Issuu

HEADLINES & HISTORY SINCE 1879

What EFSEC is and what it does

CONTRIBUTED: KARL

POINTLESS PUBLIC COMMENT?: At a meeting last Monday evening at the Goldendale Grange, the Washington Energy Facility Evaluation Site Council (EFSEC) oﬀfered time for public comment–after it had already decided to expedite processing of a proposed solar project.

EFSEC expedites Carriger solar process before public comment

RODGER NICHOLS FOR THE SENTINEL

Klickitat County residents continue to wonder what the Washington State Energy Facility Siting Evaluation Council (EFSEC) was thinking. Last Monday night the agency took the trouble to come the 224 miles from their regular meeting spot in Lacey for a special meeting at the Goldendale Grange. The ostensible purpose of bringing such a meeting to the area was to solicit input from local residents who would be affect-

ed by the agency’s final decision regarding a proposed solar project pretty much in Goldendale’s back yard. That’s not what happened last week. EFSEC held its business meeting and voted to expedite the permitting process for the controversial Carriger solar farm and to skip an environmental study and a formal hearing requested by the Yakama Nation. It was only then, after their vote, that they offered local residents the opportunity to testify about the project. This was not a mistake or fluke.

The actual agenda posted in advance of the meeting shows this sequence of events was deliberately planned from the beginning. It’s no surprise that everyone who did testify was opposed to that solar project. This only adds to the frustration local opponents have had since EFSEC said it did not have to obey a moratorium on new solar projects passed by the county commission a month before the formal Carriger application was

County Jail puts in a Narcan dispensing machine

RODGER NICHOLS FOR THE SENTINEL

Klickitat County Commissioner Todd Andrews may be a newcomer to politics, but he apparently has a firm grasp of edgy political theater.

According to a bylined article by Don Jenkins in the Capital Press, Andrews showed up at the Goldendale Grange Hall Monday, May 5, with a trash can. He was there for a special meeting of the

Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) on the Cypress Creek Renewables’ Carriger solar farm application.

“Klickitat County County Commissioner Todd Andrews set a trash can by the lectern and said he was ‘about to throw up,’” the article said.

It added that he told the EFSEC board that county residents are not opposed to any development, but the proposed installation is so large it would be visible all over

east Klickitat County

“You couldn’t pick a better site if you wanted to be the most intrusive and lower the most home values that you could,” he said, according to the article.

Andrew’s frustration stems from the fact the county had passed a moratorium on large solar projects just a month before Cypress Creek applied for their EFSEC permit. EFSEC ruled the county moratorium wasn’t a land-

Jail page A8

LOU MARZELES EDITOR

As Washington State accelerates its transition to renewable energy, the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) stands as something of a sentinel. Some say it’s clunky, arbitrary, and inefficient. Some say it’s critical to effective evaluation of energy needs and their locations. Here’s an overview of the council and what it does.

Established in 1970, EFSEC was a legislative response to the burgeoning demand for nuclear energy in the 1960s. The council was designed to centralize the evaluation and siting process for major energy facilities, streamlining what was previously a fragmented system involving multiple state and local agencies . EFSEC operates as a standalone agency within Washington State’s government. The council is chaired by an appointee of the governor, with the appointment requiring Senate confirmation. The chair serves a term concurrent with the governor’s and is responsible for overseeing the council’s activities.

The council’s membership includes directors or designees from key state agencies:

• Department of Ecology

• Department of Fish and Wildlife

• Department of Commerce

• Utilities and Transportation Commission

• Department of Natural Resources

Additionally, agencies such as the Departments of Agriculture, Health, Transportation, and the Military Department may participate as voting members at their discretion. Local governments, including counties and cities where a proposed facility would be located, appoint representatives to the council for matters concerning their jurisdictions.

EFSEC’s primary role is to provide a “one-stop” siting process for major energy facilities in Washington. This includes coordinating all evaluation and licensing steps, specifying conditions for construction and operation, and issuing a Site Certification Agreement (SCA) that supersedes other state and local permits.

The council’s statutory powers, as outlined in RCW 80.50.040, encompass:

• Adopting and amending rules and regulations

• Developing environmental and ecological guidelines

• Conducting public hearings

• Prescribing application procedures for site certification

• Investigating applications and preparing recommendations for the governor

• Monitoring compliance with certification terms

EFSEC also has the authority to impose penalties for violations of site certification agreements, with fines reaching up to $10,000 per day for each violation.

When a developer proposes a major energy facility, they can submit an application to EFSEC. The council then initiates a comprehensive review process, which includes:

1. Application Review: Assessing the completeness and adequacy of the application.

2. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): Conducting or overseeing the preparation of an EIS to evaluate potential environmental effects.

3. Public Hearings: Holding hearings to gather input from stakeholders, including local communities, tribes, and other interested parties.

4. Recommendation to the Governor: After thorough evaluation, EFSEC submits a recommendation to the Governor, who makes the final decision on site certification.

This process is designed to be completed within 12 months, although extensions can be granted with mutual agreement between the applicant and EFSEC. EFSEC has been actively involved in reviewing several significant energy projects across the state.

Horse Heaven Wind Farm: This proposed project aims to generate up to 1,150 megawatts of renewable energy through a combination of wind turbines, solar panels, and battery storage systems. EFSEC has conducted multiple public hearings and is currently reviewing the final Environmental Impact Statement.

Carriger Solar Project: Located in Klickitat County, this solar project has recently been granted expedited processing by EFSEC, stirring sharp controversy in the surrounding community where many see the move as exploitative, especially after a recent community meeting.

LOU MARZELES

MUSIC IN THE LANDSCAPE:

Pianist Hunter Noack opened his 2025 In a Landscape concert series Saturday evening on the grounds of Maryhill Museum. A sold-out crowd was scattered around the ﬂatbed trailer where his piano was situated. Headphones allowed all to hear pristine sound wherever people sat or walked. It was the kind of day when locals remark, “It was so windy, there were whitecaps on the mud puddles.” The sharp wind did not dampen enthusiasm. Noack engaged his audience frequently, inviting feedback on what pieces to play.

See EFSEC

HOLAPPA

Governor pressed to veto $1.8B

JERRY CORNFIELD

WASHINGTON STATE STANDARD

Hoteliers, restaurateurs and grocers are asking Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson to veto part of a tax bill that they say will drive up food costs for them and their customers.

Excising the contentious provision that is counted on to raise hundreds of millions of dollars would knock the budget out of balance and force Ferguson to call lawmakers back into special session, supporters said.

The debate centers on House Bill 2081, which contains an across-the-board boost in taxes for tens of thousands of businesses, including those in the hospitality and food industries, and a temporary surcharge on some of the state’s highest-grossing ﬁrms.

The Washington Hospitality Association and Washington Food Industry Association asked Ferguson on April 29 to remove the section imposing the three-year, 0.5% surcharge as it would hit food wholesalers and, when combined with the general increase, be a double hit to

JAKE GOLDSTEIN-STREET

WASHINGTON STATE STANDARD

For a second year in a row, Washington police accountability advocates have seen their priorities fall flat in Olympia. They entered this year’s session wanting to grant the attorney general stronger oversight of local police departments. They also wanted to create an independent prosecutor to handle cases when police use deadly force; restrict when ofﬁcers can pull drivers over; block law enforcement from lying during interrogations; and set new standards for police chiefs and sheriffs.

None of those proposals will become law this year. None even received votes from either chamber of the

consumers. These groups point out that some of the state’s biggest corporations in other sectors, including Boeing, oil refiners, and tech companies, are exempt from the surcharge.

“Food is not a luxury; it is a necessity. These costs will be passed on to retail operations, meaning the food you buy at your grocery store or meal you buy at your restaurant will undoubtedly increase in price,” Anthony Anton, president and CEO of the Washington Hospitality Association, wrote in the letter.

House Bill 2081 anchors the $9.4 billion tax package Democratic lawmakers put together to balance the next budget and overcome a projected multibillion-dollar shortfall over the next four fiscal years. Lawmakers passed the tax bill in the ﬁnal days before this year’s state legislative session wrapped up on April 27. A fiscal analysis shows the controversial surcharge would generate an estimated $1.86 billion. Paring that sum would force lawmakers to meet in special session to revise spending in the next

Washington Legislature, despite growing Democratic majorities.

“This is the saddest time of my life, because this is the world I have to leave my children,” said Nickeia Hunter, an advocate from the Coalition for Police Accountability, whose brother was killed by police. “We have to stay on top of ﬁghting for what we started.”

It’s a far cry from a few years ago when police accountability gained momentum in the Legislature in the wake of George Floyd’s murder by a Minneapolis police ofﬁcer in 2020 and the social uprising that followed.

In the immediate aftermath, lawmakers passed a suite of laws to set additional guardrails for police. This included restricting when

budget that begins July 1, said House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon, D-West Seattle. Fitzgibbon said he has not spoken with Ferguson about this legislation.

House Bill 2081would affect an estimated 191,000 taxpayers and is projected to bring in nearly $2.1 billion for the budget that begins July 1, and $5.6 billion over four years.

The House bill, which passed over the strenuous objections of Republican lawmakers, would permanently increase the state’s two primary business and occupation tax rates on gross proceeds—0.471% and 0.484%—to 0.5%, starting January 1, 2027. Those would be the ﬁrst increases to what’s known as the B&O tax rate since 1983, according to Democrats.

About 300 taxpayers with more than $250 million in annual revenue would be subject to the additional 0.5% surcharge for three years starting Jan. 1, 2026. That extra tax would be levied on amounts above the $250 million threshold. Among the affected industries are retailers, wholesalers, waste

they could pursue people suspected of crimes — a move that drew such staunch pushback, lawmakers rolled back the policy last year. They also banned police from using chokeholds, created a statewide use of force database and established a first-of-its-kind Office of Independent Investigations to look into deadly force cases. Legislators’ biggest move on policing this year was acquiescing to Gov. Bob Ferguson’s ask for $100 million to hire more ofﬁcers, a request that drew frustration from many progressive Democrats.

Steve Strachan, the executive director of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, noted that ofﬁcials are still waiting to see how some of the big changes made in 2021 are

management services, real estate, construction, utilities and health care.

State ofﬁcials estimate the surcharge will produce $1.86 billion over four years—$649 million for the next budget and $1.2 billion in the one after that.

About $100 million of the total would come from food wholesalers, according to the association. Another big chunk, about $210 million, would come from health care systems such as Multi Care and Providence, a Washington State Hospital Association representative said. Anton said the hospitality and food industry associations are not contesting the across-the-board tax increase, only the surcharge, because of concerns over how the doubling of the tax rate for food suppliers will trickle down.

He lamented that attempts to amend the bill to exempt food wholesalers were defeated in the House and Senate by majority Democrats.

Yet, he noted, the Legislature granted exemptions “to some of the largest compa-

playing out and called the shift since then “a more balanced approach.”

The difﬁcult budget year also acted as a buzzsaw that sheared away police accountability bills that would’ve cost money.

Meanwhile, fears of rising crime have emboldened opposition to policies believed to hinder officers trying to do their jobs. In 2023, the last year with available statewide data, the state saw a signiﬁcant decrease in year-over-year violent crimes after years of increases, according to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.

More broadly, this has all powered a pendulum swing in the establishment conversation from ﬁxing policing to helping police.

nies in the state – tech companies, fuel suppliers, timber companies and others.”

House Bill 2081 exempts manufacturing, retail and wholesale sales of motor vehicle fuel and petroleum products, farmers, some large ﬁnancial institutions and a select number of high-tech ﬁrms paying a special levy to support higher education, including student financial aid.

Boeing is among the exempted manufacturers. Weyerhaeuser and Marathon Petroleum Corp., which operates a reﬁnery in Anacortes, are examples of other wellknown companies exempted.

So too are about 160 taxpayers who are assessed the “advanced computing surcharge.” This levy is applied to ﬁrms with global revenue above $25 billion—think Microsoft and Amazon.

The bill would raise the surcharge rate from 1.22% to 7.5% and boost the cap on payments from $9 million to $75 million. These changes could generate roughly $554

million for the next budget and nearly $820 million in the 2027-29 biennium, according to ﬁgures shared by the House Democratic Caucus. Decisions on exemptions were calibrated for fairness and protecting consumers, said Rep. April Berg, D-Mill Creek, chair of the House Finance Committee.

They didn’t want to hit the tech giants with two surcharges, she explained. Refiners were exempted because Democrats also passed an increase in the fuel tax. Exemptions for income earned from the retail sale of food, fuel and prescription drugs not subject to a sales tax are intended to shield smaller businesses and consumers from the impacts, Berg said.

“We were very careful. We’ve got to make sure our state is on steady ground,” Berg said, adding that she “hoped our business community responds with calm and not alarm.”

G oldendale ’ s a ttic

This week’s Goldendale’s Attic Mystery Picture

Three very nice people and two divine bovines. We surmise this picture was taken at the County Fairgrounds, but we don’t

know when. Or why. Or who these people are. Do you? 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@goldendalesentinel. 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 15, 1908 − 117 Years Ago

Bickleton Undertaking Co. has purchased a new hearse. It is now at Mabton and will be brought up in a day or two. That the company is a progressive one is attested to by the fact that his is the only hearse in Klickitat County.

March 7, 1935 − 90 Years Ago

Leapin’ Lena, the Goldendale branch line locomotive, gave up the ghost completely Tuesday night and the morning papers were not received here. Lena had some internal distress of some sort, for, as the crew was about to depart on the regular evening spin to Lyle, she faltered and with a sigh just let down all over.

May 8, 1965 − 60 Years Ago

A complete redivision of the city will increase voting precincts from four to seven, as each precinct may not have more than 250 voters, according to state law.

May 8, 1975 − 50 Years Ago

Bickleton: Gail Brown, Melinda McBride and Peggy Naught will be Bickleton High School’s new cheerleaders for the 1975-76 basketball season. The three were selected Friday by the BHS student body from five girls who tried out. Two, Gail and Melinda, are “veterans” of the past season, and so will be serving as cheerleaders for the second year in a row.

May 25, 1975 − 50 Years Ago

Members of the Goldendale Seventh-Day Adventist Church didn’t raise the roof this week, but they got the walls up on their new church school east of Goldendale on the Bickleton Road. Members of the church are providing the labor for the construction of the new two classroom elementary school. Completion of the structure is scheduled for sometime this summer.

May 2, 1985 − 40 Years Ago

After years of growing popularity, “The Farming Game” and its Goldendale creators have entered a national spotlight with their message. George and Ann Rohrbacher, who developed the board game in 1979, were in Washington D. C. April 25 to help the American Agri-Women promote understanding of the plight of the family farmer. The Rohrbacher’s donated 700 copies of the game to the Agri-Women to use as tools to assist urban members of Congress in relating to the risks and ups-and-downs of farming. Representative Sid Morrison introduced the game at a press conference that morning. Later a copy of the game was presented to each member of Congress and to Secretary of Agriculture John Block. Morrison even said he would deliver one personally to President Ronald Reagan.

—Richard Lefever Klickitat County Historical Society

Answer to last week’s Mystery Picture

About 2.3 gazillion people, give or take a few, readily identified the people in last week’s paper. They were David Telford and Jennifer Musser, and this was their engagement picture. According to Eileen Mussler, the picture was taken in a city park in Ellensburg in the spring of 1994.

Points to ponder:

A seven-year-old kid says to his dad, “When I grow up, I want to be a musician.” His dad says, “Well, make up your mind.”

A goldfish flops into a bar. The bartender says, “What can I get you?” The goldfish gasps, “Water.”

A lawyer dies and goes to heaven. “This must be a mistake,” he tells St. Peter. “I’m too young to die. I’m only 50.” “Fifty?” says St. Peter. “According to our calculations, you’re 82.” “How’d you get that?” “We added up your billable hours.”

OpiniOn

I couldn’t be in a better mood. That tends to happen when you discover you’re suddenly rich!

Here’s how it happened. Last week I received the incredible email below.

“Good Morning Sir.”

Very polite. Always a good sign.

“This is to bring to your notice that we have completed all evaluations on the payment of your funds to you. Note that we cannot transfer this huge amount of funds $5.6 Million dollars to your personal bank account due to the substantial amount involved. Considering the International Monetary Regulations and the World Economic Financial meltdown, the $5.6 Million dollars US Dollars inheritance CANNOT BE Transferred Directly to your conventional Bank account to save you the cost of going through rigorous.”

Lou Marzeles, Editor

Hm. Her English is a little wonky, but hey, she’s not a native speaker. And darned if she isn’t right about the world economic financial (I’ll forgive that redundancy) meltdown. It’s totally understandable that my $5.6 million cannot be transferred directly to my “conventional” bank account. (I wonder if it could be transferred if I had an unconventional bank account?)

“It is my great pleasure to update you with the best payment method in which we are going to use to transfer these funds to you safely. For us to proceed with you and for you to get your funds in ease, I want you to contact GATEHOUSE INVESTMENT BANK to open an online account called Global Offshore Business Account. The said funds will be transferred to your Global Offshore Business Account once you open the stated account. With the Special Global Offshore Business Account, you will be able to unilaterally do transactions, pay bills, and personally transfer money from your Online Account to your existing Bank Account or any Bank account of your choice ALL at the comfort of your home/office via the GATEHOUSE Investment Online banking facilities, and the Offshore Online account is safe and secured.”

Oh, good. I was worried for a moment there.

“This Global Offshore Business Account is a very special offshore account for large funds, this special account service has no restriction in the amount of deposit, the special account is meant to take care of large international transfers such as yours. Once you open this particular special Global Offshore Business Account in your name, your fund would be transferred into it, and you will be able to transfer the whole funds by yourself via Gatehouse Investment Bank online banking payment system to any nominated bank account of your choice.”

Say, that’s handy.

“I shall be waiting for you to get back to me Immediately you read this mail. So, I can forward the Gatehouse Investment Bank information to you. I look forward to receiving your prompt answer soonest.

“Yours Sincerely,

THE GOLDENDALE SENTINEL

Official newspaper of Klickitat County, Washington

Established 1879 • Published every Wednesday from offices at 117 W. Main Street • Goldendale, WA 98620 • Telephone: (509) 773-3777

Emails: news@goldendalesentinel.com (News, editorial, Letters)

Obits@goldendalesentinel.com (Obituaries)

Classifieds @goldendalesentinel.com (Classified ads and inquiries)

Ads @goldendalesentinel.com

(Display advertising information and inquiries)

Legals @goldendalesentinel.com (Legal and public notices)

Payables@goldendalesentinel.com

Receivables@goldendalesentinel.com

Events @goldendalesentinel.com (Events and activities)

Editorial:

Lou Marzeles, Editor & Publisher

Business and office staff:

Owned by Tartan Publications, Inc.

Leslie Geatches, President, Financial management, Special Section production, Ad Design Naomi James, Bookkeeping

“Ms. Ngozi Iweala”

You can be sure I sent her my prompt answer soonest! Here’s what I wrote:

“Dear Ms. Iweala, Wow! This is fantastic news! $5.6 million dollars, all mine and out of the blue! My friends won’t believe it, but hey, I can buy new friends. So how do I open my Global Offshore Business Account? When will you forward me the Gatehouse Investment Bank information? And are you sure you can’t just send me a check? ’Cause that would be a lot easier, you know. I could just take it down to Riverview Bank here in town, and I’m sure they’d cash it for me. I think I’ll ask for it all in $1 bills so I can spread it all over the floor and roll around in it. That’ll be fun.

“Oh, and while I’m thinking of it, let me congratulate you on your creativity! Everyone was getting really tired of the old scams, you know, like the Nigerian princess. That one was so cool when it first came out. I’m a little surprised people still fall for this kind of thing, where they don’t question how it could be that someone would just give them this kind of crazy sum of money for no reason; or why, if they really were getting money, they wouldn’t question why they’d have to open a new bank account in some far-flung place? Maybe scams like this are a kind of tax on the super vulnerable imposed by miscreants like you. Well, lady, this is America! We don’t pay taxes if we don’t want to!

“You’re probably really some kid halfway across the world with too much time on your hands, since you obviously don’t have a real job, and a penchant for preying on the gullible. I know your scam email is circulating even around here in Goldendale, which, as you likely know, has a high percentage of people on welfare who could be easy targets for you. But we’re on to you. You’ll just have to tell the folks at Gateway Investment Bank (i.e., your credit card) they’ll have to find some other victim. That is, if they can, once this word gets out.

“Have a nice day!”

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.

Ken Margraf Goldendale

Letters from the community

Give back the money

The commissioners have to understand that not funding the Sheriff’s Department puts a strain on providing the needed resources, such as deputies the Sheriff says he needs. Some of the benefits to increasing officers are quicker response times and providing safety for the deputy when in need of backup for handling violent offenses. The ability to keep the citizens from becoming victims depends on adequate law enforcement.

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.”

ilies and the county, enhance safety, and prevent crime.

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

Please contact the Board of County Commissioners and ask them to increase funding.

Delmer Eldred Goldendale

The fewer deputies there are puts an increased workload and longer hours on what is already a stressful job. In many cases, it’s trying to deescalate and deal with situations to keep them from becoming violent. All this takes a toll on deputies and could lead to burnout and fatigue, which weakens public safety and undermines their ability to perform their duties effectively.

The number one top priority should be public safety. There are a lot of departments wanting a supplemental increase, and the commissioners have no problem approving many of those. But it comes down to wants and needs. The wants should only be approved when and after it has been seen to that the resources that are necessary to provide the best protections to reduce crime and keep people safe.

With crime in Washington State on the rise, let’s make sure the sheriff’s department has the manpower and tools needed to protect our fam-

(Editor’s note: The belief that the county commissioners defunded the Sheriff’s Department is not entirely accurate. There was no decision made to “defund” the department. Funds that had normally gone to the Sheriff’s Department for jail expenses when the jail was under that department went to the newly established County Department of Corrections.)

Dems’ clocks are getting very clean

Well, the Democrats’ recent letter to the editor is right on cue. When I read how they dislike President Trump’s agenda and policies, I couldn’t be happier. Republicans must be getting it right.

You see, the Democrats are getting their clocks cleaned. Democrat policies and the issues they support are wrong. The American people know it. The results of President Trump’s first 100 days have been outstanding. Illegal Immigration has stopped and returned to levels not seen in 20 years. Democrats traveled to El Salvador to bring back the deported gang members. Seri-

Guidelines for Letters

ously, you cannot make this stuff up. And what about Medicaid? Oh mercy, the Administration is going to cut Medicaid! Never mind, that it is carrying billions in fraud. Go DOGE!

What about transgender boys playing girls sports? Democrats love this. Anything for counterculture.

Thank you, President Trump, for your Executive Order making clear that this violates Title IX. However, Superintendent of Public Instruction Reykdal vows to fight this order with our tax dollars and, of course, with help from the White Salmon Democrats.

In the May 7, 2025, Sentinel issue in which Democrats expounded their views, there was an article on page A7 talking about the recent kidnapping case in western Washington. Three men from Venezuela abducted a 58-year-old woman outside her apartment and used a power drill in her hand to force her to give up her PIN numbers to her bank accounts. ICE has lodged immigration detainers on the now-captured suspects. But those Dems in Olympia are not giving up so easily. Since Washington is a sanctuary state, I expect these White Salmon Democrats to go up and post the $1 million bond required to spring these illegal aliens out of jail. They’ll hide them and even have them over for dinner. That is real love.

Mark Naulty Goldendale

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.)

HOMETOWN

Toppled headstone placed back onbase

Glenwood News

Mary Pierce

Joslyn Arnold continues allow her time to get the to amaze us and make us paradelineuparranged proud here in her home- Ialsowouldliketoremind town Fresh off her great those wholike to help prosuccess at the Northwest mote our rodeo that we do Region College Rodeo have rodeo posters availfinals and qualifying for ableifanyofyouwouldlike the National College Rodeo some to post in your cornfinals Joslyn competed in munities Letmeknow and theColorama Pro Rodeoin I’llaskLaurieO’Leary,who GrandCoulee,Washington, takescareoftherodeopublast weekend Once again, licity,toreachouttoyou As she just went out thereand always ourGlenwoodRodeo did her amazing run in Associationgreatlyapprecibreakaway roping, placing atesallthesupportfromour firstwithatimeof2.6 Wow, localcommunityandallthe Joslyn Waytogo,cowgirl surroundingcommunities I’vebeenhelpingourlate Last weekend was a full sister Lila Pierce Trout’s one for many of our Glenchildren as a local contact wood kids Glenwood high with the monument com- school students enjoyed a panyinGoldendaleregard- fun and memorable 2025 ingplacingoftheheadstone prom combiningwithLyle for Lila and her husband, Klickitat, and Wishram MikeMcDonald,whopassed high schools to make it a last fall While speaking beautifulnightintheWishwith Mrs Rising I asked ramschoolgym Idon’twant if it would be possible to to leave out our Glenwood havesomeoneplacethetop- girl, Emma Patterson, who pledheadstoneofLila’sand attendshighschoolinTrout Glenn’s uncle, Harry Rich- Lakeandenjoyed herprom elderfer back on its base over there the same night whentheybrought thenew All the Glenwood girls headstone Ijusthavetosay, looked stunning in their Iamsopleasedwith thepromptresponse from Pioneer Monument Withindaysof my request, Harry’s headstone was back in place and Lila’s and Mike’s beautiful headstone was placed first West Klickitat Posse perfectlynearherauntand Saddle Club 2025 Buckle uncle, grandparents, and Serieshorse playdayof the seasonatthepossegrounds Harry was married to inWhiteSalmon It’salways Glenn’s and Lila’s Aunt afundayforour Glenwood Gerda, who came to Glen- kids, from the tiniest litwood from Germany as a tie cowboys and cowgirls young child to settle with to those who have particiher parents in Glenwood pated for many years and Harry and Gerda were arenowhighschoolersand much loved in this com- adults The cowboys and munity andtoseehisstone cowgirlsaccumulatepoints respectfully back in place ateach playday,and prizes so promptly in the beauti- andawardsarepresentedat ful Glenwood Cemetery is the last playday at the end greatlyappreciated

WILSONCRISCIONE

INVESTIGATEWEST

face of this ‘investigation from the Trump Administration,”Fergusonsaid

beautifulgownsand their dates looked quitehandsomeand dashing Thenextday,some of those Glenwood kidshadtoriseearly to prepare for their

ofsummer

The Glenwood Rodeo is oftheparentsfromHusum justonemonthaway Ihope Glenwood, Goldendale, and youallaremakingplansto other local communities come enjoy the 90th anni- worktopreparethegrounds versaryof our great rodeo andhelpwithalltheevents It’s anexciting timein our includingbarrelsandpoles little community and a I didn’t receive a lot of great opportunity to bring othernewsforthisweekand the dads out to the rodeo havebeenbusyhelpingcare on Father’s Day weekend for my husband who had ChristinaKuhnhausen,the knee replacement surgery Glenwood Rodeo parade afewweeksago Butplease organizer, would like to remember, if you haveany remind those who wish to newsitemsyouwouldliketo participateintheparadeto shareinTheSentinel letme contactherat(509)364-3326 knowbySundayafternoon toreserveaplaceearlyand Thanks

Trump’s

President Department of Justice is investigatinga new Washingtonstatelawthatmakes clergy mandatory reportersof child abuse, arguing itviolatestheFirstAmendment

Thestatelegislation was signed into law on Friday May 2, by Gov Bob Ferguson It means churchleaders will now be required to report child abuse or neglect to authorities, and unlikemanyotherstates,it mandates that clergydoso even if they learned of the allegationsduringaconfession

The Justice Department said it would open a civil rights investigation “into the development and passage” of the bill, “which appearsonitsfacetoviolate theFirstAmendment”

In a statement Tuesday evening,Fergusonstoodby thelegislation

“Welookforward to protecting Washington kids from sexual abuse in the

The bill’s passage came after three straight years of intense debate within thestate Legislature, often spurred by strong oppositionfromCatholiclobbyists who opposed any requirement that priests report child abuse if the allegations were revealed during aconfession

Theannouncementfrom the DOJ expressed similar opposition, noting that the lawincludes “no exception fortheabsolutesealofconfidentiality that applies to CatholicPriests

Butinsigningthebillon Friday,Fergusonnotedthat as a Catholic himself, he believes the bill protects Washingtoniansfromabuse andharm”

Ialwayshaveapersonal perspective on this” Ferguson said “For me, this isveryclearandimportant legislation

State Sen Noel Frame who introduced the bill, rejectedthenotionthat the bill is targeting Catholics, pointing out as she has

repeatedly in legislative privilegedcommunications hearings that she intro- statutenolonger appliesto duced the legislation after clergy reading InvestigateWest’s But Framesaidthatisn’t coverage of the way Jeho- singlingclergyout Domesvah’s Witnesses hid sexual tic violence advocates abusefor decades and how therapistsandunions all Washington was one of groups with “privileged the few states that did not require clergy to report state law suchallegations

She also disagrees with the argument that the bill mandatory reportinglaws is a violation of the First Doctors can also be called Amendment

communications under already lose theprivilegeinchildabuse casesand stillmustfollow to testify during judicial

In its press release, the proceedings of childabuse DOJ argues that the law cases Clergy, meanwhile, “singlesout”clergybymak- stilldon’t havetotestifyin ingthemtheonly“supervi- court duringsuch cases sors,” as defined by state thenewlawonlyappliesto law who may not rely on reporting information to legal privileges” to avoid authorities reportingchildabuse

“Perhapstheyshouldread ual abuse herself, Frame, thebill”Framequipped D-Seattle firsttriedtomake

Under already-existing clergymandatoryreporters Washington statelaw, con- ofchildabusein2023 fessions to clergy wereone She said ultimately she of many so-called “privi- isn’t too surprised at the leged communications,” newsoftheinvestigation which includes doctor- “Ishouldn’t besurprised patient confidentiality and thattheTrumpadministraattorney-client privilege tionislaunchinganinvestiThe newlaw specifiesthat gationintoalawthatseeks when it comes to making to protect children from a report of child abuse or child abuse and neglect, neglect to authorities the shesaidinaninterview

Goldendale’sspringweathertakesamoodyturn

A mix of warming temperatures, gusty winds, and occasional rain showers is in store for the Goldendale area as spring marches through May

While the broader climate picture hints at a wetter and warmer-than-average season,theweekaheadwill testresidents’patiencewith clouds, shifting skies, and the occasional afternoon thundershower

As of Monday, the National Weather Service forecastcalledfora mostly cloudy day with scattered thundershowers and increasing wind speeds in the afternoon Highs will hover around 58°F, with nighttime lows dipping to the low 40s Winds are expected to pick up speed throughout the week with gusts reaching 30 mph or morebymidweek

Tuesday and Wednesday will continue this breezy pattern, bringing partly to mostly sunny skies and highs in the low 60s By the weekend residents can expectslightlywarmerconditions, with Friday reachingahighnear68°F offering a welcome reprieve before another round of cloud cover and possible showersonSaturday This week’s mercurial forecastispartofabroader

seasonalpattern Historical daily as the Columbia averagesforMayinGolden- Gorge acts like a natural especially those hoping to dale typically show highs funnel, said one weather enjoy some long-awaited around67°Fandlows near specialist monitoring the sunshine the latter half 45°F Precipitation usually region “It’snotuncommon of May offers hope With comesinatjustoveraninch for May to carry dramatic eachpassingweek,daylight forthemonth However this shiftsincloud cover, wind, hoursincreaseandtemperyear’soutlookappearstobe and temperature over the atures continue their slow divergingfromthenorm spanofasingleday” climbupward

According to data from Forfarmersand garden- In short, Goldendales the Old Farmer’s Alma- ers,themixofsunandrain weather over the next sevnac, the region is trend- mayofferbothbenefitsand eral weeks will remain ing toward both higher- challenges The increased dynamic As spring than-average rainfall and precipitation could help maturesintoearlysummer, warmer temperatures for early crops, but wind and residents can expect more May2025 Thattrackswith fluctuating temperatures warmth, intermittent rainprojections from AccuWeatherand NOAA, which show a general warming trendacrossCentralWashington and the Columbia RiverPlateau

By late May, temperatures in Goldendale are expectedtoriseintothelow tomid-70s incontrastwith thecooler-than-usualearly May days currently being experienced

One of the more noticeable weather patterns in recent weeks has been the increasein wind gustsand stormy afternoons Forecasterssaythat thiswindiness is likely to persist through mid-May, particularlyduringtheafternoons when the region’s thermal gradientspeak

Theres a good chance we’ll continue seeingthese strong wind surges, espe-

mayinterferewithplanting fall, and continued wind schedulesorsoilstability For outdoor enthusiasts region’shighlandclimate local residents areadvised to keep a close eye on pack an umbrella or plan weatheralerts,particularly a picnic, one thing’s clear: forrapidlydevelopingstorm spring in Goldendale is cells or windy conditions rarely boring and this thatcouldaffectdrivingor year promises to be no exception

patterns that define the So whether it’s time to hikingsafety

is Calendar of Events listing is FREE! Email your event to events@goldendalesentinel.com or call 509773-3777.

Are you in need of an eyecatching display ad to highlight your event? Email us at ads@goldendalesentinel. com. Our friendly, helpful sta would love to help you nd 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.

Goldendale Farmer’s Market: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Goldendale Chamber of Commerce o ce on E. Broadway.

May 14, Job and Comunity Resource Fair: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Goldendale Senior Center on East Main St. Whether you’re job hunting or seeking resources, this is the place to be! Meet with employers who are hiring and learn about valuable comminity resources. Bring your resume and dress to impress May 16, Health and Wellness Family Fair in White Salmon: 3 - 6 p.m. at Rheingarten Park in White Salmon. oin us a er school for an a ernoon of learning, connection, and community at the Health and Wellness Family Fair in Rheingarten Park on Friday, May 16, 2025. Learn about & explore resources and programs throughout Klickitat County that promote physical and mental health, & wellness of all types. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in interactive workshops, educational booths, and fun activities for all ages.

Free food (Tacos Pepe & Beneventi’s Pizza) & goodie bags May 16, Red Cross First Aid, CPR, and AED Course: 5 - 7 p.m. at e Missing Corner, BZ Corner. Train for Moments that Matter - Safely, E ectively & Confidently. Whether you need First Aid, CPR, and AED

Regular

Happenings

• Free Community Kitchen

To-Go Meals: the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month and every Tuesday, Wednesday, ursday at 5 or 5:30 until the food runs out. Methodist Church on the corner of Columbus and Broadway.

• Alcoholics Anonymous, Goldendale United Methodist Church, 7-8 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Monday

• Lyle Lions Meeting 6 p.m. the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. Lyle Lions Community Center.

• Popup Café – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Lunch and support group at the Masonic Lodge on Columbus. Café is open weekly on Monday and Wednesday.

• e Coalition for Preventing Abuse in Klickitat County (CPAKC) 4 p.m. every 2nd Monday via Zoom. 509-773-3776 or CPAKC on Facebook.

• Goldendale City Council meetings 6 p.m. 1103 S Columbus 1st and 3rd Monday of every month (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday) https://www. ci.goldendale.wa.us/

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

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

509-773-4487

• Goldendale School Board

Work Session: 2nd Monday of the month at the Primary School Library. goldendaleschools.org/ about/school-board

Community Events

training that satisfies OSHAmandated job requirements, workplace, or other regulatory requirements, , the American Red Cross is your go-to source of emergency and safety training. Instructor: Scott Cascella Cost: $90 Signup Link: https:// www.pdxra .com/CPR May 16 - 18, Oregon Trail Rally: Oregon Trail is a 3 day rally event that begins in urban Portland, OR and continues through the Columbia Gorge farmlands outside the city. e race starts at 4 p.m. at the Portland International Raceway on May 16. It continues Saturday May 17 in the Goldendale area with a 7 a.m. pancake breakfast at the Goldendale American Legion and a street show “Parc Expose” on Main Street at 8 a.m. Spectator place starts:

• 9:45 AM First car starts stage 3 (Spectator A - Dalles Mtn)

• 1:20 PM First car starts stage 6 (Spectator B - Maryhill)

• 3:20 PM First car starts stage 7 (Spectator A - Dalles Mtn)

• 6:50 PM First car starts stage 10 (Spectator B - Maryhill) Visit https://oregontrailrally.com/2025-spectator-guide/ for complete information and viewing places.

May 17, Kiwanis Duck Derby: 12 p.m. at Ekone Park in Goldendale. Don’t miss the fun—watch hundreds of rubber ducks race to the nish at this year’s Duck Derby! Visit our booth at the Goldendale Home and Garden show.

May 17, Louder Than Brad, a free show: Doors open at 6, show at 7 p.m. at the Trout Lake Hall, 15 Guler Rd in Trout Lake. Louder Than Brad is a rock band from White Salmon, Washington. Jim, Craig, Ben, and Chris cover and twist your favorites from ABBA to Radiohead, Bowie to Lorde. eir roots are in alternative rock, but they branch into punked-up folk and country classics or driving indie pop. Whether it’s a loud outdoor summer setting or an intimate acoustic set in a smaller space, audiences connect with creative takes on familiar favorites so they can really let loose. May 18, Ringmaster’s

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

Tuesday

• White Salmon-Bingen Rotary Meeting wvery Tuesday at 301 Dewalt Dr, White Salmon.

• Adult Fiber Art Social Circle: 2nd Tuesday of the month from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. at the Goldendale Community Library

• EPIC Youth Center Games: 3 - 4:30 p.m. every Tuesday. All ages welcome though a release of liabilities and parent agreement of conduct must be on le. Youth under the age of 8 must be checked in by a parent. Visit epicyouthcenter.org for forms.

• Wellness Warriors 3 – 4 p.m. on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the Goldendale Library on Burgen Street. Join us as our local health department nurses teach us about di erent wellness topics to keep ourselves safe an healthy. Topics include: Hand Hygiene, Nutrition, Physical Activity, Emotional Health, & Safety/Injury Prevention. All ages are welcome, topics will be covered at an elementary school level.

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

• TOPS Club Inc. – Taking Pounds o Sensibly 10 a.m. the Nazarene Church on Grant and Allyn. Questions? Sally/ojala@ gmail.com.

• KC Fair Board Meetings 1st

Reverie: 2pm & 5:30pm showtimes at the Bingen eater, 210 Oak Street in Bingen, Welcome to Circus Berzerkus - where dreams, run wild and the impossible comes to life! When the ringmaster dri s into a surreal slumber, the circus transforms into a whirlwind of wonder: gravity-defying, aerial acts & mind bending thrills!!! We sell out every year, so I suggest you jump on purchasing them now!! https://secure.givelively.org/.../ ringmaster-s-reverie

May 26, Memorial Day

Poker Run to Fossil: Registration starts at 9 a.m. at e Simcoe Cafe in Goldendale, KSU at 10 a.m. Open to all motorcycles and cars, this event promises a day of scenic rides, camaraderie, and fun! Ride to Fossil Oregon and back. $10 entry, $5 each additional hand. Questions call Scott Robinson 509-250-2001. May 31, Soroptimist Spring Plant Sale : 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on West Main Street in front of Pat’s Place in Goldendale. Please join us for our Annual Spring Plant sale! Plant donations are welcome, please call Lorraine at 509-773-3380 and leave a message. is 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. e mission of Soroptimists is to improve the lives of women and girls through education.

May 31, Goldendale Truck and Tractor Pull: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Joe Seller’s place on Hanging Rock Road. Raw power, roaring engines, and the ultimate test of strength—truck & tractor pulling at its nest! Open to all tractors under 6,000#, trucks (gas or diesel) 2 and 4 wheel drive, and lawn tractors. Free admission, pulling begins at 1. For information call or text 509-528-8089 or 509261-1879 goldndaletractorclub@ gmail.com

May 31, Goldendale Community Cleanup: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Goldendale Transer Station.Free Transfer station fees for one load (up to 3 yards) free! Curbside pickup available and volunteers are needed. Call 509773-4448.

May 31, Wa’Paas Basket

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

• Soroptimist International of Goldendale, 5:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Dedicated to helping women and youth in our community and worldwide. All welcome. Contact Betty 509-250-3746.

• BINGO night: 3 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the High Prairie Community Center on Struck Rd. Meals and cards for purchase (discounted kids’ meals) Come meet your neighbours and enjoy some family fun! Wednesday

• Pinochle every Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Goldendale Senior Center on East Main. All are welcome!

• Healing Song Circle: 6:30 –7:30 p.m. every 4th Wednesday of the month, Missing Corner in BZ Corner. By donation $1020, no one turned away. RSVP at laurarosedoctor@gmail.com, 509-637-9425.

• Family Storytime: 10:30

- 11:30 a.m. at the Goldendale Community Library.

• Learn and Play! – 2 – 3 p.m. every 2nd Wednesday of the month at the Goldendale Primary School. Fun and learning for you and your little ones up to 5 years!

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

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

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

• Family Story Time at 10:30

Weaving Workshop with Chestina Dominguez: 10 a.m. - noon at the Maruhill Museum of Art. To honor Indigenous and traditional ways of healing, join us to practice and learn how to make a Wa’paas. You may bring your own materials and projects to work on. We have materials on hand as well. is learning event is led by Chestina Dominguez, an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of Yakama Nation and descendant of the Warm Springs tribe. Chestina uses contemporary materials to create baskets using the ancient techniques of her ancestors. Cultural and traditional teachings are the threads that tie us to our way of life. ey are our link between the past and the present. Cultural and traditional values guide us and protect us. ey are our resiliency. — Chestina Dominguez. All ages and all levels are welcome. Light refreshments are served a er the class. ere is no cost to participate. All participants receive complimentary admission to the museum on the day of the event.

June 3, Mobile Market: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at 104 E Simcoe Dr in Goldendale. No ID necessary to recieve a box.

June 6 - 8, Pacific NW Econorun - Gorge on a Corvair: 7 - 9 p.m

June 6 & 7, Twin Bridges Museum Estate & Yard Sale: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m Friday and 8 a.m.5 p.m. Saturday at 403 Klickitat Street in Lyle.

June 11, Full Strawberry Moon Celebration: 7 - 9 p.m. at the Field of Stars Boutique at 4 Bickleton Hwy in Goldendale This enchanting evening will o er an opportunity to connect with the energy of the Strawberry Moon while creating meaningful cra s and enjoying delicious treats.

June 14, Snowden Wild re Preparedness Open House: 3 - 5 p.m. at the Mountain Brook Fire Station, 959 Snowden Rd. Join us to learn about what you can do to prepare your home and family. Come talk to experts about what it takes to make your property re-wise and get an inside peek at one of our re stations.

– 11:30 a.m., Goldendale Library

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

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

• EPIC Youth Center Games: 6:30 - 8 p.m. every ursday. All ages welcome though a release of liabilities and parent agreement of conduct must be on le. Youth under the age of 8 must be checked in by a parent. Visit epicyouthcenter.org for forms.

• Rosary every ursday evening at 6p.m. at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church 307 Schuster in Goldendale.

• Drinking Democratically 6 - 7:30 p.m. the third ursday of the month. Food and drink available for purchase. Call Carol for location 971-404-1935

• Al Anon Group meets at 7 p.m. at the Nazarene Church 124 W Allyn in Goldendale. Call 509-310-3377 with questions.

• Learn and Play! 10:30 –11:30 a.m. at the White Salmon Library. Stories, songs, puppets, cra s and more for young children (birth through 5yrs) and their parents or caregivers presented by White Salmon Valley Community Library Sta . Free book for each participant provided by the FVRL Foundation.

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

June 14 - 15, Ketchum Kalf Glenwood Rodeo: Kicko party Frday night with Ray Lemley at 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday gates open at 11:30. Parade is Sunday at 11, Cowboy Church Sunday at 9. Visit https://ketchumkalfrodeo.org/

June 14 - 15, Alder Creek Pioneer Picnic & Rodeo: Community potluck Friday at 5:30. Rodeo Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. Carousel rides, live music by Scotty Wilson & Music Medicine on Saturday at 6. Sunday church service at 9:30 a.m.

June 16 - July 9, Summer Food Service Program for Wishram School District: 8 am for breakfast and 12 p.m. for lunch. Wishram School District Announces the sponsorship of the Summer Food Service program for children under the age of 18. Eligible children can eat brakfast and lunch at no charge. Questions please contact Sheila McCullough at 509-767-6090. June 20, Summer Solstice at Stonehenge: 4 p.m. at the Stonehenge Memorial on Hwy 97 South of Goldendale. Head to the museum on the eve of the summer solstice for a special campout on Maryhill’s Great Lawn, followed by a sunrise ceremony at Stonehenge Memorial Monument. is inclusive event is for everyone, joining together to welcome summer and set positive personal intentions as the sun rises. More details about this ticketed event will be available soon.

June 20 & 21, Goldendale Annual City Wide Yard Sales: Get ready to turn your clutter into cash! Registration for Goldendale’s Annual City-Wide Yard Sale opens at the May 2nd 2025 Goldendale Home & Garden Show as well as online. Don’t miss your chance to be included in the o cial sale map—all participants must register by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17th. Call 509261-0789 for more information.

June 20 - 22, Rootstock Festival: Join us in a new annual celebration of gardening, homesteading, and he art of sustainable living nestled in the enchanting heart of the Columbia River Gorge. ere will be workshops, demonstrations, food vendors, a beer garden, animal corner and

• Parent Support Group – 10 a.m. weekly 166 E Jewett Blvd in White Salmon. Join us for community support at our weekly meeting at! Children are welcome & encouraged. There is a small play area to keep little hands busy. We’d love to see you there!

• Bingo at the Goldendale American Legion Thursdayscard packets go on sale 6:30 p.m. game starts 7 p.m. Food available

• Bingo - High Prairie Community Center, 2nd Thursday of every month, doors open at 6, starts at 6:30. Questions contact Lori Sweeney 503-260-7129

• WAGAP Mobile Food Bank – 1st ursday of the month: 9-10:30 a.m. Wishram school, 10:45 - 11:30 Wishram Heights Housing, 12–2 p.m. Dallesport Community Center, 3-5 p.m. Lyle Lions Club. 3rd ursday of the month: 9-11 a.m. Trout Lake Baptist Church, 12-2 p.m. BZ Corner Community Building. Call 509-493-2662 ext 208 for more information.

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

Friday

• Open sewing, knitting, or whatever you do every Friday from 1 - 4 p.m. at Wild Da odil and 3C’s Fabric in their new location $10.

• Lyle Community Game Day 1 p.m. the third Friday of every month at the Lyle Lions Community Center.

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

live music as well as vendors and artists of all kinds. Call Ivy Carpe 541-788-4557 for more information or visit hiddengemeventsnmore.com

June 27, Rachel Baiman: Doors openat 6, show starts at 7. $20 advance/$25 day of the show.

Nashville singer-songwriter Rachel Baiman brings her erce, thoughtful, and deeply personal brand of Americana, Folk, and Indie-Bluegrass to Trout Lake Hall with a full band! Tickets available now at https://troutlakehall.eventcalendarapp. com/u/37601/360547 – grab yours today!

July 4, Demolition Derby & Truck Pull: Gates open at 10 a.m. Tickets are $20 adults, $10 seniors and vets, $10 kids 7-13, under 6 is free. Get ready for a heart-pounding day of adrenaline-fueled action, roaring engines, and explosive entertainment! Trucks, big cars & compact classes Over $9,000 in prize money and trophies, $50 entry fee per car if registered before July 4th $75 Entry Fee per car if registered day of event No registrations accepted a er 12 p.m. July 4th Contact information for Rules, Regulations & Registration: Todd Nunn 509-261-0484. Contact information for Vendors & Sponsors: Micki Robinson at 509-250-2001 or mickij_robinson@yahoo.com

July 11-12, Goldendale’s annual Community Days: Get ready for Goldendale Community Days, the biggest summer celebration in town! is annual event brings the community together for a weekend full of excitement, entertainment, and hometown pride. Car Show – Classic rides and custom builds take center stage! Parade, Beer Garden, Live Music, Scavenger Hunt, Class Reunions and more! Dunk Tank, Burn-Out Event, Seattle Cossacks Stunt Team.Don’t miss out on this fantastic weekend of fun, community spirit, and summer vibes! For more info, call e City of Goldendale at 509-773-3771. July 26 & 27, Klickitat Canyon Days: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. or later! Get ready for some fun in the sun as we celebrate life in the canyon!

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

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

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

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

• Goldendale Farmers Market May thru October at the Goldendale Chamber of Commerce on Broadway every Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Hope Neighborhood 4:306:00 p.m. 115 E Main Street, Goldendale at the Goldendale Senior Center. A time of fellowship, bible reading, and discussion for those seeking to learn and grow in God’s word.

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

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

• Goldendale Aglow Lighthouse meets from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Senior Center 3rd Saturday of every month, 115 E. Main St. Goldendale

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

• Trout Lake Farmers Market: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Trout Lake Grange Hall

O BITUA RIES

Craig Steven Colver

Craig Steven Colver, 72, passed away on April 28, 2025, in Pasco, Washington. Born on June 23, 1952, in Goldendale, Craig lived a life marked by dedication to his work, love for the outdoors, and generosity toward others.

Craig pursued a hands-on education that reflected his passion for craftsmanship and technical skill. He studied auto repair at Clark College, Vancouver, Washington, welding and metal fabrication at Yakima Community College, Yakima, Washington, and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) at the Perry Institute Yakima, Washington. These pursuits laid the foundation for a long and productive career.

He began his professional journey at Columbia Aluminum shortly after its opening and remained there until its closure. Later, he brought his expertise to the Pasco School District as an HVAC technician. His work there was marked by reliability and commitment until his retirement.

Craig found great joy in the outdoors. He was an

avid hunter and fisherman who also enjoyed camping trips that allowed him to connect with nature. His love of automotive repair and restoration was more than a hobby-it was a lifelong passion that reflected his mechanical aptitude and attention to detail.

Those who knew Craig remember him as a friendly and giving person. His warmth extended beyond family to friends and colleagues alike.

He is survived by his wife, Jill (Basse); his son Walker Steven; brothers Michael Gene, and Monty Joe (Shirley); one nephew; three nieces; as well as grand-nieces and grandnephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Donna Patrica (Peaches), and father, Walter Eugene (Gene) Colver. May Craig’s memory bring comfort to those who knew him and serve as a lasting reminder of a life well lived. A Celebration of Life will be held on May 31, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Pastime Tavern, 366 Main Street, Wishram, Washington.

A memorial service for Charles Rice will be held May 17, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the Columbus Avenue Baptist Church.

State to rein in fast drivers with speed limiters

Jake Goldstein-street Washington state standard

In a few years, with the help of technology, prolific speeders in Washington won’t be able to drive as fast as they want.

Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday signed House Bill 1596 into law, requiring a new speed-limiting device as a condition to getting a restricted driver’s license after getting it suspended for reckless driving or excessive speeding.

Judges can also require the speed limiters as a condition of pre-trial release or post-conviction probation.

The tech, shown at a demonstration at the Capitol on Monday, is similar to ignition interlock devices that require people with histories of drunk driving to blow into a breathalyzer to show their blood alcohol concentration before they can start the car.

These new devices use GPS to restrict speed to the posted limit. Under the legislation, drivers could override the limiter three

Hospitals

Washington state standard

Washington hospitals are urging Gov. Bob Ferguson to veto a bill that would limit health insurance reimbursement rates for state workers and public school employees.

The bill is designed to reduce health care costs for the state. But the Washington State Hospital Association says it shifts the burden to care providers and that hospitals could lose around $100 million per year if the change becomes law.

“Just because [the state is] paying less doesn’t mean it costs less to provide the care,” said Ashlen Strong, vice president of government affairs at the association.

Reducing payments to hospitals for state and school employees would likely increase the cost of care for others because hospitals would negotiate with other insurers to make up the difference, according to the hospital association. If those negotiations aren’t successful, hospitals could look at reducing jobs or services.

Supporters of the policy argue that health care is unaffordable and that this bill would help reduce outof-pocket costs for patients. They also say that hospitals could lower executive pay before turning to layoffs and service reductions.

times per month.

The bill received bipartisan support in the Legislature as the state aims to turn the tide on traffic deaths after reaching a 33-year high in 2023. Of the 809 deaths that year, a third involved speeding drivers.

“What’s behind this bill is a really simple goal, which is to save lives,” Ferguson said.

The new law is known as the BEAM Act, named after four people killed in a crash last year with a speeding driver near Renton: Boyd Buster Brown, Eloise Wilcoxson, Andrea Smith Hudson and Matilda Wilcoxson.

Last month, a judge sentenced the driver in the case to 17½ years in prison after he pleaded guilty to four counts of vehicular homicide in the high-speed crash.

The driver was held up as an example of someone who would’ve needed to install a speed limiter. In the prior 10 months, he had reportedly been involved in two crashes in which his speeding was a factor.

Before signing the BEAM

Independent rural hospitals would be exempt under the bill. In Washington, two hospitals were recently found to have negative operating margins in Chelan and Clallam counties, according to reports published by the state auditor in May.

Since the COVID-19

Act, the governor met with families of those killed in that crash and others who are pushing for stronger traffic safety measures.

“It’s the family members who got us to this day,” said prime sponsor Rep. Mari Leavitt, D-University Place.

“They’re the ones who were willing to share their story over and over again.”

In Europe, new vehicles are required to have intelligent speed assistance technology installed. But in the United States, the speed limiter idea is new.

Last month, Virginia became the first state to enact such legislation, requiring intelligent speed assistance devices for drivers convicted of going over 100 mph. Georgia quickly followed, with a bill awaiting the governor’s signature.

Last year, Washington, D.C. approved a “speed governor” requirement for repeat offenders.

Lawmakers in several other states have also considered the requirement.

In California last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a measure requiring passive speed limiters.

Washington’s legislation defines excessive speeding as 20 mph above speed limits over 40 mph, or 10 mph above speed limits under that threshold.

If a driver has a history of moving violations, including excessive speeding, they would have to use an intelligent speed assistance device for 120 days after getting their license back from a suspension. In reckless driving cases, that rises to 150 days. Driving without one during this probationary period would be a traffic infraction that could add 30 days to a license suspension.

Tampering with the device is a gross misdemeanor.

Drivers would have to pay to install and remove the speed limiter, and an additional $21 per month. That monthly fee would go to the state Department of Licensing to offset the costs for low-income people who need the devices but can’t afford them.

The legislation doesn’t go into effect until Jan. 1, 2029.

pandemic, health care systems were “completely upended,” said Chelene Whiteaker, senior vice president of the association. And with costs for labor, supplies and equipment increasing, hospitals say they have been struggling financially. Hospitals would also be subject to higher business and occupation tax rates that the Legislature approved, which would be around $60 million in taxes every year, according to industry estimates. An amendment to have hospitals exempted from the tax hike after 2027 was unsuccessful.

BAPTIST

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

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

EASTERN ORTHODOX

Ss. Joachim & Anna Orthodox Mission

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

Church Directory

GRACE BRETHREN

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

LUTHERAN

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

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

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

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

RIVER of LIFE CHURCH of GOD

2023 Pipeline Rd, Goldendale; Pastors Rod & Cathy Smith, 509-250-0222, Sunday Worship 10:30am; Wednesday Bible Study 7pm RiverofLife222.org

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST 1/2

Community Church 508 Dalles Mountain Road, Centerville,

Father’s House Fellowship 207 S Klickitat Ave, 509.773.4719. Basic Bible Fellowship 9:30am; Worship 10:30am; Tue. 6:30pm Freedom Now Meeting. FHF1880@outlook.com

Jacquelyn Jimenez romero

Cap on rent increases signed into law

Jake Goldstein-street

Washington state standard

Gov. Bob Ferguson, podium, makes remarks during a bill signing event on May 7, 2025, where he signed a law that will cap rent increases for many residential tenants across Washington at 10% or less annually. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/ Washington State Standard)

Washington landlords can no longer raise rents by more than 10% per year under landmark legislation

Gov. Bob Ferguson signed into law Wednesday.

Effective immediately, House Bill 1217 caps residential rent hikes during a 12-month period at 7% plus inflation, or 10%, whichever is lower. The limit will last 15 years. The bill also restricts manufactured home rent increases to 5% with no expiration date.

“I’m confident that

this legislation is going to work for everybody in our state,” Ferguson said Wednesday at Blake House, the first affordable highrise apartment building constructed in Seattle in half a century, which opened in 2023. “Too many folks are getting priced out, and we can’t have that, right? That’s not an option.”

Rent increases are also prohibited for the first year of a tenancy under the new law. But when a renter moves in, landlords can set the initial rate however they please.

New construction is not subject to the cap for its first 12 years. Public housing authorities, low-income developments, and duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes in which the owner lives in one of the units are also exempt.

Rent hike notices are now required 90 days before they go into effect, up from 60 days under previous law. If a landlord raises rent

above the cap without an exemption, the renter must give the landlord a chance to fix the error or can terminate their lease with 20 days’ notice. A tenant or the state attorney general can bring litigation to enforce compliance with the new law. The attorney general can recover up to $7,500 per violation.

Democrats believe the limit will give renters greater predictability in one of the most expensive states to live in, while Republicans think it will chill development and force landlords to sell their properties because they can’t keep up with maintenance costs and property taxes.

Last month, Rep. Sam Low, R-Lake Stevens, argued the policy is “going to be devastating for our housing providers, and we need housing providers to be a part of the solution in the housing crisis that we

have.”

Sean Flynn, the executive director of the Rental Housing Association of Washington, said “today is a tragedy for the industry and for tenants across the state,” adding that the law will lead to higher prices, less supply and worse quality housing.

The association is exploring a legal challenge.

Flynn also took issue with the emergency clause allowing the bill to go into effect immediately, since the state Department of Commerce hasn’t reported its required calculation showing the maximum allowable rent increase with inflation. The law states Commerce must report that number on June 1.

The legislation was part of a suite of bills Ferguson signed Wednesday, aiming to clear obstacles to construction, increase homeownership opportunities, pave the way for redevelopment of

commercial property into residential and provide a modicum of tax relief. Other bills focused on promoting housing development around transit stops and allowing for more lot splitting remain to be signed. It was a long road to the governor’s desk for the uber-controversial rent cap proposal.

After clearing the House, the Senate raised the cap from an initial 7% to 10% plus inflation in a dramatic floor vote, to the dismay of progressive Democrats.

The two chambers then negotiated to come up with the compromise that eventually passed on the final day of the legislative session, but not before a procedural fiasco delayed the final votes.

“Today, we put common sense guardrails on our rental housing market so that hard working families and older adults don’t get

unchecked excessive rent increases,” said bill sponsor Sen. Emily Alvarado, D-Seattle. “This law is a good beginning. It’s long overdue, and it’s urgently needed.”

Ferguson declined to say if he would’ve preferred the initial 7% cap.

The legislation was a top priority for many Democrats after a similar bill stalled in the Senate last year.

Behind the scenes, Ferguson’s staff worked with lawmakers for months to get the bill across the finish line. But the governor himself declined to confirm support publicly until last week.

No Republicans voted for the bill in either chamber of the Legislature. In the House, five Democrats opposed it on final passage. In the Senate, two Democrats voted against the legislation.

Feds describe fentanyl bust as largest in U.S. history

The U.S. government this week announced drug trafficking and conspiracy charges against 17 people— at least six in New Mexico— in what U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi is calling the “largest fentanyl bust in our nation’s history.”

At a news conference on Tuesday in Washington D.C., U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico Ryan Ellison said prosecutors have filed conspiracy, illicit fentanyl distribution, firearms and immigration charges as a result of the bust.

He also said the alleged drug trafficking organization is “one of the largest and most dangerous fentanyl operations in United States history”—

use law that could hold up the project.

Despite the theatrics and strong local opposition, the EFSEC panel voted to expedite the application and skip an environmental study and formal hearing requested by the Yakama Nation.

The article notes that EFSEC didn’t hold a public hearing until after they had voted to fasttrack the application. Not surprisingly, every single person who testified at the hearing was opposed to the project.

The EFSEC board could vote to send its final recommendation to the governor for his signature as in as little as a month.

No mention of the theatrics was made at the Klickitat County Commission meeting the following day.

Perhaps the most important item to come out of that meeting might be Jail Administrator Bill Frantz’s announcement that they are installing a Narcan dispensing machine in the jail lobby. Narcan, also known as naloxone, is a nasal spray that is a safe and effective antidote to opioid overdoses and has saved many lives.

“A large portion of the people that we deal with are co-dependent on alcohol and drugs and opioids,” Frantz told commissioners.

“This would be a service for families who might be picking somebody up, or a person chooses to take it on

While EFSEC’s centralized approach streamlines the permitting process, it has faced criticism from some local governments and community groups. Concerns often revolve around the perceived preemption of local authority and the adequacy of public engagement in decision-making processes. In response, EFSEC has taken steps to enhance transparency and inclusivity, such as increasing outreach to

spanning New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and Utah—and distributes drugs “throughout the western United States.” “We will not tolerate those who profit from poisoning American citizens,” Ellison said.

Bondi said the organization is affiliated with the Sinaloa Cartel operating out of Mexico, and when authorities arrested its alleged leader, Heriberto Salazar Amaya, they found millions of dollars in cash and vehicles. She said he “insulated himself” from the drugs, which agents found in Albuquerque, Phoenix and Utah.

Asked for specifics on how the defendants were captured, Bondi said the investigation is ongoing and she won’t reveal police sources or methods.

In court records,

the way out.”

He said his department was also waiting for monitoring equipment to be installed that could potentially save someone who had thoughts of harming themselves.

He told commissioners he would need to have a supplemental budget for rising jail food costs. A request for proposal notice drew only one entry. That entry’s proposal for individual meal costs was less than that proposed by the county’s current jail food vendor but not after they added $575 a day for labor. Frantz ran the numbers for the current provider’s 4.5 percent increase. Figuring 33 people in custody per day means 100 meals a day, or 36,500 meals a year. At the new rate of $7.25 per meal that comes out to $264,625. Add roughly $19,900 in tax, and you get an annual food cost of roughly $284,770.

“I’m budgeted for $165,000,” he told commissioners, “which leaves me about $119,770 shy.”

Asked if some jails do food service, Frantz replied they do, but that requires more staff and dealing with sometimes tricky and expensive dietary requirements.

One option they’re exploring after July 1 is a program offered by the State Department of Corrections.

“There are some intricacies,” he said. “They come in frozen, and we have to thaw them.”

On a happier note, he

overburdened communities and incorporating tribal consultations into its review processes. As Washington State continues to pursue ambitious energy goals, EFSEC’s role becomes increasingly visible. The council’s ability to balance the need for rapid energy infrastructure development with environmental protection and public involvement will be critical in shaping the state’s energy landscape.

two Drug Enforcement Administration special agents characterized three New Mexico defendants David Anesi, Vincent Montoya and Francisco Garcia as “high-volume drug traffickers” in the Albuquerque area, and Phillip Lovato as a “significant customer” in Santa Fe.

They also named Roberta Herrera as Montoya’s significant other “who has been observed participating in drug transactions” with him, and allege that Misael Lopez-Rubio rented out a storage unit in Albuquerque to use as a stash location.

DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy noted that the organization’s drug distribution had “probably caused” someone to die.

Since 2018, New Mexico has experienced a dramatic

increase in drug overdose deaths associated with prescription drug use and, more recently, use of illicit fentanyl, according to the state Department of Health. Overall, deaths in the state attributed to drug overdose have fallen in the last two years.

Overall, authorities seized 11.5 kilograms of fentanyl powder; approximately $4.4 million in cash; approximately 79 pounds of methamphetamine; approximately 7.5 kilograms of cocaine; approximately 4.5 kilograms of heroin; approximately 41 firearms; and approximately 4.1 million fentanyl pills, according to court records.

Ellison said in Albuquerque alone, police found 2.7 million fentanyl pills; 11.5 kilograms of “concentrated fentanyl powder;” seven pounds

of methamphetamine; “multiple kilograms of heroin and cocaine;” 41 firearms; more than $600,000 in cash and “numerous luxury vehicles.”

“When we catch you — all of these individuals, if convicted, we will put you behind bars,” Bondi said. “There will be no negotiating, and we will lock you up for as long as humanly possible. We will not negotiate with those who are killing our family members including brothers, sisters, daughters, sons, parents, friends.”

DOJ prosecuting, not deporting, defendants who aren’t citizens Bondi said six of the people charged are living in the U.S. unlawfully. A detention order for LopezRubio indicates that he will be held until trial, in part, because he lacks legal status

filed.

Commissioner Lori Zoller added this comment: “I am very disappointed that EFSEC did choose to move forward with a meeting and decision prior to offering our community’s public comment. It was a very unusual move. Looking into the decision, they did cover themselves by using the word ‘possible’ in the heading of the meeting and in the first paragraph of the announcement that stated

Services.

shared a tribute to people we don’t often pay attention to.

“In 1984, President Reagan declared the first week of May National Corrections Officers Week,” he said. “In 1996, Congress amended that to Correctional Worker Week, where we acknowledge all the correctional workers and all the hard work they do. I want to thank the men and women who worked so hard for the Klickitat County Jail. They’re an amazing, great group of people to work with.”

Under the consent agenda, commissioners approved:

• A health facility agreement with Columbia Basin College.

• A request for proposal for the Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Plan.

• Consideration of approval of short plat SPL 2024-29, Fahlenkamp.

• A consultant agreement with Skillings, Inc. for on-call Environmental

• Supplemental agreement No. 4 with Applied Archaeological Research, Inc. for on-call archaeological services.

• Advertisement for a public hearing on the Dallesport sewer rate increase for the period of June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026.

• Phase I - design and bidding engineering design and bidding services Connect Oregon No. C09-006 task order #1 for new aircraft T-hangars at the City of The Dalles/Klickitat County Columbia Gorge Regional Airport.

• Consolidated contract amendment No. 4 for the Klickitat County Health Department 2025-2027.

• Fire Districts 2, 4, 7, 10 & 12 radio system use and 9-1-1/dispatch services agreements.

• Appointment of District #4 director to the Noxious Weed Control Board,.

in the U.S. and is subject to removal or deportation after any prison sentence. When asked how she’s deciding whether to prosecute or deport any defendants who lack U.S. citizenship, Bondi said it’s based on their potential prison sentences, if they’re convicted.

“I want them to stay in our prisons as long as possible,” Bondi said.

“There’s a very big risk — we all know — releasing someone, especially to Mexico. Sending them back to Mexico, who knows, they could attempt to get through our borders. Not under Donald Trump, I doubt.

But they’re also part of a major drug trafficking ring in Mexico, so sending them back to Mexico to continue on with their drug business isn’t going to happen under this administration.”

they would hold the meeting first and then decide on public comment.

“The EFSEC process was set up by Gov. [Jay] Inslee with the intent to bypass the local process. There are levels of the permit process that we will still be involved in, and we have tried to keep a working relationship with EFSEC. We really need to keep that relationship as civil as possible. But a decision like this did not help the situation.”

austin Fisher Washington state standard

State Supreme Court upholds ban on high-capacity ammo magazines

Jake Goldstein-street Washington state standard

The Washington Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the state’s ban on the sale of gun ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds.

The law, passed in 2022, faced a challenge from a Kelso gun shop that argued the ban on selling the magazines violates the state constitution, which protects “the right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state.”

Gator’s Custom Guns also said the law ran afoul of the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

In a 7-2 ruling, state Supreme Court justices disagreed. They ruled that highcapacity magazines aren’t “arms,” but just a component of a gun, and are not generally used for self-defense. The ruling tracked with arguments attorneys for the state made before the court in January.

“By restricting only magazines of a capacity greater than 10, the statute effectively regulates the maximum capacity of magazines, leaving the weapon fully functional for its intended purpose,” Justice Charles

Johnson wrote in Thursday’s opinion. “Indeed, we can safely say that individuals are still able to exercise the core right to bear arms when they are limited to purchasing magazines with a capacity of 10 or fewer.”

Justices Sheryl Gordon McCloud and G. Helen Whitener dissented.

Attorneys for Gator’s Custom Guns, including former Republican attorney general candidate Pete Serrano, had argued that the popularity of high-capacity magazines inherently proved they abide by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling protecting firearms that are “in common use” and are “typically possessed by lawabiding citizens for lawful purposes.”

In the dissent, Gordon McCloud sided with this argument, writing that millions of people have chosen semiautomatic firearms with high-capacity magazines “as the primary tool for lawful purposes.”

“It necessarily follows that the Second Amendment protects the arms-bearing conduct at issue here,” she wrote.

Attorney General Nick Brown said the majority decision “is right on the law and will save lives.”

“Large capacity magazines are used in the overwhelming majority of mass shoot-

ings, and reducing the toll of these senseless killings is vitally important,” he continued in a social media post.

Serrano said in an interview Thursday that the ruling was “what we anticipated,” but he was glad to see two justices disagreeing with the majority.

Gator’s Guns will seek direct review by the U.S. Supreme Court, he said. “We’re ready to take this to the next level,” Serrano said. “We believe the Second Amendment analysis in this ruling will be a draw for review by the U.S. Supreme Court.”

Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, who oversaw the case for the state during his time as attorney general, said in a statement that the ban is a “common-sense” policy “essential in addressing mass shootings.”

Legalese

The case was poised to be a test of a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that moved the goalposts when it comes to assessing the constitutionality of gun regulations.

Washington’s ban on high-capacity magazine sales took effect about two and a half years ago. The state is among at least 14 nationwide with similar restrictions. These laws have attracted lawsuits as

Multnomah Falls timed use permit system resumes May 23

The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area announced that a timed use permit will be required for visitors using the I-84 (Exit 31) Multnomah Falls parking lot daily between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. from May 23 through September 1 of this year. The purpose of the permit system is to help reduce congestion, increase safety, and improve overall visitor experience.

Timed Use Permits will be available online at www.recreation.gov for a $2 transaction fee per vehicle. Permits

will be released two weeks prior to the visit date. There will also be a limited amount of in-person, same-day permits (no fee) at the Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center in Troutdale and the Cascade Locks Historical Museum. Each permit lists a onehour time slot in which you can arrive and then stay for as long as you would like that day. A timed use permit does not guarantee parking. Options for visiting Multnomah Falls without a permit

• Leave your car at home and take public transit (Columbia Area Transit), including service from Gateway Transit Center in Portland, Cascade Locks, and Hood River.

• Modify the timing of your trip to before or after the permit times and peak visitation (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

• Plan your visit to Multnomah Falls prior to Memorial Day or after Labor Day, when there is less congestion.

Marketing/Office Assistant

Are you energetic? A quick Learner? Outgoing? Courteous? Professional?

Do you love meeting new people? Learning new things? Making a difference?

Do you take pride in your accomplishments?

lower courts grapple with the decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen.

In that case, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled state firearm laws must stay true to the nation’s “historical tradition of firearm regulation.” Judges have now had to deduce how laws written over a century ago would square with technological advances, like high-capacity magazines and semi-automatic weapons.

In this case, attorneys for the gun shop argued justices have no historical analogue to compare with Washington’s high-capacity magazine law.

But the state attorney general’s office, led by Solicitor General Noah Purcell, countered that the comparison need not be so specific, pointing to Bowie knives banned after they rose in popularity in the 1800s.

The U.S. Supreme Court has since clarified its decision in Bruen to note judges can use general principles, not just exact matches, when comparing modern gun laws to historical regulations.

Johnson didn’t touch on the Bruen test in his ruling, given the majority found the ammunition magazines aren’t firearms in the first place.

Joseph Blocher, the cofounder of the Duke Center for Firearms Law, noted that the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld a high-capacity magazine ban in California on similar grounds, though the federal court found the prohibition also “falls within the Nation’s tradition of protecting innocent persons by prohibiting especially dangerous uses of weapons and by regulating components necessary to the firing of a firearm.”

In the dissent, Gordon McCloud argues that the laws the state cited as comparison points “regulate carrying, rather than banning a common arm completely.” And others are from the 20th century, later than what the U.S. Supreme Court has indicated is part of the “historical tradition.”

Gordon McCloud also writes that the state’s argument on this issue “is the sort of interest-balancing that repressive governments have historically used to suppress opposition.” In a footnote, she cites laws restricting enslaved people and Native Americans from owning guns in the United States, as well as Nazis seizing guns from Jews in the 1930s.

The ruling comes about four months after attorneys from both sides argued

Notice of Lot Drawing

For candidate races in which Klickitat County is the filing office and where two or more candidates have filed, a lot drawing will be performed as required by RCW 29A.36.131[BS1] , in order to determine the order of candidate names on the official primary and sample ballots. If no primary is required under RCW 29A.36.131 and 29A.52.220, the names will appear on the general election ballot in the order determined by this lot drawing.

before the justices about the law’s standing under the U.S. and state constitutions.

The case came to the state Supreme Court after a Cowlitz County Superior Court judge struck down the ban in April 2024. The judge, Gary Bashor, ruled the law violated the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms for self-defense granted in the state constitution. He cited the Bruen decision’s historical tradition test as justification for overturning modern firearm laws.

That ruling had been paused until the case was resolved, so the ban had remained in effect. The Washington law still allows people to own high-capacity magazines, but bans importing or selling them.

The case now returns to Cowlitz County Superior Court to decide if Gator’s violated state law in allegedly flouting the prohibition.

This year, Washington lawmakers passed another controversial gun control measure to force firearm buyers to get a state permit before purchasing a gun. Republicans uniformly opposed the bill, with some arguing judges would deem it unconstitutional under Bruen.

That legislation awaits Ferguson’s signature.

The lot drawing was held May 12 at 10 a.m. at the Klickitat County Auditor’s Office, 205 S. Columbus Avenue, Room 203, in Goldendale.

To see a list of current candidates, visit: https:// voter.votewa.gov/CandidateList.aspx?e=893&c=20. For more information, contact the county elections departmen¸t at (509) 773-4001 or voting@klicktiatcounty.org.

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In this part-time position of 25-30 hours/week, you will support our Marketing Advisor/Ad Sales Rep and will assist in the office, as needed. You must have a good working knowledge of Excel, Word, and Outlook (minimum of 2 years experience with each).

Your oral communications and listening skills will need to be outstanding so you can clearly communicate over the phone and in person with all our customers, demonstrating a full understanding of our services and the ability to pass on to other staff members the customers’ needs.

Pay commensurate with experience

E-mail your resumé to Info@GoldendaleSentinel.com. At least three reference from prior/current supervisor/s must be included. Please do not call or visit in person without an appointment.

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Buffalo Soldiers

There is a lot to learn from history and the people who lived in the days of the past. Have you ever thought, what would it be like to travel in time and experience the world as it was? The life of those who lived during those periods of time may seem amazing and heroic to us as we look back, but there were struggles we could never imagine. One of those times in American history are the days following the civil war. Young men of every race looked to the west to make their fortune, start a new life, and put their mark on the world.

Buffalo Soldiers were definitely one group to touch the lives around them, and they never knew they were changing history. After the emancipation proclamation put an end to slavery, many African Americans had nowhere to go, and many were released from slavery with just the clothes on their backs. When the United States made it legal for “colored men” to join the United States Army, many ex-slaves signed up. The soldiers rode horses across the hot, dusty plains, guarding stagecoaches, building roads and fighting outlaws. These soldiers wanted to earn respect, and build better lives for themselves and their families.

The name, Buffalo Soldiers, was given to the men by Native Americans. They believed the soldiers’ curly brown hair, their courage, and their fighting ability made them equal to the buffalo which the “Indians” thought was a sacred animal. The soldiers believed it was an honor to be called by that name.

One of the most famous Buffalo Soldiers was Sergeant Major William H. Carney. He was super brave and was the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor, the highest award you can get in the military. He got the award because during a really dangerous battle, he saved the American flag and didn’t let it touch the ground, even though he was wounded. Another famous Buffalo Soldier was Henry O. Flipper. He was very smart and he made history by becoming the first Black man to graduate from West Point Military Academy. famous

Even though they did the same hard work and fought just as bravely, Buffalo soldiers were not treated the same as white soldiers. They were often given missions that no one else wanted. At times, they would have to ride for days without any rest, and there were times they weren’t even given food to take with them on their mission. The treatment they received was unfair, but they did their jobs with courage and pride. They patrolled huge, wild areas in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Buffalo Soldiers had to deal with a lot of racism but they showed the world that black men could be great soldiers and leaders. That’s why, even today, they are remembered as heroes.

Sergeant Major William H. Carney

Second Lieutenant Henry O. Flipper

JaCquelyn JiMenez roMero

Washington state standard

Financial aid for lowincome Washington students at private four-year colleges will be cut under the state budget plan now on Gov. Bob Ferguson’s desk awaiting his signature.

Students attending any of the state’s nine independent colleges, such as Gonzaga University, Pacific Lutheran University, Seattle University, and Whitman College, would see state tuition assistance under the Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship programs cut to 50% of the average level awarded to students at public universities. Aid for students in online programs, such as Western Governors UniversityWashington and certain apprenticeship programs, would also be reduced. And

Shauneen Miranda Washington state standard

The U.S. House approved a measure Thursday that would codify part of President Donald Trump’s executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”

The bill — which was passed on a nearly partyline vote, 211-206 — calls on the head of each federal agency to “update each document and map of the Federal agency in accordance” with the new name within six months of enactment.

U.S. Rep. Don Bacon of

students at for-profit universities and private vocational schools would no longer qualify for the assistance. Income eligibility guidelines would also change for the college grant program. For the 2024-25 academic year, students from a family of four with an income up to $78,500 would be eligible for the maximum award. That income amount is equal to 65% of the state median income. The latest budget calls for dropping the threshold for a full award to 60% of median income.

These reductions would begin during the 2026-27 academic year, meaning second and first-year students, along with future students, would feel the effects.

Lawmakers adopted the cuts to student aid as part of the package of spending reductions and tax increases they approved this year to solve a budget shortfall estimated to be around

Nebraska was the only Republican to vote against the measure.

“Our country has more important issues to worry about,” Bacon said in a statement shared with States Newsroom.

“The Administration is making great strides securing our border and cutting waste in government. But we need to focus on the reconciliation bill and how to strengthen Medicaid for every American who needs it. Renaming bodies of water is not a priority and sends a bad message to the rest of the world,” he said.

$16 billion over the next four fiscal years.

The Washington College Grant, which lawmakers approved in 2019, is often celebrated by its supporters as one of the most generous state tuition assistance programs in the nation for low- and middle-income students.

Sen. June Robinson, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said that the financial aid program has helped a lot of people attain higher education, but that the grant is not financially sustainable as it is now.

“Quite frankly, we just can’t afford it as a state,” Robinson said.

The cuts would affect students like Diego Gonzalez, a second-year student attending Seattle University, who thought he could rely on financial aid from the state college grant program to help pay for his education.

All Democrats stood in opposition. Sixteen House members did not vote, including eight Republicans and eight Democrats.

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who introduced the bill in January, said “this is such an important thing to do for the American people,” during the floor debate Thursday.

The Georgia Republican said “the American people deserve pride in their country, and they deserve pride in the waters that we own, that we protect with our military and our Coast Guard and all of the busi-

“I don’t know about my future, and it really does suck because I’ve made such a good community here at Seattle University,” he said.

Gonzalez is a first-generation, low-income college student and relies on the aid to attend college. Since the budget has passed, he said he has stayed up late applying for scholarships, worried he will no longer be able to attend college because he can’t afford it.

Growing up in a lowincome household, Gonzalez said his family could barely afford buying school supplies. He didn’t think college was obtainable because of the high costs, but receiving the state tuition assistance has allowed him to get one step closer to achieving his dream of going to law school.

While tuition is higher at private colleges than public universities, they already provide low-income students

nesses that prosper along these waters.”

The legislation is unlikely to move far in the Senate, where it would take 60 votes to advance. Republicans control the chamber 53-47.

The Senate has 45 Democrats, but two independents, Sens. Angus King of Maine and Bernie Sanders of Vermont, caucus with the party.

Meanwhile, a federal judge in April sided with The Associated Press and granted the wire service a preliminary injunction in its case against the Trump administration over allegations of denied access

with a substantial amount of financial aid using their own resources and wouldn’t be able to make up for the cuts to the state grant, according to Terri Standish-Kuon, president and CEO of Independent Colleges of Washington.

“Those financial aid dollars are finite,” StandishKuon said. “We will not be able to fill the cuts of this magnitude.”

The majority of people receiving Washington College Grant funding at the private four-year schools are students of color, women, or first-generation college students, Standish-Kuon added. Independent colleges award one in every five bachelor’s and graduate degrees in the state and help give students who may be tied to a specific geographic area or who seek different learning environments, an opportunity to receive higher education, Standish-

to restricted spaces at the White House due to its editorial decision to use “Gulf of Mexico” rather than “Gulf of America.”

The bill says “any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the Gulf of Mexico shall be deemed to be a reference to the ‘Gulf of America’” and directs Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to “oversee the implementation of the renaming.”

In a Statement of Administration Policy on Tuesday, the White House said it

Kuon noted.

Students at these colleges also graduate at higher rates than state and national averages. “Steering students away from these schools is materially harmful,” Standish-Kuon said.

The Independent Colleges of Washington said they are urging Ferguson to veto the section of the budget legislation containing the cuts to the Washington College Grant and the College Bound Scholarship program. Gonzalez said he doesn’t know what will happen with his financial aid until Ferguson signs the budget. He also said that if the program is cut, even if it is restored in the future, it will not “reduce the damage or impact on the students.”

“strongly supports” passage of the bill and that Trump’s advisers would recommend he sign it into law if the legislation were presented to him in its current form.

Ahead of the vote, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries urged a strong “no” against the bill, which he described as a “silly, smallminded and sycophantic piece of legislation.”

“What are we doing, folks?

There are serious issues that the American people want us to confront,” the New York Democrat added.

“It’s students who kind of rely on higher education to pull themselves out of poverty, like myself, who might not have the opportunity to do that,” Gonzalez said. Union urges governor not to sign budget without

Jerry Cornfield Washington state standard

Thousands of state government and community college employees in Washington want Gov. Bob Ferguson to ensure they receive a pay raise in July like the rest of the state workforce.

They are asking the firstterm Democrat not to sign a new state budget unless it pays for their contract, which lawmakers said was ratified too late to be put in the spending plan awaiting Ferguson’s signature This request from the nearly 5,300-member Washington Public Employees Association is a long shot and could require the gover-

nor calling lawmakers back to Olympia for a special session.

In the meantime, the much larger Washington Federation of State Employees is pressing Ferguson to sign the budget, which would pay for raises for its members and does not include furlough plans that

the union fought against.

The Washington Public Employees Association delivered a letter to Ferguson this week, asserting that inaction by negotiators in his budget office prevented contract talks from being completed faster so the collective bargaining agreement could get funded.

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• Consider composition: avoid power lines, telephone poles, roads, or other man-made structures that may detract from the subject. (Note that really well-crafted photos tend to keep the main subject of-center. There are many tips online for stunning landscape photography, such as tinyurl.com/DigitalCameraWorld-tips - OR - tinyurl.com/NaturescapePhotos Also check out YouTube!)

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