Spreads more easily and quickly Okanogan County health officials are concerned by the identification of the first case of the more contagious COVID-19 Delta variant in the county at the end of June. The Delta variant has been shown to be “substantially more transmissible” than both the original strain of COVID and other common variants, […]
Smoky conditions pose health risks
Residents urged to take precautions With two active fires in the Methow Valley — and other fires raging across the west — valley residents will be living with unhealthy, smoky air for the foreseeable future, Aero Methow Rescue Service Director of Services Cindy Button said this week. “Everyone’s going to have to understand that air quality will be really […]
Dollar General chain considering store in Twisp
Other sites under review in county Dollar General, a nationwide chain with more than 17,000 stores in 46 states, is exploring the possibility of opening a new store in Twisp and in other towns in the region. “At this time, we are currently in due diligence phase for a new Dollar General in Twisp, Washington […]
Lost River setback issue to get hearing
Property line variance request denied by county The brief legal notice in the newspaper, saying that the county’s planning director had denied a request for a setback variance, was easy to miss. But for Dan Jensen, who’s had a vacation home in the Lost River Airport development since 1988, the situation is hard to overlook. […]
Long-haul COVID-19 victim endured months of mysterious ailments
Vaccination finally relieved symptoms For almost a year, Megan Barton struggled with episodes of burning in her lungs, coughing and headaches. Her hair was coming out in fistfuls. She couldn’t walk a short distance without stopping to catch her breath, and chores on her farm in Tonasket were impossible. Even conversations were difficult because of […]
High risk for wildfires; drought levels ‘severe’
Dry spring, hot temperatures across the state It’s extremely rare for the entire state to have 100% fire danger, but an exceptionally dry spring and record-breaking temperatures in June have created uniquely hazardous conditions. “That’s one of the scarier aspects,” Vaughn Cork, a Wildfire Fuels Specialist with the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR), said […]
Heat contributes to 4 deaths in Okanogan County
Last week’s intense heat — which hit 112 degree in Mazama and shattered records there for a solid week — contributed to the deaths of four men in Okanogan County, according to Okanogan County Coroner Dave Rodriguez. All four had pre-existing medical conditions, but the heat added to the stress on their systems, Rodriguez said. Two of the men […]
Valley’s recent surge in COVID cases subsides
The recent surge in COVID cases in the Methow Valley has declined dramatically, with just one case in Twisp in the week ending July 5, compared to 27 in Twisp and six in Winthrop and Carlton the previous week. Over all, new infections in Okanogan County are down steeply. There were just 19 this week, […]
Humor us: Videos for visitors take lighthearted approach
Cascade Loop taps Methow talent for online campaign A girl fishing on a pristine lake with her grandfather reels in an impressive “14-incher” and dejectedly tosses the plastic bottle into a cooler already brimming with a dozen other discarded bottles. Flowers squeal in terror as a hiker tramples and picks them and poses for selfies. […]
Twisp records largest COVID outbreak to date
Okanogan Public Health: some cases linked to church event Twisp is experiencing its most severe COVID outbreak since the start of the pandemic 18 months ago. In the past month, Twisp has had 29 cases. Another two cases have been confirmed in Winthrop and four in Carlton in that time frame. The outbreak accounts for […]
