A business about to open on Main Street in Goldendale needs employees, so it naturally turned to its most valuable resource: social media. Why advertise in the newspaper? Nobody reads newspapers anymore, and Facebook is free.
It’s easy to equate Facebook with significance in today’s cultural atmosphere. Social media is where you find all the hot new information about things that matter. Like Bigfoot. They finally found him! They think. They’re pretty sure.
The notions of irrelevant newspapers and dominance of social media are related. They’re both inaccurate. Local newspapers— meaning the print and online combinations, which overall still outweigh local online-only “newspapers” in terms of readership and influence—retain a wide advantage over social media in almost every metric. This is according to new studies, including one this year by Coda Ventures.
There is no denying that print
media in general have been in decline in recent years. But what is typically overlooked is the fact that the surviving media tend to come out stronger, especially if they’re smart in how they manage their content. One key finding points out that boring content means slow death; the more interesting the content, the better the paper does. People want material that is interesting to them, and they’ll pay to get it.
“Interesting” doesn’t mean only articles. It includes visual appeal and headlines that serve as readbait.
No less significant are metrics on readership engagement by local newspapers, many of which defy common perception. For example, many assume local newspapers are consumed chiefly by older people with their AARP magazines. Not so, the studies reveal. Fifty-five percent of readers of local newspapers across the country are between the ages of 35 and 64. They’re not going to pick up the tweens and Swifties necessarily, but they certainly reach their parents.
Fifty-seven percent of newspaper readers own their own
homes. Fifty-eight percent have household incomes of $50,000 or more. Sixty-one percent have children at home, making that audience the key purchasing and financial influence in households.
And while public trust in major media has eroded over years—that primarily means big newspapers and electronic outlets—actually, the reverse is true for local newspapers. The studies show that a whopping 78% of readers believe their local newspaper, out of all the possible information venues in their area, is their most trusted source.
Moreover, according to the studies, local newspapers are considered the best source over other media for information on local communities and events, schools, business, announcements, and churches.
Social media has an erroneous aura of omnipresence—because of its sheer ubiquity at the touch of a computer mouse, people tend to think it reaches all audiences equally. The reality is quite different, according to several studies, especially on the local com-
Commissioners complete business in seven minutes
RODGER NICHOLS FOR THE SENTINEL
Klickitat County Commissioners set a new record for an afternoon session at their October 1 meeting. They were able to open the meeting, vote on a noncontroversial boundary adjustment and close it again, all in just seven minutes.
The morning session also took care of business in a tidy fashion, opening at 9 a.m. and closing before 11 a.m.
In response to a comment about short-term rentals, Planning Department Director Scott Edelman said that Klickitat County did not have an ordinance regarding them. Though he prefaced his remarks by saying he had not consulted the prosecuting attorney for a legal opinion, he understood that if short-term rentals are not addressed in the county code, they are considered a residential use.
“Our code does not address
them,” he said. “Without an ordinance in place, I don’t know that we have any basis to enforce on those at this point.”
He did support creating an ordinance. “Not just for revenue,” he said, “but because that revenue would probably go toward a part-timer position to monitor those standards to make sure the neighborhoods are protected from the potential adverse impact, as well as safety concerns.”
In response to a question about budgeting for the transition of the jail from the Sheriff’s Department to a new Department of Corrections, HR Director Robb Van Cleave said the new department has already been assigned a department number for the 2025 budget.
As for this year, he said a date for the transfer has not yet been set.
“The transfer of property, vehicles, budget, authority, contracts, forms, collective bargaining—all of that happens in the
Tort action filed against Christopher
LOU MARZELES EDITOR
In an act a legal source is calling outright intimidation, Klickitat County Commissioner Dan Christopher suggested to a critic he might use what he thought to be dirt on him to dissuade the critic from further negative comment. Tuesday Mark Jobe—who has identified himself as the critic in question—filed a tort action against Christopher.
In a Klickitat County Claim Form filed with Klickitat County Risk Management, Jobe’s attorney, Justin Leigh, itemized several acts by Christopher in his official capacity as District 3 County Commissioner.
“The Defendant [Christopher] engaged in the following unlawful conduct,” the claim stated, including that Christopher:
• Violated Mr. Jobe’s First Amendment rights, in violation of the United States Constitution, by retaliating against his efforts to speak about matters of public concern;
• Committed the common law tort of invasion of privacy in violation of Article I, Section 7 of the Washington State Constitution;
• Committed the common law
tort of slander per se; and
• With malice committed the common law tort of intentional or negligent infliction of emotional damages.
The claim cited the backstory of Jobe’s interaction with Christopher, stating Jobe suspected Christopher publicly misrepresented his position on two key issues. One was the loss of municipal contracts related to the county’s landfill, and the other was regarding the then-potential closing of the county jail. Jobe requested public records from the county on the matters and, upon receiving and reviewing them, took to social media about what he concluded to be inconsistencies in Christopher’s positions.
In the face of Jobe’s criticism, a supporter of Christopher texted him documents purporting to reveal a criminal case against Jobe, specifically an arrest from 1983 for a charge that was subsequently dismissed in court. The tort claim against Christopher states, as The Sentinel reported September 25, Christopher sent the text to Jobe. Jobe asked Christopher if Christopher was threatening him, to which Christopher replied, “I haven’t decided what I am going
See Tort page B1
final resolution. That would be the point at where the budget would officially be moved from under the sheriff to the Department of Corrections for 2025.”
Commissioner Dan Christopher expressed a concern that, if members of the Sheriff’s Office posse had been transporting prisoners for appearances in court, would the county have the resources to carry out that activity after the transfer.
Van Cleave replied that the posse had only been used occasionally for longer trips and that jail staff had been taking care of transportation. But he did add that any functions the posse had been performing in regard to the jail would indeed cease with any transfer.
He said that he’d had a very positive talk with the sheriff and undersheriff on the county receiving a second $5,000 grant from the insurance pool to purchase suicide liability reducing
LOU MARZELES EDITOR
When the last pastor of the Goldendale United Methodist Church left in June, the congregation was left pastorless. The Powers That Be in the denomination couldn’t find a new ordained one to come live in Goldendale and work parttime, so they elected to appoint two laymen as co-pastors. They are Larry Gourley, a longtime Methodist member who for a year pastored a church in The Dalles and now serves as a chaplain at Klickitat Valley Health; and Rob Blevins, a retired Presbyterian minister who has frequented Goldendale since 1996. The two will alternate preaching on three Sundays a month. Did Blevins defect from the Presbyterians? He hasn’t been an active pastor for some time, but he finds the Methodist Church well within his comfort zone.
“When I came here, I visited several churches,” he recalls. “The Methodists were the closest to what I was familiar with, and theologically I could live in that camp.” Gourley points out the Methodists are a non-creed church.
“Meaning we don’t have a set system of beliefs that you have to believe in,” he states. “For example, and maybe this isn’t the best example, the virgin birth—was Jesus really born of a virgin? It says that in the Apostles Creed, and, of course, the Apostles Creed is not part of the Bible.” Though the Bible references the virgin
Mary, there is no direct biblical reference to a virgin birth.
“I think most Christians believe that Jesus was born of a virgin,” Gourley continues. “But what I’m saying is the United Methodist Church doesn’t make that a requirement for your membership in the United Methodist Church because there are a lot of Methodists who believe it, maybe even a majority of Methodists who believe that. And then there are other people who say, ‘Well, I don’t know.’ My sense of things is that it’s pretty irrelevant in terms of the mission and the message of Jesus. You can still be a good Christian, and you can still believe in Jesus’ great commandment and those things.”
Blevins gives a look that suggests he’s not entirely on board with Gourley’s statement. “But, you know, that’s one of the reasons I’ve been in this church,” he says. “It’s a big-tent church.” For the last two years, the previous pastor, Kendra-Behn Smith, split her time between Goldendale and White Salmon. The Methodist Church could not find someone able to take on a similar role. “So they said, ‘Well, it’s up to you guys to figure out how you’re going to get people into the pulpit,” Gourley recalls. “Rob, bless his heart, agreed to do two sermons a month, and I agreed to do one on the third and some or the fourth and sometimes the fifth Sunday of the month. And it’s worked out really well. The Lutherans here in town have invited us to their
LOU MARZELES
AT YOUR SERVICE: Rob Blevins, left, and Larry Gourley are the newly appointed lay pastors at the Goldendale United Methodist Church.
Ecology fines 35 plastic producers for not using enough recycled plastic
Thirty-five companies were fined a combined total of $416,554 for not complying with Washington’s recycled content law. The plastic producers did not include enough recycled material in trash bags and beverage containers covered under the law.
These are the first penalties issued under a 2021 state law aimed at reducing waste and pollution from plastics.
The penalties were based on the amount of plastic each company sold in Washington, and how far from the recycled content requirements they were. Fines ranged from $39 to $67,196.
The Washington Department of Ecology is responsible for implementing the law. It began registering producers and accepting annual fee payments in 2022. Minimum recycled content requirements took effect for several types of products covered under the law in January 2023. Companies that
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is planning a prescribed fire operation this fall on up to 120 acres of state trust land located about three miles northeast of Glenwood. Go to https:// tinyurl.com/bdfyaka2 to view the location.
DNR staff is preparing to begin operations as soon as today, October 9. DNR states it is committed to conducting all prescribed fires as safely and effectively as possible, which may require postponing a burn on short notice. Members of the public can stay up to date on DNR prescribed fire information by visiting dnr.wa.gov/prescribedfire, following @wadnr_forests
produce plastic trash bags were required to include a minimum of 10% recycled content. Beverage container producers had to include at least 15% recycled content.
Of the 128 companies that were required to meet recycled content requirements, 93 met or exceeded those benchmarks. Ecology registered 310 producers in total, but 182 have low enough revenue or sell a low enough weight of plastic that they are exempt from the requirements.
“Most producers see the value in using recycled content in their products,” said Peter Lyon, Ecology’s solid waste program manager. “We need to continue working together to improve our recycling system and reduce the pollution and contamination that come from producing new plastic.”
More companies will be required to meet these standards in the coming years as the law expands to cover a wider
on Twitter, or by signing up for email alerts about upcoming burns.
Prescribed fires are a common tool used by land managers and conservation groups to reduce the amount of fuel available for wildfires, improve the health of older trees, support new and current wildlife habitats, and recycle soil nutrients back into the ground.
Successful completion of a prescribed fire operation enhances public safety by providing wildland firefighters a safer landscape on which to fight a wildfire. It can also lessen the amount of smoke caused by wildfires by reducing available fuels.
range of products, and as requirements for recycled content increase. By 2036, Washington’s law will cover packaging for many types of common consumer products and require a minimum of 50% recycled content for most of them.
Under the 2021 law, plastic packaging producers are required to report the weight of both new and recycled plastic sold in Washington. Producers that fell short of the recycled content requirements were issued penalties.
Two producers that were issued penalties, Admiral Beverage Corporation and Lassonde Pappas, requested and received corrective action plans. Half their fines were suspended in exchange for a plan to achieve future compliance. All producers were offered this option, and five remain eligible: CAB Enterprises, Inc., Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., Jim Beam Brands, Langer Juice Company, Inc, and Premier Nutrition Company, LLC.
A recent study completed by DNR scientists found that forest health treatments that included prescribed fire were more likely to be effective when affected by a wildfire than treatments that did not include prescribed fire.
Smoke management and closure information
The smoke impacts from prescribed fire are minimal and short-lived compared to those caused by wildfire. Burn crews carefully monitor conditions to limit the effects of smoke on nearby residents.
Persons and businesses with increased sensitivity to smoke should be prepared to follow the same precautions they would
150 million pounds of plastic
According to data from 2023, more than 150 million pounds of plastic were used in trash bags and beverage containers covered under Washington’s plastics law. About 24% of that total –or 36 million pounds – was recycled material. The remaining 76% was virgin plastic.
Pay or appeal fines
Companies must pay their fines within 30 days or appeal them to Washington’s Pollution Control Hearings Board. Ecology will then conduct audits to identify additional producers that may have failed to meet registration or reporting requirements.
The agency believes there may be hundreds of plastic producers that fall under this law who have not registered their products. Companies that produce plastic containers are encouraged to review the public producer list, register if necessary, and contact Ecology for more information.
for wildfire smoke. These include limiting physical activity outdoors, closing the fresh-air intake on air circulation systems, and creating a box fan filter. Additional information is available at the Washington State Department of Health website.
Drivers on Mt Adams Highway and Pvt Haul Road near the burn unit may see smoke while passing through the area.
Outdoor recreationists and hunters are encouraged to check closure information frequently to ensure the areas they plan to visit are open. All burn areas will have signs posted in advance.
Although the weather is changing, the days are cooler, and the county has seen some (but not significant) rainfall, the Klickitat County Department of Emergency Management (KCDEM) reminds county residents that all of the 2024 established Burn Bans remain in effect.
Zone One went into effect on May 20, Zone Two on
G OLDENDALE ’ S A TTIC
This week’s Goldendale’s Attic Mystery Picture
This week’s Mystery Picture isn’t about who. It’s about what. As in, what’s happening in this picture? Why is there a river on the road? Is that a
water fountain on the corner? What is that wooded area behind the buildings? What intersection is this? Beats us. 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
October 3, 1914 – 110 Years Ago
Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Story and M. E. Smith, of Goldendale, were in The Dalles Monday boosting for the Goldendale Fair which will be held October 7 to 10. Mr. Story is one of the managers of the Klickitat County Fair association. He states the event this year will excel anything ever attempted there. The big entertainment features this year will be aero plane fl ights by Frank Bryant of San Francisco. Indications are that the agriculture exhibits will be bigger and better this year than ever before. The Yakima Indians will attend the fair in a body and will give war dances in their tribal costumes. Mr. Story issued a special invitation to The Dalles and Wasco County to attend the event.
October 4, 1934 – 90 Years Ago
A modern wrinkle in elections turned up when Bob Ebeling of Dallesport flew the returns to Goldendale in his light plane. This is a far cry from the early days when they were brought on horseback. And in the earliest days, Rockland (now Dallesport) was the county seat.
October 3, 1964 – 60 Years Ago
Klickitat County 4-H members will be represented at the Pacific International Livestock Show in Portland by Brent Palmer, Joe Crocker, Gail Cosner, Rusty Brack, and Cheryl Davenport.
October 2, 1974 – 50 Years Ago
Wishram: A fully equipped fi re truck has recently been purchased from Kennewick and was brought here Friday. Residents received the announcement of the new equipment in an unusual way about 2 a.m. Saturday when pranksters turned on the siren of the truck, which had been parked near the post office, awakening residents, and resulting in changes being made to the mechanism so the stunt won’t be repeated. This community has been badly in need of such a truck for some time and citizens are happy to know better fi re equipment is available.
October 6, 1994 – 30 Years Ago
Goldendale’s culinary world has been under turmoil for the past few weeks—Western Burger closed, Neva’s closed, Roadhouse 97 will be closing in a week. Jeff Adams, owner for the past two years, said he was forced to close the business when his lease was increased. The business wouldn’t justify the increase. Neva’s closed after a decade in business. The business wasn’t losing money. The girls decided they had been in the restaurant business long enough and wanted to explore other business interests. Sara and Auguste Dinoto, owners of the Homestead Restaurant at the Far Vue Motel, have been expanding their business at their Prosser restaurant.
—Richard Lefever Klickitat County Historical Society
Points to ponder:
Sometimes I wish life had subtitles.
This girl asked me if I believed in coincidences. “Are you kidding” I replied. “I was about to ask you the same thing!”
If I had a penny for every time I left something unfinished, I’d
Everybody has an ego. He just thinks his is bigger. And better.
There’s a fi ne line between hyphenated words. There’s a gang going around systematically shoplifting clothing in size order. Police believe they’re still at large.
Robert Fulton Tells of War Capture
July 27, 1944
First Lieutenant Robert C. Fulton, who is stationed in England as a pilot on a P-38, writes a letter to his mother, Mrs. Josepha Curtiss Fulton, of Dallesport, telling of being shot down, captured by the Germans, recaptured by the Americans, and hospitalized.
Lt. Fulton wears the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters. He is the grandson of the late Leon W. Curtiss who now reside at Dallesport. He is also the great-grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Curtiss who were among the earliest settlers in this county.
The letter follows, omitting quotation marks: Dearest Mom,
To begin with I am well, in no pain and no bones broken. There are a few bandages here and there, but for all practical purposes, I repeat, I’m well, o.k., and as happy as can be expected, being away from my gang during this big show. On the 20th of June I was doing ground support, which is just the stuff I like, although times were getting tough, and a lot of good boys were dropping by the wayside.
I was strafing southeast of Cherbourg down on the deck with my wings brushing off trees and barns, having the time of my life spraying lead all over Hell’s half acre when some German got a lucky burst of 20mm explosive shells in my cockpit and my left gas tank. Well, the temperature took a sudden leap in my office, and the smell of burnt meat got pretty bad. The rough part was that I was furnishing the meat.
So I hauled my kite off the deck, was clocking about 375 mph at the time, jettisoned my canopy and squirmed out, pulled my rip cord, when I found the tail of my plane had not hit me and was then about 500 feet off
Answer to last week´s Mystery Picture
the ground, and my flying suit was still on fi re. To add to my discomfort, about a dozen Huns were shooting at me from the ground using rifles and machine pistols. No hits in me, nine in my parachute.
Lands In Barnyard
While I was floating down, my ship came whistling by me, a roaring ball of flames. I landed in a French barnyard, and it was then that I noticed that either a 20 mm or the counter-balance of my plane—I’ll never know which—had split the calf of my right leg open. I hobbled into a little stone house and was lying there licking my wounds when this old Frenchman comes in and hands me a pitcher of what I thought was water, but after I drank nearly a gallon of it, it dawned on me it was white wine, so within ten minutes of the time I landed, I had the sweetest little buzz on you ever saw.
The wife then appeared, and we went into the barn— with the goats and cows and the rest of the family—where she put apple butter all over my face and tied up my leg with her apron. For the next three days, I hobbled hither and yon, constantly under the American artillery barrage. I surely had some weird experiences during those three days, but at the end I was starting to carry on conversations with the local livestock, so I made a try to cross the line for the American side but got caught within 500 yards of my goal. I stayed in the German front lines for that day and night, and early the next morning the Huns loaded me into a two-wheeled hay cart with an old battered dobbin as locomotive power and took me to a private car some distance away, and the latter took me to the hospital at Cherbourg. Bombed By Americans Then that place became
This picture has been colorized. Last week’s Goldendale’s Attic Mystery Picture had something to do with the Little People of America group. We were not able to find it in our archives; however, we did fi nd an article mentioning Joe Alexander, who is in the picture along with his wife Martha on the far right and who was named president of the Little People of America in August of 1970. He was also named Grand Marshal of the County Rodeo that same year. One other person identified was Jimmy Maleki, who was a Goldendale graduate in 1964. We believe he is the gentleman in the back row
target No. 1, and for two days, from the roof of the hospital, I watched the Americans shell and take over. Then after I was retaken by the Americans, I was flown across in an ambulance plane and put aboard a train for here. I am in an officer’s ward of a pretty nice hospital and being treated swell. Music, shows, magazines, and pretty nurses. My ankles, wrists, and face are pretty badly burned. The face from ear to ear and from forehead to neck is one huge scab, but the medics assure me I will have few, if any, scars. I telephoned my outfit yesterday, and it took me ten minutes to tell them who was calling. The boy I got thought I kept saying “Fulton,” and my entire fl ight had seen Fulton crash in flames!
I was afraid to ask about my girlfriend; she said she’d die if I got killed. I wonder who she is going with now. Those fellows divide everything, including the victim’s girl. I will send my shirt and pants out to have the blood and gore cleaned from them; that is all the clothes I have here besides a beat-up old pair of oxfords. Probably will fi nd the rest of my things on the backs of my bosom buddies. Writes Second Letter
In another letter he goes on to say:
Never again will I complain about having to shave. I had not shaved for over two weeks, and I looked and felt like a goon, but fi nally got the job done. I was on crutches for a time, but not now. Soon the doctor will take me to the surgery and sew up the leg wound. That is what is holding up the deal now. When the hemstitching is done, I will be back on crutches for a short time. The skin grows at the rate of one-eight inch a day, which means a closure of quarter inch a day. They might have to resort to skin grafting.
The wound is about eight inches long, three inches wide at the widest place, and pretty deep, but it will not affect my walk any, so I am not so bad after all. I am so eager to get out of here and back to my outfit. I hate to have to be here doing nothing when all of my buddies are out there flying missions every day. But I really should not complain. I see stumps in place of arms
next to Joe on the right side. A note on the location: Mike Snyder was intrigued by the location of the picture and took a few extra steps to make sure he had his location correct. We are certain that this is at the Goldendale Golf Club’s clubhouse. The bars and plants are no longer there, but in the full picture, you can see some vents and light fi xtures that exactly match the current clubhouse. Even the mirror is still there, though it has a frame around it now. Note of correction on last week’s identification. The gentleman working on the airplane was Nat Porter, not Mat or Pat Porter.
and legs and whole sections of bodies blown away. I saw lots of shell shock cases at Cherbourg. Here we are segregated from them.
Wants To Fly
It is just going from a life of high pitch to one of stagnation that causes me to sleep. But I do hate to lose all that time. I’ll tell you for sure, it is much nicer to be captured by the Germans than by the medics. I was all right until they got hold of me. But when I get out of here, I will be ready for combat, and that is something. I’ll never forget the look on the face of the German private when he stumbled on to me. One look at my burned face, and he nearly passed out. Nor will I ever forget the fi rst time I looked into a mirror, never. The Red Cross, as always, is surely a God-send around here.
To my dying day, I’ll be appreciative of that organization. No matter where you are or what the occasion, the Red Cross is always there with some useful and helping thing to brighten one’s life. I even benefited from the German Red Cross. They supplied the sulpha bandages that my captors put on while I was in the German front lines. I hadn’t even straightened out in my bed here when I first arrived, but the Red Cross lady was here with razor, tooth brush, paste, shaving cream, candy, cigarettes, joke books, and the offer of anything else my heart desired. Believe me, things like that hit home. The Germans were really swell to me at all times and did everything they could for me. That was quite a night I spent in their front lines, no fooling. If I didn’t learn anything else, I learned to have the utmost and deepest respect for the poor little private infantryman.
I also got a healthy respect for the artillery. That stuff is uncanny. I wasn’t scared, just waiting for it to hit me, nothing else to do, just wait, wait, wait and wonder when it will connect. Believe me, Mom, I’m fighting in a “white collar” job that is a paradise compared to the rest.
Love, Bob
[Fulton survived the war and died on August 19, 1962.]
OpiniOn
As Goldendale School District continues its journey to provide the best educational opportunities for our students, strategic planning is essential to our ongoing improvement. We are committed to creating a shared direction and focusing our resources on the areas that matter most. Here’s how our mission, vision, and values guide this important work.
Our mission expresses our purpose: Engaging through Education. Developed during the previous strategic planning process, this statement serves as the foundation of everything we do. It reminds us that education is a dynamic and interactive process—one that draws students in, encourages participation, and fosters a love for learning. In a survey conducted this summer, respondents affirmed that this statement effectively communicates the district’s purpose.
Guest Column Ellen Perconti, GSD Superintendent
Our vision—embrace high quality learning for everyone, every day, in every environment—describes what we must become to achieve our mission. This statement reflects our commitment to ensuring that all students, regardless of their background or circumstances, have access to the learning opportunities they need to succeed. Whether in the classroom or participating in activities, our goal is for every student to be supported and challenged to reach their full potential. Survey results indicate that this vision accurately reflects the direction we need to take as a district.
To realize this vision, we focus on the values that drive the behaviors necessary for success. Based on the survey results, we are refining value statements that will translate into actionable steps for the district. Values are not just words on paper; they will guide the daily actions of our educators, students, and the entire community as we work together toward shared goals.
The values identified from the survey include: Confidence – Empowering individuals to believe in themselves. Respect– Fostering mutual respect and positive relationships.
Education – Valuing the pursuit of knowledge and lifelong learning.
Happiness – Creating an environment where wellbeing is prioritized.
Preparedness – Ensuring readiness for future challenges.
Kindness – Encouraging empathy and consideration for others.
Responsibility – Instilling accountability and integrity.
Motivation – Inspiring drive and ambition to achieve goals.
Curiosity – Promoting a love for exploration and learning.
The Goldendale School Board plays a critical role in
THE GOLDENDALE SENTINEL
Official newspaper of Klickitat County, Washington
Established 1879 • Published every Wednesday from offices at 117 W. Main Street • Goldendale, WA 98620 • Telephone: (509) 773-3777
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Lou Marzeles, Editor & Publisher
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setting the district’s direction. By adopting policies, allocating resources, and ensuring accountability, the board keeps us aligned with our mission and vision. Through ongoing collaboration with district leadership, the board helps identify priorities, develop goals, and establish the framework in which we operate. Their leadership ensures that our strategic plan remains a living document, evolving with the needs of our students and community.
Letters from the community
Return him to office
Ron Ihrig has an exemplary, decades long record of service to the citizens of Klickitat County. His record includes serving terms as mayor of Goldendale, Klickitat County commissioner, and Klickitat Valley Health commissioner. Ron is an effective leader who builds respectful working relationships. Please join me in voting to return Ron Ihrig to the office of District 3 County Commissioner.
David McClure Goldendale
Who is the real enemy?
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.
Please ponder the question and reconsider who the real enemy is.
Luke Throop Goldendale
A rural policy advocate
I encourage you to not let Dan Newhouse’s single vote in impeachment outweigh his daily contributions over the year leading the charge advocating for rural policy issues.
He voted his conscience. Haven’t we not all done that a time or two?
for three hours.
On July 13, Donald Trump was nearly assassinated in Butler, Pennsylvania. On September 15, there was a second assassination attempt, this time at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Let me ask you: what would have happened if either assassin had been successful? Sit with that question for a moment. Notice any thoughts or emotions that come up for you.
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.
Your response will inevitably be linked to your opinion of Trump. It makes sense that people who have been conditioned to believe Trump is a “threat to democracy” will have an entirely different reaction than those who believe Trump is the best candidate to Make America Great Again.
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
Don’t throw out one of the most effective U.S. representatives with the dish water. Listen to your conscience. Vote for who you know can best serve rural America.
As a conservative champion for rural commitments at home and in Congress, Dan Newhouse has proven he has what it takes to get the job done right.
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.
It is not easy to break down the walls of siloed perspectives or penetrate the din of echo-chamber chatter. Human nature stands in the way. It is never comfortable to learn that you’ve been duped or deceived. Nobody wants to be wrong, and yet in a world so full of illusions and lies, somebody—millions of people, in fact—must necessarily be wrong, precisely because they have been deceived into believing falsehoods.
So, who’s wrong? Am I wrong? Are you wrong? Are we both wrong? Which is it? Am I the one who has been duped into believing a bunch of lies, or is it you? Is Donald Trump really a threat to democracy, or is this just heated political rhetoric and demeaning propaganda?
Ken McKune Goldendale C
I recently received an updated “Terms for Business and Deposit Account Agreement” from Columbia Bank. I am not in the habit of reading the fine print but for some reason this time I did. I came across an “added” line that I found very concerning. Again, this line is both for personal and business accounts. It reads: “We may refuse to open and account and may close your account at any time for any reason or for no reason at all.”
The Western Caucus, advocating for rural policy issues throughout the west and beyond, is a premiere organization in the House of Representatives. They are working to encourage responsible resource development and energy independence, unlock public lands and meet the multiple-use mandate, protect communities from wildfires by advancing active management of forests, support water infrastructure that makes our way of life possible across the west, and empower our nation’s farmers, ranchers, and agriculture industry to continue to grow the food that feeds the world. Its 113 members are U.S. Representatives, Newhouse’s peers. And who is the elected chairman of the Western Caucus? Dan Newhouse. Among his peers, he has strong leadership skills and great respect. Should we not think likewise when we have the opportunity?
decisions he makes rather than deflecting to others when a decision is not popular with the citizenry. He fully understands there are a myriad of issues facing the County and that the position serves the entirety of the County. My vote is to restore honesty, integrity and professionalism to the Board of Commissioners by casting my vote for Ron Ihrig. I hope yours will too!
Crystal McEwen Goldendale
Couldn’t be farther apart
I contacted the bank for an explanation. The answer was essentially that “we wouldn’t do that.” Then why is it in your documents, I asked. The answer was to send me up the chain of command. The second person gave the same answer as the first and then was to have me contacted by some-one higher up. That person has not contacted me after more than a week so I am following through on what I told the bank contacts I was going to do—write a letter to the editor to be sure local folks are aware of how Columbia Bank is choosing to deal with its account holders. My concern is that a comment as broad as this opens the door for abuse. I have had no difficulties with our local branch and am sorry that the headquarters has decided to take such a hard line. It ap-pears I will need to look for a bank that does not behave in this manner.
I am writing to respond to Joan Frey’s letter to the editor supporting Amanda Kitchings. I was so shocked to read that she would even compare Amanda to Donald Trump in the same line. These two candidates couldn’t be farther from their beliefs, morals, agendas, or policies. It is so sad to see this support. Amanda’s past practices are so far left, signing a letter to defund the police and stating that she didn’t even like Sheriff Songer at a campaign night. She also supports Black Lives Matter.
I’m very concerned for Klickitat County, the county I grew up in and love. We all see the trouble our county is having. Please don’t be deceived by someone who is socalled “intelligent and caring.”
I am voting for Todd Andrews, a true patriot who has the leadership qualities that Klickitat County citizens deserve. Please get out and vote! Your vote counts!
Ken Margraf Goldendale
Vote for Dan Newhouse for House of Representative 4th Congressional District.
John Miller Goldendale
Theresa Hutton Dallesport
A thriving democracy
“For No Reason At All” I particularly found offensive.
There are endless examples of prominent Democrat politicians and members of the media dehumanizing Donald Trump and his supporters. This goes far beyond disagreeing on policy positions. Understood properly, this is a very intentional, very systematic method of psychological conditioning. Americans beware.
If your mind wants to justify and accept this rhetoric, you are under the media’s spell. You are being turned against your neighbor and conditioned to hate.
Understand that there were over 74 million people who voted for Donald Trump in 2020 (almost five million more than voted for Obama), and there will undoubtedly be millions more voting for him in the upcoming election. We are not your enemy. We are not extremists. We are not a threat to democracy. We are your neighbors, and we care about the future that we share. We are looking forward, not looking back, and we are voting to restore America, not destroy it. If you believe otherwise, please realize that you are being lied to. Talk to us and find out for yourself.
Americans are clearly being turned against each other. That should be alarming to us all. Who benefits from all this division?
A good leader
Having served the Board of Commissioners as their executive secretary/clerk of the board for 27 years (now retired), I had the opportunity to experience 11 elected changes on the Board. Each change brought with it new personalities, new perspectives, varied areas of interest, knowledge/experience, and many challenges.
Ron Ihrig was the first elected change, having taken office January of 1993 at a time when the landfill was in its infancy, mired in a lawsuit by a local citizen group, and with annual revenue to the county of approximately $400,000. Tough budgeting decisions had to be made, the can couldn’t be kicked down the road for future boards to deal with. Ron met this challenge, spending hours learning the budgetary process.
Interactions with Ron continued over the years with his community/ county involvement, involvement with the county fair board and particularly through his employment with the PUD and subsequent role as operations manager, involving projects requiring coordination with the County.
Ron is a proven leader who exhibits professionalism, has a strong work ethic, and a willingness to listen and look at all sides of an issue. He will take full responsibility for
Guidelines for Letters
Under the guidance of the Biden administration, inflation has dropped from 9% to 2% and we have navigated the economic challenges left from the pandemic. Strategic policies have begun to repair supply chains, build back our infrastructure, protect pensions and small businesses, reduce child poverty and create clean energy jobs. I appreciate the leadership that holds a vision and builds a better world. The alternative seems to be blaming and dismantling structures that work, like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Civil Service.
Healthy dialogue can help us find our way through the difficult challenges. I want a thriving democracy that makes room for all the voices so we can find truly workable solutions. I am alarmed by the false idea of election fraud, dehumanizing immigrants and the encouraging of violence. I want America to be led by rational, compassionate people like the Harris/Walz team. They need the support of Democratic Congresspeople to succeed.
Also consider the local candidates with an eye to family issues—those who support affordable housing, health care and child care, like Marla Keethler and Terry Niles as legislators in Washington. Let’s vote for the world we want.
Kalama Reuter White Salmon
Letters to the editor should be original and comment on an issue. Deadline for letters is noon Monday for the same week’s paper.
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.
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HOMETOWN FFA
Evergreen Tour
It’s a busy sports season
Our little community was really hopping last weekend Ithinkthisyears Glenwood Homemakers Fall Bazaar was the busiest and most successful one yet for the Homemakers Over50vendorssetup theirwares,fillingthegym and most of the multi-purpose room In the hallway between those two areas, the Homemakers had set up a flea market on one side and silent auction on the other side All during the bazaar, they served delicioushotfoods includinghuckleberrypancakes, breakfast burritos, loaded baked potatoes, chilidogs, and more This big project is a huge undertaking for the ladies They put in many hours of planning, set up, managing,and taking down Proceeds go to help the Glenwood School in so many ways and I, along with many others, want the Homemakers to knowhow muchwe appreciate themfor all they do for our community
Boundary and is closed to the public at that point It was an interesting and very informative history program ThespringmeetingforthePioneerswillbe May4th,2025
develop their potentialfor premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agriculOn October2,42
GoldendaleFFAmembers attendedthe Evergreen LeadershipTour and Mrs Collins Thetour nication, public speaking, salesmanship” was hosted at Grandview teamwork and much more FFAisanationalorganiHigh School At the tour, According to Sarae Loy, zation that helps youth over 400 FFA members GMSFFAmember, “Inone fromtheKittastoBurbank ofthestations,wegottosell T J i participated in workshops anitemthatwedidn’tknow the Evergreen Leadership hosted by the Washington whattheitemwas Itended Tour alongwith their FFA stateFFAOfficers up being Post-It notes We advisors,Mrs RandiKrieg During the workshops, soldthemtoothersfora$20 tural education in grades andMr JoshKrieg andMs students practiced leader- subscription Itwasfun,and 7-12 Formoreinformation, Ontiveros, Mrs Neumann, shipskills,suchascommu- thisactivityhelpeduswith wwwffaorg
Many out-oftown visitors who cameforthebazaar stayed over to attend the autumn meetingoftheCamasPrairie and Vicinity Pioneers Association at the school on Sunday After a delicious potluck, Jerry Dean presented a very interesting presentation on both the Mystery Road/ Camp Mysteriousandthehistory oftheMt AdamsHighway The highway planners hoped to have a highway that would lead from WhiteSalmon, upthrough the Gilmer Valley to Glenwood, and from Glenwood north to the highway that goes through White Pass It was billed as a scenic highway in which tourists couldtakealongdriveand viewMt Hood,Mt Adams, andMt Rainierandallthe country in between The highway couldn’t get the funding so stopped at the Klickitat/Yakima County line a mile north of Glenwood Thegravelroadthat continuesfromthereleads to the Yakama Nation
This week is filled with high school and middle school sports cross country, football, and volleyball one or more of those sports every day of the week Busy times for our athletes I haven’t received many results fromlastweeksevents,but I do know the high school Klickwoodvolleyballteam defeatedHorizonChristian again last week, on Horizon’shomecourtthistime Our Klickwood girls have hadtoshakeoffillnessand injuries but keep working hardthisseason LastweekthelittleKlickwood middle school girls (Glenwood and Klickitat) lost to Bickleton, but the games were close and our young girls played very well and should be proud of how well they did Those Bickleton girls looked like giants compared to our team of very small young players,butourgirlsjustdidn’t giveupandgaveBickleton a runfor their money The little girlsare very thankfulfor their team captain, Brooklyn Branson, the only tall girl on the team, who is such a great team leader for them all It will befun to watch her on the highschoolteamnextyear Here’s one more reminder that the Glenwood Homemakers are onceagain offeringa ContinuingEducationScholarship Thisscholarshipisin the amount of $500 and is open to anyone graduating from Glenwood High School prior to 2024 Anyone who has been a residentfor at least two years andplanstocontinuetheir educationmayapply DeadlinetoapplyisDecember1, 2024 Torequestanapplication packet, please contact Chris Miller at (509) 3643427 or cmmillergmr@ gmailcom
Alita Louise Quantrell (Justman), age 61, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her loving family on October 5, 2024.
Alita was born in Olympia, Washington, on January 16, 1963, to Art and Georgia Justman.
Alita grew up on the family farm in Yelm, Washington, where she enjoyed breaking horses and raising animals.
She graduated Yelm High School in 1981. After graduation, she moved to Klickitat, Washington, where she worked at St. Regis sawmill.
Alita met her future husband and love of her life in 1978 at the Rock Springs Inspirational Ranch in Klickitat. Alita and Eric were married on March 24,
1984, and spent 40 wonderful years together.
Alita spent her happiest years with Eric and their children in Goldendale on their Turkey Ranch farm. There she enjoyed riding horses, gardening, and milking her cow.
Alita is survived by her husband, Eric, and their three children, Alina, Tyrel, and Shawna; nine beloved grandchildren; and her siblings, Lorie, Art, Dan, Ben, and Elaine.
Alita was preceded in death by her parents, Art and Georgia Justman.
Alita is now experiencing the joy of her first days in heaven.
A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.
We are sad to announce the death of Wayne Cox of Lyle, Washington. He passed away at the age of 69 with loving wife Irma at his side. He will be greatly missed by his wife and children. There will be no services held for him at his request.
Mark Richard Ladiges of Goldendale passed away Thursday, October 3, 2024. Mark was born on April 22, 1969, and was 55 years of age at the time of passing.
Mark was born in Goldendale to Richard and Rita Ladiges and was the younger brother to Che Ladiges.
Mark spent his career as a pharmacist in the Yakima Valley area and in Goldendale. He enjoyed spending time hiking the Columbia River Gorge and in the islands of Hawaii.
Mark is survived by his daughter, Amber Ladiges of Goldendale; granddaughters Isabella and Sofia of Goldendale; his son Skylor Ladiges of Seattle; his son Alex Denton of Port Orchard; his brother Che Ladiges of Goldendale; his niece and nephew Alexis Ladiges and Cort Ladiges of Goldendale; and his mother Rita Ladiges of Goldendale. At Mark’s request, there will be no services. The family would like to thank all friends and family for their love and support.
Mt. Adams recent earthquakes information
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO), and the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) released an information statement in regards to the recent earthquake activity at Mt. Adams.
The Klickitat County Department of Emergency Management (KCDEM), Klickitat County Fire District 1 (KCFD) along with other stakeholders, including but not limited to Clark, Skamania, and Yakima counties, and the Yakama Nation were briefed by the CVO and PNSN. KCDEM, KCFD No. 1 are participating in a Joint Information System (JIS)
with the other stakeholders to ensure the public receives information in a timely manner. In 2014, the Mt. St. Helens-Mt. Adams Regional Coordination Plan (Plan) was developed, and all stakeholders will use this plan to coordinate their efforts.
The nine earthquakes recorded in 2024 have been small, ranging from a magnitude of .09 to 2.0. Although this is an increase in activity, there is no indication that the level of earthquake activity is a cause for concern. The alert level and color code for Mt. Adams remain Green/ Normal.
BAPTIST
Columbus Avenue Baptist, S.B.C. 815 N Columbus, Goldendale, 509.773.4471; Pastor David Beseler, Sun School 9:45am, Sun Worship 11am, Sun Bible Study 6pm, Prayer Meeting Mon 6pm, Youth & Children's groups Wed 6pm; ColumbusABC.org, YouTube, FaceBook, ColumbusABC@embarqmail.com.
CATHOLIC - Holy Trinity Catholic 307 Schuster, Goldendale; Father William Byron, 509.773.4516. Sat Eve Mass 5:30pm; Sun Mass 9am & 10:30am. Eve of Holy Days 7pm; Holy Days 9am. Daily Mass Mon-Fri 9am CCD Classes Wed 2:15-3:30pm, K thru grade 6; Wed 7-8:30pm grades 7-12. Confessions every other Saturday noon -1pm
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 9:30 ; 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 10:45 ; Sunday School all ages 9:30 ; goldendalenaz@gmail.com.
NEW LIFE ASSEMBLY of GOD 1602 S Columbus, Goldendale; Pastor Kevin Gerchak, 509.773.4650; Sun. School 9:30 ; 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 mile east on Bickleton Hwy. Sabbath School Sat. 9:30am; Worship Service 11am; Pastor Michael Smith; 509.773.4381
NON-DENOMINATIONAL
Centerville Community Church 508 Dalles Mountain Road, Centerville, WA 98613; 509-637-3068; Pastor Patti McKern; pastorpatti53@gmail.com
; Sunday Worship Celebration 10am "Find refreshment for your soul and friends for your journey."
Father’s House Fellowship 207 S Klickitat Ave, 509.773.4719. Basic Bible Fellowship 9:30am;
Alita Louise Quantrell
Mark Richard Ladiges
Wayne Cox
O BITUA RIES
E XTRA
City reviewing budget numbers
RODGER NICHOLS FOR THE SENTINEL
The Goldendale City Council moved forward on several fronts at their October 7 meeting. One item added to the agenda was a preliminary report on the 2025 budget from Jen Forsberg, who outlined the next steps.
“Sandy [Wells] and I are going to work together to further refine the budget numbers,” she told councilors. “Any trends that we missed we will update in the next round. The full
budget will be presented October 21, including the budget message. We’re going to set the public hearings for both the levy and the budget for November 18. The levies need to be approved by November 30, and then the budget needs to be approved by the end of the year.”
Councilors took note of the airport committee’s suggestion that now that aviation fuel is available at the city’s airport, it’s time to institute tie-down fees for leaving planes parked there. After studying fees at similar small airports in the
Washington residents can donate toward Hurricane Helene relief efforts
Secretary of State Steve Hobbs has opened a secure portal for all Washington residents, public employees, and state retirees to donate to Hurricane Helene relief efforts.
The Disaster Relief Center, a special function of the Secretary of State’s Combined Fund Drive, provides links for onetime donations to verified and registered crisis-relief charities during periods of natural or humanitarian disasters that exceed a region’s capacity to provide help. Hurricane Helene left catastrophic destruction in its wake across the southern United States over the weekend. The Category 4 storm’s heavy rain and 140 mph winds caused severe flooding, widespread power outages, and landslides that led to major disruptions of crucial infrastructure and basic services. More than 120 people have died as a result of the storm, with millions more affected and
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munity level. Someone may think they’re reaching a gazillion people on a Facebook group when in fact on the local level they are likely to reach fewer than a hundred viewers. Viral on a local level is a totally different animal than viral on a national level.
A newspaper, on the other hand, such as the one you’re reading right now, is far more likely to reach far more people. When a local
to do. Time will tell.”
The tort claim recounts that Christopher then showed the text to county office staff, “boasting to them how the ‘dirt’ he had on Mr. Jobe would give political leverage over Mr. Jobe.”
The tort action described the basis for its claims.
“Defendant’s actions constitute harassment intended as retaliation against Mr. Jobe,” it states.
“Specifically, Defendant shared the above-mentioned screenshots… to retaliate against the [public records] requests Mr. Jobe made and the public comments he published. Furthermore, Defendant engaged in this retaliatory conduct to intimidate Mr. Jobe from making further [public records] requests—all to prevent Mr. Jobe from exercising his Constitutional right to address matters of public concern related to Defendant’s official conduct.
“In addition to directly intimidating Mr. Jobe in a retaliatory manner meant to silence Mr. Jobe, Defendant maliciously shared the criminal… cases with his official County staff to portray Mr. Jobe in a false
state, the committee asked for $40 per month, with $5 per night for temporary use. That will come back before the council for a formal vote at a future meeting.
Councilors also approved a request from codes enforcement officer Robert Thompson to notify the owner of property at 501 West Broadway they have five trees next to the street considered to be hazards and must be removed.
Thompson said the large trees block the sight line for cars entering West Broadway from Mill Street,
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unable to access food, water, cell service, or other basic necessities.
“Washington can be proud to say its citizens and public employees continue to answer the call and come to the aid of others,” said Hobbs. “The Combined Fund Drive provides a reliable and secure option for Washingtonians to help support those who need it the most.”
Donations can be made by credit card, payroll deduction for current state employees, or retirement deduction for state retirees to benefit each donor’s choice of relief organization or those identified by CFD on the Helene relief donation page.
The Disaster Relief Center website has previously been used to donations for organizations that support recovery efforts during the Eastern Washington and Maui wildfi res in 2023, and international aid groups responding to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
newspaper’s saturation in a community reaches more than half its population, it almost necessarily has a greater reach than any local social media. (It has been estimated that The Sentinel, in case you were wondering, reaches eight out of 10 adults in Goldendale.)
Your local newspaper probably doesn’t carry reports on Bigfoot sightings. But you’ve always got social media for that.
light intended to damage Mr. Jobe’s reputation and moral character. Defendant made these defamatory statements, which included allegations that Mr. Jobe had committed a crime of moral turpitude, along with statements pertaining to the professional or business reputations of both Mr. Jobe and his wife, Heather Jobe, the elected Auditor of Klickitat County. By exposing these screenshots with his office staff, Defendant, with actual malice, shared defamatory statements about Mr. Jobe to damage his reputation.”
The claim states Christopher should have been well aware of his actions. “Defendant knew or should have known that his reckless, outrageous conduct would cause Mr. Jobe to suffer severe emotional distress,” it says. “Instead, Defendant intentionally or negligently threatened Mr. Jobe in a manner that would foreseeably cause Mr. Jobe to suffer emotional distress—so much so that Mr. Jobe would abstain from speaking about matters of public concern.”
County Risk Management has 30 days to respond to the tort action.
equipment for the jail and that the county now had a total of 11 applicants for the new jail administrator position.
Under the consent agenda, commissioners approved:
• The purchase of electronic medical record software from Cantana Health Solutions, LLC for the Behavioral Health Department.
• An agreement to
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worship, and we’ve got a gentleman from Yakima who’s coming to preach.”
The pair are handling preaching duties only. Administrative functions are carried out by the local church council.
While the church’s tent is big, Blevins says it’s not quite right to call it liberal. “Progressive is a better word,” he says. “And it’s more inclined to be socially involved with the community. We house the meals program. We work with the Backpack for Kids program. We support drug and alcohol AA meetings.”
The Church has also skirted a potential schism in its ranks. “The United Methodist Church has been embroiled in this whole thing about people’s sexual orientation,” Gourley says. “Our Book of Discipline, which is our charter, so to speak, our rules book, had language
they have dead branches that could fall on the sidewalk or the street, and the roots are buckling the sidewalk.
“What I’m asking for is a motion from the city council to move forward to notify the property owner to give him 30 days to respond to the city with his plan to move the trees,” he said. “If he does not respond within 30 days, the city will move forward, fi nd a contractor to do it.”
Thompson said that could cost between $15,000 and $20,000.
purchase debit/credit cards from Tyler Technologies Inc., to pay jurors.
• An agreement with Washington State University to provide a certified network business advisor for business development and job creation in the county.
• A contract with the Washington State Military Department and
in it that prevented our clergy from presiding over same-sex marriages. There were other issues involving people who had a different sexual orientation.”
Only months ago, a faction of the Methodist Church opposing change to its attitude toward homosexual involvement in the Church looked poised to break away. “They resolved it,” Blevins says. “It’s staying together. Surprisingly it was resolved in May of this year. We had a general conference, and there was a fairly overwhelming vote to remove that discriminatory language from the Book of Discipline. So there are no restrictions whatsoever about clergy marrying gay people or gay people being able to become pastors and being able to be ordained. We’re aligned now with
If the city does have to hire a contractor to remove the trees, that cost will be placed as a lien on the owner’s property. Any such lien would have to be paid before any sale of the property would take place.
Asked if there had been any notice to the property owner prior to taking the step of seeking city enforcement, Thompson said “I didn’t want to make any contact until I had approval to move forward.”
The council voted in favor of the first reading of a resolution to change
State 911 Coordination Office, for computeraided dispatch mapping interface updates for call geo location verification zoning and agency dispatching.
• A resolution approving the use of an alternative date for the 2025 budget process.
• An interagency agreement with the Washington State Department of
the other more progressive Protestant denominations like the Episcopal Church and Presbyterians.”
Blevins says people who come to the Methodist Church can expect to feel welcomed. “They would find a non-condemning atmosphere,” he states.
“Not that it ever really was in this church, butI think it has changed more so in its tenor that way. I guess it goes back to the old Methodist thing that’s been around for about 10 years or so: it’s an open hands, open heart, open door policy.”
“Our church is a church where people can come, and they don’t have to agree with everything that’s in the Apostles Creed or anything like that,” Gourley states. “It’s an atmosphere where you can explore different ideas. You can express your doubts, or you question
portions of the ordinance governing the use of city parks. That includes increasing rental fees for Ekone Park. Rent for the event area at the north end of the park will go from $100 to $250 per day, and to rent just one sector will rise from $50 to $75. One item that will be eliminated in the new rules is the $5 fee for tent camping on the property. There will be no tent camping allowed once the rule is passed at the next council meeting on October 21.
Commerce to provide up to $350,000 in funding to support the Planning Department work on the Comprehensive Plan update and Solar Plan Ordinance.
• An immunization information sharing agreement with the Washington Department of Health.
things, and nobody’s going to get uptight about that. We’re willing to talk about these issues, which is more important, such as faith or works. Rob is smiling because he did his sermon on the book of James, which says, ‘Faith without works is dead.’ In other words, you can say all you want to about what a great Christian you are and how you love Jesus, and He’s your savior and everything. But if that doesn’t translate into you being an accepting and tolerant and compassionate person, what good is it?”
The current lay pastor arrangement at the Goldendale United Methodist Church is in place through the end of the year, whereupon it will be revisited.
I may not be much to look at. But I'll shower you with LOVE.
The “save” rate for shelter dogs & cats that would otherwise have been euthanized is rising. You can take it even higher.
Check It Out
Beth Wood, Collection Librarian Fort Vancouver Regional Library District
You can email Beth at readingforfun@fvrl.org
Look! Up in the sky! It’s a… Dragon? Yes, a dragon! Wouldn’t you be awestruck to look up and see one ying overhead? A friendly one, of course. Not a torch-your- elds, steal-your-sheep, eat-the-princess sort of dragon. In books and legends, both types exist. And as part of fantasy lore, dragons have been around for thousands of years.
The rst mention of dragons is thought to be in Sumerian myths, followed by Chinese and Indian legends dating back to 2700 B.C. Greek mythology, dating back 4,000 years, is full of draconic images and tales. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, mentions of dragons (dragunes, dragouns) appear in Old English as far back as the 1200s, describing “a mythical monster represented as a huge and terrible reptile.” In modern literature, most dragons share the qualities of being large, reptilian, winged, and re-breathing. Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean series is the current dragon runaway bestseller. The rst book, “Fourth Wing”, (just out in paperback) has been on the New York Times bestseller list for an amazing 72 weeks. Winner of multiple book awards and currently in development as a television series, “Fourth Wing” introduces Violet Sorrengail, an unwilling candidate for the elite position of dragon-rider. The second book in the series, “Iron Flame” has been on the New York Times bestseller list for 46 weeks, and continues Violet’s dragonrider training—and love story. The nal book in this thrilling trilogy, “Onyx Storm”, has a publication date of January 21, 2025. Naomi Novik, another well-known name in sci- and fantasy, has won numerous awards and nominations for her writing, including “Temeraire”, which also appears under the title “His Majesty’s Dragon”. The nine books in this series (known as the Temeraire series) follow Captain Laurence through an alternative history of the Napoleonic Wars as he bonds with a dragonet and becomes a part of England’s dragon eet. Christopher Paolini wrote “Eragon,” the rst book in his Inheritance Cycle series, when he was a teenager. Published in 2001, “Eragon” is a classic dragon book, complete with epic quests and other classic fantasy elements. Paolini went on to write 5 more books in this series, which has also
(Family Features) Some nights, especially when schedules are jam packed, the allure of grabbing takeout or swinging through a drive-thru between activities may sound more appealing than spending time in the kitchen. You can skip the to-go boxes, however, with these tasty Asian-inspired dishes that come together almost as fast as delivery while allowing you to get creative at mealtime.
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Ready in just 10 minutes, Success Boil-in-Bag Basmati Rice is quick, easy and mess-free, and it’s guaranteed to always cook right – just place the bag in chicken broth to experience the longgrain rice’s subtle, nutty flavor and unique texture. Plus, Success Rice is free from artificial additives and unprocessed ingredients, so you can feel good about serving it with a variety of dishes. Find more recipe inspiration to tackle takeout cravings and more at SuccessRice.com.
and Shrimp Sushi Burrito
spawned a movie and a video game. Like Rebecca Yarros’ series, this series features a young protagonist and crosses the boundary line between adult and young adult ction, in the area sometimes referred to as “new adult.”
In 2009, “Seraphina” by Rachel Hartman won the William C. Morris Award for rst-time authors writing for teens. The title character, Seraphina, is a court musician who harbors a secret that may unbalance the uneasy peace existing between humans and dragons. Hartman followed “Seraphina” with “Shadow Scale” and then two more dragonrelated books in the same universe but with different main characters, “Tess of the Road” and “In the Serpent’s Wake.”
No list of dragon books would be complete without Anne McCaffrey’s iconic Dragonriders of Pern series. The late great McCaffrey wrote “Dragon ight” in 1968, and the series now spans 25 books, still being written by McCaffrey’s children. The books are wonderfully egalitarian, with dragons and riders both male and female. McCaffrey herself was the rst female writer to win both a Hugo and a Nebula award. Still waiting on the movie adaptation of these marvelous dragon books! Beth Wood is a senior collection development librarian for Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries. Email her at readingforfun@fvrl.org.
New at the Library
FICTION “The Naturalist’s Daughter” by Tea Cooper “Long Time Gone” by Charlie Donlea “Holmes on the Range” by Steve Hockensmith
NONFICTION
“The Horse: A Galloping History of Humanity” by Timothy Winegard “A Field Guide to the Apocalypse: A Mostly Serious Guide to Surviving Our Wild Times” by Athena Aktipis “This is Why You Dream: What Your Sleeping Brain Reveals About Your Waking
nori sheets
1/2 carrot, ribboned, divided
1/2 cucumber, ribboned, divided
6 crab sticks, shredded, divided
6 large shrimp, cooked, deveined, tails removed and butterflied, divided Rinse rice bag under cold water to remove starch. Prepare rice according to package directions. In small saucepan over medium-low heat, heat rice vinegar, sugar and salt until sugar and salt have dissolved, about 1 minute. Set aside. In small bowl, mix mayonnaise, Sriracha sauce and sesame oil. Set aside. Transfer cooked rice onto large baking sheet. Drizzle half the vinegar mixture over rice, turning until all rice is fully coated. Taste and add more vinegar mixture, if desired. Spread rice into thin layer and cool to room temperature. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Lay down one sushi nori sheet. Spread layer of rice on it. Place half the carrots and cucumbers on rice. Place crab and shrimp on top. Place another sushi nori sheet just under first one and roll. Repeat with remaining sushi nori sheets, rice, carrots, cucumbers, crab and shrimp. Wrap both burritos in plastic wrap. Let rest 10
minutes.
Slice burritos in half and serve with spicy mayo.
Thai Red Curry Chicken and Rice
Soup
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 bags Success Basmati Rice
• 1 can (14 ounces) coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons Thai red curry paste
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 pound chicken breast tenders
• 2 tablespoons lime juice • 4 green onions, thinly sliced
In pressure cooker on saute setting over high heat, bring broth and rice bags to boil. Boil, uncovered, 10 minutes. Remove bags with fork and set aside. Add coconut milk, curry paste, soy sauce and brown sugar to pressure cooker. Turn off saute setting. Add chicken. Cover and lock to seal. Set to pressure cook setting over high heat about 10 minutes, or until chicken is tender.
Carefully, manually or naturally, release pressure according to manufacturer’s instructions before removing lid.
Set pressure cooker to saute setting over medium heat. Remove chicken and shred with two forks; add to soup along with lime juice and green onions. Remove rice from bags and stir into soup. Simmer until rice is heated through.
The corn was planted late. We knew that at the time.
Because their house is located so deep in the woods, my mother has had no luck getting vegetables to grow. When my parents heard there were garden plots available in town, they signed up for one and have had a garden in town for several years.
The rhubarb was already up when they were told there was a garden plot next to theirs that was not being used.
“Use it!” the manager of the community garden told them. I’m not sure where the idea came from, but my dad decided to plant corn.
It was late for corn, that far north. But my dad got three different kinds of seeds, and he soaked them overnight to give them a head start, and when I was visiting last spring, we stuck them in the ground and hoped for the best.
My mom sent a photo mid-summer. “The corn is up!” she wrote, with a photo of the little green stalks in three neat rows.
“How’s the corn?” I’d ask when I called.
“It’s coming, but we still don’t have any cobs ready.”
The stalks grew tall, and they tassled out, and there were ears clinging to the stalks. A raccoon or similar invader knocked a cob off the stalk, and my dad peeled it open. “Still not ready to eat,” he reported.
I visited this past weekend and, late in September, the weather was still warm, although the days were shorter, that far north. I took the garden hose at the community garden and gave the corn a good watering, and I wondered if my parents would get any corn to eat.
While I had the hose out, I also watered
the rhubarb. My mother told me that folks said harvesting rhubarb late in the season prevented a good crop from being produced in the spring. But I could tell my mother was skeptical. She has been growing rhubarb almost all her life and knows a thing or two about rhubarb by now. She had given the last of her rhubarb to a friend and wanted to make one last batch of sauce, so we pulled out a pile of big, healthy stems, late in September, and brought them home.
“I don’t think it hurts them a bit!” my mother said.
But the corn was not yet ready. There was still corn at the corn stand. The farmers know what they’re doing, planting the corn very early and very late and keeping the sweet corn season going as long as possible. It made me hopeful that those cobs, even if they were a little small, might turn into something edible before the first frost.
On this last visit to the garden, I saw that most of the gardeners have packed up for the summer. They had pulled out the last of the beans and tomatoes and raked out their beds. They had piled cow manure on the top of their beds and taken off for Florida or Arizona. One of them was there while I was watering the corn.
“See you next year!” he told my parents.
My parents are still watering the corn. And I’m glad we planted it, no matter what happens.
Maybe nothing will come of it. Probably nothing will. But planting late corn has given us something to hope for. It’s like rooting for a losing team. It’s like starting a new dream late in life. I admire my parents for planting corn after the rhubarb was up and hoping for the best.
To see photos, check out CarrieClassonAuthor on Facebook or visit CarrieClasson.com.
her fame, she inspired many people to follow their dreams.
Parents & Teachers!
Find some cool learning activities here!
Watch these videos about this incredible aviatrix and cultural pioneer!
Bessie grew up in Texas in a small town, went to a small school and she lived in a small house. That was about all that was small in Bessie’s house. She had 12 siblings. She was born in 1892, a time where there were no cars, very few people had electricity and flying a plane was still a dream. When Bessie was 11, the Wright brothers took flight in the Wright Flyer at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. She was fascinated from that day on with everything to do with aviation and she wanted to be a pilot more than anything else in the world.
Bessie Coleman Coleman
“The air is the only place free from prejudices.” “The air is the place free from prejudices.”
Bessie faced a lot of hurdles to get from Atlanta, Texas, to flying a plane. You see Bessie was black and native American. Those races in the United States at that time were segregated from other people in the population. Second, Bessie was a woman. Women were not supposed to do certain things. Another hurdle was money. Bessie’s family was very poor. If she wanted to go to pilot school, it would cost a lot of money. The more that people told her she would never be able to be a pilot, the more she wanted to follow her dream. She never gave up. In 1922 she got her pilot’s license.
Bessie
begins to give lectures on aviation and perform air stunts at air shows.
Bessie Coleman became a barnstormer. Barnstormers were pilots in the 1920s that flew at exhibitions doing stunts, parachuting and walking on the wings of planes. Bessie became a popular performer and flew all over the United States. She flew a Curtiss JN-4D biplane that was a leftover from WWI. These planes were nicknamed “Jenny”. On May 8, 1926 Bessie and another pilot were flying over a field so she could survey it before the show. She was not wearing a safety belt and as she was leaning over the edge of the plane it stalled and flipped upside down. Bessie fell 3,500 feet to the ground dying instantly. Her death did not kill her legacy. She lived on as an inspiration for many young women.
February 22, At a Los Angeles exhibition Bessie’s plane topples out of the air. She is picked up from the field with a broken leg and three broken ribs.
April 30, Bessie Coleman tests a plane before an exhibition in Jacksonville, Florida. She plunges 3,500 feet and dies instantly
May 8th, a funeral is held for Bessie Coleman and thousands of people attend.
