Things are moving quickly for the Twisp Restoration Project — at 77,000 acres, the largest forest project ever attempted in the Methow Valley Ranger District. Thinning and prescribed burning in the project, which goes from McClure Mountain through the Twisp River drainage to Wolf Creek, could start next year if the ranger district gets a go-ahead. People […]
Okanogan County commissioner candidates assess campaign, look head
Incumbent Okanogan County commissioners Andy Hover and Chris Branch both won re-election with strong support. Hover, a Republican representing District 2 (which includes the Methow Valley), got almost 60% of the vote, while his Democratic challenger Katie Haven received 40%. Branch, who stated no party preference and represents District 1 (central Okanogan County), received 56.5% […]
Okanogan County confirms 14 more COVID-19 cases, including 2 in Twisp
Okanogan County has confirmed 14 more cases of COVID-19 and lost one more individual to the disease in the past week. Two of the new cases were in Twisp. The new infections bring the cumulative cases to 1,204 and the deaths to 14 as of Monday (Nov. 16). Several of the current cases in Okanogan […]
Mission Restoration Project lawsuit arguments heard in U.S. District Court
USFS disputes need for environmental impact statement Lawyers for the U.S. Forest Service and the Alliance for the Wild Rockies made their cases in U.S. District Court on Tuesday (Nov. 10) as to whether the Forest Service had adequately analyzed the potential for the Mission Restoration Project to harm endangered fish and habitat for deer […]
State imposes restrictions to control COVID surge
Holiday social gatherings discouraged Bars, restaurants and gyms will have to close for at least four weeks, retail stores will be limited to 25% capacity, and people will not be permitted to gather indoors with anyone outside their immediate household. The measures — to rein in the exponential spread of COVID-19 in Washington — were announced on Sunday (Nov. […]
Health officials alarmed by COVID surge
It’s an analogy that’s unfortunately all too real for many in this community. “COVID-19 is a viral wildfire, and we are the fuel,” said Jeff Duchin, health officer for Seattle–King County Public Health at a state Department of Health (DOH) news conference on Tuesday (Nov. 10). The message from a dozen state and county health […]
Okanogan County residents have more health insurance options in 2021
State exchange offers 31 plans through three companies There’s good news this year for Okanogan County residents who buy their own health insurance through the state exchange, the only place where people can get subsidies to reduce the cost of coverage:. There are many more options — 31 plans from three companies, compared to five plans from […]
MV schools continue COVID protocols but remain wary of outbreak potential
Holiday season poses possible risks Methow Valley schools were the first in the county — and among the first in the state — to bring students into the classroom after months of shutdown during the COVID pandemic. The school year started in such unfamiliar territory that people were understandably nervous about COVID, but rigorous precautions and small class sizes […]
Okanogan County commissioner candidates’ campaign contributions down significantly from 2016
Katie Haven leads fundraising efforts In their quest to become an Okanogan County commissioner, four candidates have — collectively — raised almost $65,000 this year, but that’s just half of what candidates took in four years ago. This year’s contributions are also more lopsided, with 69% of the total (almost $45,000) raised by Democrat Katie Haven, who’s challenging incumbent […]
Planning roundup: a look at Okanogan County issues, actions
The pace of consideration and adoption of policies that govern development has quickened in Okanogan County. Lower Methow zoning With a permanent zoning change in the lower Methow Valley, there will be no new lots smaller than 5 acres from Gold Creek to Alta Lake. The less-dense zoning has been in effect on a temporary […]
