Headlines & History since 1879 Goldendale, Washington
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2026
Vol. 147 No. 2
Tort action against Conservation District progresses Lou Marzeles Editor A former employee of the Central Klickitat Conservation District (CKCD) filed a tort claim notice accusing the district’s executive director of sexual harassment, retaliation, and widespread grant and records irregularities, and signaling plans to take the case to federal court if a settlement is not reached. Comments last week from the CKCD and the attorney for the employee paint opposing views of the situation but also point to a possible imminent settlement. According to the tort claim notice, Megan Taylor was recruited and hired by Executive Director Loren Meagher in late 2024. Shortly after she started work, in December 2024, Meagher allegedly made a “highly public and unwelcome physical sexual advance” toward her at a local bar,
an incident her attorney characterizes as humiliating and intimidating because of his supervisory authority. Meagher has a recorded history of extreme hostility in a public setting separate from the tort action. A video obtained by The Sentinel and corroborated as legitimate by multiple sources shows Meagher wielding a pool cue stick while attacking a person in the Simcoe Cafe bar last May. Several bystanders are seen having to restrain him. The tort action states that when Taylor rejected Meagher’s advance, he allegedly began excluding her from meetings and projects, micromanaging her work, denying professional opportunities, and demeaning her both privately and in front of co workers “in ways designed to intimidate and isolate her,” behavior her attorney
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Employee sues County for retaliation
says created a hostile work environment under Washington law. The notice states that Taylor suffered a workplace injury at a job site in late June 2025 and reported it through Washington’s Labor & Industries (L&I) system, which her attorney describes as legally protected activity. After that report, Meagher allegedly stripped her of supervisory duties over the Youth Crew, effectively demoting her, and issued a written reprimand by email while copying multiple employees, actions the notice claims were retaliatory and
See District page A6
Lou Marzeles Editor A Klickitat County employee has filed a $3 million tort claim against the county, alleging he was retaliated against for reporting government misconduct and because of his service in the U.S. military reserve. Richard Foster, represented by attorney Justin Leigh of Phillips Reynier Sumerfield Cline & Smith, filed the formal claim on January 2 with the county auditor’s office, triggering a 60-day waiting period before a lawsuit can be filed. According to the claim, Foster reported multiple
concerns to senior county officials in December 2025, including County Commissioner Todd Andrews and Prosecutor Rebecca Cranston. His complaints centered on alleged failures to follow proper hiring procedures, unauthorized departmental restructuring, conflicts of interest, and discrimination related to his military service. Foster has served as an active member of the U.S. military reserve throughout his employment with the county. The claim alleges that county leadership “repeatedly expressed frustration and hostility” toward his military service and made negative comments about his training and deployment schedule. Shortly after raising these concerns, the county placed Foster on paid administrative leave,
characterizing the action as related to “workplace misconduct.” Foster’s attorney asserts the county has refused to provide any factual justification for this action. The claim invokes the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), a federal law that protects service members from employment discrimination based on their military obligations. Foster alleges the county’s actions were motivated by hostility toward his protected military leave requirements. Foster claims the county’s actions have derailed his career trajectory and blocked his advancement to a director-level position that would have paid approximately $110,000 annually, compared to his current salary of around $80,000. He alleges the stigma of being associated
See Foster page A6
Dallesport development gets closer look Rodger Nichols For The Sentinel
Melissa Uhles
NEW IMPROVED MOTEL: The Ponderosa has had a sketchy reputation in the past. For example, if you rented a room and you were from Goldendale, the motel charged a deposit along with the rent. Its new owners plan to change all that and become a good neighbor.
The resurrection of the Ponderosa Melissa Uhles For The Sentinel
Located at 775 E. Broadway in Goldendale, the Ponderosa Motel is now under new ownership. The Sentinel contacted Nita M. Culver, the new general manager, via email. Sentinel: Who are the new owners of the Ponderosa Motel? Culver: In the Spring of 2025, VestCapital acquired the Ponderosa Motel with a plan to raise standards through stronger operations, reinvestment, and a phased improvement strategy that supports a safer, cleaner, more community-aligned property. VestCapital is a Camas, Washington-based real estate investment and development firm focused on improving community-serving properties. Sentinel: VestCapital described the Ponderosa on their website: “The Ponderosa is a well-known Motel in Goldendale, Washington. This 46-[room] property is located just two miles from a $2B+ renewable energy project and has been a true value add, updating both the property and the culture on the business side. In addition, this property boasts surplus land.” VestCapital also describes their firm, saying, “We are a technology-driven real estate private equity investment and development
firm that acquires, manages, and sells a diversified portfolio of assets. Our business model is transforming commercial real estate investing by providing a platform where investors may directly access institutional-quality assets and build wealth passively.” With that said, what changes are planned for the Ponderosa? Culver: Our approach is phased and practical: stabilize operations first, then modernize the asset, then elevate the long-term experience. The goal is to make the Ponderosa safer, cleaner, better managed, and a stronger contributor to the surrounding community. Planned improvements include: Safety and order: stronger onsite policies, improved operations and visibility, and clearer standards for conduct and operations. Cleanliness and guest experience: higher housekeeping and maintenance standards, staff training, and consistent service expectations. Capital improvements: targeted renovations to rooms and common areas, an exterior refresh, and curb-appeal upgrades. Local impact: using local vendors and service partners where possible and operating with a long-term mindset that aligns with the direction of the neighborhood. We see the Ponderosa as an as-
set with meaningful upside—and we’re committed to doing the work the right way: consistent operations, real reinvestment, and clear accountability. Sentinel: What features make it a good place to stay? Culver: The Ponderosa is a practical, well-located option for travelers who want simple access, straightforward lodging, and improved standards under new ownership. We have a fabulous team that cares about the goals we have for the Ponderosa. We feature friendly service, an inviting and positive atmosphere, with knowledgeable employees who want to help our guests. We also want to work closely with the community to uplift and elevate our neighboring businesses and make sure to provide information on whatever services our guests may be asking about or needing. We are striving to be a positive, thriving community member. Additionally, we have made small adjustments that make our guests’ stay more comfortable and accommodating, such as: tweaking our breakfast menu and times, installing a laundry facility, and partnering with local businesses for discounts and experiences. Sentinel: Who are you hiring? Culver: As improvements roll out, we anticipate adding roles to
See Motel page A6
Rumors of a big development planned for Dallesport got a boost from Klickitat County Public Works Director Jeff Hunter at Klickitat County Commissioner’s January 6 workshop session. “We’re looking at a development with a potential of, say, 500 people,” he said. “When you have that many people in an urban setting like that, my experience is you’re best to have [that development] owned by the government, just because [it’s] going to get maintained. If not, you’ll have a mess.” Hunter was referring to the roads and streets in the development, a sentiment that was echoed by Commission Chair Ron Ihrig, who emphasized that it was the responsibility of the developer to build the streets and roads to county standards and that the whole development can’t be served by a street that is just a loop. “This county’s not taking a road with a dead end,” he said. “It would have to be a through road, built to the county standards and paved, at no cost to the citizens of the county.” Hunter said he would be meet-
ing with the developers on January 7. In other developments, new County Administrator Robb Van Cleave has been reorganizing county departments. He told commissioners he was ready to make one of those moves right away. “There have been various discussions in the past about moving the Emergency Management program from Emergency Management Department to Public Works,” he told them. “Public Works has prior experience years ago managing the emergency management program and is willing to assume that leadership today. Based on a critical staffing issue, vacation schedules and other issues, I’m recommending that the transfer be on or before January 16.” Van Cleave said he’d spoken to heads of both departments who were committed to making it work. Under the plan, Jeff King would be focused on 911 dispatch and the radio communications network, which is overdue for an upgrade. Van Cleave said he would bring the specifics to the meeting on the 13th to be voted on. Another reorganization would place the Building Codes, Code
See County page A6
File photo
THE BEGINNING: Last year this week, the owner of Starcade Pizza filed suit against four Goldendale residents for defamation.
Top story this week last year: Defamation suit filed The Sentinel’s top story this week last year opened this way: “A spate of inflammatory information has shut down a Goldendale business and led to a $5 million defamation suit. “Starcade Pizza on Collins shut its doors January 6 in the wake of rapidly declining clientele as four people in Goldendale launched a coordinated series of attacks on social media against owner Michael Snyder, going so far as to create a Facebook page
specifically aimed at warning people against the business and Snyder.” Snyder filed a $5 million defamation suit against defendants Darlene Williamson, Leandrea Kessinger, Amanda Dershon, and Julia Skillman. The case is not over. It has undergone a number of twists and now is at the Washington Supreme Court awaiting a ruling, which could come very soon.