TIS THE SEASON Goldendale, Washington
County Prosecutor resigns RODGER NICHOLS FOR THE SENTINEL Klickitat County Prosecuting Attorney David Quesnel resigned his office abruptly the day before Thanksgiving with a one-line email to the three county commissioners, saying that he is departing his position effective December 14. His email gave no reason for the decision, as his term still has a full year to run. (Quesnel subsequently provided a statement on his resignation to The Sentinel; the statement appears below.) That leaves the County in a bit of a quandary, at least on the surface. Unless a county has changed to home rule by passing a county charter, the state constitution says that the Prosecuting Attorney office is a partisan one and that the county commissioners have 60 days to appoint a replacement from three nominees provided by the retiring P.A.’s political party. But in the 2022 election, Quesnel ran unopposed under a “No party preference” designation. Klickitat County Auditor Heather Jobe said that the state constitution was silent on the situation, and when she reached out to the state, they provided no specific guidance. She did note that there is a relevant state RCW, 36.16.115, which says “Where a vacancy occurs in any partisan county elective office, other than a member of the county legislative authority, the county legislative authority may appoint an employee who was serving as a deputy or assistant in such office at the time the vacancy occurred as an acting official to perform all necessary duties to continue normal office operations. The acting official will serve until a successor is either elected or appointed as required by law.” She also pointed out that if the resignation was to take effect on December 14, Quesnel would have up until that time to withdraw his resignation. Fortunately, there is precedent in Washington State. In June this year, Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney Gordon Edgar announced his retire-
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2025
A Sentinel special observation Join us as we celebrate each theme of each week of Advent. Share your reflections on the themes.
CONTRIBUTED: ERICA KINGSBURY
NEW AT THE JOB: Regan Alires, left, is the new superintendent of the Bickleton School District.
From classroom to head of District ERICA KINGSBURY FOR THE SENTINEL
Prosecutor statement
See Quesnel page B1
$1.00
The four weeks of Advent
See Resign page B1
Following is the statement Klickitat County Prosecuting Attorney David Quesnel provided to The Sentinel explaining his reasons for resigning. The words in brackets were added for clarity. On November 26, 2025, I informed members of the Klickitat County Board of Commissioners that I will be resigning my position as the Prosecuting Attorney of Klickitat County, effective December 14, 2025. It has been the greatest honor of my professional life to serve as Prosecuting Attorney, and I am proud of the many accomplishments of my tenure the last 11 years. Most close to me already know I did not intend to run again in 2026, but recent events have led me to believe I can no longer serve effectively and with honor as the Prosecuting Attorney. I cannot continue to defend or be associated with another agency that issues press releases, sharing intimate details of victims while also naming them and providing their addresses. Incredibly, these releases have also been posted on social media [by that agency], thereby subjecting victims to a barrage of negative comments and harassment. No one should fear having their name and address broadcast to the public when reporting to law enforcement
Vol. 146 No. 49
With the arrival of December and days racing to the solstice, we light the first candle of Advent––the Candle of Hope. It’s not a loud or flashy hope but one of quiet confidence. It’s the hope that lives in handwritten cards, unexpected phone calls, and the way children press their faces to frosted windows in delight and anticipation. Hope does not erase hardship, but it dares to believe in joy in the present moment. It invites us to look toward the horizon even if we can’t yet see the sun. This season we hold onto Hope––not because everything is perfect but because we believe things can get even better. May we each be that small light for someone else.
Share your thoughts this Advent season Week 1: Hope
What gives you hope during the holidays?
P lease send your answers to info@goldendalesentinel.com, and we will run them in upcoming Advent issues.
At Bickleton Elementary and High School, a familiar face has stepped into a new role. Bickleton Elementary teacher Regan Alires has traded her classroom for the superintendent’s office, bringing with her years of experience, deep community connection, and a strong love for the students she has served. Her story with Bickleton—a small school that boasts Pirate Pride—began 18 years ago when, as a young teacher, she heard about an open position at Bickleton Elementary. She thought it would be a great opportunity for a teacher just getting started — something to provide experience before moving on to “bigger, better things,” Alires recalls. She planned to spend no more than three years at the school but has since logged 18 years and counting. It has become a testament to the meaning behind Pirate Pride, which she describes as a high standard of excellence among teachers, a supportive community atmosphere, and a strong partnership with both parents and the town. Before long, Bickleton was no longer a step toward something greater—it was the something greater. “Although Bickleton is small, the impact we are able to have with our students is huge. Time and time again we have seen students make significant growth both in academics and in character,” Alires said. After deciding to stay for the long run, Alires embraced the many benefits of teaching in a small school. Beyond the ability to work one-on-one with students, she has been able to support them throughout their school years, investing in them beyond the classroom—something many Bickleton teachers do naturally. “Bickleton offers the private-school experience in a public-school setting because of our small size,” she said. “Every teacher in our school knows who every student is, regardless of whether they have taught them or not. We know our students beyond the walls of the classrooms—we know their families, their interests, and many teachers attend extracurricular activities. Being small makes Bickleton feel like family.” In March 2023, Alires began working on her master’s degree in administration and completed a year-long practicum during the 2023-24 school year, working closely with
See School page B1