Good morning, Walla Walla.

Today the American Red Cross is holding a blood drive at Foundry Vineyards in Walla Walla from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with more drives scheduled on June 27 and in early July at other local sites.

Donors who give blood before June 30 will receive a $15 Amazon gift card and an entry into a drawing for $7,000 gift cards while donations from July 1 to 14 will earn Red Cross x goodr sunglasses, with type O donors especially needed.

Walla Walla’s Chapter NW-021 of the Reserve Organization of America and Twin W Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol will raise funds to sponsor wreaths for nearly 3,300 veterans in local cemeteries through the Wreaths Across America campaign.

The groups will begin collecting $17 sponsorships during Fourth of July In the Park celebrations and hold ceremonies—one at Mountain View Cemetery and another at Fort Walla Walla Post or Blue Mountain Memorial Gardens—on December 13 at 9 a.m.

Washington’s Indeterminate Sentence Review Board will hear parole for Anthony D’Amato—a convicted 'Hillside Strangler' who took the lives of five people in the 1970s, including two in Washington—and he is held at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla; the closed hearing, postponed from May, will have its outcome posted online by July 23.

Superintendent Wade Smith will step down from Walla Walla Public Schools on Monday, June 30 after nearly 10 years on the job.

He united teachers with programs like collaboration Wednesdays and warned that low enrollment will force smaller classes and fewer courses—challenges his successor will face—while he begins work with a local consulting firm.

The Barstow Road Fire, which started on Sunday, June 22, burned 1,543 acres north of Prescott and was 37% contained as of Tuesday, June 24.

Officials worked on the fire’s edges and planned to return command to local firefighters today—if weather and conditions remained stable.

Kenneth Rooks, the 25-year-old Olympic silver medalist from College Place, will attend the Freedom Festival on Sunday, June 29 to greet fans and sign autographs — a chance for him to give back to his hometown.

The athlete, who won silver in the steeplechase at the Paris Olympics in 2024, will also continue training for upcoming races in Monaco on July 11 and the World Championships in Tokyo later this year.

Walla Walla Sweets vs. Portland Pickles

6:35-11 p.m. — Borleske Stadium — Affordable entry — Cheer on the Walla Walla Sweets as they take on the 2024 West Coast League Champions, the Portland Pickles, in an exciting 3-game series.

Dinner on the Sunset Terrace

8:30-9:00 p.m. — The Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center — Cost not specified — Experience a delectable four-course dinner paired with Mercer wines and insights from winemaker Ali Mayfield.

Walla Walla Sweets vs. Yakima Valley Pippins

5:35-11 p.m. — Borleske Stadium — Tickets available — Cheer on the local collegiate baseball teams in a thrilling summer showdown.

Walla Walla Sweets vs. Yakima Valley Pippins

6:35-11 p.m. — Borleske Stadium — Family-friendly prices — Watch the collegiate stars of tomorrow face off in a spirited baseball showdown.

Walla Walla Sweets vs. Corvallis Knights Baseball Game

6:35–11 p.m. — Borleske Stadium — Ticket prices vary — Experience a thrilling collegiate baseball match featuring the Walla Walla Sweets and the Corvallis Knights.

Walla Walla Sweets vs. Bend Elks Baseball Match

6:35-9:35 p.m. — Borleske Stadium — Affordable entry — Enjoy a lively collegiate baseball matchup featuring the Walla Walla Sweets and Bend Elks.

Walla Walla Sweets vs. Bend Elks

6:35-9:35 p.m. — Borleske Stadium — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy collegiate summer baseball as the Sweets take on the Elks in a thrilling series.

Walla Walla Sweets vs. Marion Berries Baseball Game

6:35-9:35 p.m. — Borleske Stadium — Tickets available — Catch the Walla Walla Sweets host the debuting Marion Berries in an exciting West Coast League matchup.