With the new year comes new laws for both Oregon and Washington.
Washington
Only 24 Washington House and Senate bills took effect on January 1 of the more than 3,000 that were introduced and the 422 that passed.
Minimum wage for Washington went up to $17.13 an hour. That puts it ahead of New York’s $17 and makes it the highest state in the nation. Only Washington, D.C.’s $17.95 is higher. Highest local rates in the nation are $21.30 for Seattle, $21.63 for large employers in Burien, and $21.65 an hour in Tukwilla. That’s not quite three times the $7.25 in Idaho.
Senate Bill 5486 requires all movie theaters open to the public to offer closed captioning, which is delivered through an accessible device or glasses that show the captions. And for movies that offer open captioning, which is always in view on the screen and can’t be turned off, companies that operate five or more theaters must offer a certain number of screenings during the first two weeks of a movies release and during peak business hours that have open captioning. And they must advertise those times the same way as for other screenings.
Of local interest, House Bill 2003 requires a Columbia River salmon or steelhead endorsement for any person 15 or older fishing recreationally for steelhead or salmon in the Columbia and its tributaries.
Many of the bills passed in the
session raised taxes.
Senate Bill 5814 adds all nicotine products—vapes, pouches, and e-cigarettes—to the 95 percent excise tax currently used for cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobacco, effectively doubling the price.
Buying a luxury vehicle? Be prepared for a luxury sales tax, thanks to Engrossed Substitute
Senate Bill 5801. For cars, it adds an 8 percent surcharge on any amount over $100,000. That threshold will go up annually every July 1 by 2 percent. There are exemptions for commercial vehicles, farm vehicles, off-road and non-highway vehicles. By comparison, it’s a modest 0.5 percent on recreational watercraft 16 feet or over. And for the very wealthy among us, it will be 10 percent on the amount over $500,000 for non-commercial aircraft.
Senate Bill 5794 removes the sales tax exemption on silver, gold, and other precious metals. If you’re buying that ounce of gold in Klickitat County at spot price, which was $4,386.60 on January 1, you’d be paying $4,726.46, an extra $339.75. Closer to home for most of us, an ounce of silver, $73.83 at spot on January 1, would go to $79.37, another $5.54. And the minimum fee for plastic bags film carryout bags takes a 50 percent hike from 8 cents to 12 cents per bag. Paper bags stay at 8 cents, and the thicker 4-mil plastic bags double to 16 cents. This is a legacy increase from Senate Bill 5399 that passed in 2020.
Oregon lawmakers introduced 3,466 bills, resolutions and memorials during
County appoints new PA
rodger NichoLs
For the seNtiNeL
Klickitat County Commissioners made a couple of internal adjustments in the budget, appointed Rebecca Cranston as the County’s new Prosecuting Attorney, and responded to a question about accomplishments in 2025 at their December 30 meeting.
Chair Ron Ihrig was the first to respond, citing the budget process:
“I felt very positive that the board looked at a three-year solution, not a one-year solution,” he said. “Today on the consent agenda is our selective county-wide hiring freeze, and that’s going to be painful over the next three years and how we navigate that. And the reorganization with administrator, starting on the comp plan.”
For 2026, he said he’d like to see follow-through on short term rentals, fireworks, solar, and BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems) ordinances, the critical area ordinance, and the shoreline master plan.
New commissioner Todd Andrews said it took him a while to adjust to the slower pace of government:
“I’ve probably had more frustrations my first year here, just with the speed of government, being in private industry my whole life.” he said. “But we set things up, I think, for success for the coming years. And I appreciate this board’s work on that. I think we’ve made some really good decisions in putting Robb as county administrator and taking a slow, thoughtful approach, rather than just a knee-jerk reaction. I think that was wise, and in doing that, we’ll be better set up and prepared for the future.”
And Lori Zoller commented on a change in mood:
“I think for me, it’s just the working of the board has been wonderful,” she said. “We’ve brought it back to civility. Mr. Ihrig said he was going to bring it back to boredom. I don’t know if we’re there yet, but I think that pretty much the soap opera is gone that we were living under, and all the things that came forward, like the comp plan, and the ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit), and everything else that needed to be done. We’ve set those up so they’re going to be accomplished, finally.”
The board did move a few minor amounts of money within line items, which did not make any change in the total budget amount. They appointed Cranston, who had been the only applicant, as the new county Prosecuting Attorney.
But the Tuesday session was not the final one for the year. A
‘That is so last year’
Lou MarzeLes editor
By the time the calendar flips, some things age instantly. Others don’t even make it to January 2.
There is a peculiar magic to the New Year. At midnight on December 31, fireworks explode, glasses clink, and entire categories of human behavior are suddenly, irrevocably obsolete.
It’s not that anything actually changes. The sun rises the same way. Coffee tastes the same. The dog still needs to be fed. But socially—culturally—emotionally—we act as if a giant invisible line has been crossed. On one side: the past. On the other: now.
And once you’ve crossed that line, there’s no going back. Which is why, mere days into January, it’s already perfectly acceptable—encouraged, even— to dismiss things with a breezy wave of the hand and a knowing smile.
“That? Oh, that’s so last year.”
There was a time when “last year” meant something substantial. It implied distance. Perspective. Perhaps even wisdom. Now it mostly means the day before yesterday, metaphorically speaking. The modern New Year doesn’t arrive gently. It kicks in the door, rearranges the furniture, and immediately declares half of what you were doing a week ago outdated.
This is not necessarily a bad thing. It’s just funny—especially when you start paying attention to how quickly we abandon things that were, until recently, our entire personality.
Technology Nothing becomes “last year” faster than technology—except maybe the charger you can’t find for it.
Consider the smartphone purchased in November. At the time, it felt like a serious commitment. You researched it. Compared models. Learned its features. You may have even
bragged about it a little. Now? Somewhere out there, a newer version exists with a slightly better camera, a marginally faster processor, and one extra feature you didn’t know you needed until you didn’t have it. Your phone still works perfectly. But emotionally, it’s begun the slow journey toward irrelevance.
Passwords, too, have not aged well. If you can still remember one without resetting it, experts agree it probably belongs to last year—and possibly the year before that. Modern security culture favors mystery, confusion, and mild panic. Then there are QR codes. Once heralded as the future, they now occupy an odd social space where everyone pretends to know how to use them smoothly, while secretly opening the wrong app, missing the scan window, and hoping no one notices.
Hovering awkwardly over a table, angling your phone like a divining rod?
That’s so last year.
Even language has shifted.
Saying “I’ll Google it” now sounds faintly nostalgic, like a phone book. The phrase hasn’t disappeared—it’s just been quietly pushed aside by more conversational ways of finding answers such as ChatGPT. Technology doesn’t move on slowly. It vanishes, leaving behind a trail of devices, cables, and unopened updates you meant to install before the year ended.
Fashion and lifestyle January is ruthless when it comes to aesthetics.
The holiday sweater that felt charming on December 23 suddenly looks suspicious on January 2. The ornaments that brought warmth and cheer are now negotiating their exit from the living room, often via a chair designated specifically for “things we’ll deal with later.” Later, of course, was last year.
A few hardy souls took to the
Columbia River waters on New Year’s
for the 2026 Polar Plunge.
Microschools, similar programs on the rise in state
Donna G or Don Blankinship
WashinGton state stan Dar D
When Cadence was deciding which 8th grade classes to take at Maywood Middle School, a couple of things influenced the 14-year-old’s choices.
“I don’t like ELA,” she said, referring to English Language Arts, the term schools use these days for reading and writing.
So Cadence chose to spend part of her day in Issaquah School District’s experimental microschool, which combines science and English with a focus on the environment and an emphasis on hands-on learning.
On a recent Friday afternoon, Cadence and her classmates were conducting an experiment to better understand radiation, using skittles and math — and both reading and writing. Earlier in the period, she participated in a class review session employing both writing and conversation. And her class also spoke briefly about the book they had been reading about the groundbreaking chemist and physicist Marie Curie.
In other words, her teacher, Valerie Buck, weaves reading and writing into every day and every project, with or without Cadence and her classmates realizing it. It’s a creative approach to meeting students where they are academically.
Customizing education to the needs of individual students is not new. Research has shown for decades that every child requires a slightly different path to academic success. But most schools find it easier to talk about than to actually do in large classes during short class periods.
Issaquah’s microschool program is just one notable example where a Washing-
ton school is working hard to overcome those obstacles. Creativity in educational programs appears to be growing again in these post-pandemic years. Microschools are one option.
Some consider microschools, which are more popular on the East Coast, a leftover from the pandemic. Some families, who felt online learning wasn’t working, formed their own learning “pods,” where students could both quarantine and learn.
The Maywood program doesn’t exactly fit the microschool model, because it’s not an all-day, standalone program. But it has many of the elements: It is small (50 total students in two classes) and has a focus on personalized learning.
Students opted into the program, which the school views, in part, as a way to get them ready for the project-based learning approach at a district high school. Building community is another major goal in Buck’s classroom and another emphasis at many microschools.
The Issaquah project is not offered as an all-day standalone program, although that is a goal, because school officials could not cobble together enough money to launch a larger pilot.
They are lucky to have enough space — tucked away from regular classes — to give them the feeling of being special and unique. And this corner of Maywood has a couple more empty classrooms just begging to be filled with an expanded program, which Buck said would allow them more time for hands-on learning.
Buck chose to focus on the Salish Sea and sustainability and has integrated community service projects to add real-life experience. For example, students did a
water use study about shorter showers and visited the Gates Foundation to learn about water and toilets.
“I think it’s important because kids really need purpose with what they’re learning,” Buck said. Penelope, 13, agreed. “It seemed more interesting than normal classes,” she said between counting “radioactive” skittles in Buck’s class.
“You get to do nice hands-on things, which is fun.”
Julia Bamba, the microschool principal who oversees special projects and innovation for the district, said Issaquah started experimenting with alternative school models because they wanted to give students more control over their learning.
The district takes a slow and steady approach to innovation, starting with prototypes that are thoroughly tested before scaling. It’s not good enough for the innovations to meet student desire for variety (or more science and less language arts); they also must meet the district’s high academic standards, Bamba said.
She pointed to a few other public school programs that both inspired Issaquah and keep them thinking about how they can innovate.
Big Picture Learning is a network of schools across the nation and in Washington that emphasizes student-directed learning. And Tacoma Public Schools has become a center for creativity through a maritime education partnership with the Port of Tacoma, and by providing numerous ways students can earn college credit while still in high school.
‘Customer’ focus and creativity
One of my favorite examples of school innovation is Spokane Public Schools. A recent conversation with
Kristin Whiteaker, who is director of charter schools, satellite schools and program support for the district, revealed there’s more going on in Spokane than I was aware of.
You may remember that when Washington state started experimenting with charter schools, Spokane was the only district that decided to embed that choice inside their public school walls. But they’ve done a lot more. They not only provided intentional remote learning years before the pandemic, they have strengthened and grown their online school since then. Spokane Virtual Learning welcomes students from across the state and has higher graduation rates (88% in four years) than a lot of regular public schools.
Spokane offers many other choices from the school innovation checklist: Dual-language immersion in Spanish and English, project-based learning, a parent-teacher cooperative model, special resources for homeschool families, a biomedical institute, a standalone highly capable program, and a Montessori school. Spokane also has district-wide school choice so students and families can choose which program is best for them.
Why so many choices? That’s what the community wanted, Whiteaker said.
While many districts across Washington lost enrollment during and after the pandemic, Spokane didn’t. Whiteaker credits their “customer” focus and ongoing academic success.
“We’re constantly surveying families to ask questions about what their interests are and what their perspectives are before we make decisions,” she said.
Whiteaker emphasized that Spokane isn’t just interested
in creativity, but academic success.
“We lead with data and research and have a focus on best practices,” she said, adding, “And the heart. Care that comes from the heart is part of our culture.”
They don’t have a microschool, but I’m guessing that’s because Spokane parents haven’t heard of them yet.
An evolving trend
Microschools most closely resemble one-room schoolhouses, although they usually have more than one room. But the idea is the same: small school, multiaged classes, hands-on, differentiated learning. The concept blossomed during and after the pandemic but existed well before.
Their size makes the economics more difficult than the academics, and state regulations can also be a stumbling block. A few states have passed laws giving microschools the right to exist, including Georgia, Tennessee and Texas. Other states, including Oregon, Illinois and Massachusetts, require hybrid authorization similar to private schools.
Many microschools in other states (and potentially in Washington) operate under homeschool laws or as private schools. A 2025 report from the National Microschooling Center estimates that between 750,000 and
2.1 million students attend microschools in the U.S. They are in every state as well as Washington, D.C., and nearly half were founded by parents. Sixty-one percent of microschools nationally get their funding from tuition, while 38% get at least some of their money from state school choice dollars, such as vouchers. Ten percent get regular public school or charter school funding.
A Washington proposal to establish a pilot project to authorize certified teachers to operate microschools failed to pass during the 2022 legislative session. But districts and private schools are allowed to experiment with the model under existing laws.
Tailored approach
Another Washington microschool, the Kineo School in Kirkland, is private, tuition-funded and designed to serve a neurodivergent student population. It has a multi-age classroom and operates as a one-room schoolhouse for children in kindergarten through third grade.
Kineo and other microschools are not for everyone, Kent said. Children who thrive in larger social groups do better at larger schools. But the benefits outweigh the disadvantages for some children.
G oldendale ’ s a ttic
This week’s Goldendale’s Attic Mystery Picture
We don’t expect anyone to be able to identify any of the people in this picture, though that would be great if someone can. It’s an interest-
ing period picture, so we’re more interested in what was going on here, where it was, and why. Any thoughts? All we know is this picture ran
in The Sentinel sometime, lost in the annals of yesteryear. If you know anything about it, please send us an email (info@ goldendalesentinel.com),
or give us a call (509-7733777), or drop in at the office—and remember, you’re welcome to come in and take a look at the original photograph.
L ooking Back
January 2, 1925 – 101 Years Ago
Visitors to Goldendale speak highly of the new bridge over the Columbia River at White Salmon. The total cost of the completed structure is approximately $430,000.
January 3, 1946 – 83 Years Ago
The most important business expansion of 1945 has been completed by Max Maurer of Maurer Bros. Feed Store, and they are now occupying their newly constructed shop service, assembly, and repair building. The brick structure on lower Main Street is 100 feet by 83 feet and is modern in every respect. The building was subsequently acquired by the Public Utility District (PUD) for use as a warehouse and business office and later served as the Courthouse Annex. The site is currently a parking lot.
January 2, 1986 – 40 Years Ago
Kitchen Pazazz moves to a new home. Kitchen Pazazz showcases over 425 items, many of them locally crafted. They all fall into the “country gourmet” category. A visit to the new headquarters and warehouse at 221 West Main in Goldendale brings the collection in view. Neatly stacked are kitchen utensils from Switzerland, Germany, and France, cookbooks from all over the country, hand painted bookends made by Roger and Pat Falter, unique casseroles produced by Klickitat County Pottery.
January 5, 1995 – 30 Years Ago
Goldendale’s First Baptist Church has been busy preserving a piece of Goldendale history during the holidays, moving the bell and cross from atop the old First Baptist Church on west Broadway and Klickitat Streets to its currently used building at 207 S. Klickitat [currently the site of Fathers House]. The old church on Broadway was sold to Delos Reno, who plans to turn it into apartments, said Darrell Watson, a member of the church council. The lots where the historic First Baptist Church was built more than 100 years ago were deeded by Goldendale’s founder John Golden. The two lots were valued at $75. Local men built the original building for $1,900. The church bell cost $90; the pews $152.
January 5, 1995 – 30 Years Ago
Klickitat Valley Bank’s Citizen of the Month is Harley Clark. Clark, 67, has lived in Goldendale since 1965 after moving from Vancouver. He worked for the DOT as a division supervisor before retiring after 30 years of service in 1982. He started working for Bishop Companies in 1987 as their fleet manager. He manages and supervises all of their equipment. He and his wife Betty have been married for 42 years. They have four children and 10 grandchildren. He is a World War II veteran; Harley served in the Navy from 1944 to1949.
January 14, 2015 – 10 years Ago
Vern Markee Park – What used to be an empty weigh station on the side of Highway 142 has since become a local landmark of volunteerism and a tourist destination—the Vern Markee Park, featuring the Greater Goldendale Area Chamber of Commerce. As of 1996, the current Chamber site was merely a plot of land with no purpose, a deed that belonged to Washington State, which later passed the deed to the city of Goldendale. The then members of the Chamber of Commerce, including Earlene Sulivan, Jim Allyn, and numerous others, wanted to lease this land from the city to secure a place where the board could seek inspiration for innovative thinking on behalf of the town. And fortunately, this did come true. With a plot of land, a deed and an annual property tax of $1 a year, there was no reason not to begin the process. Jim Allyn was the designer of the original building. In 2016, work on renovating and adding 16 feet to the original building was started.
— Richard Lefever Klickitat County Historical Society
Answer to last week’s Mystery Picture
More points to ponder:
I have a stepladder. It’s a nice stepladder, but it’s sad that I never knew my real ladder.
A nearsighted whale was following a submarine. Every time it shot off a torpedo, the whale handed out cigars.
If I could have a conversation with someone living or dead, I think I’d prefer the one who’s living.
“Hello, fire department? My house is on fire!”
“Okay, how do we get to your house?”
“You don’t have those big red trucks any more?”
Jim and Carol Carter tell us: “This is a picture of Jim Carter from Bickleton alongside his1952 Studebaker 1-ton truck. It was taken in July 1993 at the International Studebaker meet, which was held in Portland, Oregon. He won 1st place in his class, and he is holding a canvas painting (which was the trophy) commem-
Points to ponder:
orating the Oregon Trail.” And Debbie Woodward writes about the picture we ran a few weeks ago of two small kids dancing in what appeared to be a county fair. She says, “The two little girls dancing were Ashley Woodward & Candi Kuhnhausen. This is about 1992 at the Klickitat County Fair.”
I’m not unemployed. I’m involuntarily leisured.
I’ve just invented a new word: plagiarism.
What’s the big deal about not knowing what “apocalypse” means? It’s not like it’s the end of the world.
OpiniOn
Nicolas Maduro is the former president of Venezuela. He’s been in power since 2013 and has been accused of being a dictator due to electoral fraud, human rights abuses, corruption and severe economic hardship. Today he is in a Brooklyn, New York, jail. He and his wife Cilia Flores were arrested by U.S. troops and taken out of the country to stand trial on U.S. drug trafficking charges. They appeared in court on Monday. Maduro faces charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and attempting to arrange a meeting between a large-scale drug trafficking organization and the director of Venezuela’s National Anti-Drug office.
There is much more to come about Venezuela in the days ahead.
While Maduro and his wife are adjusting to lifestyle changes, isn’t it time for Vladimir Putin to have an adjustment? Putin has been in power since 1999. He was appointed acting president after Boris Yeltsin’s resignation on December 31, 1999 and then won the election in March 2000.
Before that he served as the head of the Federal Security Service and as Secretary of the Security council. He has been described as the de facto leader of Russia since 2000.
Putin has stayed in power by controlling the media and suppressing opposition voices. He has manipulated elections through voter suppression and ballot stuffing. He has arrested or exiled political opponents. He has granted himself extended presidential terms through constitutional changes. He has maintained a strong grip on the economy through state-controlled industries.
Since Putin took office, Russia has been involved in conflicts in several countries including Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova. Ukraine has been at the forefront of our news stories since his full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. In 2014 he began incursion into Ukraine by annexing Crimea through a disputed referendum. He supported pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine with troops and equipment in April, 2014. He seized key infrastructure such as airports and government buildings. He engaged in clashes with Ukrainian forces resulting in thousands of deaths.
Since 2014, the estimated death toll in Ukraine, due to Putin’s actions, is around 323,000 people with an average of 7,690 killed per month. This includes over 14,000 military and civilian deaths during the war in Donbas, and 400,000 to 1.5 million casualties during the Russian invasion from February 24, 2022, until November 2025.
Will Putin really make a deal? He will if it is all in his favor. If he can totally control Ukraine, he might agree to make a deal until he decides to invade another neighboring country. Putin’s deal includes recognition of the land Russia’s already taken. No NATO membership for Ukraine, and limits on their military. Ukraine’s President wants a full withdrawal of Rus-
THE GOLDENDALE SENTINEL
Official newspaper of Klickitat County, Washington
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sian troops and security guarantees. There have been some talks while Putin continues to kill and bomb Ukraine. Currently there doesn’t appear to be any stopping him from taking the entire country. Maduro and Putin are both bad people. One is now in jail. The other continues to move forward killing at will.
Burn-out has got to go
The Festival of Wheels gave it another try this year. It seems the attendance has dwindled to much lower levels than when the event was new, 10 years ago. There are a lot of competing car shows this time of year, so it doesn’t surprise me .
This year Goldendale Motorsports Association and ABATE brought back the burn-out, which was tried several times in the past with questionable benefits to the town. This year someone had the brilliant idea to use the old skateboard park as a place to stage the return of the burnout. It was held on the concrete slab, a tempting medium for anyone inclined to bum rubber. Rednecks of many degrees, punk kids or maybe the little old lady from Pasadena. I personally was left with a bad taste in my mouth and lungs. Even though I made it a point to stay away from the burn-out and was at my home where I thought I would escape the noise and smoke, when the toxic cloud rose from the park and drifted over the Little Klickitat River Park (the swimming pool) on to the kids and families at the pool and on to me while I was sitting on my property. We were contaminated by the toxins in the smoke, and my eyes and throat were imitated, and my lungs filled with carbon monoxide and other cancer causing toxic compounds
for three hours.
I think the city of Goldendale needs to rethink supporting burnouts in our park. Next year don’t issue a permit to any group that wants to burn-out. There are places in the county where it could be held, just not in the city please. I hate toxic smoke, and you should too. On Sept 4 I will be asking the mayor and his administration to make an ordinance forbidding anyone from reckless unsafe burnouts in any ones neighborhood or any street in the Goldendale city limits. I would appreciate some support from like-minded citizens at the council meeting. Let them know how you feel.
Ken McKune Goldendale C
I recently received an updated “Terms for Business and Deposit Account Agreement” from Columbia Bank. I am not in the habit of reading the fine print but for some reason this time I did. I came across an “added” line that I found very concerning. Again, this line is both for personal and business accounts. It reads: “We may refuse to open and account and may close your account at any time for any reason or for no reason at all.”
“For No Reason At All” I particularly found offensive.
I contacted the bank for an explanation. The answer was essentially that “we wouldn’t do that.” Then why is it in your documents, I asked. The answer was to send me up the chain of command. The second person gave the same answer as the first and then was to have me contacted by some-one higher up. That person has not contacted me after more than a week so I am following through on what I told the bank contacts I was going to do—write a letter to the editor to be sure local folks are aware of how Columbia Bank is choosing to deal with its account holders. My concern is that a comment as broad as this opens the door for abuse. I have had no difficulties with our local branch and am sorry that the headquarters has decided to take such a hard line. It ap-pears I will need to look for a bank that does not behave in this manner.
Ken Margraf Goldendale
Letters from the community
Olympia can’t keep us safe
We have two bills in the legislature being pushed to shift law enforcement control away from voters and into the hands of Olympia bureaucrats: House Bill 1399 and Senate Bill 5066.
These are new threats to local control and direct attacks on our independence. In Washington State, the county sheriff is a law enforcement official who answers directly to the people, not to Olympia. Their duty is to keep the peace, enforce the law, and defend the Constitution. HB 1399 would allow unelected boards to decide who can run for sheriff, who can stay in office, and which laws must be enforced, regardless of their constitutionality. SB 5066 would give the state attorney general broad power to investigate or sue a sheriff. If these dangerous
bills are passed, sheriffs would be forced to put state politics ahead of the needs of their local communities.
In the last 13 years, we have seen the job Olympia has done in protecting Washington citizens. Washington State is ranked as one of the worst states for crime, specifically being the second most dangerous state in the U.S. for raising a family, largely due to its high property crime rate.
Think about it: do you want Olympia keeping our counties safe? This is all about taking control. Once they get the sheriff, they will decide who will be able to hold any county elected position. This is why we must oppose HB 1399 and SB 5066.
Delmer Eldred Goldendale
Guidelines for Letters
Some gift
We bomb Nigeria, and according to several news sources, the president says, “Hit them on Christmas Day. It will be a Christmas present.” That’s a heck of a way to honor the birth of the Prince of Peace. Where is the public outcry from the churches?
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Janet Holen White Salmon
Travis steps down from school board
As I write this, things are settling down after the busy holiday season.
We’ve heard that the flu is beginning to hit several people in our community. The school urges parents to keep their children at home if they are experiencing flu symptoms.
Here’s some important school board news of interest to the community I forgot to share last week. At the last Glenwood School Board of Directors meeting of 2025, Board Chair Travis Miller was recognized on the occasion of his last meeting.
After 12 years of dedicated service to the Glenwood School District, Travis decided not to file for re-election so he can focus on family and running their ranch. He was presented with a certificate of appreciation by Superintendent/ Principal Bob Rogers, and the Board presented him with a gift basket. Travis, thank you for your many years of service as the third generation of Millers to serve on that Board. You will be greatly missed.
In other Glenwood School Board news, new members Dianna Dillenburg and Perry Wasgatt took their oaths of office. Another
board member, Kara Griffin, also made the decision not to file for re-election but when she learned of another vacancy due to the resignation of director Jake Eldred, she applied for and was selected to that vacant position. Her decision to keep serving on the board is greatly appreciated, so much so that she was promptly elected board chair for the upcoming year. Dianna, Perry, and Kara join Ryan Sanchey and me as we look forward to a positive and productive 2026. We love our little school and are privileged to get to serve. There certainly isn’t much other news to report this week. The high school boys’ basketball team will have a game in Goldendale on Wednesday, the 7th. They’ll play on the Glenwood court on Friday night at 6 p.m. This game will be with Trout Lake, so let’s hope for a great turn out of Klickwood fans so our boys can hear and feel our support for them. They’ll play in Dufur Saturday afternoon.
Let’s hope flu doesn’t hit our community too hard and the roads stay safe and drivable as we charge on into 2026.
Meresse named to President’s List
Lisa Meresse of Goldendale, a Trine University student, was named to the President’s List for the Fall 2025 semester.
Meresse is majoring in Psychology-BS.
To earn President’s List honors, Trine University students must complete a minimum of 12 hours and have a grade point average of 3.750-4.000. Trine University, an
internationally recognized, private, co-educational, residential institution, offers associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in the Allen School of Engineering & Computing, Ketner School of Business, College of Graduate and Professional Studies, Brooks College of Health Professions, Franks School of Education, Jannen School of Arts & Sciences
and Rinker-Ross School of Health Sciences. Trine is a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and offers 37 intercollegiate sports, 27 of which compete in NCAA Division III. Its golf program includes the university-owned 18-hole championship Zollner Golf Course. Founded in 1884 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahigher learningcommission.org), Trine operates a 450-acre campus in Angola, Indiana, and the College of Health Professions in Fort Wayne, with education centers in Detroit, Michigan, Phoenix, Arizona, and Reston, Virginia, and programs available worldwide through TrineOnline.
Contributed
WITH HONORS: Lizzy Hedges, daughter of Bjorn Hedges and Angie Hedges and Class of 2022 Valedictorian of Goldendale High School, graduated from Washington State University on December 6, 2025. Lizzy earned Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and was honored to be gonfalonier, carrying the flag of the School of Veterinary Medicine into graduation. She plans to continue her education in medical school this fall. Lizzy is currently working at a medical clinic in Portland, Oregon.
O BITUA RY
Phil Nielsen
Phil Nielsen of Goldendale passed away January 3, 2026, in Vancouver, Washington.
Phil was born March 24, 1967, and was 58 years of age at the time of passing.
Services are planned for 1 p.m., Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the Goldendale Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (104 McKinley Street, Goldendale). Arrangements are under the direction of Columbia Hills Memorial Chapel, 300 W. Broadway Street, Goldendale, Washington, 98620, (509) 772-2636. Visit www.gardnerFH.com to share a story or leave a note for family.
COUNTY from page A1
meeting on Wednesday the 31st was billed as a continuation of the regular December 30 meeting and dealt with a single subject—the public defender contract.
By law, counties and cities in Washington are responsible for providing legal representation for people charged with crimes who cannot afford a lawyer.
At a time of shrinking budgets, this has become increasingly challenging for local governments. Klickitat County had published a request for proposals and only received one applicant, attorney Lori Hoctor, who has been fulfilling that role.
“We are retaining Lori because of the Supreme Court ruling that the caseload goes down by 10 percent per year,” Chair Ron ihrig said. “We have 10 years to get there, but it starts affecting us year one. This is going back to the Supreme Court that the state needs to help fund the decisions they make and put on us, because right now this is an unfunded mandate.”
He also said the negotiations had gone on until the last minute, with help from Skamania County Attorney Adam Kick.
The final contract lists the salary as $156,000 for 2026, $164,784 for 2027 and $177,132 for 2028. In order to respect the Supreme Court’s order,
Ms. Hoctor will be limited to 135 felony cases in 2026, 121 in 2027 and 109 in 2028. The contract notes that an additional counsel will have to be retained in order to cover the remaining cases.
Ihrig added that there was enough money in the budget to cover 2026, but that the county would probably have to add money in 2027 and definitely in 2028.
Under the consent agenda passed December 30, commissioners approved:
• Publication of planned costs using County Forces in 2026 on construction projects
• Public Works foreman working outside their classification
• A resolution appointing a Klickitat County Commissioner to serve as representative to the WSAC Legislative Steering Committee
• An amendment to the Motorola solutions agreement
• A resolution establishing a selective county-wide hiring freeze
• An appointment to the Klickitat County Veterans Advisory Board
• A Klickitat County Solid Waste advertising agreement with Gorge Country Media
• An appointment to the Open Space Advisory Committee
WAGAP gets new director
Tamara Kaufman For The
SenTinel
Melanie Tucker has joined Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) to become its new Family and Community Wellness Director. She brings 30 years of experience in social services to support the Whole Family Approach, including overseeing programs such as the Pathways Health Connect team and the White Salmon Community Youth Center. The goal is to help community members access resources to create healthier lives for themselves and their families.
“We are very excited to have Melanie join our team,” said WAGAP Executive Director Jennifer Pauletto. “The role is essential to providing people with personal connections to a wide variety of services, from physical and mental health resources, financial training and assistance, family support for things like parenting resources.”
Pauletto said Tucker is taking over the role from Abby Brandt Whalin, who held it for four years. “We are so grateful to have had outstanding leadership from Abby to put together the Pathways team and develop great relationships between Community Health Workers and local organizations to help provide excel-
LAWS from page A1
session. Only 633 were finally signed by the governor. Some took effect immediately, some after 91 days, and 282 on January 1. Here are some of the highlights.
The most hotly debated bill of the session was Senate Bill 916, which makes Oregon the first state in the nation to allow both public and private striking workers to collect unemployment benefits.
Senate Bill 548 raises the legal age for marriage in Oregon from 17 to 18 years old. Before that, 17-year-olds could marry with permission of one parent or guardian, and, importantly, the 17-year-old’s permission was not required, which would technically allow parents
lent support for community members in need. We are confident that Melanie’s experience will add a new layer of understanding to the challenges that low-income families face in their daily lives.”
Tucker graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Her initial focus was on hospice work, helping individuals and families cope with death and dying. This profession stemmed from experiences she had as a child while visiting a nursing facility with a friend. It led to a powerful interaction that changed the course of her life.
“I was standing in the hallway while my friend visited her grandma,” Tucker said. Residents stopped by to talk with her, and as an elevenyear-old, a conversation with one woman made a lasting impression about the fear people have about death and dying. “As I talked to her, I was compelled to help her, but didn’t know how.”
“At the time, all I knew was that the residents seemed to like my visit,” Tucker said. She began volunteering at the facility, spending time with the residents, reading to them, and leading group activities such as playing the piano. “It made me happy,” she said, “anything to spend time with them.”
She considered a career
to sign the child into marriage without their consent. It also allowed adult men to obtain marriage licenses to teenage girls.
House Bill 3865, the Telemarketing Modernization Act, added texting to the definition of “telephone solicitation,” prohibits solicitation after 7 p.m. and limits it to three times per day. Now if they could only do the same to emails...
If you’ve ever gotten caught with “convenience charges” or “service fees,” that show up as a surprise at the end of an online transaction, you’ll appreciate Senate Bill 430 that requires all such fees to be included in the advertised price. The only exceptions are postage
in nursing but was drawn to psychology. After college, she began working in the hospice field in Portland, Oregon. She supported clients and families, conducted assessments to determine needs, and ordered medical supplies and equipment for her patients. In 2012, she made the official full-time move to the community of White Salmon. She found work in disability management through Eastern Oregon Support Services, supporting vulnerable and unreached populations.
Her first interaction with Washington Gorge Action Programs came during a local festival in Bingen. She met an individual who was houseless and sat down to have a long conversation. She wanted to help, so she found the local WAGAP Food Bank in Bingen and connected him with the program.
After many years supporting individuals with disabilities in Oregon, she was ready to find new challenges, and “WAGAP was at the top of my list,” Tucker said. “Their mission was something that fully aligned with the purpose of my work.” Her mom told her about the job opening for the Family and Community Wellness Director. She had a wow moment. “It was right up my alley and landed per-
and sales taxes.
One that might catch a lot of people unawares is House Bill 2982 requiring anyone who paddles a nonmotorized boat on Oregon waters to get a Waterway Access Permit for $20 a year. Previously, they were only required for boats 10 feet or longer.
House Bill 2463 gives defendants 30 days to respond to a small claims court summons instead of 14.
The Oregon Judicial Department actually testified in favor of the bill, noting that a full half of small claims case end up in default judgement because the defendant doesn’t file an answer or appear in court. When it comes to debt collection
fectly with the timing.” She applied immediately and was excited to have been selected. She began working with the team in November.
“The team is really successful, and there are great projects already underway,” she said of the Pathways Health Connect group. “My first focus is to support them through this transition so they can do their best work for all of their clients.”
Her team is ready to help individuals and families in Klickitat and Skamania counties. Learn more at www.wagap.org/pathways. There are also Community Health Workers from local Latino communities ready to help people navigate services or provide referrals for signing up for health insurance, getting medical, dental, or mental healthcare, food, housing, utility and financial assistance, transportation, treatment for substance misuse, childcare, parenting education, legal assistance, and more.
Services are always free and confidential. For more information or to sign up, call 509-281-0829. Spanish-speakers can call 509-281-2331. Questions in English or Spanish can be emailed directly to pathways@wagap.org.
cases, which make up some 78 percent of small claims filed, the department said only 4.4 percent of defendants responded.
Our legislative hero award goes to Rep. Bobby Levy, R-Echo, who sponsored what became Senate Bill 9, which requires DMV offices in 20 counties to prioritize applicants in rural Oregon for behind-the-wheel tests. She said rural Oregonians have been forced to wait months or drive hundreds of miles round-trip to other DMV offices. That specifically applies to field offices in all counties east of the Cascades except Deschutes, plus Clatsop and Tillamook on the north coast and Curry on the south coast.
LAST YEAR from page A1
Candles, too, have their moment. Scents like “Winter Pine Serenity” and “Fireside Snowfall” enjoy a brief reign before becoming olfactory artifacts. Lighting one past the first week of January feels like refusing to accept reality.
Slippers are another casualty. During the holidays, slippers are a lifestyle. In January, they’re a statement—and not always the kind you mean to make, especially if you’re still wearing them at noon.
The chair—every household has one—becomes the unofficial museum of last year. On it rests a jacket you wore once, a scarf you might still need, and something sparkly you definitely won’t wear again until next December.
The chair remembers. The chair always remembers. Social life
Some topics age faster than milk.
That story everyone was talking about between Christmas and New Year? Gone. The group chat that buzzed nonstop for three days? Quiet now, save for the occasional “Happy New Year!” followed by nothing.
Public declarations also tend to expire quickly. The things we announced with confidence on December 31— plans, intentions, sweeping statements—enter a strange limbo once January arrives. Mentioning them feels awkward. Not mentioning them feels intentional.
And let’s talk about last year’s drama. Every commu-
nity has it. Every family has it. Every workplace has at least one situation that was definitely going to be resolved before the year ended. Now it’s officially vintage. Bringing it up feels like flipping through an old photo album: interesting, perhaps, but slightly inappropriate at a dinner party.
Entertainment
Streaming culture has accelerated time in ways historians may never fully understand.
A show that dominated conversations just two weeks ago has already been replaced by the next must-watch. Saying you’re “just getting around to it” carries an apologetic tone, as if you’ve missed a major cultural milestone. Like “Pluribus,” perhaps the best potty-mouthed science fiction show out there and the current television event du jour. Holiday movies, in particular, have a brutally short shelf life. The same film that felt cozy on December 18 feels almost rebellious on January 5. Watching it now sends a clear message: I am not ready to let go. And that’s okay. But it is, undeniably, very last year.
The local version On a local level, the concept takes on even richer meaning. There’s always a project that was “definitely happening this year.” A sign that says Coming Soon. A pothole that has become so familiar it might as well have a name. At some point in early January, these things cross an invisible line. They are no longer cur-
E xtra
rent events. They are part of last year’s optimism.
Residents speak of them fondly, if skeptically. “Didn’t they say they were starting that last year?”
“Yes. Last year.”
It’s not bitterness. It’s tradition.
Why we love calling things “last year”
The truth is, calling things ‘last year’ is less about time and more about hope. We like to believe that the calendar flips a switch—and even if it doesn’t, it’s comforting to pretend it does. Underneath the jokes and eyerolling, there’s something surprisingly hopeful about how quickly we declare things outdated. Calling something “last year” is our way of insisting that time matters—that change is possible, that we are allowed to reset, even if nothing tangible has actually changed.
It’s a collective agreement to start fresh, to pretend the calendar flipped more than just a number.
And maybe that’s the point. We know, deep down, that January is just another month. But for a brief window, we give ourselves permission to believe in clean lines, new chapters, and the idea that whatever didn’t quite work before belongs safely on the other side of the page.
Even if that page was only turned a few days ago.
So go ahead. Say it with confidence. “That’s so last year.” It may not be entirely true—but it feels good to say.
Fluoride fights bubble up around state
John Stang Washington state standard
Blanche Barajas and Gary Bode have very different ideas about fluoridation. She’s pro. He’s against.
As city council members in Pasco and Lynden, respectively, they fought two of seven battles in Washington in the past two years over fluoridation in public water supplies. Those fights reflect a spike in skepticism about the long-time, dental-related practice supported by health experts. Washington already is below the national average in residents served by fluoridated water.
Barajas, who left office in recent weeks after not seeking reelection, grew up in Salinas, California, where she began raising two sons.
Salinas’ water system did not have fluoride. Barajas had to stretch a small family budget to provide fluoride to protect her boys’ teeth. After moving to Pasco 20 years ago, she got heavily involved in the community, becoming a city council member in 2018 and later serving as mayor.
A proposal went to the Pasco City Council last year to eliminate fluoride from the city’s water system because of concerns about the health effects and wanting citizens to make their own decisions about fluoride.
With one seat empty, the council split 3-3 on taking this matter to a public ballot. A follow-up vote on just the council making the decision passed 4-2 to remove the fluoride. Mayor David Milne hesitantly switched sides to apparently put the issue to bed on Nov. 17.
“It’s a disservice to those children. It’s a disservice to those families,” Barajas said.
Meanwhile, Bode has been on the Lynden City Council for 26 years. He has read lots of literature criticizing fluoridation as a health risk — lower IQs, softening bones in senior citizens, and damaging pineal glands, part of the brain that helps regulate sleep cycles.
“There’s a laundry list of studies,” Bode said.
More than two years ago, and minus one member,
Lynden’s council began holding hearings and debates on ending fluoridation. It voted 4-2 to remove fluoride, but the mayor vetoed the decision. The council went through the whole process again to get a veto-proof 5-2 vote on April 21.
“This is the most important thing I’ve done for public health,” Bode said. Health and dental experts say there appears to be an increase in anti-fluoridation efforts involving local governments, although they do not collect statistics for comparison.
Along with Pasco and Lynden, the city councils of Aberdeen and Camas have voted to remove fluoridation from their water supplies in 2024 and 2025. The Longview
and Battle Ground councils voted to reject anti-fluoridation efforts. Yakima’s council is pondering the issue. Washington’s state health department policy is to leave this matter up to local governments. “Some people think it infringes on their autonomy in their decisions on what goes into their bodies,” said state health officer Tao Kwan-Gett of the Washington State Department of Health.
This year, 46% of Washington residents have access to public fluoridated water, according to the department. It did not have percentages for previous years. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that about 72% of Americans had access to fluoridated water in 2022.
New council members sworn in
RodgeR nicholS For the sentinel
Goldendale City Council had a busy agenda last night for the first meeting of the new year, and the only regular meeting they will hold in January. That’s because five of the seven members will be attending the Association of Washington Cities legislative conference in Lacey on that date. Newly elected councilors Nathanial Hill and Brian Paul were sworn in, along with Danielle Clevidence, who was re-elected. Steve Johnston was also reelected but was unable to attend due to illness.
Other housekeeping measures included selecting a mayor pro tem to cover when the mayor could not make it to an event or meeting. Andy Halm, who had served in this position for a number of years, passed the torch to Danielle Clevidence, who was voted in unanimously.
Memberships in the city’s four standing committees were negotiated for the year. After some horse trading, the assignments were laid out, following the principles that no councilor could be on more than two of those committees, and, to avoid a quorum of the seven-member council, committees were limited to three councilors.
The committees and their members are:
Budget Committee: Andy Halm, Nathaniel Hill, Theone Wheeler
Ordinance Committee: Danielle Clevidence, Loren Meagher, Brian Paul Event Committee: Theone Wheeler, Brian Paul, Andy Halm
Public Works Committee: Steve Johnston, Nathaniel Hill, Loren Meagher
Miland Walling had been the lone council representative on the six-member ad hoc Airport Committee, primarily made up of local residents and a member of Sen. Maria Cantwell’s staff. With Mr. Walling’s retirement, and newly elected councilor Nathaniel Hill already a member of the committee, the council chose to add Danielle Clevidence as official council representative. The form of the motion, to allow at least one council representative, allowed for the possibility of increasing council memberships to three in the future.
Two major issues that were expected to be resolved were not completely. A recommendation from the Traffic and Safety Committee that the speed on 21st Street and the feeder streets attached to it be lowered to 15 miles per hour drew a half dozen residents to speak of their problems with speeders on the narrow street.
“I know kids maybe shouldn’t play in the streets,” said resident Cheryl Swear-
ingen. “But they’re kids... It’s going to happen. So we just really wanted [the speed limit] as low as we can get it and keep it safe.”
But after Councilor Loren Meagher pointed out that making that change required an ordinance and that the ordinance committee should review it first. Ultimately, the motion was tabled and referred to that Ordinance Committee, which will meet next Tuesday, January 13, at 4 p.m.
Approval for a cost of living increase for city employees got split in two, with the council approving the alreadynegotiated union contracts but referring the increase for non-union employees to the budget committee, which will meet Monday, January 12, at 6:30 p.m. The city will then host a special meeting the following day, Tuesday the 13th, following the Ordinance Committee meeting, to deal with the two subjects. A meeting of the Events Committee was set for January 26 at 6:30 p.m.
BirdCast.com
NEWLY SWORN: From left, re-elected member Danielle Clevidence is joined by newly elected councilors Nathaniel Hill and Brian Paul for a group swearing-in ceremony.
NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS
Sealed bids for the Bundle #2 – Preventative Maint. –Bearing Repairs, CRP 378, will be received by the Board of County Commissioners at the reception desk located in the Klickitat County Public Works Department, 115 West Court Street, Room 302, Goldendale Washington. Mailing address 115 West Court Street, Mail Stop 303 Goldendale Washington 98620 until 1:15 p.m. on January 13, 2026 for performing the work described below. Sealed bids received will be opened at the Commissioner’s Chambers and publicly read aloud on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. or shortly thereafter.
Bids received after 1:15 p.m. January 13, 2026 will not be considered. The county reserves the right to reject any and all bids, and to waive informalities that are not, in the opinion of the County Commissioners, material.
Bid envelopes shall be appropriately marked on the outside “Bid opening 1:30 p.m. January 13, 2026 Bundle #2 –Preventative Maint. – Bearing Repairs, CRP 378”.
This contract includes jacking the existing superstructure to replace/reset the existing deficient bearing pads, repair damaged bearing seats as required and other work on structures 08665000, 08581700, 08211300, 08157300 and 08045300, all in accordance with the Contract Plans, Contract Provisions, and the Standard Specifications.
Bid proposals shall be accompanied by a bid proposal deposit in cash, certified check, cashier’s check or surety bond in the amount equal to five percent (5%) of the amount in the bid proposal. Should the successful bidder fail to enter into such contract and furnish satisfactory performance bond within the time stated in the specifications, the bid proposal deposit shall be forfeited to Klickitat County.
Approximate project cost is estimated to be between $900,000 and $1,500,000.
The Klickitat County Public Works Department, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 US.C. §§ 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirma-
N otices
tively ensure that any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.
Obtaining Bid Documents: Free of charge: Plans, Specifications, addenda, bidders list, and plan holders list for the project are available though the Klickitat County’s on-line plan room. Free of charge access is provided to Prime Contractors, Subcontractors and Venders by going to http://bxwa.com and clicking on: Posted Projects; Public Works; Klickitat County; and Projects Bidding. Bidders are encouraged to “Register” in order to receive automatic email notification of future addenda and to place themselves on the self registered “Bidders List.” This on-line plan room provides Bidders with fully usable on-line documents; with the ability to: download, print to your own printer, order full / partial plan sets from numerous reprographic sources (on-line print order form), and a free on-line digitizer / takeoff tool. Contact Builders Exchange of Washington at 425258-1303 should you require assistance.
Dated this 16th Day of December, 2025. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Klickitat County, Washington Ron Ihrig Chairman Todd Andrews Commissioner Lori Zoller Commissioner ATTEST: LeeAnne Burgin Clerk of the Board Klickitat County, Washington (5108, 5206, 5303, 0101)
CALL FOR BID
Sealed bids will be received by the Commission of Public Utility District No. 1 of Klickitat County for Tree Trimming and Right of Way Clearing Bid 2026 with the option for one (1) one (1) year extension. Bids will be received until January 14, 2026 at 2:00 P.M., Pacific Time, at the District’s office at 1313 South Columbus, Goldendale, Washington, 98620, at which place the pro-
This Just In....
Public Notice: 2026 Meeting Dates - Klickitat County
Public Health Invitation to Join: MRSC Rosters - MRSC Rosters
Notice to Creditors: Gary C. Clouse - Asher Law
posals will be publicly opened and read at 2:15 p.m. The bid documents and specifications may be obtained at the District’s office. Each bid shall be accompanied by a certified or cashier’s check on a bank that is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation payable to the order of the Commission of Public Utility District No. 1 of Klickitat County, or by a bid bond with a corporate surety licensed to do business in the State of Washington in an amount not less than 5% of the amount of the bid. Each bid to be firm and binding for 60 days after the time set for the bid opening. The District reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, and to waive minor irregularities and errors.
Dated this 23rd day of December, 2025.
PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 1 Of KLICKITAT COUNTY. Dan Gunkel, President (5310, 0102)
NOTICE OF ELECTION
Eastern Klickitat Conservation District 1107 S. Columbus Ave. – Goldendale, WA 98620 - Phone (509) 773-5823 ext. 102 –CourtneyT@CentralCD.org Resolution # 12.23.2025-1 December 23, 2025
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of the Eastern Klickitat Conservation District (“District”) operates under the laws of the State of Washington applicable to conservation districts. WHEREAS the District is governed by a five-member board, as set out in RCW Chapter 89.08 and WAC Section 135-110. It is RESOLVED that a pollsite election for an open position on the District board of Supervisors will be held on February 25, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Alder Creek Grange Hall #890, 304 E Market St. Bickleton, Washington 99322. The elected position whose term is expiring in May 2026 is
currently held by Jason Blain. The appointed position whose term is expiring in May 2026 is currently held by Karen Van de Graaf-Erickson.
Interested candidates must be registered voters who reside within the boundaries of the District. Candidates may be required to be landowners or operators of a farm, depending on the current composition of the District board of supervisors. The filing deadline for candidates to file their candidate information is January 26, 2026 at 4:00 pm. Interested candidates must file their candidate information at the following location: 1107 S. Columbus Ave., Goldendale WA 98620.
The election supervisor will be Courtney Tatro.
A conservation district supervisor is a public official who serves without compensation and who sets policy and direction for the conservation district. The published election procedures can be viewed at the District office and are available from the Washington State Conservation Commission at http://scc.wa.gov/. Adopted at a special board meeting of the District Board of Supervisors on December 23, 2025.
(5315, 0103)
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR KLICKITAT COUNTY
In the Estate of: WAYNE L. COX, Deceased. NO. 25-4-00078-20
PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS
RCW 11.40.020, 11.40.030
The Personal Representative named below has been appointed as Personal Representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, prior to the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Representative or the Personal Representative attorney at the address stated
below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the Court. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the Personal Representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(3); or (2) Four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and RCW 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the probate assets and nonprobate assets of the decedent.
DATE OF FIRST PUBLICA-
TION: January 31, 2025 Irma G. Cox
Personal Representative Brian H. Wolfe, WSBA #04306
Attorney for Personal Representative
Brian H. Wolfe, P.C. 2210 W. Main St., Suite 107238 Battle Ground, WA 98604 Phone: (360)903-8177 (5316, 0104, 0201)
PUBLIC NOTICE
Klickitat County Board of Health will hold a regular meeting on the following dates:
Tuesday January 20, 2026 at 2:00 pm Tuesday May 19, 2026 at 2:00 pm Tuesday August 18, 2026 at 2:00 pm Tuesday November 10, 2026 at 2:00 pm Please call the Klickitat County Health Department with any questions at 509-773-4565 Teleconference via Zoom Meeting ID 586587651 (0105, 0202)
Invitation to Join MRSC Rosters On behalf of its Participating Agencies https://www. mrscrosters.org/participatingagencies Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington (MRSC) invites interested businesses to join the MRSC Rosters—a convenient way to increase your visibility with public agencies seeking bidders across Washington State. How to Apply: Visit www. mrscrosters.org to register, applications can be submitted throughout the year. Rosters Include: Statewide Small Works Roster: Con-
struction, building, renovation, remodeling, and repair (RCW 39.04.151-152). Consultant Roster: Architectural, engineering, surveying (Ch. 39.80 RCW), and other professional services. Vendor Roster: Supplies, materials, equipment, and maintenance services (RCW 39.04.190). (0106)
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF KING In re The Estate of Gary C. Clouse, Deceased No. 25-4-06389-2 SEA NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030)
The Person named below has been appointed as Personal Representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Representative or its attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court. The claim must be presented within the later of: (a) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(3); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim will be forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and non-probate assets.
Date of First Publication: January 7, 2026. Personal Representative: SHANNA MICHELLE (CLOUSE) PEEK
Attorney for Personal Representative: Sophie Delane Asher
Address for Mailing or Service: 1833 N. 105th St., Suite 101, Seattle, WA 98133 /s/ SOPHIE DELANE ASHER SOPHIE DELANE ASHER Attorney for SHANNA MICHELLE (CLOUSE) PEEK, Personal Representative 0107, 0203, 0301)
(18” & 24”)
several tons of northwest rock. Call for pricing 509426-1100 SEWING ANTIQUE SINGER LEATHER SEWING MACHINE Works perfectly, manual included $800obo 509-3653463 in Lyle (see photo) BEEF JERSEY BEEF! ¼ AND ½ AVAILABLE. Delivered in the Gorge mattchiles@ horseshoebendranch.net Matt at 509-250-3755. () MARKETPLACE
$500 OR LESS 6 DRAWER DESK used, blue pine desk, 58” long. Needs refinished. Free 541490-4787 ROCK AND ROCK EQUIPMENT: 2 saws (18” & 24”) several tons of northwest rock. Call for pricing 509426-1100 REWARD $500 1997 Jeep Cherokee, emerald green. STOLEN from Wishram plate #199YHP. Any information contact 509-2811953 and leave a message. RE-HOMING Lhasa-Apso spayed 7 years old, Loving and protective. Moving and can’t keep 360-702-8124
FREE Electric Wheelchair, needs a battery 360-7028124
FIREWOOD – FREE – you cut and haul, Goldendale, Jim 541-980-4082
GENERATOR Coleman Powermate ProGen 5000
$500 used 509-250-6154
TOOLS Benchtop drill press
$250, 16” delta scrollsaw $175. More – mechanic tools, hand tools, portable saws, etc 509-365-5203
METAL ROOFING, used, Brown 21’ legnths x 18” wide. $1.00 per foot 509773-3636
YARD EQUIP: pressure washer Karcher 2500 Honda motor $150. DR Walk behind string trimmer B&G 8.25 motor $150 503-5155665
BIKE EQUIP Stationary bike trainer, Deuter MT-04, use your won bike $40 503-5155665
FIREWOOD free (rounds) for anyone in need. Columbus Avenue Baptist Church crew will load for you. Please call Ric Stone at 509-250-1332 for details and appointment.
FRESHLY CUT and limbed pine logs, FREE, on Box Canyon Rd 509-773-4497
RECLINER in good shape $50 509-773-4497
P225/60R17 TIRES, legal tread $10/ea 509-261-2758
RC CARS, 1 electric 1 fuel powered, + extras $100 each OBO 509-773-5494
FISHING REELS 3 unused, make an offer 509-773-5494
CHROME RIMS. Ford 6 lug. $100 or B/O. 509-773-5227. SLIDE-IN STOVE. Samsung double oven, propane/ gas. $250 or B/O. 509-7735227.
2 SOAPSTONE rocks for carving $25 each 509-2612115
HARLEY DAVIDSON vest and chaps, LIKE NEW $125 for the set 509-261-2115
RYOBI 13.5 amp corded 16” rototiller, lightly used $100
509-790-9985
BLACK & Decker Portable air conditioner, as new $125 509-790-9985
PROPANE TORCHES, 4, 2 with hoses, & 1 oxy-propane torch with many accouterments $75
STIHL 18” MS290 chainsaw with Oregon skiptooth chain
$300 907-252-1593
IN SEARCH OF old-style ground drive manure spreader, working or repairable 509-439-1158
ENCYCLOPEDIA Full set of 1966 World Book Encyclopedias $100 509-773-5666 leave a message BLUE FIG ROLLING SEWING MACHINE CART, purple, 24” x 12” x 20” big enough for two machines $130 509-261-2038
READERS: Readers respond to ads at their own risk. If in doubt about a particular offer, check with the Better Business Protection Agency @ 503-378-4320 before investing any money. This publication assumes no liability over advertisers.
Loans IT’S ILLEGAL for companies doing business by phone to promise you a loan and ask you to pay for it before they deliver.
A public service message from the Federal Trade Commission and the Hood River News, The Dalles Chronicle and the White Salmon Enterprise.
Support Groups TOPS - Taking Off Pounds Sensibly meets upstairs at Columbia Bank in White Salmon at 10am on Tuesdays. Join us at 90 NE Tohomish St., White Salmon, WA 98672. No meetings during severe weather. 541980-0251.
RECOVERING COUPLES ANONYMOUS Meets 2nd & 4th Sundays at 10am. 216 Cascade St., Suite 26 Hood River
NA MEETINGS Every Wednesday. 6:30 - 7:30 at the Casa Guadalupe House, 1603 Belmont, Hood River, Oregon.
TOPS OR #443 meets Thursday mornings, 8:30- 10 am. @ Zion Lutheran Church, use elevator entrance only. 10th and Union St., The Dalles, OR. MAC Lung Disease Support Group: for details, please call 541-483-2253 or 541805-5068.
NARCOTICS Anonymous: Goldendale United Methodist Church, 109 E Broadway, Thursdays @ 7pm.
AL-ANON in The Dalles: The Dalles Serenity meeting every Monday at 7pm @ Gateway Presbyterian Church, 1111 Dry Hollow. For more info, call 541-2962677.
RIVERVIEW Al-Anon Family Group in The Dalles: Episcopal Church of St. Paul, 1805 Minnesota, Taylor Hall. Meets every Thursday, 12:30-1:30pm. This meeting is free and open to anyone in the community who is interested in attending. Alcoholicos Anonimos Reuniones
Jueves 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm St. Paul Episcopal Church 1805 Minnesota St. The Dalles, OR 97058
TOPS OR #942 meets at Gateway Presbyterian Church, The Dalles, Thursdays, 5:30-6:30pm.
HAVEN: Weekly counseling groups for victims of domestic/teen dating violence or sexual assault. Biweekly educational classes given in Spanish and English for domestic violence. Call Haven, 541-296-1662.
DO YOU HAVE HURTS, HABITS, HANG-UPS?
Attend CELEBRATE RECOVERY, a faith-based 12 step program, every Thursday night at
Hood River Alliance Church 2650 W. Montello (Off Rand Road) Dinner provided at 5:45pm and large group meeting at 6:30pm For more info. call 541-386-2812
GRIEF SUPPORT Establishing a Grief Support Group. Please call Natasha 702-755-0778
AL ANON FAMILY GROUPS
(Support for family and friends of alcoholics) meets Mondays at noon Pathways to Recovery Riverside Community Church 317 State St. Ruth Wells Room Tuesdays at 7pm St. Mark’s 11th & Eugene Hood River AA in MAUPIN (open), Maupin Community Church, 490 5th St., Thursdays @ 7pm.
YOUNG Parents Support Group: ages 15-21, Tuesdays @ 7pm, call Tess @ 541-298-5104.
NAMI|Oregon National Alliance on Mental Illness
NAMI is the largest education, support and advocacy organization on mental health in the nation. The Mission of NAMI Oregon is to improve the quality of life of persons with mental illness and of their famillies through support, education and advocacy.
Under NAMI Oregon sponsorship, NAMI-Gorge providees a monthly support group meeting for caregivers, friends, and family members of persons with mental illness.
STROKE
SURVIVORS
SUPPORT GROUP Mid Columbia Senior Center 1112 W 9th Street The Dalles 3rd Thursday of the month 1:30pm-3pm Questions, 541-980-8633
PARKINSON’S Support Group: 1st Thursday of every month, 10:45am11:45am in the Deschutes Room at Waters Edge, 551 Lone Pine Blvd., 2nd Floor. For more information, please contact Chad @ 541-3400142.
DEMENTIA
Monthly NAMI Gorge inperson meetings are being conducted the first Thursday of every month from 6 to 7:30pm at the Gloria Center at 2505 W. 7th Street, The Dalles. For information on local NAMI Resources, please contact Barbara Telfer: at 541-980-7264 or by email: booklovinbarbarian@ gmail.com. For other NAMI information or resources: NAMI Oregon Support Line 1-800-3436264.
c lassifieds
All persons are
informed that all
advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-800669-9777, TTY/TDD: 1-800927-9275.
Help Wanted NOW HIRING FOSTER PARENTS!
The Next Door, Inc. (TNDI) is hiring full-time foster parents to work with youth, ages 6-18. Applicants must live in Hood River or Wasco Counties. TNDI provides 24-hour support, free training, paid days-off and up to $1800 tax-free/month, for each youth. Bonus also offered for completion of certification! Contact 541308-2207 or visit www.nextdoorinc.org/fosterparent to apply.
THE TICKET to a dream job might be a scam. Please be cautious! High-Paying Postal Jobs! No Experience Required! Don’t pay for information about jobs with the Postal Service or Federal Government. Call the Federal Trade Commission toll free @ 1-877-FTC-HELP, or visit www.ftc.gov to learn more. A public service message from Teh Dalles Chronicle and the FTC.
LOOKING for a new job? Browse employment ads from throughout the Gorge on our classified websites: thedalleschronicle.com hoodrivernews.com whitesalmonenterprise. com
STATEWIDE Classifieds:
$$ Paying Top Dollar $$ for sports card collections & Pokemon. Premium pay for vintage. Please leave detailed message and number. Corey (541) 838 0364.
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COLUMBIA
GORGE NEW IS HIRING AN OUTSIDE
MARKETING
REPRESENTATIVE Outside Marketing Representative: Columbia Gorge News is hiring a marketing advisor to service businesses in the area. This position is outside sales for the weekly newspaper in print and online plus niche publications. You must live in the Columbia River Gorge to perform this job. If you are outgoing and like to talk through ideas, this position is for you. The candidate will work from both home and the office. They will need reliable internet, computer, and a smart phone. A vehicle and valid driver’s license with insurance is a must. The candidate will work one on one with small businesses in our community to help them find ways to effectively market their business. The sales position will allow the person hired to work their own schedule to fit the needs of the customers. Weekly sales meetings and trainings required. Must have the ability to multi-task and be selfmotivated. The ability to handle basic excel or word documents, perform math calculations and the willingness to communicate well with customers in person and over the phone are needed. Sales experience a plus but will train the right candidate. This position is mainly MonFri but is somewhat flexible with part-time or full-time hours. Hourly, mileage, plus commissions. Email resume and references to: ChelseaM@GorgeNews.com Columbia Gorge News P.O. Box 390, Hood River, OR 97031. If you have questions, leave a message: 541-386-1234 Ext. 100.
Air Conditioning & Heating
NOTICE
Oregon Construction Contractors Law (ORS 701) requires that all businesses that advertise remodeling, repair, home improvements or new construction be registered with the Construction Contractors Board. Registration means contractors have a bond and insurance. Home inspection businesses also must be certified which means the inspector has passed a test and must comply with standard of practice and behavior. For your protection, call 503-378-4621, ext. 4900 to check an inspector’s certification. Notice to Contractors
Washington State Law (RCW 18.27.100) requires that all advertisements for construction-related services include the contractor’s current Department of Labor and Industries registration number in the advertisement. Failure to obtain a certificate of registration from L & I or show the registration number in all advertising will result in a fine up to $5000 against the unregistered contractor. For more information, call Labor & Industries Specialty Compliance Services at 1-800-647-0982 or check L & I’s Internet site at www. wa.gov Business & Service Directory 4 Weeks Up to 10 Lines Print and Online Only $45 $5 per additional line. Contact your local newspaper or place your ad online using our fact and easy online entry system. hoodrivernews.com
541-386-1234 thedallechronicle.com 541-296-2141 whitesalmonenterprise. com 509-493-2112
Construction
OREGON Construction Contractors Law requires
advertise remodeling,
or
struction
be registered with
Contractors Board. Registration means contractors have bonds and insurance on the job site. For your protection, be sure any contractors you hire are registered. Contact the Construction Contractors Board in Salem at 503-378-4621. To verify a contractor’s CCB license through the CCB Consumer Website, visit: hirealicensedcontractor.com
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This Calendar of Events listing is FREE! Email your event to events@goldendalesentinel.com or call 509-773-3777.
Are you in need of an eyecatching display ad to highlight your event? Email us at ads@ goldendalesentinel.com. Our friendly, helpful staff would love to help you find an advertising package that works for your needs and fits your budget! We offer online ads as well—with roughly 22,000 unique hits on our website each month, this is a great way to reach even more people.
Regular Happenings
• Free Community Kitchen
To-Go Meals: the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month and every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 5 or 5:30 until the food runs out. Methodist Church on the corner of Columbus and Broadway.
• Alcoholics Anonymous, Goldendale United Methodist Church, 7-8 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Monday
• To Your Health, Plant based Food Matters seminars on the physiology of nutrition, Join us the 1st monday of the month from 5:30 - 87 p.m. for a potluck dinner, sharing recipes and ideas, as well as a chance to learn. The Better Livin Center, 59 Bicleton Rd 509-250-1354 Faye.
• Dr. Ogden’s Street Jam every Monday at 7 p.m. in front of the Goldendale Senior Center
• Lyle Lions Meeting 6 p.m. the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. Lyle Lions Community Center.
• Popup Café – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Lunch and support group at the Masonic Lodge on Columbus. Café is open weekly on Monday and Wednesday.
• The Coalition for Preventing Abuse in Klickitat County (CPAKC) 3:30 p.m. every 2nd Monday at the Goldendale Library. 509-773-3776 or CPAKC on Facebook.
• Goldendale City Council meetings 6 p.m. 1103 S Columbus 1st and 3rd Monday of every month (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday) https://www. ci.goldendale.wa.us/
• Adult Book Discussion Group meets every third Mon-
Community Events
January 11, The Beatles Mystical Experience - Live Beatles Music - Movement - Soundbath: 6:30 p.m. 177 W Jewett Blvd, White Salmon. Join us for a celebration of the Beatles music and the mindfulness they shared with the world. The Rock of Consciousness Beatles Mystical Experience is a tribute to the legendary music the Beatles created while in India in 1968. Songs like Blackbird, Revolution, Dear Prudence and other classics are set to energizing movement,breathwork and stillness to open up to a deeper
day at 11 a.m. – Goldendale Library
• One on One Tech Help 1st Monday of the month 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Goldendale Library, call to set up an appointment 509-773-4487
• Goldendale School Board Work Session: 2nd Monday of the month at the Primary School Library. goldendaleschools.org/ about/school-board
• Goldendale School Board Meeting: 4th Monday of the month at the High School Cafeteria.
Tuesday
• White Salmon-Bingen Rotary Meeting every Tuesday at 301 Dewalt Dr, White Salmon.
• Adult Fiber Art Social Circle: 2nd Tuesday of the month from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. at the Goldendale Community Library
• EPIC Youth Center Games: 3 - 4:30 p.m. every Tuesday. All students (1st grade and up) welcome to come meet new friends and play a variety of games. A release of liabilities and a parent agreement of conduct must be on file. Youth under 8 must be checked in by a parent. Visit epicyouthcenter.org for forms.
• Wellness Warriors 3 – 4 p.m. on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the Goldendale Library Join us as our local health department nurses teach us about different wellness topics to keep ourselves safe an healthy. Topics include: Hand Hygiene, Nutrition, Physical Activity, Emotional Health, & Safety/ Injury Prevention. All ages are welcome, topics will be covered at an elementary school level.
• Board of County Commissioners meeting every Tuesday Klickitat County Courthouse,
state of awareness. This opened state is then carried into a Dreamstate Soundbath for deep relaxation and reset.
A total of 18 songs ended up on the White Album from their time in India. The Beatles’ music has uplifted the planet and is known in all corners of the globe introducing many to Indian spirituality, mantra and mindfulness to rock the consciousness.
No experience needed. All body types and belief systems welcome. Bring a yoga mat, blanket and eye cover for maximum
205 S Columbus Goldendale. Visit www.klickitatcounty. org/643/Board-of-CountyCommissioners for information, agenda, and link for Zoom meeting.
• TOPS Club Inc. – Taking Pounds off Sensibly 10 a.m. at he American Legion on Broadway. Questions? Sally/ojala@gmail. com.
• KC Fair Board Meetings 1st Tuesday of the month is a Workshop, 3rd Tuesday of the month is a Board Meeting.
• Soroptimist International of Goldendale, 5:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Dedicated to helping women and youth in our community and worldwide. All welcome. Contact Betty 509250-3746.
• BINGO night: 3 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the High Prairie Community Center on Struck Rd. Meals and cards for purchase (discounted kids’ meals) Come meet your neighbours and enjoy some family fun!
Wednesday
• PARENTS of Murdered Children group meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month at the American Legion at 6 p.m.
• GAMES! Pinochle, cards, dominoes, and more every Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Goldendale Senior Center on East Main. All are welcome!
• Healing Song Circle: 6:30 –7:30 p.m. every 4th Wednesday of the month, Missing Corner in BZ Corner. By donation $1020, no one turned away. RSVP at laurarosedoctor@gmail.com, 509-637-9425.
• Family Storytime: 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the Goldendale
comfort. Learn more at https:// soundshala.com/rock-of-consciousness
January 9, Tiny Art Show: 3:30 p.m. 77 E Wauna Ave, White Salmon. What’s more fun than creating art? Creating TINY ART!
Kids of all ages are invited to create their tiny masterpiece, which will be on display at the library. All materials provided.
January 16, BZ Corner Community Potluck: 5:30 p.m.
January 16, Anime Your Way: 3:30 - 5 p.m. at the Goldendale Community Library.
Community Library.
• Learn and Play! – 2 – 3 p.m. every 2nd Wednesday of the month at the Goldendale Primary School. Fun and learning for you and your little ones up to 5 years!
• Snowden Community Council Meetings – 1st Wednesday of the month at 6:30 at the Cherry Lane Fire Station
• Kiwanis 7 a.m. Simcoe Café 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month.
• Popup Café – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. lunch and support group at the Masonic Lodge on Columbus until further notice. Café is open weekly on Monday and Wednesday.
• Lyle Community Council Meetings are the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:30, Lyle Activity Center (308 Klickitat). Meetings also available via Zoom https://lylewa.com/about-us. Thursday
• Dog Obedience and Agility Classes Fundraiser for the 4H Dog Project. Every Thursday at .6 p.m. all summer at Father’s House Fellowship Hall. Proof of vaccinations required Kids and Adults welcome Puppies need 1st series of shots completed 509 -250-1623 for more info
• EPIC Youth Center Games: 6:30 - 8 p.m. every Thursday. 5th grade and older welcome though a release of liabilities and parent agreement of conduct must be on file. Visit epicyouthcenter.org for forms.
• Rosary every Thursday evening at 6 p.m. at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church 307 Schuster in Goldendale.
• Drinking Democratically 6 - 7:30 p.m. the third Thursday of the month. Food and drink
Anime Your Way is a comprehensive step-by-step drawing program developed over 10 years by former Simpson’s artist Carlos Nieto III. You’ll learn how to create and modify an anime character from scratch. No drawing experience is needed! Registration is required. For ages 13 and up.
January 17, A Concert of Favorite Music from the Eras: 2:00 p.m at theGoldendale Community Library, 131 West Burgen. No admission fee, no collectiom, free refreshments. Call 509-250-6147
available for purchase. Call Carol for location 971-404-1935
• Learn and Play! 10:30 –11:30 a.m. at the White Salmon Library. Stories, songs, puppets, crafts and more for young children (birth through 5 yrs) and their parents or caregivers presented by White Salmon Valley Community Library Staff. Free book for each participant provided by the FVRL Foundation.
• Goldendale Grange #49 Meeting – 4th Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at 228 E Darland in Goldendale
• Bingo at the Goldendale American Legion Thursdayscard packets go on sale 6:30 p.m. game starts 7 p.m. Food available
• Bingo - High Prairie Community Center, 2nd Thursday of every month, doors open at 6, starts at 6:30. Questions contact Lori Sweeney 503-260-7129
• WAGAP Mobile Food Bank
– 1st Thursday of the month: 9-10:30 a.m. Wishram school, 10:45 - 11:30 Wishram Heights Housing, 12–2 p.m. Dallesport Community Center, 3-5 p.m. Lyle Lions Club. 3rd Thursday of the month: 9-11 a.m. Trout Lake Baptist Church, 12-2 p.m. BZ Corner Community Building. Call 509-493-2662 ext 208 for more information.
• Narcotics Anonymous, 7 - 8 p.m. weekly at United Methodist Church, 109 E Broadway Goldendale.
Friday
• Open sewing, knitting, or whatever you do every Friday from 1 - 4 p.m. at Wild Daffodil and 3C’s Fabric in their new location $10.
• Lyle Community Game Day 1 p.m. the third Friday of every month at the Lyle Lions Com-
January 19, Stitch a Block : 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at 3c’s Fabric. I will have a block pattern ready for you. Come into the shop and pick up the pattern for the quilt block. The 3rd Monday bring in your fabric . machine. smile and we will sew-sew-sew. January 24, Growing through the Seasons: Garden Planning: 10 - 11:30 a.m. at the Goldendale Community Library. Join us for our second annual Growing Through the Seasons series with Paulette Lefever-Holbrook as she talks about preparing for and planning a garden.
munity Center.
• Bingo – 2nd & 4th Friday of the month, Mt Adams Elks Lodge 124 NE Church Ave, White Salmon. Doors open at 5:30, Bingo at 6 and the Salmon Run Grill is open from 5:30 –7:30
• Knitting and Stitching Circle 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. White Salmon Community Library Saturday
• Goldendale Farmers Market May thru October at the Goldendale Chamber of Commerce on Broadway every Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• High Prairie Farmers Market 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. the first and third Saturday of the month. Vendors please call Bea 509637-0584
• Hope Neighborhood 4:306:00 p.m. 115 E Main Street, Goldendale at the Goldendale Senior Center. A time of fellowship, bible reading, and discussion for those seeking to learn and grow in God’s word.
• Lyle Lions Pancake Breakfast 1st Saturday of every month 7 a.m. -10 a.m. Omelettes and ham and eggs cooked to order. Endless Pancakes. Location: Lyle Lions Community Center 5th & State Street (Hwy 14).
• Columbia Grange meets the 2nd Saturday of every month.
• Goldendale Aglow Lighthouse meets from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Senior Center 3rd Saturday of every month, 115 E. Main St. Goldendale
• Family Storytimes 10:30 –11:30 a.m. 1st Saturday of the month @ the Goldendale Library Sunday
• Trout Lake Farmers Market: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Grange Hall.
Check It Out
Beth Wood, Collection Librarian Fort Vancouver Regional Library District
Contact Beth Wood with questions about this column: 360-906-4996 or bwood@fvrl.org
Try Something New in 2026
I had a boss, years ago, who hated change. When staff would present a new idea, his inevitable response was: “Let’s not reinvent the wheel.” When it comes to New Years’ Resolutions, I think too many of us try to reinvent the wheel. Large changes are difficult to implement and maintain.
I remember my mom’s approach with new foods or recipes.
“Just try it,” she’d say, “try one bite.” This seems like a sensible approach to a New Year. Try something new. Expanding your horizon doesn’t mean overhauling your entire life. Just try one bite. Here are some suggestions for 2026 to encourage you to take that first little bite.
• Read outside your usual type. Try a book you wouldn’t
ordinarily pick up. Say, geography? Try “How to Lie with Maps” by Mark Monmonier.
• Read in a different way. Ebooks and audiobooks are reading, too. If you haven’t tried these formats, check out the Libby app on the library’s website, or ask for help at your library.
• Eat something different. How about a new food, like tofu, or a food from a new area? I’m trying “Zaytinya: Delicious Mediterranean Dishes from Greece, Turkey and Lebanon” by José Andrés.
• Play a new game. The library has pickleball sets or board games to place on hold for checkout.
• Watch a documentary. How about “Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind” or another celebrity bio?
• Change a room. Or just imagine the possibilities. Browse through “Own Your Space” by Alexandra Gater.
• Let it go. You don’t have to keep stuff forever, just because Grandma left it to you, or it’s still perfectly usable. See “Less:
A Visual Guide to Minimalism” by Rachel Aust.
• Get creative. Draw a picture, paint a scene, write a story, pen a poem. Read “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron, or pick up instructions about something that intrigues you.
• Explore a language. Access Mango Languages through the library, as well as books, CDs and DVDs to try a new language - even sign language.
• Make something. Bake a fancy cake, create a Lego vehicle, build a bookcase. Pick up “DIY: Repair, Renovate, and Decorate with Over 450 Step-by-Step Projects” by Julian Cassell. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Zip-tie your perfectionist streak and throw it in the back of the closet.
• Get out of the house. Walk Fort Vancouver, visit the new waterfront area. Walk at Lacamas Regional Park or hike at Lucia Falls. For easy nature walks, even using a walker or pushing a stroller, see “Strolling and Wheeling Around Vancouver, WA” by Jessica Becker.
• Attend something in your community. How does the Port of Vancouver function? There’s a great tour. Or sign up for the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Citizens’ Academy. There are 12 items on my list. Imagine if you took one bite each month this year. Just one bite…
Beth Wood is a senior collection development librarian for Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries. Email her at readingforfun@fvrl.org.
New at the Library
FICTION
“All My Bones” by P.J. Nelson
“Merlot Marriage” by Fancy Roberts
“The Birdwatcher” by Jacquelyn Mitchard
NONFICTION
“Radical Cartography” by William Rankin
“My Mother’s Money: A Guide to Financial Caregiving” by Beth Pinsker
“In the Arena” Theodore Roosevelt in War, Peace and Revolution” by David S. Brown
CHILDREN
“Don’t Eat Eustace” by Lian Cho
“Small Mighty Dung Beetle” by Mary Auld “Ms. Pennypickle’s Puzzle Quest” by Chris Grabenstein This is just a small sampling of the many new titles added each week to the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District collection. Visit the district’s 15 locations, our website at www.fvrl.org, or call (360) 906-5000 to reserve titles or find additional listings.
“I miss our conversations!” Marilyn wrote to me. I don’t know Marilyn well, but I like her very much. “You want to get a coffee sometime after Christmas?” I asked.
Life starts to pick up and get moving again in early January. After hibernating in a cookieinduced coma for two full weeks, we’ve had a brief reprieve from normal. Now, with enough cookies consumed to keep us safe from a sudden cold snap and make the zipping of our trousers just a little more challenging—now we are ready to face the world again. And I am ready to make time for people. That is my goal. I’ve never had coffee with Marilyn, but I used to chat with her on my walks several times a week. But since she moved, I never see her. So I suggested coffee, and she thought that sounded like fun, and I wondered why I don’t do more of that. I decided I would. And the new year is a good time to start.
requested. These have been long-distance relationships, conducted online, usually with other new writers. I would imagine the longdistance relationships enjoyed by writers in the past, swapping letters and having long and meaningful conversations over the years as they wrote and grew and changed. None of this has come true for me.
Instead, I keep writing and writing with fewer and fewer replies, and I get the distinct impression that the person I’m writing to is filled with growing dread every time something lands in their inbox. They are not interested in sharing their journey. Maybe their journey isn’t going the way they’d like. Maybe they’ve opted for a different journey altogether. Whatever the reason, they find my continued attention annoying. I finally realize that I am being a pest, and my feelings are hurt. I feel unwanted and embarrassed and a little lonely.
(Family Features) Pumpkin spice may be all the rage this time of year, but don’t forget another fruit that’s sure to please: sweet, delicious apples. For an ooeygooey breakfast, office snack or potluck dessert, turn to this Apple Spice Cake that looks and tastes like it’s made for the season. Visit Culinary.net to discover more recipe inspiration. Apple Spice Cake Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy” • 2 apples
mix spice cake mix, butter, eggs and milk. Mix in apples and pour into 9-by13-inch pan. Bake 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Let cool. To make glaze: Mix powdered sugar and milk; pour over cooled cake. Top with pecans. Visit
I Googled: “How long does it take to make a habit?” and the answer was “66 days.”
At first, I was surprised it was that long. Then, as I thought about it, I was surprised it was that short. This says to me that it probably is a pretty accurate answer, because I always imagine that I’ll form a new habit in two days, but if I’m still doing it two months later, then I figure it’s a habit. And making more time for people is a good habit for me to cultivate.
I have tried to foist my friendship on unwilling participants in the past. I’ve insisted that we have a lot in common, and I’ve kept in touch with no prompting and tried to be encouraging when no encouragement was
I think having coffee makes more sense. It is better to see people face-to-face. It is better to ask them how they are doing and then quietly drink coffee and wait for their reply. For all the convenience of online communication, nothing can compete with a cup of coffee and a real talk. Because if someone is willing to take the time for a cup of coffee, I think it’s a good sign they would like to be my friend. And so this will be my new habit. Even if it takes time away from whatever I’m working on. Even if I have to drive someplace I have never been for coffee.
Instead of chasing friendship, I will meet people wherever they are. I will make the investment necessary to cultivate friendships with people who would like to be friends. In 66 days, I’ll let you know how it is going. To see photos,check out CarrieClassonAuthor on Facebook or visit CarrieClasson.com.
Imagine you hop into a time machine, push a button or two, and WHOOSH, you land in Italy about 400 years ago. There are no cars, no electricity, no phones, and definitely no WiFi. At night, the sky is dark. It’s really dark! The stars shine brighter than you’ve ever seen. This is the world of Galileo Galilei, a curious man who asked big questions in a time when most people are told not to question much at all.
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While you are back in time, you learn that the people believe the Earth sat perfectly still and was the center of the universe with the Sun, Moon, planets and stars moving around it. This idea was taught in schools. The powerful leaders of the Church believed it and those leaders told people they had to believe it as well. Today, we are taught in elementary school that the Earth orbits the Sun, but in Galileo’s time, saying that could get you into serious trouble with some seriously powerful people. Galileo couldn’t stop wondering, “What if everyone is wrong?”
Galileo loved his telescope, but he wanted to make it better. His improvements brought space into focus and let him see it in a way it had never been seen before. When he pointed it at the sky, he saw mountains and craters on the Moon, moons orbiting Jupiter, and he noticed strange phases of Venus that only made sense if the planets went around the Sun. These discoveries were like puzzle pieces snapping together, and suddenly the universe looked very different. As Galileo started writing and teaching about what he saw, he found out not everyone was happy. The leaders in the Catholic Church told him to stop. They worried his ideas would make people question the Church’s authority.
When Galileo didn’t stop learning, writing, talking and teaching he was arrested and put on trial. He was forced to say he was wrong about everything. Instead of being thrown into a dark prison, he was sentenced to house arrest. This meant he had to stay inside his home, not just for a little while but for the rest of his life. From his house, he kept working on his scientific research and teaching until the day he died. Legend says that after his sentencing, he quietly said, “And yet it moves,” meaning Earth still moves around the Sun no matter what anyone says.
Galileo’s early telescopes
Why did the planets trust Galileo?
Galileo taught more than astronomy. He taught us that asking questions is powerful and evidence matters, and he became the father of astronomy and modern science. His courage helped change how people think about the universe and paved the way for modern science, space exploration, and even the technology we use every day. So the next time you look up at the stars, remember Galileo Galilei. He was just one curious person, but he was brave enough to speak up and helped the whole world see the universe in a brand new way.
Parents and teachers! Find teaching materials abaout Galileo by following ths QR code.
