Goldendale Sentinel March 20, 2024

Goldendale, Washington WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2024

Vol. 145 No. 12 $1.00

The troubled jail journey of Paulette George

A Native American woman in the Klickitat County Jail suffered horrific health conditions

LOU MARZELES EDITOR

Advisory: this story contains graphic information regarding the physical condition of a patient at KVH.

It was shortly after midnight

November 29, 2023, when Goldendale Police Office Abigal Schoenborn arrived at Klickitat Valley Health (KVH) in response to a dispatch request to assist nursing and Klickitat County Jail staff with an inmate, a Native American woman named Paulette George, who was sent to the hospital.

She knew something was horribly wrong well before she entered the room. Ten feet away, she said, “I could smell her infection. Paulette smelled like dead, rotting flesh.” Hospital staff had informed

Schoenborn that George had “bugs” (head lice, it turned out) and was covered in urine and feces because, while she was in jail, she had not gotten out of bed. She was told George was not speaking.

“Paulette was in so much pain and so sick that she had barely the strength to lift her head,” Schoenborn recounted in her subsequent police report. “When the nurse gently began to move her matted hair to cut it off Paulette moaned, shook, and made movement that looked like she was in pain. The nurse immediately stopped and looked over aghast. She came back and asked for a doctor because as she moved Paulette’s hair, the skin on the back of her neck started pulling away from her scalp.” Schoenborn said even from a distance, she could see the insects in George’s hair. “After cutting

Mosbrucker, Corry change legislative districts

JERRY CORNFIELD

WASHINGTON STATE STANDARD

WASHINGTONSTATESTANDARD COM

A federal judge incited a firestorm in Washington state politics Friday with his redrawing of a contested legislative district that places Reps. Gina Mosbrucker and Chris Corry in another district.

As Democratic and Latino voting rights activists cheered, Republican leaders blasted U.S. District Court Judge Robert Lasnik’s decision and said it should be overturned by a higher court.

“This is a gigantic change across the state to get the political outcome the judge and plaintiffs wanted, a Democratic district,” said a riled-up Senate Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia. “I am sure that Judge Lasnik has had a distinguished judicial career. Frankly, the decision is shameful.”

Meanwhile, Shasti Conrad, chair of the Washington State Democratic Party, hailed the decision as “a great day for democracy.”

Lasnik adopted the district boundaries in a dispute over the 15th Legislative District and shifted the election of state Senate seats in the district to presidential election years as sought by plaintiffs and backed by Attorney General Bob Ferguson.

The newly drawn district encompasses an area stretching from East Yakima to Pasco and includes Wapato, Toppenish, Grainger and Sunnyside. The Yakama Nation Reservation is also in the district. It will now be known as the 14th district, not the 15th.

The judge acknowledged fewer Latinos of voting age would reside in the newly drawn district than in the one he found last

year to be in violation of the federal Voting Rights Act for diluting the political voice of the Yakima Valley’s Latino electorate.

“The new configuration provides Latino voters with an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice to the state legislature” especially in those even-numbered year elections when Latino voter turnout is generally higher, Lasnik wrote in his 11-page order.

“We greatly appreciate that Washington’s judiciary recognized the need to rectify systemic racism in the central region of our state,” Conrad said. “Our Party will be working overtime to engage and activate constituent communities in the 14th Legislative District in this year’s elections.”

A focal point of Braun’s anger is that the new map boots five sitting GOP legislators out of districts from which they were elected in 2022, including Sen. Nikki Torres of Pasco who now represents a large swath of the Yakima Valley. Braun said the case “constitutes harassment” of Torres, the state’s first Latina senator elected in eastern Washington. She represents the 15th Legislative District.

“This is an unjust outcome,” he said, calling it a “giant win for the Democrats to drive their way to a supermajority and no balance at all in Olympia.”

Torres and fellow Republican Sens. Curtis King of Yakima and Brad Hawkins of East Wenatchee will all be living in new districts when the boundaries go into effect at the end of April.

Hawkins said Friday he’ll move back into the 12th Legislative District so he can run for

away Paulette’s hair for a period of time, the nurse requested medication be started because she believed she was septic. The nurses were taking pictures, cultures, blood, and other labs to determine all that was going on.

“This infection and deterioration clearly did not happen in a short period of time,” Schoenborn observed. “Paulette had been deteriorating for a significant… time. Paulette had been in the Klickitat County Jail for over two months.”

Almost three months, actually. ~ ~ ~

George appeared in court on September 12, 2023, in response to charges stemming from an incident that occurred November 18, 2022; she faced two counts of Assault 4 Domestic Violence. While she was in court, she was subsequently also arrested for probation violations. She was taken to

Timeline of George’s journey in the jail

appearance, arrested on 2 Violence that occurred

All dates are court procedures in 2023

October 4: Compentency evaluation ordered, to be done by Eastern State Hospital.

November 18, 2022. While at for probation violations. Taken not on medication.

citing recommendation for

October 18: Competency evaluation returned to court, restoration (admittance) to Eastern State Hospital

November 13: Next regular court date review.

November 18: Restoration to Eastern State Hospital ordered. Hospital subsequently responds it has no available beds (total beds = 367).

November 29: Jail Chief Loren Culp sends letter to George’s attorney (Lori Hoctor) advising “she’s a problem... doesn’t engage.” George is taken to KVH in grave physical condition.

the county jail that same day.

On October 4, 2023, George was ordered to have a competency evaluation in the wake of her apparent deteriorating mental and physical condition. The evaluation was to be done by Eastern State Hospital (Eastern) near Spokane, a psychiatric facility. The evaluation came back October 18, 2023, recommending restoration (admittance into hospital)

Sentinel stories can read themselves

to Eastern. Another regular court date occurred November 13, 2023, with no reported movement in the matter.

November 18, 2023, the court ordered George to go to Eastern for restoration. Even with 367 beds at the hospital, it subsequently responded that it had no beds available for George.

Not until November 29, 2023,

See Jail page A8

The Goldendale Sentinel stories online can now be heard as well as read.

Effective immediately, stories on the Sentinel website have an audio option just under the headline. Press “Play,” and you’ll be able to listen to the story. It’s a handy option for hands-free perusing of articles.

Governor signs Mosbrucker domestic violence bill into law

A bill authored by 14th District Rep. Gina Mosbrucker that closes a loophole in state law that has allowed felony domestic repeat offenders to go unsupervised was signed into law last Wednesday by Gov. Jay Inslee.

House Bill 2048 will ensure the Department of Corrections (DOC) supervises repeat domestic violence offenders and protects survivors from being stalked and abused.

“The most dangerous times in a domestic violence survivor’s life are when they try to leave their abuser and when that offender has been released from custody. That is when these survivors need the most protection,” said

Mosbrucker, R-Goldendale.

The bill passed the House and Senate unanimously. It would remove the words “pleaded and proven” as a requirement before the supervision of domestic violent offenders could be enacted.

“This measure helps ensure supervision for the felon and safety and healing of the survivor,” Mosbrucker added.

Two fentanyl-related bills Mosbrucker wrote also gained unanimous passage from both the House and Senate and are on the governor’s desk, awaiting his signature.

House Bill 2396, also known as “Ivan’s Law,” creates an outreach educational program on the dan-

gers of fentanyl. It also requires jails that release individuals from custody to provide information about treatment programs related to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. Plus, it has the state Department of Health compile resources on how to decontaminate fentanyl residue and other synthetic opioids from motor vehicles.

Mosbrucker wrote the law after holding community meetings last year in Goldendale, Toppenish, and Yakima, on the deadly and addictive drug and its impacts.” I talked to hundreds of people, some in a tent, some on a reservation, some in my hometown, and

See Bill page A8

A community shows its love for Jan

Missing. Nobody wants to ever hear that word regarding a loved one, but it is the word Jim and Peggy Woodard began using for their beloved, 90-year-old friend and neighbor, Jan Smith, who had become an integral part of their family over the past several decades.

About 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 5, Peggy noticed Jan had left the farm where they all lived, just north of town. She wasn’t worried because Jan often went out to run errands around that time, taking her little dog, Jonah, with her. Later they learned Jan went to the hospital to visit

a friend, and when she found out the lady had been discharged, she decided to head out of town for a home visit to see how her friend was faring. Jan had been out to her friend’s house before, but this time was different; she missed the turn to get there. She drove on, looking for a place to turn around in her Ford Expedition. The roads became unfamiliar, and she continued looking for somewhere to turn around to no avail.

So she kept driving.

By 1 in the afternoon, Peggy began to be concerned. Jan had never been out this long on errands before, but Peggy thought maybe

she was doing some visiting and lost track of time. Jan had not told anyone where she was going, which is not unusual, since she is a very independent person, so Peggy went on with her day. And Jan kept driving.

At around 2, Jim and Peggy were starting to get quite concerned. They decided to give Jan a little more time before they took any action just in case she showed up. They remembered a couple other times she had had gotten a bit mixed up on a drive but had made it home safely. Jan kept driving.

See Jan page

SENTINEL FILE PHOTO

JAIL: In this file photo from an earlier story on the Klickitat County jail, former Jail chief Robert Bianchi stands at the junction of hallways leading to the holding cells.

Countiesrequiredtoadoptsecuritysystem

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UTC staff recommend$252,000penalty

to CenturyLink

The Washington Utilities through November2022 all violations recommended company in Washington, and Transportation During the investigation, is$252,000 serving approximately Commissionfiledacomplaint staff also found that Initially, UTC staff 650,000 residential and against CenturyLink CenturyLink failed to discoveredtheviolationafter businesslines Communications, LLC provide all requested receivingseveralcomplaints for excessive wait times documentation to the from CenturyLink to reach a live customer commission within 10 customers about excessive service representative and business days of the call wait times and their not providing required request Staff found that inabilitytoreachacustomer companies, investor-owned documentation to the CenturyLinkcommitted234 servicerepresentative electric utilities, natural such violationsfrom March The Utilities and gas and water companies, In an investigation 2023through February2024 TransportationCommission garbage-collection haulers Staff are asking the will hold a prehearing household-goodsmoversand passenger transportation companies commercial ferries, pipeline companies, marine pilotage, and

Newhousetohosttelephonetownhallsessions

Congressman Dan Adamscounties

Newhouse (WA-04) will Thursday, March host two telephone town 21, 6:30-7:30 p m PST: hall sessions this week to Residents of Yakima, hear from constituents of Okanogan, Douglas, and Washington’sFourthDistrict Grantcounties

Thursday, March Anyone interested in 21, 4:55-5:55 p m PST: joining the event can RSVP Residents of Benton, at newhousehousegov/teleKlickitat, Franklin, and town-hall-march-2024-rsvp

G OLDENDALE ’ S A TTIC

This

week’s

Goldendale’s Attic Mystery Picture

This happy man is excited because he just learned he won top prize in a drawing for a new three-ring binder. Yes, dreams can come true!

Seriously, who are all these people? What’s going on here? When and where was this taken? Well, if we knew, we wouldn’t be asking. All we know is that

this picture ran in The Sentinel sometime, lost in the annals of yesteryear. If you know anything about it, please send us an email (info@goldendalesentinel.

com), or give us a call (509773-3777), or drop in at the office—and remember, you’re welcome to come in and take a look at the original photograph.

OOKING BACK

March 16, 1944 – 80 Years Ago

Goldendale Grangers are joining in the state-wide Grange campaign to sell enough war bonds to purchase a four engine Flying Fortress in honor of Major Gregory Boyington, Marine Corps pilot from Okanogan, Washington, who lost his life January 3 following an attack at Raubaul. Major Boyington had shot down his 26th Japanese plane to tie the record of Eddie Rickenbacker in World War I. During the Grange meeting Saturday, Earl Dooley was named chairman of the bond-selling campaign. He will be assisted by Mrs. Cora Richardson and W. D. Norris. Washington Grangers, statewide, bought $700,000 worth of bonds in a 30-day period between February 17 and March 17 earning the right to sponsor the plane. [It was later learned that Major Boyington was not killed but was captured alive and spent 20 months in a Japanese prisoner of war camp.]

March 26, 1964 – 60 Years Ago

Seven boys and girls met at the home of Mrs. Don Martin to form a 4-H sheep club. We elected Cindy Martin, president; Cindy Barber, vice-president; Clyde Dougherty, secretary; and Allen Counts, reporter. The recreation committee members are Gary Dougherty, Vicki Martin, and Ronda Sanders. We named our new club the 4-H Mutton Heads. The leaders are Mrs. Don Martin, Mrs. Ed Hoctor, and Mrs. Jack Barber. At our first meeting Clyde showed us how to make rope halters. At our second meeting Mrs. Hoctor discussed record books.

March 26, 1964 – 60 Years Ago

Mabel Young, an ardent booster for the Klickitat County Historical Society, would not take the word of those in the know when she tried to secure some tile to match a few small pieces missing from the dining room fireplace in the museum. Mrs. Young took a sample to a store in Vancouver, and after examining the piece, the clerk said, “Lady these are older than you are, and you will never duplicate them as they had been made with a special glaze that is no longer in use.” So, Mrs. Young returned to Goldendale, fired up her kiln, and made the ceramic tile that looks exactly like the pieces missing on the antique fireplace. Never tell a woman—particularly Mabel Young—it can’t be done!

March 19, 1964 – 60 Years Ago

A new dining room has been added to the facilities of the Springhill Café and is now open for business. Mrs. Lorton and her husband Frank have been operating the café since September 1962. The new dining room overlooks Satus Creek and is an excellent place for group dining and for family dinners. The dining room will seat 36. A special menu is planned for those who enjoy eating out on Sunday.

March 17, 1994 – 30 Years Ago

People interested in getting the big “G” back up on Lorena Butte, permanently, are urged to attend a brainstorming and organizational meeting at the Goldendale Fire Station on March 29. Organizer John Halm said people are needed to brainstorm a better way of fastening the tires down. He suggested bolting the tires together and filling them with dirt. A fundraiser is needed to raise money to buy equipment, like nuts and bolts, to fasten the “G” to the hill.

March 19, 2014 – 10 Years Ago

Displays of patriotism are always welcome and can sometimes be confusing if unexpected and unexplained. American flags went up all around Main Street and Columbus Avenue Monday morning and came down later the same day, leading many people to call and ask what the occasion was. A representative of the Kiwanis Club of Goldendale explained that the organization had decided to put out the flags one day each month, with no occasion in mind other than honoring America. The practice started last Arbor Day.

—Richard Lefever Klickitat County Historical Society

Answer to last week’s Mystery Picture

We colorized this picture.

When it comes to mystery pictures with children in them, we generally have a bit of trouble putting names to them. That was not the case with last week’s Goldendale’s Attic Mystery Picture. Betty Zesiger and Heidi Quantrell were able to give us most of the names. Betty had a guess of around 1952, which was close enough for us to find even though this was not the exact picture that ran. The picture and caption published March 15, 1951, was a more overhead shot of the boys in a semi-circle with the coach in the middle and reads as follows: Shown above is the Fifth and Sixth Grade team which was seen in action during the basketball season. Most

of the members of the team also played in the Goldendale Kids Basketball League. The caption continues with the names the kids; however, they are not lined up the same as in our photo, so instead we’ve compared the jersey numbers and came up with the following names:

Golden deeds four lots to Methodists for church site

KLICKITAT CREEK, Washington Territory, 1871: Methodists today, at a camp meeting held among the willows in the meadow by the creek, decided to organize an official congregation. The group has been holding meetings Sundays this year, with guests including many Indians who take part in the active programs and have come from the Yakamas with Rev. J. H. Wilbur.

GOLDENDALE, W. T., March 14, 1872: A Church House is soon to be erected by the recently organized Methodists, as settler John J. Golden, who filed plat for the town with the county auditor in Rockland yesterday, has deeded land to the group. The trustees have accepted several lots in the town of Goldendale. Building will start immediately.

J. H. B. Royal is pastor of the county circuit and will headquarter in the newly formed town named, as of yesterday, Goldendale. He and the church members will also build the parsonage. It is to be located on the creek bottom near where the camp meetings have been held.

Although one of the members suggested there might be danger of flood, the majority felt that, as they had held camp meetings there the entire previous year with no flooding, that it was of no consequence.

GOLDENDALE, W. T. 1872: The first white child was born in Goldendale today to the Rev. and Mrs. J. H. B. Royal of the Meth-

odist Church. She has been named Emma.

GOLDENDALE, W. T. 1875: The Methodists, seeking higher and drier ground for their Church House, paid John R. Chatfield $20 for land located at the northeast corner of Broadway and Columbus.

GOLDENDALE, W. T. 1878: The new Methodist Church House has been completed and services will be held immediately.

GOLDENDALE, W. T. 1888 (Special): Fire swept this village yesterday, burning most of the business structures in town and taking with it the Methodist Episcopal

The coach, Henry (Butch) Culver is named, and Frank Beebe was on the team but not there for the picture.

Church. Trustees, hastily assembled while the church was smoldering, voted to rebuild on the same site as soon as the ashes cooled.

All church records have been destroyed.

GOLDENDALE, Wa., Oct. 25, 1942: Fire burned the Methodist Church today— the second such disaster to strike the Methodists. The previous church, on the same site, was destroyed in 1888.

GOLDENDALE, Wa., March, 1956: The first services were held today in the completely rebuilt Methodist Church. After a fundraising drive started in the spring of 1943, the cornerstone for the new building was laid in 1944. Because of the war, with scarcity of materials and workmen, the work has progressed slowly. A boon to the organization was the fact that the old Court House has been torn down and some material from it was made available. In the meantime, services have been held in the Masonic Temple.

GOLDENDALE, Wa., Nov. 16, 1969: The additions to the Methodist Church, which include a parking lot, remodeled sanctuary, and an additional wing, were consecrated today.

Back row, left to right: #12 George Brokaw, #3 Leroy Culver, #4 Donald Slawson, #11 Ray Hall, #5 Jinx Wilson

Front row: #14 Freddie McClaskey, #8 Billy Beyerlin, #9 Butch Lainhart, #13 Gary Dayton, #7 Mike Beebe, #10 Bruce Flanagan

Gettting to know County EMS District No. 1, part 4

To maintain transparency and accountability with our taxpayers and the citizens we serve, our continuous assessment of the 2018 levy goals and objectives are the topic of this article. Thanks to the voters for supporting the levy, which is a large part of the ambulance district’s funding. We have accomplished many of the goals we set.

The first goal was to establish financial stability for the district, replacing outdated equipment and implementing an ambulance replacement rotation. Four new “power-load” gurneys have been purchased and installed. Three new heart monitor/ defibrillators have been purchased and replaced outdated equipment.

Three new ventilators were purchased and allow us to take very critical patients on life support to higher level-of-care hospitals. Three ambulances were retrofitted onto new chassis in 2018 and 2019. One new ambulance was added to our fleet in 2020, one ambulance was ordered and is being built as of this writing, to be delivered at the beginning of 2025; and another has been ordered to be delivered shortly thereafter. We have also implemented a hearty preventative maintenance program for the ambulances ensuring they have a long life serving our county.

The second and fourth goals were both related to improving the pay and benefits package for employees, including paid annual required training. Many of our paramedics commute up to four hours due to the unaffordability of living in Klickitat County. This should help attract and retain quality paramedics and EMTs and encourage them to make Klickitat County their home. Having been understaffed since before 2018, we are bringing our paramedic staffing up to the minimum level for the three full-time ambulances. We believe we achieved this goal with our latest negotiated contract and paid online training with quarterly in-person skills maintenance classes.

The third goal was the staffing of a fourth ambulance to meet the ever increasing 911 emergency call volume, and to better facilitate transfers of patients from our local hospitals to higher level-of-care hospitals. This requires hiring more employees, which we believe we will be able to achieve with the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) now in place.

The last goal of the EMS District was to outfit our Mass Casualty Incident Trailer with the required equipment to handle multiple patient incidents such as train derailments, school shootings, and the like.

The trailer has been inventoried, and items are currently being replaced or updated.

In conclusion, we have fully accomplished most of our goals and continue to work towards the completion of those still in progress. Our 2018 levy continues to serve the citizens of Klickitat County well, and we appreciate all the community support we have re-

ceived.

KCEMS1 FUN FACT: Our oldest in-service ambulance is from 2010. Our highest mileage ambulance has well over 215,000 miles. (These are not the same ambulance.)

KCEMS1 Monthly SAFETY TIP: March happens to be National Ladder Safety Month and Brain Injury Awareness Month. Brain Injury is one of the most common injuries due to falls. Falls from ladders are just one type of fall. We want to remind everyone of some basic ladder safety. Always keep two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand on the ladder. Place the ladder on a solid surface, and never lean it against an unstable surface. Wear slip-resistant shoes, and don’t stand higher than the third rung from the top. Don’t lean or reach while on a ladder and have someone support the bottom. Have a safe month!

Editor & Publisher

Business and office staff:

Owned by Tartan Publications, Inc.

Leslie Geatches, President, Financial management, Special Section production, Ad Design

Naomi James, Bookkeeper • Peggy Woodard, Ad Sales

Burn-out has got to go

The Festival of Wheels gave it another try this year. It seems the attendance has dwindled to much lower levels than when the event was new, 10 years ago. There are a lot of competing car shows this time of year, so it doesn’t surprise me .

This year Goldendale Motorsports Association and ABATE brought back the burn-out, which was tried several times in the past with questionable benefits to the town. This year someone had the brilliant idea to use the old skateboard park as a place to stage the return of the burnout. It was held on the concrete slab, a tempting medium for anyone inclined to bum rubber. Rednecks of many degrees, punk kids or maybe the little old lady from Pasadena.

for three hours.

I think the city of Goldendale needs to rethink supporting burnouts in our park. Next year don’t issue a permit to any group that wants to burn-out. There are places in the county where it could be held, just not in the city please. I hate toxic smoke, and you should too.

On Sept 4 I will be asking the mayor and his administration to make an ordinance forbidding anyone from reckless unsafe burnouts in any ones neighborhood or any street in the Goldendale city limits. I would appreciate some support from like-minded citizens at the council meeting. Let them know how you feel.

I contacted the bank for an explanation. The answer was essentially that “we wouldn’t do that.” Then why is it in your documents, I asked. The answer was to send me up the chain of command. The second person gave the same answer as the first and then was to have me contacted by some-one higher up. That person has not contacted me after more than a week so I am following through on what I told the bank contacts I was going to do—write a letter to the editor to be sure local folks are aware of how Columbia Bank is choosing to deal with its account holders.

Letters from the community

Beware the boosters

I personally was left with a bad taste in my mouth and lungs. Even though I made it a point to stay away from the burn-out and was at my home where I thought I would escape the noise and smoke, when the toxic cloud rose from the park and drifted over the Little Klickitat River Park (the swimming pool) on to the kids and families at the pool and on to me while I was sitting on my property. We were contaminated by the toxins in the smoke, and my eyes and throat were imitated, and my lungs filled with carbon monoxide and other cancer causing toxic compounds

Boosters have a vision to make Klickitat County an energy leader. They promote the Columbia Hills energy storage project because it is designed to make possible a full industrial energy build-out within Klickitat County’s Energy Overlay Zone (EOZ) and beyond. If you live in the Goldendale area or outside of the EOZ, I do not believe your community would be exempt from that energy build-out. The corporate profits of build-out would overwhelm all resistance.

Ken McKune Goldendale C

I recently received an updated “Terms for Business and Deposit Account Agreement” from Columbia Bank. I am not in the habit of reading the fine print but for some reason this time I did. I came across an “added” line that I found very concerning. Again, this line is both for personal and business accounts. It reads: “We may refuse to open and account and may close your account at any time for any reason or for no reason at all.”

projects. If we do nothing, we will lose that. What we see now is nothing compared to what it will look like if energy build-out happens. Residential property values would be impacted, our scenery would be impacted, and our desire to live here would be impacted.

My concern is that a comment as broad as this opens the door for abuse. I have had no difficulties with our local branch and am sorry that the headquarters has decided to take such a hard line. It ap-pears I will need to look for a bank that does not behave in this manner.

Beginning in 2024, the law also provides free vaccines, such as shingles and pneumonia for seniors.

Ken Margraf Goldendale

The boosters are already telling our elected leaders what they want. You should be too.

Dave Thies White Salmon

“For No Reason At All” I particularly found offensive.

The Northwest’s largest renewable energy source is the Columbia River, and its dams that are already paid for. However, the Bonneville Power Administration has contractual agreements to dump water over dams without producing electricity to encourage the buildout of other more expensive and less efficient renewables like wind and solar, both in our county and throughout the region. The Northwest has already solved its renewable energy problem. For instance, Klickitat County exports almost all of its electricity. We have done more than our fair share, and yet our EOZ is still in place to attract big energy corporations. The solar industry is apparently “helping” us create county regulations, and mini nukes are a possibility.

In the hubbub of big-time energy development, our leaders have become enamored with corporate energy “visions.” They have lost sight of what a vast majority of the citizens want: to live our lives peacefully in our beautiful, rural county undesecrated by massive energy

Great news for seniors

I recently returned from a trip to Mexico where I purchased a prescription for $4.50 that costs $97 when I fill it stateside. I am currently on Social Security and was delighted to hear that President Biden promoted a bill that will permit Medicare to begin negotiating for reasonable prescription pricing which will reduce living expenses for most seniors.

This law, titled, the Inflation Reduction Act, will cap prescription costs at $2,000 per year for people on Medicare beginning in 2025. The new benefit is not tied to income, meaning that the out-of-pocket spending limit will apply to the 1.4 million people whose annual spend exceeds $2,000.

The bill also limits the monthly cost of insulin to $35 beginning this year. However, the law does not cap the cost of insulin for the millions of people with private health insurance, as that bill was blocked by Republicans. And it does not cover every insulin product.

Guidelines for Letters

Starting in 2026, Medicare will begin negotiating the price of 10 drugs, followed by an additional 15 drugs in 2027, and an additional 20 drugs in 2029.

Nancy White Trout Lake

Do your jobs

Give Sheriff Bob Songer and Jailer Loren Culp a buck and see how they handle it. Do they “pass the buck” or take responsibility so “the buck stops here”?

People incarcerated in the jail have not been given a death sentence. I read the two want to blame anyone else but themselves for the conditions in their jail. If they don’t want to keep people in their charge safe, they are not doing their sworn job. They should resign so the people can hire someone who will. Or do the job they’re hired to do and quit being crybabies.

The criminal justice system doesn’t give them the authority of life and death over inmates under their control. The prisoner aren’t there for capital offenses. They both get paid good money for their jobs. Do them. When times are tough, the tough get going. The sheriff and jailer like to act tough but then don’t accept the responsibility they signed up for.

Thomas Wilson Goldendale

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Mom Prom was magical

Saturday night was a wonderful, magical night in Glenwood. The Classes of 2027 and 2028 hosted a 2024 Mom Prom in the school gym that made the night so special for a lot of moms, aunts, grandmas, and friends who attended. And it was great fun for the dads and grandpas, too. Friday afternoon the gym was buzzing with activity as members of the classes, their advisor Lori Avila, along with moms Catie Kielman, Jamie Webster, Billie Patterson, and Bo Arnold, and our wonderful school nurse, Robin Campbell, worked tirelessly to set everything up and decorate it beautifully. Jaecee Hoctor is also one of the class advisors but was a bit under the weather and unable to be there in person. She was involved in all the pre-planning and gathering supplies and gave more advice over the phone that afternoon. I’m sure it was disappointing for her to not be able to attend. Younger kids were there helping, too, carrying chairs to the tables and putting dress covers on them, helping blow up balloons for the balloon arches, and doing whatever else they could do. When done, the gym looked absolutely beautiful and truly magical.

During the evening, Dom Leonardo and Amber Keyes were selected as prom king and queen. Although Jaecee wasn’t able to attend after

all the pre-work and planning she did, her husband, Josh, was there as was their daughter Jocee’s date. What a special evening for her as she and her dad won the country swing dance prize. Next year Jocee and all those other 8th graders will get to actually attend their first high school prom, but this is a night they’ll all remember for sure. Also making the evening special for Jocee was having her grandparents, Joe Davitt and Vicky Ramsay, there, dressed to the nines. Joe and Vicky won a prize for best disco dancers.

Others winning prizes were Jose Avila and Erica Thompson for best-dressed man and woman, Dom Leonardo for best vintage tuxedo, Cindy Whitefield for pretty in pink (and for it also the occasion being her fi rst prom), Jamie Webster for best high heels, Geraldine Schut for coming from the farthest distance to attend, and Anita and Bun Wellenbrock for the couple together for the longest. Bun and Anita were Glenwood High School sweethearts and have been married for over 60 years. Everyone was delighted to see they are still great dancers after all this time. I apologize if I’ve forgotten to mention any other prize winners.

A huge thanks goes to Kendrick Lester and his daughter for donating their DJ services for the evening. For those

who don’t know, Mr. Lester is the Klickitat School superintendent. I have heard that the music was awesome all night long. And another hug/ thanks goes to photographer Patty Knapp, who donated her time and a free 8X10 photo of all those attendees who came to her photo booth. Patty also offers photo packages to those who want more than one photo. When not taking photos at the photo booth, she roamed around photographing the dancers and all the fun.

Lori would also like to thank Josh and Jocee Hoctor, the Webster family, and all the others involved in the teardown and clean-up after the prom. Most of all, a very special thanks to Lori and Jaecee for their planning and preparing for this amazing evening, along with all the 8th and 9th graders who hosted. Many of those kids and their parents had to get up Sunday morning and prepare to take their 4-H animals to the fairgrounds in Goldendale for the Sunday pre-show. I’m sure they were all very tired by the end of the weekend, but those kids and all their moms made a wonderful, memorable night for so many ladies and their dates.

Last week was a great one as the Glenwood School Educational Support Personnel

(Public School Employees) were celebrated all week long for their service to the Glenwood School. These are the para-educators, custodians, cooks, and bus drivers who work very hard to keep our school programs running smoothly. In Glenwood we have long-time para-educators Emma Jane LaVallie and Taunie Wilson who have been working at the Glenwood school for more than one generation of students. We also have KyAnn Kessinger who teaches preschool in the mornings and fi lls in to assist in other classrooms after preschool when needed. She also drives the school bus when needed.

Long-time school cooks Kim Thomas and Pam Keithley continue to serve up delicious foods for the students every day and go above and beyond for special occasions outside of regular school hours to bake and serve delicious cinnamon rolls and other goodies. Butch Hallenbeck has been one of our very reliable, safety-conscious bus drivers for several years, and Rachel Throop is the other great bus driver. She also serves as a para-educator when not driving the bus.

We have amazing custodians, Lori Avila and Catie Kielman, who keep our school looking clean and safe every single day. When there is an

evening event at the school, I feel proud when visitors for games and other occasions find a nicely kept school and sparkling clean restrooms. All of these Educational Support Personnel belong to the PSE employees’ union. I don’t know how many other school districts have 100% membership, but it is something to be proud of here. Although Debbie Woodward is not a Glenwood School employee, she has devoted several years to our school as a Special Ed. para-educator through Educational School District 112 and has made a huge difference in the lives of our Glenwood students. Debbie is always available to assist PSE and the school as a whole whenever and wherever needed, whether it’s taking admission at the door for special events, helping prepare a barbecue dinner for the Welcome Back to School night, or any other occasion. Emma Jane told me Debbie is very well respected as part of their group.

These dedicated employees were honored in many ways last week by the administrative and teaching staff to show their appreciation. They want to express their thanks here, but I’m sure they also expressed it in person throughout the entire week. Our PSE are the best and our school is so lucky to have them all. Here is another reminder

from Jennifer Hallenbeck.

She says, “Please join us this Easter at Pioneer Memorial Community Church! There will be a Good Friday Service on March 29 at 7 p.m. This is a time to reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross.

Then Easter morning there will be a Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m. at 23 Bacon Creek Rd. We will enjoy an Easter Brunch at the church at 9:30 a.m. (please bring a dish to share), followed by an Easter Celebration Service at 11. Call Pastor Butch and Jennifer if you have any questions at (509) 364-3517.”

And here’s another reminder that the Glenwood Women’s Club is once again hosting the community Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30, at the county park in Pine Vista. The fun starts at 10 a.m., and we’re all hoping the Easter Bunny is able to clear his schedule and visit the Egg Hunt that day. If so, he’ll be available to pose for pictures with the children and will hand out candy treats. The hunt is for ages toddler through 5th grade. It’s always a fun day. Each year, some of the eggs are marked with money amounts and those eggs can be redeemed at the table. Let’s hope for a sunny morning and a good turnout.

Easter Bunny to be released in park Goldendale Math takes first place

Many Lyle agencies are uniting to bring back the Easter Bunny. They plan to release him at the Lyle Park Place at the Activity Center. He will be hiding treats and pose for photos with your children, if you are inclined to attend. So mark your calendar for Saturday, March 30, at 10 a.m. It is sponsored by the Lyle Lions Club, with thanks to OLESS and the Lyle School District for their green space.

Lyle Fire & Rescue District No. 4 reports: “With the beautiful spring weather we’ve been having and more we expect to have this spring, now would be a good time to start preparing for wildfi re season. There are a few pamphlets in the post office that might help you get organized and take care of business.”

The Klickitat County Lead Entity Citizens Review Committee (CRC) is looking for applicants with experience in natural resources. This is for a vacant committee member position. The CRC, made up of citizen volunteers, helps support fish recovery efforts. They do this by identifying projects that protect and improve habitats. The committee’s work aids programs that provide lasting, measurable benefits

for fi sh and their habitats. This vacancy is a chance for those with a background in natural resources to help with conservation in Klickitat County. For more details about the CRC and how to apply, visit the Klickitat County website. You can submit completed applications by email, mail, or in person at the Klickitat County Natural Resources Department in Goldendale. For a fun competition and a way to showcase your unique talent, this year the Grange is opening their annual Mini-Fair to everyone, from children five years and up, to show off their talents in diverse categories. From arts and crafts, photography, needlework, sewing, baking, and food preservation, there’s something for everyone. The entries will be accepted April 9 at the Goldendale Grange Hall, 228 E. Darland, Goldendale, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and April 10 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. when the hall will close for judging. Information on the contests can be obtained from Grange members or by contacting Lucille Bevis, (509) 773-9122. This year the Lyle Clean Up is going to be for two

days, April 13 and 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Lyle Community Council is hosting it and giving you plenty of time to sort through all those boxes and bags you have been storing away, or cut clean away that old fence that’s about to fall down. You know the rules, or should by now, on what is acceptable and what isn’t. Remember it’s free—but a few greenback donations slipped into the old milk container will help with various projects the LCC is planning for upcoming projects.

On the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge project: last September, the toll for passenger vehicles increased from $2 to $3.50 per crossing, with more than 4.3 million vehicles crossing annually. (That’s not counting the vehicles with more than two axels.) So, if my math serves me right— big if—my calculations say that the income from that alone brings in about $15 million yearly, with no

promise of a hold on that toll. Remember in the early 1950s when the cost of crossing was 50 cents? And it was probably less in previous years. I, for one, wonder if it is ever going to stop rising. I was here when The Dalles Bridge was built and the powers that be promised the public that as soon as the tolls equaled the price it took to build it, the toll would be discontinued— and it was! There seems to be an inconsistency in the different bridge authorities. An update on Sandra Sorensen’s graveside service: it will be held on April 6 at 1 p.m. at the Lyle/ Balch Cemetery. Any and all who would like to speak are encouraged to do so. Rumor has it that there might be a separate service at Lyle Park Place at the Activity Center in Lyle; no confi rmation on this as of yet. Submit your news to: Mildred E. Lykens, (509) 3652273 or lykensme41@gmail. com.

Goldendale High School’s five-person Math Team composed of Cameron Groves, Casen Doubravsky, Lexi Williams, Sonny Piper, and Jackson Large recently took 1st place at the Washington State Mathematics Council’s High School Math Competition in the Presentation category. As well, the twoperson team of Casen Doubravsky and Sonny Piper took 1st place for Division II in the Topical Problems category, in addition to getting

the highest score of either division at 95 points.

The competition, held in Sunnyside on March 6, was the regional competition for this year’s High School Mathematics Competition, which also featured teams from Granger and Sunnyside, among others.

Due to their placements, Goldendale’s Math Team will be moving on to the state-wide competition in April.

This Calendar of Events listing is free. Are you in need of an eye-catching display ad to highlight your event? Email us at ads@GoldendaleSentinel.com. Our friendly, helpful staff would love to help you find an advertising package that works for your needs and fits your budget! We offer online ads as well—with about 14,000 unique hits on our website a month, this is a great way to reach even more people.

WEEKLY AND

MONTHLY EVENTS

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

• Alcoholics Anonymous, Goldendale United Methodist Church, 7-8 p.m.

Monday

• Popup Café – 10 a.m. –2 p.m. lunch and support group at the Masonic Lodge on Columbus until further notice. Café is open weekly on Monday and Wednesday.

• Programs for Peaceful Living Domestic Violence Victim support group via zoom Mondays 10 a.m. 509773-6100 or 509-493-1533.

• The Coalition for Preventing Abuse in Klickitat County (CPAKC) 4 p.m. every 2nd Monday via Zoom. 509-7733776 or CPAKC on Facebook.

• Yoga Zoom meeting 6-7:30 p.m. Jill Kieffer RN Instructor call to pre-register (541) 490-3704

• Goldendale City Council meetings 6 p.m. 1103 S Columbus 1st and 3rd Monday of every month except on holidays.

• Book Discussion Group meets every third Monday at 11 a.m. – Goldendale Library

• One on One Tech Help 1st Monday of the month 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Goldendale Library, call to set up an appointment 509-773-4487

• Goldendale School Board Work Session: 2nd Monday of the month at the Primary School Library.

• Goldendale School Board Meeting: 4th Monday of the month at the High School Cafeteria.

Tuesday • Board of County Commissioners meeting every Tuesday Klickitat County Courthouse, 205 S Columbus Goldendale. Visit www.klickitatcounty.org/643/Board-ofCounty-Commissioners for information, agenda, and link for Zoom meeting.

• TOPS Club Inc – Taking Pounds off Sensibly 10 a.m. American Legion. Questions? Sally/ojala@gmail.com.

• Goldendale Junior Community Chamber 7 p.m. 2nd Tuesday of every month at Umpqua Bank. Call 509-2500625

• Goldendale Photo Club 2nd Tuesday of Every month 105 West Main 6 p.m. Jeanne Morgan 10-5 M-F at 509-7722717

• KC Fair Board Meetings

1st Tuesday of the month is a Workshop, 3rd Tuesday of the month is a Board Meeting.

• White Salmon Farmers Market, 4 – 7 p.m. every week seasonally at Rheingarten Park.

• Soroptimist International of Goldendale, 5:30 pm the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Dedicated to

helping women and youth in our community and worldwide. All welcome. Contact Betty 509-250-3746. Wednesday

• Learn and Play! – 2 – 3 p.m. every 4th Wednesday of the month at the Goldendale Library. Fun and learning for you and your little ones!

• Free Youth Cooking Classes: 4-6 p.m. every other Wednesday, beginning Sept. 20th, 2023 – June 2024 at The Harbor 125 W. Main St. Goldendale. Children 13+, come join us at the Youth Drop-In Center for free cooking classes. 509-281-0288 or email cassidy@wagap.org

• Snowden Community Council Meetings – 1st Wednesday of the month at 6:30 at the Cherry Lane Fire Station

• Kiwanis 7 a.m. Simcoe Café 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month.

• Gorge Farmers Co-op Pickup 4 – 6 p.m. Columbia Grange 87, Lyle

• Beginning Quilt class 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. call 3C’s Fabric to sign up 509-261-2815

• Trivia at the American Legion – every week 6:30 p.m.

• Family Storytime at 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., Goldendale Library

• Popup Café – 10 a.m. –2 p.m. lunch and support group at the Masonic Lodge on Columbus until further notice. Café is open weekly on Monday and Wednesday.

• Lyle Community Council Meetings are the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:30, Lyle Activity Center (308 Klickitat). Meetings also available via Zoom https:// lylewa.com/about-us.

Thursday

• Goldendale Grange #49 Meeting – 4th Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at 228

E Darland in Goldendale

• New Parent Support Group – 10 a.m. weekly 120

W. Stuben at Mugs Café in Bingen. Join us for community support at our weekly meeting at Mugs Cafe in Bingen. We meet in the back room. Children are welcome & encouraged. There is a small play area to keep little hands busy. We’d love to see you there!

• Bingo - Goldendale American Legion Thursdays - card packets go on sale 6:30 p.m. game starts 7 p.m. Food available

• Bingo - High Prairie Community Center, 2nd Thursday of every month, doors open at 6, starts at 6:30. Questions contact Sharon 509-310-9172

• WAGAP Mobile Food Bank – 1st Thursday of the month: 9-11 a.m. Wishram school, 12–2 p.m. Dallesport Community Center, 3-5 p.m. Lyle Lions Club. 3rd Thursday of the month: 9-11 a.m. Trout Lake Baptist Church, 12-2 p.m. BZ Corner Community Building. Call 509493-2662 ext 208 for more information.

• Narcotics Anonymous, 7 - 8 p.m. weekly at the United Methodist Church, 109 E Broadway Goldendale.

Friday

• Bingo – 2nd & 4th Friday of the month, Mt Adams Elks Lodge 124 NE Church Ave, White Salmon. Doors

Community Events

open at 5:30, Bingo at 6 and the Salmon Run Grill is open from 5:30 – 7:30

• Farmers Market, High Prairie: 701 Struck Road, Lyle (between Centerville & Lyle), the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. May – September. Vendors, please contact Josh Harrison, phone: (509)281-0971, email: josh7harrison@gmail.com

• Beginning Quilt Class 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. call 3C’s Fabric to sign up 509-2612815

• Knitting and Stitching Circle – 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. White Salmon Community Library

• GamerNoon for teens 3 – 5 p.m. at the Goldendale Library. Come play tabletop and board games in the teen area.

• Crafternoons at the Library – every 4th Friday 2:30 – 4 p.m. for ages 7-10 (all ages welcome at the Goldendale Library).

Saturday

• Lyle Lions Pancake Breakfast 1st Saturday of every month 7 a.m. -10 a.m. Omelets and ham and eggs cooked to order. Endless Pancakes. Location: Lyle Lions Community Center 5th & State Street (Hwy 14).

• Columbia Grange meets the 2nd Saturday of every month.

• Goldendale Aglow Lighthouse meets from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Senior Center 3rd Saturday of every month –, 115 E. Main St. Goldendale

• 3rd Saturday Dinners –Bavarian Deli 5 – 7 p.m. Local Beef brisket $25

• Family Storytimes 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. 1st Saturday of the month @ the Goldendale Library

COMMUNITY EVENTS

March 21 – May 16, 2024, Grief Share Support Group: 4 – 6 p.m. every Thursday at Father’s House on Klickitat Street in Goldendale. For further information or confirmation: Darrell Watson, 509-261-1860.

March 21, 2024, Women’s History Month Film Series: Skate Dreams: 11 a.m. at the Goldendale Library.

March 22 – 24, 2024, Fire on the Mountain 2024: Klickitat County Fairgrounds. Friday and Saturday from 3 pm – 5 p.m. (dinner break with finger foods) and resumes at 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. or until done. On Sunday everyone local is encouraged to attend their own church then join our service at 6 p.m. Join Darrell and Darlene Watson, Adam and Candice Smithyman, and Jerry and Geri Napier. Any questions call Jerry at 509-960-0833.

March 26, 2024, Introduction to Social Security: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the Goldendale Community Library on Burgen Street. Learn Basic Rules and Claiming Strategies about Social Security benefits and how to maximize what you are legally entitled to receive. Presented by Jon Hancock of Hancock Advisors LLC.

March 27, 2024, Easter Sock Hop: 6 p.m. at the Goldendale American Legion off of Broadway. This fun Easter themed family event

is going to be a hopping good time! Dress up in your Easter clothes or come as you are! Games and fun for everyone! Plenty of board games for all, and coloring for little ones of all ages. Come and get your sock hop on with our special guest, the Easter Bunny! EVENT IS FREE TO ATTEND! Food is available for purchase from the American Legion, please drink responsibly.

March 28, 2024, Women’s History Month Film Series: Barbie: 11 a.m. at the Goldendale Library. Sponsored by the Friends of the Goldendale Library & Goldendale Soroptimists.

March 29, 2024, Good Friday Service: 7 p.m. at the Pioneer Memorial Community Church in Glenwood.

March 29, 2024, Easter Bunny Photo Eggstravaganza: 5 p.m. 117 E Main Street, Crush Smoothie & Juice Bar. Easter is a time for celebration and joy, and what better way to celebrate than by joining Fairy Godmothers Events in their Easter celebrations? This year, they are hosting a special event with the Easter Bunny at Crush Smoothie and Juice Bar. Not only will you have the chance to meet the Easter Bunny, but you can also take pictures with your own camera to capture the magical moment. Join in on the fun as these local businesses come together for the Easter season. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to create lasting memories with your loved ones. Come on down to Crush Smoothie and Juice Bar and be a part of the festivities with the Easter Bunny and Fairy Godmothers Events.

March 30, 2024, Legion Easter Egg Hunt: 11 a.m. sharp at the Fairgrounds in Goldendale. This is a change from previous years.

March 30, 2024, Annual Egg Hunt in the Pool: Wading Pool, 2 and under: 2pm. Ages 3 & 4: 2:15pm. Ages 5 & 6: 2:30pm. Big Pool Ages 7 & 8: 2:45pm. Ages 9 & 10: 3pm. Ages 11-12: 3:15pm. 13 and older: 3:30pm. Looking for a different type of egg hunt? Plastic eggs will be placed in the wading pool & the big pool, and children will swim to find eggs. Lifeguards will be in the water to assist children with their hunt. After hunting the eggs will be redeemed for various prizes.

March 30, 2024, Easter Bunny visits Lyle: 10 a.m. at the Lyle Activity Center. After being at the Lyle School for the last few years the Easter Bunny will be returning to the Lyle Activity Center green space on Hwy 14. Treats will be hidden and found. Mr. Bunny will be available for great photo ops. Sponsored by the Lyle Lions Club. Thanks to OLESS and the Lyle School District for their green space.

March 30, 2024, Market Fresh Easter Egg Hunt: 8 a.m. at Goldendale Market Fresh. Easter Egg Hunt through the store. Ages 12 and under.

March 30, 2024, Glenwood Women’s Club Easter

Egg Hunt: 10 a.m. at the county park in Pine Cisrta. The Easter Bunny will be available for pictures. Toddlers – 5th grade.

March 30, 2024, Easter

Fun Day at the Farm: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Howards Haven Animal Sanctuary by appointment only, call 509705-7073. Howards Haven Animal Sanctuary is hosting an exciting Easter Fun Day at their farm to celebrate the holiday with the community. This event, which features a variety of activities, is free for all to attend. However, in order to manage the number of visitors and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, those interested in attending are required to reserve a time slot. Additionally, donations to the sanctuary are greatly appreciated as they help support the care and well-being of the animals. Attendees can look forward to seeing the adorable animals living at the sanctuary, participating in an Easter egg hunt with three golden eggs hidden for a special prize, decorating eggs, sipping on hot cocoa, taking a scenic hayride around the farm, and gathering around a cozy bonfire. This Easter Fun Day is sure to be a memorable and heartwarming experience for all ages while also supporting a worthy cause.

March 31, 2024, Sunrise Service Easter Morning: 6:30 a.m. Pioneer Memorial Community Church in Glenwood, the service will be at 23 Beacon Creek Road, Brunch will follow at the church at 9:30, please bring a dish to share. Easter service will follow at 11 a.m.

March 31, 2024, Gasket Repair Class: 12 – 1 p.m. at The Missing Corner, BZ Corner. Song in healing for our hearts, our communities, and our world. Please come join us for this monthly community offering. We will be hosting and inviting many songwriters to share their songs too! Super excited to see you there! By donation $10-20, no one turned away. RSVP at laurarosedoctor@gmail.com, 509-637-9425.

April 5, 2024, Bickleton Carousel Museum Opens for the season: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. come see our new exhibits and explore our expanding history room.

April 6, 2024, Wellness Warrier Series: Healthy You: 3 – 4 p.m. at the Goldendale Library on Burgen Street. A series for kids to learn about our bodies and different areas of wellness to live a happy, healthy life. Presented by the Klickitat County Health Dept. For children ages 6–10.

April 9 & 10, 2024, Klickitat County Pomona Grange

Mini Fair: Klickitat CountyWide Grange & Community Members are encouraged to participate in this year’s Mini-Fair. Entries are judged and top of shows will be advanced to State Grange level displays at the Washington State Grange Convention in June. Entries can be made by all age levels of 5 to 105+ both grange and non-grange members. A wide-variety of classes that include but not

limited to: Arts (paintings & drawings), Baking (breads, desserts, candy, food preservation, etc.), Crafts (beads, fiber, needle, wood, recycled material, glass, metal, clay, pottery, ceramics, leather, etc.), Needlework (crochet, knit, tat, etc.), Photography (5x7 to 11x14 can be matted but no frames), Sewing (clothing, quilts, wall hangings, etc.) and much more. Drop off entries on 4/9/24 from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm or on 4/10/24 from 7:00 am to 10:00 am. Doors will be closed for judging on 4/10/24 from 10:00 am until judging concluded. All entries will be available for viewing once judging is complete. For more information please contact Lucille at (509) 773-9122.

April 13, 2024, Lincoln Day Dinner: Goldendale Grange Hall on East Darland. Details to follow.

April 13 & 14, 2024, Health Fair: Goldendale Seventh-day Adventist Church at 59 Bickleton Hwy. 4/13 11 a.m. starts with musical concerts/spiritual health tidbits with a potluck following. 2 – 5 p.m. brings presentations and demonstrations on mental health/depression, home remedies, priority approach to lifestyle. 4/14 from 2 – 6 p.m. brings a presentation by students, there will be booths and healthy food samples along with presentations and demonstrations on massage, hydrotherapy, and gardening. Call Brenda for more details 907-483-0098

April 13 – 14, 2024, Lyle Community Cleanup: Spring is a great time to spruce up the yard and the neighborhood. Our volunteer crew is planning some fun community opportunities for this year’s clean-up so stay tuned!

April 19 & 20, 2024, 2nd Annual White Salmon and Bingen Community-Wide Yard Sale: to sign up and get on the map, email wsbyardsale@gmail.cm, please sign up before April 12 to be on the community yard sale map.

April 19 – 21, 2024, MilSim West Presents: Objective Orenburg: Horseshoe Bend Ranch near Centerville. MilSim West returns for this year’s force on force event! On 3,300 acres of land in one of the largest AOs ever used for war gaming. For details visit https://fb.me/e/a0tEmOKl3

April 26 – 28, 2024, The Maryhill Ratz 2024 Spring Free-4-All Freeride: The Spring Free-4-All at the Historic Maryhill Loops Road is a gathering of friends and world class athletes for a weekend of fun riding and racing down the legendary Maryhill Loops Road. The pack riding at a Free-4-All is legendary so come and be a part of some of the largest packs anywhere in the world. There will be some racing, including the Zealous Bearings outlaw race on Saturday. A Free-4-All is just as it sounds, anything goes. This event is open to all skill levels and any gravity powered vehicle is welcome. Please be sure you can make it to the event before you sign up, there will be a waiting list if the Freeride sells out.

RJ “Dick” Wheelhouse

RJ “Dick” Wheelhouse

left us to be with the Lord on March 10, 2024, after a brief illness at the age of 90. He was born December 2, 1933, the second son of Roy and Mildred Wheelhouse in The Dalles, Oregon. He went to school at Rock Creek, Fossil, Vancouver, and finished school in Arlington, Oregon, where he played football, basketball, and baseball. There, he also met Beverly Matson, a rancher’s daughter from Washington. They married, and he became a partner on the family ranch. They raised wheat and cattle. The ranch was named Cattleman of the Year in 1986. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and trap shooting. In 1955 he was named Sports & Field Magazine Rookie of the Year. He continued to trap shoot into the 1990s, winning two state championships and many other awards. After retiring from the ranch, they built a house outside of Goldendale and became fixtures at the grandkids’ sporting events in Glenwood, as well as at casinos in Toppenish and Pendleton.

After Bev died, Dick married Neva Shelton. They became regulars at the Senior Center, with Dick

Theron Morrow passed away on March 12, 2024, at home in The Dalles, Oregon. Theron was born January 3, 1937, and was 87 years of age at the time of passing. Arrangements are under

Jerry Smith passed away on March 16, 2024, in The Dalles, Oregon.  Jerry was born October 19, 1938, and was 85 years of age at the time of passing. Arrangements are under the direc -

becoming president for a term. He was also on the County Weed Board for 16 years and chairman for 10 years. He was a long-time member of the Maryhill Ranch Committee.

Hunting being his passion with rifle and shotgun, Dick passed this passion on to many friends and family. He hunted in Alaska, British Columbia, Alberta, Montana, and Wyoming. He always enjoyed a good goose hunt on the ranch. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, and wife Beverly, and is survived by those who ain’t dead yet.

A Graveside Service will be held at Arlington Cemetery, Arlington, Oregon, on Saturday, March 23, at 11:30 a.m., with a catered reception following at Bob’s Texas T-Bone in Rufus, Oregon, at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Presby Museum and Klickitat County Historical Society.

Arrangements are under the direction of Columbia Hills Memorial Chapel, 300 W. Broadway, Goldendale, Washington, (509) 772-2636. Visit www.gardnerFH.com to share a story or leave a note for family.

the direction of Gardner Funeral Home, 156 NE Church Ave, White Salmon, Washington, (509) 493-1323. Please visit www.GardnerFH.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.

tion of Gardner Funeral Home, 156 NE Church Ave, White Salmon, Washington, (509) 493-1323. Please visit www.GardnerFH.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.

Born December 13, 1934. Died March 10, 2024.

Parental authority initiative approved, concerns linger

Aspen Anderson And MAry Murphy Washington State Journal

The “Parent’s right to know,” a citizen-led initiative regarding parental authority over kids in public schools, will become law in June.

While the measure won wide bipartisan support, some legislators say they are keeping a close eye on the way it is implemented.

Sen. Jamie Pederson, D-Seattle, who ended up voting in favor for the initiative, said he has some concerns its passage will have on student access to things like birth control or mental health services. He said he believes parts of the initiative are ambiguous and unclear.

“Does it mean that a parent would have to consent for some healthcare decision that older children have the right to make on their own?” Pederson said. “I think it’s safe to expect that it will be misused by someone to try to achieve that outcome.”

This initiative does not amend any current state laws but adds additional language detailing parental rights. Legislators say the courts should refer to it narrowly with current law taking precedence.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction is required to provide schools with guidance on how the initiative should be adopted.

“This initiative declares 15 rights that parents and guardians of public-school children have, including the right to receive or be notified of academic, medical, safety, and law enforcement matters, the right to access certain materials and records, the right to opt their children out of various activities. It shows that parents are involved,” Lisa Wellman (D-Mercer Island) said.

Wellman, who previously wrote the Parents Bill of Rights and worked as a public-school kindergarten teacher, backs the initiative but thinks the language could be clearer.

“The Legislature and our allies will be keeping our eyes on implementation so that we can come back immediately, should interpretation by districts cause any harm to young people because that is not what this is about,” Claire Wilson, D-Federal Way, said.

Dawn Land, a signature gatherer for the initiative, said she pulled her kids out of public school when

she took issue with some aspects of the curriculum.

She said her third-grade daughter came home crying after learning that polar bears, listed as endangered 16 years ago, were dying because of environmental changes. Land said she felt like that information might be pushing a political ideology.

“Teachers shouldn’t be able to have any political agenda in the classrooms,” she said.

Other parents shared stories of teachers and students having private conversations regarding mental and physical health and gender identity, and they said they felt like that shouldn’t happen.

However, teachers say such conversations often are routine, especially in the early grades. When a child acts out, or seems depressed, or is failing to thrive in a classroom, teachers nearly always will have a private conversation to determine how they can help the child succeed. Also, teachers also are required by law to report suspected emotional or physical child abuse and finding out if that is happening often requires a personal conversation.

Semi Bird, Republican candidate for governor

and a former school board member, spoke in favor of the bill.

“Parents are the primary stakeholders in their children’s education,” Bird said. “Science has proven that when parents are more involved in their children’s education, children perform better academically, and acclimate to their education environment better.”

Support for parents being actively involved in the education of their children was widely supported by members of both parties, but some wary Democrats say they won’t allow the initiative to be used to limit student rights.

“If some conservative parent brings a case against a school district and gets a conservative local superior court judge to violate the rights of a child, we’re both going to have some work to do to protect the rights of that child, and then also that will be a reason for us to consider getting rid of that language that’s being abused,” Pederson said.

The Washington State Journal is a nonprofit news website funded by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation. Learn more at wastatejournal.org.

BAPTIST

Columbus Avenue Baptist, S.B.C. 815 N Columbus, Goldendale, 509.773.4471; Pastor David Beseler, Sun School 9:45am, Sun Worship 11am, Sun Bible Study 6pm, Prayer Meeting Mon 6pm, Youth & Children's groups Wed 6pm; ColumbusABC.org, YouTube, FaceBook, ColumbusABC@embarqmail.com.

CATHOLIC - Holy Trinity Catholic

307 Schuster, Goldendale; Father William Byron, 509.773.4516. Sat Eve Mass 5:30pm; Sun Mass 9am & 10:30am. Eve of Holy Days 7pm; Holy Days 9am. Daily Mass Mon-Fri 9am CCD Classes Wed 2:15-3:30pm, K thru grade 6; Wed 7-8:30pm grades 7-12. Confessions every other Saturday noon -1pm

EASTERN ORTHODOX

Ss. Joachim & Anna Orthodox Mission

301 NW 2nd St, Goldendale, 907-317-3828; Rev John Phelps; Sat: 5:30pm Vespers; Sun: 8:15am Orthros, 9:30am Liturgy; Wed: 7pm Youth Group; Fri: 9pm Compline

Church Directory

GRACE BRETHREN

Community Grace Brethren 1180 S Roosevelt, Goldendale. Pastor Aaron Wirick. 509.773.3388. Sun Svc 10:30am in person. Wed: AWANA 2pm GoldendaleGrace.com. Watch us on Facebook Live: Facebook.com/GoldendaleGrace "Learning - Living - Loving JESUS."

LUTHERAN

Christ the King Lutheran S Columbus & Simcoe Dr, Goldendale; Vicar Ann Adams. 509.773.5750. Worship services 10am

Everyone welcome.

METHODIST - United Methodist Columbus & Broadway, Goldendale; Pastor Kendra Behn-Smith; 509.773.4461. Service times: Worship 9:00 ; Adult classes 10:45 ; Fall & Winter All are welcome. Call the church for regularly scheduled events.

NAZARENE - Church of the Nazarene 124 W Allyn, Goldendale; Pastor Earnie Winn and Pastor Greta Sines. 509.773.4216; Sunday worship 10:45 ; Sunday School all ages 9:30 ; goldendalenaz@gmail.com.

NEW LIFE ASSEMBLY of GOD

1602 S Columbus, Goldendale; Pastor Kevin Gerchak, 509.773.4650; Sun. School 9:30 ; Morning Worship Service 10:30am; Family Night on Wed. 7pm with programs for ages 3 years through adult.

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Centerville Community Church 508 Dalles Mountain

Father’s House Fellowship 207 S Klickitat Ave, 509.773.4719. Basic Bible Fellowship 9:30am; Worship 10:30am; Tue. 6:30pm Freedom Now Meeting. “A Gospel-Centered Church.”

Theron Morrow

Jerry Smith

Charles Martin Kroeze

JAN from page A1

Right around 3:15, Jim made a call to the Sheriff’s Department and explained the situation. Sheriff Deputy Kenny showed up at the farm, and Peggy gave him all the information she knew about Jan’s day. Normally, with a missing adult, there is a 24-hour waiting period before an alert goes out, but since Jan was 90 years old, dealt with some memory issues, and had some physical limitations, Deputy Kenny said he would see what he could do. A Silver Alert was posted by 4 p.m.

Jan kept driving.

Not only did law enforcement mobilize, but a large part of the community went into action, as well.

Phone calls started being made, and Peggy notified Jan’s family who lived in Medford, Oregon. Jan’s home church, Columbus Avenue Baptist, along with New Life Assembly of God, Community Grace Brethren, Goldendale Church of the Nazarene, and Seventhday Advent churches were contacted by several different people to have Jan put on their prayer chains,

BILL from page A1

learned a lot about fentanyl.

I heard hours and hours of heartbreaking stories,” said Mosbrucker.

The bill is named after 24-year-old Ivan Howtopat, a Yakama Nation tribal member, who was suffering from fentanyl withdrawal when he committed suicide in the Klickitat County jail last May.

House Bill 1635 would create a model program in Washington for the training and certification of dogs to detect fentanyl.

“Currently, only one dog in the state of Washington is certified and trained in the detection of fentanyl,” said Mosbrucker. “This bill would help to expand the training of K-9 teams to detect fentanyl and protect human lives.”

A fourth bill, Senate Bill 5919, concerning the sale of biogenic carbon dioxide and other co-products of biogas processing has

DISTRICT from page A1

re-election. King, whose term representing the 14th district expires this year, could not be reached for comment.

Torres, too, decried Lasnik’s action.

“This map is a mockery of the Voting Rights Act,” she said in a statement.

“This map disenfranchises Hispanics – all to help the Democratic party gain seats.”

State law will allow Torres to finish her term –which runs through 2026 –even though she doesn’t live within the boundaries.

However, she’d need to move into the redrawn 15th to seek re-election. Or she could move into the newly drawn 14th district and run this year. A third option is she could challenge fellow Republican Sen. Perry Dozier of Waitsburg who is

JAIL from page A1

was George taken to KVH.

A letter was sent to her attorney, Lori Hoctor, from Jail chief Loren Culp advising of the action and saying that George had become “a problem” and was not engaging in conversation. That night was when Office Schoenborn witnessed the horrific scene of George being treated.

The Sentinel began looking into this story upon initial receipt through a public records request of Schoenborn’s police report. Commitment to honor certain off-the-record restrictions on information precluded an immediate story. The critical question posed to officials at the Klickitat County Jail was: how is it George’s condition could be allowed to deteriorate to such an extent without what most people would consider more timely intervention?

“We were limited in what we could do,” says Klickitat

and prayers began flooding Heaven’s gates. Word went out on Facebook and other social media venues by multiple people in the community. Kitt Tallman drove around to all the places Jan went on her errands. Many other people drove in all different directions to see if they could find her.

Thomas and Rose Chapman drove to The Dalles just in case Jan had decided to go get groceries. Jason and Esther Read not only drove out Bickleton Highway and around town, but they also took their drone out northwest of Goldendale to try and locate her that way.

Jan kept driving. Around 5, out in the Forest Hill Lane and Orchard Heights area, Jan waved at Kathleen Gilligan, just one driver waving to another on the road. Kathleen waved back, not knowing there was a missing person alert out on her. She did notice Jan was driving very slowly but didn’t think much about it at the time.

Jan kept driving.

At 10:15, Kathleen saw a Silver Alert had gone out

also been delivered to the governor. Mosbrucker originally introduced this measure as House Bill 2069. The bill would allow the Klickitat County Public Utility District to sell clean biogenic carbon dioxide gas captured from the Republic Landfill. Mosbrucker’s bill passed the House unanimously on Feb. 12 and passed out of the Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee on Feb. 20. However, the bill was held on the consent calendar in the Senate. An identical companion bill with Mosbrucker’s language passed from the House and became the vehicle to go to the governor’s desk for consideration.

The governor has until March 30 to act on bills delivered to him. Regular session bills go into effect on June 6, 90 days after the Legislature adjourned.

up for reelection in the 16th district this year.

In the House, Republican Reps. Chris Corry of Yakima and Gina Mosbrucker of Goldendale, who currently represent the 14th district, will both be in new districts. Corry will be in the 15th and Mosbrucker in the 17th.

Corry said Friday he will run in his new district where one of the incumbents, Republican Bruce Chandler, is retiring. Corry also criticized the decision.

“This is not about helping Latinos. This is about helping elect Democrats,” he said.

Frustrations stirred by the decision could linger into the next session.

“I think it has the potential to negatively impact relationships, unfortunately,” Corry said.

County Sheriff Bob Songer. “State law prevents us from forcing inmates to bathe or take their medication.”

Songer says he and Culp and jail staff did everything according to the confines and dictates of the law. Mentally challenged people, he says, belong in medical facilities and not in a jail; corrections officers do the best they know how to do in such extreme situations. A legal source knowledgeable on State corrections matters speaking to The Sentinel on condition of anonymity says it’s likely corrections officials and the sheriff are being cautious about how they address the George matter. “They’re certainly being conscious of comments being seen as potentially indicating liability on their part,” she said. “It doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t care as people. But they’re aware they’re speaking as official representatives.” This is a developing story.

for a woman in Goldendale, recognized Jan, and called 911. Deputies were dispatched to the area, but their search came up empty. Jan was not driving any longer. She had run into snow, could find no place to turn around, and got stuck in the ditch. By now, it was getting colder, and Jan noticed her gas gauge was getting low, so to conserve fuel, she turned the car on and off throughout the night. She had water and a few snacks, shared them with Jonah, and they snuggled together while they waited for someone to find them.

The next morning when there was still no sign of Jan, Deputy Kenny went to Jim and Peggy’s to let them know Search and Rescue had two planes set to go.

LeAndra June had started organizing a search party on Facebook, saying to meet at the Methodist Church parking lot at 9:30, where flyers would be handed out and search routes discussed.

Between 9 and 9:15 Jan was found nearly to the end of Cedar Valley Road about a mile from the Yakima

County line. She was cold, but she and Jonah had weathered the night. Sheriff deputies brought blankets and dog treats, and after they got the Expedition out of the ditch, they took her home to warm up and get some muchneeded rest.

Jan is safe at home once again, and just like the woman in the Bible who rejoiced for finding her lost coin (Luke 15:8&9), we are rejoicing because she who was lost has been found. But remnants of the tumultuous emotions of a missing loved one linger, causing us to recall her life story and why she became so important to so many people in our community.

Jan accepted her Head Start job and moved to Goldendale with her best friend and co-worker, Alice Heisman, in the early 1980s from Covina, California. They purchased a small, 28-acre inoperative dairy farm just north of Goldendale. By themselves, they rebuilt all the fencing with split rails and started raising llamas in their spare time.

As their herd grew, so did their love for the community and the children in it. After teaching at Head Start for several years, they both got jobs teaching at the Goldendale Christian School. They became extremely involved with Sunday School and Children’s Church, creating all kinds of skits, singing active Bible songs, and just basically being live entertainment for any kid who came around.

In their spare time over the years, they groomed their farmstead, kept it mowed, and used antiquated irrigation piping in all the pastures. It eventually resembled a farm park with all the green, grassy fields divided by rugged rail fencing. They began hosting an annual church service and potluck down by the Little Klickitat River that runs through the property. They provided games for all the kids, rides around the farm on a flatbed trailer, and gave tours of the 40 or so llamas, telling their names and lineages, relating amusing anecdotes about this one or that one,

and giving out factual tips about llamas in general. Soon, people were lovingly referring to Jan and Alice as “the llama ladies.”

An avid sports lover, Jan also put her boundless energy to use by becoming a referee in basketball and volleyball. With no children of her own, Jan loved and invested her time in all the kids she taught and refereed for. She followed their athletic careers, attended all the home-games she could, football included, even after her refereeing days were done, and kept up on them as they graduated and moved on with their lives.

Because of Jan’s love for and involvement with the kids who have grown into adults now, she has become one of the most beloved people in Goldendale. This became very evident when it seemed half the town so quickly rallied when she went missing. Our town may be small in size, but it outscales the largest of cities in heart.

–Contributed

Officers soon will be allowed to work part time

Aspen Anderson Washington state Journal

Washington remains 51st in the nation for police officers per capita, and one answer to that problem might be allowing officers to work part-time.

SB 5424, sponsored by Sen. John Lovick, D-Mill Creek, awaits the governor’s signature.

“The idea behind these flexible work schedules is… intended to increase the diversity in Washington law enforcement,” Lovick said. “To increase the presence of female officers and to retain senior officers who have a lot of value to provide but cannot maintain a standard 40-hour work week.”

His goal is to have a 30% increase in female officers by 2030.

Not all officers will qualify for flexible work schedules. This law applies to general and limited authority law enforcement officers and requires an officer to have an unspecified number of years of experience before qualifying.

To protect the workforce from becoming part-time, the flexible work hour program is available for only 3-5 years for each officer.

Until now, officers had to work full-time to maintain a position title, but that is an outdated requirement, many argue.

“This would have been valuable to my family,” said police chief for the City of Algona James Schrimpsher. “This has been a long time coming, and this is something that is needed for our profession.”

Chief Michelle Bennett from the Edmonds Police Department said she was forced to retire in 2021 when she became a single parent to four young children. Six months later, she returned to the department after finding childcare.

“I desperately wish I did not have to take that six months of time away from the retirement system, as it had pretty negative ramifications,” Bennett said. “I know a number of officers who have babies or just had babies who are trying to come back to work. I have folks who are retired and are looking for something to do.”

Sue Rahr, the previous executive director of the Criminal Justice Training Center, said she came to testify to

put a “human face” on the experience of being a police officer and trying to raise a family. After having her second son, she said she was exhausted all the time and became a lousy employee until she rebounded when her children entered grade school.

“I worried about keeping my job because I did not know what the rules were. There really weren’t any,” Rahr said. “I have been waiting 38 years to see my profession evolve so that it becomes more manageable for all police officers who are managing family responsibilities.”

No one testified against the bill, but some raised concerns about officers’ collective bargaining

rights. Collective bargaining covers things like pay, benefits, hours, time off, workplace safety and finding a balance between work and personal life. Monica Alexander, the current executive director for the Criminal Justice Training Center said the bill language should be amended to protect these rights.  “We have single fathers, single mothers, raising children, and maybe this is a great opportunity for them. They can still do their job but have a flexible work shift,” Alexander said. “There is a lot of stress in the law enforcement community, and being able to maybe cut their hours down sometimes can give

them the break that they need to take care of their wellness.”

No police training requirements will change for part-time officers. This bill will take effect 90 days after the session has ended.

“It’s time we look at different ways of doing things,” Lovick said. “With the current recruitment and retention difficulties our departments are experiencing, we shouldn’t be forcing good officers to retire because of inflexible work schedules.”

The Washington State Journal is a nonprofit news website funded by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation. Learn more at wastatejournal.org.

City gets Cypress Creek grant

RodgeR Nichols

For The SenTinel

The Goldendale City Council was able to wrap up a busy agenda at their March 18 meeting in a single hour. Councilors heard a presentation from the FFA Ag group at Goldendale High School on the topic of reintroducing salmon to the upper Columbia River and one from the Coalition Preventing Abuse in Klickitat County.

City Administrator Pat Munyan reported public works crews have been busy.

“Now that it’s warming up and the weather’s getting better,” he said, “we’re fixing potholes, street sweeping, getting the gravel and sand picked up, and also trying to get the sidewalks cleaned off. [The City has] an old street sweeper, an old piece of equipment that they’ve worked on, turning it into a tanker truck. And they’re about done with that project, so if you guys get a chance, you ought to go out there and look at it. It’s pretty impressive what they’ve done.”

Mayor Dave Jones stepped down from his mayor’s seat to present an information item to the council. He said he’d been approached by people from Cypress Creek Renewables who wanted to make a contribution to the city. Ultimately, they agreed on

a $30,000 grant to provide handicapped-accessible playground equipment for Ekone Park.

“The piece of equipment that was at the top of everyone’s list was a glider that’s good for handicapped kids and able-bodied kids to play on at the same time. It gives the kid who needs to stay in a wheelchair the ability to roll right into it and participate in the play.”

He told the council the other new piece of equipment is like a modified merry-go-round, only much safer. The council voted unanimously to use the grant to buy the items and get them installed in time for the summer.

Councilors approved the purchase of two new trucks for the public works department. One of the trucks being replaced was a 1971 model, a mere 53 years old.

And councilors gave Rick Lundin of the Airport Committee the go-ahead to offer $150,000 granted by the legislature to buy a 6.9 acre property adjacent to the city’s airport.

“It would give us 860 additional frontage feet on Fairgrounds Road,” he said. “That will allow us to start controlling how the property is accessed. Right now you drive onto the airport, and you drive onto a taxiway.”

If the offer is accepted, that decision would come back to the council for final approval.

Property crimes can now be hate crimes

MaRy MuRphy WaShingTon STaTe Journal

Some property crimes now can be classed as hate crimes if they are racially motivated or if they target other marginalized communities.

Sen. Andy Billig, D-Spokane, said he was motivated to press for changes in what can be classed as a hate crime when vandals attacked a gay pride display in Spokane that shocked the community.

“The pride sidewalks in Spokane were defaced in a coordinated attack last October with paint poured on them,” Billig recalled. He said police began pursuing the incident as a hate crime but were shocked when they discovered property crimes were not included in hate crime statutes. “That didn’t seem right,” Billig said. “I saw in our community how that crime caused fear and anger, and it just added to that frustration when it wasn’t able to be pursued.”

Other members of the community remembered the days that followed the incident.

“Like most tragedies facing marginalized communities, the labor of cleaning up these attacks falls upon the shoulders of the impacted community,” KJ January, Director of Advocacy at Spectrum Center Spokane, said. “Members of our local queer organizations came together to clean up the mess, redefining queer joy, strength and perseverance in the process.”

Betsy Wilkerson, President of the Association of Washington Cities, and city council president in Spokane, spoke to other inci-

I may not be much to look at. But I'll shower you with LOVE.

dents in her community.

“This isn't the first time that expression of inclusivity was smeared by paint in the dark of night,” Wilkerson said. “A Black Lives Matter mural that was painted by some of our city's most prominent pop artists was speared by paint shortly after its inauguration. We never caught the culprits and repairs had to be paid out of pocket.”

Others in support of the bill referenced increased Islamophobia, antisemitism, and a specific incident in Seattle’s International district where windows of the Wing Luke Museum were smashed last fall.

An additional bill sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle, was approved that will start a hate crime hotline for Washington State. The hotline will be overseen by the Attorney General’s office and replicates similar programs California and Oregon already have in place.

Miri Cypers, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League PNW, pushed to create the model, as well as

sharing how increased hate crime has recently affected her personally.

“This Thanksgiving my synagogue was targeted with hateful graffiti covering the entire building, sending ripple effects of fear throughout our community,” Cypers said. “When my kids and I attend services or Hebrew school, we now have to traverse barricades and armed guards to enter the building. This is our reality. The problem of hate is urgent.”

The FBI reports Washington State had 590 hate crimes in 2022, 651 in 2021 and 462 in 2020. Though data for more recent years are not yet available, persons testifying perceived an increase in hate crime in their communities, especially since last fall.

Kendall Kosai, a Japanese American serving as a board member for Asian Pacific American Advocates, explained how this hotline will open closed doors for victims.

“It is no secret that API's (Asian & Pacific Islanders) have experienced a recent surge in hate across our country with over 11,000

unique hate acts reported from 2020 to 2022. However, many of these incidents don't rise to a level of our crime, and thus oftentimes are not captured by conventional hate crime data.”

Kosai added some people don’t always feel comfortable reporting to officials at a school or workplace, a point supported by others who testified.

“This is just another resource for them, and to allow them to report it,” Kosai said. “What we see in Oregon with the hotline is actually that they help mediate or become that third party that helps them navigate those systems of reporting to a school.”

The bill mandates that the person who reported the incident to the hotline must consent before their identity is released to law enforcement.

The law will go into effect starting June.

The Washington State Journal is a nonprofit news website funded by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation.

Learn more at wastatejournal.org.

MISC: Metal mobile home stairs $350 509-773-5598

CRAFTSMAN 22” LAWNMOWER rear bagger, very good condition, $35 509773-6744

Announcements

STROKE

700

3rd

ALCOHOLICS

Volunteers Gorge

study appointment that includes surveys and a blood draw. Compensation totals $60 in gift cards. To learn more email Gorgepathfinder@ ohsu.edu or call 541-3999059. For more information see: https://www.ohsu.edu/ knight-cancer-institute/joinpathfinder-2-study-findcancer-early

One Community Health y el Celilo Cancer Center de Adventist Health, en colaboración con el OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, están reclutando participantes de 50 años o más para el estudio PATHFINDER 2, un ensayo clínico de un análisis de sangre diseñado para detectar muchos tipos de cáncer. Los partici-

interesados deben estar dispuestos a asistir a una cita de estudio de una hora que incluye encuestas y una extracción de sangre. La compensación consiste en un total de $60 en tarjetas regalo. Para más información, envíe un correo electrónico a Gorgepathfinder@ohsu.edu o llame al 541-399-9059. Para más información: https://www. ohsu.edu/knight-cancerinstitute/join-pathfinder2-study-find-cancer-early

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MONDAY 9AM

Mid-Week Editions:

Main St., Tygh Valley, Oregon.

DO YOU HAVE HURTS, HABITS, HANG-UPS? Attend

CELEBRATE RECOVERY a faith-based 12 step program, every Thursday night at Hood River Alliance Church 2650 W. Montello (Off Rand Road) Dinner provided at 5:45pm and large group meeting at 6:30pm For more info. call 541-386-2812

DEMENTIA Support Group every 2nd Monday of the month at the Oregon Veterans Home, 10:30am - 11:30am 541-296-7190 for info.

YOUNG Parents Support Group: ages 15-21, Tuesdays @ 7pm, call Tess @ 541-298-5104.

Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group Meets via Zoom the second Tuesday of every month from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Support group participants have all lost someone to suicide and strive to help each other with their grief journeys and advocacy for suicide prevention. Contact Belinda at 541-386-2500 x1 or belinda.ballah@ co.hood-river.or.us to be provided the link for next Zoom meeting.

TOPS OR #443 meets Thursday mornings, 8:30- 10 am. @ Zion Lutheran Church, use elevator entrance only. 10th and Union St., The Dalles, OR.

NA MEETINGS Every Wednesday. 6:30 - 7:30 at the Casa Guadalupe House, 1603 Belmont, Hood River, Oregon.

NAMI|Oregon

National Alliance on Mental Illness

NAMI is the largest education, support and advocacy organization on mental health in the nation. The Mission of NAMI Oregon is to improve the quality of life of persons with mental illness and of their famillies through support, education and advocacy. Under NAMI Oregon sponsorship, NAMI-Gorge providees a monthly support group meeting for caregivers, friends, and family members of persons with mental illness.

Monthly NAMI Gorge meetings are being conducted the first Thursday of every month from 6 to 7:30pm by Zoom. For a meeting link and information on local NAMI Resources, please contact Barbara Telfer: at 541-980-7264 or by email: booklovinbarbarian@gmail.com.

For other NAMI

HAVEN:

AA

AL-ANON

MENTORS WANTED

Would you enjoy building a meaningful friendship with a child or teen? If so, become a mentor! Gorge Youth Mentoring, a program of The Next Door, provides children and teens with community based, one-on-one mentoring relationships with adult volunteers. Right now, 18 youth ages 6 to 21 are waiting to make a new friend. Mentors and youth plan their own activities based on their own schedules, meeting at least twice a month, for one year or more. For more information, visit www.nextdoorinc.org/ gym or email gym@nextdoorinc.org

Gorge Youth Mentoring (G.Y.M.)

a program of The Next Door, is seeking a positive, adult role model for a 7-year-old boy in The Dalles, who is outgoing, talkative, and fun. He enjoys playing basketball, riding bikes, and building things with Legos. He has been waiting to spend a couple days a month with a mentor who could expose him to more

$500 or Less BING and Grondahl’s Danish Christmas Plates, 197079. No chips, excellent condition. $100 for set of 10. 541-490-7254.

CENTRAL Machinery Dovetail Jig. $125. 541980-9466.

FLARE Kit. Yellow Jacket Swage/Flare Kit, 1/8 “- ¾ OD, Model 60 440. Made in USA. $25. 541-980-9466.

FORMICA

RIDING

YAMAHA

BING and Grondahl’s Danish Christmas Plates, 1970-79. No chips, excellent condition. $100 for set. 541-490-7254.

METAL Bed Frame for Twin or Double Bed. $15. 541806-0859.

Miscellaneous Wanted

WANTED: Old Rock

Collections Agate, jasper, jade, mineral specimens, etc. 541-399-5039.

Tools

FASTENING System.

Ramset Power Fastening System, Model RS22. Lots of nails and powder loads. Comes with large tool box. $70. 541-980-9466.

CENTRAL Machinery Dovetail Jig. $125. 541980-9466.

FORMICA Cutter. Tridion AT-109. Hand held. $25. 541-980-9466.

Sporting Goods PELLET Gun. $50. Please call 907-209-1571. No texting.

NOTICE Certain laws and restrictions, as well as registration requirements, apply to the sale of firearms. For more information, contact the Seattle Field Division of the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms at 206-204-3205.

The Icons of Goldendale

Stonehenge Agriculture

Headlines & History for Klickitat County since 1879

Headlines & History for Klickitat County since 1879

Photos by local photographers Neil Thompson (top & center) and Steve Nygaard (bottom)

Check It Out

JanJohnston,Collection Manager

FortVancouverRegional LibraryDistrict

You can emailJan atreadingforfun@fvrl org AsIm writingthiscolumn,SaintPatricksDayisjustafew daysaway IvehadafascinationwithIrelandsincethefourth grade Whysospecific?Well myteacheraskedeachstudent topicka countryandwriteapaperaboutitaswellasprovide representativeexamplesofthecountrysculture Ichose IrelandbecauseIhavesomeIrishin myfamilytree Thisfourth graderreallygotintotheshamrocksand leprechauns,but Ialso learneda lotaboutIrelandshistoryandsociety Fast forward 40+years andI’mstillcharmedbyeverythingIrish

PerhapsI’llbeluckyenoughtovisittheEmeraldIsleoneday andenjoyapintofGuinnessin a local pub TodaysIrish-themedreadinglistisjustasmallsamplingof booksavailableinthelibraryscollection Asismycustom, focusonthenonfictioncollectionbecausethereisa wealth of hidden gemsjustwaitingfortherightreaderattherighttime Butifyoureafan ofIrish-themedfiction,type Irelandfiction inthesearch boxatwwwfvrlorgandyou’llhavehundreds oftitlestochoosefrom No matteryourinterest-history cooking travel crafts music memoirs,fiction-thelibraryhas somethingforyou ErinGo Bragh!

•“All Standing:The Remarkable Story of the Jeanie Johnston,the Legendary Irish Famine Ship” by Kathryn Miles

•“The Farmette Cookbook:Recipes andAdventures from My Life on an IrishFarm” by Imen McDonnell

•“Fodor’s Essential Ireland”by Fodor’sTravel

• The Irish CountrywomensAssociation Book of Crafts:40 Projectsto Make at Home”by Irish Countrywomen’sAssociation

• SinginginIrish Gaelic:A PhoneticApproach to Singingin the Irish Language,Suitable for Non Irish-Speakers”by Mary McLaughlin

•“Time Pieces:A Dublin Memoir”byJohn Banville

New at theLibrary

FICTION

LeopardsHunt byChristineFeehan

“MurderintheTea Leaves”byLaura Childs

TheSunlitMan byBrandonSanderson

NONFICTION

“Supercommunicators:Howto Unlock theSecret

LanguageofConnection”by CharlesDuhigg

Empower yourself withnutrition know-how

(Family Features) Eating a balanced diet with fruits vegetables, whole grains, dairy and proteins is a crucial first step toward a healthy life

with

Even schedules and convenience foods readily available it’s important to incorporate habits like regular family mealsandmealplanningso you have a variety of betterfor-you snacks and recipes on hand Also important is leading by example and modeling healthy eating habits to help improve overall nutrition for you and your family members, especially children

If youarelooking for ways to make nutrition fun, the experts at Healthy Family Project along with its fruit and vegetable partners, are offering an online nutrition resource center as part of Mission for Nutrition 2024

Geared toward dietitians, nutrition professionals, and anyone involved in nutrition education, the resource center is a one-stop shop to make nutrition education fun and inspiring featuring

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Healthy Family Project spatula

additional resources and e-cookbook information from produce partners

infographics activities for kids andmore Dietitians and nutrition professionals can sign up to receive this years Mission for Nutrition kit, which is full of resources to use in classrooms, in-store with customers or wherever they’re supporting nutrition education Available by requestonly,thekitincludes

Aspartof themission,the partnerbrandsaremakinga donation to improve access to fresh produce in schools through the Foundation for Fresh Produce To find more resources tips, and recipes to encourage proper nutrition visit HealthyFamilyProject com

“WhatHaveWeHere?:Portraitsofa Life”byBillyDee

Williams

WhyWeRead:OnBookworms Libraries andJustOne

MorePageBeforeLightsOut byShannon Reed

CHILDREN

“MyFirstEarth Day”written andillustratedbyKarenKatz No MoreSchool April Fools! written byDanGutman illustratedbyJimPaillot

“TheOvereagerEgg”writtenandillustrated

Useful

Ihad adiscouragingday yesterday Idon’texpectanyonetokeeptrack heck I can’t keep track half the time But I got another rejection of my book from another editor with anotherpublishinghouse Ive read the stories of how long it has taken well-known authors to sell their first novel A publisher has to put a lot of money into a new book and the odds are slim that awriter’s first book will ever earnthatmoney back Publishers know this and so they are understandably cautious You would think I would be used to rejection by now Before I was even able to have my book read by publishers, I had to find an agent and they are swamped with letters from writers who want the samething

I do toseetheir book out inthe world

Now that I have my wonderful agent Annie,she isputtingalot of time into editing andworkingtosellmybook,andshemakes no money at all until the book sells It is a long process Everything takes months and months andinthe meantime Ikeepwriting becausethatisthe only part of theprocessI haveany controlover at all So when I got an update from Annie yesterday,Iknew fromthesubject line of the email it would not be good news The note read:

“HiAnnie

Thank you for the opportunity to read Carrie’s work She is a talented writer and I lovethe premise for this butI didnt connect with the characters quite as strongly as Id hoped It is with regret that I am a pass, but I hope you land the perfect home for this (or perhaps already have!)”

I added this rejection to a file I keep with the previous rejection letters Sometimes I read the comments later and generally I

-Carrie Classon '

don’t get too discouraged But yesterday I did I was grumpy and I felt more than a little sorry for myself So I took a day off Instead of writing,I went for alongwalk

And, asI was walking,I suddenly thought of my best friend who died seven years ago She was only 50 years old when she died, and I never met a person who was more alive I thought of how she would chew me out for wasting even part of one day feeling sorry for myself Take a teaspoon of cement Princess andharden up!”she wouldhave said

She was very good about saying things like that whenever I complained that what I was doing was too difficult I missed her no-nonsense advice her never-ending encouragement “I surecoulduse you now”I thought

And at that moment I realized I had lost sight of a really important thing Of course I write because it makes me happy But the reason writingmakesmehappyisbecauseI think the stuff I write might be useful

Maybe my writing will make somebody smile Maybe someone will feel less alone Maybe it will be used to line the bottom of a birdcage But whatever happens,Im hoping it will be useful in somesmall way

Itsnot really about me Or,as my beloved friendwouldsaywhenIgottoofullofmyself, Buy some lumber, build a bridge, and get over yourself!

Shewasgoodatthat asImentioned She was good at reminding me of what matters and seven years later she is still so very useful

To see photos check out CarrieClassonAuthor on Facebook or visit CarrieClasson com

Dogs at Work

When we see a dog we automatically think of a pet, but not all dogs are pets. Some dogs are working dogs and have very specific jobs to do. Some dogs search through the rubble of natural disasters like earthquakes. Other dogs assist in finding people trapped under feet of snow in an avalanche. The military and police have specially trained dogs to search for drugs, bombs and people who are hiding from them. Dogs also assist people who have medical conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, blindness and autism. Dogs have the ability to sense and smell things humans cannot, making them very useful in many different ways. These dogs are highly trained and may look like pets but they are not.

It is not something you see every day but assistance dogs are everywhere. The Americans With Disabilities Act protects the rights of people with disabilities. This act also protects the animals that assist them. Dogs who work as assistants are very specifically trained and are called partners. For instance guide dogs work with people who are blind. They have been trained to lead or guide their humans through the obstacles of life. They become the eyes for someone who is blind. Epilepsy and Diabetic patients go through a chemical change when they are about to have an episode. For example as sugars spike or drop in a person with diabetes the chemicals in their body changes. The dog can smell the change long before a human feels it. The dog then alerts its human partner and medical treatment can happen before the change becomes a crisis. All service dogs wear a vest. If you see a service or assistance dog don’t run up to it. It is very cute but it has a job to do and you might distract it.

Crossword!

Bah Ha Ha Ha

When a dog becomes a police animal it’s called a K-9. There are many jobs a K-9 can be trained to do like sniff out explosives, search for drugs and chase criminals. A K-9 is a police officer who works with a human partner. They also live together and will protect each other no matter what. Military dogs are also called K-9s. They help the military police but they can also train for combat. These dogs have gone to war many times and are used to smell for bombs and landmines, pass messages and detect enemy soldiers. One very special military dog is Sergeant Stubby. He was in WWI. Stubby caught a German Spy once, saved his soldiers from poisonous gas and delivered messages. He came back to the United States as a war hero. He has been in movies, books and has his very own statue. He isn’t the only canine military hero but he was the first.

Books!

Dog books at your favorite library.

Paws of Courage by Nancy

Furstinger

Sergeant Stubby by Ann

Bausum

Avalanches happen everywhere there are high mountain peaks and lots of snow. An avalanche happens when a large mass of snow breaks away from the rest of the snow and begins flowing downhill like a river. Everything and everyone in the path of this flood of snow is in danger. A person who is buried in an avalanche has 15-30 minutes to live under the snow. Avalanche dogs are trained to sniff out humans, dig through the snow when they find them and then pull them out of the hole they are stuck in. Avalanche dogs work with people on the ski patrols and they have saved 109 people in the last 12 years.

What do you call a magician’s service dog?

Cody A. Courson For The SenTinel

Many people strive to accomplish great things in their lives. It’s why New Year’s Resolutions are such a big thing. We don’t think about them much throughout the year, but every December and January, those lofty, previously unattainable goals live rent free in our minds. But why?

Because every one of us want to be better. We desire to achieve things that will make us healthier, happier, or more popular. But while many people dream of these things and go no further with it, Jenny Balcom, a Goldendale resident since 1988, puts on her running shoes and sets out to make her dreams a reality. Her love of running came from a decision to quit smoking and to start walking her dog every day. Those walks became intermittent jogs that eventually turned into non-stop, daily runs. As she increased in endurance and passion for the sport, she realized running could take her to amazing places.

“I came home one day after an 8-mile run, and I

S port S

told my husband, ‘I think I’m going to run a marathon,’” said Balcom, speaking of the day she made the decision. Her husband said, “Do you know how long a marathon is?”

“Yes! 26.2 miles!” said Balcom, already having made up her mind. “And since then, my husband has been nothing but supportive.”

So she set out to run her first marathon, training rigorously by herself every day. “I called it ghetto training,” said Balcom, “my goal was to run my first marathon in under four hours, and, after months of training, I finished in 4:09, and I was so proud of myself!” To anyone who knows anything about running, sub 5:30 is incredible for anyone, much less for your first marathon. Balcom continued, “I knew I could do better. After getting home, I trained some more and shaved 25 minutes off my time!”

By her third marathon, she had qualified for the world-famous Boston Marathon, and little did she know at the time, this would be the first stop in an unimaginable feat of endurance and dedication. “When I

was standing at the starting line at Boston, I remember feeling so much imposter syndrome. Here I was, a girl from a small town in Washington, about to run with some of the most elite runners in the world. It was an unforgettable experience.” The second time she ran the Boston Marathon (in which she would go on to complete six more times), she discovered a prize called the Abbott World Marathon Majors 6 Star Finisher, a medal created “to honor the marathon runners who complete all six major marathons [Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York].” “I was at my second Boston Marathon when I saw a woman walk by with the giant 6 Star Finisher medal. I grabbed my husband’s arm and said, ‘I need to do that!’ and I had an official goal in mind. I was going to get that medal,” Balcom recounts. She has been dedicated to reaching her goals, even in the face of setbacks and disappointments. “It’s been fun at times, and heartbreaking in others.” Jenny has dealt with shin splints, hamstring pain, and heel

issues. In 2020 she struggled with Haglund’s deformity, a painful, bony enlargement on the back of the heel, usually caused by high arches, a tight Achilles tendon, or walking on the outsides of your feet, but something that also commonly shows up for runners.

Since the injuries, she’s getting back into running at a high level, now running 50 miles a week on average. She just finished the Tokyo marathon on March 3, the fifth of six marathons towards the medal. Now her 20th marathon will be in London. And at that marathon, she’ll get the medal she’s been working so hard for.

“London is a lottery system, so you have to have your name drawn to get into it, and I’ve been trying for years.” says Balcom, “I got the opportunity to run in a cancer charity fun run and raise $5,000 to qualify for London, so I’m on my way! I’m not slowing down!”

When asked what advice she has for anyone looking to run their first marathon, she says, “Do it. Do not stop. Have heart and go for it.”

Jenny is a real-life exam-

ple, right here in Goldendale, of what can truly happen when you have a goal, and get up, go out, and execute that goal. Let’s cheer her on as she gets ready for

Corynn KAyser

For The SenTinel

Wednesday, March 13, was Goldendale High School’s first tennis match of the season. The team is still a little short on players until everyone completes their mandatory practices because a few students joined the team after the practice season had begun. This year’s tennis team is stacked with firstyear players. Although this is great for the program’s growth, there may be difficulties in the short term as the team gains experience in the game and gets over their competitive tensions that can hold them back. But the team is ready for the challenge and working hard to get to the top.

“Over the last nine years I have watched the popularity of tennis in Goldendale have a constant ebb and flow,” says Jenn Neil, GHS Tennis head coach. “This year I have 17 student/athletes on my roster, six of which are returning from last year, and the remaining 11 are brand new to the sport. The boys team consists of six student athletes, and the girls team has 11. This is an incredibly fun group of student athletes to get the opportunity to work with.”

Two of this team’s returning players had to battle with the struggle of changing from singles to doubles. It is a very tough transition to switch these matches up, let alone playing against the No. 3 spots. In the singles division junior, Hans Martin lost to Kenyon 0-6,0-6. Senior, Aiden Barnett got beat by Authur 0-6,1-6. In the doubles division, Jack Halm and Eduardo Aguilar-Bernal both freshmen lost to Matthew and Eden 0-6,0-6. The team as a whole, unfortunately, was defeated 0-5. This is not the way the boys wanted to kick off their season, but they are back on the court working extra hard in practice to make a comeback at the next match. The pressure for these athletes is a very hard thing to handle, and it will definitely take some time getting used to. But all these gritty Timberwolves are fired up and ready to take on every obstacle thrown their way for the remainder of the season.

The Goldendale’s girls team has four returning players from last year: Jeslyn and Taryn, who finished 3rd at State last year, and Linzy and Maddie.

These Goldendale High School girls had some successful matches to kick off the season. In the singles

matches, senior Taryn Rising won against Sarai 7-6,62. Unfortunately, after a hard fight, freshmen Rose Hanger lost to Jacqueline 0-6,0-6. Senior Jeslyn Berry and returning sophomore Maddie Groves beat Jessica and Daisy 6-2,6-1 in their doubles match. They had the experience and handled the pressure well to take them to this point. Sophomore Linzy Hana and senior Aubri McBride lost to Araceli and Natalie 0-6,3-6. After a very tough fight on the court, the girls team unfortunately lost 2-3. The girls have some very big shoes to step into this year after a successful last season leaving behind lots of graduates. But they are ready to keep working hard and ready to take on the challenge the remainder of the season.

“Jeslyn Berry and Taryn Rising are returning this year as seniors,” says Coach Neil. “This will be Jeslyn’s 4th year and Taryn’s 2nd year playing tennis. I really look forward to what this season holds for them, although this year they will have to play in the SCAC rather than the EWAC. That will make the District and State tournaments look a little different than last year for them.”

On Thursday, March 14, Goldendale High School hosted the match against LaSalle. Both teams matched in singles and doubles and had some tough competition. Unfortunately

for the boys tennis team, Hans Martin lost to Jackson 0-6,0-6, and Aiden Barnett lost to Markus 0-6,0-6. Jack Halm and Eduardo AguilarBernal were teamed up for doubles and lost to Isaac and Mason 0-6,0-6 The team as a whole lost 0-5 after a tough match. The boys are still trying to get in the groove for the season with lots of practice so they’re ready to go for next week’s games.

Coach Jenn Neil states, “With 65% of the tennis team being completely new to the sport, the current goal is get them up to speed and confident as quickly as possible.”

C AIMING AT 20 MARATHONS: Goldendale’s Jenny Balcom just finished the Tokyo Marathon and is headed for London.

the London Marathon on April 21. If you see her, give her a high five. Let’s let her know Goldendale believes in her.

Local woman to achieve milestone in marathon running Tennis Update

With every match these athletes attend, they show our purple and gold pride loud and clear to other schools. We are so proud to have such a great group of kids representing us throughout the state. Stay tuned for weekly updates on how our Timberwolves are doing the remainder of this exciting season!

yet had the opportunity to adequately deal with such a new level of competition. As they get a few more matches in, we have high hopes that these Timberwolves will be unstoppable. They are spending countless hours on the court to continue improving their skills and grow together as a team. Goldendale WashinGton B8 March 20, 2023

The Lady Wolves were hard at work this week and had some ups and downs for their matches against LaSalle. The team as a whole lost to a very close match 2-3 with some tough competition. Jeslyn Berry lost to Natalie 4-6,5-6. This was a very exciting match to watch due to how close our seniors got to defeating this single.

Genoveve 0-6,0-6 defeated our Timberwolf Genoveve 0-6,0-6 Rose Hanger. There was a lot of success by this group of girls in the doubles matches. Taryn Rising and Maddie Groves crushed it, beating the girls 4-6,6-4,6-0. These girls were on fire for Goldendale playing smart and aggressive throughout the entire match. We were very proud to see them succeed.

That wasn’t all the excitement for our Lady Wolves that day. Linzy Hana and Aubri McBride beat Halie and Mya 6-4,6-2. They worked together, showing great teamwork and perseverance to make our community proud.