YEAR IN REVIEW

DAYTON–The Dayton Chronicle continues its brief review of the stories, events, mishaps and triumphs that made up life in Dayton and Columbia County in 2022, which started in the December 29, 2022 edition.

May 5: Emergency Management Director Ashley Strickland has submitted his resignation, effective May 20. Strickland presented a letter of resignation to the Commissioners during the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners on May 2. Strickland recommended that they "allow Misty and Desi to run the office for six months and then ask them if they want another director on or keep the office separated."

Mayor Zac Weatherford scheduled a workshop for the wastewater treatment project on April 27, at the request of the Dayton City Council members, after they voted down the purchase of the Martin and Barker properties for the project at the last regular meeting. Weatherford indicated his first solution is a low-slope, flood-plain type-area, but is not opposed to hear other ideas. He also indicated he wanted the public to be well versed with the new ideas and options.

May 12: The Dayton School District and the community experienced the tragic loss of one of its high school youths to suicide last week, school directors discussed during the May 9 work session. Prosecuting Attorney Dale Slack and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney April King, who also act as County Coroners, attended the meeting by Zoom and expressed concern during the public comment portion of the meeting about whether appropriate resources are being offered to students to curb negative impacts. The Board also embarked on the search to fill the combination position of high school principal and superintendent and mulled the district's 60-Day Plan and the social-emotional learning curriculum "Character Strong" with possible action to approve its purchase.

Ray's Drive In, the long-time popular breakfast and lunch eatery on West Main Street, has been closed and is up for sale after owner David Reniff recently died. Reniff's daughter and son, Kitsy Melton of Burbank, and Kenny Melton of Dayton, say their wish is for an enterprising individual purchase the business. Reniff and his wife Kathy, who passed away in 2016, purchased Ray's Drive In from Stan and Rita Pierson in 1993. He served in the U.S. Army and later worked in construction before becoming owner of the restaurant with the landmark A-frame dining room.

May 19: A brief Flood Control Zone District meeting was called ahead of the regular BOCC on May 16. County Engineer Jeremy Weiland provided an update on the Comprehensive Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan which is funded by grants from the Department of Ecology. After soliciting bids for a consultant for professional services, he recommended the County begin contract negations with Perteet, Inc. The Commissioners authorized Weiland to negotiate the scope and fees of services. The BOCC convened to hear updates from the County heads of department. Superior Court now has a vacancy to fill clerk with Sarah Boudrieau moving into the Civil Deputy position and a civil trial begins next week.

The City Council appointed Shannon McMillen to an open position and an updated resolution for the purchase of land for the waste water project was passed. McMillen was one of the three candidates interviewed for the vacant position left by Marchand Hovrud, who was elected last fall but since has moved out of the area. The other candidates were David Schreck and Heather Hiebert, who was appointed last September for the remainder of Delphine Bailey's position. She also interviewed for the vacancy left by Bryon Kaczmarski in December since her temporary term was up at the end of the year, but Kyle Anderson was selected.

May 26: County voters will have two races to decide the following filing week, which concluded last Friday, as County Commissioner Charles L. Amerein will be challenged by Jack Miller and Sheriff Joe Helm will be on the ballot with Jeff Jenkins, a current Columbia County Deputy. Amerein and Miller, and Helm and Jenkins filed stating their party preference as Republican. They will be on the August 2 Primary Election ballot as well as the November General Election Ballot. Amerien and Helm are both completing their first four-year terms in office.

The past, present and future of the Dayton-Waitsburg Athletic Combine was examined and explored by Dayton School Directors and school patrons in attendance, with recommendations by Athletic Director Sam Korslund presented and taken under advisement at the board's meeting May 18. No decisions were made. The combined program started with football in 2016 and has expanded to include all sports in middle school and high school.

June 2: The Columbia County Health System board of commissioners were advised of a $46,000 net gain in April financial report. A decision was made to pause the Acute Hallway Project and approve a simulation training program for staff.

Following a devastating fire in their building at 222 E Main Street about one year ago, the Dayton Eagles Aerie No. 2618 has its eyes on a new location just a few steps up the street. A buy-sell agreement between the Aerie and owners of the Weinhard Café at 258 E. Main Street, Daniel Rossi and Vicki Sternfeld-Rossi, is underway, according to Lupe Benavides, Trustee of the Aerie, and the deal is anticipated to close about June 14. The Aerie and its members had been hunting for new digs ever since the five-alarm fire damaged the historic building beyond repair.

June 9: The receiver of Columbia Pulp I, LLC is seeking a court order to reject a lease of Columbia Pulp I, LLC's Main Street offices in Dayton and abandon the property. The action will be heard in the courtroom of the Honorable Douglass A. North on Thursday, June 30, 2022, in Seattle. Receiver Lance Miller of Paladin Management Group, LLC, filed a motion in King County Superior Court on May 25 asking that the lease on CPI's 115 East Main Street offices be broken and the property abandoned as of May 31, 2022. The building is owned by NW Straw Pulp, LLC.

Fourteen newly minted Dayton High School graduates walked at commencement last Saturday before stands filled with supportive family, staff, administration, and friends. Graduates received some $245,404 in scholarship money to pursue their educational goals. Class of 2022 Valedictorian Sagelyn Kilts gave the valedictory address after she and classmates processed in to the strains of "Pomp and Circumstance," performed by the Dayton High School Band under the direction of Amy Gillick. The ceremony was opened by High School Principal Kristina Brown, who expressed appreciation for those who made the commencement exercises a success, especially scholarship donors, and for the dedication of Mrs. Jana Eaton for her work with students and scholarship committees.

June 16: A 63-year-old Dayton woman was fatally injured in an accident at the Columbia County Transfer Station June 9. Kathy R. Dupont was pronounced dead at Dayton General Hospital. Fire and ambulance personnel from Fire District No. 3 were summoned at 11:03 a.m. to the Transfer Station on South Cottonwood Street to a report of an individual who had fallen from the deck into the trailer, reported to be about a 12-foot distance. According to Coroner Dale Slack, the 2007 Ford F-150 pickup was being backed toward the edge of the dump pit by Dupont's daughter, Racheal Ramirez of Dayton, when the vehicle's accelerator was allegedly accidently pushed instead of the brake. The vehicle's left rear tire was aligned with a structural support, allowing the vehicle to continue in rearward motion until Dupont was pinned against the grates where she sustained fatal injuries, Slack said.

Following an executive session to discuss personnel on June 13, County Commissioners approved the action for separation of employment for cause with County Engineer Jeremy Weiland, effective immediately. At the special meeting, Commissioners also considered an emergency budget amendment hearing which was requested by interim Emergency Manager, Misty Yost. Yost will be leaving her position later this month and is working to follow through on an annual maintenance contract radio upgrades and phone upgrades for texting 911, of which none were presented in the budget for 2022.