Headlines & History since 1879 Goldendale, Washington
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2026
Vol. 147 No. 20
$1.00
Battle goes on over revised district map Jerry Cornfield, Bill Lucia Washington State Standard
A federal judge has rejected a request to ditch political maps for Washington’s Legislature that he approved two years ago. Now, opponents are waiting to see if the U.S. Supreme Court will weigh in on whether the maps comply with an April ruling from the high court in the case Louisiana v. Callais, which significantly curtailed the use of race in drawing districts. U.S. District Court Judge Robert Lasnik approved the redrawing of legislative district boundaries in 2024 to enhance the political voice of Latino voters in the Yakima Valley. This came in response to a lawsuit over the map the state’s bipartisan redistricting commission came up with in 2021. Lasnik on Friday denied opponents’ motion to undo his changes and restore the commission-drawn boundaries. In a 10-page order, Lasnik said Jose Trevino and state Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, didn’t have standing to file their motion for the revised map to be tossed out. Trevino and Ybarra, who intervened in 2022 in the dispute, argued Lasnik’s earlier ruling doesn’t comply with the Callais decision. They’ve also petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case and have asked the high court to expedite consideration
Victor Baca
CARS ON DISPLAY: The Oregon Trail Rally kicked off Saturday with cars from the event on display on Main Street.
Supplement passed for 2026 budget Rodger Nichols For The Sentinel
Washington Legislature
BEFORE AND AFTER: A federal judge dismissed an attempt to nullify a redrawn a legislative district map from two years that radically changed representation in Goldendale. The case may now move to the U.S. Supreme Court. Top, the older map. Above, the one redrawn two years ago. of their appeal. “Expedited consideration of this motion and the petition for writ of certiorari is warranted because the 2026 elections in Washington, like every other State, are looming,” says a motion filed Friday by their attorneys, one of whom is state House Minority Leader Drew Stokesbary, R-Auburn. Absent relief from the court, Washington’s elections will take
place under a map that is impermissible based on the Callais ruling, they argue. On Sunday, Trevino’s lawyers told the Supreme Court that with Lasnik’s decision, it is “the only remaining avenue” to ensure the state legislative map used in Washington’s upcoming election is in line with its recent ruling. Lawyers representing the Latino plaintiffs in the original case
See Map page B1
See County page B1
Contributed
NEW OUTLET FOR FORESTRY NEEDS: Lily De La Rosa and Brian Marlow at the new Neal Creek Forest Products store.
Contributed: Tony Lucas
FINGERNAIL MOON: A sliver of moon was joined by a neighboring planet Monday night, caught in this shot taken around 9:15 p.m.
What we miss most There’s something uniquely powerful about the brands we grew up with—the places that weren’t just stores, but small rituals woven into everyday life. From Friday night trips to rent a movie to wandering the aisles of a favorite bookstore or toy shop, these experiences stuck. MarketBeat, a financial media company, surveyed 3,014 respondents (45+) to uncover which defunct chains Washingtonians most want to see make a comeback. The top five were as follows: 1 - Blockbuster
The two-word phrase that is music to county commissioners’ ears is “revenue neutral.” This is particularly satisfying when it applies to supplemental budgets, and that was the case last Tuesday. Klickitat County Commissioners passed a $1.2 million supplement to this year’s budget. The measure sailed through with no opposition during the comment period because no taxpayers’ wallets were harmed during the event. Every item in it was covered by funds already available. In most cases, this was for projects that were budgeted for in 2025 but could not be completed until this year. That doesn’t mean the county won’t be looking for more revenue for future expenses. Current contracts for use of the county’s radio system are coming up, and county
executive Robb Van Cleave pointed out that most of them include access to the system at no charge. “The only agencies that pay for dispatch in the radio system are Emergency Medical Services and the two city police departments,” he told commissioners, “he said, adding that some are suggesting fire departments contribute. One of the ideas being floated is to charge local fire departments for access to the radio system. As with any revenue suggestion, there were consequences. Van Cleave articulated the problem: “These contracts end at the end of June,” he said. “If ultimately you decide we’re going to charge something for access to the system, they’re going to be doing their budget at the same time we are. And if we miss that, then it’s a whole nother year to be fair that they wouldn’t have anything in their budget. So this would be
No surprise that Blockbuster took the top spot. Blockbuster didn’t just rent movies—it owned Friday night. It was the place where indecision became a group sport, and you’d spend 40 minutes debating between a new release and something
your friend swore was “actually good,” only to panic-grab both. The blue-and-yellow glow, the wall of new releases, the thrill of finding the last copy behind the box—it all felt like an event. Streaming may be easier, but it’s
See Miss page B1
New forestry store opens on historic SDS lumber site Lorrie Fox For The Sentinel
A new forestry products store has opened at 14 South Maple Street in Bingen, at the former SDS/WKO lumber sales office. Neal Creek Forest Products, owned by Paul Jones, CEO, has expanded business operations from Hood River, Oregon, across the river into Washington. The Bingen yard just opened on May 5, offering a range of forestry products for homeowners, contractors, landscapers, orchardists, and agriculture-related and other commercial businesses. According to Jones, the company has been serving customers throughout the Columbia River Gorge for years and has seen a need for a convenient location where customers can access quality landscape and forest products without having to travel long distances. Jones said leasing the office in
Bingen “felt like a natural fit because we already had strong relationships in the area and wanted to better serve the local community.” Inventory between the two locations may vary somewhat depending on seasonal availability and customer demand, Jones noted. However, both locations carry most of the company’s core products, including mulch, bark, soil, compost, gravel, rock, and firewood. “Our goal is to make sure customers have access to quality products with friendly service, no matter which location they visit,” he said. The company is committed to sourcing products locally whenever possible and supports other businesses throughout the Gorge and surrounding communities while emphasizing responsible practices that contribute to longterm forest health and sustainable land management. He said,
See Store page B1