News briefs

Shooting range plan revised, scaled back
    The Methow Valley Shooting Foundation submitted an amended project proposal to the Okanogan County Office of Planning and Development last week and that triggered an extended public comment period through Thursday, Aug. 19. Any scheduled hearing before the Board of Adjustment will not take place until sometime in September at the earliest, according to planning department sources.
    Planning Director Perry Huston said Monday (July 26) that the proposal for a scaled-back development plan prompted a corresponding amended Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance under provisions of the State Environmental Policy Act. The planning department’s notice of an amended MDNS is expected to be released for publication this week and should appear officially by Wednesday, Aug. 4.
    “Those who have already commented on this project will be advised in writing or by electronic mail of the new comment period,” said Huston.
    Anyone wishing to secure standing under SEPA to appeal future decisions on the proposed range must submit their comments before the new deadline. Send comments to Okanogan County Office of Planning & Development, 123 Fifth Avenue North, Suite 130, Okanogan, WA  98840, (509) 422-7160 or e-mail planning@co.okanogan.wa.us.

Methow man hurt in wreck
    A 30-year-old Methow man was injured in a one-car rollover accident near Pateros Sunday (July 25).
    According to a Washington State Patrol press memo, Trenton J. Hofmann was driving his 1983 Ford pickup southbound on State Road 153 about four miles north of Pateros when he lost control of the vehicle, which then struck a guardrail and rolled, coming to rest on its top in the roadway.
    Hofmann was transported to Okanogan-Douglas District Hospital in Brewster with arm and head injuries and was in stable condition as of Tuesday (July 27), according to a hospital spokesperson.
    No drugs or alcohol were believed to be a factor, but Hofmann was cited for speeding and not wearing a seatbelt.

Photo from the MV News archives: Comments on the amended proposal for the shooting range in Twisp are due by Aug. 19.