TIS THE SEASON Goldendale, Washington
It’s Candy Cane Lane time! The judging for the Best Decorated Homes and Businesses will be Thursday December 11. Turn on your lights as dark approaches and leave them on until after 10 p.m. On December 13 the Candy Lane Christmas Parade will again be going down the streets of Goldendale at 5 p.m. It all starts with line-up at 3 p.m. at the Goldendale Primary School. The Christmas tree on the Courthouse lawn will be lit at 4:30 p.m. by the four Grand Marshalls. The Goldendale High School Band will be performing prior to the lighting So come to the Courthouse lawn for this entertainment prior to the start of the parade. Remember to come see Santa after the parade at the old Masonic Lodge and enjoy soup, cookies, and hot chocolate. At this time awards will be presented to the Best Decorated Houses and Businesses and the top three parade participants. This year’s Grand Marshalls are dedicated to celebrating volunteerism and embody the spirit of dedication and community service: Michelle Mulrony has served as a volunteer with the Klickitat County Department of Emergency Management for over five years. She was the public information officer during Covid. She also served during Emergency Operations Center activation during the 2023 Newell Road, 2024 Big Horn, 2024 Williams Mine, and the 2025 Burdoin fires. She often shows up to help prior to the call going out to others. Jane Lee was born and raised in Pennsylvania and moved to California in 1963. In 1972 she married Robert Lee, a native of Goldendale, and they began working on their cattle ranch. Jane has served as bank board member of the Klickitat Valley Bank and Columbia Bank and past president of the Washington State CattleWomen and the Klickitat County/Women. Jane has served as a volunteer fire fighter for Rural 7 since 1972 and a Fire Commissioner for the Klickitat County Fire Protection Districts since 1997. Jane is still an active fire fighter and Search and Rescue volunteer since 2008. Brian K. Paul came from a U.S. Navy family and is actively engaged with the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Posse Scout Program. He provides logistics and manages all inventory related to their programs including community-oriented police and departmental support. He serves as a honorary member of the Goldendale Chamber of Commerce as well as secretary for the KVH Foundation board. John Halm has this to say: “I’m deeply humbled to serve as one of this year’s Grand Marshalls for the Candy Cane Lane Parade, representing the dedicated first responders of Klickitat County. My journey in the fire service began in 1984 with the Goldendale Fire Department, following in the footsteps of my father, who began serving in 1969. Throughout my career, I have been honored to serve as assistant chief and fire chief, and in my early years I was certified to teach firefighting classes across several outlying districts. I also spent many years serving our community as an EMT with Rescue 7 and Klickitat Valley Health. From 2008 to 2012, I served with Rural 7 Fire District before returning to the Goldendale City Fire Department, where I remain an active volunteer today. Service runs deep in our family. All three of my sons have served with the Goldendale City Fire Department, and my youngest, Noah, has proudly served as Chief since 2013. My daughter-inlaw and my grandson have also
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2025
The four weeks of Advent A Sentinel special observation Join us as we celebrate each theme of each week of Advent. Share your reflections on the themes.
Vol. 146 No. 50
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Commission holds master plan hearing RODGER NICHOLS FOR THE SENTINEL
Klickitat County Commissioners had a long day of it December 2, starting at 8:30 a.m. The packed agenda kept them at it until 4 p.m. with a scant hour for lunch. That was followed up with a public hearing on the six-year master road plan that evening in White Salmon. Much of the action was focused on the 2026 budget, presented by Budget Manager Heather Gallagher. “This year’s budget for all funds is $69,622,772,” she told commissioners. “That is a 5 percent reduction from the current 2025 amended budget, which also includes the third supplemental, which we just approved on November 25.” One positive note is that the projected increase in insurance coverage for the county, which had been estimated at 35 percent, came through at just 7.5 percent. That is still higher than inflation but a lot easier to deal with. She also noted the budget adds three new staff positions before a planned hiring freeze goes into effect January 1. “One is a probation case manager, to be shared with the cities,” she said. “The jail is to get a control board operator and then there’s a position in the Sheriff’s Office.” That means that Sheriff Bob Songer is going to get the funds he’s been requesting for staff positions. When County Administrator Robb Van Cleave assured him that the budget contains funding for 14 deputies, three sergeants, and a fourth administration staff position. Songer responded, “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Commissioners also discussed the situation arising from the sudden resignation of Klickitat County Prosecuting Attorney David Quesnel, who announced his resignation the day before Thanksgiving, effective Decem-
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Shredded cheese recalled in county
Share your thoughts this Advent season Week 2: Peace
What brings you peace during the holidays?
P lease send your answers to info@goldendalesentinel.com, and we will run them in upcoming Advent issues.
A major recall of shredded cheese products is underway after Great Lakes Cheese Co. announced that more than 260,000 cases of cheese shipped nationwide may contain metal fragments, according to a report by King 5 TV in Seattle. Stores in Klickitat County are affected. Many of them carry some of the cheese brands being recalled. The recall stretches across 31 states and Puerto Rico and includes many well-known store brands, such as Walmart’s Great Value, Target’s Good & Gather, Happy Farms by Aldi, Food Club, and Always Save. According to King 5, the contamination involves raw materials supplied to the manufacturer and is categorized by the FDA as a “downstream recall.” Affected products include mozzarella, Italian-style blends, pizza blends, and other shredded cheeses in packages ranging from 8 ounces to 32 ounces. Consumers are urged to check their refrigerators and look closely at batch numbers and sell-by dates, which vary by brand but generally fall between January and March of 2026. The recall was first initiated in October and was elevated to a Class II FDA recall on Dec. 1. Class II recalls are issued when a product may cause temporary or medically reversible health issues, with a lower likelihood of serious harm. Nonetheless, metal fragments can present choking
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