Headlines & History since 1879 Goldendale, Washington
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2026
Vol. 147 No. 31
$1.00
4-H youth enrollment increases by more than 50 percent Rodger Nichols For The Sentinel
Klickitat County commissioners got a bit of positive update on 4-H programs in the county at their July 29 meeting, as Washington State University Extension Service 4-H program coordinator Harley Clever ran the numbers. “This year we had 19 clubs, 53 volunteers, 290 youth members, and 17 special program participants,” she said. “Those 17 are youth who aren’t enrolled in the 4-H programs who still want to come to our events. So we just do a little proof of enrollment for the day, and they get covered under our liability insurance. Hopefully, for those 17 kids, we’ve upped the interest so that next year, they sign up for 4-H.”’ She also told commissioners that youth enrollment has increased over 50 percent in three years and volunteer enrollment has increased by 30 percent. “This is a little crazy, she said. “It’s not just my doing. It’s my volunteers and awesome leaders.”
She said they were able to restart a dog program, which is a benefit for kids in town who can’t have livestock but still want to show at the fair and be with their friends. Commissioners also decided to deny a request for a sweat lodge in the middle of a burn ban because the local fire chief did not support the request. In the formal afternoon session, commissioners discussed a new state economic committee announced by Gov. Ferguson that appeared to lack any substantial representation from rural communities. The Planning Department presented a request to rezone a 57acre parcel south of Goldendale from General Rural to Suburban Residential, which required a concurrent comprehensive plan amendment. And Commissioner Lori Zoller reported on her work with “America in Bloom,” a national community revitalization program that sent advisors to tour and assess the needs of Lyle, Klickitat, and
Glenwood. Under the consent agenda, commissioners approved: • Local agency Federal Aid project prospectus for the Bickleton Hwy project, CRP 394 • Local agency agreement for the $3.6 million Bickleton Hwy project, CRP 394 • A resolution appointing Patty Fink, Ryan O Connor, and Danielle Clevidence city representatives on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee • Award of a 2026-2028 contract at $76,768.50 per year to Apollo Mechanical Contractor of Bend to maintain county HVAC systems • Authorization to use grant funds to purchase a $55,448 BD Pyxis system to track and securely store medications used at the jail • Memorandum of understanding with KVH for jail nursing services funded through the State Opioid Response Grant • Lease agreement for the aviation maintenance training hangar at the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport
Washington Department of Ecology
STATES ON FIRE: Wildfires of various sizes are burning throughout Washington and Oregon. This shows the spread of smoke across Washington as of Monday afternoon.
Explosive wildfire conditions spread smoke across state Multiple large fires are burning across the state with no rest in sight for firefighters. Spokane experienced devastating wildfire impacts over the weekend, and the situation is still very active. Hundreds of structures burned, causing potentially hazardous air quality on top of the tragedy. Meanwhile, other fires across the state grew exponentially and are producing large amounts of smoke. Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy air quality continues to inundate many parts of the state, and more areas are expected to see smoke impacts later today and through the week. As winds shift, smoke is expected to cover the Columbia Basin and travel over parts of western Washington, including the Seattle metro area. Air Quality Alerts (AQAs) AQAs have been extended to all of eastern and central Washington until further notice. AQAs are also being issued today for parts of western Wash-
ington, including Pierce, King, Snohomish, Kitsap, and Thurston counties until Wednesday afternoon. Additional alerts may be issued for other counties in western Washington if conditions deteriorate. Forecast conditions Fire and smoke will be very dynamic over the next few days. A strong high pressure system off the coast is expected to persist this week, resulting in hot and dry conditions and winds coming from the north-northeast. This will allow smoke to engulf most of eastern and central Washington through the week. Haze will also be visible in western Washington, and smoke is expected to mix down into the Puget Sound lowlands. A high pressure ridge is expected to stick around for a few days, so smoke is likely to persist in the meantime. Where is it coming from? Eastern Washington has sev-
See Smoke page B1
Vet files $9 million claim against County Lou Marzeles Editor
Victor Baca for The Sentinel
FUN FOR ALL: Saturday’s Back to School Bash was a good time as families collected needed school supplies and enjoyed free food and fun on a beautiful summer day.
Goldendale veterinarian Marianne Randall has filed a $9 million tort claim against Klickitat County, alleging the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office unlawfully disclosed private information about her in a November 2025 press release and Facebook post concerning a domestic violence investigation, causing lasting emotional, personal, and professional harm. The claim, filed July 15 and received by the county July 22, is a legal prerequisite to filing a lawsuit against a governmental entity under Washington law. It is not a lawsuit itself but formally notifies the County of Randall’s intent to pursue damages. At the center of the claim is the Sheriff’s Office’s decision to issue a detailed press release on November 14, 2025, describing a domestic violence incident involving Randall and then to post that release on the department’s Facebook page, where it generated hundreds of reactions and extensive public discussion. The claim does not challenge the Sheriff’s Office’s investigation of the underlying domestic violence incident. Instead, it argues that the Sheriff’s Office unnecessarily publicized sensitive information. According to the filing, the Sheriff’s Office disclosed information that made Randall eas-
GoldendaleVet.com
ACTION AGAINST COUNTY: Goldendale veterinarian Marianne Randall has filed a tort claim against Klickitat County specifying actions by Sheriff Bob Songer and Deputy Loren Culp.
ily identifiable in Goldendale, including her veterinary practice, residential address, details about her relationship, information concerning her injuries, and other personal matters. Because Goldendale is a small community, the claim argues, those details effectively identified her to residents despite the absence of her name in portions of the release. The claim also alleges the Facebook posting dramatically expanded the audience beyond what would have been reached through a traditional press release. Randall further alleges that portions of the Sheriff’s account were inaccurate. The claim gives specific details of the original incident cited in the Sheriff’s statement that she disputes. According to the filing, those alleged inaccuracies contributed to criticism directed toward her online. In her claim, Randall says she became aware of the Facebook
See Vet page B1