On a recent afternoon, drivers pulling into a Goldendale gas station paused just long enough to glance across the Columbia River—not for the view, but for the numbers.
Right now, in the wake of the war involving Iran, those numbers can change depending on which side of the river, or which jurisdiction, you’re standing in.
Across Washington, gas prices have surged to some of the highest levels in the nation, with the statewide average climbing to about $5.30 per gallon in recent days, driven largely by global oil disruptions tied to the conflict. But for residents of Klickitat County, the story is not just about rising prices. It’s about where you buy your gas.
In Goldendale and much of south-central Washington, prices generally track close to the state average, often hovering near or above $5 per gallon. Cross the Columbia River into Oregon, however, and drivers can often find somewhat lower prices, though still elevated. Oregon’s statewide average recently landed in the high-$3 to low-$4 range earlier in the surge and has continued climbing into the $4 range as the war has unfolded.
April Fool’s DAy
County faces confusion over courthouse lawn usage
rodger NichoLs For the seNtiNeL
Klickitat County residents will be able to access more county services online, get some clarity around renting space on the courthouse lawn, and learn to drive slower on a pair of county roads as a result of the March 24 County Commissioner meeting.
Commissioners approved adding a citizen access portal to the SmartGov computer program used by the county after negotiating the price down from $25,000 to $10,000.
“The biggest benefit, I think, is communication with customers,” said Planning Director Scott Edelman. “Applicants will be able to apply for permits online, to go online to check the status of their permit, or to find out when their permit is expiring... I think there’s going to be a lot of ways that this will be beneficial, rather than somebody having to call in and say, ‘Hey, what’s go-
ing on with my permit?’”
During the morning workshop session, Public Works Director Jeff Hunter told commissioners he was concerned about the potential for problems on Saturday the 28th with two competing “No Kings” demonstrations near the courthouse:
“One is on the courthouse lawn, and that one is, ‘Jesus is my king. There are no other kings.’ That one has paid the permit fee and is staying on there... The next one is called No Kings, but this one is against Ferguson. And it’s on the sidewalk, so we didn’t issue a permit or anything because technically the sidewalk’s not ours.”
He said the commission should have a workshop on renting the courthouse lawn because the county had received a request to hold a family reunion on the lawn.
“We told the people at the family reunion, ‘If you use the courthouse lawn, you can’t make it
solely for you. This is a different venue than what we have at the fairgrounds. Fairgrounds, you rent the fairgrounds, it’s yours. This is the county seat.”
Building Director Lynn Ward returned from a conference with building directors from other states, and she shared the impression the professionals from elsewhere had about Washington’s energy policy.
“They were from like Colorado, Utah,” she said. “They were like, ‘Washington energy code is insane.’ And they said, ‘If we were asked to teach that class, we wouldn’t have gotten on the airplane.’”
She warned of increased problems to come with the latest statewide building code standards set to go into effect in 2027.
“Next year when we adopt the 2024 code, we will have no choice but to fully enforce the energy code portion, because they are going to start auditing, and if
Then there’s a third option familiar to many in the region: fueling up on the Yakama Reservation, including stations around Toppenish, where prices are often noticeably lower than in surrounding communities due to different tax structures. The result is a triangular economy of fuel, where geography—and jurisdiction—can mean savings of anywhere from a few cents to well over a dollar per gallon.
The reasons for the disparity are not new, but the Iran war has magnified them.
Washington already had some of the highest gas prices in the country before the conflict began, due to a combination of higher fuel taxes, environmental regulations, and supply constraints unique to the West Coast. Now, those baseline costs are colliding with global forces.
The war has disrupted oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz—a key artery for roughly 20% of the world’s petroleum supply—sending crude prices higher worldwide and pushing up gasoline prices in every state. Nationally, gas prices have jumped sharply since the conflict began, with increases exceeding 30% in some regions.
But in Washington, where prices were already elevated, the in-
New letters emerge in Conservation District case
Lou MarzeLes editor
A lawsuit filed earlier this year against the Central Klickitat Conservation District and its executive director, Loren Meagher, is drawing renewed scrutiny following the emergence of two additional letters alleging separate incidents of similar misconduct.
The case, filed January 23 in Klickitat County Superior Court, stems from allegations by former employee Megan Taylor, who claims she was subjected to sexual harassment, retaliation, unsafe working conditions, and wrongful termination during her tenure with the district.
One of the newly surfaced documents, a March 23, 2026, letter from Clark Conservation District Executive Director Zorah Oppenheimer, describes an incident she says occurred in May 2024 at a bar following a statewide Conservation District workshop in Ellensburg.
Oppenheimer wrote that she encountered two young women who reported that a man had touched one of them in a sexual and unwanted way. Based on their description, she identified Meagher
as the individual involved. She states that after she confronted him about his behavior, Meagher reacted aggressively, approaching her in a manner that caused concern among others present. According to the letter, multiple Conservation District managers intervened and had to physically pull Meagher away from Oppenheimer.
She wrote that she did not initially report the incident but later came forward after learning of other allegations. She also stated she attempted to contact leadership of the Klickitat Conservation Districts in January 2026 but did not receive a response.
A second account from a letter dated February 4, 2026, describes an alleged incident at the Top Hat bar in Goldendale. In that letter, Brian Woodruff states he witnessed a man he identified as Meagher making unwanted advances toward a woman. He wrote that the situation escalated when another individual intervened, at which point Meagher became physically aggressive.
According to the original complaint by Taylor, she was recruited in mid-2024 from the Klickitat
See Letters page A8
New bill addresses the penny problem
Jerry corNFieLd WashiNgtoN state staNdard
A new Washington state law offers a way to make change in an era without pennies.
The federal government stopped making pennies last year but intends to keep the roughly 114 billion pennies in existence in circulation for as long as possible.
Plenty of retailers aren’t stocking pennies in their tills already. It’s forced states to come up with a solution that offers clear guidelines for merchants and predictability for consumers.
House Bill 2334, signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday, is Washington’s approach. It allows but does not require retailers to round cash purchases up or down to the nearest 5 cents when they make change. Payments with credit or debit cards are not affected.
That means if the total price, including taxes, ends in 1 cent, 2 cents, 6 cents, or 7 cents, the
amount is rounded down to the nearest multiple of five. If it ends in 3, 4, 8 or 9 cents, the bill will be rounded up.
For example, if a purchase is $4.97 and a customer hands over $5, the cashier would round down to $4.95 and provide a nickel in change. If the amount is $4.98, the cashier would round up and no change would be paid out.
Rep. April Berg, D-Mill Creek, said she authored the legislation to address “the myriad of issues that consumers will face with the elimination of the currency. The sense of urgency increased around this issue as more and more retailers ran out of pennies to make change for customers.”
Retailers who already started rounding wanted a law to legitimize the process and to make clear how they reconcile the practice with tax reporting requirements. The law spells out that taxes and fees owed by a business are based on the purchase price prior to rounding.
Another key for businesses is
clear language that if the purchase amount after rounding is different than a displayed or advertised price, it does not violate the Consumer Protection Act. The state Department of Revenue estimates up to 400,000 taxpayers with retail sales will be affected. It will need to issue guidance and update relevant information on its website, work the agency says it can cover within its existing budget. The legislation was passed on final votes of 80-15 in the House and 45-2 in the Senate. It will take effect in mid-June.
Washington isn’t alone in adopting rounding as a method to solve the penny problem. Arizona’s law took effect last week. Florida, Tennessee, Virginia and New York are among the other states taking this path. The Oregon Legislature passed a rounding law earlier this month. It has an emergency clause and will take effect immediately if signed by Gov. Tina Kotek.
It’s The Sentinel’s April Fool’s Day issue, and we’ve planted a couple of April Fool’s Day stories in it. The first one to spot them gets a hearty “Well done!” and recognition in the paper. Note: to help you out, be advised the story below is definitely not one of the April Fool’s Day stories. Nope. No sirreee, this story is absolutely true, really happened.
First AI brain transplant successful
Lou
MarzeLes editor
Medical history was made last week when an artificial intelligence brain was successfully transplanted into the head of a man from Goldendale, Washington.
The man, whose name is being withheld for fear that it might resemble that of an actual person, had claimed for
years that his brain was only rented and that a brain collection firm had finally come out and repossessed it.
“Took it right out of my skull,” the man said. “I guess I fell asleep, and they grabbed it. I was only a couple of payments behind, and heck, it was only a few IQ points above moss.
Don’t know why they had to take it back so fast.”
After the brain repo, the man wandered aimlessly around town pondering how he was going to think from now on and musing on the irony that, even without a brain, he could ponder. And muse. He considered running for political office, given its low demand for intellection. That’s when the Japanese AI firm Okidoki found him.
See Brain page A8
White Salmon offers update on project traffic impacts
The City of White Salmon says it is aware of and shares the community’s frustration following significant traffic delays along SR 141 this week related to the Phase IIA Water Transmission Main Project.
On March 25, construction activity did not meet permitted traffic control requirements, resulting in delays that exceeded acceptable limits. In response, the Washington State Depart-
ment of Transportation (WSDOT) temporarily halted work while the situation was addressed. City staff, the project contractor, and WSDOT met immediately to review the issue and implement corrective actions to better manage traffic and reduce impacts moving forward. Construction was expected to resume on Monday, March 30, with the following updated
measures in place:
• Traffic delays will be limited to a maximum of 15 minutes
• School buses and emergency vehicles will be prioritized to ensure minimal disruption
• Work hours will shift to an earlier daily schedule to restore normal traffic flow by late afternoon These changes are designed to improve consistency and reduce the
extended delays experienced earlier this week, though they may slightly extend the duration of this phase of construction.
Looking ahead, the City anticipates a full roadway closure and detour along SR 141 (via SR 141 Alternate) beginning as early as the week of April 20, pending final approval from WSDOT. While detours can be an inconvenience, this approach is expected to pro -
Opioid overdose deaths drop nearly 50%
Tim Henderson Washington state standard
Since their peak less than three years ago, opioid overdose deaths dropped nearly by half as of October, according to a Stateline analysis. The drop comes as a shrinking fentanyl supply has made the drug weaker and less deadly and volunteer efforts get more people into treatment.
The weaker fentanyl tracks to a crackdown on materials used to make fentanyl in China around the time U.S. deaths started dropping in 2023. Some experts see it as a welcome, but possibly temporary, break for states in a scourge that boosted crime as people who are using the drugs sometimes fall into homelessness and steal to support fentanyl habits.
The numbers and rates of opioid overdose deaths fell for all races between 2023 and 2026, according to more detailed data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed by Stateline. That’s in contrast to an earlier trend from 2019 to 2023, when rates dropped only among white people and rose sharply among Black and Indigenous Americans.
Ohio had the nation’s largest decrease since mid2023, when the nation’s opioid overdose deaths peaked. Ohio has seen fewer deaths but more risky behavior
lately as fentanyl supplies dry up and people turn to substitutes tainted by animal tranquilizers.
Ohio is seeing a difference in the bottom line, said Erin Reed, director of RecoveryOhio, the state agency charged with reducing overdose deaths.
“We’re seeing things you would expect — like reductions in emergency department visits and reductions in Medicaid costs,” Reed said.
“But we’re also seeing a positive impact on violent crime and recidivism, and I think this is really, really encouraging. At the end of the day, people want to be safe.”
Sarah Beckman, 36, stopped using illicit drugs 11 years ago when she learned she was pregnant with her first child. Now she works through Hamilton County’s Quick Response Team to help Ohio residents who use fentanyl.
When overdoses peaked a few years ago, the team started spending more time talking to people after overdoses.
“We saw overdoses were going up and up and going out two days a week was not enough. We expanded it to full time,” Beckman said.
“That window is so small. It has to be kind of a perfect storm for an individual to be, like, ‘OK, I’m ready.’” Even if people aren’t ready for treatment, kindness can help build trust and pre -
vent some of the thefts and arrests that lead to police involvement, as it did for her when she stole to get money for drugs and was charged with resisting arrest, she said.
“When you’re in the midst of addiction you need help with everything. For us it’s just meeting people where they are and saying, ‘Hey, are you hungry? Do you have enough clothes?’” Beckman said. “You’re showing consistency and empathy, and by doing that, you can slowly move someone closer toward accepting overdose prevention materials or hopefully, eventually, treatment.”
Nationally there were 46,066 opioid overdose deaths in the year ending with October, barely more than half the peak of 86,075 in June 2023 and the lowest since April 2017. The numbers, often delayed because of the process of determining overdose deaths, were released this month based on information available March 1 by the federal National Vital Statistics System.
Deaths fell the most in Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia and Florida since June 2023, but increased in Alaska, Arizona, and Nevada.
In Ohio, annual deaths fell 63% from about 4,300 in June 2023 to about 1,600 as of October 2025.
As in many other states, deaths in Ohio started falling before 2023, but then dropped
more sharply—34% in that year alone, said Reed. Arizona and Nevada, however, saw deaths increase since the national peak in 2023. Arizona’s border crossings with Mexico are among the largest fentanyl smuggling points in the country, with fentanyl traffic dominated by the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico. One Arizona crossing, the Port of Lukeville, was the site of the largest fentanyl seizure in U.S. Customs and Border Protection history: 4 million fentanyl pills hidden in a trailer brought to the border by a 20-year-old U.S. citizen in July 2024.
The state’s notorious summer heat exacerbates overdose deaths, according to recent research.
Plentiful supply from the border may help explain continued increases in Arizona, said Will Humble, executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association, a public health workers organization.
Political infighting over how to spend the state government’s share of $1.2 billion in opioid settlement money hasn’t helped, he said. The state attorney general, governor and legislature have gone to court over plans to use some of the money to balance the state budget.
“Many other states are way ahead of Arizona when it comes to distributing the
vide more predictable travel times than escorted pilot detours during that phase of work.
The City is actively monitoring compliance with these updated requirements and coordinating closely with local partners, including the White Salmon Valley School District, to minimize impacts wherever possible.
“We understand the disruption this project is causing and sincerely appreciate
state portion of the opioid settlement dollars,” Humble said. “It could be there are fewer interventions because the state dollars are locked up. There’s this dispute in Arizona over who gets to decide. Many other states are not having this jurisdictional issue.”
On the national stage, opioid overdose deaths fell across demographic groups.
Even older Americans, whose overdose death numbers had surged earlier even as they fell for other groups, saw a 25% decline from 2023 to 2025, about half the national decrease, according to the Stateline analysis.
In a sign of a weaker fentanyl supply, the Drug Enforcement Administration said in December that 29% of the pills it seized in fiscal 2025 contained a lethal dose of fentanyl, down from 76% in fiscal 2023.
“These reductions in
the community’s patience as we work to complete this critical infrastructure improvement,” a statement from the City said. “This project will strengthen the reliability and resilience of White Salmon’s water system for years to come.” Residents with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the City of White Salmon Public Works Department.
potency and purity correlate with a decline in synthetic opioid deaths,” the DEA said.
Keith Humphreys, a health policy professor at Stanford University who testified to the U.S. Senate in 2023 about increases in accidental overdose deaths among older adults, told Stateline that a “fentanyl supply shock” originating in China made fentanyl supplies weaker. That would include fentanyl-tainted cocaine, which had caused many deaths among older Black men, Humphreys said.
“This likely includes some long-term cocaine users who had the bad luck to get cocaine that had fentanyl in it,” Humphreys said in an interview. White women are more likely to overdose on prescription drugs in order to commit suicide, a trend that would be less likely to be affected by fentanyl supply, he added.
GOLDENDALES ATTIC
Who
we
kind What was the occa- time, lost in the annals of
A LEO (law enforcement sion?When?Whoarethese yesteryear If you know ordropinattheoffice and officer),judgingbyhisuni- people?Darnedif weknow anything about it, please remember,yourewelcome form, anda lady holdinga Allweknowisthispicture sendusanemail(info@gol- tocome inand takea look framed certificateof some ran in The Sentinel some- dendalesentinelcom), or attheoriginalphotograph
LOOKINGBACK
March 31, 1887-139 Years Ago
DanielCramhasboughtfromThomasJohnsontheoldstorebuildingwhich wasoccupiedbyhimforastorepayingJohnson$700 DanielCramwilloccupy it in connection with Downer and Sloper company,for manufacturers grain fanning mills [In thelate1870s John Golden Goldendale’sfounder offered eightlotstothe person who built thefirst mercantileinGoldendale Thomas JohnsonbuiltthatstoreonthesiteknowntodayastheSleeperHouse]
March23, 1939-87 Years Ago
ChiefclaimantsofWilliamO Douglas PresidentRoosevelt’snewnomineeto theUnitedStatesSupremeCourtwillhavetomakeroomforKlickitatCounty DouglassfirstfirsthomeintheStateofWashingtonwasatClevelandineasternKlickitatCountywherehisfatherwasaPresbyterianMinister TheDouglasfamilymovedtoClevelandabout1903whenthenewsupremecourtnominee was onlyfour years old Whilein Cleveland theolder Douglasdied and his estatewasprobatedinKlickitatCounty’sSuperiorCourt,W G Faulkner,presentBickletonresident wasadministeroftheestate TheDouglasfamilymove fromClevelandin1905
March 4, 1976-50 Years Ago
HistoricalSocietyNotes:WenowhaveacountypermittoinstallaHistorical Societysignboard twomilessouthof Goldendaleonold Highway97 Wealso have permissionfor oneon BlockhouseRoad onemile west of town We now needtwoormorevolunteerstohelpsetthemup
TheGoldendaleChamberofCommerceisstillsellingitsbricks andthey’re wellonthewaytofundingVernMarkeePark AccordingtoChamberManager PamBaldwin,theyve raisedalmost$6,000overthe past twomonths Money raisedfrom nowon willgoto payfor a$1,500visitorinformationcenterand a$5,800Chamber office Thefinalstageof theparkconstructionisacentral foundation Richard Lefever
Klickitat County Historical Society
TwoofKlickitatcounty’s oldest residents Mr and Mrs Melville Monroe Warner will quietly celebrate their fifty-fifth wedding anniversary at their Goldendale home Friday,March18 Residents ofGoldendaleforthepast47 years,Mr andMrs Warner willobservetheirfifty-fifth anniversary in the same house they built here in 1895 Mrs Warner came to KlickitatCountyin1878,60 yearsago,fromSantaCruz, California Mr Warner, whowasborninIllinoisin 1861,cametoKlickitatfrom Californiain1879,59years ago Mrs Warnerwasborn inCaliforniain1865
WedInLogCabin
The elderly pioneers
9
9
were married in a log cabin in the High Prairie section March 18, 1883 by Reverend Thompson an early day Klickitat county minister Following their marriage Mr and Mrs Warner homesteaded in the High Prairie country andfarmed therefor eight years TheoriginalWarner homesteadisnowownedby LeoF Brune,ofDallesport
Coming to Goldendale in 1891, Mr Warner established a blacksmith shop in a building located across the street from the present Maurer Brothers’ Feed Store During the next 17 years Mr Warner was active in city affairs and public activities He
served four terms on the Goldendale city council in theearly1900’s PioneerSheriff Entering the county political field in 1908 Mr Warner waselectedsheriff of Klickitat county on the Republican ticket He served two consecutive two-year terms as sheriff, retiring from office in 1912 Again in1921he was elected Klickitat County sheriff, servinga two-year termexpiringin1923
During their long married lifein Goldendale Mr andMrs Warner have been active in fraternal affairs He is a member of the Masons, Odd Fellows, Elks and Knights of Pythias Mrs Warner has served as a grand officer of the Easter Star and is a memberoftheRebekahs ChildrenMayVisit Their two children Leonard,Sr,ofGoldendale and Mrs Esther Dunkleberger of Yakima, and other close friends and relatives of Mr and Mrs Warner are expected to join with them on the occasion of their wedding anniversary
Five years ago Mr and Mrs Warner celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversaryinGoldendale Atthattimemorethan140 friends, neighbors and relatives gathered at the Warnerhome
PioneerGoldendaleCouple Observe55thAnniversary March 17, 1938
I used to be one of Goldendale’s town drunks
Hello, Goldendale,
OpiniOn
My name is Randy Young. Although many of you knew, or knew of me, most of you never knew my name. I do not know how many of you remember me, but I was one of the town drunks back then. I am the little man who used to walk among you with my five-pronged walking stick or my handmade carts from old baby strollers, branches, and chicken wire. I used to go off on crazy, drunken tirades at times.
Well, I am writing to tell you what’s happened to me and where I am. I am in East Helena, Montana, and it is beautiful here. There are 10 times as many people here as in Goldendale.
As I stated, I was a terrible drunk when you knew me. I could not function without alcohol running through me every day, all day long, and I could not break free from it.
Now, one year later, thanks to God, I cannot function with any alcohol in me, any time or any day! I simply cannot drink anymore! My body simply can no longer connect with alcohol.
When you last knew me, I was unemployable and destitute with little hope and no direction or purpose. I could not drive or move. I was frozen in time.
Now, I work full time with benefits, drive a car, and I’m getting ahead! I do not recognize myself, and it kind of flips me out sometimes, but it sure is fun being sober and healthy.
I will always cherish and carry with me all the time I had with you. I was a town character, for sure, and you were all very patient, tolerant and long-suffering with me. Your mercy never ends. My gratitude is beyond measure.
You have seen me at my worst. May you now see me at my best! I miss you and will see you again, God willing.
Have a fun day and keep smiling! It makes everyone think you have gas!
Godspeed.
If you’d like to get in touch with me, here is my contact information: Randy Young, PO Box 273, East Helena, MT 59635; randywyoung509@gmail.com; (406) 916-1324.
THE GOLDENDALE SENTINEL
Official newspaper of Klickitat County, Washington
Established 1879 • Published every Wednesday from offices at 117 W. Main Street • Goldendale, WA 98620 • Telephone: (509) 773-3777 Emails: news@goldendalesentinel.com (News, editorial, Letters) Obits@goldendalesentinel.com (Obituaries) Classifieds @goldendalesentinel.com (Classified ads and inquiries) Ads @goldendalesentinel.com (Display advertising information and inquiries) Legals @goldendalesentinel.com (Legal and public notices) Payables@goldendalesentinel.com
Receivables@goldendalesentinel.com Events @goldendalesentinel.com (Events and activities)
Editorial: Lou Marzeles, Editor & Publisher Business and office staff: Owned by Tartan Publications, Inc. Leslie Geatches, President, Financial management, Special Section production, Ad Design Naomi James, Bookkeeping
News and letters:
Subscriptions: Goldendale Carrier: 1 Year: $40 2 Years: $70 3 Years: $100 Add $1 to print and get an online subscription. Same prices within Klickitat County. Outside County: $60, $110, $160 USPS 2213-6000 WEEKLY. Periodical postage paid at Goldendale Post Office, Goldendale, WA 98620. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Goldendale Sentinel, 117 W. Main Street, Goldendale, WA 98620-9526.
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. 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
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.
Letters from the community
It’s a great gift
It is hard to believe that some people in Goldendale wouldn’t be proud and honored to have the largest patriotic symbol of America in the entire state right here.
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.
This is a gift from Ty and Barbara Ross to our community, and what a lack of gratitude to be against such a fine donation to our town. A sign on Highway 97 advertising the attraction would bring in people, and many of them would stop to see the flag, have lunch, buy some goodies at the store, and cruise the farmers market; and possibly an ambitious entrepreneur would have some souvenirs to sell. I can’t see anything but positive.
The arguments against it are unreasonable. Funny how there was no one worried about digging up the ground to put in the new annex or about the height. What about wind and solar digging up the ground in places where Indian artifacts could be or the wind turbines being 340 feet and taller?
Ken McKune Goldendale
C
“No King Ferguson- Save Washington State” Rally—and the turnout was great. From ages 17 to 93, residents stood together, peacefully and proudly, to voice concerns about the direction of our state and the growing sense that every day, tax paying citizens are being ignored. The energy was strong, the message was clear, and the community support was overwhelmingly positive.
Many Washingtonians believe that state leadership has moved in a direction that feels heavy handed, and they worry about policies that expand government power while limiting individual freedoms. For those who share these concerns, speaking up is not an act of hostility— it is an act of civic responsibility.
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. 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.
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.”
“For No Reason At All” I particularly found offensive.
The one last holdout commissioner is not representing the overwhelming majority, and again you have to wonder why? The picture that Scott Robinson presented showing the flagpole with the courthouse in the background broadens the full focus of the courthouse.
The Rosses deserve a big thank you!
Delmer Eldred Goldendale
Progress comes from brave people
This past Saturday, our community gathered in Goldendale for the
For those who believe a milder approach is all that’s needed, history tells a different story. There has never been a moment in this country’s past when quiet compliance created meaningful change. Every major turning point—from our fight for independence, to the abolition movement, to civil rights—was driven by citizens who were willing to stand up, speak out, and refuse to be ignored. Progress has always come from people who were brave enough to challenge the status quo, not those who handed out hugs and hoped it would fix itself.
What we saw on Saturday was the beginning of that same spirit rising again. People from all walks of life showed up because they believe our beautiful state is worth defending! Join the rebellion—save Washington State.
Erin Hartford Lyle
Ken Margraf Goldendale
It’s disappointing I was disappointed but not shocked by the vitriolic reaction on social media to last weekend’s so called NO Kings rallies. Why is it, I wondered, that we have to reach into our inner neanderthal mind to mock and ridicule people with different opinions than ours? Isn’t it true that if they think differently than you, that means you think differently than them? So does that make you a moron, idiot, stupid, or any other sophomoric insult?
It is estimated that over eight million people held protest rallies, large and small, to peacefully voice their concerns and opinions. Isn’t the peaceful exercise of your right to free speech and assemble something that should be praised? Isn’t that, in fact, what makes America great? Our government structure is based on the belief that serious debate, collaboration, and compromise are what produce the best results for all of society. In Stephen Covey’s seminal book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Habit 5 is “Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood.” Isn’t this what we should strive for in a free and unfortunately polarized society? Shouldn’t we be maturely debating really important issues instead of hurling insults and not listening?
Another great mind once asked us to live by Faith, Hope, and Love and the greatest is Love. We could certainly use more love and understanding as we face a world increasingly hostile to civility and fraternity.
Tom Nemmert Goldendale
Guidelines for Letters
Letters to the editor should be original and comment on an issue. Deadline for letters is noon Monday for the same week’s paper.
Requests to keep letters exactly as written when published cannot be honored. All letters are subject to editing for grammar, spelling, clarity, and/or brevity.
There is a suggested length limit of about 300 words.
Unsigned letters (including anonymity requests), letters with fictitious signatures, letters with multiple signatures, or letters to public officials are not accepted.
Please keep the tone of letters free of rants, wild speculation, unsubstantiated claims, or pointedly personal comments. Letters that go overboard in these directions will be refused publication.
Writers must include name, city/town of residence, and phone number for verification purposes. (Street address is not required, only city or town.)
H ometown
Medicare fraud is rampant
The Glenwood Grange No. 94 held a very informative meeting on the afternoon of Sunday, March 29, with President Linda Williams presiding. Special guests were Lucille Bevis and Richard Lefever from Goldendale. After the official opening of the meeting, Grange business was discussed. Lucille and Richard provided valuable input to questions regarding current Grange requirements and history. Member Jerry Dean discussed plans for the upcoming Camas Prairie and Vicinity meeting and tour. The Glenwood Grange is a very valuable part of the Glenwood history. After the official meeting closed, members enjoyed a lunch of pizza, veggie snacks, and cookies, along with a lot of great visiting. School is back in session after a nice spring break for students and staff. I looked at the school calendar and saw that April is jam-packed with track meets. Our track and field athletes will be very busy with practice and meets, but I’ve heard we have a pretty awesome track team this year. Good luck, Glenwood. If parents of Glenwood students haven’t received word, please make a note that parent/teacher conferences will take place on Wednesday, April 8, beginning at 3 p.m. If you won’t be able to meet with teachers that afternoon, please call Mrs. Troh in the school office at (509) 364-3438 to schedule a different time. I will apologize here for veering away from community news, but I feel this, while not local
Glenwood news as such, needs to be put out there. Here’s a heads up for senior citizens who might be reading this news or if you are involved in the care of elderly parents. A while back, my husband and I received Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from our secondary insurance, showing multiple billing dates for around $2,000 each for each of us. Those EOBs don’t show what those visits or equipment are for. If it’s to a provider we use, we know it was a correct insurance claim. But neither provider name was at all familiar. I called the Blue Cross regional headquarters number and learned those claims were determined to be fraudulent and were not paid and we would not be billed by Blue Cross. A while after we received those EOBs, we received our quarterly Medicare EOBs, where the providers and the exact descriptions of equipment those providers claimed to send to us monthly over a span of several months. Some were not paid by Medicare, but one claim was. I called Medicare and was connected to the Medicare Fraud department. They said those companies were flagged as fraudulent and the payments already made by Medicare had been canceled and we would not be billed for that unusual equipment we were not prescribed, did not receive, and never needed.
I mentioned those fraudulent claims in a Facebook post, and that sure opened the floodgates. I was just astounded at how many of our family and
friends were also victims of fraudulent Medicare and secondary insurance fraud. I don’t think not all of us have any care providers in common here in our area, so how scammers got our Medicare and secondary insurance member numbers is a mystery. I’m urging all of you to please check your Explanations of Benefits for both your Medicare and secondary insurance and see if any fraudulent
claims have been made on your insurance accounts. If so, please call the appropriate numbers and report the fraud as soon as possible. It makes me very angry that scammers are tainting medical insurance coverage we all earned and worked hard for and still pay premiums for.
Let me know if you have anything you would like included in next week’s news.
Ag Hunt for Ag Day
GaGe Halm GmS FFa RepoRteR
On March 23–24, 2026, Goldendale Middle School FFA members hosted an Ag Fact Hunt in celebration of National Ag Day. The event took place on the GMS playground, where FFA members guided 5th and 6th graders through an interactive activity designed to build agricultural literacy and spark excitement for joining FFA in the future. FFA members began by researching agricultural
facts and creating 416 fact cards. Fourteen committee members then stuffed and hid 300 plastic eggs across the playground. During the hunt, 59 FFA members helped 156 students search for the eggs, read their facts, and learn about agriculture beyond traditional farming. After finding their facts, students used sidewalk chalk to write the information and draw illustrations, creating a colorful public display that shared ag knowledge with the community.
This Calendar of Events listing is FREE! Email your event to events@goldendalesentinel.com or call 509-773-3777.
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EASTER ACTIVITIES:L
April 2, Maundy Service: 5:30 p.m. at the Goldendale United Methodist Church on Broadway & Columbus.
April 3, Good Friday Service & Communion: 4 p.m. Community Grace Brethren Church, 1180 S. Roosevelt in Goldendale.
April 4, American Legion Annual Easter Egg Hunt! 11 a.m. sharp at the Klickitat County Fairgrounds. DO NOT BE LATE.
April 4, Glenwood Easter Egg Hunt: 10 a.m. at the Community Park This year the park will be divided into the following groups: preschool, kindergarten through second grade, and third through fifth grade. The hunt will begin at 10 a.m. Many of the eggs are specially marked with money amounts or the words “Bunny Bucks.” Those eggs can be redeemed at the Women’s Club table. A huge thanks goes to Claude McKenzie at the Glenwood General Store for, once again, donating Bunny Bucks, which can be spent at the store.
Easter Egg Hunt at Market Fresh: 8 a.m. at Market Fresh grocery store in Goldendale. Ages 12 & under.
April 4, 14th Annual Easter Egg Hunt in the Water: 2 - 4 p.m. at the Goldendale Swimming Pool, 401 N. King Street. Visit our website for age group times: centralklickitatparksandrecreation.com/communityevents/easter-egg-hunt. April 5, 20, Sunrise Service: 6
Regular Happenings
• Free Community Kitchen
To-Go Meals: the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month and every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 5 or 5:30 until the food runs out. Methodist Church on the corner of Columbus and Broadway.
• Alcoholics Anonymous, Goldendale United Methodist Church, 7-8 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Monday
• Wishram Community Council Meetings are the second Monday of the month at 5:30 in the school lunchroom building
• To Your Health, Plant based Food Matters seminars on the physiology of nutrition, Join us the 1st monday of the month from 5:30 - 87 p.m. for a potluck dinner, sharing recipes and ideas, as well as a chance to learn.
The Better Livin Center, 59 Bicleton Rd 509-250-1354 Faye.
• Dr. Ogden’s Street Jam every Monday at 7 p.m. in front of the Goldendale Senior Center
• Lyle Lions Meeting 6 p.m. the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. Lyle Lions Community Center.
• Popup Café – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Lunch and support group at the Masonic Lodge on Columbus. Café is open weekly on Monday and Wednesday.
• The Coalition for Preventing Abuse in Klickitat County (CPAKC) 3:30 p.m. every 2nd Monday at the Goldendale Library. 509-773-3776 or CPAKC on Facebook.
• Goldendale City Council
meetings 6 p.m. 1103 S Columbus 1st and 3rd Monday of every month (Tuesday if Mon-
Community Events
a.m., New Life Assembly of God Church.
April 3, The Lost Photos of the Columbia Gorge (1914 - 1930) 7 p.m. at The Bingen Theater, 210 N Oak Street in Bingen. A special presentation of newly restored historical photographs of the Columbia River Gorge, Celilo Falls, and surrounding regions. Photographer I. R. Robison captured these images on glass plate negatives between 1914 and the 1930s. Many depict places that no longer exist—a rare visual record of the Pacific Northwest during dramatic change. $10 advance / $15 door In partnership with Gorge Heritage Museum RESERVED SEATING! https://www.bigbritches. org/the-lost-photos-of-thecolumbia-gorge April 10 - 12, Bingen & White Salmon Community Yard Sales: Clean out your closets, sell unwanted items, and earn extra cash while shoppers hunt for their next great find. Participation is free, no city permit required, and we’ll promote the event and create the community sales map. Register by April 7 (by 1 PM) to be included on the map—just email info. mtadamschamber@gmail. com and share whether you’re a person or business, your days/times, address, free pile (yes/no), and four words to describe your stuff. April 11 Little League Opening Ceremonies: 10 a.m. at Ekone Park in Goldendale
April 11 Growing Through The Seasons: Goat Education 101: 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Goldendale Community Library. Join us to learn practical goat care for the homestead. Whether you’re just curious or ready to dive in, this class is designed to teach you the fundamentals of goat care and the many ways goats can become valuable members of your homestead. We will cover
day is a holiday) https://www. ci.goldendale.wa.us/
• Adult 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. goldendaleschools.org/ about/school-board
• Goldendale School Board Meeting: 4th Monday of the month at the High School Cafeteria.
Tuesday
• White Salmon-Bingen Rotary Meeting every Tuesday at 301 Dewalt Dr, White Salmon.
• Adult Fiber Art Social Circle: 2nd Tuesday of the month from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. at the Goldendale Community Library
• EPIC Youth Center Games: 3 - 4:30 p.m. every Tuesday. All students (1st grade and up) welcome to come meet new friends and play a variety of games. A release of liabilities and a parent agreement of conduct must be on file. Youth under 8 must be checked in by a parent. Visit epicyouthcenter.org for forms.
• Wellness Warriors 3 – 4 p.m. on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the Goldendale Library Join us as our local health department nurses teach us about different wellness topics to keep ourselves safe an healthy. Topics include: Hand Hygiene, Nutrition, Physical Activity, Emotional Health, & Safety/ Injury Prevention. All ages are welcome, topics will be covered
a range of topics from how to choose the right breed for your goals to basic care and shelter considerations. Bring your curiosity and love for goats to this engaging workshop!
April 16, Tourism at the Table: 12 p.m. at 115 W Court. Tourism at the Table is a collaborative roundtable designed to gather input from tourism event coordinators, venue owners, lodging partners, attractions, and hospitality businesses throughout Goldendale and Klickitat County.
As we plan for the 2026 tourism season, the Chamber is seeking direct feedback on how we can best support and amplify the work already hap-
nity to shape how we provide inhouse marketing support, event promotion, website visibility, visitor center coordination, and shared information efforts in the year ahead.
This facilitated working lunch will focus on identifying needs, aligning messaging, and strengthening collaboration within our tourism industry so that together we can enhance the visitor experience across Klickitat County.
If you play a role in attracting or welcoming visitors, we invite you to have a seat at the table and help shape the strategy for 2026
April 17, Paint Night: 6:30 - 8:30 p/.m. at the Field of Stars
Boutique and let your imagination come to life Join us for a magical Paint Night where we’ll be creating a whimsical mushroom under a starry night sky—a dreamy piece perfect for beginners and seasoned creatives alike. Whether you’re coming solo for some peaceful self-care or bringing friends for a fun night out, this experience is all about relaxing, creating, and connecting.
We’ll provide everything you need, including all painting supplies, along with delicious snacks and drinks to enjoy as you create. You’ll be guided step-by-step, so no prior painting experience is needed—just bring your creativity and an open heart. All supplies included. Snacks & drinks provided Beginner-friendly instruction. A magical, cozy atmosphere. Tickets: $40. Spots are limited, so be sure to reserve yours early! www.fieldofstarsboutique.com/events
April 24 - 26: The Maryhill Ratz 2026 Spring Freeride: Registration opens Saturday, January 31st at 10am PST online at www.maryhillratz.com
3 day tickets are $300. 1 and 2 day tix will be available at the hill paid in cash - $125 per day. The Spring Free4-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.
race on Saturday. A Free-4-All is just as it sounds, anything goes downhill!
This event is open to all skill levels and any gravity powered vehicle is welcome.
April 26, Mommy & Me Magical Tea: 1 p.m. at Field of Stars Boutique in Goldendale. Join us for a storybook-inspired high tea designed for mothers and their little loves. Our boutique will transform into a whimsical wonderland filled with florals, fairy magic, and beautifully set tea tables. Each table will enjoy: Traditional tea service with herbal and classic blends Tiered trays of delicate pastries, fresh fruit, and finger sandwiches m Warm scones with clotted cream and jam, Sparkling fairy desserts. A special visit from a magical fairy guest. A sweet take-home keepsake
This 90-minute experience is designed to slow down time, create beautiful memories, and celebrate the magic between mother and child.
Dress in your finest tea party attire — florals, lace, fairy wings, crowns, or Wonderland whimsy encouraged.Spots are limited to keep the experience intimate and magical.Tickets: $65 per Mommy & Me pair
Additional child: $25
May 2, Opening Day for the Goldendale Farmers Market: 9 a.m - 2 p.m. every Saturday May 8 - 10, 2026 Home and Garden Show: Visit their website for times. Free admission, everyone is welcome! Join us Mother’s Day weekend for the 15th Annual Goldendale Home & Garden Show, a beloved community tradition celebrating spring, home, gardens, and local businesses in the heart of Goldendale.
pening across our community. While this event is not a funding opportunity, it is an opportu-
at an elementary school level.
• Board of County Commissioners meeting every Tuesday Klickitat County Courthouse, 205 S Columbus Goldendale. Visit www.klickitatcounty. org/643/Board-of-CountyCommissioners for information, agenda, and link for Zoom meeting.
• TOPS Club Inc. – Taking Pounds off Sensibly 10 a.m. at he American Legion on Broadway. Questions? Sally/ojala@gmail. com.
• KC Fair Board Meetings 1st Tuesday of the month is a Workshop, 3rd Tuesday of the month is a Board Meeting.
• Soroptimist International of Goldendale, 5:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Dedicated to helping women and youth in our community and worldwide. All welcome. Contact Betty 509250-3746.
• BINGO night: 3 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the High Prairie Community Center on Struck Rd. Meals and cards for purchase (discounted kids’ meals) Come meet your neighbours and enjoy some family fun!
Wednesday
• PARENTS of Murdered Children group meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month at the American Legion at 6 p.m.
• GAMES! Pinochle, cards, dominoes, and more every Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Goldendale Senior Center on East Main. All are welcome!
• Healing Song Circle: 6:30 –7:30 p.m. every 4th Wednesday of the month, Missing Corner in BZ Corner. By donation $1020, no one turned away. RSVP
at laurarosedoctor@gmail.com, 509-637-9425.
• Family Storytime: 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the Goldendale Community Library.
• Learn and Play! – 2 – 3 p.m. every 2nd Wednesday of the month at the Goldendale Primary School. Fun and learning for you and your little ones up to 5 years!
• 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.
• 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
• Dog Obedience and Agility Classes Fundraiser for the 4H Dog Project. Every Thursday at .6 p.m. all summer at Father’s House Fellowship Hall. Proof of vaccinations required Kids and Adults welcome Puppies need 1st series of shots completed 509 -250-1623 for more info
• EPIC Youth Center Games: 6:30 - 8 p.m. every Thursday. 5th grade and older welcome though a release of liabilities and parent agreement of conduct must be on file. Visit epicyouthcenter.org for forms.
• Rosary every Thursday evening at 6 p.m. at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church 307 Schuster in
Do you like riding in large packs? Then the Free-4-All’s are for you! The pack riding is legendary so come and be a part of some of the largest packs anywhere in the world. There will also be some racing, including the Zealous outlaw
Goldendale.
• Drinking Democratically 6 - 7:30 p.m. the third Thursday of the month. Food and drink available for purchase. Call Carol for location 971-404-1935
• Learn and Play! 10:30 –11:30 a.m. at the White Salmon Library. Stories, songs, puppets, crafts and more for young children (birth through 5 yrs) and their parents or caregivers presented by White Salmon Valley Community Library Staff. Free book for each participant provided by the FVRL Foundation.
• Goldendale Grange #49 Meeting – 4th Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at 228 E Darland in Goldendale
• Bingo at the Goldendale American Legion Thursdayscard 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 Lori Sweeney 503-260-7129
• WAGAP Mobile Food Bank
– 1st Thursday of the month: 9-10:30 a.m. Wishram school, 10:45 - 11:30 Wishram Heights Housing, 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 509-493-2662 ext 208 for more information.
• Narcotics Anonymous, 7 - 8 p.m. weekly at United Methodist Church, 109 E Broadway Goldendale.
Friday
• Open sewing, knitting, or whatever you do every Friday from 1 - 4 p.m. at Wild Daffodil and 3C’s Fabric in their new
Whether you’re looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift, planning spring projects, or simply wanting to enjoy a weekend out supporting local businesses, the Goldendale Home & Garden Show is the perfect place to gather, explore, and celebrate the season.
location $10.
• Lyle Community Game Day 1 p.m. the third Friday of every month at the Lyle Lions Community Center.
• Bingo – 2nd & 4th Friday of the month, Mt Adams Elks Lodge 124 NE Church Ave, White Salmon. Doors open at 5:30, Bingo at 6 and the Salmon Run Grill is open from 5:30 –7:30
• Knitting and Stitching Circle 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. White Salmon Community Library
Saturday
• Goldendale Farmers Market May thru October at the Goldendale Chamber of Commerce on Broadway every Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• High Prairie Farmers Market 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. the first and third Saturday of the month. Vendors please call Bea 509637-0584
• Hope Neighborhood 4:306:00 p.m. 115 E Main Street, Goldendale at the Goldendale Senior Center. A time of fellowship, bible reading, and discussion for those seeking to learn and grow in God’s word.
• Lyle Lions Pancake Breakfast 1st Saturday of every month 7 a.m. -10 a.m. Omelettes 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 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Senior Center 3rd Saturday of every month, 115 E. Main St. Goldendale
• Family Storytimes 10:30 –11:30 a.m. 1st Saturday of the month @ the Goldendale Library
Boutique, 4 Bickleton Hwy in Goldendale. Step into a cozy, creative evening at Field of Stars
O BITUA RIES
Sydney Aline (Coburn) Wagner
In Loving Memory of Sydney Aline (Coburn)
Wagner April 4, 1947 –March 25, 2026
Sydney Aline (Coburn) Wagner, 78, of Goldendale passed away peacefully at her home on March 25, 2026, after a long and difficult battle with complications resulting from the removal of a benign brain tumor in April 2020.
Sydney was born on April 4, 1947, in King City, California, to Harold Elwood Coburn and Susan (Hall) Coburn. She joined her family as the younger sister of Susan (Coburn) Hughs. Sydney spent most of her childhood in the beautiful town of Deer Lodge, Montana, where many of her fondest memories were made. She graduated from Helena High School and later attended Carroll College in Helena, Montana.
As a young teenager in Deer Lodge, Sydney was introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by a school friend. This invitation led to a lifelong love for the Church, and she remained a devoted and active member throughout her life, finding great joy and purpose in her faith.
In the spring of 1967, Sydney moved to Seattle, Washington, where she met and fell in love with Raymond Wagner. They were married and sealed for time and all eternity in the Oakland California Temple on August 27, 1968. Together, they built a beautiful life and raised five children. Sydney was a loving and devoted mother who gave selflessly to her family. She found special joy in crafting, creating, and spending meaningful time with her children and grandchildren. She loved playing the piano, filling her home and church with music
and warmth. Sydney was preceded in death by her father, Harold Elwood Coburn; her mother, Susan (Hall) Coburn House; and her beloved uncle, Webb Hall. She is survived by her loving husband, Raymond J. Wagner; her five children: Aline Marie Rahm; Brent Raymond (Lynn) Wagner; Susan Ruth (Daniel) Keough; Rozann Anderson; and Loren Hall (Aiden) Wagner. She is also survived by her 15 grandchildren: Kaeden Rahm, Ivan Rahm, Gino Vega, Jaiden Vega, Tristan Wagner, Ronin Wagner, Keaton Wagner, Connor Keough, Owen Keough, Logan Anderson, Levi Wagner, Sariah Wagner, Ephraim Wagner, John Wagner, and Miriam Wagner. Additional survivors include her sister, Susan Coburn Hughs; her nephew, Tyler (Ali) Hughs; and her greatnephews, Boon Hughs and Hero Hughs.
Sydney had a deep and abiding love for the ocean. She spent both her honeymoon and her momentous 50th wedding anniversary on the beaches of Hawaii, and she created many cheerful memories with her family along the Pacific coast. The beach will forever be a place where her loved ones feel her presence.
She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.
Funeral services for Sydney Aline Wagner will be held on April 11, 2026, at 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, located at 104 McKinley Street in Goldendale, Washington. A graveside service will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, 900 North Columbus Avenue, Goldendale, Washington. Arrangements assisted by Columbia Hills Memorial Chapel.
Donald J. Lee
Donald J. Lee died Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Moscow, Idaho.
4-H happenings for March
Patricia Shamel For The SenTinel
We would like to introduce Sophia, your 2026 4-H representative. She is 15 years old, a Goldendale High School student and in her second year of 4-H. During her first year in 4-H she learned so many things and developed so many amazing life skills. It has helped her grow her love for agriculture and passion for the cattle industry. She is glad that her parents have given her this amazing opportunity to grow as a cattlewoman. Throughout this year she wants to encourage others to join the Klickitat County 4-H program, where they can learn many new life skills to use now and in the
future. 4-H is a program that has something for everyone. From Still Life projects such as canning, sewing, baking, Legos and wood working, to animal projects such as cattle, sheep, chickens, horse, and dogs as well. There is truly a project for everyone whether traditional projects or ones that make you reach for new levels Sophia says she cannot wait to see what this amazing year will bring! Spring Horse Camp is coming April 4 at the Klickitat County Fairgrounds. This is a one-day clinic to get everyone out to start the season of horse events.
April 18 will bring a Market Livestock Nutrition Clinic for 4-H and FFA Members at the Fairgrounds. It begins at 9 a.m. with Swine,
then 10:30 a.m. for Goats and Sheep, and 2:30 p.m. for Beef. This very educational and informative opportunity can be registered for on-line or by contacting the WSU Extension Office. There are some great opportunities such as clinics and sales for Goat members by checking the Klickitat County Fair Goat Department Facebook page. Sonya Shields has posted many great events there. It is also time to start preparing for the Klickitat County Buckle Schooling Show Series. This is a performance-based horse show with three opportunities and three great judges. The first one will be held May 24 at Broken Spur Arena just outside of Goldendale.
Inheritance Charity email scam surfaces in Goldendale
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A newly circulating email scam targeting local residents is raising concerns among officials and cybersecurity experts who say the message follows a wellknown pattern designed to exploit trust, sympathy, and curiosity.
The scam, which has recently appeared in inboxes across the Goldendale area, presents itself as a personal appeal from a woman claiming to be terminally ill and seeking help distributing a large inheritance to charitable causes. The message, titled “Can I Trust You My Friend??...,” attempts to establish an emotional connection while offering the recipient a significant financial reward.
According to the document provided to the Sentinel, the sender identifies herself as “Mrs. Joahana Lee Creek from London,” a 70-year-old widow allegedly suffering from endometrial cancer. She claims to have $9 million deposited in a bank following the death of her husband and asks the recipient to help distribute the funds, promising to award 40% of the money to the recipient for their assistance.
While the message insists that no upfront payment is required, authorities warn that such scams typically evolve after an initial response. Victims who engage are often drawn into a longer exchange in which scammers eventually request personal information, banking details, or fees under the guise of legal, processing, or transfer costs.
This type of fraud is commonly known as an “advance-fee” or “inheritance” scam, and it has been circulating globally for decades in various forms. The hallmark features include:
A large, unexpected sum of money offered to a stranger
An urgent or emotional backstory, often involving illness or death
• A request for trust and confidentiality
A promise of reward with little or no effort required Experts say the goal is to hook recipients emotionally before shifting to financial exploitation.
Why it works
Scammers rely on psychological tactics as much as technical ones. By invoking themes of mortality, charity, and trust, the message attempts to bypass skepticism. The inclusion of
religious neutrality—stating that any faith is acceptable—broadens its appeal and reinforces the illusion of sincerity.
“These messages are crafted to feel personal and meaningful,” one cybersecurity specialist noted. “But they’re sent out in bulk to thousands of people, hoping a few will respond.”
Residents are urged to be cautious of unsolicited emails that:
• Come from unknown senders with elaborate personal stories
Offer large sums of money for minimal involvement
• Request replies to continue a private arrangement
• Contain grammatical inconsistencies or unusual phrasing
So what should you do if you receive a message like this? Here are some do’s and
don’ts:
• Do not respond
• Do not click on any links or attachments
• Do not share personal or financial information
Mark the email as spam or phishing in your email provider
• Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc. gov Local officials emphasize that legitimate charities and financial institutions do not solicit strangers in this manner. As scams continue to evolve, residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and to discuss suspicious messages with friends and family—particularly older individuals, who are often targeted in these schemes. “If something sounds too good to be true,” officials said, “it almost always is.”
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JERRYCORNFIELD barforthenation
WASHINGTONSTATESTANDARD
Inthepastdecade Washington has become one of the most expensive states tolivein
Drawing from an array of federal and state data, a new analysis shows the states cost of living rising faster than the national averageoverthattime,with only California, New Jersey Hawaii and Washington, DC considered more expensivein2023
The 12-page Prices We Pay report produced by the Washington Roundtable in concert with researchers at the consultancy Kinetic West details the areas where Washingtonisbecominglessaffordable Itsauthorsdontsuggest actions to bend the curve instead hoping the data will inform decision making by public and private sectorleaders
“We have to understand what’s driving these cost pressures, said Rachel Smith president of the Washington Roundtable, a voice for senior executives ofmajorbusinesses
“No one sector can solve thischallengealone,”Smith said in a statement “After all, government doesnt set the price of your refrigerator repair or your dinner out, and businesses don’t set taxor regulatorypolicy but those decisions are deeplyconnected”
Future reports will explore ways to address affordability Smith said that for now, Washington should endeavor to be average” on tax policy rather than the high
And drivers should be aware that a couple roads Concurrence to Award inthecountywillhavenew lower speed limits, follow- Purchase inga public hearingat the • Execution of the Conmeeting Klickitat County tract Retainage Bondfor Engineer SethScarola said the new lower limits will Project applytoallof CountsRoad • Local agency agreement and Hill Road from Butts Road to Pine Forest Road Each is roughly 2.3 miles long Neither are posted • Localagency federalaid
Licensing Agreement ContractRN642-26 termsandregulations • Ordinance to update the Planning Department Bid -2026Liquid Asphalt FeeSchedule • KlickitatLeadEntityCitizens Review Committee Reappointment the CGCC AMT Facility Klickitat Lead Entity Technical Committee Appointment Designation of The Goldendale Sentinel as the official Klickitat County newspaper
“The war’s happening asmuchasitoncedid andthatswhythegasprice Meanwhile,
most expensive placesinUS atthepump
GASfrompageA1 creasesfeelespeciallyacute save money, but not nearly worththeextracost? Thosedecisionsare playstations ing out every day in park- isgoingup” oneeconomist on the Yakama Reserva- jnp i0ts on highways and toldTheSeattleTimes,not- tion introduce a different ing that the global supply dynamic squeezeisdirectlyreflected Because tribalfuel sales arenotsubject tothesame
ofourclient,MeganTaylor,” leadership, workplace pracThecomplaintalsoalleges Leigh said The defend- tices,andoversight Notrial irregularities involving ants have filed an answer datehasbeenset at kitchen tables And for now, there’s little relief in sight Expertssaygasprices willremainvolatileaslong as the conflict continues
“We cant continue to have the only (business and occupation) tax in the nation, alongside some of the highest rates for combined state and local sales taxes, capital gains,estate, and now income taxes on highearners,withoutthose costs showing up in the rising prices families pay everyday,”shesaid Each year, the U S BureauofEconomicAnalysismeasuresthedifferences in pricelevelsacrossstates and metropolitan areas for its Regional Price Paritiesindex Thisdataallows comparisons of buying powerfromstatetostate,or one metro area to another foragivenyear Pricelevels areexpressedas a percentage of the overall national level whichissetat100 Washington recorded a 108.5 score in 2023, the most recent year assumed in the Washington Roundtable report It put Washington as the fifth most expensiveplace When the 2024 index was released in February, Washington’s score dipped slightlyto107,anditdropped tosixth most expensive,as New York moved into the topfive Washingtonscored 103.2 in 2011, putting it at 13thmostexpensive
The Seattle-TacomaBellevue region ranked as the fifth most expensive metropolitan area nationwide in 2023, trailing San Francisco, Los Angeles, SantaBarbara,andOxnardVentura all of which are inCalifornia
the top 25% most expensive nationally, per the report An MSA is defined generally by a central city and surrounding counties that share jobs, commerce, anddailytravel
“The story is consistent acrosseverymeasure:costs arehigh,risingquickly,and showingupintheeveryday decisions people make,” said Marc Casale, CEO of Kinetic West, the studys leadresearchpartner
Consumerspendingisone barometer of the climbing cost of livingexamined by KineticWestresearchers
Overall, theleveljumped from $40,650 per capita in 2015 to $62,837 in 2024
Of the spending 59% is on essentials of housing, utilities, food, health care and transportation, perthereport Thistrendmaybeafactor in why more people moved outof thestatethanmoved in between 2021 and 2023 Washingtonlost153,174residentsandgainedonly97,781 new residents,a net loss of more than 55000 people accordingtothereport Arizona,IdahoandTexaswere thetopdestinations
Washington Roundtable and Kinetic West next plan toexamine how the cost of doingbusinessin thestate haschangedovertime and how those costs ultimately affectfamilies Fromthere, theyintendtomakerecommendationson bendingthe cost-of-livingcurve
The affordability challenge is real, measurable, andgrowing,Smithsaid
“It didn’t happen
Washington’s other 11 overnight and getting metropolitan statistical out of it won t happen
areas or MSAs landed in overnight”shesaid
Washington’s studded tire deadline has passed
Springis arrivingin the weatherandroadwaycondiNorthwest,andwithitcame tionsandrespondquicklyto Washington’s deadline to anyspringsnow removestuddedtires
“There are many effective alternatives available We encourage drivers to
“Studded tires cause consider non-stud winter-
Drivers were required to between $20 million to $29 tread tires, which provide removestuddedtiresbythe millionindamagetoWash- excellent traction without end of the day yesterday, ington’s state-owned roads theroad damagecaused by March31 orriska$137fine each winter, in addition to metalstuds Studdedtiresarelegalin damaging city and county Washington from Novem- roads,” said WSDOT Main- about studded tire regu- ber 1 to March 31 There are no individual exceptions or “out-of-state waivers” to these dates As of today, Washington State Patrol may issue tickets to drivers still using studded tires WSDOT doesnot issuetickets
While Washington and Oregon share the same March31removaldeadline, otherstates mayfollowdifferent timelines All drivers including visitors must follow Washington’s motorvehiclelawswhilein thestate Weatherandroad conditions Statelawallows WSDOT theauthority toextend the deadline if conditions warrant While late-season snowispossible,especially inmountainpasses,current conditionsdonotsupporta statewide extension For thosetravelingover mountain passes, WSDOT recommends that drivers use approved tractiontiresand carrychainsincaseconditionschange WSDOTcrews will continue to monitor
pricegaps
For Goldendale residents state tax structure, resermaking the drive across vation prices can undertheColumbiaRiver,Oregon cut both Washington and anfI global oil supplies has long offered a modest Oregon stations, drawing remainuncertain reprieve The state’s gas drivers from miles away Whats happening in the taxesarelower than Wash- For some, especially those Middle East can feel disington’s andits regulatory commutingortravelingfre- tantuntilitshowsupinthe structure differs enough quently,thatdifferenceadds glowing digits above a gas to produce consistent upquickly station can0py in Goldendale,thatdistancehaseffectivelydisappeared Because here,theimpactofwarisn’t measuredinmiles Its measured in dollars
For local drivers, the
Buteventhatadvantageis result is a kind of ongoing shrinking Oregonnowranksamong the more expensive states Oregon? in the country, with averages above $4 per gallon tothereservation? Or is the calculation: Is it worth the trip to Isitworthdrivingfarther pergallon andsometimes, conveni- in which direction you’re and rising In other words, crossingtheriver maystill ence of filling up in town willingtodrivetopaythem
BRAINfrompage A1
“I was playing tic tac toe Then he asks me if I’d like of this interview he wa: very frustrated ’cause I anewbrain Iaskhimwhat computingthequestion, “I: just couldn’t win,” hesays therentonitis,andhesays, itcolderinthemountainso: inthewinter?
“Thenthisguycomesupto ‘Itsfree,itsAI me and says ‘We are Oki- His AI brain transplant
“Idiscovered the answei doki’ I said, ‘Okey dokey’ went smoothly At the time is,‘Yes,’”hestates
EXTRA
RotaryraffleraisesfundstobuildCommunityCenter
TheWhiteSalmon-Bingen them become financially helpingtheKenyannonprofit secureapermanentlocation
“This has been a signifi- to administer the program wina2026triptoCostaRica cant community project and conduct other commuto raise funds in support on both sides of the world,” nity outreach, helping the of building a community Henschelsaid “Forthisnew rural population achieve a center in Kenya The draw- effort, we owe a big thank higher standard of living ingwillbeheldat12:30pm you to Suzanne Hart of Manyhomesintheareaare onTuesday,May12,duringa HoodRiver,whodonatedthe builtofmud,sticks,andaluclubmeetingattheMt View five-night stay to her hotel minum and lack electricity GrangeinWhiteSalmon in Costa Rica She learned orwater,sopeoplemustwalk “Wehavejust1000tickets abouttheprojectthroughher longdistances to meet their available, so your chances Gorgeconnections,wasvery basicneeds to win are good,” said club passionateaboutthemission, TheGlobalGrantwascomPresident Chuck Henschel and decided to get involved pletedinJanuary2025followEachticketcosts$25 andthe as we were exploring ingthegraduationofthefirst winnerwillreceiveatripfor fundraisingideas” twotoafive-nightstayatthe Tickets are available for Now, GRECA continues to VistaBallenaHotelinCosta purchasefrom any member work with the Harambee Rica plus$1500towardair- of the WhiteSalmon-Bingen Centre aUS-based501(c)(3) fareandtransportation Rotary Club and will be and the White Salmon-BinThe club hopes to raise sold at club activities such gen RotaryClubFoundation $25,000 to help build a com- as the Annual Community to support the third cohort munity center withits Naji- Cleanup,heldApril24and25 asthebeneficiariescomplete jali Project partner, Grace in Bingen,andduring regu- their second year of studies andworktowardgraduation Action (GRECA), tosupport Locally, tickets can also thisNovember the program’s sustainabil- be purchased from the fol- Thenewcommunitycenter ityandmakevitalresources lowing club members dur- will include dedicated proavailable to the small rural ing their regular business duction centersfor tailoring community of Sikusi hours: in White Salmon, andhairdressingandbeauty The team began working from Tammara Tippel at students to practice their together in 2020 and sue- the Mt Adams Chamber of skills,learnnewtechniques, cessfullylaunched a Rotary Commerce&Visitor Center, and sell their products and GlobalGrantin2022thatsup- MairaSchusteratFirstSecu- services Alargewater tank ported the first two cohorts rityBank,MattStonebergat will be constructed to proof beneficiaries The project RiverviewBank;andinBin- vide potable water to the brings young mothers back gen,fromKaraleeHoltmann center and to community into a vocational education atFirstInterstateBank members for a nominal fee program with wraparound Henschel explained that set by the government The services, including coun- Rotary Clubs have a mis- group would also like to seling,domesticscience and siontodogoodin theworld installasolararraytopower business training to help Thislong-standingprojectis thecenterandprovidecharg-
HostorientationatthePresby
ing stations for local residents to charge their small electronicdevices GRECA hasbeenworking from small donated spaces over the past five years The new center would provide the organization with a permanent office meeting space,counselingrooms,and astagingareaforvolunteers during visits A caretaker’s room and a security wall would also beinstalled and the center would be available for groups to rent to hold meetings workshops andtrainings Henschelsaid all of these things will help GRECAtobecomeself-sufficientandlessreliantonaidto administeritsprograms White Salmon-Bingen Rotary Club meetings are freeandopentocommunity members on the first four Tuesdays of each month fromnoonto1pm attheMt View Grange No 98,1085 N MainAvenue,WhiteSalmon Guests can bring their own lunchor for$20 enjoycateringfeaturingavarietyofdeliciousfoodsfromBeneventi’s Pizza Meetings include guest speakers on a wide rangeoftopics OnfifthTuesdays,theclub arrangeseveningget-togethersatvariouslocations
orTheSentinel
CATHERINE CODTURE attheendof theday,butits stilla job I got kids tofeed If Imgoingtospendmydays sitting on the roof looking pretty,Imightaswellbegettingpaidforit ” The Chief Advisor of the Sciuridae Society, Heath Hazelnut, made a public statement thefollowingday on March 29 “Our community, while small, still deserves recognition in the eyes of the city, he commented “We are part of the larger Goldendale community, just like the businesses,thehomeowners,the churches, and the lawmakers We’ve been here a long time it’s our home and we wanttofeelincludedinit”
On March 28 2026 the community of ceramic squirrels that inhabit Goldendale finally formed their own union, after well over 20 years of sitting atop the roofs of local businesses A meeting was held last week onthe roof of Gee’sRestaurant wherethedecision was made with almost unanimous agreement It was puttoa vote with over 90% of the votes being in favor of thedecision While those in disagreement with the decision refusedtocomment,asenior member of the community gave their statement to The Sentinelfollowingtheevent Itaintmuch,butitshonest work,” says Chester Chestnut, representative of the newlyfoundedCeramicSciuridaeUnion “We’vebeensittingupthereforaslongaswe can remember My fathers beenupthere hisfatherwas upthere,andnowI’mhere”
When asked about the reasoning behind the decision, Chestnut goes on to say, “Conditions aren’t too favorable, if I’m being honest Harshwinds,coldnights, awfully rainy too, and with no pay to show for it Sure, we may just be decoration
The Klickitat County great way to becomefamil- entation, host duties will sonal experience, it really Historical Society (KCHS) iar with our museum,” a be covered These include isanenjoyableactivityand * is planning a host orienta- statementfrom KCHSsays opening and closing ring- educational,too,asyoucan tion at the Presby Museum “You can volunteer once ing up gift storeitems, and on April 15 at 10:30 a m a month or once a week sharinglocalhistory Anyoneinterested in work- yougettodecide” “If you haven’t hosted ing with local historical The museum is open 10 before,aboardmemberwill artifacts and meeting like- a m to 4 pm Wednesday bewithyouuntilyougetthe °f this great local mstitumindedpeoplemayfindthis through Sunday, May 1 to hangofit,” theKCHSstate- tion, the Klickitat County of great interest “This isa October15 During the ori- mentcontinues “Fromper- HistoricalSociety”
learnmuchfromtheguests If this sounds interesting, pleaseconsiderbeingapart
A meeting with city officials is said to be in the works, according to Heath, but noofficialdatehasbeen set According to the larger squirrel population, both ceramicandflesh,theunion is largely seen as a step in therightdirectionforproper integration of the squirrel populousintotheGoldendale community “My husband [Chester] has been sitting onthoseroofsfor thelast10 years,”saysMollyChestnut “Hetakespridein his work, and he deserves recognition for it He isn t asking for much He just wants to be recognizedandcompensated appropriately”
FORT VANCOUVER REGIONAL LIBRARIES
C®mmunity
2026CommunityReads,Let’sReadTogether Imaginepreparingforoneoflife’sbiggestmilestoneswhen thegroundliterallyshiftsbeneathyour feet EmmaPattee’s novel Tilt putsayoungwomanatthecenter of itallafter a catastrophicearthquakeinPortland,Oregon PickupyourfreecopyofthebookstartingApril1 atallFVRLibrariesbranchlocations,whilesupplieslast.
Rotary Club Foundation is independent currently raffling tickets to
The Icons of Goldendale
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)
Shop local. Keep Goldendale money in Goldendale
Check It Out
Beth Wood, Collection Librarian
Fort Vancouver Regional Library District
Contact Beth Wood with questions about this column: 360-906-4996 or bwood@fvrl.org
in Hong Kong and founded the Jeet Kune Do school of martial arts, as well as being largely responsible for the rise of martial arts film popularity in the 1970s. Jackie Chan trained at the China Drama Academy, and is an accomplished actor, acrobat and martial artist in Chinese and American films. Check the list below to read more. Martial artist books
• “Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America” by Jeff Chang (2025)
• “Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee” by Shannon Lee (2020)
• “Bruce Lee: A Life” by Matthew Polly (2018)
• “Never Grow Up” by Long Cheng aka Jackie Chan (2018)
• “Tao of Jeet Kune Do” by Bruce Lee (orig. 1975)
Nonfiction books
• “Fodor’s Hong Kong” (2026)
• “Jeremy Pang’s Hong Kong Kitchen” by Jeremy Pang (2025)
• “The Troublemaker: How Jimmy Lai Became a Billionaire, Hong Kong’s Greatest Dissident, and China’s Most Feared Critic” by Mark L. Clifford (2024)
• “The Hong Kong Diaries” by Chris Patten (2022)
• “The Impossible City: A Hong Kong Memoir” by Karen Cheung (2022)
• “Indelible City: Dispossession and Defiance in Hong Kong” by Louisa Lim (2022)
Hong Konger authors
• “Everyday Movement” by Gigi L. Leung (2026)
• “Second Sister” by Ho-kei Chan (2020)
• “Habit of a Foreign Sky” by Xi Xu (2010) Fiction set in Hong Kong
• “Noble House” by James Clavell (orig. 1981)
• “The Honourable Schoolboy” by John le Carré (orig. 1977)
• “The World of Suzie Wong” by Richard Mason (orig. 1957)
Beth Wood is a senior collection development librarian for Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries. Email her at readingforfun@fvrl.org.
Creative cupcakes to complete your Easter feast
(Feature Impact) Once the Easter baskets are put away and the main course is cleared from the kitchen, you can liven up the dessert table or send guests off with a thoughtful treat thanks to these Chocolate Easter Egg Cupcakes. Moist cake, creamy frosting and chocolate-coated candies combine for a seasonal sweet that’s sure to impress. To find more dessert ideas that satisfy chocolate lovers— and all your loved ones—visit Culinary.net. Chocolate Easter Egg Cupcakes Recipe adapted from A
• 1
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• 1/2
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• 2-3 drops brown food coloring • egg-shaped chocolatecoated candies To make cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners. In bowl of electric mixer, sift flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In medium bowl, whisk egg, buttermilk, water, vegetable oil and vanilla extract. Mix dry ingredients on low speed 1 minute. Add wet ingredients. Mix 2 minutes on medium speed and scrape sides and bottom of bowl. Mix 1 minute on medium speed.
Divide evenly among cupcake liners.
Bake 12-15 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out almost clean.
Cool cupcakes on wire rack.
To make frosting: Using paddle attachment of electric mixer, whip butter 8 minutes on medium speed until pale and creamy. Add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract and salt; mix on low speed 1 minute.
Increase speed to medium and mix 6 minutes until frosting is light, creamy and fluffy. Add food coloring and whip 1 minute.
Pipe frosting onto cupcakes and top with egg-shaped chocolate-coated candies.
New at the Library
FICTION
“Upward Bound” by Woody Brown
“Queen of the Night Sky” by Amalie Howard “A Good Person” by Kirsten King
NONFICTION
“The Naughty Cookbook: Decadent Recipes to Seduce Your Taste Buds” by Samantha Schnur
“A Woman’s Work: Reclaiming the Radical History of Mothering” by Elinor Cleghorn
“Outsmarting Cancer” by Adam Barsouk
CHILDREN
“Mama Won’t Mind” by Kathleen Bahr
“Taking Turns with Turtles: A Rescue Story” by Shari Becker “Landslide” by Betty Culley
This is just a small sampling of the many new titles added each week to the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District collection. Visit the district’s 15 locations, our website at www.fvrl.org, or call (360) 906-5000 to reserve titles or find additional listings.
Last week, we thought we would leave our little place in Casa de los Soles.
If you’ve read my column, you know about this place my husband, Peter, and I stay in while in Mexico. The interior of our apartment will set you right back to the 1980s. The Formica countertop has seen better days. I write in a corner of the living room and have exactly 6 inches between the back of my office chair and the end of the couch. Peter measured our apartment, and it is 400 square feet—and that includes a rather large bedroom.
So, last week, we decided to look around for a place with a little more space. We told our landlord, Jorge, we were thinking about doing this, and he said he understood, and we went looking at apartments.
We did not make it easy on ourselves.
In addition to loving this particular place, we love the neighborhood it is in, and the street it is on, so our circle of investigation was small. When we heard of an apartment for rent just a block away and on the same street, we were very excited. The apartment was much bigger. It had a fireplace and a rooftop terrace. It had two bedrooms and a full dining room. It would need a little work, but we were very excited. We met with the landlord two days later.
But later that night, I started to think about what we would have to do to live in that apartment. There was nothing on the walls. There was not a lot of furniture. The couch looked a little worse for wear. The furniture on the roof needed replacement. None of it was big stuff, but it added up.
We’d have to pay an electric bill. If we wanted housekeeping, we’d have to figure
that out and pay for it. We’d have to get our water and our gas delivered. We’d have to get the garbage out on the curb on the right days at the right time—which, in the center of an old town with cobblestone, one-way streets, is not as easy as it sounds. I lay in bed that night and thought of all the things I don’t have to worry about now, like having regular internet and a front desk that will accept our deliveries and someone on staff if we ever have a medical emergency.
Then I thought about the things that give me such joy here: the lively restaurant below, which will deliver lunch right to our door. The staff that will store my computer monitor and my clothes and take them out again when we arrive. The bouquet of flowers that is always waiting for me when we check in. The going-away party that the entire staff throws for Peter and me when we leave at the end of the season. And the kindness of Jorge, our landlord, who, whenever we have a request, no matter how unusual, will say, “Certainly!” I thought of how very easy my life was in 400 square feet, how free of worries, and of how much writing I had accomplished sitting at my little green Formica desk with the fresh flowers in front of me. I talked to Jorge the next day. “We love this place too much to leave!” I told him. And I felt tearful.
Then I looked with fresh eyes at my 400 square feet and realized there was a lot I could do in this space. Because right now, 400 square feet is more than enough. To see photos, check out CarrieClassonAuthor on Facebook or visit CarrieClasson.com.
The National Weather Service (NWS for short) is like a giant team of sky-watchers whose job is to keep us safe from dangerous weather. It’s part of the NOAA, a government agency that studies the oceans and atmosphere. The NWS has more than 100 local weather offices spread all across the United States. That means there are meteorologists, or weather scientists, working constantly watching the skies. These scientists use technology like radars and satellites orbiting the Earth that can “see” inside storms, and powerful computers to predict the weather. Every day meteorologists can be seen on television and social media, and can be heard on the radio to share every bit of information they have discovered.
So what does the National Weather Service actually do every day?
First, it creates forecasts such as weather reports. These can tell you if it will rain tomorrow, how hot or cold it will be, or if precipitation is coming. Even more important than that, the NWS issues warnings for dangerous weather like tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, wind, tsunamis and blizzards. When you hear a weather alert on your phone or see a warning on the TV screen, there’s a good chance it came from the NWS. Those radars and satellites can also see where wildfires are burning.
NationalWeather WeatherService
One of the most important tools the NWS uses is called the Doppler radar. This radar helps detect movement inside storms like strong winds or rotation that could lead to a tornado. They also rely on weather balloons, which are released into the sky to measure temperature, humidity, and air pressure high above the ground. Satellites orbiting Earth provide constant images of cloud patterns and storms forming over oceans and land. All of this information is fed into computer models that simulate the atmosphere, helping meteorologists predict what might happen next.
Another tool that’s used by the NWS is a military plane, the WC-130J. The United States Air Force group that flies this plane is called The Hurricane Hunters. Can you even imagine flying a plane right into a tropical storm or a hurricane? That’s what the pilot and crew does. The information they gather such as wind direction, wind speed and other data that helps people stay safe.
Why is all of this so important?
The work of the National Weather Service helps save the lives of people and their pets. Imagine if no one warned people about a tornado or a hurricane. Thanks to the NWS, communities have time to prepare, take shelter, or evacuate if they need to. Even on normal days, the weather forecast helps people plan everything from trips, sports and outdoor activities. In a way, the National Weather Service is like an invisible safety team. They are always working behind the scenes to make sure we’re ready for whatever the sky sends our way.
S port S Goldendale’s Caleb Smith rewrites the script
Lou MarzeLes Editor
When Caleb Smith first emailed the track coach at George Fox University, he didn’t have much to offer beyond curiosity and a hunch.
“I really only did one year of track in high school,” Smith said. “Most of my time was football and basketball.”
Four years later, the Goldendale native has done something few athletes at any level achieve: he has set a new school record in the decathlon—and posted a score that ranks him best in the nation in the decathalon.
His journey there was anything but straightforward.
A late start—and a leap of faith
Smith arrived at George Fox in 2022 focused on football. Track was an afterthought—something suggested by a teammate during his freshman year. With no standout marks to his name, Smith had to earn his way onto the team through a simple time trial.
“It really wasn’t that fast,” he said. “But the coach let
me on, probably hoping I had a good work ethic coming from football.”
He began as a sprinter, competing in the 100 and 200 meters. But a chance opportunity at the end of his freshman season, trying out jumping events during a relaxed “May term” meet, hinted at something more.
“I had some decent marks,” Smith said. “The coaches were kind of surprised.”
By his sophomore year, he was introduced to the decathlon—a grueling, twoday event that combines 10 disciplines. “I had no idea what it was,” he admitted. “But once I started, I just fell in love with it.”
Balancing football and track quickly proved unsustainable. After two seasons on the football field, Smith made a difficult decision before his junior year. “I felt like I could either be good at two sports, or really try to be great at one,” he said. Walking away from football—the sport he had long identified with—wasn’t easy. “I felt like I might be letting people down,” he said. “That was the coolest thing to me,
playing college football.”
Instead, he committed fully to the decathlon, a move that would ultimately define his college career. Setbacks and injuries
The transition was not smooth.
Smith suffered a series of hamstring injuries during his junior season, first one leg, then the other, and eventually re-injuring both. “I’d never really been injured in sports before,” he said. “And suddenly I’m dealing with this over and over.”
GHS Tennis season update
The Timberwolf Tennis Team has played three matches since the season started. Led by seniors Madison Groves and Linzy Hanna, the T-wolves are earnestly preparing for the league tournament May 7-8. With three matches behind the racquets, the team has seen marked improvement.
Stevenson Girls visited Goldendale on March 17 for a non-league match and put on a power display sweeping the Timberwolves 5-0. The scores were 1st Singles--Emma Owens over Madison Groves 6-2, 6-4. 2nd Singles--Timber Griffiths over Ella Rice 6-1,
6-4. 1st Doubles--Foster/ Morgan over Linzy Hanna/ Sophia Perry 6-1, 6-1. 2nd Doubles--Thayer/Autry over Bella Perry/Jaclyn Coronel 6-3, 6-3. 3rd Doubles--Leonard/Nordgaard over Heidi Marin/Lexi Payer 6-0, 6-0. Stevenson has been a power over the last several years and won the girls 2B State Doubles Title in 2022 defeating former GHS graduates Taylor Beam and Gwen Gilliam along the way. Taylor and Gwen ended up earning 3rd in state that year!
On March 26, the teams traveled to the Yakima Tennis Club to play Highland
in their first league contest. The Girls teams were evenly matched and each team ended up winning 2 matches a piece. 1st Singles--Madison Groves easily won 6-0, 6-0. Jaclyn Coronel and Linzy Hanna put up a great struggle in 1st Doubles but ended up losing 3-6, 2-6. The second doubles team consisting of Sophia Perry and Bella Perry had a 2 hour and 45 minute battle with the Highland team but eventually ended up losing 6-6(7), 6-3, 3-6. In 3rd doubles, Ella Rice teamed up with Heidi Martin and were victorious 6-6 (7) and 6-2. This also was the debut of Rylie Hyer on
Goldendale Softball falls to Stevenson
The Goldendale Timberwolves Softball Team continued to work out the pitching and field position details during pre-season play but fell to the Stevenson Bulldogs 7-21 and 12-32 during a home doubleheader at Mike Hood Memorial Field on Monday, March 23.
The Bulldog batters scored 21 runs on 2 hits during game 1 and scored 32 runs on 2 hits during game 2. Goldendale pitchers Sara Hussey and Emma Gorrod, struggled to find the strike zone, and the Timberwolves’s defense was not consistent in making outs when the ball was put in play.
“Mama said there would be days like this,” as the say-
ing goes, and this was one of those days. Several Timberwolves are learning new positions this year, and these early games will help players learn their position and gain experience and confidence. Offense is the Timberwolves’s strong suit at this point in the season. Goldendale batters had 7 hits during game one. Sara Hussey and Maggie Gutierrez each belted a triple during game 1. Junior, Emma Gorrod, remains very productive at the plate with 2 singles that resulted in 2 RBI’s. Zallana Green, Senior DH, hit a single along with Maddison Gamble and Maci Molnar. During game one, only 2
batters struck out, resulting in most players putting the ball in play or earning a free trip to first base.
During Game two, Sierra Blunt went 2 for 2 at the plate. Maddison Gamble and Zallana Green both produced doubles, and Maggie Gutierrez and Emma Gorrod continued their hitting streak with singles each. The Timberwolves have no games scheduled during spring break and return to the field on Tuesday, April 7, as they travel to Mabton and play the Vikings. The doubleheader begins at 3 p.m. — Rebecca Bare
As Washington gets an income tax, the fight to overturn it begins
Jerry
Washington
As of Monday, Washington has a state income tax on the books for the first time in nearly a century. Now what?
A legal challenge certainly, maybe two. A ballot battle as well, its timing less certain. Opponents of the muchdebated 9.9% tax on households with incomes above $1 million a year are honing legal and electoral strategies to invalidate and repeal legislation that Gov. Bob Ferguson is expected to sign Monday. Their specific tactics will become public in the coming days. It’s unlikely any will surprise those engaged in the spirited discourse on the controversial “millionaires’ tax” since its emergence last fall.
Supporters will celebrate when Senate Bill 6346 becomes law. But don’t expect them to launch anything resembling a statewide victory tour. The tax will need to clear formidable hurdles before collections could actually begin in 2029, as planned.
“There’s a legal fight and a public relations battle shaping up on day one,” said Sandeep Kaushik, a partner
with Sound View Strategies, a Seattle-based political consulting firm. “The signing of the bill is just the start of it.” History isn’t on the tax’s side. Voters approved an income tax in 1932 only to
have it tossed out a year later by a divided state Supreme Court. Since then, voters have rejected variations of the idea multiple times, most recently in 2010 when the income level was $200,000.
He missed key meets, including an early-season competition in California. By the time he returned, he was racing against both the clock and his own recovery. At a last-chance meet, competing at roughly 80 percent health, Smith posted a score of 6,420 points—just shy of qualifying for nationals.
“At the time it was frustrating,” he said. “But looking back, it was probably the best thing for me. My body needed the break.”
A breakthrough
the Boys team. He ended up losing the first match of his career 1-6, 1-6 but he is picking up the sport quickly!
On March 28, the teams traveled to Toppenish for a non-league spring break match. Toppenish won 4-0 on the Girls side and 1-0 on the Boys side. Ella Rice (G) battled Rylie Carter in 1st Singles but ended up losing 1-6, 0-6. LInzy Hanna played 2nd doubles and ended up being the only Timberwolf to win a set against Toppen-
senior season
Fully recovered entering his senior year, Smith began to see the results of his commitment. Everything clicked during a meet in California earlier this spring. Over two days of competition in near 100-degree heat, Smith achieved personal records in nearly every event, from sprints and jumps to throws and pole vault. “I think I PR’d [Personal Record] in nine or ten of the events,” he said.
“That’s not something that really happens.”
By the final event—the 1,500 meters—Smith had a shot not only at qualifying for nationals but also at breaking a school record set in 1995 by his own coach. With the pressure mounting, he crossed the finish line in 5:02, comfortably under the time he needed.
The result: 7,170 points.
Among the nation’s best
The mark places Smith at the top of Division III performances in recent years.
“In the last three years, it’s technically the highest score,” he said.
For an athlete who once struggled to make the team,
ish! She played extremely well but eventually ended up losing 1-6, 6-4, 3-6. The 1st Doubles team of Jaclyn Coronel and Sophia Perry lost 0-6, 0-6. The 2nd Doubles team of Bella Perry and Heidi Martin lost 0-6, 0-6. On the Boys side, Rylie Hyer lost 0-6, 0-6. Although there have not been a lot of W’s early in the year, the team is steadily getting stronger and will be prepared as well as they can be for the league tournament, district tournament, and
the achievement still feels surreal. “If you’d asked me four years ago, I would’ve said I had no business doing this,” he said. “I was just a guy trying to get on the team.”
For Smith, the record is less about numbers and more about the journey, from uncertain walk-on to one of the nation’s top multi-event athletes. “It’s pretty crazy to look back,” he said. “But I’m just really grateful—for the coaches, the support, and the chance to do it.” For a small-town athlete from Goldendale, it’s a story of persistence, resilience, and the power of choosing a path, even when it’s not the obvious one.
Smith will graduate in May and plans to continue working as a ranch manager near Aurora, Oregon, a job he took on while building a fencing business during college. “I just kind of fell into it,” he said. “Right place, right time.”
He hopes to remain in the area and continue training, not necessarily for accolades, but to see how far he can go. “I just want to keep getting better,” he said.
hopefully Goldendale will be represented at state. Many thanks to the Volunteer Assistant coaches--Candi Wing, Lori Groves, Kevin Groves and Marcus Perry! They are doing a fantastic job reinforcing proper technique, positioning, and strategy in this challenging sport. The TImberwolves next match will be at home on April 6, a non-league match with White Salmon. See you at the courts! — Rob Wing
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statE standard
Contributed
NO ONE BETTER: Goldendale’s Caleb Smith scored highest in the nation in the decathlon event.
