The most compelling stories of the year
There's big news and then there are stories that are really interesting for many reasons. Back in 2010, The Sentinel had plenty of both. Following are highlights of the top, and most interesting, stories that ran last year.
January
Insitu awaits word on federal contract
The year 2010 should bring clarity to Insitu as the Bingen-based company waits for word on whether it will be awarded a major federal contract to build more—and improved—drone aircraft.
PUD appoints new GM
The Klickitat PUD Board of Commissioners made a unanimous decision to appoint interim manager Jim Smith as the new permanent General Manager for the PUD at their Dec. 22 meeting.
Columbia River Bank shut down
After posting losses in excess of $170 million—mostly from investments gone bad in construction and commercial real estate loans—Columbia River Bank (CRB) has been shut down and is now in the hands of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
Employees at the Goldendale branch of what used to be CRB, along with those at all other branches, are now employees of the FDIC, says FDIC spokesman Greg Hernandez.
February
Levy vote indicates support
The school levy votes are in, and in certain schools districts in Klickitat County the yes/no ratio was too close for comfort.
The total number of registered voters in Klickitat County was 9,177, but unfortunately only 4,776 votes were cast, which is barely over half the registered voters in the county. In White Salmon, the final tally of votes ended close, with an approval of the levy by a margin of only three percent. In Goldendale, the approval was much higher with 64.04 percent of the votes being yes.
City engages firm to assess incubator study
Goldendale's city council voted on Monday to enter into a contract with Financial Consulting Solutions Group, Inc. (FCS) for a study on the feasibility of creating a business incubator in Goldendale.
March
Brooks Park sought by District
The state of Washington doesn't want Brooks Park. The Central Klickitat Conservation District does.
April
The Sentinel under new ownership
After 26 years under the direction of owner and publisher Andy McNab, on April 1 The Goldendale Sentinel changes hands.
Cattlemen of the Year awards announced
Dixie and Mike Kelley are the 2010 Cattlemen of the Year, as announced at the Mar. 20, annual banquet of the Klickitat County Livestock Association.
May
Ambulance plan stirs controversy
Klickitat Valley Health (KVH) is thinking about outsourcing its ambulance service as a cost-savings measure, and the move is sparking controversy.
Fallen hero
Master Sergeant Mark Coleman, late of Centerville, a graduate of Goldendale High School, comes home to a hero's welcome this weekend. Sadly, the welcome is posthumous, after his untimely death last week in Afghanistan. The 22-year Army veteran was killed in action during a combat patrol on Sunday, May 2. Reports are that he died trying to protect his troops and nearby Afghans.
June
Commissioner says county keeping to budget
Despite a slowdown in the county's biggest money maker, Klickitat County is still the only county in the state operating in the black, says County Commissioner Rex Johnston. "To my knowledge, we're the only county not only operating in the black but also with reserves," Johnston commented at a Greater Goldendale Chamber of Commerce business luncheon forum at the Glass Onion last Thursday. "Our biggest challenge is living within our means."
Part two of this story will run next week.
Jaycees looking for community nominations
The Goldendale Jaycees are now accepting nominations for the Annual Community Service Awards in February.
The organization is accepting nominations for the following categories: Outstanding young agricultural specialist (farmer), outstanding young boss, outstanding young educator, outstanding young law enforcement officer, outstanding young healthcare professional, outstanding young citizen, outstanding young business person, and outstanding young firefighter.
Anyone interested in more information or a nomination form can contact Casey at 250-3086, Lori at 773-2352, or Kimiko at (509) 250-3237. Nomination forms are also available at Sterling Savings Bank. The forms need to be returned to Casey at Sterling Savings Bank or mailed to The Goldendale Jaycees, PO Box 322, Goldendale, WA 98620, by Jan. 14.
New move-over law effective next year
Starting Jan. 1, law enforcement will have an additional tool to help keep fellow emergency workers safe while working on sides of the highway.
The state's enhanced Emergency Zone law (RCW 46.61.212) builds on an earlier "move over" law and creates zones around emergency workers similar to constructions zones. Under the new law, the fine will double for speeding or failing to move over.
"The State Patrol is not the only organization struggling with this problem. The towing industry recently experienced the tragedy of having one of its drivers killed while working on the road," said John R. Batiste, Chief of the Washington State Patrol. "Complying with this new law couldn't be easier. Slow down and move over when approaching emergency workers on the side of the road."
Driving behavior that endangers an emergency worker becomes a crime. The motorist could be charged with a gross misdemeanor with possible jail time and a mandatory 60-day license suspension.
The new law requires an education period for the first 90 days. During this time, troopers will focus on educating drivers about this new law.
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