Summer’s officially underway, and July 4th celebrations are just around the corner.

For fireworks safety, follow these tips from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, National Council on Fireworks Safety, and the City of Walla Walla:

• Always read and follow label directions.
• Have an adult present.
• Buy from reliable fireworks sellers.
• Ignite outdoors.
• Have water handy.
• Never give fireworks to small children.
• Never experiment or attempt to make your own fireworks.
• Light one at a time.
• Never re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks.
• Store in a cool, dry place.
• Dispose of properly.
• Never throw fireworks at another person.
• Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
• Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.

In Walla Walla, fireworks are allowed from 9 a.m. on July 4 until midnight on July 5.

The following fireworks are prohibited in Walla Walla (see this post on the city website):

• Sky rockets, including bottle rockets.
• Missile-type rockets, such as roman candles.
• Firecrackers or salutes “chasers,” or ground-level rockets.
• Jumping jacks or other fireworks that may move unpredictably.
• Any firework specifically designed to make a loud noise, such as a whistle, explosion or report (bang).
• Any firework not defined as a non-aerial common firework.

Walla Walla City department heads were scheduled to meet today to discuss an annexation proposal for the roughly 100-acre field that extends southward and around the Table Rock neighborhood, reports Joyce Cox, a neighborhood resident who has spoken with Elizabeth Chamberlain, development services director for the City of Walla Walla.

On March 18, the City Council will receive a report about the annexation proposal from the city departments. The report will be posted online around midday on the City Council’s page at the city website.

On March 23, the council will decide whether to accept, reject or modify the annexation proposal.

The field is part of the urban growth area (UGA) designated in the 1990s with public hearings and comment at that time, Cox reports. All land in the UGA eventually will be annexed into city limits, so this proposal is likely to be accepted.

The Table Rock Homeowners Association board understands that plans for partial development of this parcel already are underway:

• Hayden Homes is under contract to purchase 11 acres of the field along Cottonwood and just south of Table Rock.
• Hayden Homes is planning a 34-home development in this location. All land in the UGA is designated R96, meaning the lots must be at least 9,600 square feet, which translates to four houses per acre.
• There currently is no master plan for development of the 100-acre field.
• Given the past history of significant flooding and related drainage issues in the Table Rock subdivision and adjacent areas, the HOA board would expect that the city will require or prepare a master plan for the entire area before any development, including of the 11 acres, takes place.

More information will be posted as it becomes available.