Headlines & History since 1879 Goldendale, Washington
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 2025
Vol. 146 No. 31
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Injured eagle Lou Marzeles
ROUGH LANDING: The enormous eagle statue named “Freedom” parked in Goldendale was being moved from one base to another Monday when it pitched unexpectedly, sending its tail into the ground and bending it. Repairs will be attempted on site. Plans are for the statue to remain in Goldendale for at least another month, though it may be relocated temporarily if repairs can’t be completed at the location.
Immigration arrests in state surge
Latest on Burdoin Fire Containment of the Burdoin Fire is progressing quickly now as firefighters continue to widen and secure lines around the perimeter. As the scale and scope of work on the fire changes, some resources are being released, but sufficient resources have been retained to complete the remaining work and also respond to any new ignitions in the area. Three unmanned aircraft systems are now being used to identify heat sources in the structure division around Catherine Creek drainage and along Canyon Road. This reduces the risk to firefighters in steep, rugged terrain by providing exact coordinates of hot spots to be extinguished. Where the canopy is too dense for aerial resources, fire crews are gridding—walking an arm’s length apart—to seek out and extinguishing heat. Fire restrictions are in place for Klickitat County, Washington Department of Natural Resources-protected lands, and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Open fires are prohibited. Fuels are extremely dry, and just a spark has the potential to ignite a new fire.
Jake Goldstein-Street Washington State Standard
Lou Marzeles
FERGUSON GETS FIRE BRIEFING: Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, right, and Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove came to White Salmon Thursday for a first-hand briefing on the Burdoin Fire. Ferguson commended firefighters and agencies for their diligence and cooperation. “This is my first summer as governor,” Ferguson said. The fire is presently in last containment stages. In fully contained areas, crews are shifting to repair work, disposing of brush and branches cleared from along roadways, gathering up equipment and supplies that are no longer needed, and rehabilitating hand and dozer lines.
Total acreage of the Burdoin Fire has been reduced slightly due to more accurate field mapping. Firefighters are continuing to patrol and monitor the Snyder Canyon Fire area. ASSISTANCE: To register for fire cleanup and recovery assis-
tance, visit www.klickitatcounty. gov/1243/Fire-Resources-Information. EVACUATIONS and CLOSURES: Evacuation levels have not changed since Saturday evening. For the most current infor-
See Fire page A8
GSD music teacher inspires students Melissa Uhles For The Sentinel For two years, Terry Johnson has been teaching music in the Goldendale School District. In the spring, my son and I attended a band and choir concert at Goldendale High School. I was impressed by the talented performances of the students and the enthusiasm of the teacher at the helm. Johnson reminded me of my choir teacher. The passion he had for the music and the care he showed for his students were clearly evident. In my personal experience, I
Contributed: Henry Duyck.
MUSIC SHAPER: Terry Johnson, conducting at right, leads young Goldendale musicians in a rehearsal. have seen that one inspirational teacher can really help shape the trajectory of a person. As someone who was involved in the performing arts, I still remember the positive impact of working with
other kids as a team and creating something together with the guidance of a tenacious teacher. It warms my heart that in such a tiny town, this experience is still being provided for kids in Gold-
endale. After the concert, I was interested in learning more about Johnson’s background and his experiences sharing music with
See Music page A8
Federal immigration arrests across Washington rose sharply in June as the Trump administration continues its aggressive nationwide push for deportations, according to new data. Arrests in June, more than 275, were at least double any month since President Donald Trump reclaimed the presidency in January. At the same time, the share of arrestees in Washington with criminal records dropped sharply, to less than one-third. The figures come from the Deportation Data Project out of the University of California, Berkeley where researchers received the information via Freedom of Information Act requests. The data runs through June 26. “I think every community member in our country who is watching the news and comes from an immigrant family is increasingly concerned about their safety here,” said Caedmon Magboo Cahill, director of policy advocacy at the American Civil Liberties Union’s Washington chapter. The data provides the most complete look yet at the numbers underpinning the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin defended the administration’s approach. “We are continuing to go after the worst of the worst—including gang members, pedophiles, and rapists,” she said in a statement. “We are delivering on President Trump’s and the American people’s mandate to arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens and make America safe,” McLaughlin added. The dramatic rise in arrests last month in Washington, which mirrors national trends, came as top federal officials upped arrest quotas. Congress this month added $170 billion to carry out Trump’s immigration agenda, an extraordinary funding injection sure to expand deportation efforts. The legislation makes U.S.
See Arrests page A8