Community Corner

🌱 Why did Walla Walla County part ways with its fairgrounds manager?

And check out Dungeons & Dragons on the Walla Walla Patch calendar

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Thursday December 11th Patch AM
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Hello Walla Walla! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why did Walla Walla County part ways with its fairgrounds manager?
  • How a prison drug-smuggling plot ended in Walla Walla sentencing
  • Why a Walla Walla judge delayed a $45,000 restitution decision

Also on today's calendar: Downtown Farmers Market — Downtown Walla Walla Foundation and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Walla Wallafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Walla Wallafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Breezy in the morning; cloudy, with a high of 60 and low of 48 degrees.
  • Friday: Cloudy, temps: high: 56, low: 41.
  • Saturday: Cloudy, with a high of 54 and low of 40 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Walla Walla County, former fairgrounds manager Greg Lybeck separate (thenewstribune.com) — Walla Walla County commissioners have approved a separation and release agreement with former fairgrounds manager Greg Lybeck, formally ending his role after several months on paid administrative leave. Details of the agreement aren’t yet public, and a records request is pending, while Commissioner Todd Kimball continues serving as interim fairgrounds manager.
   

2. Walla Walla man sentenced for possession with intent to deliver in drug case (elkhornmediagroup.com) — A Walla Walla resident has been sentenced in Walla Walla County Superior Court for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and amphetamine after an investigation into a prison drug-smuggling plot. He’ll serve just over a year, with credit for time served and supervision after release.
   

3. Federal Way man sentenced for attempted theft, eluding police in Walla Walla (elkhornmediagroup.com) — A Federal Way man has been sentenced in Walla Walla County Superior Court for attempted first-degree theft and attempting to elude police after a bank fraud investigation here led to his arrest. He received a 90-day concurrent sentence with credit for time served, while the judge delayed a decision on more than $45,000 in requested restitution tied to a broader scam. A separate hearing may determine whether he owes the victim additional funds.
   

4. County looks at hiring freeze (ritzvillejournal.com) — Adams County officials are weighing a possible hiring freeze and reductions in force, using Walla Walla County’s year-old hiring-freeze policy as one model. The discussion highlights how rising costs and state decisions are squeezing county budgets statewide, though no action was taken yet.
   

5. ‘We're losing people.' Tri-Citians make emotional pleas to fix deadly Hwy 395 (tri-cityherald.com) — Highway 395’s deadly stretch near Pasco is prompting urgent calls for safety fixes, and Walla Walla lawmakers Mark Klicker and Perry Dozier are helping push for short- and long-term solutions. They’re working with Tri-Cities leaders on immediate warning measures while seeking funding for larger federal and state improvements ahead of the 2026 legislative session.
   

📸 Around Walla Walla

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Walla Walla

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Friday December 12
  • Dungeons & Dragons
    Walla Walla Public Library, 238 E Alder St, Walla Walla
    4:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Walla Walla Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday December 11
  • Writing Group
    Walla Walla Public Library , 238 E Alder St , Walla Walla
    10:00 am
  • Whitman Internship Grant Information Session
    Reid Campus Center , 280 Boyer Ave , Walla Walla
    4:00 pm
  • Opening of the Exhibition “Weaving the Anti-Extractive Struggle in the Amazon”
    Stevens Gallery Reid Campus Center,
    5:00 pm
  • Book Club Celebration
    Walla Walla Public Library , 238 E Alder St , Walla Walla
    5:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • There's lots of water over roads right now and some cities and counties may not be able to get road closed signs up fast enough.
    First, if you see a road closed sign, don't go around it. It's there for your protection. A flooded road may have hidden dangers such as washed out… (Nextdoor )
  • Are you looking for the perfect gift for that hard to buy for person?
    How about the gift of education...about beer! Join my Wonderful World of Beer course through Walla Walla Community College. It's fun! https://www… (Nextdoor Sharpstein)
  • Tractor Supply Company posted a job opening for Team Member in Walla Walla. Apply here.
  • Duravant posted a job opening for Welder in Walla Walla. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Walla Walla here.

Ok Walla Walla! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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