A look back at 2020

The year 2020 started as most any other year then, for both Columbia County and the nation, went off the rails.

If February, conditions were right for a flood event which devastated county roads, some properties and did millions of dollars of damage to the county and region.

Then came snippets of information about a potentially deadly virus from China, and by March, schools and most businesses were shut down.

It was a tumultuous year and one which won’t be soon forgotten.

Here we recount the events, week by week, from 2020, continued from the January 28 edition, due to space constraints.

MAY

14). Shop-local campaign underway, the local community organizations are making an effort to spur local shopping to support small businesses here and in Columbia County which have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, business restrictions.

Columbia County has entered Phase 2, Public Health Administrator Martha Lanman stated at the County Commissioners meeting.

A local project to give members of the Dayton High School Class of 20202 recognition in the community after the last few months of their senior year were canceled got off the ground recently when Dayton’s light-pole banners were replaced with photo banners honoring individual members of the class.

21). Re-opening Columbia County! Governor Inslee signed as order re-opening Washington’s economy follow and during the COVID-19 pandemic on May 4, 2020. Ten Counties were authorized to apply for variances that would expedite the phasing process.

Some business fallout from COVID-19, Mainstreet formerly Village Shoppes, has announced its closure at the May Port of Columbia Board of Commissioners meeting.

Ray’s barber shop was enjoying land-office business earlier this week as the hirsute among uis flocked to the barber pole for a long-awaited trim.

Gubernatorial candidate visits Dayton, “We need to open up Washington state today, without a doubt,” Joshua Freed, a candidate for Washington governor, told a couple dozen attending a campaign stop here Friday, May 15, Freed who refers the Republican Party. Freed was critical of Gov. Jay Inslee’s handing of the coronavirus, state budget, and crime and mental-health systems.

28). A Closed Graduation planned for June 6, 2020, is set for the original date as voted on by the seniors. The closed to the public ceremony will be held on the front lawn of the high school. Graduation will be offered through Facebook. The ceremony will be followed by a short car parade.

Process starting to move into Phase 3, Columbia County Commissioners (BOCC) met with Public Health administrator Martha Lanman to start the preliminary steps to advance the area to Phase 3.

Reid N. Ngirasweik, a 30-year-old man is being held on $50,000 bond following the hearing in Columbia County Superior Court with Judge G. Scott Marinella presiding. Ngiraswei is charged with first-degree assault.

Plus Delta After School Studios in Columbia County received $15,000 from the Innovia Foundation $869,300 grant recently.

Columbia County Commissioner Mike Talbott seeking third term, to be able to further contribute his experience in the post to local residents and taxpayers.

A Tucannon district agricultural producer, Marty Hall has filed as a candidate for Columbia County Commissioner for District 2, challenge incumbent Mike Talbott for the elected position.

Five Dayton FFA Chapter members, Kira Boggs, Cassidy Laughery, Josiah White, Jurnee Griffen, Tayven Seney, were named as recipients of the State Farmer Degree announced Kristina Knebel, FFA Adviser for the Dayton High School Chapter.

JUNE

4). Touchet man drowns near Lyons Ferry. A 21-year-old Rojelio Saldana, drowned in the Palouse River near Lyons Ferry State Park Saturday, May 30, after the small boat in which he and two other occupants capsized when weather created large waves.

Columbia County Health System (CCHS) continues to maintain regular trainings for staff for CoVID-19, and has two isolation rooms ready in case of need.

Dayton High School Class of 2020 graduates with Kylee Laughlin as valedictorian and Kira Boggs as salutatorian. Commencement exercises will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 6, 2020, with graduates and family members will be in personal automobiles at 3rd. Street in front of Pietrzycki High School, which will be closed to other traffic between School Bus Lane and Park Street. Principal Kristina Brown will conduct the ceremony, which will be carried over a public address and streamed on Facebook.

Columbia County Fair is a go, according to the Columbia County Fair Board, planning for an exhibition –only fair September 11-13 hoping that COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted by then to allow more activities and the public to attend.

Dayton Future Farmer Chapter members, Tayve Seney. Anna Fortier, Josiah White, take top State Agricultural Proficiency Awards.

11). D.H.S. holds drive-in graduation. Fifteen members of the Dayton High School Class of 2020 completed their senior year of high school with a COVID-19-modified graduation ceremony here Saturday, June 6.

School year ends but no plans for fall, yet. Students prepare for the end of the 2019-20 school year on June 16. Teachers place a deadline for all completed work to be turned in which will be graded by June 12.

Kylee Laughlin, Valedictorian and Kira Boggs, Salutatorian, Honor Speakers’ give Commencement Addresses.

Columbia County has been approved to advance to Phase 111 to reopen businesses and change physical distancing requirements, the Columbia County Commissioners announced Friday, May 8.

18). McQuary’s Grocery rides into sunset, The End of an Era. McQuary’s Grocery 301 W Main Street, plans to close Friday, June 19. McQuary’s Grocery has been a fixture at its West Main Street spot for about 80 years, Wally believes the store was built just before or during World War II by Joe McQuary.