Where are the best places for taking pictures of squirrels

This post got deleted by moderators, which is weird considering the fact this directly impacts voters in Walla Walla. I’m not sure why they are trying to silent the message.

Fuse has endorsed a controversial candidate for Congress over real progressives, don’t use their guide.

I built a successful web design business with virtually no government oversight—so nothing could have prepared me for the shock of stepping into three of America’s most heavily regulated industries.

Sure, my web agency had standard taxes and basic labor laws, but we didn’t have specialized government regulators breathing down our necks. Back then, I thought standard rules were onerous. I had no idea how lucky I was. My success was simple and direct: provide great work fast, at a fair rate.

Then I stepped into farming, home building, and gravel production. Here is what I discovered:

A major portion of farm revenue is directly controlled by government programs that pay farmers not to produce on certain land, to underproduce specific crops on other land, or to execute mandated conservation tasks.

Think about that: your revenue isn’t based on your ability to grow great food people actually want to eat, but on the whims of bureaucrats. It doesn’t matter what my customers think—it matters what a stranger in an office, who will never touch what I produce, thinks.

In major western Washington State counties, studies show that a full one-third of the total cost of a new home is driven entirely by direct government regulations—not land, concrete, framing, or electrical work.

And that doesn’t even account for the tax dollars funding the regulators’ salaries, facilities, or internal administrative bloat (accounting, IT, DEI hierarchies, HR). Worse yet, it ignores the devastating cost of red-tape delays. In Pierce County, we have been waiting five years just to get approval to split a 20-acre parcel into two 10-acre lots so a family can finally build a home!

I’ve been investing in gravel production equipment, and even before officially starting operations, this field has proven to be the scariest of them all. Regulators at the state, county, and federal levels all want their hands on you.

Other owner-operators in the industry warned me that the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) wields near-absolute power. They can fine you based purely on hypothetical outcomes. One operator was cited because he parked his excavator with the bucket on the ground but the thumb raised—the inspector told him he could be fined for a potential fatality simply because of what might have happened.

The biggest problem with all of these regulations is that they decouple the economic producer from doing their best to create goods that consumers actually want. The mentality shifts from maximizing efficient production to jumping through hoops.

To survive, your mindset has to change: you end up playing arbitrary games just to appease whichever random bureaucrat happens to hold authority over you.

Did you know that there are at least 23 license-plate reading cameras currently being used to watch you as you move around the city? They sit on along almost every major road and watch you as you shop, and travel to work and school.

Flock cameras have become a growing threat to our privacy and civil liberties and are being used to store and track the whereabouts of any car with a readable license plate that passes them. 

Throughout the country these cameras are being used to target protesters: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/11/how-cops-are-using-flock-safetys-alpr-network-surveil-protesters-and-activists

Let certain users stalk their ex-partners: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/07/police-losing-jobs-flock-cameras-alprs/

Mis identify and arrest innocent civilians: https://www.aclu.org/campaigns-initiatives/get-the-flock-out

And can be accessed by third parties to watch you: https://www.wabe.org/cobb-county-youtuber-documents-flock-camera-vulnerabilities/

If you don’t want more of this Orwellian surveillance in your county I suggest you reach out to the local PD and sheriffs offices to voice your concerns. Also, remember this as you vote this fall!

Heading to a concert there this week. Any tips or suggestions for when to line up, parking, seating? I’m really concerned about the weather forecast- 103 and I’m guessing no shade.

If anyone ever wanted to see the Milky Way galaxy and is around Walla Walla I have a great place to recommend. It is called biscuit ridge and it is about a 30 minute drive outside the town. When you get to the end of the road there is a dirt track that you can follow for about another 5-10 minutes where there is a great view of the city from above and very little to no light pollution. The view from this camera was taken on long exposure so it would not be as clear to the naked eye. *If you plan to visit just remember to check moon phases as they can definitely play a factor in whether you see the stars or not.*

How is the smoke in Walla Walla right now? I'll be in town overnight Sat/Sun.

Every place ive looked at online advertises this but no one pics up or you have to had signed up fpr ak emergemcy service beforehand. Is there any local, or at least can come tonight, ac repairs nearby?

Edit: college place heating and ac to the rescue, they showed up quick and got my problem fixed. Kudos to Hector!

Has anyone else just lost power about 4:50 PM? We live near DeSales/Green Park area.

I’m from the tri-cities but looking at a truck at a dealership in WW. It’s a big enough purchase that I want to make sure to have it checked over for major drivetrain gremlins (110k+ 2020 f150 lol).

Anyone know a good trustworthy mechanic that isn’t too busy to work a quick inspection? I looked in the sub for recs but it’s mostly old info.

My wife and I will be passing through by car this August on an anniversary trip to Portland (heading back to the Missoula area). We'll only be in Walla Walla for a single night (Saturday) and will probably arrive late morning or early afternoon. We were wondering, what is there to do in town? We love the outdoors, and I see there are a few hikes in the surrounding areas, but I'm not sure if we'd have enough time to get out.

So, maybe we'd like to stick to the town itself. Is there a sight that we simply must visit? A store that is unique to the town? Any botanical gardens or nature preserves? Anything that the locals (or people that know the town well) recommend? I see in other threads of the various restaurants that are good, so I think I'm OK in that department. I just want a few recommendations of things to do on a Saturday afternoon/evening. Thank you!

New to the area, and do like hitting up the wineries now and then. Anyone have recommendations for any wineries that have good memberships that benefit locals? I'm thinking one that maybe does a lot of events, or release parties or something. I'm not really particular on styles or getting special allotments, more interested in having something to do based on the membership. Thanks for any recs.

What sort of law practice is Walla Walla short on?

Hello everyone, I am currently really getting into gardening and would like any advice on it. I’ve grown some common crops like tomatoes and summer squash in the past and have started to wander into creating more sophisticated planting methods and have begun planting some more demanding crops such as watermelon and cantaloupe. I am also looking to grow more cold hardy vegetables for the upcoming fall/early winter season. Also, any suggestions for local nurseries/gardening centers would be greatly appreciated as I have only have experience at the local Home Depot and Tractor Supply.

Recently relocated to Walla Walla, and don't have dental insurance. Any recommendations for paying out-of-pocket for a dental checkup and cleaning?

Hello,

I just moved to walla walla and wondering if there is any pick up soccer or Sunday league that happens around here. Also, where’s the best place to just play in general?

It seems like you have a crazy city council. How big of an issue is this really?

Looking for local watering holes specifically ones that are more isolated and not commonly known about. I have two reactive dogs(in training) and they both LOVE the water but I need to take them somewhere where I'm not likely to run into people.

Hi all! Heading to Walla Walla this October for a week of wine tasting. Looking for some reccs on private tour providers. Not like the limo type, but more of here is the fixer that works with me on a custom itinerary and logistics for multiple days of tasting for 4 people that are deep in the weeds of wine for over 20 years.

Thank you so much in advance and I am amped to visit.

I've been thinking about moving to Ellensburg because I like the dense historic downtown and the good variety of restaurants/activities compared to its small size, but people have been telling me Walla Walla is better. I've never actually been there. Can anyone who knows Ellensburg compare the two?

The main things I'm interested in are easy access to nature (hikes, walking trails, rivers/lakes) and walkable downtown areas. Community activity like live music, open mics, and other public event, also important. Ellensburg has a lot of this but the nature access isn't great.

One thing I've noticed is home prices are significantly lower in Walla Walla. There are dozens of houses under 300k whereas it's rare to find one in Ellensburg. Are those cheap houses in really bad neighborhoods, or is WW just cheaper in general?

How's the wind here compared to Eburg?

Any info or advice is welcome!

Basically the title, would love to hear what you like about living in Walla Walla and/or the surrounding area?! Literally anything that makes you appreciate it. TIA!

Looking for people in the walla walla area this summer who would want to start a band. Maybe in 20s-30s age range and queer friendly :)

I sing and love all kinds of music. Would be cool to do some psychedelic/groovy music, country funk, or open to suggestions. I’m not a professional and haven’t been in a formal band so it’s very low stakes and looking to just vibe and jam.

Hit me up if you’re interested!