Happy new year, everyone! The City is looking forward to another vibrant year, and we wish all residents a healthy, safe, and prosperous 2022.

Winter made a grand entrance last month, with around a foot of snow falling within a few days. This kept our crews busy around the clock, clearing the roadways for local motorists. If you'd like to stay updated on where they're performing snow and ice control, you can follow the City on Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor; visit the City website; or go to this page and sign up to receive "Snow removal" news by email.

Our New Year's Eve Community Fireworks Display didn't exactly go as planned on Friday evening. Several members of the pyrotechnic team were unable to get here due to the wintery weather but, thankfully, the one with the fireworks did make it here. With a shorthanded crew, the display began a bit later than the 8 p.m. start time chosen in a public vote, and wasn't as smooth as we hoped it would be. But we appreciate the "show must go on" attitude — and we especially appreciate all the residents who braved the cold and snow to attend. 

We think all the holiday decorations that were installed at Pioneer Park and downtown were fantastic. Kudos to the Parks & Recreation Department for their work beautifying the city and bringing holiday cheer to residents. After everything is removed, staff will huddle and discuss what worked well and what might be improved in order to make things even more festive for Walla Wallans during this year's holiday season.

In December, the City Council accepted the conceptual design for the 1st Avenue Plaza, which will become a permanent community space known as Walawála Plaza. The name — from the Sahaptin language of the Cayuse, Walla Walla, and Umatilla peoples — and many of the design elements are intended to honor the area's indigenous residents, who historically gathered in this location. If you'd like to learn more about what's planned for the plaza, you can see the staff presentation to Council, which begins at 20:17 in this recording.

Speaking of the City Council, the end of 2021 marked the end of the terms of Council members Yazmin Bahena, Riley Clubb, and Myron Huie. We thank them for their service and dedication to improving the lives of Walla Walla residents. The terms of the Council members recently elected by residents — Brian Casey, Rick Eskil, and Gustavo Reyna — officially began on Jan. 1, and the new Council's first work session together will take place on Jan. 10. 

The League of American Bicyclists has again named Walla Walla as a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community, based in part on feedback provided by residents via an online survey last October. Walla Walla was first named a Bicycle Friendly Community in 2016, a designation that highlights the City's dedication to improving travel for non-motorized vehicles.

Several roadways that had been under construction for months reopened to traffic in December, including Park Street and the Rose Street/3rd Avenue intersection. Work on the south end of Park Street and on Howard Street will resume in the spring and is expected to be complete by May. For a preview of the other work that is scheduled to happen this year, visit our GoWallaWalla.us website.

December also marked the official opening of the all-new play structures at Vista Terrace Park. The playground was a long-term project spearheaded by the Sunrise Rotary Club, whose members raised and contributed more than $180,000 to help purchase and install the play structure and make additional improvements. If you have young kids, we highly recommend you try out the new equipment (as soon as the weather complies...).

On Dec. 4, Walla Walla Public Library Technicians distributed books, fidget toys, and library cards to youngsters at the second-dose COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Providence St. Mary’s Southgate Campus. This is just one of the many ways library staff engage with community members. Check out the library's calendar to see the events and activities available for people of all ages. 

The Walla Walla Fire Department has individual and department-wide photos taken about every five years, and all but five WWFD members were able to attend when this group photo was taken recently. The names and faces in this photo are pretty small, so a larger version is available here.

WWFD member Cesar Lopez recently played a role in a video message from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission thanking drivers for their safe driving habits. You can view the video here.

In December, members of the Walla Walla Police Department, accompanied by County Commissioner Jenny Mayberry, visited Grocery Outlet to shop for toiletries and other necessities, which then given to low-income local families who participate in the Cops and Kids program. The funding for this shopping outing was provided by the Walla Walla Police Foundation.

On Dec. 1, WWPD's five newest officers (from left to right, Joe Herbst, Austin Maiuri, Rich Westphal, Jeff Warner, and Zach Pacheco) were sworn in for their first day on the job. They are currently going through local training, which will be followed by Basic Law Enforcement Academy and then additional field training. On the opposite end of his career, Officer Scott Skramstad retired at the end of December after 27 years of service with WWPD. 

Congratulations to Crime Prevention Specialist Vicki Ruley, who was recognized by the Walla Walla Valley Disability Network with a 2021 You Made a Difference Award. The final line of her recommendation for the award stated: “Vicki has a heart for our community and helping those less fortunate to feel special for a day or for years.” We think few truer words have ever been spoken.

Staff in the Development Services Department shot this photo of the entrance to the new hair salon going into the space at 9 W. Alder St. The dark squares in the mosaic are made of manganese glass, which has a purple tint. (Unfortunately, the full effect of this design can only be viewed from the basement of this early 1900s building.) Incorporating glass in floors and some sidewalks provided a natural light source for these underground spaces.

The Walla Walla Elves were on hand in December when staff presented a copy of the new Walla Walla city flag to local artist Lindsay Tebeck. Lindsey submitted this original design — one of 78 that were sent in by members of the public during a multipart design contest — which ultimately was selected by the City Council to be the official city flag. The new flag can be seen outside City Hall and in the Council Chambers.

The City is currently hiring for a variety of full-time and part-time positions including Library Technician, Building Official, Utility Billing Supervisor, temporary employees in Public Works and Parks & Recreation, and more. For more information and to apply, visit the Human Resources page on the City website.