Four candidates for commissioner seat When Jim DeTro first ran for Okanogan County commissioner in 2010, it was in response to a steady drumbeat of discontent about payments for a sewer system on Lake Osoyoos and the purchase of land for a trailhead near Oroville. “People kept asking me to run — they didn’t like […]
Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival returns with a vibrant program
New venue, more options — and some familiar faces String and piano virtuosos with the Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival perform revered chamber works and exciting new music in six concerts this month, after a three-year hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic. Long-time festival-goers will recognize returning musicians Tanya Gabrielian and Zhenni Li-Cohen on piano, […]
Health officials advise COVID-19 precautions including face masks
Subvariant accounts for increase in cases Health officials are advising people to take extra precautions to protect themselves and others from COVID, now that cases are rising again in Washington and across the country. People in indoor settings that are crowded, have poor ventilation, or where they can’t keep a good distance from others should […]
Researchers look at salmon habitat above Enloe Dam
Will analyze sediment behind dam for toxins Tens of thousands of endangered salmon could access high-quality habitat in the Similkameen River watershed if Enloe Dam were removed, but any plans to demolish the dam would have to address arsenic contamination in sediment that’s collected behind the dam under deep gravel. At a community meeting on […]
Mc Cormack, Rodriguez reflect on Okanogan County careers
Incumbents opted not to seek re-election When filing week for upcoming elections closed May 20, several familiar names in Okanogan County government were noticeably absent. Okanogan County Commissioner Jim DeTro didn’t file for re-election after three four-year terms representing District 3, the northeastern region of the county. County Treasurer Leah Mc Cormack is retiring after […]
Sandhill cranes nesting at Big Valley
Trail closed to protected endangered birds Sandhill cranes are so endangered that there are only about 40 breeding pairs in the state, so wildlife managers were encouraged to discover a pair nesting in the Big Valley Wildlife Area near Mazama. Because the birds are endangered, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has closed […]
County considers designated responder for mental health, drug crises
OBHC faces staffing, funding challenges When someone is in crisis, the person often need a mental health specialist, not a police officer. But most of the time, it’s a law enforcement officer who responds to these crisis calls in Okanogan County. With crisis calls on the rise locally and across the country over the past […]
Winthrop considers downtown parking regs
After a discussion at last week’s meeting, the Winthrop Town Council will review the town’s parking code to see if it can accommodate more visitors and customers. They are also considering a proposal from Methow Rafting for a kiosk near the existing library for float trips. At the May 18 meeting, the council discussed downtown […]
Rover’s Ranch owners ready to retire from kennel biz
Many favorite dogs — and people — over 15 years Max. Little Bit. Ruby. Spud. Olive. Jax. Mister Rogers. Rainier. Skookum. Zara. These are just some of the more than 1,000 dogs that have stayed at Rover’s Ranch Dog Boarding over the years. Now, after 15 years of providing a home away from home for […]
Statewide mountain snowpack recovers with an ‘awesome April’
Big snowfall reversed earlier dry conditions After a bleak outlook for the mountain snowpack six weeks ago, the water supply specialist with the state’s Snow Survey Office celebrated what he called “awesome April,” when most of the winter’s missing snow accumulated in just a month. Snowpack increased across the state, “nudging out April 2011 for […]
