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DAYTON–The Columbia County Rural Library Board were informed of the progress of the summer reading program; digitized Dayton Chronicle files; a $2,500 grant; and other library business tasks during the July 15 meeting. The Summer Reading Program is in full swing at the Dayton Memorial Library. As reported by Director Ellen Brigham they have over 30 kids participating of various ages. The library had its first virtual author talk with others scheduled each week. People can participant in p...
DAYTON–The local High School Alumni Association Parade Committee named fellow alum husband and wife Bill (a member of the Class of 1960) and Jackie (a member of the Class of 1962) Savage as Parade Marshals for the Alumni Weekend Parade held this weekend July 20. Bill and Jackie Savage expressed surprise at the honor of being chosen as the Parade Marshals for the Dayton High School (DHS) Alumni Weekend Parade. Bill and Jackie were married following high school and have been together for 62 y...
DAYTON–Those attending the Annual Fourth of July Picnic in the Park, sponsored by the Columbia County Conservatives with assistance from the Columbia County Republican Central Committee, heard from five candidates– Fifth Congressional candidate Brian Dansel, Attorney General candidate Pete Serrano, Secretary of State candidate Dale Whitaker, and County Commission candidates Marty Hall and Ryan Rundell, plus relaxed in the shade of the City Park on a warm and sunny Fourth of July. In add...
DAYTON–The Columbia County Parks and Recreation Pool District Commissioners passed the budget and the resolution for the ballot proposition for the excess levy for funding a pool at the June 27 meeting. Commissioners approved the $200,000 budget. Earlier in the month, a work session was held by the Commission to discuss the budget and to prepare it for approval at the regular meeting. The budget totals $200,000, consisting of $63,000 for personnel, $53,000 for administration, $67,000 in professi...
DAYTON-The Columbia County Health System (CCHS) heard reports on the financial report which reflected a loss for May of $71,000; with the opening of Cottage D in April, and Rivers Walk Assisted Living is closing in on meeting the anticipated revenues. In addition, COVID cases cause short-term personnel availability. The financial report reflected a loss for May of $71,000 in part due to an increase in paid salaries, benefits, and professional fees. Expensive contract labor expenses have gone dow...
DAYTON–The Board of Trustees for the Columbia County Library District voted to exclude private businesses from the Hotspot lending, during the June 11 meeting. In addition, minor revisions were made to the Request for Reconsideration of Materials Policy. The finance report was approved. Director Ellen Brigham presented her report for the previous month which included information on the kick-off for the Summer Reading Program. The Board had discussion about the pending concrete work for the r...
DAYTON–the Columbia County Rural Library District Board of Trustees approved the small works roster and a revision to the Public Code of Conduct to disallow the open carry of weapons according to a new law; were given the Director's and Financial Reports for April from Ellen Brigham; reviewed part of Chapter 6 of the Collection Development Policy which covers receiving gifts, as well as the Purchasing Policy; and discussed making Narcan available at the library; concrete work bids for the front...
By Melissa Gemmell Dayton Chronicle Reporter DAYTON-The first of three public meetings to glean community feedback for the study on Rural Clean Energy sponsored by the Department of Commerce, was held in Dayton on May 14. This study is in response to an amendment to policy for HB1216 requiring public input on the impact of clean energy to rural communities. The meeting was hosted by the consultant firm Ross Strategic who is conducting the study for the Department of Commerce. Susan Hayman from...
DAYTON–Columbia County residents gathered at the steps of the courthouse on Thursday, May 2 for the National Day of Prayer led by Undersheriff and Pastor Robbie Patterson, Pastors Tony Sykes of Faith Chapel, Dewayne Ramsey of The Community Bible Church, and Jeff Hall of Abundant Life Ministries with one location in Waitsburg. The pastors led those gathered in prayer. Pastor Sykes opened with verses from 2 Samuel 22:29-31. "For you are my lamp, O Lord; and the Lord illumines my darkness. For b...
DAYTON–Spokane artist Daniel Lopez paints a mural of four characters from the movie Stand by Me, on the opposing wall of the Weinhard Hotel parking area. New owner of the property previously known as the Weinhard Hotel, Padraic Slattery, commissioned Spokane artist Daniel Lopez to paint a mural on the opposing wall of the parking lot. For the last few weeks, the wall was painted over to become a blank dark canvas awaiting what would be the four main characters from the 1986 movie Stand by Me p...
DAYTON–A group of about 60 from LIFE Church in Walla Walla, under the leadership of Tim Toom, spent about an hour and half on Friday April 19 cleaning up around Dayton. Toon connected with City of Dayton Public Works Director Ryan Paulson to do five projects, covering the graffiti on two bridges in town, cleaning up at the golf course, painting the gazebo at the City Park, and weed eating around headstones at the Dayton City Cemetery. The group chose Dayton for the service because over that w...
DAYTON-The Columbia County Hospital District Board were advised of a grant; updates on River’s Walk Assisted Living; RoseMary’s Place Childcare; presented with the results from a quality improvement survey; and heard other business during the April 24 meeting. The hospital district was given a $1.13 million grant for distressed hospitals, according to CEO Shane McGuire. March revenues for both in-patient and out-patient services were under budget though the acute care/swing bed census was str...
DAYTON–The Columbia County Rural Library District (CCRLD) Board of Trustees met on April 16 with new Board Member Dale Walling, and voted on new officer positions for its members. Library Director Ellen Brigham reported on library operations and programming, as well as the financial report for March. Dale Walling was appointed by the Board of County Commissioners last month, to replace Karin Spann whose term was up. During the April meeting, the Board held the election of officers. All votes w...
DAYTON–Local resident Dale Walling was chosen from among seven candidates for the open Columbia County Rural Library District Board of Trustees on March 15 by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). The BOCC spent most of the business day interviewing the applicants for the open position, including incumbent Karin Spann who completed a five-year term. Board trustees can serve up to two terms. Other applicants were Thomas Utt, Kaye Eaton, Ken Graham, Peggy James, and Joann Patras. The i...
DAYTON-The Columbia County Rural Library District Board of Trustees (CCRLD) heard a report from Charlie Oribio who spoke on the Washington Library Association Conference; were updated on upcoming programs; and other regular business at the abbreviated meeting on March 18. Following the public meeting, the Board would go into executive session to review Ellen Brigham's time as interim director. Charlie Oribio reported about the Washington Library Association Conference that he attended early in...
DAYTON–The Friends of the Library hosted a Community Civility Café with grant funding from the INATAI Foundation, at the Fairgrounds Pavilion March 7. Some 100 attendees came to listen, discuss, and break bread. Sandwiches, cookies, and beverages were offered while engaging in the question of "Which books should be available in our school and public libraries?" As the community has experienced, differing positions have caused divisions in this community and many communities around the na...
DAYTON–The Columbia County Rural Library Board stated Ellen Brigham was offered the Library Director position; heard the director and financial reports; completed the collection development and internet policies; and heard public comment during the February 26 meeting. Ellen Brigham, who has been in the position of interim library director following the vacancy left by Todd Vandenbark last July, was offered a two-year contract late last month. The board held executive session to address the c...
DAYTON-The School Board gave oath to returning and new elects and assigned positions; update on permanent superintendent application process; interim Superintendent planned levy meetings; and reviewed policies during the December 20 meeting. The oath of office was given to those Board members who were re-elected – Grant Griffin and Aneesha Dieu, as well as to Zac Fabian who was elected following his appointment to the position. Jeff McCowen was voted in as chairman for a second term and Fabian w...
DAYTON-The Columbia County Rural Library District Board of Trustees heard reports from Interim Director Ellen Brigham and finished working through Chapter Three of the Collection Development Policy during the December 21 meeting. To review the bids for the digitization of the Dayton Chronicle archives, as well as the applications for a permanent library director, a special meeting was scheduled for December 28 at 7 p.m. The Board completed the review of Chapter Three of the Collection...
DAYTON- The Columbia County Rural Library 2024 budget hearing was held during the regular monthly meeting on November 20 for the Board of Trustees to review and approve the draft for the 2024 budget. Included in the budget was the allowed 1% increase of the county tax levy. The 2024 Budget Hearing took a good part of the meeting on November 20. The draft budget did not include the beginning fund balance because according to Brigham the amount is unknown until the end of the year. Last year the...
DAYTON–The City Council met on Election Day November 7, approved Resolution 1525 - a 1% tax levy increase; and Resolution 1524 -an increase in utility rates and tax. Council is also working through the preliminary 2024 budget of $13.2 million. A public hearing on the budget in on the agenda for the November 21 meeting. The board also heard from Wash. State. Rep. Joe Schmick, Colfax, R-9 concerning public record policy. Council had some discussion before approving Resolution 1525 for the a...
DAYTON-The School Board held a special meeting on November 7 to discuss an EP&O (Education, Programs and Operations) Replacement Capital Levy to go on the ballot in 2024, as well as priorities for facility projects. Interim Superintendent Rich Stewart facilitated the discussion. Other staff and community members were present and contributed. Stewart focused on garnering public support for a levy through gaining and maintaining trust. This can be done through communication about projects and...
DAYTON–The Dayton School Board interviewed and appointed Paulson to Position No. 1, which had been vacated by Korinda Wallace in June of this year, at its November 1 meeting. Also discussed were two administrative models for the 2024-25 school year; and heard other elementary and high school business. Paulson replaces Wallace, who had been elected to the position in 2022. Paulson was the only potential candidate interviewed since Wallace left. He moved to Dayton about two years ago and works a...
DAYTON-The Columbia County Rural Library District Board began the 2024 budget review, the collection development and volunteer policies; and heard from Washington State Librarian Sara Jones during the meeting October 16. Preliminary 2024 budget review discussions began with briefly going through each budget line. A special budget meeting is scheduled for November 8. No significant concern was brought up during the review. "Overall, we are in fine shape," said Chairman Jay Ball. Chapters One and...
DAYTON-The Port of Columbia Board was advised Broadband project is complete; heard a continuing budget discussion at the monthly Port of Columbia meeting on October 11 specifically the salary for Executive Director Jennie Dickinson. The Commission reviewed the comprehensive plan including assets specifically the Columbia Walla Walla (CWW) Rail short line and whether they would sell to operator Paul Didelius who was present and contributed on the subject. Another discussion was about the...
