Ballots mailed out this week Methow Valley voters will help narrow down the field for Okanogan County sheriff, the 4th Congressional District (the seat currently held by Republican Dan Newhouse), and the U.S. Senate (the seat currently held by Democrat Patty Murray) in the Aug. 2 primary. Ballots will be mailed Friday (July 15). Incumbent […]
Winthrop R&B Festival returns at full volume
All-star lineup for three-day event As the Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival website says, “It’s happening!” After COVID forced blues lovers to go for two years without the memorable July weekend of spirited blues, funk, dancing and hanging with friends, the festival is back, with a first-rate line-up. As always, the festival showcases blues legends […]
Okanogan County starts planning process for Methow Valley areas
Residents will help create guidelines Methow Valley residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on special guidelines and protections for the Methow watershed, like how close houses can be, whether people can build on ridgetops, and whether to restrict night-time lighting. The guidelines will be included in new subarea plans that will ultimately become […]
Heavy weekend rains cause flooding, minor mudslides
Access to Chewuch campgrounds cut off overnight Heavy rains over the July 4 holiday weekend caused flooding and debris flows in areas below burn scars left by last summer’s fires. The most serious damage occurred in Conconully, where cabin that was under construction — but almost completed — was demolished by a torrent of water […]
Residents team up to tackle wildfire risks
Recent fires change thinking about adaptation efforts The increasing frequency and severity of wildfires — and an understanding of what it means to live in wildfire country — has prompted hundreds of property owners around the valley to team up in work parties to clear brush, limb trees and load chippers. “The recent fire cycle […]
County gets almost $3 million for nontaxable lands from Interior
Okanogan County received almost $3 million from the U.S. Department of the Interior last week to compensate for nontaxable federal land. The annual Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) go into the general fund and can be used for any expense that would be covered by property taxes, Okanogan County Treasurer Leah Mc Cormack said. […]
Public hearing set for county’s hazard mitigation plan
Okanogan County is holding a public hearing on the new draft of its Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, which has been undergoing an update over the past two years. The detailed plan, which is required by state law, addresses floods, earthquakes, landslides, climate change, severe weather, volcanoes, hazardous materials and pandemics in its 795 pages. It also […]
Sheriff candidates have their say at forum
Incumbent Okanogan County Sheriff Tony Hawley and two challengers — Twisp Police Chief Paul Budrow and Kevin Newport, a former Okanogan County sheriff’s deputy who is now a sergeant for the Cowlitz Indian Tribal Public Safety Department — presented views on leadership and fiscal oversight, the county jail, and the effects of increased polarization at […]
Federal, state agencies struggle to fill the ranks of firefighters
Nationwide hiring troubles are taking their toll on firefighting resources, making it hard for federal and state agencies to staff full crews of firefighters and equipment operators this year. The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has just 81% of its normal firefighting staff — 267 instead of 330. At the North Cascades Smokejumper Base, only 77% of […]
County plan for hazards released
The public is invited to comment on the environmental impacts of Okanogan County’s Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, which has been undergoing an update over the past two years. The detailed plan, which is required by state law, addresses floods, earthquakes, landslides, climate change, severe weather, volcanoes, hazardous materials and pandemics in its 795 pages. It also […]
