Sheriffs urge partial veto of new bill
Jake goldsTeiN-sTReeT
WashiNgToN sTaTe sTaNdaRd
Washington sheriffs are pushing Gov. Bob Ferguson to veto parts of a controversial bill that would set new standards for them and could lead to removal from office.
In a letter this week, four sheriffs pointed to sections of Senate Bill 5974 they want excised when the Democratic governor takes action. They say the legislation threatens to override the will of the voters. Ferguson said he plans to meet with sheriffs to discuss
their concerns. The bill would require county sheriffs and police chiefs to meet heightened eligibility standards.
The criteria include having five years of full-time law enforcement experience, not having any felony or gross misdemeanor convictions, being at least 25 years old and not having done anything that would get state certification as a peace officer revoked. Within nine months of taking office, the bill says sheriffs need to get their certification if they don’t already have it. Current law gives them a year.
Until now, sheriffs haven’t had to meet the same eligibility requirements as police chiefs. Sheriffs are elected, while police chiefs are appointed. Sheriffs could be removed from office if they don’t meet the new standards, though lawmakers revised the bill during the legislative process to clarify that the five years of experience provision doesn’t apply to current sheriffs. That piece would’ve disqualified the Pacific County sheriff, a Navy veteran who won office without prior law enforcement experience.
Critics worry the policy gives the state Criminal Justice Training Commission, which decides on officer certification, too much power to decide the fate of sheriffs. Supporters have said the legislation is about holding police leaders accountable to the same standards as rank-and-file officers. The eligibility standards and the new path to removal from office are the aspects of the bill sheriffs want to see the governor veto, calling it a “fundamental change in the balance between administrative oversight and
democratic governance.”
“Together, these provisions use a professional certification process—used to regulate a profession—to override and displace voter choice,” the sheriffs wrote in their letter to Ferguson.
The letter from the Washington State Sheriffs’ Association is signed by Mark Crider of Walla Walla County, Brad Manke of Stevens County, Ryan Spurling of Mason County, and Clay Myers of Kittitas County.
The sheriffs pointed to another measure they preferred that
12, is in dire need of heart surgery. A fellow firefighter started a fund to help raise the required money.
Firefighter works to help volunteer
Matthew Leffler, Fire Chief for Wahkiacus Fire District 15 in Klickitat County, is asking the community to help Richard Browning, a volunteer firefighter at Klickitat County Fire District 12. According to Chief Leffler, Browning needs heart surgery to correct a medical issue that caused him to lose his full-time job.
“He has selflessly served his community for over 15 years, answering the call when others
needed him most—now it’s our turn to give back to him,” Leffler wrote on GoFundMe. “Any amount you can give will help him get the care he needs and ease the financial burden on his family.”
The GoFundMe goal amount is $24,000. As of yesterday, $1,775 had been raised. The fundraiser link is: https://www.gofundme.com/f/ support-a-volunteer-firefighters-heart-surgery.
Jail finds food solution
RodgeR Nichols
FoR The seNTiNel
Money was on the minds of Klickitat County Commissioners at their March 10 board meeting. In looking at all money-raising possibilities, they considered raising certain event fees but ultimately postponed the decision to have a larger policy discussion about whether the county should be fully recouping its costs for utilities and cleaning at facilities such as the community center.
County Administrator Robb Van Cleave did have some good news. “You may know,” he told commissioners, “but I want to make sure the public knows. Starting May 7, the Department of Corrections food service will be provided by the State Department of Corrections, and Aramark has given a termination of the contract for May 8. Timing is everything, and, as Bill has reported in the past, that will be a significant savings. Bill’s worked pretty hard on that, and I appreciate that.” Van Cleave was referring to Jail Administrator Bill Frantz, who’s been working on that change since he came on board. He’s also been adept at obtaining grants, which has proved a boon to the county.
Adult Probation received approval to hire a qualified internal candidate for a case manager position at a higher pay step than advertised, with the board agree-
ing that the county would absorb the additional cost to avoid altering financial agreements already in progress with Bingen, White Salmon, and Goldendale.
Senior Services Director Sharon Carter reported the department faced significant challenges with recruiting transportation drivers due to strict state and federal requirements.
“We’ve got safety sensitive drug testing,” she said. “There’s pre-employment as well as random testing. There are people who that eliminates right off the bat. And the driving records are not just related to your work driving record; it’s your driving record, period.”
She said another problem was the cost of replacement vehicles for their fleet, which has more than doubled, complicating grant-funded purchases. And on top of that, she said demand for Senior Services grew substantially, with notable increases in transportation ridership, meals served, and volunteer hours, which rose by over 2,000 hours in the past year.
The county also retained outside counsel to provide an expert review of a solar ordinance and to help with future land use matters, with the Prosecuting Attorney emphasizing that all communication would be centralized through her office to control costs.
Under the consent agenda, com-
City considers new 5G cell ordinances
RodgeR Nichols FoR The seNTiNel
The Goldendale City Council was introduced to a new form of consultant services at their March 16 meeting. Michael Flores of Spectrum Cellular Management told councilors that 5G services are being rolled out nationwide, and this is more than an incremental step. “5G on the 3.7 gigahertz band,” he said, “is now capable of radiated output power 35 times more powerful
than 4G.”
That increased bandwidth allows providers more channels to sell profitable data streams. “The big push for 5G and cellular providers is to become the data and the television provider,” he said, “to take the cable television business, to take the satellite business, and ultimately to control unmanned vehicles.”
And as wireless replaces wired, cities lose the franchise fees paid by wired cable companies to attach their cable to ex -
isting poles. But cellular providers will have to upgrade elements in existing cell towers and add new towers, which involve permit applications and the chance to recoup some of those lost fees. That can’t happen if cities haven’t enacted 5G ordinances before they receive applications.
That’s where his firm comes in. For a fee, they can provide the language for ordinances to keep the city in control and get-
City page B1
Takeaways from legislative session
Bill lucia aNd JeRRy coRNField
WashiNgToN sTaTe sTaNdaRd
The curtain fell Thursday night on the Washington Legislature’s 60-day session. A lot happened before it did. Passage of Democrats’ income tax on millionaire earners was the big storyline. It followed House debate on the bill that was one of the longest in the state’s legislative history. Here are some highlights, plus who came out ahead and behind.
Progressive breakthroughs and walkbacks
Passage of the income tax is an indisputable win for Democrats eager to see Washington’s tax code rebalanced to tap wealthy residents for more cash, while relieving some of the burden for lower-income households. The question now is whether it holds up in court and on the ballot. But while there was glee over approval of the “millionaires’ tax,” lawmakers also moved this year to roll back major tax hikes they approved in the last session — including added sales taxes on a range of services and increases in the estate tax. These walkbacks were a tacit acknowledgment that they overreached with policies to tax businesses and the rich last year.
Progressive voices led by Democratic Socialist Rep. Shaun Scott of Seattle prevailed in a notable skirmish within the income tax bill, when a Senate-backed provision calling for the early sunset of a tax surcharge on large corporations was stripped out in the House.
Winners:
• Gov. Bob Ferguson, who gave the income tax his full-throated endorsement early on.
• Sen. Noel Frame, AKA the “Revenue Queen,” a champion of progressive tax policy.
• Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon, and Speaker Laurie Jinkins, who shepherded the income tax bill.
• Service Employees International Union, Washington State Labor Council and other statewide unions that pushed for the income tax.
• Dead people passing on more than $1 million, whose estates will owe less in taxes.
• Lawyers for whom a court battle on the income tax will make for a hefty payday.
Losers:
• Millionaires who don’t want to pay the income tax.
• Tech industry entrepreneurs who fought the income tax.
• Republican lawmakers, who detest the income tax, with some opposing it on the House floor during a debate that ran nearly 25 hours straight.
• The Wall Street Journal, which editorialized against the income tax before and after its passage. Ferguson gets his footing What a difference a year makes. In his first session, Ferguson came off as a frenemy of Democrat and Republican lawmakers alike. Sine Die couldn’t come fast enough for many lawmakers who didn’t know when he was on their side, when he was against them and whether he would support the budget and taxes his party sent him to sign.
This time around, Ferguson and Democratic leaders found themselves on the same page most of the time. There were still some touch-and-go moments, like when lawmakers got bristly about the governor negotiating over the income tax from a press conference podium. Where lawmakers could find few compliments to throw the governor’s way in Year One, they were almost effusive with praise in Year Two. “It feels like we’re hitting a good stride,” Pedersen said Thursday night. Ferguson called it a “great session.” Republicans know the governor much better as well after two years of watching him sign new and higher taxes.
Winners:
• Progressive House Democrats, who chafed at Ferguson’s centrist-sounding inaugural address last year, but are now feeling more heard and seen by the governor.
• Tribal leaders who secured an executive order giving them greater voice, and representation in state government.
Losers: • Senate Minority Leader John Braun, who was cozier with Ferguson last year when the governor had more tensions with his own party.
Mixed bag for big business Debate on data centers forced lobbyists from some of the world’s biggest firms and the state’s larger labor unions to camp out in Olympia. They teamed up to put a dagger in Rep. Beth Doglio’s bill to impose a suite of new regulations on data
Browing, a volunteer firefighter
See Bill page B1
Man arrested after alleged theft of clothing from laundromat
Lou MarzeLes Editor
A Goldendale man was arrested after police say he stole clothing—including several pairs of underwear—from customers at a downtown laundromat and was later found in possession of suspected methamphetamine.
According to a police report filed by Goldendale Police Officer Dustin Vorce, the incident began the evening of January 26 when officers received a suspicious activity call from the laundromat in the 100 block of South Columbus Avenue. The first reporting party
told police she had placed a load of laundry in a dryer and briefly left the laundromat. When she returned, she discovered a man going through her clothing. The man, described as wearing a black sweater and having a shaved head with possible reddish facial hair, allegedly had taken one of her child’s shirts and a pair of her underwear. She confronted the man, who returned the shirt after arguing with her. As he left the laundromat, he dropped the underwear near the door, according to the report. She later told officers she believed she had recovered all of her
belongings. While Vorce was preparing to search the area, a second call came in from another laundromat customer who reported a man matching the same description had taken several items of clothing belonging to her 16-year-old daughter and left the building, heading down the alley between West Broadway and West Main Street. During a second search of the alley, Vorce located the suspect. As the patrol car approached with its overhead lights activated, the man threw a white item behind a dumpster, according to Vorce’s police report.
The man was identified as Ryan Frahm. According to the report, Frahm admitted taking underwear, telling officers he “wasn’t thinking” and that it “wasn’t for anything weird.”
Officers recovered a white plastic grocery bag near the dumpster that contained four pairs of women’s underwear. When told what had been found, Frahm allegedly remarked that the items could be sold for about $10 each.
Police also removed a large knife from Frahm’s waistband during the encounter. The second victim later arrived at the scene and identified the
Hatfield named to Becker’s CEOs list
Jonathan Hatfield, CEO of Klickitat Valley Health, has been recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of the nation’s “103 critical access hospital presidents and CEOs to know” for 2025.
The annual list honors leaders who are advancing access to high-quality health care in rural and underserved communities. As leaders of critical access hospitals, those recognized are noted for driving growth, strengthening partnerships and improving the health and well-being of their communities so patients can receive high-quality care
close to home.
Hatfield became CEO of Klickitat Valley Health in October 2023 after 18 years of professional growth and advancement within KVH. Prior to becoming CEO, he held multiple high-level leadership roles, including director of IT and compliance.
Hatfield is active in statewide hospital advocacy through the Washington State Hospital Association, including service on its Public Policy Committee. In that role, he engages with legislative representatives on issues affecting rural communities and access to care. He also
serves as a board member of the Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts, The Rural Collaborative and the Rural Health Enterprise.
Under Hatfield’s leadership, KVH has focused on innovative adoption of technology to drive efficiencies in pursuit of operational excellence, expanded clinical service lines, and investment in staff to grow the workforce and promote retention.
“Jonathan’s leadership is grounded in service and a clear focus on strengthening care for our community,” said Brenda Edin, director of HR and engage -
ment. “We are proud to see his work recognized nationally for the third year in a row.”
The Becker’s Hospital Review editorial team accepted nominations for the list and curated it to highlight leaders’ accomplishments. The list is not exhaustive and is not an endorsement of included leaders or associated organizations, and individuals cannot pay for inclusion.
Becker’s Healthcare is a media platform for health care decision-makers, providing news, analysis, and events focused on issues in American health care.
recovered underwear as belonging to her daughter and requested that charges be filed. According to the report, Frahm became increasingly agitated after being told he was under arrest and attempted to run before throwing himself to the ground and kicking wildly. When placed in the police vehicle, Frahm thrashed about in the back. Once placed in custody, Frahm was searched. Officers found a case containing several syringes, one with blood inside, and two plastic bags. One bag contained a white crystalline substance that field-tested presump-
tively positive for methamphetamine, according to the report.
Police transported Frahm to the Klickitat County Jail, where he was booked on suspicion of third-degree theft, a charge applied when the value of stolen property is less than $750. The suspected methamphetamine was submitted to the Washington State Patrol crime lab for testing, and additional charges could be filed depending on the results, according to the report.
G oldendale ’ s a ttic
This week’s Goldendale’s Attic Mystery Picture
Six guys, four of them holding footballs. We weren’t trained in military intelligence, but we feel we can safely surmise this has something to do with sports. Who are these people? Why are they posing for a picture? When was this? All we know is this picture ran in The Sen -
tinel sometime, lost in the annals of yesteryear. If you know anything about it, please send us an email (info@goldendalesentinel.com), or
give us a call (509-7733777), 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
March 12, 1942 – 84 Years Ago
Scrap for Victory: Under the sponsorship of the Centerville Grange a carload of scrap iron will be loaded on March 18. The metal to be loaded on the car at Centerville, will be shipped to the Seattle Steel Rolling Mills. Price paid for scrap will be $10.50 per long ton. Loads brought in by individual farmers will be weighed and tabulated at the Centerville elevator. Payments to the farmers will be distributed back according to the weight of the scrap metal contributed. Henry Miller, F.A. Bromley, and Andrew Isaacson will oversee the loading and weighing. Farmers are urged to round up all available scrap. However, those not having trucks available can call on August Jackel, Hugh Cameron, Frank Sarsfield, Elmer Kamholz, or Tex Uecker, who have made trucks available for this purpose.
March 17, 1966, – 60 Years Ago
Comments made by Ray Spalding, commander of the Sixth District American Legion at the Presby flagpole dedication: Surely you have noticed the shining flagpole standing majestically with an air of intense anticipation in the front yard of the lovely old mansion known today as the Klickitat County Historical Society Building. The flagpole placed there by a group of dedicated men with a loyalty and love for their country will soon experience an honor almost never experienced by an ordinary flagpole. It will fly a very special flag purchased through Representative Catherine May by the Legionnaires of Louis Liedel Post 116. The Legionnaires felt that a flag donation to the KCHS would have to be a very special item of historical importance. The flag was recently flown over the White House in Washington D. C., our nation’s capital. Won’t you be present to honor the shining flagpole as I experience the glory of making history in Klickitat County?
March 18, 1976 – 50 Years Ago
Blissful Silence – We note with some sense of relief this week there is a blissful silence in Goldendale at noon. The whistle is quiet. We don’t know the reason for the silence of the wailing wonder, but we are not kicking—we like it that way. Since we’re all quite capable of telling time, and wristwatches or clocks can be had for a nominal fee, we feel that the whistle has outlived its prime. We hope the silence remains.
March 13, 1985 – 41 Years Ago
The Timberwolves continued a Goldendale tradition last week at the State A Tournament in the Tacoma Dome by staying alive until the final day and bringing home the eighth-place trophy. The finish marked the ninth time in 11 trips to state that Goldendale has placed in the top eight. Goldendale team consisted of Sam Davis, Casey Gleason, Chad Ross, Doug Loomis, Shawn Berry, Todd Adams, and Chris Whitmore. Some additional random thoughts on the tournament. This year marked the end of a long tradition of playing the boys A tournament in the old University of Puget Sound Field House, and the girls tournament was at Pacific Lutheran University. Instead, this year’s boys and girls tournaments were played just 80 feet apart under the wooden roof of the Tacoma Dome. The Timberwolves had the distinction of playing three teams with the oddest names. First round, Goldendale played the Blaine Borderites. What is a Borderite, and what does it look like? Next, they played the Eatonville Cruisers. Friday night they played the Ilwaco Fishermen.
March 15, 1986 – 40 Years Ago
Goldendale drivers are finding the local gas costs are following a national downward spiral—although they’re still behind the latest wave of price slashes. According to a spot check of gas stations in the Columbia Gorge last week, prices ranged from a low of 89.9 cents for regular at an independent dealer in White Salmon to a high of $1.18 for regular at a Biggs Junction station. Goldendale stations range somewhere in the middle, with prices for regular advertised between $1.05 per gallon and $1.08.
— Richard Lefever Klickitat
We stumbled upon a little whimsy from our historic archives. It seems there was a bit of competition in the henhouse reported in The Goldendale Sentinel.
First, with - “Chickery Chick” Old Stuff; Now it’s Two-Tone Hen Fruit - from March 14, 1946: Anyone who is in the market for “twotoned” eggs should get in touch with Wes Wilson, of the Horseshoe Bend neighborhood. He brought to The Sentinel office Monday an egg on which the top third of the shell was white and the lower two-thirds was brown. He offered no explanation for the two-tone effect and made no promise to deliver the two-tone hen fruit in quantity.
Probably Wilson’s hens not only got tired of “saying chick, chick all day” but also grew weary of laying eggs all of the same monotonous color. Now if he can get them started on blue, red, and green eggs, Wes undoubtedly can get a corner on the Easter egg market this year.
The whimsy continued in the next week’s edition, March 21, 1946, with “Lyle Hens Demand Share Of Two-Tone Henfruit Business.”
When it comes to keeping up with the fashions, you’ll have to hand it to the Lyle hens. The ink was barely dry on the story in last week’s issue of The Sentinel about Wes Wilson’s hen that lays twocolor eggs, when the Lyle hens went into a huddle and decided no Horseshoe Bend slick chick was going to get ahead of them. If you can get written up in the paper by laying two-tone
Answer to last week’s Mystery Picture
henfruit, they decided, they’d do it—and show that biddy of Wilson’s a thing or two while they were at it.
Well, to make a long story short, that’s what they did and Walter Crane brought the brownand-white results to The Sentinel office so that the Lyle hens could get their share of credit in this twotone egg business.
The Sentinel readers had to wait five more years to hear anything else about henfruit, but when the news came out, it was well worth the wait. Although no one knew the color of the eggs before they were served up (the competition having obviously ended with the Lyle hens), they were definitely the right color when they arrived on the plate.
Here is the story from August 2, 1951, titled “Lots Of Bounce In Them Thar Eggs:
Henry Culver had just returned from Portland, but Martin Forry, his business partner, didn’t suspect a thing.
At a local restaurant, he sat down to the plate of ham and eggs and hashed brown potatoes he had ordered, vaguely wondering why Culver had gone to the kitchen earlier. But he didn’t have time to think; he was in a hurry.
He piled the potatoes on the eggs and stabbed with his fork at the piles of yellow yolks. The fork bounced back.
A bit nonplussed but
This picture has been colorized. The woman in the center of this picture recognized herself and wrote this to us: “I’m writing in response to the mystery photo in this week’s Sentinel. A family member sent me a screenshot of your photo, and I felt obliged to respond. It’s me! I’m the ‘Lady dressed to the nines.’
This was Homecoming 1993 and looks like it was the evening of the Homecoming football game. I was crowned Homecoming Queen that year. I’m pictured with my mother, Elizebeth Stiner, and grandfather, Elmer ‘Dude’ Reed. Thanks for the blast from the past! I don’t remember posing for the photo and do not have a copy.” —Lisa Power (maiden name Goodpaster, Banks, Oregon)
attempting not to show it, Forry piled more potatoes over the eggs and stabbed again. Again his fork bounced back.
Forry dug the eggs from under the potatoes and attempted to cut them. They dented, then sprang back into shape again.
“Say, these eggs are rubber!” he exclaimed.
“Hey, waitress!” By that time, everyone in the establishment had quit trying to hold back
Points to ponder:
their laughter, and the waitress could hardly be heard when she explained that Forry’s partner had purchased the eggs “readycooked”—and made of rubber—at a Portland trick and puzzle shop.
We hope you enjoyed this bit of falderal from the archives. You might want to keep an eye out for any two-tone eggs, as you stock up for the coming season— and be on the lookout for a trickster amongst you.
If it’s zero degrees out now, and it’s supposed to be twice as cold tomorrow, how cold is it going to be?
Light travels faster than sound. That’s why some people seem bright until you hear them talk.
Is your aging parent safe in their own home?
Dear Savvy Senior,
OpiniOn
After watching the coverage of the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case, I’m worried about my own elderly mother who lives alone in another state. I want to make sure she’s safe without being intrusive. Are there simple, affordable ways to check in on her from afar?
—Concerned Son
Dear Concerned,
You’re not alone. High-profile cases like this often heighten fears, especially for adult children whose parents live alone and may be vulnerable. The good news is there are several free or low-cost ways to stay connected and gain peace of mind without infringing on your mother’s independence. Here are some nice options to consider. Check-in app
If your mother uses a smartphone, a simple solution is Snug (snugsafe. com), a free app that checks in daily to confirm she’s okay. It’s used by tens of thousands of older adults who live alone and want their loved ones alerted quickly if something goes wrong.
Savvy Senior, Jim Miller
Here’s how it works: after downloading the app, your mother selects a daily check-in time. Snug sends several reminders leading up to that time, prompting her to confirm she’s OK by tapping a large green button on her screen. If she doesn’t check in within 10 minutes after her scheduled time, the app automatically notifies her emergency contacts and shares her last known location so help can be sent promptly. For added peace of mind, Snug also offers a Dispatch Plan ($20 per month or $200 per year) that includes multiple daily check-ins. If she misses one, Snug will call her directly to see if she’s OK. If there’s still no response, they can request an in-person wellness check by local authorities, who will visit her home to make sure she’s safe. The app works with both iPhone and Android devices.
Check-in calls
If your mother doesn’t use a smartphone, a daily check-in call program can provide similar reassurance. Many police or sheriff’s departments nationwide offer telephone reassurance programs, often free of charge.
Typically, an automated system calls at a set time each day. If she answers, all is well. If she doesn’t pick up after repeated attempts, or the call goes to voicemail, her emergency contact is notified. If that contact can’t be reached, backup contacts are called. As a last resort, local police or emergency services may be dispatched to her home.
To see if this service is available in your mother’s community, call her local police department’s nonemergency number or the Area Agency on Aging at (800) 677-1116. If no local program exists, private companies like CareCall or ConfirmOK offer similar services for a monthly fee.
Technology aids
You might also consider simple home technology to
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
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enhance her safety. Monitored medical alert systems are among the most common—wearable “help buttons,” some with fall detection, that allow her to call for help 24/7 while immediately notifying you. These typically cost around $1 per day.
Other options include motion or contact sensors placed around the home to track daily routines and alert you to unusual activity, or a small security camera with two-way audio, night vision and motion detection. Basic sensors and cameras can cost under $35, though they require Wi-Fi and do raise privacy considerations, so it’s important to discuss them with your mother beforehand.
While no solution can eliminate every risk, these tools can provide meaningful peace of mind, for both you and your mother while preserving her independence.
Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
Letters from the community
Time to reconsider?
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 .
The article in last week’s paper covering issues arising with the proposed flagpole at the courthouse makes one question whether there was sufficient planning prior to the push for a vote from the county commissioners. Were both the county and city fully consulted before presenting this idea? Is there paperwork covering thorough research on the feasibility and engineering of this project? Are detailed structural design drawings available, including materials and measurements?
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
while the official vote was recent, discussions between the Rosses and the county commissioners had been going on for weeks.)
Outside pressure shouldn’t shape local councils
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.
It appears that a thorough analysis was not done of the land upon which this flagpole is desired to be placed, nor the lighting situation. Is there a written, signed agreement between the Ross Foundation and the county and city regarding financial responsibility for the future?
The county commissioners should have required all this to be presented before being pressured to vote on this in time for July 4 (an unrealistic completion date) and should now reconsider this issue. The city also needs to be included in whether to let this project continue, since it is impacted by it as well.
At the March 11 Lyle Community Council meeting, a growing concern in small community institutions was highlighted: organized outside pressure overwhelming local voices.
Several of the loudest participants at the meeting did not live within the Lyle Community Council district, yet they dominated much of the discussion. Much of their focus centered on challenging the council’s longstanding interpretation of its bylaws, particularly the understanding that those serving on the council should live in the district it represents.
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.
Building something of this size on possibly unstable ground in the middle of the city could cause unforeseen circumstances affecting the many structures and people around it. Who would be liable for damages and insurance?
It is time to seriously and thoroughly reconsider all the aspects around this proposal, including the possibility of its abandonment.
Carol Hicks Goldendale
(Editor’s note: The flagpole project was vetted with county and City of Goldendale officials, although the point about lighting was a new wrinkle that now has been handled. The City gave its imprimatur some time ago. We are told the light fixture that would go atop the flagpole will meet dark-sky compliance and provide sufficient light to ensure all of the large flag will be illuminated at night. There was no snap decision made about the flagpole by the county;
Ken McKune Goldendale C
I recently received an updated “Terms for Business and Deposit Account Agreement” from Columbia Bank. I am not in the habit of reading the fine print but for some reason this time I did. I came across an “added” line that I found very concerning. Again, this line is both for personal and business accounts. It reads: “We may refuse to open and account and may close your account at any time for any reason or for no reason at all.”
At one point, a speaker suggested organizing supporters to reinterpret or change the council’s bylaws in a way that could allow people outside the district to gain greater influence over the council itself. Others attempted to intimidate council members by suggesting they could face personal legal consequences for decisions related to allowing a third-party food pantry to operate in the community. That claim was challenged during the meeting and is not consistent with how nonprofit governance typically works.
“For No Reason At All” I particularly found offensive.
Crazy spending
Remember when Americans were told that the federal government was filled with fraud and waste? Programs, services, and people were cut to get rid of the unnecessary fat, remember?
This week we learned that in September 2025, Pete Hegseth had a record-setting shopping spree with taxpayers’ money. In an effort to spend down their remaining budget or lose it for next year, Hegseth approved the following: $93.4 billion on grants and contracts, $225.6 million on furniture, $12,540 for fruit basket stands, $2 million on Alaskan king crab (the third time the administration spent millions on king crab in 2025), $6.9 million of lobster tail (added to the $7.4 million on lobster tail in four in 2025), $15.1 million on ribeye steaks, $1 million on salmon, $139,224 for doughnuts, $124,000 for ice cream machines, $26,000 for sushi tables, $5.3 million of Apple devices, $1.8 million for musical instruments ($98k for a Steinway piano, $26k for a violin, and $22k for a custom flute).
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.
In addition, a record $6.6 billion of purchases were from foreign governments and foreign-owned businesses in September. Learn more at Openthebooks.com.
Ken Margraf Goldendale
Community councils exist for a simple reason: they give residents of a district a place to address the needs of their own community. When organized political groups from outside the district dominate the discussion or attempt to reshape the rules governing the council, the purpose of local representation is weakened.
Healthy civic participation is welcome. But participation should respect the basic principle that local decisions should be guided by the people who actually live in the community.
Jacob Wolf Appleton
Guidelines for Letters
It’s important to note that every administration is guilty of the annual September shopping spree, but Trump campaigned on reducing the cost of government, and Hegseth’s Department of Defense now holds the record for most money spent in one month.
Tell Congress to vote no on any additional funding for the DoD and to start questioning their budget.
Sue Kusch White Salmon
Letters to the editor should be original and comment on an issue. Deadline for letters is noon Monday for the same week’s paper.
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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.
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H ometown
Giana gets full ride to UW Goldendale FFA attends State Leadership Conference
Here’s another reminder of a fun annual event. The Glenwood Women’s Club will once again host the community Easter Egg Hunt at the county park in Pine Vista on Saturday, April 4, starting at 10 a.m. This year members of the Mt. Adams Community 4-H club have volunteered to help the Women’s Club help prepare the park for the Easter Bunny arrival and hide the eggs. The park will be sectioned off by age groups. There has been a lot of speculation and questions regarding the Glenwood School discussed on Facebook lately. I urge anyone with questions or comments to contact Dr. Lewis at the school to learn what the facts are and what the future holds for our school. We also encourage all community members to attend the monthly school board meetings, which are held the fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in the school library. The March meeting will take place on the 19th.
Recently I shared the news that Glenwood High School Senior Giana Jackson had been accepted at eight highly respected universities. Well, let’s make that nine. The following news from Mrs.
McLaughlin, our Glenwood school counselor: “We are incredibly proud to celebrate senior Giana Jackson, who has been accepted to the University of Washington— one of the nation’s Top Tier 1 research universities! Even more impressive, during the 2025–2026 admission cycle, 77,400 applications were submitted to the University of Washington, with the university aiming for an incoming freshman class of about 7,300 students this fall. Being admitted is an incredible achievement.”
Coming from a small rural high school, this accomplishment is truly extraordinary. Through extracurriculars, rigorous classes, and perseverance, Giana has achieved something remarkable: a full-ride financial aid package to attend the University of Washington! Giana received the Washington College Grant and the Ferguson Scholarship (total aid offered: $33,538)! Yesterday, Giana officially accepted her very generous financial aid package from UW and committed to attend this fall. Giana, you have demonstrated so well that students can soar in our small rural school, and we are so proud of you. Congratulations.
GaGe Halm GmS FFa RepoRteR
On March 6 and 7, Goldendale FFA members traveled to Wenatchee Valley College to participate in the two-day Washington FFA Leadership Series. The chapter brought 24 Goldendale FFA members, the two advisors, Randi and Josh Krieg, CTE Para, EJ Ontiveros, and parent, Angie Moore, joining nearly 200 FFA students from across the state for workshops led by national FFA trainers.
Throughout the event, students were placed into different groups based upon grade level, where they explored what leadership looks like in real life. Each group focused on communication, teamwork, and understanding how people think and interact. They also spent time analyzing leadership scenarios from different stories, which helped them see how leaders respond to challenges and make
decisions that affect others. GMS FFA member Amy Gorrod shared her thoughts about the experience, saying, “It was really fun and interesting to see how
people communicated.”
Many of the FFA members agreed that learning from national trainers and meeting new people made the experience even more meaningful.
By the end of the two days, Goldendale FFA members left with new skills, new confidence, and a stronger understanding of what it means to be a leader in their chapter and community.
Contributed
WELL DONE: Congratulations to the Goldendale Middle School FFA Rituals team consisting of Vida Moore, Natalee Garcia, Kylee Baunach, Amy Gorrod, Laurel Pew, and Mackenzie Casey on earning 1st place at Districts on March 9 in Prosser. Shoutouts as well to the Goldendale High School CCM team consisting of Daniel Pittman, Shelby Zakit, Emily Wooden, Sophia Jackson, Lili Oswalt, and Evalynn Casimero who placed 1st. The Goldendale Middle School FFA CCM team consisting of Bo Hedgecock, Aubrey Rhoades, Kylee Baunach, Ellie Monson, Carter Williams, and Gage Halm placed 4th. All three teams have qualified for the State FFA Convention in May.
Contributed
FFA VETERINARY TEAM PLACES: Congratulations to the Goldendale FFA Veterinary Science team. The team earned 2nd place overall at Selah High School on March 12. Individual achievements included: Anna Hauge – 5th; Ellie Jensen – 8th; Sierra Blunt – 10th; Ella Rice –15th; and Emily Wooden – 16th.
O BITUA RY
Dennis Sager
Dennis A. Sager, age 86, of Stanwood, Washington, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
Dennis lived a full and meaningful life centered around his family and career. Born in Everett, he graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked in the aluminum industry for many years where he was known for his dedication, intelligence, and strong work ethic. He could fix anything.
Outside of work, Dennis had a deep love for the outdoors, water sports, and traveling the world with his beloved wife of 65 years, Jean. It was precious moments like taking Jean out for a twilight boat ride on “the lake” that brought him the greatest joy.
Above all, Dennis was a devoted husband and family man who loved living
and raising his family on the farm in Goldendale. Together, he and Jean built a life filled with love, laughter, and family traditions while raising their four sons—Ken (Becky), Jon (Kelli), Chris (Michele), and Jeff (Michaela)— who were the pride of his life.
He especially cherished his role as a grandfather to his seven grandchildren— Katie, Evanne, Jake, Ellie, Lukas, Josh, and Raiden, and his great granddaughter Ava. He treasured spending time with them whenever he could.
Dennis will be remembered for his quiet strength, his devotion to family, and the many memories he created with family and friends who loved him. He will be deeply missed.
The Sager family will be holding a small private ceremony at their home in Seattle.
Soroptimists hold awards dinner
The Soroptimist Interna-
tional of Goldendale held their annual awards dinner on Thursday, March 12, at Ayutla’s restaurant. The award dinner is a special night when the money the club raises throughout the year is given out to deserving recipients. The Live Your Dream award was the highlight of the evening, with $3,000 given to Brittani Winters of Goldendale to help with educational costs as she pursues a career in nursing. The award is given annually to a local woman who is head of household
and enrolled in school or a training program in order to improve her career options.
The club also gives a Woman of Distinction award for outstanding service to the community. This year it went to two women, Susan Marlow and Jeanne Bradley, who team up every holiday season to create the Giving Tree fundraiser, with proceeds going to a person with medical needs.
And finally, a check for $500 was given to Programs For Peaceful Living, the local domestic violence
Grange celebrates 115 years
Goldendale Grange No. 49 celebrated its 115th anniversary with a community potluck luncheon on Sunday afternoon at the Grange Hall. Dr. James Ogden opened the afternoon program by discussing State Grange Degree work, comparing
resource center. Accepting that award was Jena Henshaw from the program.
Soroptimist of Goldendale is part of an international service organization that focuses on empowering women by helping to remove barriers to education. For more information, go to www.Soroptimist.org.
Mark your calendars for upcoming events. The annual Vintage Tea and Fashion Show will be on May 9. The Spring Plant Sale will be on May 30 at Columbus and Main. — Sandra Choate
the past to today. James Radcliffe, president of the Klickitat County Historical Society and a Pleasant Valley resident, delivered a brief presentation about his grandfather Norman’s involvement at Pleasant Valley Grange in previous years. Dandy Valley Farms generously donated the door prizes. Bubba Jensen, kitchen manager, prepared the main dish of pulled pork sandwiches and roast chicken.
Contributed LIVE YOUR DREAM: Brittani Winters, left with Sara Eubanks, was awarded $3,000 at Thursday’s Soroptimists award dinner.
C HAPPY BIRTHDAY: James Radcliffe spoke at the celebration of the Goldendale Grange’s 115th anniversary.
BILL from page A1
looked to initiate recall pro-
ceedings if a sheriff was decertified for conduct after taking office, effectively leaving up to voters the decision to remove them. That legislation didn’t go anywhere.
“When removal from this office is at issue, democratic legitimacy requires that the voters remain the final decision-makers,” the four sheriffs wrote.
Ferguson’s office has also received several letters from advocates urging him to sign the legislation in full.
Under the approved bill, county officials would appoint a replacement for removed sheriffs.
The legislation passed both the House and Senate without any Republican votes. In the House, a few
SESSION from page A1
center operations. It met its end in Senate Ways and Means. But on the final day, Big Tech lost a different battle to preserve a data center tax break it planned to enjoy through 2048. Ferguson wanted it repealed. House Democrats were split. Eventually, 51 voted to nix the exemption.
Electric vehicle makers Rivian and Lucid got a green light to sell their cars directly to Washington motorists at showrooms, a carveout only Tesla enjoys now. The outcome reflects a delicate compromise with auto dealers and averts a pricey ballot battle that Rivian was prepared to throw down some major cash to fight. Lawmakers began to regulate generative artificial intelligence despite misgivings from the tech industry. They added mental health safeguards for AI chatbots
Democrats sided with their GOP colleagues against it. In a hearing on the bill, one sheriff, Pierce County’s Keith Swank, expressed his frustration over the proposal so forcefully that some Democratic lawmakers felt threatened.
The legislation also would restrict the use of volunteers, but the veto request doesn’t cover those provisions.
Jefferson County Sheriff Andy Pernsteiner also wrote to Ferguson urging his veto.
Pernsteiner’s frustrations are focused on the part of the bill requiring sheriff candidates to undergo a Washington State Patrol background check, with counties left to foot the bill.
“At a time when counties
like ChatGPT. And they passed scaled-back legislation to inform users when videos, photos and other content are developed by AI. Other AI bills fizzled out. For the business community, a proposed statewide tax on the payrolls of Washington’s largest employers was the big kahuna they wanted knocked off stage. It was, with support lacking from Democratic leadership and the governor. But it’s unlikely the fight on this one is finished.
Winners:
• Ferguson, who called for repeal of a tax break on purchases for certain data center equipment.
• Rivian. It got the bill it wanted.
• Small businesses, which would see a fatter exemption from the state’s main business tax and the retail sales taxes on services go away if the income
E xtra
are struggling to maintain essential services, this level of new mandated spending raises serious fiscal concerns,” he wrote Thursday. Ferguson said after the session ended Thursday night he’d received multiple letters about the legislation and is planning to meet with sheriffs to discuss it. He has about three weeks to sign the bill into law.
“I have a relationship with sheriffs from my time as attorney general and as governor, and so, of course, we’ll take that meeting and hear their thoughts,” Ferguson said.
He noted the bill’s prime sponsor is Sen. John Lovick, a Democrat from Mill Creek and former Snohomish County sheriff.
tax survives.
• Business groups that backed policies to encourage housing in underused commercial areas and increased spending on road maintenance, two priorities that won approval.
Losers:
• Rep. Shaun Scott, lead sponsor of the payroll tax.
• The Washington economy that stood to benefit from the $50 million Rivian threatened to spend on a ballot measure to get its way.
• Corporations with more than $250 million in annual revenue, which won’t see a tax surcharge sunset a year early.
Rough ride for Republicans
Around the time the session adjourned Thursday night, a post on Senate Republicans’ X account left no doubt the caucus was
“I’ll just have a lot of respect for Senator Lovick and his law enforcement background,” Ferguson said, “and have a lot of trust in his judgment in particular and a lot of respect for him as a person and a former law enforcement official.”
Lovick said Friday he hadn’t spoken to the governor about the bill but isn’t concerned about a veto.
“There’s nothing that these guys should be worried about,” he said. “We’re trying to make sure that there are professional standards that if the person at the top commits misconduct, the burden shouldn’t be on the community to remove them.”
feeling salty. “Worst. Legislative Session. Ever,” it read. Republicans are operating at a disadvantage of 30-19 in the Senate and 59-39 in the House. A large share of the bills that pass in the Legislature each year are bipartisan. But Democrats have power to easily bulldoze through with priorities of their choosing.
On the House side in particular, Republicans have become adept at bogging down proceedings with amendments. An extreme version of this was on display with the nearly 25 hours of continuous debate on the income tax. Chewing up precious floor time in this fashion ultimately kills bills Democrats care about. Jamming the legislative gears is a far cry from governing. But until Republicans figure out a recipe for attracting more voters, they remain a resistance party, and it’s one of the only tools they have.
CITY from page A1
ting appropriate revenue and also review 5G applications as they come in. Councilors made no commitment but did ask the ordinance committee to review the possibility.
In other business, councilors did follow through on an ordinance to reduce the speed limit on North Columbus from the bridge overpass on the Little Klickitat River to the north city limits. The new lower limit won’t go in effect until the new signs are up.
The council also approved a new jail contract with the
COUNTY from page A1
missioners approved:
• Professional service agreements with Larry Hembree and Scott Neves for emergency response training & support
• Annual renewal of the Granius A.I. app subscription
• A supplement to the local agency agreement for the Bundle #2 – Preventative maintenance and bearing repairs project, CRP 378
• Local agency federal aid project prospectus for the Bundle #2 – Preventative maintenance and bearing repairs project, CRP 378
county. Police Chief Mike Smith explained:
“It is the same contract we had, just doubled in price. We’re actually getting a discount because we do agency assist with the jail. We’re the first responders who go in the jail when something happens because it’s in our city. So they did give us a 10 percent discount on that. I hate to pay more on anything, but we’ve been getting a break for the last 10 years. We’ve been paying well under what it costs to house an inmate.”
• Appointment of Jan Sokol to represent Klickitat County on the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC)
• Advertising for a maintenance technician in Public Works
• Notice to contractors to advertise for the Klickitat County Courthouse exterior painting project
• Notice to contractors to advertise for the Klickitat County Courthouse stucco repair project
• Prosecuting Attorney request for retention of outside council
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
Historical Fiction Set in the 20th Century
There is a great website called Fantastic Fiction (fantasticfiction.com) that I often use in my writing and my job. You can search an author’s name and pull up a list of everything they have written, by year. It’s especially useful for finding the titles and order of books in a series. You can also search the site by genres—Historical being one of the options.
When I last did a column on historical fiction, I listed the guidelines books in this category must follow, and I gave titles from different time periods. Today I’m sharing titles that take place in the 20th century, in a variety of decades and locations. It’s by no means an exhaustive list, but these
authors are among the most popular who write modern historical novels.
Kate Alcott - a graduate of the University of Oregon
• “The Hollywood Daughter” (2017): Hollywood 1950
• “A Touch of Stardust” (2015): Hollywood, 1930s
Marie Benedict - a pseudonym for lawyer Heather Terrell
• ”The Queens of Crime” (2025): London 1930
• “The First Ladies” (2023): Co-author Victoria Christopher Murray. U.S., 1930s
Melanie Benjamin - Lives with her family in the Chicago area
• “The Girls in the Picture” (2018): Hollywood 1914
• “The Swans of Fifth Avenue” (2016): New York, 1950s
Barbara Kingsolver - award-winning writer with a new novel out this fall
• “The Lacuna” (2009): 1930s Mexico-1950s U.S.
• “The Poisonwood Bible” (1998): Belgian Congo 1959
Ariel Lawhon - hosts an online book club called She Reads
• “When We Had Wings” (2022): Co-authors Kristin McMorris, Susan Meissner. The Philippines 1941
• “Code Name Hélène” (2020): France 1936
Paula McLain - has an MFA in Poetry
• “Love and Ruin” (2018): Madrid 1937Spanish Civil War
• “Circling the Sun” (2015): Kenya, 1920s
Susan Meissner - nominated twice for Christy awards
• “The Nature of Fragile Things” (2021): San Francisco circa 1906
Michael Ondaatje - best known for the award-winning novel “The English Patient”
• “Warlight” (2018): London, post-WWII
• “The Cat’s Table” (2011): a passenger ship from Colombo to England, 1950s
Lisa See - bestselling Chinese American author has written both fiction and nonfiction
• “The Island of Sea Women” (2019): Korea’s Jeju Island, 1950s on Beatriz Williams - bestselling author born in Seattle, WA
• “The Beach at Summerly” (2023): an island off New England, 1946/1954
Beth Wood is a senior collection development librarian for Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries. Email her at readingforfun@fvrl.org.
Easy, approachable solutions for at-home Lenten meals
(Feature Impact) Lent has long been a season of tradition and reflection, and it can also be an opportunity to introduce your family to exciting new flavors that may become staples in your kitchen.
If preparing seafood feels intimidating, try starting with dishes that are easy, familiar and approachable. For example, One-Pot Creamy Shrimp Scampi features a velvety sauce, earthy spinach and buttery, delicious shrimp – a recognizable and approachable recipe that can be a gateway to discovery.
Made with SeaPak frozen shrimp, you can help picky eaters in your home feel more confident in saying “yes” to something new. Frozen seafood is a perfect partner for familiar favorites like pasta, making it a playful, stressfree solution for encouraging exploration at mealtime.
“For many families, Lent often brings a shift at the dinner table –and this year, parents are turning it into an opportunity to try something new,” said Diana Rice, child nutritionist and registered dietitian.
“When food feels approachable, it lowers stress for everyone. Familiar flavors help kids say ‘yes’ more often, and those positive moments can make seafood a feel-good part of family meals during Lent and beyond.”
When kids see foods that look and taste familiar – like the crunch of crispy fried shrimp – they may feel more comfortable giving it a try.
That’s why discovery can extend beyond the dinner table to snack time, too.
Give kiddos the energy they need for homework assignments
with Butterfly Shimp Bruschetta, a quick solution for after-school or weekend snacking. As your pickier loved ones dive in for something new, those small wins can build confidence to try new things – one bite at a time. This Lent, swap “giving up” for “try this” with more approachable frozen seafood solutions and family-friendly recipes at SeaPak. com.
One-Pot Creamy Shrimp Scampi Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
• 1 package (12 ounces) SeaPak
Shrimp Scampi
• 1 1/4 cups half-and-half or milk
1 1/4 cups chicken stock
8 ounces linguine noodles
6 cups fresh spinach
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 lemon wedges In large, high-sided saute pan, add shrimp and cook according to package directions. Remove shrimp to bowl and keep warm. In same pan with scampi sauce, stir in half-and-half and stock. Bring to low boil. Add pasta. Cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is cooked al dente, 8-10 minutes. Stir in spinach and cook just until beginning to wilt. Stir reserved shrimp into pan.
To serve, divide shrimp scampi between four bowls and top each with grated Parmesan. Serve with lemon wedges.
Butterfly Shrimp Bruschetta
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6
• 1 package (9 ounces) SeaPak
Jumbo Butterfly Shrimp
• 1 baguette
• 3 garlic cloves, divided
• 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided 3 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, seeded and finely diced
• 1/3 cup chopped basil, plus additional for garnish
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
Preheat oven to 425 F. Bake shrimp according to package directions and keep warm.
Slice baguette to match number of shrimp. Rub one garlic clove over one side of each slice of bread. Brush garlic-rubbed sides with 3 tablespoons olive oil. Set aside.
Finely dice remaining garlic.
In medium mixing bowl, stir tomatoes, remaining olive oil, diced garlic and 1/3 cup chopped basil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and set aside.
In large, hot skillet, working in batches, add baguette slices oil sides down and cook until browned around edges. Remove from pan.
Top each baguette slice with small spoonful of tomato mixture and one shrimp. Garnish with basil leaf.
New at the Library
FICTION
“If You’ll Have Me” by Esther Hatch
“Mists over the Channel Islands” by Sarah Sundin
“Her Last Breath” by Taylor Adams
NONFICTION
“Be Your Own Bestie” by Misha Brown
“Hannibal Lecter: A Life” by Brian Raftery
“The Unfinished Business of 1776: Why the American Revolution Never Ended” by Thomas Richards
CHILDREN
“Welcome to the Rabbit Residence: A Seek-and-find Story” by Haruka Nohana
“Venus!: Fierce and Fabulous” by Stacy McAnulty
“Mythspeaker” by Christopher Roubique 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.
I have become the treat lady again. Depending on where I’m walking, I either carry dog treats or I don’t. I used to carry them all the time, but when we moved to the city, I stopped carrying dog treats because I feared that the downtown dogs (or their owners) might not welcome my treats. Maybe they were on a diet (the dogs, I mean). Maybe they had allergies. Maybe they would be suspicious of a strange woman doling out treats. So I stopped carrying treats. My husband, Peter, thought this was a mistake. He is of the opinion that dogs (and cats) always need treats. But we spend much of the winter in Mexico, and one day I went to the English-language bookstore and saw they handed out treats in the bookstore. (Dogs are welcome everywhere in San Miguel except in a few restaurants, and even those will look the other way if the dog is well-behaved.) These bookstore dogs knew all about the treats and were in there, tails wagging, and I realized I missed carrying treats, so I started again. Here in San Miguel, there are some very pampered pets. I bought the same brand of treats as the bookstore, but I still had a few refuseniks.
“He’s never had dog food before,” someone told me.
“She’s a pescatarian,” someone else said.
“No, she’s on a diet,” I heard fairly regularly. Sometimes the owner refused, sometimes the dog. But usually, my treats were appreciated, and it added some fun to my daily walk, spotting dogs and asking, in my bad Spanish, if the dog would like a “dog cookie.” And it allowed me to meet dogs, which is always fun. I got to know Candy, who is a sweet little
dog I first saw around Halloween. She had fierce eyebrows drawn on her face, which made her look very comical. I assumed it was a costume for the occasion.
“No!” Candy’s owner said with emotion. He went on to explain that someone else had drawn these eyebrows on his dog. He did not seem very happy about it. Now I see Candy a lot, and she likes my treats. But she still has the eyebrows. They are starting to grow out, but whoever messed with Candy must have used a heavy-duty Sharpie, because those eyebrows are still her most distinguishing feature.
I met Bonita, who, as her name implies, is a beautiful dog. I forgot my treats one day, and she gave me such a reproachful look that I vowed I would always keep at least one treat in my little satchel for her. The next time I saw her, I gave her two.
Big dogs gently take treats from my hand, and little dogs gobble them down and expect more. It’s wonderful to meet all these dogs and say “hello” to their owners and get my dog fix for the day.
The other evening, I was walking and saw a dog wearing a little sombrero on his head, edged in blue feathers. He looked very festive. (Although he’s not the only dog in town wearing a hat. There’s a little chihuahua who goes around town in an FBI cap, for reasons that are unclear.)
I stopped to talk to the dog in the festive hat, and that’s when I saw his friend.
It was a duck. She was walking beside the dog, and instead of a festive hat, she was wearing pearls. I admired her pearls and complimented her owner. But sadly, it had never occurred to me to bring duck treats.
To see photos,check out CarrieClassonAuthor on Facebook or visit CarrieClasson.com.
Maya Bay
Hidden behind tall limestone cliffs in southern Thailand lies a small beach that was once a secret
paradise. The water is bright turquoise, the sand is soft and white, and thick green jungle climbs up the steep rock walls that surround the bay. This beautiful place is called Maya Bay on the island of Ko Phi Phi Leh in Thailand. For many years, only fishermen and a few curious travelers knew about this quiet cove. Colorful coral reefs grew beneath the water, and fish darted through the coral like living rainbows. Small sharks and other sea creatures used the bay as a safe place to hunt and grow. It was peaceful, wild, and full of life.
Then something happened that changed everything. In 2000, a famous movie called “The Beach” was filmed at Maya Bay starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Suddenly people all over the world wanted to see the beautiful beach. Thousands of visitors arrived daily. Speedboats filled the water, and the once-quiet bay became crowded and noisy. What had once been a hidden spot, turned into one of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand. All those visitors began to harm the bay. Boats smashed the delicate coral and swimmers crushed it. Chemicals from sunscreen washed into the water, trash was everywhere and over time, much of the coral died. As the coral died, the animals that depended on the reef disappeared too. Fish numbers dropped, and even the small sharks that once swam through the bay vanished. The underwater world that had once been bursting with life began to grow quiet and empty.
Finally, the government of Thailand realized something had to be done. In 2018 they closed Maya Bay to tourists so nature could heal. Boats stopped arriving and the beach grew quiet again. Scientists and divers began planting new coral in the damaged reef, carefully attaching young coral pieces so they could grow. Without thousands of visitors every day, the water slowly became healthier, The coral became healthy again and sea life began to return.
Can you navigate to the beach? Before After four years
After several years, the bay reopened, but with strict rules to protect it. Only a limited number of visitors are allowed each day. Boats can no longer enter the front of the bay where the coral grows. Visitors must walk in from the back of the island, and rangers watch carefully to make sure the reef stays safe. Today Maya Bay is still recovering, but fish have returned and small sharks are once again swimming in the clear water. The story of Maya Bay reminds us that even the most beautiful places on Earth need protection and, if we are not careful, paradise can disappear.