Grizzly restoration meeting
A public meeting on proposed reintroduction of grizzly bears to the North Cascades will be held at the Winthrop Barn on Nov. 3, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., to provide information and accept public comment about grizzly restoration plans.
The National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) recently scheduled the meeting in Winthrop, and another in Darrington, as part of a series of public meetings announced after release of a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the North Cascades Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan. Public comment is being accepted on the plan until Nov. 13.
The public meeting schedule includes:
• Oct. 30, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Okanogan County Fairgrounds (Agriplex and Annex), 175 Rodeo Trail Road, Okanogan.
• Nov. 1, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Currier Hall, 500 Newhalem St., Newhalem.
• Nov. 2, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Darrington High School auditorium, 1085 Fir St., Darrington.
• Nov. 3, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Winthrop Barn auditorium, 51 State Route 20, Winthrop.
Second-half taxes due
Okanogan County Treasurer Pam Johnson reminds taxpayers that second-half of 2023 property taxes and irrigation assessments are due and must be postmarked by Tuesday, Oct. 31. Interest will start accruing on Nov. 1 at 1% per month. Send payments to: Okanogan County Treasurer, P.O .Box 111, Okanogan, WA 98840. If paying by credit card or debit card, go to www.okanogancounty.org/government/treasurer or call 1-877-737-4772. For customer service call 1-888-891-6064 and choose option 2. A processing fee by third-party vendor will apply.
The Treasurer’s Office will be open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. starting Oct. 23 thru Oct. 31.
If you have 2021 year or older in property taxes or irrigation assessments owing you could be subject to tax foreclosure. Contact the Treasurer’s Office at (509) 422-7180 for more information.
MVID board opening
The Methow Valley Irrigation District has an opening on its board of director and will conduct an election among qualified electors in the district to fill the spot. The opening is for a three-year term starting in January 2024. Any qualified elector of the district interested in becoming a candidate must be sponsored by 10 qualified electors of the district whose signatures appear on a petition that will show his/her intention of becoming a candidate. Petition forms are available by contacting the district secretary at (509) 997-2576 or mvid2019@centurytel.net. Signed petitions must be filed with the District Secretary no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6. If only one signed petition is received, an election will not be necessary.
