Goldendale, Washington
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2025
Vol. 146 No. 1
$1.00
New laws taking effect in Washington RODGER NICHOLS FOR THE SENTINEL With the new year comes new laws taking effect in Washington on January 1. The one affecting the most people is probably the increase in minimum wage to $16.66 per hour. That’s a 2.35 percent increase from 2024, and it is the highest across-the-board state minimum wage. By comparison, California is $16.50 for most workers and $18 and above for health care workers. Neighboring states are quite different. Oregon is divided into three geographic zones by county. It’s $15.45 per hour in the three Portland metro area counties - Multnomah, Clackamas and
Washington. The “standard” of $14.70 per hour applies to 15 counties, generally those in the Willamette Valley and the coast from Lane to Clatsop plus Hood River, Wasco, Deschutes, Josephine and Jackson. The other 18 on the south coast and most of Eastern Oregon, it’s $13.20. They will all increase on July 1, 2025. And Idaho is one of the 20 states that use only the federal standard of $7.25 an hour, which has not been changed since 2009. House Bill 2214 guarantees free college tuition to low-income students starting in the 2025-26 academic year. Students in grades 10 through 12 who receive Basic Food or Food Assistance Program benefits are automatically qualified for the Washington College
Grant financial aid program. A policy issued by Labor and Industries last June, Starting Jan. 1, restricts hospitals from requiring mandatory overtime for employees directly involved in patient care, including nurses, surgical technicians and other clinical staff. The law applies to workers who are paid hourly or covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Larger hospitals are affected January 1, while smaller hospitals and critical access facilities have until July 1. Senate Bill 5793, Washington’s new Paid Sick Leave law, mandates that workers, including drivers for transportation companies, will have access to paid sick leave and will be protected from
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County approves power pole construction for solar project RODGER NICHOLS FOR THE SENTINEL
The timeless tradition of New Year’s resolutions As the final days of December unfold, a familiar ritual begins to take shape: the making of New Year’s resolutions. This time-honored tradition, blending hope, reflection, and self-improvement, has been a cultural staple for centuries. But where did it all begin, and why does it endure? The history of New Year’s resolutions is a fascinating journey through time, touching upon ancient civilizations, religious practices, and the ever-present human desire for renewal. Ancient beginnings: Babylonian promises The earliest known celebrations of the New Year—and with them, the first New Year’s resolutions—can be traced back over 4,000 years to ancient Babylon. Unlike today, the Babylonians celebrated their New Year in midMarch, coinciding with the planting of crops. During a 12-day festival known as Akitu, they made promises to their gods, pledging to repay debts and return borrowed items. These resolutions were deeply tied to their religious beliefs; fulfilling their promises meant staying in the gods’ good graces, while failure might invite divine disfavor. This concept of aligning personal commitments with divine approval set the stage for New Year’s resolutions as acts of moral and spiritual accountability. Roman influence: Janus and the calendar The tradition evolved further with the Romans, who established January 1 as the beginning of the New Year. This shift came in 46 BCE, when Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar. January was named for Janus, the two-faced god of beginnings and transitions. Depicted as looking both forward and backward, Janus symbolized reflection on the past year and anticipation of the
future. Romans offered sacrifices to Janus and made promises of good conduct for the coming year. These early resolutions were not merely personal aspirations but commitments to community and civic virtue, reflecting the Roman emphasis on collective responsibility. Christian adaptations: from sacrifice to self-examination With the spread of Christianity, New Year’s resolutions took on a more introspective tone. By the 18th century, John Wesley, founder of Methodism, popularized the Covenant Renewal Service. Often held on New Year’s Eve or Day, these gatherings encouraged Christians to reflect on past mistakes and commit to spiritual growth in the year ahead. Known as “watch night” services, they remain a tradition in some churches today. This era emphasized resolutions as moral and spiritual acts, urging individuals to turn inward and seek alignment with divine will rather than merely external goals. Modern transformations: secular and personal By the 19th and 20th centuries, New Year’s resolutions had become less about religious commitment and more about personal self-improvement. The Industrial Revolution brought rapid societal changes, including the rise of individualism. Resolutions began to focus on personal goals such as better health, financial success, or personal happiness. Media played a significant role in shaping this modern perspective. Magazines and newspapers of the early 20th century often featured articles and advice columns encouraging readers to make and keep resolutions. Over time, these goals shifted to include quitting smoking, losing weight, and
learning new skills, reflecting changing cultural priorities. The psychology of resolutions Why do so many people feel compelled to make resolutions at the start of a new year? Psychologists suggest it’s rooted in the concept of a “temporal landmark.” These markers—be it a birthday, an anniversary, or January 1— create a mental separation between past and future, making it easier to envision change. The New Year, in particular, symbolizes a blank slate, offering a fresh start. This psychological reset encourages people to reflect on their achievements and shortcomings, setting the stage for ambitious goals. However, studies show that only about 8% of people actually stick to their resolutions, often due to unrealistic expectations or a lack of actionable planning. Cultural variations and global practices While the concept of New Year’s resolutions is widely recognized, it takes different forms across cultures. In Japan, for example, the New Year’s tradition of “kakizome” involves writing out one’s aspirations or goals in calligraphy. In Scotland, Hogmanay celebrations include rituals like “first-footing,” symbolizing good fortune for the year ahead. Even within the United States, variations exist. Some African American communities incorporate watch night services with historical significance, tying the practice to the anticipation of the Emancipation Proclamation’s implementation on January 1, 1863. Meanwhile, modern trends like vision boards and social media declarations have given the tradition a contemporary twist. Why resolutions endure Despite their mixed success
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At their meeting on December 24, Klickitat County Commissioners approved a controversial franchise agreement with Carriger Solar, LLC, the company that’s hoping to construct a large solar farm in the county. This agreement did not approve or disapprove the proposed solar farm. Instead, it would allow the company to construct power poles along county right-of-way. The agreement also puts the cost on the company if the right-ofway changes, and the company has to relocate their poles. Opponents say it’s a back-door way to edge the county closer to approving the solar project. Commissioners also approved an aggregate resource zone overlay that will allow the expansion of aggregate mining at a quarry owned by James Dean Construction. New corrections department administrator Bill Frantz said in the 20 days he’d been on the job, he’s been impressed by what he found here. “Those officers do an amazing job with a very limited amount of resources,” he said. “They take in the most challenging people of our county. And I’ve had the opportunity to watch them in action and see the passion that they have as individuals and as professionals. And it only reinforces my belief that I’m in the right place.” Commissioner Jacob Ander-
son confirmed that the county has hired a coroner, in response to a change in state law. “His name is Eric Anderson. He has years of experience and dedication to Klickitat County, working for the sheriff’s department. He was the most qualified, and we’re very happy to have him.” In addition, the county approved a contract for deputy coroner services with Washington Funeral Services, Inc., which owns funeral homes in the area. Anderson called the $1,500-permonth contract providing a number of services, including transportation of remains, “a really amazing deal.” The meeting lasted slightly over two hours, in part because there was a minimum quorum of only two commissioners. Commissioner Dan Christopher had informed the board earlier that he had a long-planned family vacation for much of December. The final meeting of the year for Klickitat County Commissioners is scheduled for 9 a.m. on December 31. Under the consent agenda, commissioners approved: • Task Order No. 18 with Precision Approach Engineering, Inc. for installation of backup generator, a new avgas fuel system and general airport project development support services • An agreement with Jack Trumbull, Washington Funeral Services, Inc. to provide specialized services to the Klickitat
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New Year predictions that defied the odds LOU MARZELES EDITOR (With a little help from ChatGPT) As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, millions around the globe make resolutions and predictions for the year ahead. Most are lighthearted or symbolic, but some prognostications stand out—especially when they later prove uncannily accurate. History offers several instances of unusual New Year predictions that defied the odds and came true, leaving us marveling at the blend of foresight, coincidence, and perhaps a touch of fate. The Great Fire of London foreseen (1666) One of history’s most chilling New Year predictions came from astrologer William Lilly. In 1665, he published a pamphlet titled Monarchy or No Monarchy in England, which contained a cryptic prediction about a great fire in London. The accompanying illustration showed a city consumed by flames. While the pamphlet did not specify a date, its warnings gained renewed
attention when, in September 1666, the Great Fire of London engulfed much of the city. Though skeptics argue that London was prone to fires due to its wooden buildings and open flames, Lilly’s prediction seemed eerily prescient. To this day, it remains a topic of fascination and debate among historians. Mark Twain predicts his own death (1910) Mark Twain, the celebrated American writer, made a stunning prediction about his own demise. Born in 1835, the year Halley’s Comet passed close to Earth, Twain famously quipped that he expected to die when the comet returned. During a New Year’s gathering in 1909, he reiterated this prediction, saying, “I came in with Halley’s Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it.” True to his words, Twain passed away on April 21, 1910, one day after the comet reached its perihelion. While his prediction could be dismissed as poetic coincidence, it remains one of the most remarkable examples
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