Rachel joined the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin as a reporter in 2013, and covers the outlying areas of the Walla Walla Valley, including Garfield and Columbia Counties. She was previously a freelance reporter for the paper, covering immigration issues and policy, as well as local news and events.
Originally from Seattle, Rachel moved to Walla Walla to attend Whitman College, and currently serves as the editor-in-chief of Whitman's newspaper, The Pioneer. When not working on her thesis or one of her journalism jobs, Rachel enjoys reading a good book and baking chocolate chip cookies.
Recent Stories
Rural libraries heat up with youth programs
The Walla Walla County Rural Library District aims to bring fun to summer reading.
In an effort to motivate kids to read, the Walla Walla County Rural Library District is bringing in crystals, dinosaurs, even snakes. The district’s summer reading program starts this week and branch libraries have schedules full of special events, including crafting, movie nights and visits from the Reptile Man.
A place to just Be’n
Walla Walla youth have one less reason to say there’s nothing to do in town.
WALLA WALLA — Angel Magdaleno was walking downtown when he happened to pass by a nondescript white building on Colville Street. Written in the window was the name Be’n Towne, and a sign in the window identified the space as a venue for local artists and musicians.
Dayton Elementary School principal retires
Principal Katie Leid reflects on more than two decades in education.
DAYTON — In her last week of teaching before she retires, Dayton Elementary Principal Katie Leid made the most of it.
Rate hikes to fix Weston funding woes up for vote
Officials say proposed water and sewer rate increases are long overdue and necessary.
Rising costs and miscommunication about budgeting the city’s USDA wastewater plant loan will come to a head Wednesday when Weston’s City Council votes whether to substantially increase water and sewer rates for the coming year.
Pooling resources
With the blistering hot days of summer on their way, Walla Walla residents will likely be looking for a place to swim — and to learn how. While the city lacks a municipal pool, there are several options in the Valley offering free and low-cost swim lessons to area children.
Garfield County relives past in weekend festival
The annual event is a celebration of the area’s farming past.
POMEROY — Head east on Highway 12 past Dayton and into Garfield County, and you eventually come to a junction at milepost 391, where Highway 127 splits off to the north. Although it looks mostly uninhabited now, this place, called Dodge Junction, was one of Garfield County’s thriving towns more than half a century ago.
Wind deal will tap county planners
PGE’s purchase of Phase II of a wind energy project will require hundreds of planning hours.
DAYTON — Columbia County officials are working to assess the planning needed in the wake of Portland General Electric’s announcement it will buy development rights to the Lower Snake River Wind Facility Phase II.
Weston Council to resume discussion of USDA wastewater loan
WESTON — A Weston City Council meeting which was adjourned May 15 due to lack of quorum has been rescheduled for Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
Walla Walla Blues Society — 20 years and the beat goes on
WALLA WALLA — There may not be a cake, but the Walla Walla Blues Society’s 20th Birthday Bash promises to be a sweet treat for local blues lovers.
Dayton wrestles with special events policy
A draft the city proposed ran into public concern that it went too far.
DAYTON — The City Council has tabled a proposed policy on special events after many citizens expressed concerns it was too complicated and burdensome.
