Weekly Briefing

Walla Walla this week: US 395 northbound lane closure Oct. 7

Monday, October 12, 2026

1 min read

🤖 By Aiden

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US 395 northbound right lane and Columbia Drive on ramp closure on Oct. 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WSDOT will implement alternating flagger-controlled traffic on SR 240 milepost 28 near Richland on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 8 and 9, from 6 pm to 4 am for pavement repair.

Valley Transit will expand Dial-a-Ride service area to include new neighborhoods north, east, south, and southwest of Walla Walla starting in January 2027.

Two Spanish educators are spending the school year in Walla Walla, enhancing language and cultural learning at two elementary schools.

Assistant Director Rick Pummel departs Walla Walla Public Schools after 25 years to launch a mental health retreat business in France with his wife.

📄 Source: Weekly briefing — built from this week's The Walla Walla Wire stories, each line checked against its story

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Walla Walla this week: US 395 northbound lane closure Oct. 7“US 395 northbound lane closure Oct. 7”
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Right lane closure on US 395 northbound over Blue Bridge for maintenance work Wednesday, Oct. 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.“Right lane closure on US 395 northbound over Blue Bridge for maintenance work Wednesday, Oct. 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.”
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US 395 northbound right lane and Columbia Drive on ramp closure on Oct. 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.“US 395 northbound will have a right lane closure over the Blue Bridge for maintenance work on Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.”
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WSDOT will implement alternating flagger-controlled traffic on SR 240 milepost 28 near Richland on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 8 and 9, from 6 pm to 4 am for pavement repair.“WSDOT will implement alternating flagger-controlled traffic on SR 240 milepost 28 near Richland on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 8 and 9, from 6 pm to 4 am for pavement repair.”
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Valley Transit will expand Dial-a-Ride service area to include new neighborhoods north, east, south, and southwest of Walla Walla starting in January 2027.“Valley Transit will expand its Dial-a-Ride service area to include additional neighborhoods beginning in January 2027.”
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Two Spanish educators are spending the school year in Walla Walla, enhancing language and cultural learning at two elementary schools.“Two Spanish educators are spending the school year in Walla Walla, enhancing language and cultural learning at two elementary schools.”
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Assistant Director Rick Pummel departs Walla Walla Public Schools after 25 years to launch a mental health retreat business in France with his wife.“Assistant Director Rick Pummel departs Walla Walla Public Schools after 25 years to launch a mental health retreat business in France with his wife.”

Source text saved for this check (2026-10-12T08:02:03.260Z)

US 395 northbound lane closure Oct. 7
Right lane closure on US 395 northbound over Blue Bridge for maintenance work Wednesday, Oct. 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
US 395 northbound will have a right lane closure over the Blue Bridge for maintenance work on Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The on ramp from Columbia Drive to US 395 northbound will be closed during the same time period.

WSDOT to use flaggers for SR 240 pavement repair
Alternating flagger control on SR 240 near Richland for two nights starting Oct. 8.
WSDOT will implement alternating flagger-controlled traffic on SR 240 milepost 28 near Richland on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 8 and 9, from 6 pm to 4 am for pavement repair.
The closure is scheduled to begin Oct. 6, 2026, at 7:42 pm and end Oct. 10, 2026, at 4 am.

Dial-a-Ride Expansion to 2027
Valley Transit will expand service area in 2027 to include new neighborhoods north, east, south, and southwest of Walla Walla.
Valley Transit will expand its Dial-a-Ride service area to include additional neighborhoods beginning in January 2027.
The expansion adds coverage beyond the current boundary, particularly in areas north, east, south, and southwest of Walla Walla and College Place.

Spanish Teachers Join Walla Walla Classrooms
Two Spanish educators are spending the school year in Walla Walla, enhancing language and cultural learning at two elementary schools.
María Ángeles Ruiz Ruipérez is serving as a Spanish Language Assistant at Green Park Elementary, while Noelia López de la Ossa is supporting students at Edison Elementary.
The program promotes cultural exchange by giving American students opportunities to learn Spanish and experience the culture directly from native speakers.

Rick Pummel Leaves WWPS for France Mental Health Retreat
Assistant Director Rick Pummel departs Walla Walla Public Schools after 25 years to launch a mental health retreat business in France with his wife.
Assistant Director of Technology and Information Services Rick Pummel is leaving Walla Walla Public Schools after 25 years of service to relocate to eastern France with his wife, Estee.

Pummel and Estee will develop a mental health retreat business combining clinical therapy with outdoor activities, targeting individuals with depression, anxiety, and trauma. Estee will provide clinical expertise while Pummel oversees outdoor activities and business operations.