Walla Walla Valley Transit has adjusted Route 3 detours for Fern Ave construction from July 20-23, 2026, and Route 9 will deviate on July 15 due to a road closure on 9th Ave between Elm and Moore Street. Regular service will resume for other routes after construction concludes.
Walla Walla County residents face potential health risks as the State Fire Marshal issued an air quality advisory due to wildfire smoke, recommending the use of air filters and respirators for sensitive populations.
The Walla Walla County Sheriff's Office updated its contact information and published revised core values online, emphasizing transparency and community engagement. The agency's new mission and vision statements are now available for public review.
Whitman College faculty and students joined Sharpstein Elementary's Bridge to Middle School program on July 16, 2026, using math games to engage nearly 50 incoming sixth-graders. The Walla Walla High School Agricultural Education team earned six honors at a state banquet, including Program of the Year, and the school is preparing for the August 18 start date for grades 1-12 with new bark spread across campuses.
Walla Walla County residents must also prepare for the expiration of ACA subsidies in December 2025, which could affect health insurance coverage for many.
What to watch next: The August 18 school start date and the impact of ACA subsidy expiration on local healthcare access.