COMMUNITY DAYS! Goldendale, Washington
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2025
Vol. 146 No. 28
Demo Derby dazzles again
How to help the Texas flood victims
MELISSA UHLES FOR THE SENTINEL
The smell of gasoline and the roar of engines enveloped the crowd at the Klickitat County Fairgrounds on the Fourth of July. Once again, the Demolition Derby really crushed it this year. It attracted brave competitors and a grandstand packed to the gills with patriotic spectators. This high-octane event was presented by the Columbia Gorge Chapter of Abate Washington and benefitted New Hope Farms. T & A Metals coordinated the day’s activities, and the Goldendale Chamber of Commerce helped promote the derby. When asked about the work he puts into orchestrating this event, Todd Nunn of T & A Metals said, “One of my biggest passions is bringing youth into the world of demolition derbies to keep them out of trouble and to pass the reins to my son, Alex. The true heartbeat of the derby, though, is my wife. While I bring the experience behind the wheel, she brings the unmatched organization, drive, and execution that make this event possible. We’re also grateful for our partnership with ABATE of Washington Columbia Gorge Chapter. Their support helps bring the entire event to life. And of course, none of this would mean anything without the competitors and their crews. They brought the action, the passion, and the heart. They deserve all the recognition we can give them.” Annette Nunn added, “Andrew Malcolm, Nikole and Daniel Nice, and Casey Neher were instrumental in keeping the event on time, organized, and safe—well, as safe as a demolition derby can be!” The American Legion performed the opening ceremony. Luke Throop was the announcer. Around one o’clock, cars and
Many are rushing to try to assist the families of the 100plus people—many of them children—who died in recent flash floods in Texas. Here are some tips. Beware of scams. Do your research and check websites such as CharityNavigator.org and GuideStar.org to verify charities. Some sites are already well vetted and ready to help. These include: • The Center Point Volunteer Fire Department (search for that name on Facebook) is actively assisting. • The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund (it has a long web address, so do a search in a browser on that name). • The Salvation Army’s Kerrville Kroc Center (do a search on the name). • TexSAR (Texas Search and Rescue) has sent a deployment to the flood region: www.texsar.org/donate. • AustinPetsAlive.org needs funds to accommodate thousands of offers to adopt pets displaced in the floods. • GoFundMe has established donation pages for verified individual victims (www.gofundme.com/c/act/flood-relief).
CONTRIBUTED. ABOVE: HENRY DUYCK. RIGHT: ANNETTE NUNN.
DEMOLITION DERBY: Cars went at each other like relatives at political extremes on America’s Independence Day last weekend. Right: 17-year-old Ava Goldbacher from The Dalles won 1st Place in the Compact Main Event.
drivers lined up in the arena to wildly enthusiastic cheers. Vehicles were painted in bright colors–some green, orange, or hot pink, and spray-painted with a variety of slogans. Lots of little kids in the stands wore headphones, it was so loud. Drivers donned helmets as they slammed into each other, kicking up wet dirt from the track. Cars crumpled like they were made of aluminum foil when they crashed into each other. At one point the fire crew had to spray down two rigs that were leaking fluid and starting to smoke. Bryon Shaver, a local resident, was enjoying the action. When asked what he liked most about the event, he said, “I love the thrill of the action and the community involvement. I was inspired, and I’ve been wanting to participate in it myself, so now we’re in the process of assembling a crew for next year’s event.” Trucks and compact car classes were included this year. Additionally, there was a pickup Tug ’o’ War competition. Engines revved, and cars collided from lunchtime until early evening. Then the awards were presented, which included a total of over $9,000 in
prize money. Since it was an all-day event, there were lots of options for getting fed and hydrated. A beer
garden, local food vendors, and a raffle were part of the big day. RV
See Derby page A8
Use of force by jail inmates increases RODGER NICHOLS FOR THE SENTINEL
Local Grangers shine It was no ordinary Washington State Grange Convention the last week in June 2025 for Centerville Grange No. 81 and Columbia Grange No. 87. Charlie Deach, president of Lyle’s Grange, was presented with a Quilt of Valor for his military service as a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War. When presented with the quilt, he took the mic and accepted not only for himself but for his friend and comrade who was killed in action in the first five minutes of his first mission. There was not a dry eye in the audience. Quilts of Valor are draped around a recipient to show appreciation for their willingness to dedicate their lives for their country and fellow Americans. Lucille Bevis, member of Centerville’s Grange since 2000 and affiliated with Goldendale Grange No. 49 after moving out west and transferring her Grange membership from New York State, was awarded a Grange Lifetime of Service award. She has mentored many fellow Grangers locally, but her Grange story began some decades ago as a young girl who wanted to participate with her family in the Grange and not get left behind with a babysitter. Lucille has held almost all the officer’s positions not only in the local setting but also Flora, Flag Bearer, and County Deputy in New York and Washington State Granges. Claudine Mincks, lecturer (program director) at Centerville Grange and Klickitat County Pomona Grange No. 5’s president,
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la Krueger, Richard Lefever, Sarah Markham, Jim Ogden (Wash-
Despite a petition presented to them signed by 249 people, Klickitat County commissioners declined at their July 1 meeting to declare a last-minute complete ban on fireworks in the county. At the previous week’s meeting, the Emergency Management Department and some fire chiefs argued against issuing such a ban. Though it was counterintuitive at first glance, they told commissioners that if fireworks were completely banned, people would go into remote areas to set them off so they wouldn’t get ticketed. And with the long dry spell, exposing the back country to the additional risk was not worth it. But Commission Chair Ron Ihrig stressed that in allowing this safety valve, the hours would be strictly enforced. “Just make sure people are clear, they are only legal in the county on July 4 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.” Wasco County, scene of the recent devasting Rowena Fire, issued a complete ban this year. In other discussion, Jail Administrator Bill Frantz praised his staff for covering extra shifts while two positions remain empty, a problem compounded by the summer vacation season. And he said they had been dealing with some difficult individuals. “In the last seven days we’ve had four spontaneous uses of force,” he said. “In one case officers were confronted with somebody coming at them. They tried to leave the cell and take over their part of the jail. In two of those cases, we had to put them in enhanced restraints. So while we can manage these behaviors at the jail,
See Grange page A8
See County page A8
CONTRIBUTED
GRANGE CELEBRATION: The State Grange Convention had special moments for Centerville Grange No. 81 and Columbia Grange No. 87. Right, Charlie Deach, president of the Lyle Grange, received a Quilt of Valor. was elected to the Office of Lecturer for Washington State Grange in a unanimous member vote of 152-0. That position is the third in succession to lead in the event the president and vice president are unable to serve. She may be the first in Centerville Grange’s history to serve at the state level aside from county deputies over the years. Claudine was honored to have been accompanied by Christine Hamp, current president of the National Grange who is also a fellow Washingtonian. Nickolas Bowdish, member of Centerville Grange and gatekeeper/greeter at Klickitat County Pomona Grange No. 5, was awarded
the Martin and Grace Forry Memorial Scholarship for the third year in a row. He is the son of Dean and the late Susan Bowdish and just completed the two-year Diesel Technology Program at Walla Walla Community College. He resumes at Walla Walla this fall to earn an associate degree in animal science and certificate degrees in Agriculture Business, Plant and Soil Science, and Irrigation Business Management. Nickolas will continue applying his learned knowledge along with his practical skills on his family’s farm outside Goldendale. Other local Grangers Dean and Drew Bowdish, Kate Deach, Ange-