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Monthly eNewsletter / May 2026 |
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Happy May, everyone!
This monthly newsletter includes news about City staff being recognized for their work, upcoming library and recreation programs for the whole family, police and fire personnel training so they're ready when residents need them, and more. Please read on!
As a reminder for City utility customers, this month's City Central newsletter is available to view or download at wallawallawa.gov/newsletter.
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 City staff honored in annual publication
Three City employees were recognized in this year's "39 Under 39" publication in the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin: from left, Community Resource Navigator Neliah Williams of WWFD's CARES team; Park Maintenance Supervisor Wes Walker of the Parks and Recreation Department; and Library Technician Yvette Selfa of the Walla Walla Public Library. Thanks to Neliah, Wes, and Yvette for their dedication to serving residents and for continuing to model the City’s Core Values: Integrity, Service, Collaboration, Equity, Leadership, and Community.
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On April 7, a crew "remoooved" the "Matilde on Her Way to the Market" statue from the front of the library and transported it to the statue garden of artist Nano Lopez. With the library renovation project hopefully beginning soon, Matilde had to be moved to make room for the expanded building. Learn more and view a video of the operation here.
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April programs at the library included a variety of Spring Break Week activities (the Beading Workshop is shown here), PictureLab, a Time Capsule party, and many more fun, family-friendly events. Visit the library's calendar to see all the programs coming up in May, including several One Book One Coast events, Star Wars Day, the Community Bike Ride, and many other recurring and special programs for kids, families, teens, and adults. Visit the library's calendar for all upcoming events — and follow WWPL on Facebook for the latest updates.
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Thanks to approval by the Walla Walla City Council on April 8, the Walla Walla Public Library’s reciprocal borrowing agreement with other systems in our region has been made permanent. The agreement between Walla Walla Public Library and four other regional libraries allows cardholders from any of these systems to obtain a free card from any and all of the other systems. This popular program expands library access, reduces wait times for popular items, and allows member libraries to make more efficient use of resources.
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On April 17, City staff and Councilmembers visited Berney Elementary School for our annual Arbor Day celebration, an ongoing partnership with Walla Walla Public Schools. Shown here, City Arborist Jacob Renstrom asks the 4th- and 5th-graders questions about trees, and students help to plant an "Eddie's White Wonder" dogwood. One of the event's highlights was Berney students performing a rendition of "Count on Trees."
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April was a busy month for the Parks and Recreation Department! Besides the Arbor Day event, the department hosted the Blue Mountain Girls Softball Jamboree, its first-ever baseball tournament, a youth golf tournament, the Sportsplex Invite Softball Tournament, Youth Fishing Derby, and more. Upcoming programs include NFL Youth Flag Football, adult softball, WERQ Dance/Fitness, the Spring Cemetery Tour, and much more.
Don't forget that Veterans Memorial Pool opens on Memorial Day Weekend! Get your season pass now so you're ready to swim. Visit the Recreation Catalog for all program details and registration.
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Work on the roundabout at Myra Road and State Route 125 is ongoing as part of the Myra Road South Extension project. In this photo, we're positioned over SR-125 and looking southwest toward College Place, with Myra Road heading north to the right. This week, the contractor continued installing water and stormwater utilities and began grading work at the intersection.
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The Hobson-Division-Madison IRRP project kicked off in April. This project will replace leaking steel water lines, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure. The roadway will be fully reconstructed, including curb, gutter, sidewalks, and driveway approaches, with ADA ramps installed at intersections. Construction is anticipated to be complete this fall.
In addition to full reconstruction projects, City staff perform pavement maintenance work on residential streets every year.
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Code Enforcement Officers Amy Harris and Michelle Long (shown here at a neighborhood cleanup last year), along with the Public Works Department, recently launched a coordinated cleanup effort in the Heavy Industrial zone in north Walla Walla. The goal is to encourage and support property owners, businesses, and residents in their efforts to clean up their properties before upcoming improvements begin on North 12th Avenue.
Michelle's neighborhood cleanup program was recently awarded funding from the City's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. The cleanup program brings together staff from across the City organization to benefit low- and moderate-income residents. Two neighborhood cleanups are scheduled for 2026.
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On April 11, the Walla Walla Fire Department and American Red Cross partnered on a highly successful event, installing 128 smoke detectors in homes accommodating 89 individuals. WWFD is also collaborating with the Red Cross to increase the number of Disaster Action Team (DAT) responders within our community. These volunteers provide critical assistance to individuals affected by disasters, including those displaced by structural fires. Interested in helping out? Email christina.gosling@redcross.org or check out Disaster Action Team opportunities on the Red Cross national website.
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On April 15, CARES team members educated staff at the Walla Walla Housing Authority on blood pressure control, mental health, AED, home safety, and Narcan use. All the Housing Authority's vehicles and buildings now have Narcan. CARES members also participated in a job fair at Garrison Middle School last month.
Also in April, the CARES team met its newest member, Walter, AKA "Wally," a 3-month-old golden retriever. After training to become a certified therapy dog, Wally will serve as a Crisis/Community Engagement Canine and will also support City staff.
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On April 14, WWFD's technical response swift water team spent the morning working on victim rescues in chilly Mill Creek. The team is a specialized, highly trained unit that manages complex, moving-water emergencies, including flood rescues, vehicle extrications, and submerged-victim recovery. Practicing rescues in these scenarios ensures the team is ready to spring into action in the event of a water-related emergency.
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Walla Walla Police Department officers conducted in-service training in April on less lethal applications and firearms qualifications. This lifesaving and critical training was led by Detectives Keltan Fulmer and Nick Klicker, and then-Detective Kevin Toon, whose promotion to WWPD Sergeant is effective today.
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The Walla Walla City Council and Walla Walla Board of County Commissioners both proclaimed April 12-18 to be National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Walla Walla's WESCOM dispatchers are the first, first responders. While the public might not see them on the scene of an incident, they are the ones who answer the call, provide life-saving instructions over the phone, and ensure the right help gets to residents quickly. Once the call goes out, they continue to coordinate resources and share vital information with our police, fire, and EMS teams to keep everyone safe.
As part of the week, WESCOM presented its 3rd annual Dispatcher of the Year Award to Keri Abernathy (fourth from right in the photo above), who has dedicated nearly 18 years of service at WESCOM.
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In April, the City hosted the Washington State Transportation Commission, which sets transportation policy and helps guide funding, planning, and major transportation decisions statewide. Commission members toured City sites, held their regular meeting, and heard presentations from the City, Walla Walla County, and others.
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The City is currently hiring for a variety of full-time and part-time positions, including Grounds Maintenance Worker, Administrative Specialist, Recreation Leader at the golf course, temporary employees in Parks and Recreation and the pool, firefighters, police officers, and more. For details and to apply, visit the City's employment portal.
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Upcoming Events
City Council Work Sessions
4-6 p.m. • May 11 and 26 • Walla Walla City Hall
View City Council agendas on the Agendas page on the City website.
City Council Regular Meetings
6:30 p.m. • May 13 and 27 • Walla Walla City Hall
View City Council agendas on the Agendas page on the City website.
Memorial Day Holiday Closures
May 25 • City offices and facilities closed
7-8:30 a.m. • May 15
Visit one of three stations stocked with snacks, swag, and smiles, plus chances to win the tire patch kit raffle.
Community Nonprofit Featured Events
- Gesa Power House Theatre hosts a special presentation of The Aunties, featuring three local culture bearers, for an evening on contemporary Indigenous storytelling. An invitation to come together to honor the women that shape, heal, and uphold Indigenous communities and honor their contributions and enduring legacy. 7 p.m. on May 9 at GPHT. View information and purchase tickets here.
- Blue Mountain Action Council's 60th birthday celebration: A free, relaxed community event with family-friendly activities, free tacos for the first 200 to RSVP, and an opportunity to support BMAC's work. 4-6 p.m. on May 14 at 8 E. Cherry St. View more information and RSVP here.
- Walla Walla Valley Disability Network’s 7th Annual Ability Walk & Roll: A fun, family-friendly event that celebrates people of all abilities while building awareness of neurodiversity and disability. 1-2:30 p.m. on May 16 at the College Place High School track. View more information and RSVP here.
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