There’s everything from fanciful cityscapes to winged felt pigs to a 7-foot stuffed dragon in “Wit & Whimsy,” the new exhibit which opens at Confluence Gallery this weekend. The art is as stimulating and thought-provoking as it is whimsical. The show features humor, splendor and trenchant social commentary by some 35 local and regional artists. […]
Questions continue at lower valley gravel pit hearing
County’s CUP application raises concerns New hearing, more time to comment Okanogan County Hearing Examiner Dan Beardslee took comments about the pit itself last week and has scheduled a follow-up hearing to address the environmental appeal. He is still accepting comments about the use of the property as a gravel pit, conditions for mining, and […]
State exchange health insurance options available in Okanogan County
Okanogan County residents who buy their own health insurance through the state exchange have five choices for coverage next year, all from LifeWise Health Plan of Washington. Individuals under age 30 have one more choice — a plan that covers catastrophic needs. LifeWise is offering two bronze plans (one with a health-savings account), two silver (low- and […]
DNR seeks to transfer land to raise money for school trust
A total of 490 acres of state land near Twisp — in seven separate parcels — could ultimately be sold at auction because the property doesn’t produce revenue for the school trusts managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR). DNR plans to transfer these parcels into the state land bank. The land bank holds properties DNR has […]
Methow Valley resident sought reconciliation in return to Laos
Editor’s Note: This story was updated on November 18, 2019, to correct information about where Don Super was stationed. Super translated Laotian radio communications at a research field station in Thailand, not in Laos as originally reported in the print version of this story that ran in the November 13, 2019, Methow Valley News. […]
County sales tax approved; Kline re-elected
MV School Board member defeats challenger Hubbard Okanogan County voters overwhelmingly backed a 0.2% increase in the sales tax to fund upgrades to the county’s emergency-communications systems and facilities. Almost 69% agreed to pay an additional 2 cents on a $10 purchase; 31% rejected the higher tax. Revenue raised by the tax will establish a […]
Property owners appeal gravel-pit proposal
Conditional use permit hearing next week Seventy home- and landowners in Methow have appealed Okanogan County’s environmental review for a gravel pit above the town, saying the industrial site would destroy their quiet, rural lifestyle and lower their property values. Since most of their properties are high above the valley floor on the east side […]
Lawsuit alleges county unlawfully held inmate
Federal immigration officers requested woman’s detention Two immigration-rights groups have filed a lawsuit against Okanogan County on behalf of an immigrant who was detained in the county jail for two additional days at the request of federal immigration authorities, in violation of a judge’s order that she be released. Holding the woman after the judge […]
Farewell Angelina blends songwriting, shimmering harmonies, ‘dash of sass’
Fans of country music will be greeted with evocative, moving vocals when Farewell Angelina comes to the Winthrop Barn for a concert on Nov. 16. Farewell Angelina’s four powerhouse female vocalists are all dynamic songwriters and accomplished multi-instrumentalists, known for heart-stopping harmonies backed by violins and guitars. The quartet delivers a new take on country […]
Merc drama ‘Rope’ raises moral questions about the value of life
“Rope” is the rare thriller where the audience knows who’s been murdered, who did it and what will happen from the moment the curtain rises. The suspense comes instead from speculating about whether the murderers will be discovered and if they’ll get away with their crime, said Don Nelson, the director of the play, which […]
