Goldendale Sentinel July 1, 2026

Headlines & History since 1879

Goldendale, Washington

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2026

Fake ‘government agency’ email scam hits county

Lou MarzeLes editor

A scam both highly sophisticated and impossibly stupid is targeting Klickitat County property owners.

It falsely identifies the executive director of the Columbia River Gorge Commission as head of Klickitat County’s Planning Department and attempts to steer recipients toward paying permit fees by wire transfer.

The fraudulent email, which recently surfaced in the county, claims that a land-use application in the Gorge has been reviewed and is ready for approval. Before the approval can be finalized, however, the recipient is told to request wire-transfer instructions to pay a specific fee.

“To proceed with final review administration and to streamline the approval process,” the lengthy email reads in part, “you are hereby requested to settle the attached invoice, which covers the Application Review and Approval Fee associated with your application. Payment of this fee is required before the County can conclude final processing steps, confirm administrative clearance, and move the matter toward formal approval completion.

“Please note that this fee is an essential component of the application management process and supports several stages of

review, coordination, and decision-making associated with your file,” the email continues. It then goes on to identify seven different stages of the application process in great detail.

The problem is that virtually every part of the document’s “official” identity falls apart under the slightest scrutiny.

The email purports to come from Klickitat County Planning and Development, but it is “signed” with the name of Columbia River Gorge Commission Executive Director Krystyna Wolniakowski. The Commission is an interstate agency that helps administer the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. It is not part of Klickitat County government and does not collect county permit fees. Ironically, Wolniakowski herself identified the fraudulent email after learning that her name had been appropriated by the scammers.

Despite its seeming sophistication, the email includes an amazingly moronic mistake. While it lists Wolniakowski as the head of “Klickitat County Planning and Development”—a position she does not hold—it provides an address for her in Lawrenceville, Georgia, even as it claims to represent a Washington county agency.

Those contradictions alone are enough to expose the fraud. Yet what makes the scam notable is how convincing much of it appears at first glance.

The email is written in surprisingly credible, polished bureaucratic language and includes lengthy descriptions of planning procedures, technical reviews, GIS systems, public hearings, site inspections, and administrative processing. It references rebuilding a home and barn, Scenic Area compliance, and other details that closely resemble legitimate land-use correspondence. Whether produced by an experienced scammer, artificial intelligence, or both, the result is a document that looks remarkably official—until its factual errors begin to accumulate. Among the most significant warning signs is the payment method. Rather than directing applicants to a county office or official payment portal, recipients are instructed to reply by email to obtain wire-transfer instructions and then email back proof of payment.

Government agencies rarely, if ever, collect permit fees in that manner. The email also instructs recipients to conduct all communication exclusively by email, another common tactic used in business-email compromise schemes to discourage victims from contacting legitimate government offices.

Residents who receive unexpected correspondence regarding permit fees should independently verify the request

Was this mysterious Amazon email for real?

Lou MarzeLes editor

What first appeared to be an ordinary phishing email may instead represent something more unusual: the apparent abuse of a legitimate Amazon email system.

The email arrived Monday in The Goldendale Sentinel’s inbox and immediately raised suspicions.

It purported to be an Amazon Family invitation but opened with a bizarre greeting:

“Hello Account Critical Alert Call Now: (808) 278-6167.” It also referred to a password reset code and an unfamiliar email address, language that closely resembles the style commonly used in phishing scams.

The rest of the message was:

“We have sent Password Reset Code - XcMeWaZu (arisolid@ sparkcortex.net) an invitation to join Amazon Family. You are on your way to sharing Amazon benefits! Password Reset Code - XcMeWaZu will have 14 days to accept your invitation. Once Password Reset CodeXcMeWaZu accepts, you will be able to share digital content and Amazon Photos storage and can also manage child profiles together. To manage your Family sharing settings and resend or cancel your invitation, please visit Manage Your Amazon Family.” The last four words also were a hotlink to a website. We did not click on it. Initially, the message seemed destined for the trash. But a closer examination of the message’s technical headers told a different story.

We reviewed the raw email source, including the internet routing and authentication information that accompanies every email. Those records indicate the message successfully passed Amazon’s normal security checks, including SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication—the three principal technologies used to verify that an email actually originated from the company it claims to represent.

In other words, the message appears to have been genuinely sent by Amazon’s own email infrastructure.

That finding raises a different question.

If the message itself is authentic, why does it contain language urging recipients to call a telephone number that does not belong to Amazon?

The technical records reveal another surprise. The email was not originally addressed to The Sentinel at all. Instead, Amazon sent it to a Gmail account with the address: a01033631334@ gmail.com.

From there, according to the email headers, it was forwarded through what appears to be a Proton Mail group before passing through a Microsoft 365 tenant and ultimately arriving at the Sentinel’s email address. Why it followed that route remains unknown.

Another possibility emerged after examining the message itself.

The suspicious wording appears in the greeting rather than in the body of the email.

One possible explanation is that whoever initiated the Amazon

Family invitation may have entered malicious text into a field intended for the recipient’s name. If Amazon’s system automatically inserts that field into the greeting without validating its contents, the company could unknowingly generate an email that is technically authentic but contains deceptive, user-supplied language. There is currently no evidence that this is what occurred. It is one possible explanation consistent with the available evidence. If that hypothesis proves correct, the issue would not involve a forged Amazon email but rather the misuse of a legitimate Amazon service.

Cybersecurity experts have increasingly warned that criminals are shifting away from easily detected fake emails and instead are attempting to exploit trusted platforms to lend credibility to fraudulent messages. Whether that is what happened here remains an open question.

The Sentinel has contacted Amazon for an explanation of how this email was generated, whether the company is aware of similar incidents, and whether safeguards exist to prevent deceptive information from being inserted into legitimate customer communications. As of press time, no response has been received. Consumers should remember that even an email from a trusted company should be read carefully. Authenticity of the sender does not guarantee that every piece of information contained within the message deserves to be trusted.

Lyle Fire investigators seek photos, video from before blaze

Lou MarzeLes editor

What began as a rapidly growing wildfire that sent residents fleeing their homes has taken several unexpected turns as investigators continue trying to determine what sparked the Lyle Hill Fire above Lyle.

The fire, first reported shortly after 2:30 p.m. Sunday, prompted Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders as flames raced through dry vegetation on the hills overlooking the Columbia River.

Early reports estimated the fire at approximately 450 acres, with some aerial estimates placing it as high as 1,500 acres. But after firefighters were able to map the burn perimeter more accurately, officials revised the fire’s size downward to 233 acres.

Fire officials said the earlier estimates were made from aircraft flying through heavy smoke, making it difficult to distinguish the actual burn area from smoke columns.

While it is common for acreage estimates to increase as mapping improves, it is relatively unusual for a wildfire’s reported size to shrink so dramatically. Despite concerns that ap -

proximately 75 structures were threatened, firefighters prevented the blaze from reaching homes. As of Monday evening, no structural losses had been reported.

The improving outlook allowed Klickitat County Emergency Management to downgrade all remaining Level 3 evacuation orders to Level 2, while portions of the western evacuation area were further reduced to Level 1. Temporary evacuation centers in Goldendale and Lyle, along with the shelter at Columbia High School in White Salmon, have since closed, although Centerville Road remains closed while firefighting crews continue mop-up operations.

The fire also affected portions of the Lyle Cherry Orchard Preserve, which has been closed indefinitely while officials assess damage.

Meanwhile, the investigation into the fire’s origin has taken an intriguing turn.

The Washington Department of Natural Resources and Lyle Fire & Rescue are asking anyone who took photographs or video in the area between 1:40 p.m. and 1:55 p.m. Sunday to contact investigators. Officials are also

Frantz: jail is no place for mentally ill

rodger NichoLs

For the seNtiNeL

It was a mixed bag of messages coming out of the June 23 Klickitat County Commissioners meeting. In the morning workshop session, commissioners heard that work had been completed on the Forest Road bridge, the first of six the county was required to update this summer.

Jail Administrator Bill Frantz had some positive things to say about his staff and called the new meals excellent. As a bonus, the outside contractors free up time for the staff and reduce the county’s liability.

But, he said, jails have become the dumping grounds for people with mental health problems. He cited one recent resident who suffered from dementia and was not capable of basic self care.

“In fact,” he said, “you could smell the infections they had on their skin from outside the tier. Jail—our jail, specifically—is not the place for that person to reside. It is becoming more and more common for us to have those people with severe mental and medical illnesses that our jail doesn’t have the resources to maintain.”

Budget tightening at the state level is hitting even deeper into funding for public health depart-

ment programs, as Public Health Director Erinn Quinn reported the state had determined the county needed to return $147,000 from specific programs.

“After the $147,000 they dictated we give back,” she said, “they asked me to choose another $233,000 and report where those came from.”

She said a conference of state public health officials was told that, conservatively, the state expected an additional $8 billion shortfall next year that would impact local funding next year.

“So I’m absolutely anticipating going through this same exercise in a year.” Programs impacted by the cuts include immunization, emergency preparedness, and wildfire work.

On a positive note, Goldendale Mayor Dave Jones reported on a big upcoming celebration.

“I just wanted to take the opportunity to invite you, July 10 and 11th, to the 100th annual Goldendale Community Days,” he told commissioners, “in this, the 250th year of our country.” He noted the event started with a world record burnout attempt at the intersection of Columbus and Railroad. “We’ve become a little famous for some of our hillbilly antics,” he added.

Klickitat County Emergency Management AT ITS PEAK: This map showed evacuation levels for the Lyle Fire on Sunday.

See Fire page B1

First Assistant United early in 2022 up until his warrant was executed at County Superior Court, our law enforcement part- sentencewillkeepthispredStates Attorney S Peter arrest in June 2025, Craig, Craig’s home that resulted Oregon Childabuseimages ners and the commitment atoroff thestreetsandkeep Serranoannouncedthat on utilizingsocial media, con- in the discovery of thou- fromthispreviouscaseand of thisofficetobringjustice our children safer HSI will June 24, United States Dis- tacted two minor girls for sands of additionalimages the child he victimized, to thesevictims Removing continuetoinvestigatethese trict Judge Mary K Dimke the purpose of coercing of childsexabusematerial werefoundonhiscomputer this defendant from our crimes against children sentenced Corbett Lloyd them to provide him with AsnotedbyDistrictCourt by federal investigators communityandensuringhe We owe our communities can’thaveaccesstochildren nothingless” First Assistant United is the only way to ensure Thiscasewasinvestigated in prison to befollowed by of the minor girls by offer- vated supporting this sub- States Attorney Pete Ser- its protection Our officeis byHomelandSecurityInvesa lifetime period of super- inghermoneyviagiftcards stantialsentence,isCraig’s ranostated,“Thisrecidivist committedtohuntingdown tigations with assistance vised release after plead- andon-linepayments Itwas priorhistoryof engagingin sex offender has continued theseoffendersandholding from the Klickitat County ing guilty to two counts of clear from the online com- the same and similar con- to harm minor victims in themtoaccount ” Enticementand Attempted municationsthatDefendant duct In2017Craigwascon- our community Despite “Mr Craigwasfullyaware was prosecuted by AssisEnticement of a Minor and knew these were minors victedofEncouragingChild courtinterventionandtreat- thathisactionswerenotjust tantUnitedStatesAttorney one count of Possession and intended to elicit and AbuseintheSecondDegree, ment, thissexoffender has extremelyimmoral,butille- MichaelMurphy of ChildPornography

did obtain child sex abuse Sexual Abuse in the Third continued tovictimizechil-

galaswell”saidactingHSI

Accordingto court docu- material victimizing these Degree, and Contributing dren and made it clear he Seattle Special Agent in mentsandinformationpre- minors online Based upon to the Sexual Delinquency willnotstop Icommendthe Charge April Miller “This sented at sentencing, from thatinvestigation,a search of a Minor in Clackamas dedication and work from Craig,age42,of Goldendale, sexuallyexplicitvideosand Judge Dimke, what makes inthiscase Washington, to324 months images Craig enticed one this caseeven more aggra-

Tryingtopreventcatastrophicblazes

ASPENFORD Homeowners have been WASHINGTONSTATESTANDARD “very receptive” to getting tain fire ravaged 36,000 their lots firewised, Fos- acresintheCleElumarea Onadrydayinmid-June, ter said The average size Unbelievably,thefiredidn’t a 13-person crew slashed of the parcels rangesfrom destroy any buildings, but downsmalltrees limbsand 1/3acre to1acre Around its near-miss changed the bushes outside of a home 300lotsareinthequeuefor county’s approach to wildnearRoslyn,Washington

In 2017, the Jolly Moun- inWashingtonneedwildfire resiliency treatment As of October 2025, the agency hascompletedtreatmenton nearly600,000acres

treatment The crew has firemitigation

The workers, part of completed the work on 32 “Jolly Mountain showed the Kittitas County Fuels ]0tsandassessed250more, the need to work across Crew, are nrewismg the but not all are expected to boundaries,” Craven said residentiallot They throw pefinishedbypeakwildfire “Privatelandowners, state the brush into a wood chipper and strategically cover partsof the property withthemulch

We re building a good bufferaroundthecommunitiesthrough hardeningthe landscape,” said Beau Foster,lieutenantwithKittitas CountyFireProtectionDistrict6 “We’repushingback thetimberalittlebittothe pointwherenowwehavean areathat wecan check the fireuporholdit”

Sheriff’s Department It

ington

The forests surrounding Roslyn are a high priority Foreststherearedenserdue toyearsoffiresuppression

“Aftersomelargefiresin theearly 20th century,fire was deemed toodangerous andhadtobeextinguished” Cravensaid

Lower-intensityfiresnaturally thin outforests and rejuvenateshrublayers

In the fire’s wake, the

From 2017 to 2025, the Department of Natural Resourceshasthinnedtrees inover9000acresofforestland and spread surface wood chips across nearly 4,000acresintheCleElum area Theagency’sgoalisto treatanadditional39,000to 62,000acresthere

season this year Some are landowners, federal landscheduledouttonextyear owners, conservation disThefuelreductionworkis tricts and all the fire dispartofalargerefforttopre- tricts (are combining) all ventacatastropheinoneof of our resources to protect Washington’s communities the citizens of the upper at greatest risk of wildfire KittitasCounty” It involves the Department of Natural Resources, the Kittitas FireAdapted ComKittitas County Conser- munities Coalition was vation District, local fire formed, the Upper Kittitas departments, and home- County Fuels Crew estabowner associations, which fished itself, and the Kittiwork under the Kittitas tas County Conservation FireAdapted Communities District receiveda$10 milCoalition Roslyn is especially at Forest Service to do fuels

The idea is that if a fire comes through it would burn the woodchips or “fuel” the crew laid out ris^ because of itslocation mitigation work The US with less intensity than if on theeast sideof the Cas- ForestServiceisalsodoing it were spreading through cades Warm air from the thesamekindofworkinan treesandshrubs Thisgives valleyandcoldairfromthe adjacentlandscape firefightersmoretimeanda mountains create intense The work will “reduce placetocontrolthefire The winds that can cause thefireintensityasitcomes workcanpreventafirefrom fast-movingfires Thissee- towardscommunities,”Crareachingtreetops nario has “the potential to ven said “We’re really get-

lion grant from the US

Thousands of acres in be very destructive,” said tingvalueforourdollarsin Kittitas County - parcels Tony Craven, wildfire pre- buildingalargefuelbreak” of both private and public paredness project manager land - have gone through for the Kittitas County mentof NaturalResources, ConservationDistrict

Withits$10milliongrant, theKittitasCountyConservationDistrictwantstocompletethewildfireresiliency work on 4,500acres Sofar, itstreated1,100acres

G oldendale ’ s a ttic

This week’s Goldendale’s Attic Mystery Picture

That’s one huge business card. How would it fit in your wallet? Who are these four guys? What are they doing? Why?

When? Where? We don’t know. All we know is this picture ran in The Sentinel sometime, lost in the annals of yesteryear. If

L ooking Back

June 26, 1956 - 70 Years Ago

A crew from the Neiman Construction firm of Vancouver started work Friday on the $328,599.45 Goldendale high school project which will provide additional school rooms, a new auditorium etc., to the new building on East C (Collins) Street and new quarters to care for the FFA class. The contractor has 245 days to complete the contract.

June 26, 1956 – 70 Years Ago

With Dr. Hostetler as their spokesman, about twenty residents of East Broadway appeared before the city council Friday night. They protested Mayor George Nesbitt’s recent request to change the grade of the highway street along East Broadway, which would lower the roadway two feet, and the council’s passage of a resolution agreeing with the state without consulting residents along the street regarding the proposed change in the state highway department’s original survey. The issue in question was who would pay for lowering the water main and installing new service taps.

June 26, 1956 – 70 Years Ago

Goldendale’s Volunteer Fire Department will soon move its equipment into new quarters on Court and South Golden. The new quarters, 64 x 60 feet, is constructed of concrete blocks and will house six trucks, plus all other equipment. The only area not completed in the building is a 16 x 44 strip which will be developed later. The unfinished portion of the building will be used as storage and a meeting room for firemen or the city council, if they desire. Since the sale of the old firehall on Columbus Avenue the fire trucks have been housed in the basement at the courthouse.

June 27, 1957 - 69 Years Ago

Wishram: History was made at 8 a.m. Sunday when the first boat went under the new and higher lift span on the Celilo Falls Railroad bridge. Inland water transportation bridge foreman Charles Klyber threw the switch that raised the span so the “Mary Gale” could proceed up the river. Since the Dalles Dam began operation, barges were pushed under by one tug and pulled by another the rest of the way.

June 25, 1963 – 63 Years Ago

First corvette Stingray sold in Goldendale was delivered last Friday to Mrs. Wes Loftin by W. M. Hudson, local dealer. After receiving the keys to the new auto Mrs. Loftin drove the car to Fort Lewis, where her husband is stationed with the Army.

June 25, 1963 – 63 Years Ago

Goldendale’s five-digit ZIP Code is 98620, Postmaster O. K. Hill announced today. Everyone in Goldendale will use this ZIP Code on all correspondence to speed deliveries and reduce the chance of mis-sent mail. Centerville postmaster Patsy Palmer announced today that Centerville’s ZIP code is 98613. Lyle’s ZIP code is 98635, according to postmaster Muriel West.

June 24, 1976 – 50 Years Ago

Goldendale Library: Mrs. Jean Thompson has been head librarian at Goldendale Community Library since 1967. Eight women have served as librarian in Goldendale. These include Mrs. H.H. Johnson, Mrs. J.W. Council, Miss Gladys Lawson, Mrs. Mary Cain, Mrs. C.L. Davis, Mrs. Lela Ramsey, Mrs. Wanda Lawson, and Mrs. Thompson.

June 17, 1976 – 50 Years Ago

Goldendale’s Bicentennial Committee hopes all the bells in Goldendale will ring at 11 a.m. the morning of July 4. Kenn Hinshaw, Bicentennial Chairman, reports that bell ringing will be done through the United States to herald the country’s entrance into the third century. Communities, churches, schools, fire departments, universities, and individuals will toll bells and carillons in conjunction with the ringing of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia at 2:00 p.m. (EDST) – 11 a.m. locally. The time selected is exactly 200 years from the precise moment the Liberty Bell proclaimed the independence of the new nation. The bellringing will go on for two minutes.

— Richard Lefever Klickitat County Historical Society

you know anything about it, please send us an email (info@goldendalesentinel. com), or give us a call (509773-3777), or drop in at the

office—and remember, you’re welcome to come in and take a look at the original photograph.

Answer to last week’s Mystery Picture

This picture has been colorized. This one was more a challenge for people this week. Here’s what we found about these people: the woman on the left is Gwendolyn Nichols of the Klickitat County Democratic Women’s Club who is pre-

Points to ponder:

senting a check for $100— big money back in the ’90s— to Debbi Mower, winner of a Goldendale High School essay contest. The two people in the middle are history teachers Mike Carlquist and Candy McCredy.

“Hey, how late does the band play?” “About a beat and a half behind the drummer.”

When my girlfriend said she was leaving me because of my obsession with The Monkees, I thought she was joking. Then I saw her face...

Don’t accuse me of being anti-semantic. Some of my best friends are words.

‘Pony’ Short carries first mail to town by horseback April 13, 1972

(Note: To avoid confusion of names, Goldendale was, previous to its founding, known as Clickitat Creek; Maryhill was Columbus; Grant was directly across the river; and Dallesport was called Rockland.)

CLICKITAT CREEK, Washington Territory, 1862: Mail service has at last come to Clickitat County as the government has contracted Merrill “Pony” Short to carry it at intervals. Mail is sent upriver by steamer from The Dalles to Grant on the Oregon side and is brought across by rowboat to Columbus. Short is bringing the mail by saddle horse from Columbus to Clickitat Creek where L. J. Kimberland serves as postmaster as the occasion demands. This is the first overland mail in this county.

GOLDENDALE, W.T. 1877: Goldendale is now on a Star Route from The Dalles to Goldendale to Yakima City to Ellensburg. It appears to this reporter that it is incredible, almost as impossible as launching a man on the moon, that mail by rapid transit stage coach is making the round trip in a mere six days for the 308mile route. An average of 132 hours is expended.

GOLDENDALE, W.T. 1880: Whites and Indians alike were lined up on the banks of the Columbia River today to see if the U. S. Mail would go through, as the river is frozen, not with smooth ice, but with a series of chunks which have floated down the river and have formed a rough mass of hillocks. The man delivering the mail pulled a sled from ropes tied to his shoulders, and he carried a long pole with which to probe for soft spots. After he made it across safely to a

horse tethered on the other side, the whites and Indians felt it safe to cross. Thusly, the motto and reputation of the U. S. Mail has been upheld regarding its courier never being stopped by sleet, nor snow, nor ice, etc.

GOLDENDALE, W.T. 1881: Frightened passengers were consoled in The Dalles today as a result of a nightmarish experience involving a pair of rattlesnakes which were being sent to an eastern biologist by way of the stagecoach which carries the mail. The excitement, as reported by driver Ed Phillips, was caused by the untimely escape of one snake. They were worth $50 delivered to The Dalles. A snake appeared at the feet of the coach’s owner, Woodruff, who howled with fear and offered the driver, Phillips, $2.50 to recage it. Phillips countered with a request for $10, to which the owner quickly agreed. As the snake was nearly in his cage, Woodruff backed out on the deal, so Phillips released the snake. The owner again agreed to the terms, but three times

the process was repeated. Passenger Dan Scammon, backed by Goldendale lawyer Hi Dustin, grabbed the snake by the tail and dangled it near Woodruff’s face. He immediately put up the $10, and the trip was resumed without incident.

GOLDENDALE, W.T. 1882: Ed Phillips, stagecoach driver bearing the U. S. Mail, has poured oil on turbulent waters by apologizing to the county matron whose home is along his route. Recently while pausing to pass the time of day on his run, Phillips remarked, “I didn’t realize this was the schoolhouse. Is it recess?” as he noted the many children running around outdoors. She was offended as all the children were hers.

GOLDENDALE, W.T., 1895: Charlie Slade owner of the stage line which carries the mail between here and The Dalles, set a speed record today between Goldendale and Columbus. Legend has it that Charlie Slade was born with a four-horse whip in his left hand and can flick a fly off a horse’s back without touching the horse. Today, with a passenger list which included one of Goldendale’s more prominent dowagers, Charlie’s coach raced down the grade to bring the fastest mail delivery yet. It was later this afternoon

established that Charlie was roaring drunk and had been tied to the driver’s seat by friends. However, no matter what, record or not, the U. S. Mail went through, postal officials declared lamely.

GOLDENDALE, WN. 1908: The SP&S is bringing the first mail train to Columbus. It is being met by the stage which will carry the mail to Goldendale.

GOLDENDALE, WN. 1958: Bruce Spalding retired from the postal service today after serving 48 years, since he was 19—the longest period of continuous service of any man it its history. He was the son of Postmaster Howard M. Spalding.

GOLDENDALE, WA. 1972: Mike Montanye, postmaster since 1965 and the 21st to serve this city, reports plans are readied for the centennial celebration April 18 of this post office. He lists former postmasters in order as: William Miller, William Oldham, Justin Scammon, Sigmund Sichel, Justin Scammon, Dudley Eshelman, John Snover, Averett Howard, Isaac Darland, Howard M. Spalding, Mary McKenzie, Bruce Spalding, Tallyrand Bratton, Thomas Graham, William F. Byars, Harley Hartley, Charles Albritton, Ken Hill, Charles Allbritton, and Ken Hill.

Archives

INTERIOR OF POST OFFICE about 1912 shows Bruce W. Spalding (right), clerk, and his brother Gib at left. Bruce, son of Postmaster Howard M. Spalding, had the longest record of continuous employment, 48 years, of anyone in the department.

Compared to urban and suburban areas, rural communities have fewer inpatient and outpatient clinics to provide care for individuals and families. Often, rural health care facilities are not as modernized and updated as ones in major urban areas, furthering the need for federal investment.

Last summer, through the Working Families Tax Cuts, Congressional Republicans secured the largest investment in rural health care ever: $50 billion in funding over the next five years to revitalize rural health care. The Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program has already invested in Washington state facilities with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) allocating $181 million for this fiscal year. I voted for H.R. 1 in part because of the establishment of the RHT and the benefits it provides for my constituents.

To build on the investments in H.R. 1 and to provide additional support to rural health facilities, I introduced bipartisan legislation alongside my Washington state colleague Rep. Rick Larsen: the Ensuring Rural Health Care Access for Military and Tribal Families Act. This legislation would allow states to designate rural health facilities as a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) if the facility does not meet existing CAH requirements but is located on a tribal reservation.

Specifically, the Ensuring Rural Health Care Access for Military and Tribal Families Act would allow Astria Toppenish Hospital to be designated as a CAH and provide long-term financial stability for the clinic and the surrounding community. This builds on two Community Project Funding (CPF) requests I secured in previous Appropriations packages for Astria Toppenish, totaling over $4 million for upgrades to their behavioral health unit and emergency department. These resources will improve the quality-of-care Astria provides in the lower Yakima Valley. With these targeted investments from the RHT and my CPF requests, health care facilities will be able to serve their communities more effectively. This means better care, more staff, and higher-quality services for those living in rural or tribal populations. However, while these funding vehicles demonstrate a step in the right direction, they aren’t a silver bullet. There is more work to be done, and I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to expand health care access for those who need it the most.

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

Subscriptions: Goldendale Carrier: 1 Year: $40 Add $1 to print and get an online subscription. Same prices within Klickitat County. Outside County: $60 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 .

for three hours.

Don’t fall for it

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

A single yet effective way to subvert America is to purposely erase its national memory and its original principles and symbols. The object of our Declaration of Independence was and still is one of individual liberty found in the power that flows from God to His people. Citizens would hold sway over their government, not the other way around as is the case today.

The contemporary application of revolution practiced by the communist Left is to transfer all power and wealth to themselves at the expense of others mainly using government as the instrument in that effort.

Whereas our original Revolution at that time was limited to achieve its specific goals, the object of today’s woke revolution is abstract and untethered to the original aims of our Founding Fathers. One feature of communism is it is openended as long as targets remain that it perceives as threats to its power. Liberal revolution is vicious and destructive to the principles of the Declaration. As it is communistic, it can’t be otherwise. As we witness, it relies on purposeful political violence and intimidation to achieve its socialist aims. Many moderate Republicans who have one foot in this camp enable this by their silence and cooperation with the Left.

This contemporary liberal revolution swapped Washington and Jefferson for Lenin, Marx, Ilhan Omar, and George Soros. Even radical Islam is welcomed inside the walls. The Left strive daily to stand truth and reason on their heads.

The terms socialist and Democrat Socialist are used as softer sounding words that obscure their true meaning, which is communism. This is only one example of lying by omission, or bait and switch in common practice.

Yet our Founding Fathers built into our Declaration Divine favor in terms of the mechanisms, principles, and the means to take on all comers.

Harry V. Jaffa wrote, “Nothing threatens the future of human freedom more than the failure to keep alive the understanding of, and attachment to, its principles.”

Today we’re faced with this real threat courtesy of modern liberalism. Its object is a vast wasteland of

I think the city of Goldendale needs to rethink supporting burnouts in our park. Next year don’t issue a permit to any group that wants to burn-out. There are places in the county where it could be held, just not in the city please. I hate toxic smoke, and you should too. On Sept 4 I will be asking the mayor and his administration to make an ordinance forbidding anyone from reckless unsafe burnouts in any ones neighborhood or any street in the Goldendale city limits. I would appreciate some support from like-minded citizens at the council meeting. Let them know how you feel.

secular humanism that relies on the limited human mind rather than the Divine for its authority.

When teaching people who handle money in banks to detect and flag counterfeit, real rather than fake bills are used in their training. As they become familiar with true and honest money, they can quickly spot bogus currency.

Ken McKune Goldendale C

The same concept can be applied by exposure to the truth found in Scripture on which our Declaration and nation was originally founded. The alternative is continuing to fall for the false pyramid scheme of cultural Marxism the world offers up.

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.”

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.

Letters from the community

They matter

Anyone who thinks elections don’t matter is terribly mistaken! Speaker Mike Johnson said that if Republicans maintain a Congressional majority next year, their chief goal will be to eliminate Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Republicans already cut $91 billion from Medicaid for 2027. This will hurt many families that rely on this program.

Social Security benefits will be cut 24% in 2032, unless there is additional funding.

Republicans oppose any additional funding.

Mike Goodpaster Goldendale

Two important candidates

We have two very special offices on this year’s County Ballot, both Executive/CEO level. And we are uniquely fortunate to have two candidates who already have proven executive level experience.

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

Lori Zoller has years of planning background leading up to her current County Commissioner position, and John Bruce retired after 10 years as chief of a police force in a Texas City with over 200 police officers.

Lori is one of the three Board of County Commissioners who have executive authority over entire County officers, policy and huge financial budgets while she constantly measures resident priorities. This teamwork is even more critical in our growing county, with needs growing faster than revenue requiring executive experience where every department budget has more and more pressure.

John comes to us at key time when the Sheriff Department administration needs serious rebuilding, and he not only is qualified to see where the problems exist but also has the years of management experience to fix them. He has years training officers so they can advance their own careers. It is so important for us voters to hang onto Lori by reelecting her and get Bruce into the Sheriff’s position as soon as possible.

Adrian Bradford Lyle

Ken Margraf Goldendale

Republican candidates for Congress have supported Trump’s vanity projects including the Golden Ballroom, the Trump Arch, and repainting the Reflection Pool. Meanwhile, there is little funding for medical research, FEMA, Meals on Wheels, WIC, Food Stamps, Special Education, college tuition assistance, and weather forecasts.

Despite these cuts, the national debt has spiked by $7 trillion in just the past two years. America’s middle class is being impoverished while billionaires don’t need to pay income taxes.

Congressional candidate Amanda McKinney said her campaign is about protecting young girls from trans women. This is hypocritical because she opposes release of the Epstein Files that have protected pedophile predators. In 2024, the NCAA reported there were fewer than six trans females in college sports. Her hysteria is not justified. None of the Republican candidates have criticized Trump’s needless war in Iran, or his efforts to toppled Cuba and Greenland. In 2025, the Republican Congress met just 133 days out of 365, with no sessions in July and August. If you vote for Republicans, nothing will get better!

Gerald Stinnett Sunnyside

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.)

Goldendale FFA members chosen to attend National Catalyst Conference

emily Wooden

GhS FFA Vice PreSidenT

On June 18–21, three Goldendale High School FFA members, Liliana Oswalt, Shelby Zakit, and Emily Wooden, had the amazing opportunity to travel to Indianapolis, Indiana, to attend the National FFA Catalyst Conference.

Goldendale FFA was selected as one of only 25 chapters nationwide after their advisor, Mrs. Randi Krieg, completed and submitted the application. Their travel to the conference was generously supported by Klickitat Valley Health, whose contribution made the trip possible. The students were excited and honored to be chosen for such a competitive experience.

During the conference, the students worked with FFA members from across the country on several hands-on service learning projects. They helped make snack kits for a shelter, created flower

arrangements for local senior homes, built a planting bed for a historic cemetery, assembled dogleash kits for FFA chapters nationwide, and planted garden beds at the National FFA Center. Each

Mudfest returns

Now that school is out and the rodeo is over until next year, Glenwood has been very quiet. But there are great events to look forward to in the coming weeks. Mt. Adams Mudfest returns this year July 17 through the 19th at the Mt. Adams Offroad Park, at 1807 BZ-Glenwood Highway. That’s always a fun and exciting event for families. You can contact the Offroad Park or check out their Facebook page for information regarding entry fees, camping fees, and parking.

The county fair will take place August 13 through the 16th. County Games will begin on Tuesday, August 11. For those local residents who wish to compete in the Team Penning and/or Team Branding events this year, the deadline to enter is July 3. Western Games entries

are also due by July 3. That’s this week, so I hope all who want to participate have registered by the deadlines. We have a great County Fair, and it’s fun for the whole family. And here’s one more reminder to contact Mrs. Troh at the Glenwood School, (509) 364-3438, if you would like to have your child take swimming lessons this summer. Lessons were delayed just a bit for this summer due to the closure of the Leidl Bridge on the Glenwood Highway for repairs. The new dates are July 20 through July 31. I recently was told that bridge repair work is completed but I think the above dates are still the correct dates. Haying is just about to begin here in the valley, so it will be a busy time for the ranchers. Here’s

project helped a different group of people, and the students felt proud knowing their work made a difference as well as learning new skills.

“I really enjoyed being able to make a service learning

an interesting note about making hay. We lived for a few years in Silver Lake, Oregon, before we retired and moved back to our farm. The large hayfields around Silver Lake, Ft. Rock, and Christmas Valley required many people operating all the equipment. The North Lake School, serving all three communities, had “tractor” classes for the students in which they learned to efficiently operate tractors and get a certification to show the ranch owners they were qualified to operate the equipment. That enabled them to get good jobs for the summer. We don’t have quite that large amount of hay production, and we don’t have a Future Farmers of America program, but it would be something to maybe think about for our students. Most students around here learn from their parents.

What’s in the Sky

Jim White

For The SenTinel

Welcome to the first full month of summer and the start of the second half of 2026. Warm summer nights make for excellent stargazing.

Venus will again be the one bright planet that is easy to see in July. The bright planet will be easy to spot after sunset, in the western sky. Jupiter is there also but slowly sinking toward the Sun, very low in the west after sunset. At the start of July, the waning gibbous Moon will be low in the southern evening sky. If you are an early riser, the Moon will join Saturn in the morning sky on July 7 and 8. On the 17th, a beautiful crescent Moon will join Venus in the western sky for a nice evening view.

If you have not yet seen the International Space Station zoom overhead, July is a good month to spot it. The ISS will make numerous passes visible to us in the month as it makes its approximately 90-minute orbit of the Earth. The ISS is visible via reflected light from the Sun, so is visible either after sunset or before sunrise. Here are some good dates and approximate times for viewing the station, based on timings on the website “Heavens Above” in late June. Those times can change. The ISS orbits at an altitude of about 250 miles, and there is a bit of atmosphere even that high, causing the ISS to slow down and drop in altitude due to the atmospheric drag. The Space Station is periodically boosted back to a higher orbit, so exact times of passes can change. Head out a bit earlier than these times, enjoy the stars, and identify a few constellations

• July 6 starting at about 11:10 p.m. The ISS will be moving from southwest to northeast. Look for it near the bright star Spica, low in the west-southwest. As it zooms overhead, it will pass near Cygnus, the northern cross, and will disappear in the northeast. At its highest point it will be about 80 degrees above the horizon, almost straight overhead.

• July 7 about 10:20 p.m. Look for the ISS near the bright star Spica, in the southwest. The ISS will pass close to the bright star Vega, high overhead, and then drop to the northeast.

• July 10 about 9:30 p.m. This one is a bit earlier in the evening, and on a Friday. Watch for the ISS low in the west just after 9:30 p.m. While waiting, check out the close conjunction of Venus and the bright star Regulus, low in the west. The ISS will climb high in the sky, passing near Alkaid, the star at the end of the Big Dipper’s handle.

• July 18 at about 11:15 p.m. This pass will be almost directly overhead. Watch for it in the westnorthwest. It will pass to the left of the Big Dipper and will set in the southsoutheast.

• July 22 about 9:35 p.m. Another earlier pass, in twilight. Watch for it to appear in the northwestern sky. It will pass close to the bright stars Vega and Altair, high in the sky. The sky will not be real dark yet, but Vega should be nicely visible. A few notes on viewing the ISS:

• It takes the ISS several minutes to zoom across the sky, a maximum of about 6 minutes to travel from horizon to horizon. It will be very bright, brighter than most stars. It

project that ties to realworld needs and being able to bring it back to our community,” said Shelby Zakit, GHS FFA secretary.

will be silent; don’t mistake it for a jet plane! Planes make noise and usually have visible strobe lights.

We only see the ISS when the Sun can shine on it, we see the reflected light. When the ISS moves into the Earth’s shadow, you’ll see it quickly dim and disappear.

You will see other satellites passing overhead, there are thousands of satellites orbiting the Earth. None are as bright as the ISS.

One of the biggest lessons students learned was how to identify what a community actually needs instead of just assuming. The workshops helped them think deeper, plan better, and understand how to create projects that truly help people.

“I think that being able to help more than just one community was really impactful and meaningful. I felt like a better person after doing the service projects with National FFA,” said Lilianna Oswalt, GHS FFA chairman.

Overall, the Catalyst Conference inspired the Goldendale FFA members to bring new ideas home and continue serving their community in meaningful ways. With Mrs. Krieg’s guidance and community partners, they are excited to turn what they learned into real projects that will benefit Goldendale.

Contributed

AT THE CONFERENCE: Goldendale High School FFA members, Liliana Oswalt, Shelby Zakit, and Emily Wooden, along with their advisor, Mrs. Randi Krieg, attended a national conference in Indianapolis.

Larry E. Kelley

Larry E. Kelley, resident of Goodnoe Hills, passed away June 26, 2026. He was born September 3, 1946. Larry lived most of his life in the eastern part of Klickitat County. He was a true horseman, cattleman, and lifelong learner. He was happiest when he was working on the back of a horse with his dog by his side. He enjoyed music and

a good story. He was preceded in death by his parents, George E. Kelley and Frances, and his older brother, Edward E. Kelley. He is survived by his sister, Judy K. Schilling; his brother, Steve W. Kelley; some nieces, nephews, and many friends. There will be a private graveside service at a later date.

Patrick Artlee Moothart

Born November 7, 1955 -

Died June 8, 2026.

Pat grew up in Oregon and spent summers in Alaska with his family. As a teen he worked in Fairbanks, Alaska, as a town guide and as a young adult did roofing and worked on the pipeline in Prudo Bay, Alaska.

He graduated from Willamette High School in Eugene, Oregon, in 1973. He attended college at St. Paul College in Minnesota, studying theater and writing. He did stage acting and some small parts in TV and movies in New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

Pat joined Northwest Airlines (NWA) in 1986 as a Customer Service Agent and became a supervisor within a few years. He worked in Boston, Massachusetts; Hartford, Connecticut; Portland, Oregon; Los Angeles,

California; and Honolulu, Hawaii. He took full advantage of the airline benefits and traveled all over the world. His favorite place was Bali, Indonesia. He retired from NWA in 2005 after a broken back accident. He was then diagnosed with throat cancer in 2020 and battled health issues till the end.

Pat was preceded in death by his father, Richard Phillip (Mike) Moothart, and mother, Violet May Mothart; sisters Kristine Moothart, Jewel Bartling, Judy Moothart; and brother Michael Moothart. He is survived by his son, Austin Michael Moothart; ex-wife Cheryl Moothart; fiancé, Jontee Ohanesian; close friends Julie Minshall, Jane Reeve, Jim Wilson, and Katheryn Ridgley; and many nieces and nephews.

State child welfare deaths drop

Jake Goldstein-street

Washington State Standard

Deaths and critical injuries among children in Washington’s child welfare system fell steeply in the first quarter of 2026, state officials reported Wednesday.

Still, four children died and three more nearly died in the first three months of the year.

The total of seven incidents is down from 22 in the same time period in 2025, a spike that alarmed officials and advocates. Preliminary data from the second quarter this year shows similar figures to January through March, according to the state Department of Children, Youth and Families, which runs Washington’s child welfare system.

Many of the child fatalities have been tied to drug exposure. The drop in incidents has coincided with a decline overall in opioid overdoses and wider availability of treatment options.

Last year saw a record 23 deaths and 35 near-deaths. Those figures didn’t quite reach the heights feared in early 2025, but were still cause for major concern.

The total of 58 was up from 48 in 2024 and 51 and 43, respectively, in the two previous years. About half of the incidents in 2025 were tied to fentanyl.

The numbers only cover children who have been involved in the state child welfare system in the year before the maltreat -

ment-related death or critical injury.

Republicans have pushed to overhaul the 2021 Keeping Families Together Act to address the issue. The law raised the standard for separating children from their parents and aimed to keep them with other relatives instead of foster care. The goal was to stop poverty from being used as a reason to take kids away from their parents, and to avoid inflicting the trauma of being separated from family.

Lawmakers in 2024 instructed courts to give “great weight” factoring in the presence of opioids when deciding whether to separate children from their parents. Removals then ticked up.

Natalie Green, the state’s assistant secretary of child welfare, said “we’ve been very happy” with the results of the 2024 law change.

As of the end of April, over 4,400 children were placed in out-of-home care, with 59% staying with relatives or other so-called “kinship caregivers.”

Legislators who sponsored the Keeping Families Together Act have been open to further changes, but disagree on the law being to blame for the spike.

Multiple bills to address the growing concerns stalled in Olympia this year, despite hopes for a bipartisan solution.

One would’ve increased court oversight of Child Protective Services cases

involving children under age 5 who are allowed to stay with their parents instead of being placed in foster care. Another focused on developing a community-based referral path to services for cases involving a child under age 4 and high-potency synthetic opioids, like fentanyl.

Yet another would’ve expanded the crime of child endangerment with a controlled substance to include fentanyl and lowered the standard for filing such a criminal charge.

None became law.

Lawmakers this year, though, earmarked money to help with the issue.

This included a few million dollars to hire more caseworkers; $876,000 for a public health nurse program in some high-need communities to serve families with a child under age 3 where drug use is a factor; $188,000 for a referral program to family resource centers for parents with children older than 3; and $252,000 to expand a program that helps coordinate care and navigate resources for expecting mothers and newborns with prenatal drug exposure.

In the coming months, state agencies will file requests for funding in the two-year budget lawmakers will write in early 2027. Washington is on track to face another budget shortfall.

The Department of Children, Youth and Families

has taken steps on its own, absent further action by the Legislature.

The state now requires “safe child consults” for child welfare cases involving opioid use and a child younger than 3. These reviews help determine whether officials will allow a child to go home or petition a judge for care elsewhere. In 2025, the agency completed over 3,300 of these consults. About two in five involved high-potency synthetic opioids, like fentanyl.

An expansion to the Parent-Child Assistance Program will allow more mothers with substance use disorders to get treatment while remaining with their children. Over 1,500 people currently participate in the program. Looking forward, the Department of Children, Youth and Families sees the need for more staff training specific to parents with substance use disorder to keep infants safe while sleeping.

The budget also created a new workgroup focused on addressing the rise of injuries and deaths in the child welfare system through increased drug treatment options.

“Lots of discussions and conversations continue to happen in order (to understand) how do we address the needs of this population,” Green said. “It’s exciting to see some of the things that are happening.”

BAPTIST

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

CATHOLIC - Holy Trinity Catholic

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

EASTERN ORTHODOX

Ss. Joachim & Anna Orthodox Mission

301 NW 2nd St, Goldendale, 907.317.3828; Rev John Phelps; Sat: 5:30pm Vespers; Sun: 8:15 Orthros, 9:30 Liturgy; Wed: 7pm Youth Group; Fri: 9pm Compline.

GRACE BRETHREN

Community Grace Brethren 1180 S Roosevelt, Goldendale. Pastor Aaron Wirick. 509.773.3388. Sun Service 10:30 in person. Wed: AWANA 2pm. Youth Group 6pm8pm GoldendaleGrace.com. Watch us on Facebook Live: Facebook.com/GoldendaleGrace "Learning - Living - Loving JESUS."

LUTHERAN

Christ the King Lutheran 104 E Simcoe Dr, Goldendale; 509.773.5750. GoldendaleLutheran.org Sunday worship 10am All are welcome.

METHODIST - United Methodist Columbus & Broadway, Goldendale; Pastors Rob Blevins and Larry Gourley; 509.773.4461. Service times: Worship 9:30am; Adult classes 10:45am; Fall & Winter All are welcome. Call the church for regularly scheduled events.

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

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

RIVER of LIFE CHURCH of GOD 2023 Pipeline Rd, Goldendale; Pastors Rod & Cathy Smith, 509.250.0222, Sunday Worship 10:30am; Wednesday Bible Study 7pm RiverofLife222.org

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST

1/2 mile east on Bickleton Hwy. Sabbath School Sat. 9:30am; Worship Service 11am; 509.773.4381.

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Centerville Community Church 508 Dalles Mountain Road, Centerville, WA 98613; 509.637.3068; Pastor Patti McKern; pastorpatti53@gmail.com; Sunday Worship Celebration 10am "Find refreshment for your soul and friends for your journey."

Father’s House Fellowship

207 S Klickitat Ave, 509.773.4719. Basic Bible Fellowship 9:30am; Worship 10:30am; Tue. 6:30pm Freedom Now Meeting. FHF1880@outlook.com “A Gospel-Centered Church.”

The Sentinel at 509.773.3777 or Ads@GoldendaleSentinel.com to include your church’s services & offerings.

O BITUA RIES

The event faces a significant expansion, including, for the first time in a decade a full carnival. That will set up on Main Street, and the car show will be moved around the courthouse. Several specialty acts are expected to show up for the parade as well. And the mayor, good sport that he is, promised to be a target in the dunk tank, though he did stake out a turn in the afternoon, when the water would be warmer.

asking to hear from anyone who saw hikers above Riverview Drive before 1:40 p.m.

Authorities have not indicated that hikers were involved in starting the fire, nor have they identified any suspects or announced a cause. Instead, the request appears aimed at locating people who may have witnessed the fire’s ignition

using publicly listed telephone numbers or official government websites rather than relying on contact information contained in the email itself.

Under the consent agenda, commissioners approved:

• Advertising for maintenance technician in Bickleton for Public Works

• A third amendment to agreement No. TCPIPG2325-KICoED-00061 with the Department of Ecology for the Klickitat Mill Site Integrated Planning

Grant revising the expiration date, Task 1 and the budget

• The purchase of first responder kits for the

or observed activity near where it began.

Officials have not released additional details about what investigators believe occurred during that brief period.

The fire serves as another reminder of how quickly conditions can change in the Columbia River Gorge, where dry grasses, steep terrain and summer winds

Officials emphasize that anyone who receives a suspicious permit-related email should avoid sending money or personal information until they have confirmed its legitimacy directly with the appropriate government agency. As scams become increasingly polished through better research and AI-

E xtra

Sheriff’s Department

• A revision of county organizational charts moving the public records administrator position from Human Resources to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office

• The purchase of Deckard Technologies (RentalScape) Software

• Sheriff Authorization to purchase an engine from Goldendale Exhaust for $8,023.82 for a 2019 Tahoe patrol vehicle

can transform a small ignition into a fast-moving wildfire within minutes.

Anyone with photographs, video or information that may assist the investigation is encouraged to contact Lyle Fire & Rescue District No. 4.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

assisted writing, experts say the strongest defense remains the simplest one: slow down, verify independently, and be especially skeptical whenever an unsolicited email asks for payment by wire transfer.

Courtesy John L aptad

RODEO RECOLLECTIONS: Photographer John Laptad captured these moments from the recent Bickleton Rodeo (above) and the Ketchum Kalf Rodeo in Glenwood.

NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE

TS No WA09000119-25-1 TO No DEF-683320 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE PURSUANT TO THE REVISED CODE OF WASHINGTON CHAPTER 61.24 ET. SEQ.

Grantor: RORY P DONNELLY, AN UNMARRIED MAN

Current Beneficiary of the Deed of Trust: SELECT PORTFOLIO SERVICING, INC. Original Trustee of the Deed of Trust: AMERITITLE Current Trustee of the Deed of Trust: MTC Financial Inc. dba Trustee Corps Current Mortgage Servicer of the Deed of Trust: Select Portfolio Servicing, Inc. Reference Number of the Deed of Trust: Instrument No. 1123432 Parcel Number: 03113011001110

I. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that on July 10, 2026, 10:00 AM, On the front steps main entrance Klickitat County Courthouse, 205 W Columbus Ave, Goldendale, WA 98620, MTC Financial Inc. dba Trustee Corps, the undersigned Trustee, will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder, payable, in the form of cash, or cashier’s check or certified checks from federally or State chartered banks, at the time of sale the following described real property, situated in the County of Klickitat, State of Washington, to-wit: LOT 10, SALMON RUN SUBDIVISION, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF, RECORDED AUGUST 18, 2006, IN BOOK 6, PAGE 57, AUDITOR`S FILE NO. 1064644, KLICKITAT COUNTY PLAT RECORDS. APN: 03113011001110 More commonly known as 119 INGRAM PLACE, WHITE SALMON, WA 98672 which is subject to that certain Deed of Trust dated May 4, 2017, executed by RORY P DONNELLY, AN UNMARRIED MAN as Trustor(s), to secure obligations in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., as designated nominee for DIRECTORS MORTGAGE, INC., Beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, recorded May 10, 2017 as Instrument No. 1123432 and the beneficial interest was assigned to SELECT PORTFOLIO SERVICING, INC. and recorded July 23, 2025 as Instrument Number 1168780 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Klickitat County, Washington. II. No action commenced by SELECT PORTFOLIO SERVICING, INC., the current Beneficiary of the Deed of Trust is now pending to seek satisfaction of the obligation in any Court by reason of the Borrowers’ or Grantors’ default on the obligation secured by the Deed of Trust/ Mortgage. III. The default(s) for which this foreclosure is made is/are as follows: FAILURE TO PAY WHEN DUE THE FOLLOWING AMOUNTS WHICH ARE NOW IN ARREARS: DELINQUENT PAYMENT INFOR-

MATION From January 1, 2025 To February 26, 2026 Total Monthly Payment $29,909.60 Total $29,909.60 LATE CHARGE INFORMATION January 1, 2025 February 26, 2026 $302.08 PROMISSORY NOTE INFORMATION Note Dated: May 4, 2017 Note Amount

$351,000.00 Interest Paid To: December 1, 2024 Next Due Date: January 1, 2025 Current Beneficiary: SELECT PORTFOLIO SERVICING, INC. Contact Phone No: (888) 349-8955 Address: 3217 S. Decker Lake Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84119 IV. The sum owing on the obligation secured by the Deed of Trust is:

N otices

The principal sum of $63,639.99, together with interest as provided in the Note or other instrument secured, and such other costs and fees as are due under the Note or other instrument secured, and as are provided by statute. V. The above described real property will be sold to satisfy the expense of sale and the obligation secured by the Deed of Trust as provided by statute. Said sale will be made without warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession or encumbrances on July 10, 2026. The defaults referred to in Paragraph III must be cured by June 29, 2026, (11 days before the sale date) to cause a discontinuance of the sale. The sale will be discontinued and terminated if at any time before June 29, 2026 (11 days before the sale) the default as set forth in Paragraph III is cured and the Trustees’ fees and costs are paid. Payment must be in cash or with cashiers’ or certified checks from a State or federally chartered bank. The sale may be terminated any time after the June 29, 2026 (11 days before the sale date) and before the sale, by the Borrower or Grantor or the holder of any recorded junior lien or encumbrance by paying the entire principal and interest secured by the Deed of Trust, plus costs, fees and advances, if any, made pursuant to the terms of the obligation and/or Deed of Trust, and curing all other defaults. VI. A written Notice of Default was transmitted by the current Beneficiary, SELECT PORTFOLIO SERVICING, INC. or Trustee to the Borrower and Grantor at the following address(es): ADDRESS RORY P DONNELLY 119 INGRAM PLACE, WHITE SALMON, WA 98672 RORY P DONNELLY 3850 N. MISSISSIPPI, A213, PORTLAND, OR 97227 RORY P DONNELLY PO BOX 1131, WHITE SALMON, WA 98672 OCCUPANT 119 INGRAM PLACE, WHITE SALMON, WA 98672 UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF RORY P DONNELLY 119 INGRAM PLACE, WHITE SALMON, WA 98672 UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF RORY P DONNELLY 3850 N. MISSISSIPPI, A213, PORTLAND, OR 97227 by both first class and certified mail on December 31, 2025, proof of which is in the possession of the Trustee; and the Borrower and Grantor were personally served with said written Notice of Default or the written Notice of Default was posted in a conspicuous place January 2, 2026 on the real property described in Paragraph I above, and the Trustee has possession of proof of such service or posting. VII. The Trustee whose name and address are set forth below will provide in writing to anyone requesting it, a statement of all costs and fees due at any time prior to the sale. VIII. The effect of the sale will be to deprive the Grantor and all those who hold by, through or under the Grantor of all their interest in the above described property. IX. Anyone having any objections to this sale on any grounds whatsoever will be afforded an opportunity to be heard as to those objections if they bring a lawsuit to restrain the sale pursuant to RCW 61.24.130. Failure to bring such a lawsuit may result in a waiver of any proper grounds for invalidating the Trustees’ Sale. X. Notice to Occupants or Tenants. The purchaser at the Trustee’s sale is entitled to possession of the property on the 20th day following the sale, as against the Grantor under the deed of trust (the owner) and anyone having an

This Just In....

• Notice of Meeting: 2026-27 Budget and Public Hearing

- Goldendale School District No. 404

• Notice of Surplus Items: Board Resolution #25-26-07Goldendale School District No. 404

Public Notice: Coverage under Washington State Department of Ecology Sand and Gravel General

Permit - Riley Brothers, Inc.

Probate Notice to Creditors: Jean Ann CarsonTimmons Law Office

Determination of Non Significance: SEPA26-02 City of Goldendale - City of Goldendale

interest junior to the deed of trust, including occupants who are not tenants. After the 20th day following the sale the purchaser has the right to evict occupants who are not tenants by summary proceedings under chapter 59.12 RCW. For tenant-occupied property, the purchaser shall provide a tenant with written notice in accordance with RCW 61.24.060. Notice to Borrower(s) who received a letter under RCW 61.24.031: THIS NOTICE IS THE FINAL STEP BEFORE THE FORECLOSURE SALE OF YOUR HOME. Mediation MUST be requested between the time you receive the Notice of Default and no later than 90 calendar days BEFORE the date of sale listed in the Notice of Trustee Sale. If an amended Notice of Trustee Sale is recorded providing a 45-day notice of the sale, mediation must be requested no later than 25 calendar days BEFORE the date of sale listed in the amended Notice of Trustee Sale. DO NOT DELAY. CONTACT A HOUSING COUNSELOR OR AN ATTORNEY LICENSED IN WASHINGTON NOW to assess your situation and refer you to mediation if you might eligible and it may help you save your home. See below for safe sources of help. SEEKING ASSISTANCE Housing counselors and legal assistance may be available at little or no cost to you. If you would like assistance in determining your rights and opportunities to keep your house, you may contact the following: The statewide foreclosure hotline for assistance and referral to housing counselors recommended by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission: Toll-free: 1-877894-HOME (1-877-894-4663) Website: https://www.homeownership-wa.org/ The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development: Toll-free: 1-800-5694287 Website: https://answers.hud.gov/ housingcounseling/ s/?language=en_US The statewide civil legal aid hotline for assistance and referrals to other housing counselors and attorneys: Toll-free: 1-800606-4819 Website: https:// nwjustice.org/home Effective March 1, 2026, new federal regulations (89 Fed. Reg. 70.258) will impact residential real property (1-4 residential units) title transfers to covered entities trusts, with reporting requirements unless exempt. https://www.federalregister. gov/ documents/2024/08/29/2024 -19198/anti-money-laundering-regulations-for-residential-real-estate-transfers Dated: February 27 , 2026 MTC Financial Inc. dba Trustee Corps, as Duly Appointed Successor Trustee By: Alan Burton, Vice President MTC Financial Inc. dba Trustee Corps 606 W. Gowe Street Kent, WA 98032-5744 Toll Free Number: (844) 367-8456 TDD: 711 949.252.8300 For Reinstatement/Pay Off Quotes, contact MTC Financial Inc. DBA Trustee Corps NPP0485753 To: GOLDEN-

DALE SENTINEL 06/10/2026, 07/01/2026 (2305, 2601)

PUBLIC NOTICE

2026 KLICKITAT COUNTY FAIR BOX SEAT BID NOTICE

The Klickitat County Fair Board is accepting bids for box seats in the grandstands for the 2026 Fair & Rodeo. Each box will be furnished with six (6) chairs. Boxes 2-6 require a minimum bid of $200. Boxes Box 7-23 require a minimum bid of $300. Box 17 will be offered up first to the grand marshal’s family and will be offered to the public if the family elects not to purchase. Prospective bidders can contact Erika Beasley (509) 250-3146 or Tracy King (509) 261-2823 with questions. Maps and bidding forms are available at www. klickitatcountyfair.com. Bids are to be submitted online and/or written sealed bids are to be mailed to Erika Beasley, c/o BOX SEAT COMMITTEE, 101 Clyde Story Road, Goldendale, WA 98620. Only 1 box seat per household will be awarded. Bids must be submitted online or postmarked no later than July 3, 2026. Bids will be awarded at the Fair Board meeting on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, held at the Klickitat County Fairgrounds at 7:00 p.m. (2407, 2502, 2602)

NOTICE OF FILING AND PUBLIC HEARING FOR REGULATING ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS

CITY OF GOLDENDALE

NOTICE IS HERBY GIVEN that the City Council is adopting an ordinance regulating accessory dwelling units within the city. The City Council of the City of Goldendale has scheduled public hearings on July 6th, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 1103 S Columbus Ave, Goldendale WA. The purpose of the public hearing is to discuss regulating accessory dwelling units. All interested parties shall have an opportunity to be heard at such time and place.

Shelly Enderby Clerk-Treasurer (2505, 2603)

NOTICE OF MEETING TO ADOPT 2026-27 BUDGET and PUBLIC HEARING GOLDENDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 404 KLICKITAT COUNTY, WASHINGTON

NOTICE is hereby given, pursuant to RCW 28A.505.050 and RCW 28A.505.060, that the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Goldendale School District No. 404, Klickitat County, Washington (the “District”) will hold a Public Hearing with Board action following regarding the adoption of the 2026-27 Budget on July 27, 2026, commencing at 7:00 PM in the Primary School Library, 820 S. Schuster Drive, Goldendale WA. The meeting is called for the purpose of fixing and adopting the budget and MSOC disclosure of the District for the ensuing 2026-27 fiscal year. Prior to adoption of the

2026-27 budget, the Board will hold a hearing for the purpose of receiving comments from the public on the 202627 budget. Any person may appear at the hearing and be heard for or against any part of the 2026-27 budget, the four-year budget plan, or any proposed changes to uses of enrichment funding under RCW 28A.505.240. Upon conclusion of the hearing, the Board shall fix and determine the appropriation from each fund contained in the 2026-27 budget and shall, by resolution, adopt the 2026-27 budget, the four-year budget plan summary, and the four-year enrollment projection. The 2026-27 budget information are available at the District Office.

GOLDENDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 404

KLICITAT COUNTY, WASHINGTON

Dr. Ryan Anderson

Superintendent and Secretary to the Board of Directors (2604, 2701)

NOTICE OF SURPLUS ITEMS

The Goldendale School District, per Board Resolution # 25-26-07, hereby declares the following items surplus: Old 2001 School Bus, misc. computer Hardware (mainly parts), old furniture, curriculum, steam table, old stoves, popcorn machine, wrestling mats, misc. classroom items etc.

Available to nonprofits until July 15, 2026 via sealed offers that will be opened at 3:00 pm on July 15, 2026. Remaining items will be disposed starting July 16, 2026 to the public through sealed offers and or disposal. Public offers will be accepted from July 16, 2026 and will be opened on August 5, 2026 at 3:00 pm. District reserves the right to reject any offers not deemed reasonable. Questions please call or email: Dean Schlenker, Business Manager 509-773-5177 email: dean.schlenker@ gsd404.org (2605, 2702)

PUBLIC NOTICE

Riley Brothers Inc., PO Box 1078 GOLDENDALE, WA 98620, is seeking coverage under the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Sand and Gravel General Permit.

The facility, known as Grabner Quarry, is located at 479 Middle Rd in Bickleton, in (county). Activities at the facility will include Other Crushed and Broken Stone Mining and Quarrying, Asphalt Paving Mixture and Block Manufacturing, Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing, Other Concrete Product Manufacturing, Recycling Asphalt. This facility may discharge stormwater to un-named drainage channel located to the west. Any person desiring to present their views to the Department of Ecology regarding this application may do so in writing within thirty days of the last date of publication of this notice. Comments shall be submitted to the Department of Ecology. Any person interested in the department’s action on this application may notify the department of their interest within thirty days of the last date of publication of this notice. Ecology reviews public comments and considers whether discharges from this project would cause a measurable change in receiving water quality, and, if so, whether the project is necessary in the overriding public interest according to Tier II anti-degradation requirements under WAC 173-201A-

320. Submit comments to: ATTN: WQ Sand & Gravel Permit Coordinator Washington State Department of Ecology Central Regional Office 1250 W. Alder St. Union Gap, WA 98903-0009 (2606, 2703) IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR KLICKITAT COUNTY In the Matter of the Estate of JEAN ANN CARSON, Deceased. Case No. 25-4-00017-20 PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS RCW 11.40.030

The personal representative named below has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.

Date of first publication: July 1, 2026. /s/ Sallie Ann McKibben Sallie Ann McKibben, Personal Representative Estate of Jean Ann Carson PO Box 2350 The Dalles OR 97058 (2607, 2704, 2801) CITY OF GOLDENDALE DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE Notice is hereby given that the City of Goldendale issued a Determination of Nonsignificance (DNS) on June 22, 2026, under SEPA Rules (Chapter 197-11 WAC) and the City of Goldendale Environmental Ordinance Number 1261 for the following proposal: SEPA 26-02 Applicant: City of Goldendale Description of Proposal: The applicant is proposing to change zoning ordinances regarding ADU (accessory dwelling units) in zone codes for R-1, R-2, R-3, SR, RR, and C-2 After review of the completed environmental checklist and other information on file the City of Goldendale Responsible Official has determined that this proposal will not have probable significant adverse impacts on the environment. Copies of the DNS are available at the City of Goldendale during normal business hours. Comments or appeals on the above environmental review will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. July 6, 2026. Comments shall be submitted to the City of Goldendale, 1103 South Columbus, Goldendale, WA 98620; appeals must be filed with the City of Goldendale with an appeal fee of $100.00. (2608)

c lassifieds

1112 W 9th Street The Dalles

3rd Thursday of the month

1:30pm-3pm Questions, 541-980-8633

DEMENTIA Support Group

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

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS meetings please go to gorgeaa.org.

Alcoholicos Anonimos Reuniones

Jueves 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm St. Paul Episcopal Church 1805 Minnesota St. The Dalles, OR 97058

NAMI|Oregon National Alliance on Mental Illness

NAMI is the largest education, support and advocacy organization on mental health in the nation. The Mission of NAMI Oregon is to improve the quality of life of persons with mental illness and of their famillies through support, education and advocacy.

Under NAMI Oregon sponsorship, NAMI-Gorge providees a monthly support group meeting for caregivers, friends, and family members of persons with mental illness.

Monthly NAMI Gorge inperson meetings are being conducted the first Thursday of every month from 6 to 7:30pm at the Gloria Center at 2505 W. 7th Street, The Dalles. For information on local NAMI Resources, please contact Barbara Telfer: at 541-980-7264 or by email: booklovinbarbarian@gmail. com.

For other NAMI information or resources: NAMI Oregon Support Line 1-800-3436264.

TOPS - Taking Off Pounds Sensibly meets upstairs at Columbia Bank in White Salmon at 10am on Tuesdays. Join us at 90 NE Tohomish St., White Salmon, WA 98672. No meetings during severe weather. 541980-0251.

DO YOU HAVE HURTS, HABITS, HANG-UPS?

Attend CELEBRATE RECOVERY, a faith-based 12 step program, every Thursday night at Hood River Alliance Church

2650 W. Montello (Off Rand Road) Dinner provided at 5:45pm and large group meeting at 6:30pm For more info. call 541-386-2812

Episcopal Church of St. Paul, 1805 Minnesota, Taylor Hall. Meets every Thursday, 12:30-1:30pm. This meeting is free and open to anyone in the community who is interested in attending. PARKINSON’S Support Group: 1st Thursday of every month, 10:45am11:45am in the Deschutes Room at Waters Edge, 551 Lone Pine Blvd., 2nd Floor. For more information, please contact Chad @ 541-3400142.

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

TOPS OR #443 meets Thursday mornings, 8:30- 10 am. @ Zion Lutheran Church, use elevator entrance only. 10th and Union St., The Dalles, OR. Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group Meets in person at Columbia Gorge Community College, Hood River campus, across from Rosauers, on the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30-6:30pm. Support group participants have all lost someone to suicide and strive to help each other with their grief journeys and advocate for suicide prevention. Contact Brent and Shawnee at bsemmons@ hrecn.net or 541-806-2790.

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

TOPS OR #942 meets at Gateway Presbyterian Church, The Dalles, Thursdays, 5:30-6:30pm.

HAVEN: Weekly counseling groups for victims of domestic/teen dating violence or sexual assault. Biweekly educational classes given in Spanish and English for domestic violence. Call Haven, 541-296-1662.

MAC Lung Disease Support Group: for details, please call 541-483-2253 or 541805-5068.

STROKE SURVIVORS SUPPORT GROUP Mid Columbia Senior Center

joys arts and crafts, animals, and going for walks. She has been waiting to spend a couple days a month with a mentor who could get her out of the house and expose her to more outdoor activities. For more information on how to get involved with G.Y.M., please call Kateel at 541-399-0259.

$500 or Less CLEAR Glass Dinner Plates, set of 15. 10 inch diameter. $45. 541-490-7254.

TRUMPET. Jupiter CXL CTR-60. Used. Valued new at $850, selling for $300. Comes w/ hard case and music stand. Email: ljcaracciolo@embarqmail.com or call/text: 541-705-0342.

PLANT Water Globes. Handblown Glass Water Globes for plants. Selling set of 7. Various sizes and colors. $10 for all 7. 541-387-4752. Not textable.

1949 ENGINE. 4 cylinder, 134L. $475. 541-354-1748.

WANT to sell something in the Budget Classifieds section? If you’re selling ONE item for $500 for less, we’ll place your five-line ad for free for one week! See the $500 or Less Box for exclusions. Call our newspaper to place your ad: Columbia Gorge News 541-386-1234

PUZZLE. Kids 48-Piece Puzzle. “Day at the Museum - Dinosaurs.” Complete. Like new. $10. 541-387-4752. Not textable.

PUZZLE. Kids “Glow in the Dark” Lizard and Frogs Puzzle. 100 pieces, complete. Like new. $7. 541-387-4752. Not textable.

WICKER Chair with wood and bamboo frame. Wood feet. Large, sturdy, nice. 31”W x 35”T x 23” D. $300. 541-387-4752. Not textable.

SNOW Cone Machine with extras. $400. 541-354-1748.

BICYCLE Brake Pads. Brand new replacements. Selling 2. $15 for both. 541387-4752. Not textable.

MYSTIC Mud 12” serving platter and matching 9” bowl (2014). Pear pattern on red background. $30 each. 541490-7254.

TABLE. Two tier round mahogany claw foot table. Top 26 “ diameter, lower shelf 20” diameter and 13 “ above floor level. $195. 541-4907254.

DOG Accessories. 2 Stainless steel dog bowls, small/ large chain training collars, short & long leashes, animal shampoo. $15 for all. 541705-0342.

GRIEF SUPPORT Establishing a Grief Support Group. Please call Natasha 702-755-0778

AL ANON FAMILY GROUPS

(Support for family and friends of alcoholics) meets Mondays at noon Pathways to Recovery Riverside Community Church 317 State St. Ruth Wells Room Tuesdays at 7pm St. Mark’s 11th & Eugene Hood River

NARCOTICS Anonymous: Goldendale United Methodist Church, 109 E Broadway, Thursdays @ 7pm.

AA in WAMIC (open): Tuesdays @ 7pm, NEW LOCATION! Molly B’s @ 57740 Main St., Tygh Valley, Oregon.

Volunteers

MENTORS WANTED

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

(G.Y.M.)

a program of The Next Door, is seeking a positive, adult role model for a 7-year-old boy in The Dalles, who is outgoing, talkative, and fun. He enjoys playing basketball, riding bikes, and building things with Legos. He has been waiting to spend a couple days a month with a mentor who could expose him to more outdoor activities and help expand his reading skills. For more information on how to get involved with G.Y.M., please call Kateel at 541-399-0259.

Gorge Youth Mentoring (G.Y.M.)

a program of The Next Door, is seeking a positive, adult role model for a 12-year-old girl in The Dalles, who en-

PLANT Water Globes. Handblown Glass Water Globes for plants. Selling set of 7. Various sizes and colors. $10 for all 7. 541-387-4752. Not textable.

AREA Rug. Red, white & black Persian-looking rug. 8’ x 10’, made of poly propylene. Very clean. Looks new. $95. 310-980-0055.

Miscellaneous

Wanted

FILL DIRT WANTED Fill dirt wanted in Dallesport. 541-680-0398.

WANTED: Old Rock

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

Musical Items

TRUMPET. Jupiter CXL

CTR-60. Used. Valued new at $850, selling for $300. Comes w/ hard case and music stand. Email: ljcaracciolo@embarqmail.com or call/text: 541-705-0342.

Tools

CRAFTSMAN 26 x 14 x 31”

Rolling Tool Cabinet. Locking 4” drawer, 2 stationary shelves. $45 541-490-7254.

Sporting Goods

BICYCLE Brake Pads. Brand new replacements. Selling 2. $15 for both. 541-387-4752. Not textable.

NOTICE

Certain laws and restrictions, as well as registration requirements, apply to the sale of firearms. For more information, contact the Seattle Field Division of the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms at 206-2043205. This field division is responsible for Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Alaska and Hawaii. You may also go to www.atf.gov for FAQs and information.

Dogs LABRADOODLE Puppies. 5 Males, 3 months old, have had 2nd shots, and wormed. Great family dogs. $200. 509-395-2788, land line.

Adorable quality AKC Maltese Puppies

Adorable AKC Maltese Puppies raised in our home as family members. We view each adoption like adopting a child. They deserve that type of dedication & love. We feed high quality food/treats/ vitamins & provide a high level of care. We lavish them with love, attention, positive reinforcement, and training to create well adjusted companions with great personalities. Puppy pad trained / outside training started. First vaccines / wormed. Mom 6 lbs, dad 5 lbs. Http://www. lovehavens.com or 541-8489070

thedalleschronicle.com 541-296-2141 whitesalmonenterprise. com 509-493-2112

4-Wheel Drives

AWD Subaru. ‘92 Subaru Wagon. 5 speed, 245K miles. Clean. Extra set snow tires. New battery. $1,300. mudrock229@gmail. White Salmon.

Boats & Motors SUMMER’S here! For Sale, 13 ft., 2 person kayak. Used 6 times and paid $1,600. In excellent condition. Firm @ $900. If interested email to Mountainview9698@gmail. com for pictures.

Apartments for Rent

PUBLISHER’S

NOTICE

own groceries. Skilled, dependable worker. References. Adam, 458-588-9144.

Roommates Wanted

Young Professional Seeking Roommate Hello! I am a 23-year-old male seeking a housemate starting August 1 in the heart of the Hood River Heights District. The two-story, 1700 square foot townhome features 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, a living room, a full kitchen, a 1-car garage, and ample street parking. There is a washer/dryer unit located in an entrance space shared with a tenant in a basement unit. Pets are prohibited.

Rent is $950 per person. Utilities average less than $200 per person. A 12-month rent agreement is preferred.

The residence sits on private property in an idyllic, quiet location, within walking distance to downtown (via the 2nd Street staircase), Wilson Park, and the Heights District.

As a culture reporter at a local news media company, I have a deep interest in the arts, particularly film and music. I’m also an avid outdoorsman, frequently biking, hiking, running, and swimming around the Gorge. My love for sports extends to football, basketball, and baseball, which I follow passionately. I consider myself active and social, often out of the house

Help Wanted

MARKETING ASSISTANT

Part Time Hood River Distillers is seeking a part-time Marketing Assistant (25 hrs/ week, schedule negotiable). Duties include supporting marketing and sales teams, printing and shipping, event coordination, and program initiatives. Experience with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator a plus. 24.5026.50/hr. Read the full job description and apply at hrdistillers.com.

Hood River Distillers is seeking a COMPLIANCE SPECIALIST Are you passionate about accuracy, organization, and doing things the right way? We’re looking for a detail-oriented Compliance Specialist to help ensure our business operates with the highest standards of integrity while meeting complex regulatory requirements. In this role,

AREA Rug. Red, white & black Persian-looking rug. 8’ x 10’, made of poly propylene. Very clean. Looks new. $95. 310-980-0055.

$500 OR LESS Ads run 1 Week FREE!

• Private Party Only • No Commercial Ads • Items $500 or less • 5 Lines Free • Includes print & online Excludes: Food, produce, hay, animals, firewood, fuel, automobiles and garage sales.

CRAFTSMAN 26 x 14 x 31”

Rolling Tool Cabinet. Locking 4” drawer, 2 stationary shelves. $45 541-490-7254.

LENNOX China Service for 12. 68-piece service for 12 Lenox China. Belvidere pattern. $400. 541-490-7254.

JACOB Doll Antique Upright Piano. Needs to be cleaned and tuned. Free. You Haul. 541-806-0859.

Firewood & Heating Fuel

FIREWOOD

Hardwood Honey Locust and Elm. Other types of wood available as well for mixed loads. Hood River. Call Dave at 541-490-7105.

Furniture TABLE. Two tier round mahogany claw foot table. Top 26 “ diameter, lower shelf 20” diameter and 13 “ above floor level. $195. 541-4907254.

WICKER Chair with wood and bamboo frame. Wood feet. Large, sturdy, nice. 31”W x 35”T x 23” D. $300. 541-387-4752. Not textable.

Household Merchandise MYSTIC Mud 12” serving platter and matching 9” bowl (2014). Pear pattern on red background. $30 each. 541490-7254.

LENNOX China Service for 12. 68-piece service for 12 Lenox China. Belvidere pattern. $400. 541-490-7254. Miscellaneous

PUZZLE. Kids 48-Piece Puzzle. “Day at the Museum - Dinosaurs.” Complete. Like new. $7. 541-387-4752. Not textable.

SNOW Cone Machine with extras. $400. 541-354-1748.

PUZZLE. Kids “Glow in the Dark” Lizard and Frogs Puzzle. 100 pieces, complete. Like new. $7. 541-387-4752. Not textable.

PURE BRED WHITE PUG

PUPPIES

Pure bred white Pugs for sale. $800. Call or text. 541-300-4897.

Garden & Lawn

MAPLE Trees. Japanese Green Leaf Maple Trees. 2-3 ft tall. $25 each. 541-4907254.

Hay, Straw, Feed

ALFALFA or TEFF GRASS For Sale by Weatherford Ranches 13 miles South of Arlington

2-String Bales: Available now: • 2nd cutting Alfalfa Hay - $11/bale • Barley Hay - $11/bale • Grass/Clover Hay$11/bale

Taking Order for: • 1st cutting Teff Grass Hay - $11/bale C>Call Morris at (208) 350-0981 to order. Delivery available, ask for a quote.

All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertiser any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sec, handicap, familial state or national origin, or an intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discriminations. Familial state includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women & people securing custody of children under 19. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any adverting for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-800-669-9777, TTY/TDD: 1-800-927-9275.

Condos/

Townhomes THE DALLES - 3bdrm./2.5 bath. FREE RENT FOR JUNE !!!!! Then Low Rent only $1,995. Large 1,500 sq. ft. Three bedroom, 2.5 bath condo. Updated master bath, plus carpet, paint. W&D in unit. Marble counter tops. SS appliances. Nice back yard with view of Mill Creek. 2 decks. Attached garage, plus extra off street parking. Call or text, 503-806-1525.

Rentals Wanted SEEKING SECURE SPACE - Urgently need room in The Dalles for $200 month and inside/outside work. Have

If

TASTING ROOM ASSOCIATE AT HOOD RIVER DISTILLERS Hood River Distillers Tasting Room Associate. We’re

Investment

This Calendar of Events listing is FREE! Email your event to events@goldendalesentinel.com or call 509-773-3777.

Are you in need of an eyecatching display ad to highlight your event? Email us at ads@ goldendalesentinel.com. Our friendly, helpful staff would love to help you find an advertising package that works for your needs and fits your budget! We offer online ads as well—with roughly 22,000 unique hits on our website each month, this is a great way to reach even more people.

July 3, Klickitat County Fair Entry Deadline! All fair entries - regardless of typemust be registered to enter by the deadline at www.klickitatcountyfair.com. You can find general rules, deadlines, relevant dates and exhibit drop-off times for all departments at the fair’s website. Departments and Events that require pre-registered fair entries are:

• ALL departments in the Exhibit Building: Baking, Booth Exhibits, Crafts/Hobbies/ Ceramics, Crops & Horticulture, Farm Shop, Fiber Arts, Fine Arts, Fleece Show, Flowers & Plants, Food Preservation, Needlework, Photography, Quilts and Sewing.

• Hay & Grain King Contests

• 4-H, FFA, 4-H Archery, All Livestock, Dog and Horse Shows, Western Games

• County Rodeo Events: Team Penning/Branding, Ranch Sorting, and Team Roping

If for any reason that your pre-registered exhibit is not ready by the exhibit drop off date, there is no penalty; let the department know that you did not bring that exhibit and your entry submission and pre-printed entry tag will be scratched. drop off dates and times as they differ across departments. Need help or resources to use the fair’s website to register your entries? Call the WSU Extension office at 509-773-5817 and make an appointment with Harley Clever, You can also

Community Events

visit your local Fort Vancouver Regional Library or Bookmobile for access to online resources as well.

July 4, Wishram Commu-

teers needed for setup at 9:30 and throughout the day.

July 4, 2026 Demo Derby & Truck Tug O’War: 10 a.m. at the Klickitat County Fair-

& Truck Tug O’ War, proudly presented by ABATE of Washington – Columbia Gorge Chapter. This high-energy event draws motorsports fans from across the

Goldendale - times vary by day.

Celebrating 100 years of Community Days! Carnival all days, Parade linup at 10 on Schuster, step off at 11 following the regular parade route, Car show Saturday with awards at 3 p.m., Native American Pow Wow presentation at 3 p.m. on the courthouse lawn, Quilt show at the Presby on Saturday from 10 a.m. Many moreevents such as Mat Chiles lego world exhibition at the Lodge, Lawn mower dragsters, beer garden, vendors., The Seattle Cossacks, scavenger hunt, and live music.

July 11 - 12, Starry Night at the Museum: Event check-in begins at 4 pm on Saturday. The museum will remain open after hours exclusively for Starry Night ticketholders until 7 pm. Loïe’s: The Museum Cafe will be open inside the museum selling sandwiches, wraps, soups, salads, and beverages until 7 pm. Enjoy current exhibitions and collections, listen to stories, and gaze at the stars with telescopes. Volunteers from Rose City Astronomers (Portland, OR) set up telescopes and teach participants about constellations in the night sky with a schedule of sightings well into the wee hours of the morning. Storyteller Will Hornyak and Astronomer Troy Carpenter (Goldendale Observatory) educate and entertain as the evening events proceed.

for the position of County Sheriff and County Commissioner. Doors open at 5:30 July 24, OMSI Wild Weather: 10: 30 a.m. at the Goldendale Library on Burgen. Thunder, lighting, and everything in between, OMSI shares the magic of weather by explaining what causes exciting (and sometimes dangerous) weather conditions. Come learn how to track weather and stay safe. July 25, Miniature Golf Fundraiser: 7 - 9 p.m. at the Goldendale Library on Burgen St. Join Friends of Goldendale Community Library for Mini Golf and support Goldendale Community Library! What to expect: • 12 holes designed and sponsored by area businesses/ organizations and the Friends of Goldendale Community Library • Play in groups of 4 or less • Young children must have an adult to play

• Cost is by donation

• Space is limited, sign up your group (up to 4) at the library July 31, Reptile Man - THe Fascinating World of Reptiles: 10 a.m. at the Goldendale Library. Scales, slithers, and surprises await! Join the Oregon Reptile Man for a creepy, crawly adventure featuring live reptiles, big laughs, and up-close encounters.

August 13 - 16, Klickitat County Fair and Rodeo: Ticket prices: Thursday/Friday $5.00. Saturday/Sunday $10,00. Season Ticket $20.00. More information to come!

nity 4th of July Picnic: Parade starts at 12, picnic at 1 p.m. Potluck lunch at the train park with pulled pork sandwiches and hotdogs. Games for the kids Volun-

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region for an action-packed day. celebrating horsepower, skill, and community spirit.

July 9 - 11, Goldendale Community Days: Downtown

On Sunday, Loïe’s: The Museum Cafe reopens at 8 am for ticketholders. Coffee, tea, and a light continental breakfast will be available for purchase. Ticketholders receive complimentary access to the museum from 10 am until 5 pm that day.

July 21, Candidats Night at the Grange: 6 p.m. at the Goldendale Grange Hall on East Darland. Candidates running

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September 11-13, Annual Huckleberry Festival: Live entertainment, dance floor, huckleberry pies and ice cream, vendors, beer garden, kids activities and so much more! Daubenspeck Park in Bingen You don’t want to miss this one. Starting at 5 pm on Friday and ending at 5 pm Sunday. FREE! NO COVER CHARGE .

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Donate your car, truck,

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

temperatures in the low fifties, much like winter here in Vancouver, but with higher humidity. And more sheep. There are just over 5 sheep per person in New Zealand (compared to .006 sheep per person in WA, or 1 sheep per 175 people. Don’t you love the internet?).

right to vote in 1893, the first self-governed country to do so. The indigenous people of New Zealand are the Maori, who make

(Feature Impact) There’s just something timeless about a summer cookout with friends, family or neighbors. Whether it’s the sound of burgers sizzling on the grill or the smell of your favorite seasonal sides, the event invokes nostalgia and camaraderie.

While the spotlight may land on the burgers and barbecued fare, seasoned grill masters know the supporting cast matters, too. Makers of soft, delicious hamburger and hot dog buns fit to be the foundation of summer gatherings for more than 100 years, the bun experts at Wonder suggest a few ways to ensure your entertaining ventures are successful throughout the season. Do what you can ahead of time

Stick to a mix of easy favorites and make-ahead sides to keep prep manageable while offering something for everyone to enjoy. When possible, prep ahead of time so you can keep your focus on the fun and your attention on the hot grill. Chop vegetables, wash lettuce for burgers, make sure you have picked out the perfect buns, form and season beef patties and mix marinades the day before the big bash to avoid last-minute rushes around the kitchen.

Prep the grill

Patience is key when it comes to grilling, as a properly heated grill is the foundation for good cooking. Give gas grills enough time to come to temperature, around 10-15 minutes, and allow charcoal to ash over completely. When grilling different types of food, it’s especially helpful to set up cooking zones—direct and indirect—so you can cook meat, veggies and buns differently or move finished food to one side, as needed.

up about 17.5% of the population. Their name for the islands means “land of the long white cloud.” The native language, Te Reo Maori, is one of three official languages, English and New Zealand Sign Language being the other two. The kiwi, a national symbol, is a flightless bird about the size of a chicken, whose feathers are used in Maori ceremonial cloaks. Several other plants, animals and birds are unique to New Zealand, but you won’t find any snakes - none are native to the islands. Read on for books about New Zealand and by New Zealand authors.

Travel

• “Fodor’s Essential New Zealand” (2025)

• “New Zealand: A Travel Survival Kit” by Lonely Planet (2025)

• “Discover the Wonders of New Zealand” by Ralph Palmer (2023)

Nonfiction

• “A Different Kind of Power” by Jacinda Ardern (2025)former Prime Minister of New Zealand

• “Always Italicize: How to Write While Colonised” by Alice Te Punga Somerville (2024)

• “Anne Perry and the Murder of the Century” by Peter Graham (2013)

Additionally, to help prevent sticking, lightly oil the clean grill grates before cooking. Using tongs and a paper towel dipped in oil is often more effective than coating foods with oil. Use a meat thermometer

You may be a seasoned grill master, but guesswork can lead to mistakes, especially when cooking for a crowd. Avoid overcooked (or worse, undercooked) chicken and burgers by using an instant-read thermometer to help ensure meat is cooked safely while retaining its juicy flavor.

Grill buns correctly

Burgers and hot dogs are classics for a reason, but avoiding soggy buns and mid-bite fallout requires the right bun for the job. Striking the perfect balance of pillowy softness with the structure to hold their shape through every loaded topping, condiment and bite is key when choosing the right bun for the job. More than just a vehicle for grilled favorites, Wonder Classic Hamburger and Hot Dog Buns are a familiar taste that makes cookouts delicious and have held it together, literally and figuratively, for more than a century. In continuing its longstanding partnership with the USO through the annual Deploy the Joy campaign, you can keep an eye out through Sept. 12 for special packaging on select products with scannable QR codes for a chance to win a $10,000 Birthday Bash.

For great grilled buns, follow a few easy steps:

• Brush cut sides of buns with softened butter, mayo or both to help the bun brown evenly.

• Lightly salt the buttered side before grilling.

• During the last 2 minutes of cooking

• “Maori Tattooing” by Horatio Robley (2003)

Fiction

• “Paper Cage” by Tom Baragwanath (2024)

• “Birnam Wood” by Eleanor Catton (2023)

• “Money in the Morgue” by Ngaio Marsh (2018)

• “A Killer Harvest” by Paul Cleave (2017)

• “An Angel at My Table” by Janet Frame (2017 ed., on order)

• “The Luminaries” by Eleanor Catton (2013)

• “The Bone People” by Keri Hulme (2010)

• “Mister Pip” by Lloyd Jones (2006)

• “Once Were Warriors” by Alan Duff (orig. pub. 1990)

• “The Garden Party, and Other Stories” by Katherine Mansfield (orig. pub. 1922)

Beth Wood is a senior collection development librarian for Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries. Email her at readingforfun@fvrl.org.

New

FICTION

at the Library

“Renegade” by Susan May Warren “Before I Knew I Loved You” by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

burgers or dogs, place buns cut-side down over medium-low heat for 3060 seconds. Look for a light golden toast, crisp enough to hold up.

Let food rest before serving

After grilling, give meat a few minutes to rest before serving or slicing. This allows juices to redistribute throughout the food for better texture and flavor.

Layer burgers, condiments, and toppings

After toasting buns, add a thin layer of sauce to coat the bun then lettuce that’s been patted dry to remove moisture. Add cheese to the opposite bun and be sure to place the burger and other toppings in the center to keep moisture away from the bread, preventing sogginess. Follow this simple order for sturdy buns:

• Toasted top bun

• Condiment or sauce

• Cheese

• Burger

• Tomato and onion

• Lettuce

• Condiment or sauce

• Toasted bottom bun

From simple, practical menus to crave-worthy twists on classics, you can find more ways to host a successful summer barbecue by visiting WonderBread.com/recipes.

“Nobody’s Quest” by Alyssa Day

NONFICTION

“Digital Coup: The Conspiracy to Thwart Global Democracy” by Darin Johnson

“Created to Play: How Taking Hobbies Seriously Grows Us Spiritually” by Brianna Janelle Lambert

“What’s So Great About the Great Books?” by Naomi Kanakia

CHILDREN

“Seahorse is Furious” by Morag Hood

“Fourteen Ways of Looking at Jellyfish” by Carole Boston Weatherford

“Strays” by Gia Gordon

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.

Every day, I walk by dozens of beautiful houses.

I am an admirer of grand old houses. I live downtown, just blocks away from some of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, where lumber barons and early merchants built their houses when the city was young.

I admire the tall and pointed windows, the large trees in front, the ornate brickwork, the pointy roofs and occasional turrets. (I admire the turrets so much that I wrote a book called “The Turnip House” about a house with a turret that looks like an upside-down turnip.)

I walk down the sidewalks, admiring these lovely houses, often at night, and sometimes I even peep through the windows. It’s hard not to when the windows are large and the lights are on. (My friend Verne calls me a Peeping Tom, and he may be just a little bit right.)

But I love the woodwork and the 8-foot Christmas trees put up for the holidays. I admire the antique furniture and the lights shining through the stained glass. Some of the houses still have slate roofs. Some have wooden shingles. All of them have a character and charm and lasting beauty that makes me enormously grateful their owners have preserved them and that they are standing so proudly on the street for everyone to enjoy.

And right after I have enjoyed looking at a particularly beautiful house, I’m glad I don’t own it.

I’ve never owned a large house, but I once owned a rather small old farmhouse. I sanded every floor in that house and covered the floors with polyurethane. I sanded the cedar siding down to bare wood and painted it twice. I tiled the backsplash and replaced

the furnace and insulated every wall inside. I no longer remember what all I did to that old farmhouse, and I honestly don’t remember hating the work at the time.

But because the house was nearly 100 years old, something would go wrong. The front porch foundation disintegrated. The septic tank was prone to clogging, and when it was dug out, I discovered I had not one septic tank but three—one after the other— heading off into the thick woods that were part of the property.

And yes, there are parts of it I miss. The quiet of that wooded spot. The creak of the old boards beneath my feet. The endless collection of wildlife parading past my windows. The brilliant maple leaves I looked into as I took a bath. I have many wonderful memories of living in that farmhouse. But when I am honest, I am glad they are a memory.

Because owning an old house is constant and unending work.

This is why I am so glad there are people (people other than me) who are happy to do it. There was a time when many of the grand old houses I walk by every day were in ruins. It took a tremendous amount of work and money—far, far more than my little farmhouse—to get those houses to look the way they do today, and I hope their owners get many years of enjoyment and pass them on to their families to do the same.

But I know what an old house needs. And right now, it feels good to know that this condo is enough. Our little apartment in Mexico is enough. I am happy with a life that is comfortable and easy, even if it is not grand. I can visit beautiful houses every day just by walking down the sidewalk—or by writing a story. To see photos,check out CarrieClassonAuthor on Facebook or visit CarrieClasson.com.

Old Houses

This year is the United States’ 250th birthday. It has been two and a half centuries since the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776. It is the USA’s Semiquincentennial. A time for Americans to remember that the nation was built on the ideas of freedom and self-government. As we celebrate this milestone, we can remember that everyone has a role in helping our country grow stronger.

Imagine waking up 250 years ago with no cars, electricity, phones, or video games. Most people lived on farms or in small towns and worked hard every day. Even the children worked hard. You would have to feed animals, carry water, and gather firewood instead of playing games or watchingTV. What you discover though, is the people of the American colonies were filled with excitement and uncertainty, as well as fear. They knew a war was coming. A war to free the colonies from British rule.

Happy 250th Birthday, USA!

This year communities across the United States are planning celebrations because the colonists won their freedom. Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and Washington, D.C. will hold celebrations all around the cities. However, you don’t have to travel far to celebrate. Each state will have festivals, and community celebrations. No matter where you live, you can be part of this once-in-a-lifetime celebration. The USA has grown and changed because of the hard work, courage, and determination of millions of people over the last 250 years. People like you and I have helped make the country stronger. Americans have faced wars, natural disasters, and difficult times, but continue to work together to solve problems. As we celebrate this historic birthday, we remember that freedom comes with responsibility. The next chapter of America’s story will be written by today’s young people. Learn from the past, treat others with kindness and respect, and do your best every day. All of us can make the next 250 years even better.

Celebrating 250 years of America and celebrating you the