Restrictions on gatherings, camping still in place Washington state’s public lands begin to re-open this week, after Gov. Jay Inslee announced a partial re-opening of outdoor recreation venues. Re-openings began on Tuesday (May 5) and include state parks, public lands managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife […]
Okanogan Fire District 6 levy request winning handily
Okanogan County Fire District 6’s Proposition No. 6, a tax levy lid lift to support the construction on a new fire station in Winthrop, is being approved by a large margin in returns from the county auditor’s office as of Friday (May 1). Election results showed a solid turnout for the approval with 1,527 yes […]
Resumption of construction comes just in time
Typical building season is underway in valley On April 25, Gov. Jay Inslee announced plans for a restart of construction work in Washington state. The timing of Inslee’s announcement coincides with the start of building season in the Methow Valley as contractors, eager to restart projects that were temporarily put on hold, can now resume […]
Smaller grocery stores find ways to serve valley’s customers
Focused on safety of workers, shoppers As the Methow Valley settles into life during the coronavirus pandemic, smaller grocery stores and gas stations are implementing safety measures while keeping their businesses going. “We’re doing okay. In the beginning it was pretty tough, it was an unknown that caught everybody off guard,” said Bonnie Harvey, manager […]
Gardeners, do-it-yourselfers keep local hardware stores hopping
Hardware stores are open throughout the Methow Valley because they qualify as “essential businesses” under Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order– and they’re busy. Employees and owners are focused on constantly sanitizing as their business has, if anything, picked up in the past few weeks. “My main concern is keeping my employees safe,” […]
Restaurants switch to take-out mode under COVID-19 order
Owners adapt to stay open for public Methow Valley restaurants have transitioned to take-out only under Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, which does not allow restaurants to offer in-house dining. Many restaurants have chosen, or been forced, to close for the foreseeable future, while those that have stayed open are, on the […]
Empty rooms: COVID-19 staggers the local lodging industry
Cancellations, job losses mounting March marks the beginning of the shoulder season for tourism in the Methow, but this year local hotels, motels and other tourist lodgings are also coping with the severe impacts of COVID-19: empty rooms, reservation cancellations and job losses. Sun Mountain lodge has been able to stay open year-round for the […]
Valley’s small businesses will feel impacts
State, feds offer help for companies, workers COVID-19 has brought the slump of the shoulder season to the Methow Valley early, possibly with larger impacts and potentially longer-lasting implications. Businesses throughout the Methow have been temporarily shutting their doors in response to the coronavirus. Gov. Jay Inslee’s “safe at home” measures, including mandatory shutdowns of […]
Methow At Home’s new executive director focused on service
“Education, preparation and self-reflection” are the three principles that Tracy Sprauer says have helped guide her work as an educator, parent, nonprofit board member — and now executive director of Methow At Home, an organization which focuses on providing support for seniors who are living independently. Sprauer started her new job during a pandemic; a coincidence that […]
Bars, restaurants, coffee shops closed for two weeks
Take-out, delivery and drive-through services are OK Many Methow Valley restaurants have closed, with some offering take-out options, after Gov. Jay Inslee imposed a statewide ban on in-house restaurant dining. Inslee’s two-week ban took effect on Tuesday (March 17) and will be in place through March 31. The mandatory closure of in-house dining extends to […]
