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Headlines & History since 1879

Poll reveals sharp opposition to data center

Catherine Couture For the Sentinel

A Dallesport data center is currently in an exploratory phase, and Klickitat County and The Dalles, Oregon, communities are none too happy about it.

A recent Sentinel article on the planned data sparked a myriad of discussions within the community, most of them critical. There is already a Google data center in The Dalles, and according to some community members, the water quality has gone down since its construction and poses a threat to local wildlife, with the local fish population being the most affected.

Many local community members fear that Klickitat County may share the same fate.

Through a social media post, the community was asked their thoughts on the new data center proposal. There are over a hundred replies to date, with most being strongly against it. Each person’s reasoning came down to a few key factors: its effects on the power grid and water table, the cost it would take to maintain it, and the environmental impact it could have.

A main issue brought up by the community members was the water and power consumption it would need to maintain it. Not only do they feel it would drive up the price of utilities due to the increase in resource usage, but it would be a major tax on the water table and power grid as a whole. A local homeowner states their concerns on

this topic: “I definitely do not want a data center here. The ramifications to the water table alone, never mind the power demands on the grid, make this a terrible idea. Our aquifer cannot absorb the kind of water consumption required for data center cooling and still replenish itself on the average 15 inches of rainfall we get each year. Some of our residential wells are already over 600 feet deep. Having to drill another [deeper] well is a financial disaster with no guarantees of water at the bottom.

“Even if the proposed data center uses closed loop cooling, the water burden is still in excess of 30,000 gallons a day at a minimum, and depending on the size of the installation, could be 500,000 gallons per day.

“I am sure it looks good on paper to somebody, but unless the company in question has some really good answers to the water and power consumption concerns, I’m solidly in the ‘no’ camp.”

Many other community members share this sentiment. They fear this heavy burden on local resources would cause utility prices to soar through the roof and serve no positive gain on the community as a whole to make it worthwhile. Many community members feel data centers will store data “on us, not for us,” fearing this new data center would be another source of surveillance for the government and, most notably, for big

PSE to add wind farm in county

aSpen Ford

WaShington State Standard

Puget Sound Energy is adding a wind farm in Klickitat County to its clean energy portfolio, the latest move in the utility’s transition to become greenhouse gas neutral by 2030, as state law mandates.

Last Tuesday, the company signed a long-term contract with Avangrid to move nearly 200 megawatts of power from a wind project called Big Horn I onto the grid. That’s enough power to electrify 70,000 homes annually, according to PSE.

“We are excited that this latest agreement with Avangrid helps us meet some of the most ambitious clean energy laws in the nation while delivering on our customers’ expectations,” said Craig Pospisil, senior vice president and chief development officer of Puget Sound Energy.

But the state’s largest investor-owned utility still has a long

way to go to completely decouple itself from greenhouse gas emissions. And electricity rates are rising for customers as it works toward that goal.

The wind farm will only cover around 12% of the utility’s remaining clean energy needs and it won’t begin power generation for at least a couple of years. Roughly 58% of PSE’s overall electricity supply comes from clean energy resources, up from 26% in 2019. The remainder is made up of natural gas and other unspecified resources, a spokesperson for the utility said this week.

Big Horn I has been in operation since 2006. It is sited on over 14,000 acres of land and part of a larger renewable energy complex operated by Avangrid, a clean energy subsidiary of Europe’s largest utility. The site, located east of Goldendale and just north of the Columbia River, is in need of an

City hears on grant for Goldendale Library elevator

rodger niCholS For the Sentinel

The main action at Monday night’s Goldendale City Council revolved around a grant to replace the elevator at the Goldendale Community Library. Mayor Dave Jones gave a brief history of the library, which was founded in 1915. It was one of more than 1,700 local libraries funded by steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie. In 1973, the city signed a lease agreement with the Fort Vancouver Regional Library to operate the institution but retained ownership of the land and buildings. The city is also responsible for maintenance.

“The elevator is well over 40 years old now and needs to be replaced,” said Jones. “The building is three stories, and so that elevator is crucial for disabled

access, and it has to be there.”

Councilor Danielle Clevidence noted the grant was for $221,000 and asked Jones what the project is likely to cost.

“The elevator is projected to cost $200,000 and some change, I believe $201,000. The remaining of that is administrative fees, grant fees that the city will be collecting to administer that grant.”

No one testified at the public hearing required as one of the conditions of a Community Development Block Grant. Councilors also approved an appeal process for block grants, another requirement.

In response to a question, Jones clarified that the grant had already been allocated, and the two council actions were required to complete the process Councilors also heard a com -

plaint about the effect the TreadFest car burnout in Ekone Park Saturday had on people downwind of the event from resident Jan Halverson, who told the council he had respiratory problems. “I woke up and my house was full of smoke,” he said. “It was so smoky, at times I couldn’t see the trees from my balcony. That is unconscionable to put that in the middle of the town.”

He also noted that burning tires in the state of Washington is illegal. “They were burning rubber,” he said. “It was unlawful.” RCW 70A.15.5010 makes it illegal to cause or allow any outdoor fire that contains rubber products, petroleum products, plastics, or any other substance that normally emits dense smoke or obnoxious odors. And Washing-

Contributed: Iani Molnar

A RARE STORM: Thursday’s thunderstorm pelted the area with stinging sheets of water and fire in the sky as the temperature shifted from a high of 84

next. Reader Iani Molnar caught these streaks of lightning during the peak of the storm.

Victor Baca

See City page B1

Victor Baca

UP IN SMOKE: This weekend’s TreadFest

WAGAPannouncesnewexecutivedirector

Washington GorgeAction complex multi-million dol- munications, personal expanded wellness pro- food security, housing sta-

Programs (WAGAP) has lar publicand privatefund- accountability, and opera- gramming, financial well- bility, energy assistance,

announced Julie K Hester ing portfolios, overseeing tional rigor and approaches ness events, and commu- familysupportservices,preasitsnextexecutivedirector organizational and project herrolewithhumility,curi- nity outreach in placeslike vention, youth programs, followinga regional search budgets, and leading col- osity, and deep respect for Roosevelt after listening to domestic violence and sexprocess led by the orga- laborative, cross-functional co-workers and the people the community’s requests,” ual assault advocacy, and nization’s staff and board teamsareseenasavaluable and communitiesserved In Paulettosaid Ihave confi- community wellness efforts ofdirectors

assettoWAGAP

Prior to joining WAGAP her personal life, she val- dencethatJulie’sleadership across the Columbia River

“I was immediately ues quality time with her will continue to make sure Gorgeregion

Hester worked for over 15 drawn to WAGAP’s focus husband, grown kids, and

WAGAP leaders empha-

mission, services, and com-

allpeopleareconnectedwith yearsatthe NationalCrime on expandingopportunities labrador retrievers, and resourcesandopportunities sized that the agency’s VictimLawInstitute,aPort- by delivering essential ser- enjoys cooking (and eat- tothrive” land, Oregon, based non- vices that lead to self-suf- ing), reading,following polprofit advocatingfor crime ficiency and well-being,” itics, playing tennis, home during a time of grow- remain strong throughout victims in the criminal Hestersaid “Iamthrilledto improvement, and listening ing community need and the transition The orga- of individuals,families and increasing challenges for nization’s leadership team communities in Skamania

Julie K

is Hester joins WAGAP mitment to the community WAGAPSnew executivedirector justice system During this join thisamazingteam and tolivemusic time, she gained wide-rang- build on WAGAP’s strong

The organization also human services organiza- and staff bring decades of and Klickitat Counties and ingexperienceincommuni- partnerships to ensure con- expressed deep gratitude to tions as nonprofits across combined experience serv- servesupwardsof39% ofits cations, outreach,volunteer tinued stability and impact outgoing Executive Direc- the country navigate funding local communities, and residents”Paulettosaid “We coordination, fundraising, in Skamania and Klickitat torJenniferPaulettoforher ing uncertainty and rising programsand partnerships aregratefultohaveJuliejoin demand for services The willcontinueuninterrupted the team and embody the

event planning, data col- counties” lection and storytelling

leadershipandservice Hester says she values “I’mproudthatweaccom- organizationcurrentlyoper-

“WAGAP’s team works mission and commitment Her experience managing clear and transparent com- plished while at WAGAP, ates programs supporting diligently to meet the needs tothecommunity”

AffordableCareActinsurancecoveragedropsinstate

WASHINGTONSTATESTANDARD

JAKE GOLDSTEIN-STREET of the enhanced tax credits, which started during the COVID pandemic The increase was in line with similar hikes nationwide But losing the subsidies meant even steeper price hikesforsomecustomers

Washington’sruralcountiessawthelargestdropsin insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act after the Republican-controlled Congress failed to extendsubsidiesthathelped consumersaffordtheplans Coverage in Klickitat Countydroppedabout10% About250000Washingtoniansareenrolledthisyear through the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, down roughly 36,500 from 2025 That amounts to a nearly 13% reduction the biggestfalloffsincethemarketplacelaunchedin2013

The declineisn’tas steep ashadbeenfeared State officials estimated last year that as many as 80,000 people could forgo coveragewithCongressnot extending tax credits for these policies The issue wasattheheartoflastfalls lengthyfederalgovernment shutdown as congressional Democrats wanted to see thesubsidiesextendedwhile Republicansrefused Premiumsroseanaverage of21%,dueinparttotheloss

Thosemost likelytodrop their coverage were young andlower-income

Thiscoverageismeantfor people not covered through their work or government programs like Medicaid or Medicare

Many of those no longer covered could’ve foundinsuranceelsewhere, like joininga family membersplanorgettingemployer-sponsoredcoverage

“What weexpectisthata majority of these folks are now uninsured, and that what we’regoingtoseeisa pretty steep increase from the historically low uninsuredratesthatwe’vehad” said Laura Kate Zaichkin, director of market competition and affordability at Washington’sexchange

InFebruary stateofficials reported a 19,000-person drop in coverage through Washington’s online marketplace, hut more customersfelloffastheyfacedtheir

initial monthly payments HealthLawAdvocates age totaled 4,407 and 2,789, quarterofitsenrolleesdrop coverage so far this year

withhighpremiums The real challenge respectively

Future adjustments to there is that folks in rural Asfor congressionaldis- The roster in Rep Marimarketplace plans still to areas are hit by this dou- tricts, the area represented lyn Stricklands district comehaveleftstateofficials ble whammy,” Brice said by US Rep Adam Smith, in Pierce and Thurston expectingtoseea30% drop “They have the soaring D-Bellevue, saw nearly a countiesfell16% menrollmentover thenext prices on one end and then fewyearscomparedto2025 access challenges on the Wherecoveragelosses otherend,becauseproviders weresharpest areincreasinglylessavailEnrollment increased able, more consolidated in nowhere in the state, but ruralareas” some areas have been hit harderthanothers

Rural hospitals, also, are expected to be particularly Rural counties sawsome hard hit by thefederalcuts of the biggest drops in cov- toMedicaidcomingoverthe erage between March 2025 next couple years, though and this March Over1,100 a major infusion of federal Yakima County residents dollars to rural healthwent without insurance careismeanttooffsetsome via Washington Health- of that Andfewer patients planfinder, amounting to a will be able to afford to get care from these hospitals,

nearly18%fall Garfield, San Juan, Bricesaid Franklin, Pacific, Wahkiakum, and Asotin counties Pierce,Clark,andWhatcom all saw drops above 20% saw drops between 9% and But some of those are so 12% Though King County smallthat afew dozen peo- makesuproughlyone-third pienolonger covered could of the state’s totaldecrease resultinamajorpercentage inenrollment decrease Meanwhile residents of Snohomish and Spokane ruralareasare morelikely counties saw above-averto rely on Healthplanfinder agedipsinenrollment,both for their coverage, said around15% Thosecounties Emily Brice, co-execu- are larger and the numtive director at Northwest her of people losing cover-

BiggercountieslikeKing,

Hester

G oldendale ’ s a ttic

This week’s Goldendale’s Attic Mystery Picture

These two people seem very pleased about something. We just bet it had something to do with sports! (Can’t help wonder who’s laying on the ground with their knees in the air under the arm of the guy on the right.) What was going on here? Why was this taken? When? All we know is this

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

nel.com), or give us a call (509-773-3777), or drop in at the office—and remember, you’re welcome to come in and take a look at the original photograph.

L ooking Back

May 22, 1941 – 85 Years Ago

Answer to last week’s Mystery Picture

This picture has been colorized. Exactly umptynine gazillion people recognized these guys. Okay, we’re exaggerating a tad, but we got a lot of correct responses, including one

from the daughter of one of the men, along with a person from Washington State Patrol. The men, of course, are Trooper Jim Williams and Trooper Stephen Cunningham.

Points to ponder:

Mahatma Ghandi walked barefoot everywhere so the soles of his feet were thick and hard. He also ate very little and often fasted, so he was thin and frail. Due to his diet, he ended up with bad breath. Because of all this, he came to be known as a super calloused, fragile mystic plagued with halitosis.

How many paranoid people does it take to change a light bulb? Who wants to know?

Marshall VanHoy and Art Lefever, operating under the firm name of VanHoy and Lefever, this week took over the operation of the L.G. Talcott sawmill in Wahkiacus. The transaction was an outright sale between the two parties.

May 24, 1956 – 70 Years Ago – 70 Years Ago

While prospecting for uranium in the Goodnoe Hills area with Emmett Hoctor last week, Joe Dressel was bit by a scorpion. The varmint nipped Joe high on the leg and brought the prospecting to an abrupt halt. Joe thought he might have picked up a tick, but upon examination found the scorpion in his pants. He treated the bite with a snake bite kit that Emmett had brought along and succeeded in drawing out the venom. When the pair came back to Goldendale, Joe saw bis doctor. He was told that it was a good thing they used the snake bite treatment, Scorpion bites are very painful when neglected and sometimes fatal.

May 12, 1966 – 60 Years Ago

A group of young people got together recently and had a housewarming for Dale and Betty Cameron at their new home. The host couples were Larry and Kay Kayser and Larry and Donna Tobin.

May 19, 1966 – 60 Years Ago

A stone, reposing in front of the old high school for over 40 years, was moved Saturday to the lawn of the Presby House Museum by Goldendale Jaycees and Shorty’s Wrecking Yard truck. A plaque on the stone reads “Klickitat Academy 1896 – 1906. In memory of Charles Timblin and Lucille Timblin, pioneers of higher education in Klickitat County, whose work is a lasting influence for good in the community. Erected by their students, June 15, 1922.” The “Rock” had connotations for later high schoolers—it was a favorite “bending over” point for freshman indoctrination. Freshman at the old brick high school were persuaded to bend over and kiss the rock by the seniors.

May 24, 1976 – 50 Years Ago

When Ernie Archuleto of Lyle is put on a committee to obtain a speaker, he thinks big—about 6 foot 11 inches big—in the form of the famed and controversial Bill Walton, Portland Trail Blazer center. Archuleto, high school junior, made countless phone calls and wrote letters, according to Sandy Jeton, Letterman’s Club Advisor. The club was hoping to have Walton come and speak at its annual banquet. Would he really come? This question was in the minds of all who sat there and watched the empty seat saved for him. He was to come after dinner, at 8 p.m., because he is a vegetarian and preferred not to eat with the group. Eight o’clock came and went. Eyes were glued on the door, should he enter. And he did—about five minutes late. He quickly noted his seat at the head table and slid into his chair. He came in casual attire, typical for Walto. Ponytail hairdo, scraggly red beard, sandals. After his talk, the boys presented the vegetarian with a box of homegrown fresh vegetables. That was his pay for the evening. And one small community has a very soft spot in its heart for Bill Walton.

May 22, 1986 – 40 Years Ago

The singing sisters of Amy, Emiky, and Nell Cochran are on their way to the State Grange talent competition after winning the district contest. Their performance of two songs was good enough to qualify them to go to Chehalis at the end of June to compete against other Grange entries from across the state. All three are Goldendale Christian School students. They range in age from 8 to 11 years old. They are the daughters of Joyce and Lance Cochran. The trio is sponsored by the Centerville Grange.

— Richard Lefever Klickitat County Historical Society

OpiniOn

I have a will. Is it enough, or should I also get a trust?

Dear Savvy Senior.

My wife and I were recently talking about updating our will and wondered if we should also set up a trust. How do we know if we need one?

--Planning Ahead

Dear Planning,

That’s an excellent question. A will is one of the most important tools in estate planning, but many people wonder if it’s enough, or if adding a trust makes sense. The answer depends on your finances, your family situation, and what you want your plan to accomplish. Here’s a simple way to think about it. What a will does

A will spells out who gets your assets after you pass away. It also names an executor to carry out your wishes and can designate a guardian for minor children.

The downside is that a will must go through probate, which is the court process that validates it and oversees distribution. Probate can take months and, in many states, becomes part of the public record.

What a trust adds

Savvy Senior, Jim Miller

A trust works a little differently. A revocable living trust holds your assets during your lifetime and directs how they’ll be distributed after your death, without going through probate. Unlike a will, it stays private and lets a successor trustee step in immediately if you can’t manage your finances, which is useful in cases of illness, injury, or dementia.

Trusts can also help with complicated family situations, like blended families or children with special needs, giving you more control over who gets what and when.

The biggest challenge is that you have to move your accounts and property into the trust yourself, which takes time and care. Most people who create a trust also keep a simple “pour-over will” to catch anything that wasn’t transferred.

Because trusts are more complex, they usually cost more than a will. Attorneys typically charge $1,000 to $3,000 for a trust versus $300 to $1,200 for a will, although costs vary depending on the estate and location. You can use do-it-yourself options like Quicken WillMaker & Trust, Trust & Will, or LegalZoom to save money, but they’re generally best for simple situations. If your finances or family circumstances are more complicated, hiring an attorney is usually worth the cost.

When a trust makes sense

You might benefit from a trust if you own real estate—especially in more than one state—want to avoid the costs and delays of probate or prefer to keep your estate matters private. It’s also helpful if you have a larger estate, a blended family, or want to ensure someone can manage your finances if you become incapacitated.

When a will may be enough

If your estate is relatively small, your family situa-

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)

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(Display advertising information and inquiries)

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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

tion is simple, and most of your assets already have named beneficiaries—like life insurance, IRAs, or bank accounts with pay-on-death or transfer-on-death designations—a will may be all you need. Some states also offer simplified probate for small estates, which can make the process quicker and cheaper.

You don’t need a trust just because you have a will. But if avoiding probate, protecting privacy, or managing assets during incapacity is important to you, a trust is worth considering. Even a modest estate can benefit from a clear plan.

Getting help

If you don’t already have an attorney, a good estate-planning professional can help figure out what’s right for you. Two trusted resources are the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (naela.org) and the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils (naepc.org), both of which let you search for local professionals.

Taking the time to put a plan in place, whether it’s a will, a trust, or both, can protect your loved ones, ease stress, and give you peace of mind now and in the future.

Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

Burn-out has got to go

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

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

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

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

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.

Ken McKune Goldendale C

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

We need her

As the first female commissioner elected in Klickitat County, I felt I was not necessarily the best woman commissioner but perhaps the best “first” woman at that time. Well, now I know who is truly the best woman for the job, and it is Lori Zoller. She is intelligent and diplomatic. Lori is tenacious when on a mission as well as a consummate researcher, so she has facts on the issues and/or the procedures.

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.”

has plunged 44 points, from plus 36 early in his term to negative 8. Among rural voters, his support has dropped 34 points, from plus 20 to negative 14.

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

Trump talks a good line about supporting law enforcement officials, but he just strong-armed the Department of Justice into giving him a $1.7 billion slush fund, part of which is intended for the people who assaulted police officers and vandalized the U.S. Capitol.

Ken Margraf Goldendale

Uniquely qualified

When voting for a new Sheriff, there is no substitute for current, boots-on-the-ground ex-perience. That is why Tony Warren is uniquely qualified to lead our county’s law enforcement. He stands out as the only candidate in this race who is actively working in law enforcement today.

We need Lori to be re-elected to keep on track.

There is a faction in our county that thrives on unrest and misinformation as their political strategy. I am hopeful the good voting citizens will see through these tactics, see the truth and vote for Lori. She has done a great job in her first term and is willing to take the slander and dirty politics to continue serving the citizens as our commissioner.

With Lori Zoller in office another term, we will stay the course to being a safe, prosperous, and respected county.

Joan Frey Lyle

We’ve been betrayed

If you’re among the Donald Trump supporters beginning to suspect you’ve been conned, you’re not alone.

According to a FOX News poll released in May, Trump’s approval among non-college White voters

He brags about “draining the swamp,” but he and his family and friends have raked in billions through bitcoin manipulation and meme coins, stock trades, bets in the prediction markets, and “investments” from Middle East sheiks. He says he’s the farmers’ best friend, but according to the American Farm Bureau, farm bankruptcies on his watch have risen 46 percent.

He claims to care for the American people while obsessing about a golden ballroom, an enormous arch, and repainting a reflection pool. His photo appears on passports, the Dept. Of Justice Building, and 24-carat gold commemorative coins. At night, he rage-posts against perceived enemies. During the day, he falls asleep at meetings and events.

Meanwhile, the average American’s monthly gasoline bill has increased $38 to $45, and the cost of groceries continues to increase.

Donald Trump has betrayed America. No wonder his approval ratings have collapsed.

Rick George White Salmon

Guidelines for Letters

While other candidates rely on past achievements or outside experience, Tony is in uniform right now as a detective sergeant with the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office. He actively manages cases, navigates current state laws, and works directly with our deputies every single day. Law enforcement has changed drastically over the last few years. Tony does not need to learn the contemporary realities of the job on day one—he is living them right now.

An active officer understands the immediate needs of our neighborhood patrols and the technical demands of modern casework. Tony Warren’s active duty gives him a vital edge in leadership, safety strategy, and real-time community engagement. Please join me in supporting the candidate with active, current experience. Vote Tony Warren for Sheriff.

Keith Hutton Dallesport

Letters to the editor should be original and comment on an issue. Deadline for letters is noon Monday for the same week’s paper.

Requests to keep letters exactly as written when published cannot be honored. All letters are subject to editing for grammar, spelling, clarity, and/or brevity.

There is a suggested length limit of about 300 words.

Unsigned letters (including anonymity requests), letters with fictitious signatures, letters with multiple signatures, or letters to public officials are not accepted.

Please keep the tone of letters free of rants, wild speculation, unsubstantiated claims, or pointedly personal comments. Letters that go overboard in these directions will be refused publication.

Writers must include name, city/town of residence, and phone number for verification purposes. (Street address is not required, only city or town.)

H ometown

Storm damage kept us busy

How did everyone do during the fierce thunder, lightning, and windstorm Thursday of last week? Our power went out a bit before 8:30 in the evening, and some of those lightning strikes and the thunder seemed right over us. We’re fortunate that we didn’t have any fire start close by, that I know of.

We woke up the next morning to find lots of trees down here at Shady Nook Farm and heard about and saw other places in the community that had a lot of trees down and maybe a little structural damage. One big aspen tree in the northwest corner of our yard fell to the north, across a pasture that had several young bulls in it. That was the first item on the agenda, fixing that big hole. Only one bull walked through, but he went back into the pasture easily. While Glenn did the repairs out there, all those little bulls were being “supervisors” along the fence line. Our tractor lane down into our west pasture and Ditch 18 is badly blocked with many aspen that fell across. That’s Glenn’s project now.

Another unfortunate blowdown here involved one of the two huge spruce trees in the old Kuhnhausen house yard here on our farm. It landed on the east side of the house roof and will take a lot of expertise and big equipment to remove it. That old house was built in the late 1800s by Oscar Kuhnhausen’s brother, Hugo. Oscar and Antonie took over this homestead in 1906 and named it Shady Nook Farm.

The house was enlarged to add more rooms both upstairs and downstairs, and Glenn’s mom, Wallie, the youngest of Oscar and Antonie’s children, was born in that beautiful old home in 1907. We also lost one of our pretty tamarack trees in our west yard. We always enjoyed

the beautiful golden color in the fall. We all appreciate Claude McKenzie and his staff at the Glenwood General Store for getting his store generator running early and preparing coffee and providing wi-fi for those who needed to send texts or make important phone calls. He stayed open all day, providing a great service to our community. There was pretty extensive damage to power lines in our area and other areas. The PUD notice said that, at one point, 10,000 county customers were without power. Crews worked to repair lines and transformers, and the power was restored area by area. Our power was restored at 8:30 Friday night. Our PUD crews and staff worked more than 24 hours straight to fix lines. We are extremely thankful for their hard work and dedication. Thank you, Klickitat PUD.

In other exciting news, four Klickwood (Klickitat/Glenwood) athletes qualified for the Oregon State high school championships. I didn’t get the final news regarding who qualified until too late for last week’s news to include our senior, Giana Jackson. Giana qualified in both javelin and 200m and made the podium in her javelin event, placing 5th at State! What a way to close out her already amazing senior year. Wyatt Patterson placed 9th in his javelin event. While not making the podium, finishing in the top 10 at State among the many contestants in each event was an outstanding achievement. While Talon Cabral and Ciaran McCabe did not place, qualifying for State this year was an awesome achievement. Another Glenwood kid who is a senior at Trout Lake HS was alternate for the girls’ 4X400 relay. That team finished in first place—State champions!

Another of Emma’s senior classmates many of us know here, Jade McLean, finished 2nd in pole vault in addition to being a member of that championship relay team. She has had a great senior year, too.

Here’s a reminder that there are still a couple days to support our Glenwood college rodeo cowgirl, Joslyn Arnold, in her fundraising raffle to travel to Casper, Wyoming, for her second consecutive College National Finals Rodeo, representing Walla Walla Community College. Joslyn has worked hard all college rodeo season to achieve this highest goal, and we are so proud of her. Tickets are $10 each and first prize is the 50/50. Other prizes are pretty awesome too. The drawing will take place this Friday, June 5. You can contact her mom, Bo Arnold, to purchase tickets. Good luck on this fundraiser and good luck in Casper, Joslyn.

There’s big news about the Friday night fun and excitement at the Glenwood Ketchum Kalf rodeo this year. Backwoods Country Band will play great music in the dance hall and delicious food will be available, including pulled beef sandwiches, cold drinks, and more. No minors will be allowed inside the dance hall as beer will be available from the “bar” that night, but they can enjoy the music from outside the hall as they enjoy good food. All this new information is available on the website www.ketchumkalfrodeo. com. The Glenwood Rodeo Association says, “Come early, stay late,” and help kick off rodeo weekend in style! Spread the word. Here’s also a reminder of exciting Vacation Bible school at the Glenwood Pioneer Memorial Church coming soon. Check the post office for information and sign-up forms or contact Jennifer Hallenback.

Goldendale FFA Ag Day

LiLianna OswaLt

GHS FFA RepoRteR

On Friday, May 29, the Goldendale FFA hosted its 9th Annual FFA Ag Day.

The goal of the event was to increase youth awareness of the agricultural industry through hands-on, interactive learning activities. Goldendale FFA members in 7th–12th grades developed educational stations for local students in 6th grade and below.

The event was attended by over 500 young people from Goldendale Primary School, Roosevelt School District, Klickitat School District, Glenwood School District, Wishram School District, Centerville School District, and the general public.

Over 150 Goldendale FFA members planned and operated more than 50 educational stations. Some of these stations included milk identification, partsofagoat and breeds identification, flower pounding, seed planting, buttonflower making, edible soil profiling, rock trivia, snackfood difference tasting, the pickapollinator game, digging for nutrients, windturbine knowledge, archeryequipment identification, salmon education, drawing photosynthesis, and other agriculturerelated stations.

According to Ayreana Lucas, GMS FFA Treasurer, “In our group, we played a Jeopardy game about Washington

agriculture. The kids did really well at answering the questions. I was impressed.”

Special thanks go to the following community groups and businesses: Klickitat PUD for providing equipment and educational bags; Klickitat County Noxious Weed Board for presenting about invasive species; Cannon Power for talking about wind turbines; Fieldside Fab & Service, LLC for bringing their work truck; Mountain View Excavation for bringing an excavator; Klickitat County Cattlewomen for educating about cattle products; GQ Equipment for bringing a belly dump truck and a grader; the 4H representative for speaking about 4H; Bowdish Ranch for bringing a baler; Klickitat County EMS for providing a tour of the ambulance; Goldendale Fire Department and Rural 7 for bringing trucks and equipment; the Department of Natural Resources for attending with Smokey Bear; Yakama Nation Fisheries with their salmon education; Klickitat County Parks and Recreation with swimming information; Bishop Sanitation for hosting a sanitation game; Hyer Family Services with their tow truck; and Fort Vancouver Library for bringing their bookmobile and sharing information about their events.

Youth were also able to milk lifesize cows, toss bean bags into animal cutouts, sit on tractors, a fishing boat, a

Legends distributes over $1 million to 133 organizations

Legends Casino Hotel today announced that through its Yakama Cares program and the Community Impact Fund, $1,055,535 will be distributed to 133 nonprofit and government organizations serving communities across Central Washington. The combined investment reflects Legends’ ongoing commitment to the people and communities it serves – from emergency responders and tribal services to youth programs, food banks, and cancer patient care.

$527,767 to 108 nonprofits Yakama Cares, funded through the Charitable Contribution fund, is an annual program that invites nonprofits to apply each year between January 1 and March 31. This year, 246 applications were received and evaluated by a committee that weighs community need and geographic reach across Yakima, Benton, Franklin,

Kittitas, and Klickitat counties. The 108 selected recipients will share $527,767 in grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000. Funded causes span hospice care, veteran support, youth athletics, reading programs, food assistance, emergency rescue equipment, animal rescue, and more. The largest Yakama Cares grant of $20,000 was awarded to Community Enrichment for Klickitat County for emergency medical services equipment, including AEDs, a LifePak cardiac monitor, and a combi carrier.

The Community Impact Fund supports larger public safety and community infrastructure projects across the region. It is administered by an independent committee that includes representatives from Toppenish, Wapato, Yakima, the state gaming commission, the Yakama gaming commission, and

Yakama Tribal Council.

This year’s 25 Community Impact Fund recipients include law enforcement, fire departments, tribal services, and public safety programs. In addition to Community Enrichment for Klickitat County, recipients in the Goldendale and county area include:

•Kiwanis Club of Goldendale, $4,000

• Maryhill Museum of Art, $4,000

• Mid Columbia Children’s Council, Goldendale, $4,000

• New Hope Farms, $4,000

• White Salmon Valley Education Foundation, $2,500

• Columbia Gorge Spay Neuter Rescue Fund, Bickleton, $2,000

A total of $40,500 was distributed in Klickitat County.

Senior Center visit brings smiles and spring

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road grader, a dump truck, a firetruck, a fourwheeler, a minibike, an ambulance, and an excavator. They also practiced roping, rode a horsebarrel model, and played horse ring toss. Lastly, FFA members organized a petting zoo featuring chickens, ducks, pigs, goats, a snake, lizards, a bottle calf, and a horse.

“We loved working with our community while encouraging younger students to be knowledgeable consumers and soon-to-be FFA members,” said Aubrey Rhoades, GMS FFA vice president.

GaGe HaLm GMS FFA RepoRteR

On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, seven FFA members visited the Goldendale Senior Center to help spread a little springtime cheer. The students handed out bright geraniums to the seniors, who were excited to take home a fresh plant for the season. The FFA members also led a fun game where seniors had to finish popular phrases. Laughter filled the room as everyone tried to remember classics like “Better late than…” and “Don’t count your chickens…” According to Greenhand FFA Vice President Shelby Zakit, “Some answers were spot on, and some were silly, but all of them made the room smile.”

“Many seniors said they enjoyed our visit,” commented Greenhand FFA President Emily Wooden.

June 13, 2026 Ekone Park Noon

Prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and last places

Add’l prizes awarded during race | GIVEAWAYS ALL DAY! Buy a Duck*: $5 ea or $20 for 5 *from any local business displaying one of our ducks, from any Kiwanis member, or at the event.

(Cash, check, or VENMO accepted)

Proceeds benefit children of Klickitat County Kiwanis Club of Goldendale PO Box 993, Goldendale, WA 98620 EIN 91-1180163

Floyd Earl Ferrell

Floyd Earl Ferrell, born on October 22, 1933, in Vinita, Oklahoma, passed away on May 22, 2026, at his home in Lyle, Washington, at the age of 92.

Floyd was born to Gertrude and Jesse Bryan Ferrell during the height of the Great Depression, an era of hardship that shaped his lifelong resilience and legendary work ethic. He grew up in a large family alongside his siblings: Wilburn, Eva, James William, Rosemary, Dorothy, and Norma.

His working life started early; at the young age of 10, Floyd was already working at a sawmill with his father. By age 12, he became the only member of his family to move to western Kansas, where he worked on a wheat farm and cattle ranch to send money back home to support his family. The owners of the farm grew deeply fond of Floyd, embracing and treating him like their own son.

At 15, his journey took him further west to Mosier, Oregon, to live with his sister Eva and her family. His career was marked by dedication and service to his community.

He began by working at the Chevron station in The Dalles for Jack Rinehart and then for Ernie Miles at The Dalles Soda Works/Pepsi Bottling Co. He found his long-term career with the bread company, working for Sunbeam, Wonder Bread, and finally Franz. For 43 years, Floyd was a familiar face, delivering bread throughout the Gorge. He was known for his reliability, even crossing the river by ferry (and sometimes on ice!) before the bridge was built.

Floyd was a man of many talents and passions. A musician from an early age, he started with a box guitar before mastering the steel guitar. He was a singer and could yodel, performing at venues like The Oasis in Goldendale with Pete Graves in the 1950s and continuing to play throughout the Gorge until he was 92.

Beyond music, Floyd was an avid pilot who built his own P-11 Piper Cub. He flew it for many years on hunting and fishing trips, and once even flew it all the way back to his home state of Oklahoma. His commitment to the community was evident through his service as a Klickitat County Search and Rescue Patrolman and a Dallesport Airport Commissioner. He also served as a The Dalles Policeman and had the honor of escorting President John F. Kennedy during his visit to the area. Floyd was married to

Jackie Caldwell on August 7, 1954, and together they had two children, Rhonda (born in 1955) and Jim (born in 1957). After their divorce, he married Delores (Dody) Ferrell in 1974, lovingly welcoming her four children into his life. Following their marriage, Floyd and Dody bought property outside of Lyle, up the Centerville Highway on Rowland Road. They absolutely cherished their home, surrounded by a peaceful meadow, a stunning view of Mt. Adams, and the local nature and wildlife they both loved so much. It was in this special place, surrounded by the beauty of the Gorge, that Floyd spent his final years and peacefully passed away. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Rhonda and is survived by his beloved wife, Dody Ferrell; his son, Jim (Janis) Ferrell; his step-children, Jack (Mona) Myers, Jeanine (Steve) Miles, Candy Anderson (widow of Dennis), and Scott Myers (widower of Monique); and his sister, Dorothy Richardson. He also leaves behind a legacy in his 13 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Floyd will be remembered for his incredible life story, his dedication to his family and community, and the music he shared so generously.

Those who knew him best will also fondly remember his natural gift as a storyteller and his colorful, unapologetic sense of humor, always ready with a joke and a mischievous laugh for anyone willing to listen.

Private family services will be held at their home in Lyle.

Bickleton seniors reflect on school’s impact

Erica Kingsbury For The Sentinel

As the current senior class at Bickleton High School prepares for graduation, a common theme has emerged among the small class of three: gratitude for the school and community that helped shape them.

Vanessa Del Rio, Thomas Tucker, and Addison Whitmore may be preparing for the next chapter of their lives, but each says they will leave Bickleton with confidence and a strong sense of belonging.

Whitmore, a longtime Bickleton student who began

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tech companies.

There isn’t much information on how the data centers would benefit the community outside of AI development, and even then not many members of the community enjoy or endorse its usage.

One Goldendale community member, Cyndi WoodyDahl, had this to say about it: “The data centers use somewhere around 500k gallons of water a day. The county is in a drought situation, and they want to rob water [from us]. There isn’t enough electricity to power them and our cities. The windmills and solar are very inefficient. It’ll create jobs temporarily while being built but doesn’t create enough power to supply it. Thus, higher electric rates for citizens.

“AI is taking original thought out of people. All they have to do is punch a few buttons on a screen, and AI does the thinking. Technology is dumbing us down!”

Another common sentiment shared among community members is that the data center would have a negative impact on the local environment and wildlife.

On behalf of the Patty Bean family

Thank you all so much for your kind condolences, cards, flowers, food, and friendship during the loss of our dear mom and sister, Patty Bean.

A special thank you to The Legion and Columbia Hills Chapel.

From the Bean Family & Glenda Beierle.

attending the school in kindergarten, said she is grateful for the family-like atmosphere the school provides.

“Everybody knows everybody, and if you’re struggling, people step in and help,” Whitmore said.

Tucker, who transferred to Bickleton as a third grader, said the support he has received from both the school and the community has been one of the most meaningful parts of his experience. “Everyone at school and in the community is so caring toward one another,” Tucker said.

Bickleton has long been known for its small class

Community members in The Dalles have reported seeing dead fish floating in the rivers nearby, as well as a significant increase in water temperature. Goldendale community members worry that the area could be affected in a similar way. A lot of data centers are powered by diesel backup generators and fossil fueled-power plants, producing potential health risks. They also produce quite a lot of noise.

Many community mem-

sizes, close relationships between students and staff, and opportunities for students to participate in academics, athletics, and leadership activities. Students regularly receive one-onone support from teachers, and in sports, participation opportunities are available to all students interested in competing.

Del Rio, who joined Bickleton as a sixth grader after moving to the United States from The Philippines, said she appreciated the chance to participate in sports and try activities she may not have experienced at a larger school.

bers believe there’s no point in trying to stop a Dallesport data center due to the power and influence big tech companies have over smaller local governments. Others believe the project could be postponed or even stopped entirely with enough pushback. A couple of members even want to start a petition in protest.

Only a few people spoke in support of the project, claiming that it could bring in more jobs for the community.

In addition to athletics, all three seniors have participated in student government through Associated Student Body leadership roles during their high school years. A participant in cross country, basketball, and track, Tucker said his coaches helped shape his high school years by encouraging him to pursue new opportunities and believe in his abilities. Whitmore began taking college classes as a junior, something she said helped prepare her for the academic workload ahead. Del Rio said participating in Poetry Out Loud helped strengthen her confidence.

EXTRA

KVHexpandsMRIservices

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Hospitalleaders continueto Once insurance prior exploreopportunities tofur-

Ted Gunnyon, Diagnostic ule their MRI examination a permanent MRI program

Klickitat Valley Health the expanded schedule to other medical conditions ongoingeffortstostrengthen (KVH) willexpand MRI ser- increase capacity and help Delays in obtaining imag- accesstospecialtyhealthcare vices beginning in June, reduce delays in obtaining ing can postpone diagnosis servicesinruralWashington andtreatmentplanning increasingavailabilitytofour MRIappointments daysperweekandimproving “Access to MRI services accesstoadvanceddiagnostic can be a significant chal- authorization is obtained, therexpanddiagnosticimagimagingforpatientsthrough- lenge for patients living in many patients referred ing services and evaluate out Klickitat County and rural communities,” said to KVH are able to sched- the long-term feasibility of theColumbiaGorge

The expanded schedule Imaging Manager at KVH within days rather than inGoldendale follows the arrival of a new “Many patients tell us they weeks,dependingonappoint-

and outside of KVH may “Ourgoalistomakehealth- be able to have their MRI

Patients receiving care mobile MRI suite on the haveexperienced waittimes mentavailabilityandthetype from providers both within KVH campus through the of several weeks or even of examinationordered hospital’s partnership with months when seeking MRI HeritageImaging Thelarger appointments elsewhere careservicesasaccessibleas performed locally Patients unit replaces KVH’s previ- in the Gorge Expanding possibleforthecommunities interested in scheduling an ousmobileMRIunitandwill local MRI availability helps we serve,” Gunnyon said MRIatKVHareencouraged support continued growth patients receive needed “ByincreasingMRIcapacity to ask their healthcare proinimagingservices

imaging closer to home and locally, wecan reducetravel vidertosendimagingorders burdensforpatientsandhelp and insurance authoriza-

KVH currently performs oftenmuchsooner” approximately92 MRIscans MRIexaminationsplayan providers obtain the infor- tion information directly to each month for an average importantroleindiagnosing mation they need to make KVHDiagnosticImaging of 64 patients usinga three- injuries neurologicalcondi- timelytreatmentdecisions” Formoreinformation,conday-per-week MRI sched- tions, musculoskeletal dis- TheMRIexpansionrepre- tactKVHDiagnosticImaging ule Hospital leaders expect orders, cancers, and many sents another stepin KVH’s at(509)773-1020

TennisEndof Yearbanquetheld

ROBWING Coronel; Mental Tough- to8pm To participate stu- 9th grades (publicschool or ness-Jaclyn Coronel; Most dentsmustberegisteredand homeschool)whowouldlike Improved-Heidi Martin; cleared through FinalForms to learn more about tennis

16, 17, and 18 from 9 to 11 am at the Goldendale High Schooltenniscourts If your sonordaughterhasatennis

ton Administrative Code winds, he said, “that end WAC 173-425-050 strictly of townwillbegone It’sas forbids operating a motor simpleasthat Andoncethe vehicleinawaythatcauses cityfollowsallthenotifica- squealing, screeching, tionswithnoresponse,goes or other such noise from an(jcieans Up the prob- the tires or excessive ienij ^ ^oeg the home- “ erm “ ounButif th(f don>t cilor Steve Johnston itJustgoesasalienagainst was frustrated with the the property, and the city lengthy process required won t get repaid until to abate properties with thepropertyissold ” overgrownvegetation

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“Hey,if afiregot started willtake up theproblemat when we have our usual itsnextmeeting

PSEfrompage A1

upgrade Avangrid will undertake work to extend its usefullifeandbringthe windfarmintoa“like-new” condition It’s expected to be back in operation byfall2028

“This project is another milestone in our continued investment in the state’s energy economy,” said Jose Antonio Miranda, Avangrid’s chief executiveofficer It s not the first time Puget Sound Energy has purchased power from Avangrid The companies have agreements on two wind projects in Oregon, Golden Hills and Klondike III, and a solar farm in Klickitat County calledLundHill

LexiPayer(1)

students must be registered and cleared through FinalForms under the 2026-2027

The 2026GHSTennis ban- Most Inspirational-Sophia under the2026-2027Summer The Camp will be held June quetwasheldlastThursday, Perry and Isabella Perry; Tennis program Contact May 28, in the High School LexiPayer-Sportsmanship Goldendale High School if cafeteria Thefoodwasgreat Lastly, players received you’re not sure how to get and the decorations were framed photos from the clearedat(509)773-5846 awesome Afterthemeal,Let- coaches It was a fittingend Meetings will be at the ter Awards were given The to a solid season The Tim- GoldendaleHigh School ten- racquet,havethembringit If following players received berwolves were coached by niscourtsandbeginwithan theydonothavearacquet a Letters and the number Head Coach Rob Wing with hourof CardioTennis,afun, loaner willbeprovided Golof years they lettered is in help from Volunteer Assis- fast-paced activity for both dendale High School tennis brackets: Madison Groves tant Coaches Candi Wing, beginning and experienced playerswhoareavailablewill (4); Linzy Hanna (4); Riley Lori Groves, Kevin Groves, players,playedwithmusicin beassistingwiththecamp Hyer (1); Jaclyn Coronel(1); andMarcusPerry thebackground AfterCardio To participate in TNT Sophia Perry (2); Isabella If youhaveasonordaugh- Tennis, players are welcome Tennis or the Mini-Camn Perry (2)Ella Rice(2); Beau ter who will beentering7th to stay and play singles, ’ Brence (1); HeidiMartin (1); through 12th grade next doubles, or simply hit with year(publicschoolor home- other participants Loaner

Next Individual Awards school) and who would like racquets will be available, „ were presented:MVP-Mad- to play tennis this summer, and the courtsare available hummer tennisprogram ison Groves; Most Dedicated you should know that the until10pm Formoreinformation,conTimberwolf-Linzy Hanna; first night of TNT (Tuesday Athree-daymini-campwill tact Goldendale High School Coach’s Award-Riley Hyer; N Thursday) Tennis will be beofferedforboyandgirlstu- Tennis Coach Rob Wing Rookie of the Year-Jaclyn nextTuesday,June9,from7 dents entering 7th, 8th, and at(509)250-0357

School boardmeetingnotes

Alex Gorrod attends meetings of the Goldendale school board and shareshisnoteson them These are not official minutesof themeeting I was able to attend the Goldendale School District Board Meeting on Tuesday, May 26 2026 Herearesome of thehighlights Thisismy summary, and I do my best toincludewhatissaid(without my own bias), though it ismostoften mysummation rather than direct quotes

Check out the full agenda online at: https://meetings boardbook org/ Public/ Agenda/780?meeting=743736

1 The meeting started with an announcement that it wasDr Perconti’s (Superintendent) final regular board meeting The Board presented her with a set of bookends and thanked her for her 40 years of service in education including 7 of those years as superintendentof GSD

2 Duringpubliccomment on agenda items LeAndra Kessinger spoke on the agenda portion that was about non-renewal of contracts and resignations She saidthatoneof theteachers inthispartoftheagendahad harassedandassaultedastudent Becauseof thisshefelt thatheshouldnotbeallowed toresignandinsteadshould have been terminated asan employee Herconcernisthat bynotfiringhimhewillgoon toteachatadifferentschool and harm children without that school knowing what hehaddone Shealsoshared thatthecommunityhaslost trust in thedistrictandthat this would make this grow She was unable to finish her entire statement before her2minutesranout

3 Andrea Keffeler (GHS Asst Soccer Coach), Taylor Fahlenkamp (GHS Head Cheer Coach), and Tina Martinez (CTE Business Teacher)werehired

4 Resignations and nonrenewals were accepted for Austin Williams (GHS Cross-Country Coach), Jennifer Ball (GHS Math Teacher), Josh Krieg (GMS Girls BasketballCoach), Tia Hoctor (GMS Asst Girls/ Boys Wrestling Coach), and Brandon Chronister (GHSMathTeacher)

5 Ms Ihrig (Business Manager) reported that the general fund was at $3,001,884 in April (up from $2,228,893inMarchandfrom April2025,$2,442,022)

6 Ms Ihrigalso reported on enrollment FTE stands for Full Time Equivalent, every FTE provides around $10,000 in funding GPS had a 282.50 FTE (last year it was 296.72) GMS had a 247.37 FTE (Last year it was 247.98) GHS had a 277.47 FTE(lastyearitwas288.94) Thetotalis807.34(last year it was 833.64) Online had a 2475.33 FTE (Last year it was2011.53)

7 Mr Schlenker gave an update on currentfacilities’ projects The track paving shouldhappenonJune1and 2 and then the asphalt will needtimetocure OnJuly7 they should be able to then lay the track material with ithopefullybeingcompleted by mid-July The bleachers willarriveandstartinstallation on June8and will take 6-8weekstoinstall Because of this they will be using parts of the Primary School playground during this last portion of the school year for the cranes needed tolift the bleachers They still believe that the entire project will be done mid tolate August They are still planning on installing the new playground equipment at GPSandGMSstartingatthe endof June Levyand grant funds are paying for this equipmentandinstallation GHS will have brand new water pipesinstalledduring the summer They will be mappingthepipesinorderto finalizehowtheywilldothis in zones over a two month period of time This will

allowforthegymtobe used duringthesummeraswellas having water in offices duringportionsof thesummer This project is being done duetoa$1.35milliongrant

They are also going to be redoing/updating the CTE/ HomeEcroomatGHSusing CTE funds CTE funds have a surplus and must be used by August 31 or the extra goesbacktothestate These funds can only be used on CTEprojects/items

8 Ms Reddinger (Principal at GHS) reported that 100% of seniors did senior presentations and met the requirement All testinghas been completed and results should start coming in in June Graduationisat7pm onFriday,June5,attheGHS Gym The traditional walk through of GPS and GMS will take place on June 4, and they will also have the annualSenior Paradestartingat5:30pm thatday Goldendale FFA will be hosting theirannualAGDayonMay 29 Jazzband willbeplaying at the Goldendale Library onMonday,June8,at6pm Thereisalsoabandconcert at the high school gym on Tuesday,June2,at6:30pm AnnaWilderplaced3rdat districtgolf andColbyLarge placed 11th Anna went on toplace21statstateandwas WIAAAthleteof theWeekat theendof April GHSTennis was giventheleaguesportsmanship award (this is the 2nd such award GHS has receivedthisyear) GMSand GHS FFA wonfirst and second in National Chapter at state competition out of 193 chaptersinthestate,qualifying bothfor nationals GMS FFAalsoplaced2ndinRitualsand7thinFoodProducts

Under the state’s Clean Energy Transformation Act, all utilities must provideelectricitythatisgreenhouse gas neutral by 2030, meaning that all energy sources must be renewable or free of emissions Wind solarandnuclearare among the energy sources allowed under the law If that target isn’t reached, companies will haveto pay to comply through energy

creditsorinvestinginclean energyprojects In December last year, the law required utilities to remove coal from electricity supplies Puget Sound Energy complied, but meetingthe 2030 phase willbeabiggerliftwiththe companyfacingmajorchallenges beyond its control, according to spokesperson AndrewPadula Thosedifficultiesinclude persistent growth in electricity demand permitting andsitinghurdles,barriers in connecting renewable resourcestothegrid,anda changeinafederaltaxlaw that will make renewable andnon-emittingresources more expensive to build after2030 saidPadula The utility serves about 1.2 million electricity customers Of particular concern are increasing costs and theimpactsonourcustomers” said Padula “As PSE doesnothaveaccesstofederalhydropower,ourCETA compliancecostsaremuch higher than other utilities inthestate”

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.

May 29, Six Rivers Listening Skills & Conflic Resolution Workshop: 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the County Service Building 115 West Court Mt Adams Room. Cost is $45. Looking to boost your listening skills and handle conflicts like a pro? This in-person workshop is perfect for you! Spend a day diving into fun, interactive sessions that’ll help you understand others better and resolve tough situations with ease. Whether at work or in life, these skills will make a big difference. Come hang out, learn a ton, and leave feeling more confident and connected!

May 30, Swing Into Summer Dance: 7 - 9 p.m. at the Goldendale American Legion on Broadway. Youre invited to the Middle School Booster Club dance! 5 - 8 graders and homeshool kids welcome. $5 entry, no re-entry and no entry after 8 p.m.

Community Events

May 30, Bookmark Contest Celebration: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Goldendale Library. Join us as we celebrate our Bookmark Contest! We’ll reveal the five branch winners and find out if one of them snagged a districtwide top spot. You’ll also get first pick at one of our fantastic new bookmarks! Refreshments will be provided by the Goldendale Friends of the Library.

May 30, Sorpotomist Annual Spring Plant Sale: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. downtown Goldendale in front of Pat’s Place. Plant donations are welcome. If you want to donate plants, please call Lorraine at (509)7733380 and leave a message. This is an important fundraiser for the group, with money made at the sale going towards educational grants for local women who are supporting other family members. The mission of Soroptimists is to improve the lives of women and girls through education.

May 30, Goldendale Tread Fest: Gates Open at 8:30 a.m., car show at 9 a.m. at Ekone Park in Goldendale. Admission $20 adults, kids and Seniors $10, under 10 free. Competition starts at 10 with 4 classes and a $50 entry fee. Car show is sponsored by Grease Monkeys of the Great local food and vendors so come out for a great time!

June 4 - 8 , Annual Pickers Festival: An annual celebration of music, makers, and commu-

nity in the heart of Goldendale. in beautiful Ekone Park for another long weekend of picking, singing, hugging, catching up, sharing meals, stargazing, dipping toes in the creek and generally having a great time. If you aren’t a picker yourself you are always welcome to come listen in. There is open mic on Friday and Saturnday and everyone is welcome.

June 6, June Blooms Garden Tour: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. throughout Goldendale. This is our 5th annual event featuring 7 unique gardens this year. Free maps available on day of tour at the Presby Mansion, 127 W Broadway, Goldendale Info Jon Dove (206)795-4067 Facebook

June Blooms

June 6 - 7, Annual Goldendale Truck and Tractor Pull: Gates open at 8 a.m., registration starts at 9 a.m. Free admission, concessions on site, pancake breakfast both days. Morning Exhibitions Lawn Tractor Pulls. Open to all ages and slow tractor races. Antique engines and euipment display. Located on Hanging Rock Road, .5 miles north of Goldendale on Hwy 97, take a left on Hanging Rock Road then 1.74 miles to site on the left. For more information call Tim 509528-8089, Jake 509-261-1879 or Doc 509-961-9012. or find us on Facebook at Goldendale Tractor Club.

June 8, Goldendale High School Jazz Band: 6 - 7 p.m.

at the Goldendale Community Library. Join us for an evening of jazz in Goldendale Community Library’s Amphitheater.

June12 - 13, Twin Bridges Museum Annual Fundraiser: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. both days. JOIN US for our annual yard sale fundraiser. All proceeds benefit the Twin Bridges Museum in Lyle! Ca;; 509-261-1926 if you have any questions.

June 12 - 14, 115th Annual Alder Creek Pioneer Picnic & Rodeo: The 115th annual Alder Creek Pioneer Picnic and Rodeo will be held June 12, 13, and 14, 2026 at the Cleveland Park in Cleveland, 4 miles West of Bickleton. Events and activities include RV dry camping ($30 for weekend), carousel rides, Saturday night dance, good food and a NPRA rodeo on Saturday and Sunday.Get involved yourself and go for a ride on the carousel! It is a 1905 Herschell-Spillman and is said to be one of only three of its type still working. It was purchased from Portland’s Oaks Park in 1929 and brought to Bickleton. All of the horses are stored at the museum during the year and are only brought out for this one weekend. Age doesn’t matter to ride this classic! From newborns to great, great grandparents; anyone can ride!

June 13, Kiwanis Duck Derby: 12 noon at Ekone Park in Goldendale. We will be selling ducks at the Home and Garden show in May! $5 each of 5/$20.

You can also get yours from any Kiwanis member, various local businesses, and Ekone the day of the event. Want to sell duckies (no actual ducks involved)? Contact Colleen at 509-952-4943

June 16, Kids & Tweens

Great Build Off: 12 - 1 p.m. at the Goldendale Community Library. Come on in and put your creativity to the test in our Kids & Tweens Great Build Off. Use the materials provided to design, build, and problem-solve your way through a surprise challenge.

June 17, Summer Reading Launch Party: 2 - 3:30 p.m. at the Goldendale Community Library. Celebrate the start of Summer Reading with games and activities! Come for the fun and leave signed up for our 2026 Summer Reading program.

June 20, 3D Printer Certification: 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. at the Goldendale Community Library. Join us to learn the skills necessary to become certified to use the library’s Lulzbot® Mini 3D printer. Get hands on training with the basic mechanics of operating and troubleshooting the machine. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

June 19 - 21, Ketchum Kalf

Rodeo: Come join us in Glenwood father’s Day WEekend for the 90th annual Ketchum Kalf Rodeo! June 23, Growing Through the Seasons: Composting: 5 -

6:30 p.m at the Goldendale Community Library. Join us to learn about composting, the process of creating nutrient rich soil by recycling organic waste including food scraps, leaves, and grass clippings. This program is in partnership with Klickitat County Solid Waste. June 25-28, Greater Goldendale Area Community Wide Yard Sales: Get ready for four full days of treasure hunting during the Community-Wide Yard Sales, happening June 25–28! This year’s event is under new ownership, and we’re excited to introduce a few small changes designed to make the experience even better for both sellers and shoppers. For the first time, the sales will run two additional days (Four days total), giving buyers more time to explore and sellers more opportunities to connect with customers. To help maximize visibility, sellers may choose to be included in the official yard sale map and address list, which will be distributed both in print and digitally throughout the community.To help cover the cost of printing, materials, and staff time required to coordinate this expanded event, a minimal $5 participation fee will be introduced for sellers who wish to sign up. Seller registration will open on May 1st, 2026.Printed maps will be available for pick-up beginning June 23 at the Greater Goldendale Area Chamber of Commerce.

Puzzle Page

Check It Out

Beach Reads, or Summer Reading for Grown-ups Libraries have long encouraged kids to read during the summer with incentive programs; this year’s FVRL theme is “Under the Sea”. Most of us adults don’t have the luxury of three months off, but maybe we do get a vacation and some reading time in the summer months. One way to challenge yourself this year is to use the Book Bingo card from Washington Center for the Book to log your reading: (https://washingtoncenterforthebook.org/bookbingo/).

Choose a book to fit each category on the card - no prizes, but it’s fun and satisfying to fill a row, or the whole card if you’re ambitious—but I haven’t managed it yet.

Summer always brings out lists of Beach Reads, a term I’ll loosely define here: a “beach read” is the type of book you take on vacation. It’s a shorter read, fast-paced, absorbing, but something you can pick up and put down as time allows. Entertaining. Feel-good. Escapist. Beach reads tend toward romance, thrillers, and contemporary novels. Lists of books published this year are popping up everywhere, so I’ll offer you some popular beach reads from years past that you might have missed:

• “The Husbands” by Holly Gramazio (2024)

• “Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies” by Catherine Mack (2024)

• “Hotel Laguna” by Nicola Harrison (2023)

• “Sunshine Nails” by Mai Nguyen (2023)

• “The Collected Regrets of Clover” by Mikki Brammer (2023)

• “The Housekeepers” by Alex Hay (2023)

• “The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise” by Colleen Oakley (2023)

• “The Old Woman With the Knife” by Byeong-mo Gu (2022)

• “The Swimmers” by Julie Otsuka (2022)

• “Dial A for Aunties” by Jesse Q. Sutanto (2021)

• “The Guncle” by Steven Rowley (2021)

• “The Last Thing He Told Me” by Laura Dave (2021)

• “Happy & You Know It” by Laura Hankin (2020)

• “How the Penguins Saved Veronica” by Hazel Price (2020)

• “The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season” by Molly Fader (2020)

• “Ask Again, Yes” by Mary Beth Keane (2019)

• “City of Girls” by Elizabeth Gilbert (2019)

• “Such a Fun Age” by Kiley Reid (2019)

• “The Body in Question” by Jill Ciment (2019)

• “The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle” by Stuart Turton (2018)

• “The Lido” by Libby Page (2018)

As always, you can find these titles at your library - and check for special programs and performances for summer reading as well. See you at the library!

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

Dive into healthy eats with Mediterranean-inspired dishes

(Feature Impact) The warm weather season offers a perfect opportunity for a meal reset. Inspired by the vibrant flavors and traditions of the Mediterranean, the aptly named Mediterranean Diet zeroes in on nourishing foods long touted as some of the healthiest by dietitians and health organizations.

Inclusive of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans and other legumes, as well as low-fat or fat-free dairy products, nontropical vegetable oils and nuts, poultry and fish – such as Genova Wild Caught Yellowfin Tuna – Mediterranean-focused dishes fit beautifully into a colorful, healthy diet. The Mediterranean Diet has also been associated with many benefits, as it includes key nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids that support brain, eye and heart health. Because this way of eating also prioritizes fiber and lean protein, it also can support a healthy weight, which can fuel overall health and well-being for years to come.

Packed with protein and omega-3s, Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil is wildcaught and inspired by the flavors and traditions of the Mediterranean. Free from additives and preservatives, this convenient protein makes an easy and delicious addition to meals inspired by the region’s fresh, vibrant ingredients.

A simple, elegant Flatbread Nicoise lets tuna take center stage, melding together fresh, foolproof ingredients like baby potatoes, green beans, baby arugula, kalamata olives and red onion on top of a warm, doughy crust. Or take the taste of the Mediterranean further at lunch time with this Mediterranean Tuna, Feta and Dill Salad. It combines the big, bright flavors and textures of arugula, cucumber, feta, fresh dill, lemon and tuna to give your tastebuds a happy zing and keep you satisfied until dinner.

For more information, including recipes, serving suggestions and a product locator, visit GenovaSeafood.com.

Flatbread Nicoise

Total time: 50 minutes Servings: 4

• 4 ounces baby potatoes, well-scrubbed

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

• 1 pound store-bought pizza dough, at room temperature

• kosher salt, to taste

• freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 2 ounces green beans or haricot verts, trimmed

• 1 can (5 ounces) Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil

• 1 1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar

• 1/2 cup baby arugula

• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1/4 cup pitted kalamata or nicoise olives, halved

• 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced

Preheat oven to 450 F. Using mandolin, thinly slice potatoes. Drizzle 9-by-13-inch baking sheet with 1 tablespoon olive oil and spread pizza dough to edges. Shingle potatoes over dough, leaving 1/2-inch border. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and drizzle with remaining olive oil. Bake pizza until cooked through and crust is golden, about 25 minutes. Remove and let cool slightly.

Bring small saucepan of salted water to boil. Add green beans and cook until bright green and crisp tender, about 3 minutes. Strain, rinse with cool water and drain well. Transfer to work surface and cut each bean into thirds on bias. Strain oil from tuna can into small bowl and whisk vinegar into oil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle slightly cooled pizza with arugula, tuna, tomatoes, olives, green

beans and red onion. Drizzle with vinegar dressing then slice and serve warm.

Mediterranean Tuna, Feta and Dill

Salad

Total time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4

• 3 cups arugula

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, each cut in half

• 1/2 English cucumber, cut into 1/2-inch chunks

• 1/2 cup feta cheese chunks

• 1/4 cup sliced red onion

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill, plus additional for topping (optional)

• 2 cans (5 ounces each) Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil

Dressing: 2 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

In large bowl or on platter, lay arugula. Place cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta, red onion and dill over arugula. Top with tuna; reserve oil from cans.

To make dressing: In small bowl, combine lemon juice, dill, salt and pepper.

Whisk in reserved olive oil from tuna cans until mixture is well blended.

Before serving, drizzle dressing over salad and top with additional chopped dill, if desired.

New at the Library

I spent last week with my parents, which is always fun.

My father has been having trouble with his legs, and tasks that involve getting up from the ground are hard for him, particularly if the ground is steep or slippery—and that is a pretty accurate description of the shoreline where the dock lives over the winter.

But we both thought the dock should get in the water, and I told my dad I’d help, so we made our way down to the shoreline to tackle the project.

We had a few things working against us.

The ground, as I mentioned, is very steep, and it was slick with last year’s leaves. The dock had wheels at the end and was tacked on to a frame on the hill. It had to be loosened from the frame so it could slide down into the water. This is a task that used to take my dad no time at all, but instead of doing it himself, he had to instruct his daughter on how to do it, and his daughter has no demonstrable engineering skills.

And that wasn’t the full extent of the problem, because my dad’s eyesight is not good, so he couldn’t really see what I was up to. He had to describe what I should be doing without being able to see if I was doing it.

Then the last screw holding the dock in place got stuck. I am sure that screw was stuck due to operator error (I use a screwdriver approximately once every five years) but whatever the cause, the screw was jammed and the whole thing was hung up. We surveyed the situation.

“I don’t think it’s coming loose,” my dad concluded.

“What if we hit it with a hammer?” I suggested. Hitting things with hammers was something I felt qualified to try.

“No…” My dad was thinking. “Can you just push it?”

My dad suspected there wasn’t much holding the dock in place and, once it was free, it would merrily roll down the hill on its own accord.

“I don’t know if I can push it. But I can kick it.” And so I did. I sat on my butt in the slippery leaves, and I kicked the dock. The little chunk of two-by-six with the one remaining screw holding it in place split into two, and the dock came loose with a mighty “whoosh!” and rolled down the hill.

Fortunately, both my dad and I were out of the way.

“I don’t know where that block went,” I told my dad.

“Forget about it,” he said.

We got the dock into the water. It was a little cattywampus, but it was more or less ready for another season.

“I might need to get a kid to help me with some things this fall,” my dad said, as if this was a major concession at 92. He thanked me for helping him and apologized for needing the help.

“Dad, we all do as much as we can, for as long as we’re able.”

“I guess that’s so.” That night, I saw a boat trolling along the shoreline as the sun set.

“Hey, Dad, there’s a guy fishing right off the end of the dock.”

“I hope he knows the rules,” my dad said.

“The rules?”

“He’s gotta leave half of whatever he catches at the end of the dock for me.”

“We’ll have to put up a sign on the shoreline so he knows the rules,” I told my dad.

“We’ll have to do that,” my dad said.

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

As the United States gets ready to celebrate its 250th birthday in 2026, Americans are looking back at the people and places that helped shape the nation. One of the most fascinating places from America’s early days is Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and the main writer of the Declaration of Independence. He also served as the third president of the United States. But Monticello was much more than just a house. It was a place filled with ideas, inventions, books, gardens, and history.

Thomas Jefferson designed the house himself and spent many years changing and improving it. He loved architecture, which is the art of designing buildings. Instead of copying other homes, Jefferson added many large windows and skylights to his design to let as much light in as possible. Monticello reminds us that the nation was built by dreamers, thinkers, workers, and leaders who shaped history in many different ways. Walking through Jefferson’s home is like stepping into a time machine filled with inventions, ideas, and stories from long ago. More than just a house, Monticello stands as a symbol of curiosity, creativity, and the complicated journey of the United States itself.

Monticello

One of Jefferson’s fantastic inventions is the “Great Clock.” This is no ordinary clock hanging on a wall. Long metal weights slowly drop from the ceiling all the way down toward the floor. But it doesn’t end there — like something out of a mystery movie, the weights pass right through the floor and disappear into the cellar. At the end of each week the clock is wound and the movement starts over.

Crossword

Smartypants Academy

To guests visiting Monticello in the 1700s, it probably felt like stepping into the home of a genius inventor who was always dreaming up the next amazing gadget. Jefferson loved clever ideas, and the clock was not the only fantastic feature. There are other surprises at Montecello. including doors that opened together with hidden chains, secret passages and staircases and a huge kitchen. Jefferson’s love of learning can be seen everywhere. There are thousands of books on history, science, math, geography, and languages. He believed education was extremely important for the future of the country.

Videos!

Monticello is now a museum visited by people from all over the world. Walking through Jefferson’s home is like stepping into a time machine filled with inventions, ideas, and stories from long ago. More than just a house, Monticello stands as a symbol of curiosity, creativity, and the complicated journey of the United States itself. If you ever get the chance to visit, you will never forget the main author of the Declaration of Independence and what he meant to the growing, new United States of America.

What was

Thomas Jefferson’s favorite dessert?

Monti-Jello!

Goldendale Sentinel June 3, 2026