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DAYTON-The Port Commissioners favored the City’s use of the railroad right of way to run the main sewer line to the new wastewater treatment plant; Port Executive Director Jennie Dickinson reported on staff changes and the progress of finding an economic development coordinator; apprised the board on leases, assets, and projects; reviewed the Port sponsored Foodstock event to be held July 15; and the Visit Walla Walla Project which includes Columbia County. Dayton Mayor Zac Weatherford told t...
DAYTON–The petition to dissolve the Columbia County Rural Library District sponsor Jessica Ruffcorn received word July 24 all signatures had been certified by the Auditor's Office as sufficient and had been sent to the Library Board of Trustees. This was the second attempt to file the petition. The first was declared insufficient on June 28 of the required 10% of registered voters (107) of unincorporated Columbia County by only six signatures. Those in support of the petition rallied to have t...
DAYTON-The new Columbia County Rural Library District Interim Director Ellen Brigham has announced her intention to move specific books to different areas of library; and library dissolution petition sponsor updates the board on its status. In Director Brigham's first weekly newsletter, ahead of the monthly July 17 Board of Trustees meeting, announced she is moving Young Adult non-fiction books upstairs among other adult non-fiction books. She explained, "This will make it so adults, young or ol...
DAYTON-The School Board was informed school registration will open August 1, on-site August 17; the approval of Middle School Head Football Coach; and approved all but one action items. Superintendent Rich Stewart announced the district will be offering online school registration for the first time through the Skyward Portal beginning on August 1. They will also offer on-site registration on August 17. He also reported the administrative team has been meeting with ESD 123 for training on...
DAYTON-The City Council chose Michael Smith from among three candidates for the vacancy of Board Position No.7 left by Tiger Deui, during the meeting July 1. Council heard three interviews from interested candidates to fill the vacancy of Position No. 7. There were three questions that were posed where each candidate took a turn going first. The first question was: What do you hope to accomplish being a City of Dayton Councilmember? The second was: What is your approach to handling...
DAYTON-Dayton City Council heard from Council person Laura Aukerman about expanding city limits into Urban Growth Area (UGA); held a public hearing for the annual extension of the six-year Transportation Improvement Program on July 11; updates on the Wastewater Treatment Project; and other City business at the meeting July 11. Aukerman brought up the idea to plan a workshop to discuss the possibility of expanding the city limits into the urban growth area (UGA) to increase the tax base. Mayor...
DAYTON-Many came out for some old-fashioned fun at the Third Annual Fourth of July Patriots Picnic in the Park sponsored by the Columbia County Conservatives (CCC). The family event offered free food, games, and a silent auction. Undersheriff Robbie Patterson led the invocation and sermon. The CCC Chairman Chuck Amerein read the Declaration of Independence and introduced local candidates for various positions, including the Governor candidate, M. Semi Bird. Hotdogs, watermelon, baked goods, and...
DAYTON–Library Director Todd Vandenbark has submitted his letter of resignation, Board Chair Jay Ball informed library trustees meeting June 26, and Ball later learned on June 28 that an initial petition to dissolve the rural library district did not have enough valid signatures. During the board's June 26 meeting, trustees were unaware that the petition was short valid signatures. A letter addressed to Ball was received from Auditor Will Hutchens on June 28. This was two days before the d...
DAYTON-Something unusual took place in Dayton on June 22-23. A film production came to town to make the short film, "Color of Threads" written by Walla Walla University alum Josie Henderson. The inspiration for the story came from the mother of one of her close friends who lost her entire immediately during the Holocaust. Something she said she learned from her experience made a lasting impression – to love and not hate. This is the foundational message in Color of Threads, though its plot is i...
DAYTON–The Port of Columbia reviewed the Comprehensive Plan with consultants from Maul, Foster and Alongi which focused on the Lyons Ferry Marina property, a Port asset; heard a report from Concessionaires Joanne and Wally Knouf; reviewed the other assets and the broadband projects at the June 14 meeting. Also discussed was progress in hiring an Economic Development Coordinator and the possible purchase and rehabilitation of a privately owned downtown property. Lyons Ferry Marina KOA Concessiona...
DAYTON–School Board accepted the resignation of director Korinda Wallace; heard a briefing on this year's sixth grade Camp Wooten trip by coordinator Jamie Trump; 2023-24 superintendent and secondary principal employment contracts were approved; and other regular department and budget reports during the June 21 meeting. Wallace has stepped down from the board and the remaining directors approved her resignation and will be advertising for those living in the boundaries for Position No. 1 to s...
DAYTON–A petition to dissolve the Columbia County Rural Library District was shy of meeting the 10% threshold by six signatures. A letter addressed to Rural Library District Trustee Chairman Jay Ball was received on June 28 from Columbia County Auditor Will Hutchens, just two days before the deadline to submit petitions to his office. In the letter, he determined the petition to dissolve the library district was deficient in the required number of signatures to be eligible for the ballot. A...
DAYTON–The City Council was advised Tiger Dieu has stepped down from his position No. 7; advised the board of a meeting in regards the need for flood mitigation in the North Touchet; approved three key action items; a franchise agreement with Charter Communications, a professional agreement with a firm solely for the Wastewater Treatment Project (WWTP); heard a report from County Commissioner Marty Hall about two upcoming public hearings for special purpose districts; and of upcoming street c...
DAYTON–Columbia County Rural Library District (CCRL) Director Todd Vandenbark gave his resignation to the Board of Trustees effective July 14, and the State Attorney General's (AG) office delivered a response to the petition of the library dissolution. Vandenbark took the position of the CCRL Director in February, 2021. Beginning in August of last year (2022), the library has been facing a series of book challenges which has drawn regular public input both for and against books mostly c...
DAYTON–Innovative approaches to behavior and discipline appear to be paying dividends, the Dayton School Board heard at a recent meeting. Dean of Students Hannelee Farrell provided a discipline report focusing on the Bulldog Room, as well as general information about discipline during the work session, indicating that during the recently concluded school year, positive trends have been documented. In her role as Dean of Students, Farrell is a resource for students and staff when there are b...
DAYTON-The Columbia County Rural Library Board approved to send two revised policies to the CCRL attorney for review; gave direction and deadline for Library District Dissolution petition; heard library updates on programs, books and expenditures during the meeting on May 15. The Board approved two policies to be reviewed by their lawyer - one for Employee Substance Use and another for Laptop and Tablet Computer Lending. Once reviewed, it will be revised as needed and adopted. Library Director...
DAYTON-Five student presentations were given to the Dayton School Board to start their regular monthly meeting on May 17. Reports were provided by ASB President Hudson Reser and Athletic Director Sam Korslund before moving into administrative reports from Elementary Principal Amy Cox and Secondary Principal Guin Joyce. A report was given by Superintendent Rich Stewart, as well as from Head Custodian John Delp. Topics for student presentations included Title I from fifth grader Sam Woodend with...
DAYTON-Dayton City Council approved Resolution 1509 during the May 9 meeting for the incorporation of the City of Dayton to be included into a proposed Columbia County Parks and Recreation District. Other resolutions approved were for a contract with Humbert Asphalt, Inc. for various street improvements and with Anderson Perry for engineering services for the Third Street Projects. Councilman Jim Sueuga reported for the Public Works Committee that the Touchet River Levy Group of various agency...
DAYTON- The Port of Columbia Commissioners heard public comment before moving into business items during their May 10 meeting including updates on assets and on the broadband projects. The Dayton portion of the Broadband Project is progressing. They are beginning to receive signed leases with the internet providers who will be leasing the fiber network from the Port. For the Touchet Valley Broadband Project Dickinson said the design is 90% complete and they will have to coordinate placement of...
DAYTON-The School District 2 Board approved the annual financial audit; were advised of funding awarded for Chromebooks, iPads and FM systems; heard recommendations for new school year length, and quarterly work retreats; and a request of additional 12 early release days during the monthly work session on May 3. met for the monthly work session on May 3 where following the approval of the consent agenda, they heard a budget report from Business Manager Jana Eaton. Superintendent Rich Stewart...
DAYTON–The Sherwood Trust Foundation awarded All Saints Thrift Store $45,000 grant on April 27. All Saints Thrift Store pursued grant funding through Sherwood Trust to purchase a multi-purpose store truck, but primarily for handling large donations and to haul bags of recycled clothing and linens unfit for sale. All Saints Thrift Store Manager Bob Patras worked with his wife and fellow board member Joann Patras, on applying for $35,000, with help from Port of Columbia Executive Director J...
DAYTON-The Dayton School Board heard several presentations by students in both the elementary and secondary schools during the April 19 meeting; approved revised Dayton Athletic Codes for parents and athletes and approved the declaration of April 20, 2023, as Crimson/Gold Pietrzycki Day to commemorate the school's cornerstone dedication on that day in 1923. Three eighth-grade students presented a Career Showcase of their future career to the School Board to choose one to represent Dayton at the...
DAYTON-The Columbia County Rural Library District (CCRLD) Board of Trustees welcomed newly appointed board member Kevin Rust during the meeting April 17, followed by the voting of the trustees into positions; heard the director's and financial report from Todd Vandenbark; reviewed the policy for employee substance use and abuse, and a portion of the Strategic Plan. Public comment was heard from a full room of attendees before going into executive session to give Vandenbark his performance...
DAYTON-The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) were advised of two town hall meetings; heard from medical staff from Columbia County Health System during an extended public comment period on April 17 regarding a crisis in the lack of crisis management. Helm also provided key updates from his department, as well Kristi Zinn from Human Resources. Dena Martin from Planning and Building provided information about the Comprehensive Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan. The first quarter finance report was...
DAYTON-The City Council were informed of signed Wastewater Treatment Project (WWTP) purchase agreement, met new City Planner Clark Posey; voted in Heather Hiebert for Planning Commission; presented with the Just a Pool petition; report relating to Jasper Pines; and discussed interlocal agreement as the April 11 meeting. Mayor Weatherford announced to Council that he had received the signed purchase agreement for the proposed property for the Wastewater Treatment Project. This allows the city to...
