2021 – Year In Review Pushing through the Pandemic

DAYTON–In this first month of 2022, the Dayton Chronicle again takes a look back at the stories which appeared in your community newspaper over the past 51 weeks

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

May 27) Several parents of high school students spoke out at the School Board meeting on May 19, expressing concern over perceived discipline issues within the school, after threats caused an emergency closure of the school while the situation was investigated.

Dayton School District invited school parents, guardians, and community members to a community forum in the High School Library for middle and high school discussion.

Injuries, possible fatalities, barely avoided as white van careens onto local sidewalk. The “would-haves” that fortunately didn’t occur are chilling as the police search for a white van and its driver which barged through unoccupied sidewalk-café bistro tables and chairs, wiped out signage, struck and damaged a building and a tree, and narrowly missed apartment occupants at the staircase in the 200 block of Main Street last Thursday.

New Chamber of Commerce manager Belinda Larsen fielded phone calls and drop-in visitors Monday without missing a beat this week as the community gears up for Dayton Days and the Chamber’s significant part in the Memorial Day weekend event, the Dayton Days Parade.

JUNE

3) Dayton high School Graduation ceremonies will be June 5 for 25 students and will be attended by invitation only under covid guidelines. A graduation parade is planned immediately prior to Baccalaureate Services.

Anna Fortier, Valedictorian, and Roselin Burris-Ramirez, Salutatorian, will be speakers for the class of 2021.

Memorial Day 2021 was commemorated by a warbird tribute over the Touchet Valley courtesy of patriotic Hangar 180 of Lewiston.

Columbia County Health System Board appointed Barbara Miller interim board member to fill the vacancy held by the late Wes Leid.

Two sessions of a Community Forum are set for parents, guardians and community to focus on areas of concern within the community, including class offerings, discipline, vaping, and substance use.

It was a special homecoming for two members of the Pendleton Round up Royalty-Queen Josilyn Fullerton, daughter of Greg and Nikki Fullerton of Dayton, and Princess Kaiegh White, daughter of Fred and Kelly White.

Rose Burris-Ramirez and Cristobal Antonio Escobar were chosen as the recipients of the 2021 P.E.O. Citizenship Award.

10) Members of the temporarily closed Dayton Eagles Aerie No. 2618, were putting in untold volunteer hours to repair the historic building’s roof but a Tuesday afternoon fire delivered a huge setback to the Main Street club. The roof and upper structure of the Dayton Eagles Aerie at 222 E. Main Street was fully involved as local and mutual-aid fire units responded to attack the fire, the cause of which is under investigation.

Justin G. Karl, 40, of 104 Rose Gulch Road, Space A, was flown to Providence Kadlec Medical Center after sustaining gunshot wounds at approximately 1 a.m. Sunday, June 6. The victim was allegedly hit by pellets from a shotgun allegedly fired by Joshua Brownell Wilson, age 25.

The Dayton School District Board conducted interviews of two candidates, Jeff McCowen, and Ann Berg, for the vacant at-large board position left by Katie Leid.

Some sixty concerned parents, guardians and citizens of Dayton and Columbia County filled the High School Library for the Elementary School portion of two forums conducted by Dayton School District administration and moderated by Sup. Guy Strot.

Valedictorian Anna Fortier recounted her school-year experiences in her valedictory address. Salutatorian Roselin Burris expressed gratitude to her mother, teachers and others for their encouragement to her while at Dayton high School.

This year Dayton graduates and alumni were awarded $121,811 through local scholarship benefactors, in addition Dayton High School Class of 2021 graduates received $121,312 from colleges and universities they will be attending for a total of $243,123.

The Columbia County Health System (CCHS) $420,000 Dental Clinic project is nearing completion under Nelson Construction and is scheduled to open this month.

24) Mayor Zac Weatherford reportedly fired three City of Dayton salaried employees Wednesday, June 16-Public Works Manager Jim Costello, City Administrator Trina Cole and Planning and Community Development Director Meagan Hayes.

Throngs turn out for All Wheels Weekend. After 2020’s All Wheels Weekend car show was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, the 2021 edition of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event exemplified what “small-town America” is all about, according to All Wheels Chairwoman Bette Lou Crothers.

The School District hosted the second of four planned forums on June 17. The topic was special education. Contributors to the forum was Superintendent Guy Strot, Middle and High School Principal Kristina Brown and School Board Chair David Bailey.

JULY

1) The Heat is On-An upper-level ridge with easterly winds is contributing to very high temperatures, especially west of the Cascades, according to Meteorologist Matt Callihan with the National Weather Service in Pendleton. The highest temperature indicated in Dayton Tuesday afternoon at about 3:30 was 122° F on the Banner Bank sign.