2021 – Year In Review

DAYTON–On the threshold of 2022, the Dayton Chronicleagain takes a look back at the stories which appeared in your community newspaper over the past 51 weeks—with a sense of relief and compassion for those in our community who have been affected by the coronavirus. For some, loved ones were lost, community members whose absence will leave a hole in Columbia County’s world; and for others, the progression of time and developments in the response to the pandemic have been a source of hope that American society will someday once again resemble pre-COVID life.

With the New Year in the offing, the staff and management of the Dayton Chronicle sends its sincerest wishes that you and yours had “yourself a merry little Christmas,” and that you–like us–are looking forward to a Happy New Year in 2022.

Due to space limitations, this “2021 In Review” will be included in this and the next few editions of the Dayton Chronicle.

JANUARY

7) Retiring Extension Agent Paul Carter was presented a plaque of recognition for 15 years of service as the Columbia County Regional Extension Agronomist/Soil Scientist.

Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness has invested $4.5 million to better serve its Pacific Northwest customers with three new million-gallon tanks, adding efficiency to area distribution facility and reducing the carbon foot print at its Central Ferry location.

14) The latest on Columbia County’s activities regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination is the subject of a Zoom virtual Town Hall meeting Tuesday, January 12, according to Martha Lanman, Public Health Department.

The Chamber of Commerce has contracted to purchase the former Alder Dental building at 202 E. Main Street.

Freshman State Representative Mark Klicker (R-16-Walla Walla) was sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives.

Widespread disapproval of Governor Inslee’s new COVID-19 recovery plan; Columbia County has been placed in a region that includes Yakima, Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla Counties. Inslee’s recently launched recovery plan requires the region to qualify as whole before all counties can progress to a higher phase and local officials are not happy.

Classes at the Dayton School District have resumed in-person learning following the winter break. The District notified patrons that six members of its staff are being quarantined with four tested positive for COVID-19.

Governor’s income tax on capital gains bill scheduled for public hearing January 14 at 4 p.m.

21) B1 tier population urged to register for vaccination.

COVID-19 vaccines have arrived at the Hospital District, and first-dose vaccination of the community’s first responders and front-line healthcare workers started in January.

Councilman Matt Wiens recently resigned and the Council will move forward through the process of appointing a new Council member.

28) Local Immunization Clinic established at Fairgrounds beginning January 27 and 28 for individuals aged 65 or older.

Sergeant Mitch Kriebel’s 150-Mile “Ruck” from Benton City, Wash., through Dayton to Lewiston, Id. Kriebel’s, a native of Garfield-Palouse is the founder of the nonprofit organization that raises funds and awareness for families of first responders, active military or veterans who were killed in line of duty, or these who are experiencing physical, mental or emotional difficulties caused by the risks they face or endured.

The Dayton School Board’s vote to extend the school day for middle and high school students from 12:30 to 2 p.m. beginning mid-February, was tabled until the next regular meeting on February 3.

The Port of Columbia Commissioners welcomed new Office Manager Melody Shahan.

Grace Episcopal Church and HomeStreet Bank recently teamed up to provide generous donations that will be used to purchase winter coats and snow boots for some 14 needy Dayton Elementary students. Branch Manager Judi Pilcher presented the check to Dayton Superintendent Guy Strot at the local bank.

FEBRUARY

4) One year later, flood recovery has long way to go. The Columbia County Commissioners were informed the County Flood Control Zone District has not received reimbursement for flood damages from FEMA. Engineer Chuck Eaton reported assessments may take another six months before funds are made available.

CCHS Dental Clinic Breaks Ground. A new rural Dental clinic is under construction at the Dayton General Hospital campus and it is expected there will be drilling and filling by the first week of June, 2021.

First vaccination clinic opens at the County Fairgrounds Pavilion on January 27-28.

Dayton-Waitsburg athletics may resume February 15.

Senate Bill 5364 may reinvigorate area horse racing. The bill in the Washington State Senate, if signed into law, could provide needed funds to allow local horse racing organizations to resume horse race meets.

Local Man arrested and charged following string of recent residential and commercial burglaries. A tip to the CCSO led to the arrest of Dayton resident Isaiah A. McGanty, 38, of 522 W. Cameron Court.

Members of the Economic Development Steering Committee, a group which meets monthly to provide strategic direction to the county’s economic development efforts, have gone on record, asking governor Jay Inslee to amend “the regional approach” of reopening plans “by allowing small counties with good health metrics to go back to the county-by-county model of meeting criteria and advancing in phases.

18) County Residents’ petition opposes future annexation, At the Port of Columbia monthly meeting on February 10, at a public hearing and comment Betty Longen, a Columbia County resident who lives on Highway 12 west of town just across from Blue Mountain Station, spoke on behalf of a group of County residents petitioning against the idea of land along the west end of Highway 12 being annexed into the Dayton City limits, as discussed in the 2021 Comprehensive Plan Workshop meeting in December 2020.

Public invited to share ideas for upcoming 2021-23 Community Study.

The City Council’s Public Safety Committee met and reviewed the proposed interlocal agreement with Columbia County for law enforcement, dispatch and municipal court services, reported Mayor Weatherford.

Columbia Pulp LLC will fully re-start the Lyons Ferry Pulp Plant in Columbia County sometime in early May, 2021.

25) In addition to the County’s move to Phase 2, the community received its first lot of the Pfizer COVID vaccine, according to Martha Lanman, Columbia County Public Health Administrator. More of the Moderna vaccine was also received.

Columbia County Commissioners Oppose Rep. Mike Simpson’s (R-2-ID) proposal to remove the lower Snake River Dams and return the river to free flowing.

The School Board approved beginning extending class hours to 2 p.m. beginning March 1.

Avren Childers is Dayton’s new State Farm agent beginning March 1. Childers has been appointed to succeed Bette Lou Crothers, who retired at the end of July last year after 39 years.

March

4) Dayton Kiwanis Club showed its appreciation in the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office with a brief ceremony and shared locally made cupcakes with blue frosting.

Police are investigating burglaries at three downtown businesses over the Monday night-Tuesday morning: City Lumber and Coal Yard, Ag-link, and Dingle’s.

Over one-third of Columbia County residents have received at least the first dose of the vaccine, according to Shane McGuire, CEO of Columbia County Health System.

Molly Weatherill-Tate resigned from the Chamber manager position after recently accepting a position at Whitman College.

11) Chamber of Commerce Community Choice Awards were Denise Hoon, Citizen of the Year; Martha Lanman, Public Health Administrator, Employee of the Year; Ann and Mike Spring of Chief Springs Brew Pub and Pizzeria, Business of the Year; and Mackena Culley, 2020 Youth of the Year.

Prosecutor Dale Slack discussed with the County Commissioners on March 8 the State of Washington v. Blake ruling that deemed a statute, which formerly made the possession of controlled substances illegal, unconstitutional.

Shellie McLeod was named Depot Museum Director. After six and a half years, Tamara Fritze resigned to pursue other interests.

School Board learned that remote learning will be implemented on March 10 due to possible recovery periods for 18 staff members for grades 5-12 who will receive COVID-19 vaccinations on March 9.

School districts in Dayton, St. John-Endicott, Lind-Ritzville, Riverside and Inchelium will benefit from the recent $150,000 grant received by Innovia Foundation. It’s aimed at strengthening school-community partnerships and increasing post-secondary success.

The 2020 Chapter BJ, P.E.O. Citizenship Award and $300 was presented to two local high school graduated, Kira Boggs and Tayven Seney, last spring.

18) Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 2618 met to address a leaking roof, damaged when high winds carried away some of the metal roofing, and allowed rain and snow melt to enter the building.

Dayton Days sets two-day rodeo for Memorial Day Weekend. Columbia County Commissioners granted Dayton Days Inc. use of the County Fairgrounds.

Innovia Foundation brought together about 25 Dayton community members to continue the discussion on the two-year initiative project “Say Yes to Education.”

Columbia County Health Systems’ CEO Shane McGuire reported just over 2,200 vaccines have been administered and just under half of that are fully vaccinated.

25) National Honor Society at Dayton High School inducted eight new member: Karla Gomez, Aria Woodend, Benny Bryan, Ben Shultice, Vaughn Walter, Hudson Reser, Shania Johnson, and Sarah Shutters.

Blazin Burgers’ Sidney Highsmith, Nathanial Steen and Hannelee Farrell recently signed as concessionaire to serve the public from the golf-course eatery.

In-person or online learning? That is the question. Superintendent Guy Strot said a strictly online program called ingenuity would be an option for distance learning but grade schoolers tend to not perform as well, the District would be strongly encouraging in-person learning.

Columbia County Commissioners approved special meeting in response to proposed County Ordinance for Controlled Substance Possession on April 12. The BOCC made the decision to hold a public hearing after being presented with a draft for a proposed County Ordinance for Controlled Substance Possession by County Prosecutor Dale Slack.