DAYTON-A break-in and burglary of carpentry equipment, tools and paint occurred at the City Lumber & Coal Yard sometime during the night October 16 and the morning of October 17. Employee T.J. Dobbs said it is unknown if one or more people were involved, but upon coming into the store Saturday morning, it was clear that two of chained areas and one of the doors were broken that were safeguarding the property. Owner, Brad Hatfield said that one of the chains was 5/16 high test chain. Dobbs said...
DAYTON–Superintendent Guy Strot provided updates on the return of athletic practices on October 19-November 27 with basketball season starting December 28 and the roofing project in the elementary school play area during the recent Dayton School District Board Work Session. Strot reported plans for Dayton and Waitsburg to start volleyball, football, girls' basketball, and boys' basketball with practices of conditioning and drills from October 19–November 27. He said for athletics, there is typ...
DAYTON–County road damages from the February flooding has been assessed at $7.2 million of which Columbia County's portion is $1.3 million over the next two years, as a match requirement for funding given by the Federal Highway Association of Washington (FHWA.) In addition, $400,000 is to be repaid to the loan given to the County Flood Control District by the County Road Administration Board (CRAB.) According to Columbia County Public Works Director and Engineer Charles Eaton, current funding i...
DAYTON–The Board of Columbia County Commissioners (BOCC) decided to disallow the use of the white barn at the fairgrounds for hay storage by horse stall renters presently until the new rental agreement is complete. Another fairground issue regarding hay storage in the white barn by horse stall renters was presented by Kathy Arnzen during the meeting October 6, where she questioned the protocols presently in place for such usage. Arnzen, who is active at the fairgrounds, particularly in c...
DAYTON–County Commissioner Chuck Amerein called an unofficial Stall Renters meeting October 6, 2020 with the intention of finding resolution of issues to differences between two groups renting horse stalls at the County Fairgrounds. After extensive discussion between the individuals, one of the renters, Anndria Anderson, proposed that a clause in the Stall Renters Agreement be adopted of “Mind Your Own Business” with warnings for not following the rules. Amerein agreed with the idea and sugge...
DAYTON-Over 100 people from in and around Dayton gathered at the Courthouse for the Prayer Walk for the community and nation on September 26 at 9 a.m. The crowd was met by event organizer and Faith Chapel Elder Fred Giacci and Undersheriff Robbie Patterson. The prayer event was one of many to gather in unison with many cities around the country under the request from Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham who held a Prayer March in Washington D.C. at the same time (12 p.m. Eastern.) The Dayton...
DAYTON–A formal complaint was given by Alicia Adkins to the Board of Columbia County Commissioners in regards to alleged mistreatment of some of the children, including her own, boarding their horses at the fairgrounds by another boarder, Lee Ann Literal, who is in an active leadership role at the fairgrounds and in 4-H. The alleged matter was addressed by the County Commissioners, along with complainant Adkins and Micki Marll, supported by 4-H leader Shelli Bryant and boarder Dawn Rodriguez, d...
DAYTON– There have been no new cases of the Coronavirus-19 since September 2, according to County Public Health Administrator Martha Lanman in a report to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) at the September 21 meeting. Lanman remarked that the lack of cases is good news especially considering that school opened late last month. She attributed the success of the prevention of the spread of the virus to the cooperation of residents in and around the Dayton community. Lanman meets r...
DAYTON–The Columbia County Health System (CCHS) Board of Commissioners approved moving forward with a $350,000 medical air, vacuum and oxygen upgrade project. Previously, the board discussed a project concerning medical air, medical vacuum and upgraded oxygen. It was found to allow for the improvements and upgrades, a new generator would be needed and some work to the electrical system. This advancement to medical air, medical vacuum and oxygen would provide more preparedness for possible C...
DAYTON–The Board of County Commissioners offered the Indigent Defense Contract to Rachel Cortez on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. She will represent Columbia County through the end of the year, fulfilling Julie Karl’s remaining contract, who ended her contract early. Cortez affirmed during the interview portion of the meeting; she is more recently qualified to handle all felony trials without the need of senior council. She said, “I hope that my past performances on the contract has been accep...
DAYTON-The Dayton School District announced last week that they were approved for the free breakfast and lunch program through December for any child in the Dayton community 18 years and under. Children attending school will have these meals made available to them before school starts and during their scheduled lunch times. In an email, Jana Eaton Assistant to the Superintendent and Food Service Director indicated other families in the community can pick up breakfast and lunch in the elementary...
DAYTON–The Port of Columbia Board and staff offered a public informational Zoom meeting on Monday, August 31, about bringing in Pocket iNet Communications to expand broadband services within city limits, as well as to extend out of the city; a $2 million project. A grant funded feasibility study was completed in February with Pocket iNet which determined Dayton’s need for faster and more reliable internet services. Through this Port project, a fiber network would be built connecting every home i...
DAYTON– Business in 2020 is down significantly resulting in loss of revenue of $1.8 million and patient revenue is under budget by $816,790, Columbia County Health System CEO Shane McGuire reported to Hospital Commissioners at the August meeting. "It is worth noting that our year-to-date gross patient revenue is under budget by $1.8 million dollars while net patient revenue is just $816,790 under budget," said McGuire. Deductions from revenue is $1 million under budget offset by favorable M...
DAYTON–The School District will offer both in-person classes and distance learning for the 2020-21 school year. Two community Zoom meetings were held for families and staff to lend insight as to how re-opening at the start of the year will be executed on August 25. The Zoom meetings were hosted by Superintendent Guy Strot with Public Health Administrator, Martha Lanman contributing. The first meeting was attended by over 55 community members where Strot encouraged discussion about the last f...
DAYTON–The Port of Columbia Board of Commissioners voted to select Shawn Brown for the District No. 1 Commissioner seat, replacing Dan Aschenbrenner, who moved out of district. Brown was sworn into office immediately following being selected. The commissioners, Earle Marvin and Sean Milligan, together with Port Executive Director Jennie Dickinson, interviewed Brown and another candidate, David Klingenstein. Both were questioned about what they could offer as a commissioner. Brown indicated he h...
DAYTON–Representatives of the Food Bank of Columbia County, Judy Pilcher and Dianne McKinley approached the council at the recent meeting, for approval to move forward with looking into expanding their use of the City Hall Building space into the old fire station garage which isn’t being used other than for some storage for the Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Zac Weatherford supported their request saying the food bank has increased in size and can better utilize the space. “Since the Food Bank...
DAYTON-The Columbia County Commissioners met with County 4-H Program Coordinator, Donna Hanger during their work session on August 10 to discuss fairground use. In particular, August 29, a horse show is scheduled in the indoor arena and there will be 13 participants. Hanger assured that they should be able to keep social distancing and wear masks. The following morning, they will hold a horse event at the outdoor arena by the grandstand. These events are planned to run as long as school remains...
DAYTON–Ports within the State of Washington have recently become eligible for infrastructure funds through the Public Works Board, including broadband projects, Port Commissioners heard at the August meeting. A $17 million fund is given in either loans or grants, Port of Columbia Director Jennie Dickinson said. Communities in most need are more eligible for the grants versus the loans. Columbia County and Dayton would qualify for grants and the Port plans to apply in time for the deadline next m...
DAYTON–An emergency $1,000,000 loan application was recently submitted to the Washington County Road Administration Board (CRAB) by Columbia County Engineer Chuck Eaton. The loan is to cover repairs from the February flood, Eaton informed the Columbia County Commissioners (BOCC) at a recent meeting. It is general practice for CRAB to award up to half of the requested amount at a time. Eaton said that CRAB contacted him indicating that he could ask their board for the remaining $500,000 that is a...
DAYTON–School District Superintendent Guy Strot is working diligently with the local Public Health Department and staff to form a safety plan for school opening later this month. The plan will also include a response protocol for when COVID is contracted by someone in the school. The plan is set to be released to the public August 6. Strot says that it will likely be adjusted, as needed, in the weeks leading up to school opening in respond to the latest developments of the virus in and around t...
DAYTON–The Port of Columbia has announced they have been promised $229,639 in additional grant money from four different funding sources for small businesses that did not previously qualify, such as newer and start-ups. According to information released by the Port, "Four different funding sources have provided or promised a total of $229,639 in financial aid to be allocated through a grant program coordinated by the Port. "My intentions with the additional money are to give it to those who d...
DAYTON–The Columbia County Health System (CCHS) reports experiencing near normal volumes of activity in the clinics and hospital facilities at the July board meeting. "June was a return to near normal volumes, with the system falling short of budget by only $174,854, which can happen in any month, as things come back after the initial COVID response," said CEO Shane McGuire. Health District Controller Tom Meyers stated the financial report reflects improvements since the reopening at the C...
DAYTON–Changes were made to the use agreement for the equine facilities at the Columbia County Fairgrounds and stall rentals by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) at the first monthly evening meeting since the Coronavirus closure mandates in Washington State. Changes include the use of the facilities by minors without supervision for which an additional waiver would have to be signed stating that parents allow their minor to attend their horses without a parent or guardian. The previous a...
