Montaneys honored for service, EHS accredited, deputies are DRE certified.
Updated
American Legion post honors Montaneys for volunteer service
EPHRATA — Ephrata American Legion Art Semro Post and Unit 28 honored longtime volunteers Mike and Jane Montaney during an annual appreciation ceremony Saturday, Oct. 24.
The Montaneys were presented with an “Excellence in Leadership” award and special gifts in recognition of their years of “serving God and Country” through the local Legion post and auxiliary, statewide American Legion programs, and civic involvement in the Ephrata community.
Current post commander Jeff Krausse said Mike Montaney, a Marine Corps veteran and 48-year Legion member, has held multiple national, state, and area leadership and support roles. Those have included working as a staffer at the annual Boys State student leadership program for the past 25 years and as a state coordinator for the American Legion’s National Oratorical Contest for high school students.
“Mike has always led by example,” said Krausse.
Auxiliary president Myra Wentworth called the Montaneys “wonderful people … who have spent their entire lives putting other people first.” Together, they have worked to ensure that military veterans are “never forgotten,” Wentworth continued. “It’s never been about (personal) recognition or a pat on the back.”
A past Auxiliary president who has helped with countless Legion functions through the years, Jane Montaney has also volunteered on behalf of the American Red Cross, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and school, Habitat for Humanity, and Ephrata Sage-N-Sun festival committee.
The Montaneys have also been involved in such special events as local Veterans Day parades, Memorial Day services at area cemeteries, Flag Day displays, and Patriot Day/National Day of Service and Remembrance ceremonies.
The Montaneys’ three daughters — Chellie Buchanan, Barb Illman, and Beth Wyke — were on hand for Saturday evening’s ceremony, which also recognized the contributions of other individuals, organizations, and members who have served the Legion post over the past year.
Jane and Mike Montaney (center) display awards and gifts received Saturday evening in recognition of their decades of volunteer service to the American Legion and the community of Ephrata. Making the presentations were local Legion post commander Jeff Krausse (right) and Auxiliary president Myra Wentworth (left). Photo by Randy Bracht
Ephrata High School receives accreditation renewal
EPHRATA — Ephrata High School has received six-year accreditation status confirming its educational programs meet established quality standards and that EHS graduates’ diplomas are recognized by colleges, universities, and employers.
High school principal Ashlie Miller was notified this past spring of the renewed accreditation by the Association of Educational Service Districts of the State of Washington. Information regarding the award was shared with Ephrata School Board members during their Monday, Oct. 26 meeting.
“This process allowed us to celebrate the systems and supports we’ve built together while also identifying ways we can continue growing,” Miller said in a press statement issued by the school district earlier this year. “I’m incredibly proud of our staff, students and families for the culture we are creating at EHS and the commitment they show to student success every day.”
The high school was last accredited in 2020 for a five-year period. The renewed accreditation is for six years — the maximum granted term — with a required third-year progress review in 2029.
The review process evaluates academic instruction, student support programs, community engagement practices, and evidence of growth and student achievement.
In particular, Ephrata High School was commended for implementation of 11 different school improvement teams over the past two years and its “Tiger Day” program. The program provides regularly scheduled school-day time for staff to work directly with students needing additional academic support while allowing other students to explore a variety of enrichment and special activities.
AESD accreditation state coordinator Carolyn O’Keeffe said review committee members recommended that school officials develop plans to share information about those initiatives with the community.
Ephrata High School principal Ashlie Miller (center) displays an award recognizing state accreditation of EHS academic instruction, student support, and community engagement. The award was presented Monday evening during a school board meeting that included board members Casey Devine (left) Leisha Adams, Mike Fleurkens, and district superintendent Ken Murray. Photo by Randy Bracht
Two area law enforcement deputies are DRE graduates
OLYMPIA — Two law enforcement deputies from central Washington are among 12 recent graduates statewide who successfully completed a rigorous training program to become certified drug recognition experts, or DREs, for their respective agencies.
Justin Rowland of the Grant County Sheriff’s Office and Nathan Rawson of the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office completed the training program managed by the Washington State Patrol in partnership with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
“These newly certified experts will significantly enhance local efforts to combat drug-impaired driving and keep community roadways safe,” the State Patrol said in an Oct. 28 press release.
The training is also supported by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to identify impaired drivers under the influence of drugs in addition to alcohol.
Other training graduates are WSP troopers Sarah Crum, Jeffrey Jasmine, Ryan Knapp and police officers Maryam Abasbarzy (Seattle), Samuel Gorton (Tacoma), Anthony Inman (Spokane), Allyson Manns (Federal Way), Brian Mooney (Yelm), Austin Phelps (Lakewood), and Abigail Twibell (Aberdeen).
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Montaneys honored for service, EHS accredited, deputies are DRE certified.
American Legion post honors Montaneys for volunteer service
EPHRATA — Ephrata American Legion Art Semro Post and Unit 28 honored longtime volunteers Mike and Jane Montaney during an annual appreciation ceremony Saturday, Oct. 24.
The Montaneys were presented with an “Excellence in Leadership” award and special gifts in recognition of their years of “serving God and Country” through the local Legion post and auxiliary, statewide American Legion programs, and civic involvement in the Ephrata community.
Current post commander Jeff Krausse said Mike Montaney, a Marine Corps veteran and 48-year Legion member, has held multiple national, state, and area leadership and support roles. Those have included working as a staffer at the annual Boys State student leadership program for the past 25 years and as a state coordinator for the American Legion’s National Oratorical Contest for high school students.
“Mike has always led by example,” said Krausse.
Auxiliary president Myra Wentworth called the Montaneys “wonderful people … who have spent their entire lives putting other people first.” Together, they have worked to ensure that military veterans are “never forgotten,” Wentworth continued. “It’s never been about (personal) recognition or a pat on the back.”
A past Auxiliary president who has helped with countless Legion functions through the years, Jane Montaney has also volunteered on behalf of the American Red Cross, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and school, Habitat for Humanity, and Ephrata Sage-N-Sun festival committee.
The Montaneys have also been involved in such special events as local Veterans Day parades, Memorial Day services at area cemeteries, Flag Day displays, and Patriot Day/National Day of Service and Remembrance ceremonies.
The Montaneys’ three daughters — Chellie Buchanan, Barb Illman, and Beth Wyke — were on hand for Saturday evening’s ceremony, which also recognized the contributions of other individuals, organizations, and members who have served the Legion post over the past year.
Ephrata High School receives accreditation renewal
EPHRATA — Ephrata High School has received six-year accreditation status confirming its educational programs meet established quality standards and that EHS graduates’ diplomas are recognized by colleges, universities, and employers.
High school principal Ashlie Miller was notified this past spring of the renewed accreditation by the Association of Educational Service Districts of the State of Washington. Information regarding the award was shared with Ephrata School Board members during their Monday, Oct. 26 meeting.
“This process allowed us to celebrate the systems and supports we’ve built together while also identifying ways we can continue growing,” Miller said in a press statement issued by the school district earlier this year. “I’m incredibly proud of our staff, students and families for the culture we are creating at EHS and the commitment they show to student success every day.”
The high school was last accredited in 2020 for a five-year period. The renewed accreditation is for six years — the maximum granted term — with a required third-year progress review in 2029.
The review process evaluates academic instruction, student support programs, community engagement practices, and evidence of growth and student achievement.
In particular, Ephrata High School was commended for implementation of 11 different school improvement teams over the past two years and its “Tiger Day” program. The program provides regularly scheduled school-day time for staff to work directly with students needing additional academic support while allowing other students to explore a variety of enrichment and special activities.
AESD accreditation state coordinator Carolyn O’Keeffe said review committee members recommended that school officials develop plans to share information about those initiatives with the community.
Two area law enforcement deputies are DRE graduates
OLYMPIA — Two law enforcement deputies from central Washington are among 12 recent graduates statewide who successfully completed a rigorous training program to become certified drug recognition experts, or DREs, for their respective agencies.
Justin Rowland of the Grant County Sheriff’s Office and Nathan Rawson of the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office completed the training program managed by the Washington State Patrol in partnership with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
“These newly certified experts will significantly enhance local efforts to combat drug-impaired driving and keep community roadways safe,” the State Patrol said in an Oct. 28 press release.
The training is also supported by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to identify impaired drivers under the influence of drugs in addition to alcohol.
Other training graduates are WSP troopers Sarah Crum, Jeffrey Jasmine, Ryan Knapp and police officers Maryam Abasbarzy (Seattle), Samuel Gorton (Tacoma), Anthony Inman (Spokane), Allyson Manns (Federal Way), Brian Mooney (Yelm), Austin Phelps (Lakewood), and Abigail Twibell (Aberdeen).