Grayum’s replacement among many staff changes at MVSD After a decade of growth and a slew of sold-out shows under Kelly Grayum, the Liberty Bell Drama Company has a new director. Gavin Battig has joined the Methow Valley School District as Liberty Bell Junior/Senior High School’s new performing arts teacher, taking the helm of the […]
Man, dog rescued after Methow River crash
State responds to petroleum spillage A man was pulled from the Methow River Thursday (Sept. 17) after he drove his GMC pickup pulling a tractor into the river around 2:30 p.m., near Halterman’s Hole off Twisp-Carlton Road, according to officials. Okanogan County Search and Rescue responded with its high-angle team to access the river from […]
Debbie Bair dances into retirement
Liberty Bell secretary to celebrate 39-year career this weekend Debbie Bair rarely sits still. The vivacious 72-year-old who brought line dancing to the Methow Valley and was a fixture in the Liberty Bell Junior/Senior High School office for decades, before her retirement this year, didn’t expect to spend much time in the valley when she first […]
Methow Valley School District seeks overhaul of technology policy
Parents concerned about classroom screen time Some parents of Methow Valley School District students are concerned about the digital platforms their children are using in schools and the amount of screen time they get in the classroom. They voiced their concerns Thursday (Sept. 10) at a school board meeting, just as the board was preparing […]
In split vote, Twisp Town Council opts to keep nepotism rules intact
Family member won’t be eligible for town job An “attractive” candidate for a job with the Twisp Public Works Department won’t be interviewed, after the Twisp Town Council rejected a proposal from Mayor Hans Smith to relax the town’s nepotism rules. The council voted 3–2 on Sept. 8 against removing a line from the town’s […]
DNR: Cumbo Fire investigation focuses on 2 vehicles; info sought
Firefighters brought a suspicious fire under control near Methow on Friday (Sept. 11). The Cumbo Fire, burning in shrub steppe between Burma Road and Cumbo Flat, about a mile northwest of Methow, was reported at 2 p.m. Friday, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said. Multiple agencies and DNR aircraft responded to the fire, which […]
What will ‘super’ El Niño bring this winter?
Climate event could mean less snowfall Historically speaking, snow levels in the Methow Valley couldn’t get much worse than they were last winter. But the dire warnings of a coming “super” El Niño have some state climate experts wondering whether this winter will be a bummer, too, for snow enthusiasts and the local recreation economy. […]
Methow Arts takes big ‘Steppe’ in a new direction as it expands regional mission
Nonprofit rebranding, adding another site Methow Arts Alliance is getting a new look, a new location and even a new name. The prominent slate-blue facade of the Methow Arts building on the corner of Glover Street and Second Avenue in Twisp is gone, replaced by a vibrant mural of shrub-steppe blooms painted by Carlton artist […]
Historic downtown Twisp bar has a new owner
Mick & Miki’s sale marks ‘end of an era’ The downtown Twisp building that was home to Mick & Miki’s Red Cedar Bar for almost 40 years sold on Aug. 28 to a local LLC, according to Okanogan County assessor’s records. Former owner Miki Eiffert announced the sale Wednesday (Sept. 2) on Facebook and in […]
Propane explosion injures 2 on Twisp River Road
Larger wildfires in region stay calm A propane tank on a travel trailer exploded Thursday (Sept. 3) at a residence on Twisp River Road, injuring two people and burning the trailer and an outbuilding, Okanogan County Fire District 6 Chief Cody Acord said. The fire spread to nearby brush but was quickly contained. “There were […]
