WS water emergency ends
White Salmon is back in service after a major pump failure earlier this month, according to city engineer Mike Wellman.
Water was officially produced Saturday afternoon after pump installers, suppliers, electricians, ground water consultants and city public works crews worked for eight days to replace the old pump.
Wellman said the 75-horsepower pump will save approximately 10,000 gallons of water per day from being wasted.
The engineer reported full cooperation on the part of water users during the emergency, reducing usage by over 20 percent from pre-crisis levels.
He said, however, that while the immediate problem has been solved, the city still lacks enough water for the high demand summer watering period.
Well Number Two is operating at “extreme drawdown” and could face similar problems, he said.
“The city is working diligently to bring additional source on-line, but study and permitting requirements from state and federal agencies make any quick response very difficult,” Wellman said in a written statement.
Cowboy crooner captures crowds
Rachel Cavanaugh
News Editor
Local country singer Jason Simpson had just wrapped up a cover of The Cowboy in Me when the Klickitat bar owner approached the microphone.
A series of whispers and hushes raced through the Klickitat crowd as people gathered around to listen. His parents looked on. Jason said he had entertained fantasies about going south to try out for NBC’s Nashville Star.
Yet he only became suspicious when the announcer pulled out an envelope with rubber bands.
“Congratulations,” the woman said, calling him back to the stage. “You’re going to Nashville.”
With that, she revealed a collection of more than $800 the community had gathered in recent weeks to send him off. Fundraising has been done in secret through jars hidden at convenience stores and the singer said he was in shock.
“There were a lot of people I’ve never even met who put in money,” he said. “It was indescribable, really. I was so overwhelmed. I’m sure I fought back tears.”
The single father of two said he has been singing ever since choir as a kid, which he noted was “cooler” back then. Two years ago he started playing guitar and has since been gaining popularity in local bars.
Although he wears sneakers and baggy jeans by day, the singer describes himself as a country boy at heart and favorite covers include Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, and Tim McGraw. He is fueled, he said, by his friends and family’s unyielding support, especially his mother who he calls his “number one fan.”
Though the singer did not make the final cut to appear on the NBC show, he said the experience in Nashville was amazing and he will keep making music.
“I’m going to continue to sing until I either lose my voice or people stop coming to see me,” he said. “Actually, even if they didn’t come I’d probably still sing.”
Simpson plays Saturday, May 3 at the Pine Spring Resort north of Goldendale at 3 p.m.
High school rodeo this weekend at the fairgrounds
The Klickitat County High School Rodeo kicks off this Friday at 6 p.m at the Klickitat County Fairgrounds. The rodeo is presented by members of the high school rodeo team, with support from the Klickitat County commissioners and the county fairboard.
Friday night’s action features the Wrangler division of junior high competitors, and will continue through Saturday morning. The high school competition begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sunday. Admission is free to the public.
An Indian taco feed and silent auction will be held on Saturday night at 7 p.m. with proceeds supporting travel expenses for members who qualify for the national events.
The High School rodeo team is composed of local high school and junior high students who have joined the Washington State High School Rodeo Association, the Washington State Wrangler Rodeo Association, and the National High School Rodeo Association. They must meet certain eligibility requirements both at their local schools and with the State Association.
There are about 215 members, state-wide who compete in rodeos around the state. Members from Oregon also compete in Washington. The high school rodeo season began in early April with rodeos each weekend through Memorial Day. The student athletes compete for prize money and points, which go towards membership on the national rodeo team. The top four in points for each event, earn the right to compete at the National High School Rodeo in Farmington, N.M. Students who place fifth through 10th earn the right to compete at Fallon, Nev., at the Silver State Rodeo Finals. Both events are held in July.
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