HEADLINES & HISTORY SINCE 1879 Goldendale, Washington
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2025
Vol. 146 No. 22
$1.00
LOU MARZELES
MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONIES: The Goldendale American Legion held its annual Memorial Day observances at three area locations Monday, beginning at the Centerville Cemetery (top and bottom left), then at Stonehenge (above), and lastly in Goldendale (center left), where Brian Thimmig spoke.
Program focuses on health goals MELISSA UHLES FOR THE SENTINEL
Under Canvas gets go-ahead RODGER NICHOLS FOR THE SENTINEL
Dallesport sewer rates are going up, Under Canvas gets county sign off, Public Works wins an award, and Sheriff Songer wants to inspect your boat. That’s the takeaway from the Klickitat County Commissioners meeting on May 20. Several Dallesport residents spoke at the hearing on an increase in the Dallesport sewer rates, and most seemed comfortable with the 6 percent increase that was approved by the board. The raise takes effect June 1. Commissioners also granted an occupancy certificate to Under Canvas, the controversial glamor camping site. Planning Director Scott Edelman and Public Works Director Jeff Hunter both said that Under Canvas had satisfied all the requirements, and Hunter added this: “There was a small area that was brought to our attention” he said. “We went out and looked at it yesterday. We notified Under Canvas. Under Canvas got it fixed this morning, and there you go.”
The company had already begun booking stays for Memorial Day weekend more than a week ago. There was good news for the Public Works department. Chair Ron Ihrig made the announcement: “The board would like to acknowledge that Public Works has received a Certificate of Good Practice that was approved by resolution of the Washington State County Road Administrative Board,” he said. “This is recognition of a significant achievement for Public Works. So congratulations, and let your staff know our appreciation.” And in order to keep a funding stream that helps pay for marine officers, the county has to guarantee to meet certain benchmarks. One was to have the Sheriff’s boat in the water at least 138 hours in the season, but that’s not all, as Chief Civil Deputy Karen Elings told commissioners. “We have to complete 92 boat inspections,” she said, “which means anybody in this room, any-
See County page A8
Washington state has created a Health Home program available to Medicaid-Medicare enrollees. It provides monthly face-to-face visits for those with chronic health issues. Eligible conditions include diabetes, asthma, and heart disease. If these individuals are considered high-risk and have Apple Care, they are likely to qualify for the program. Care Coordinators from the program schedule visits with people who need their services. Consultations are conducted in the person’s home, a community setting, or a medical facility. Setting health goals is the primary focus. Goldendale now has a local Care Coordinator, Martha J.
CONTRIBUTED: MARTHA DUNCAN-PEREZ
HELPING HANDS: Martha J. Duncan-Perez gifts Bill Sullivan with free locally sourced eggs as part of the Care Coordinators program. Duncan-Perez, for residents who are interested in receiving services. The idea is that learning to be active and involved in managing their own health conditions helps people feel empowered. Care Coordinators are essentially advocates and health system
navigators. The Health Home program helps clients develop a health plan, manage their condition, and ensure care coordination or transitions. Care Coordinators also refer people to community support services and help with
See Health page A8
Gorge Commission defunding takes toll on county RODGER NICHOLS FOR THE SENTINEL
We may never know which legislator asked Rep. Travis Couture, ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, to introduce an amendment into the budget defunding the Columbia River Gorge Commission. Hannah Scott, Public Information Officer for the Republican Caucus in the House, said the way it works in Washington is that only members of the Appropriations Committee are allowed to introduce budget amendments.
As a result, those committee members introduce amendments for House members who are not on the committee. She stated Couture said he had introduced hundreds of amendments on behalf of other members and did not recall which member made the Gorge Commission request. At a time when the state was facing a major funding shortfall, other members of the committee didn’t question the request, though it was the only agency funded by the state to face complete defunding. Though the House passed a
budget excluding the Gorge Commission, the Senate’s budget included full funding. A conference committee settled on cutting the budget by 25 percent. Here’s where some history is needed. When Congress passed the National Scenic Area Act in 1986, it authorized a bi-state compact between Oregon and Washington. That compact, which created the Gorge Commission, required the two states to fund the Commission on an equal basis. The idea was that no state
See Gorge page A8