Your Hometown News Source
Your Hometown News Source
Sorted by date Results 451 - 475 of 1735
DAYTON–With the impending receipt of over $2 million in back taxes just around the corner, the effect of several years of unpaid taxes by Columbia Pulp I, LLC, did have an adverse effect on Columbia County, says Carla Rowe, County Treasurer. “Budgets were short,” Rowe said of the impact the now-defunct company’s lack of tax payments, “especially for smaller districts, like Fire District No. 1.” The uncollected tax for the fire district which serves the Starbuck area was shy 36.57%, Rowe noted. “We only collected 63% of the taxes – that’s pret...
DAYTON–It's Oktoberfest at Blue Mountain Station and a great time to visit town and tour some of Our Fair City's most stately and historic homes this weekend. The Blue Mountain Station's Fall Family Festival kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at the 700 Artisan Way location. Gather there for Oktoberfest food and drink, live music and family-oriented activities. This year's event features Oktoberfest fare at the Co-op as well as food and drink from Smash Tacos, R&B BBQ, Cedar Rain Spirits, R...
WALLA WALLA–The Walla Walla County Department of Community Health (WWCDCH), Benton-Franklin Health District (BFHD), and the Washington State Department of Health have confirmed two cases of West Nile virus in residents from Walla Walla and Franklin counties, diagnosed within the last week of September. Both people were most likely exposed within their county of residence. In addition, WSDA also announced two horse cases of West Nile virus, in Grant and Benton counties most likely exposed w...
DAYTON–Four Dayton High School students spent a week last summer touring the nation's capital as part of a program called World Classrooms. The foursome, along with chaperone Kristin Frankie, saw the monuments and museums and soaked in the history of the District of Columbia and the Gettysburg Battlefield from June 26 through July 1. Attending the tour were Jordan McCowen, Carson Potter, Skylar McCann, and Brenna Sinkbeil. The four presented a program to the Dayton Kiwanis Club last week. The c...
DAYTON–This was Gear Up week for secondary students. Gear Up is "Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs." This fantastic federally funded program helps students nationwide be prepared for their future careers, goals, and colleges. Numerous activities were planned out for the week of September 24–29 by the Dayton Gear Up staff. On Monday, single questions were posted around the high school, and every question found and answered was rewarded with candy. Tuesday was the "C...
DAYTON–Former Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich will give the keynote address when the Columbia County Republican Central Committee holds its annual Lincoln Day Dinner here Saturday, October 14 at the Fairground Pavilion. The annual celebration in honor of the sixteenth president of the United States will also feature updates from local legislators Rep. Mary Dye (R-9-Pomeroy) and Rep. Joe Schmick (R-9-Colfax), a representative of the Washington State Republican Party, National Republican Co...
DAYTON–A Columbia County Court Commissioner has granted an injunction, ordering County Auditor Will Hutchens to withhold a ballot initiative which would have dissolved the Columbia County Rural Library District (CCRLD), had it been voted upon and approved by Columbia County voters on November 7. In a related action, defendant Jessica Ruffcorn, who was named in the action along with Columbia County, Auditor Hutchens and Director of Elections Cathy Abel, was dismissed from the suit. Both p...
DAYTON–Three members of a Clarkston, Wash., family were injured in a single-car rollover accident on State Route 12, 10 miles east of Dayton Sunday, September 24. Driver Amanda J. Greene, 28, and passenger seven-year-old Kiera L Greene, are at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, and passenger Ayden K. Greene, 10, was treated at Dayton General Hospital following the 12:51 p.m. accident. The driver is reported to be in satisfactory condition, a Sacred Heart spokeswoman informs the C...
The attorney for the Neighbors United for Progress, Ric Jacobs, and Prosecuting Attorney C. Dale Slack both gave statements in the Sepember 20 hearing before Court Commissioner Julie Karl. "We're also here because of the misguided efforts of Proposition 2 sponsors to effect a book ban in Columbia County," began Attorney Ric Jacobs, in an opening statement. "The sponsors first parroted the talking points of extreme right groups like Moms for Liberty, and fabricated details about the only public...
DAYTON-The Columbia County Rural Library Board of Trustees initiates collection development policy review; and were advised of other library regular business during the September 18 meeting. The collection development policy was introduced, and board members present agreed to review the first two chapters over the next month to be prepared to discuss and revise during the October meeting. The original policy was adopted in 2008 and some revisions were made in 2013 regarding digital collections....
DAYTON–The Dayton School Board was advised to consider options for a permanent superintendent by interim superintendent Rich Stewart; advised of the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS); change to meeting time from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and other district business reports at the meeting on September 20. Stewart presented his self-review to the Board based on the State's standards for superintendents. He rated himself in the middle two categories as basically or proficiently meeting standards f...
DAYTON–The City Council heard an update on the Wastewater Treatment Project (WWTP), and discussion on the possible dissolution of the county library district. Key updates were provided by Public Works Director Ryan Paulson and Councilmember Teeny McMunn for the Chamber. Mayor Zac Weatherford informed Council the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) is moving forward. Two ground monitoring wells have been installed to draw the required samples. The geo-technical tests will test ground filtration r...
POMEROY––A lightning storm that rumbled over the Tucannon Valley Thursday, September 7 sparked a wildfire in the vicinity of the Tucannon Hatchery and Cummins Creek the next day. The smoke from the fire was first spotted around 2 p.m. and Wildlife Area Manager Kari Dingman received a phone call from DNR at 2:30 p.m. The fire was located on Hatchery Ridge above the Tucannon Fish Hatchery and burned both sides of the ridge into the Tucannon and Cummings Creek. Air resources were called in by the D...
DAYTON–There are currently six wolf packs in SE Washington, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s latest newsletter. The region is divided into six groups: Touchet (8 members), Columbia (5 members), Tucannon (8 members), Grouse Flats (4 members), 139 Group (7 members), and Butte Creek (6 members). Captures are continuing as the opportunity arises to try to get working collars in each of the packs. Due to the dynamic nature of packs in newly colonized areas, pack numbers will likely fluctuate now that most of the sui...
Jim and Laura Peterson, who live on Tucannon Road, spotted this moose roaming through their back yard recently. He didn't stop to say hello...instead, he just ambled by, enjoying a sunny September day....
PRESCOTT–A 26-year-old Prescott man succumbed to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident on State Route 124, three miles east of here September 8. Harley J. Bicknell, Prescott, was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to the Washington State Patrol. The cause of the accident is under investigation. Bicknell’s 2007 Toyota Camry and another vehicle were westbound on SR 124 at about 12:21 a.m. Bicknell apparently was passing a vehicle, lost control and left the roadway, striking a cement culvert, the State Patrol report ind...
DAYTON– Consultant Abbi Russell from Maul, Foster and Alongi presented the Comprehensive Plan to the Port Board of Commissioners; introduced the new Economic Development Coordinator Jill Essency; and were updated on the broadband projects, and the Fiber Lighting Ceremony on September 20. The preliminary 2024 draft budget was presented from Executive Director Jennie Dickinson to the Commissioners for review. The expenses calculated will leave a $400k reserve. Revenues are expected to increase b...
Members of local 4-H clubs and FFA chapters received grand champion honors at the recently concluded Columbia County Fair....
By Loyal Baker DAYTON–Following a hearing here on September 6, plaintiff Neighbors United for Progress, a Columbia County political action committee, obtained a temporary restraining order from Court Commissioner Julie Karl, who found cause to enjoin Auditor Will Hutchens from placing the Proposition 2 on the General Election ballot. The measure would dissolve the library district, if approved by voters. It was authorized following a petition effort by defendant Jessica Ruffcorn and others in p...
The 2023 Columbia County Fair not only celebrated Fair Dreams in a Small Town, but also celebrated a group of 32 of the community’s movers and shakers who participated in a new event: Farmer Olympics. Needless to say, there was plenty of dirt, mud, eggs, milk, ropin’ and leather gloves involved, with eight teams of four competing in events like the greased pig catch, nail hammerin’, artificial cow milkin’, plastic calf ropin’ and other events which had the hometown audience in the grandstan...
DAYTON–The School Board heard a broad discussion on initiating a capital levy; and reviewed Washington Standards-Based Superintendent Framework and specific goals during the meeting on September 6. Superintendent Rich Stewart began with a chart that showed taxpayers have been paying the lowest rate per $1000 of assessed property value from 2021-23. Under consideration is a four-year capital levy of $0.50 which would total $1.7 million; a $1.00 totaling $3.4 million; and $1.50 which would b...
POMEROY–The Stay Active and Independent for Life Class (SAIL), sponsored by Garfield County Public Health, returns for a ten-week program at the Senior Center located at 695 Main St., on Tuesday, September 26 through November 28, at 1:15-2:30 p.m. SAIL is a fitness program for adults 65 and older that provides an opportunity to exercise often to improve strength, endurance, and balance all to help prevent the chance of falling. To sign up for the class, please call Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 509-843-3412. Space is limited t...
COLFAX–Pomeroy FFA member Colby Ledgerwood receive Grand Champion Fitting and Showing, and place third overall for FFA market steer. Ledgerwood took his steer Double Stuff to the Palouse Empire Fair last weekend where they place Grand Champion in the Jr/Sr FFA Fitting and Showing and third place overall for FFA Market Steer. They both worked hard to earn Grand Champion in Jr/Sr FFA Fitting and Showing and third Overall FFA Market Steer," said Amy Ledgerwood. "Colby is proud that Double Stuff c...
DAYTON–The 135th edition of the Columbia County Fair will highlight those "Fair Dreams in a Small Town," celebrating all that is good about rural living when it gets underway this weekend, Friday through Sunday, September 8-10, at the Columbia County Fairgrounds. There's plenty of activities, entertainment and fun events planned for this year's Fair, open daily from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m., including a couple new ones: Stick Horse Races and Farmer Olympics. It should be a great weekend for fair g...
DAYTON–A local political action organization and two associated individuals have sued Dayton resident Jessica Ruffcorn, organizer of a petition to dissolve the Columbia County Rural Library District, also naming Columbia County, County Auditor Will Hutchens and Director of Elections Cathy Abel, seeking an injunction to prevent Proposition 2 from appearing on the November, 2023 General Election Ballot, and fees. The complaint was filed Tuesday, August 29. The complaint asserts that the p...
