Bickleton rocket project a successful launch
Lou Marzeles
News Editor
Bickleton High School held its sixth annual rocket launch on Nov. 24. The snow left on the field from the weekend quickly disappeared by noon, and the launch took place at 12:40 p.m. Students, community members, and parents gathered at the track to watch the launch of 52 rockets.
First, the background on the launch project: the rocket launch is vital to the Physical Science unit, providing educational information about speed, acceleration, and graphing. The project is under the supervision of science teacher Barbara Seymour. All rockets are tracked for altitude and duration of flight. This information is recorded so the speed and acceleration of all rockets can be determined. All ninth graders build a rocket and it is graded, as construction affects the quality of flight. Rocket Club members from all of Seymour's science classes launch their rockets just for fun, but their rockets are also tracked and the information is added to the data collected during the flights in order to provide adequate numbers for graphing.
There were many spectacular launches this year, by all accounts. Senior Holly Goodnight launched a new rocket this year, called the Sky Hawker, and it provided a dramatic opening for the rocket show. Justin Roberts launched seven rockets, including an experimental model which had a few glitches, but those made the launch more information to the class. Taylor Brown launched a new design this year called the Renegade, a very large rocket that made an impressive flight.
The high flyer this year was Peter Clinton's Comanche III. It flew so high it was lost and only its first two stages were recovered.
As part of its mission to promote science education, the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service in Prosser allows Marcus Seymour to spend time assisting students with rocket building and launching. Seymour manages the rocket launch system and puts all the rockets on the launch pad for the launch, troubleshoots the system if any problems occur, and removes the safety key before each student launches their rocket. Every year he has an assistant (a senior), who helps with all the launch duties. This year the assistant was Holly Goodnight.
Police to start ticketing for parking ordinance violations
Andrew Christiansen
Reporter
Goldendale Police have announced they will begin enforcing the new city parking ordinance. The ordinance went into effect Oct. 1. Police officers have taken an educational approach since then, issuing warnings as the public adapts to the changes.
The educational phase is now over and tickets will be issued, according to Police Chief, Rick Johnson. Police continue to see instances of parking on the wrong side of the road facing the wrong direction, middle of the block u-turns, and parking on the sidewalk on Main Street.
"I've measured crew cab pick-ups with 8-foot beds, and they fit without driving up on the sidewalk," says Johnson.
Some drivers have not noticed the tickets on their windshields and have not taken action. Future tickets will be stuck to the windshield inside a plastic sleeve.
DUI emphasis
In other action, Goldendale's police department took part in a DUI emphasis last Friday. The emphasis is part of a statewide effort that teams the Washington State Patrol with county sheriff's offices and city police.
The Klickitat County Sheriff's office teamed with Goldendale Police making stops just north of the Biggs bridge and The Dalles bridge. Cars were stopped for obvious violations, such as speeding, missing lights or erratic driving. The State Patrol covered Highway 14 between the two bridges. A number of warnings and tickets were issued. Only one DUI was cited.
Other emphasis patrols are planned for other areas of the county in the future. State funds pay for the over-time pay that allows city officers and Sheriff's Office to participate.
Christmas lights winners announced
Lou Marzeles
News Editor
It was a hectic holiday weekend last week. Santa came to town, miniature horses and trucks were in a parade, and homes and businesses were judged on the merit of their Christmas decorations.
The Candy Cane Lane Parade moved through town, with a brave crowd standing in the cold watching for sights of fire and emergency trucks lit up in holiday finery, people with their miniature horses, trailers carrying merry makers, and, of course, the big jolly guy himself, Santa Claus.
Over the weekend the winners of the best Christmas light decorations were announced. In the private residence category, first place went to the Coulter home at Grant and Second. Second place went to the Enstad residence at 604 Roosevelt. Third place went to the Birney home on Llama Lane.
In the business category, first place went to McCredy's, second place to the Presby Museum, and third place to the Full Circle of Life Family Home on S. Columbus. |
