September a dry, smoky month
WALLA WALLA — The theme song for September? “Smoke gets in your eyes.”
County budget meetings planned
WALLA WALLA — Walla Walla County commissioners will hold public meetings this month and in October on the county’s preliminary 2013 budget.
Apple growers face near-record harvest, worker shortage
PRESCOTT — With the peak period for apple harvest fast approaching, Broetje Orchards, one of Walla Walla County’s largest employers, is scrambling to find pickers.
Local girls sell lemonade for anti-child abuse fight
WALLA WALLA -- Two young entrepreneurs took the fight against child abuse to the streets last month and everyone came out a winner.
State receives $22 million in salmon funding
WALLA WALLA — Projects to revive salmon populations in the Walla Walla and Snake River watersheds will be among those benefitting from a federal grant announced Thursday.
Police destroy suspicious package next to ATM
The parcel turned out to be a Bible trivia game.
WALLA WALLA — Police used a water cannon today to destroy a suspicious package at a bank ATM in downtown Walla Walla.
County: No hearing on removal of rural library board
WALLA WALLA — The Walla Walla County commissioners said today they will not hold a hearing to decide whether to remove the county Rural Library District board of directors.
Walla Walla County planning board to hear vineyard request
WALLA WALLA — Two public hearings on proposed amendments to the county Comprehensive Plan will be before the Walla Walla County Planning Commission Wednesday.
How dry it was
WALLA WALLA — August was one dry month.
Interim head named for Human Service Department
WALLA WALLA — Walla Walla County commissioners today named Harvey Crowder as the interim head of the county Human Services Department.
Project aims to smooth fish passage in Mill Creek
WALLA WALLA — Steelhead and bull trout swimming up Mill Creek should soon find the going a little easier.
Rural Library District makes no decision on real estate
WALLA WALLA — A meeting to decide a possible real estate acquisition by the Walla Walla Rural Library District produced no decision Thursday.
Rural library eyes land buy
WALLA WALLA — The Walla Walla County Rural Library District board will meet in executive session Thursday to discuss real estate matters.
Final results in for primary election
WALLA WALLA — The final tally for this month’s primary election will be certified today with results showing no changes in any outcomes.
Storms bring fire, rain to area
WALLA WALLA — Early-morning thunderstorms sparked a fast-moving brush fire and brought the first rainfall in more than a month today.
Law requires area to form transportation planning agency
A new bi-state agency is being formed to help shape transit plans for this area.
Wildfire smoke contributes to burn restrictions
Smoke from the Taylor Bridge Fire near Cle Elum and other wildfires continues to affect the Walla Walla area today.
Landowners vote to start new irrigation district
After tallying votes by landowners, Walla Walla County commissioners approved formation of a new irrigation district Monday.
Wildfire smoke drifts into Valley
Walla Walla Valley residents awoke to smoky, hazy skies this morning, the result of a wildfire burning near Cle Elum.
Prison head hopes worst of budget storm over
After a year filled with cutbacks and closures, the head of the state’s prison system expressed cautious optimism about the future Friday.
Wernette concedes in judge race
The trailing candidate in the Walla Walla County Superior Court race today conceded defeat after the latest results were posted by the county Auditor’s Office.
Road project sails to win in College Place
The rubber hit the road Tuesday for proposal to rebuild the city’s two main thoroughfares.
Races set for Walla Walla County commission seats
Incumbent Walla Walla County commissioner Perry Dozier and challenger Chris Blackman appear ready to advance to the November general election Tuesday.
Today's primary to decide issues, races
The earliest primary in recent state history comes down to the wire today.
Hot and dry; it must be July
The heat is on. After a too-cool June, both the start of this month and July have produced the first triple-digit days since 2010. July was also the month that marked the start of the dry season with only six days of measurable rainfall.
Commissioners, sheriff discuss budget
Walla Walla County commissioners and Sheriff John Turner discussed the sheriff’s 2013 budget last week, but the meeting seemed to produce more questions than answers for both sides.
Sheriff says his comments 'misinterpreted'
On Sept. 7, 2011, during a meeting to introduce the Walla Walla Sheriff’s Foundation, county Sheriff John Turner unveiled his intention to ask for a $2 million increase in his 2012 budget.
Amber waves of grain to reap more green
In a field off Corkrum Road on Friday morning, Brad Sevener cleaned the windows of a wheat combine while others greased the machine or blew yesterday’s dust and chaff off the machine with compressed air.
Good news, bad news
The retirement complex gets a tax break for setting aside units for lower-income people, but the county loses expected revenue.
Another housing option for low-income seniors comes at the price of fewer property tax dollars for Walla Walla County.
County studies stormwater rules
Local governments have until the end of 2017 to implement some practices and the flexibility to tailor the practices to local conditions.
New stormwater management regulations announced Wednesday will affect Walla Walla County, but not just yet.
Input sought on proposed county merger
Discussion of a proposed merger of Walla Walla County's human services and health departments continued Tuesday, with people being urged to send in comments, ideas and opinions to county commissioners. At an informational meeting, outgoing Human Services Department Director Daryl Daugs and Harvey Crowder, Health Department administrator, recounted the issues surrounding the proposal and why it is being put forward now.
Input sought on proposed county merger
Discussion of a proposed merger of Walla Walla County's human services and health departments continued Tuesday, with people being urged to send in comments, ideas and opinions to county commissioners. At an informational meeting, outgoing Human Services Department Director Daryl Daugs and Harvey Crowder, Health Department administrator, recounted the issues surrounding the proposal and why it is being put forward now.
County Treasurer's Office urges change to paperless
The service saves taxpayer dollars by drastically cutting the cost to process tax statements.
WALLA WALLA - The Walla Walla County Treasurer's Office wants people to go paperless.The Treasurer's Office is urging taxpayers to take advantage of doxo, a service the county has joined that allows people to receive documents and make tax payments via th
College Place Council OKs medical marijuana rule
The law is intended to protect city workers from being caught in a conflict between state and federal law.
Medical marijuana growers take note. Check in with the cops before you plant your pot in College Place. A new law approved Monday by the City Council requires people growing medical marijuana in collective gardens to register with the city police. Growers must also provide "documented confirmation from the United States Department of Justice of compliance with all applicable federal laws regarding the production, processing, distribution or cultivation of marijuana for medical use."
Emergency declared in region
Walla Walla and Garfield counties are among 16 to be hit by major storm damage last week.
Gov. Chris Gregoire has proclaimed a state of emergency for Walla Walla County and 15 other Eastern Washington counties hit by a series of storms last week. The move could help open the way to receive federal aid to help repair roads, bridges and other structures damaged in west-central Walla Walla County by a fast-moving storm, said Jim Duncan, county emergency management director.
Emergency declared in region
Walla Walla and Garfield counties are among 16 to be hit by major storm damage last week.
WALLA WALLA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire has proclaimed a state of emergency for Walla Walla County and 15 other Eastern Washington counties hit by a series of storms last week.The move could help open the way to receive federal aid to help repair roads, bridge
College Place to decide on bond for streets
The $7 million bond would overhaul College Avenue and Rose Street.
COLLEGE PLACE - City officials hope voters will green light a major road project next month.On the Aug. 7 ballot, city residents will vote on a $7 million bond for the College Avenue-Rose Street Reconstruction Project. If approved, the measure will provid
Bill for storm estimated at $1 million
The storm that hit late Sunday and early Monday wrecked several roads and made a mess of others.
County officials said today a fast-moving storm that ripped through Walla Walla County late Sunday and early Monday left behind a hefty repair bill. County Public Works Director Randy Glaeser gave a "rough estimate" of close to $1 million to clean up and repair roads damaged by the storm, which stuck the west-central part of the county.
Bill for storm estimated at $1 million
The storm that hit late Sunday and early Monday wrecked several roads and made a mess of others.
WALLA WALLA -- County officials said today a fast-moving storm that ripped through Walla Walla County late Sunday and early Monday left behind a hefty repair bill.
Commissioners view damage on tour
More storms are in the forecast and a flash flood watch is in effect.
WALLA WALLA -- Walla Walla County commissioners went on the road today to assess damages from a storm which swept through the county Sunday night and Monday morning.Commissioners and other officials toured the sections in the west-central area of the coun
Commissioners view damage on tour
More storms are in the forecast and a flash flood watch is in effect.
Walla Walla County commissioners went on the road today to assess damages from a storm which swept through the county Sunday night and Monday morning. Commissioners and other officials toured the sections in the west-central area of the county where three roads were closed after the storm washed out sections of pavement or blocked passage with mud and debris. At least 15 other roads had received significant damage but were open. The intense rain and subsequent mudslides also buried fields and damaged equipment. On the Terry Schaeffer farm six miles north of Touchet the storm left two alfalfa fields half-buried in mud and shoved a set of seed drills about 75 yards from where it was parked.
Storm hammers portions of county
An intense storm that moved through the center of Walla Walla County left roads choked with mud and washed at least one bridge crossing out. County commissioners were asked to declare an emergency today to give the county Public Works Department additional resources to deal with the problem. Commissioners were expected to approve the resolution this morning. Public Works Director Randy Glaeser said the storm moved through the central section of the county late Sunday and early today, covering a swath roughly between Touchet and east of Lowden from the Oregon state border to the county's northern border.
Storm hammers portions of county
WALLA WALLA -- An intense storm that moved through the center of Walla Walla County left roads choked with mud and washed at least one bridge crossing out.
Forum at fairgrounds puts spotlight on wolves, cougars
Officials and ranchers gathered to talk about the two predator species.
WALLA WALLA -- There may have been beef for lunch, but cougars and wolves were the main items on the menu Tuesday at the Walla Walla County Fairgrounds.
Senate's farm bill remains target for budget cutters
WALLA WALLA -- The federal farm bill wending its way through Congress promises to benefit local growers through support for research and trade programs, but observers noted the measure still has a long way to go before it becomes law.
Port of Walla Walla chops fees for Alaska
The reductions are expected to save the airline $17,200 in landing fees and $10,830 in rent.
WALLA WALLA -- Rent and landing fee reductions for Alaska Airlines were approved Friday by Port of Walla Walla commissioners.
Comp plan changes move ahead
Four proposed amendments to the county’s Comprehensive Plan were moved ahead Monday.
Walla Walla couple ID'd among dead in fiery May crash
MISSION, Ore. -- A Walla Walla couple have been identified as the remaining victims of a fiery five-fatality collision May 29 on the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
Last month of spring on cool, dry side
More than half the month's below-average rainfall landed on a single day early in the month.
WALLA WALLA -- The last full month of spring closed out on a cool, dry note.
