Restoration efforts on Twisp, Methow rivers This month, the Yakama Nation and Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation began construction for fish habitat restoration projects along the Twisp and Methow rivers. The two entities, which are working independently on adjacent sites along the Twisp River, oversaw the transport of hundreds of logs to project sites […]
NEWS
Kiwanis plans Duck Days to replace the Bite
Winthrop Kiwanis, which saw the demise of its annual Bite of the Methow fundraiser during the pandemic, has come up with a new event to generate money to support its various community projects. While still in the planning phase, Duck Days — an ambitious upgrade of the annual Kiwanis Duck Race on Labor Day […]
Fish and Wildlife Commission rejects proposed wolf rule
Goal was to reduce ‘conflict zone’ kills Washington’s wildlife commissioners have chosen not to enact a new rule that was developed with the goal of reducing the number of wolves killed under state orders due to conflicts with livestock. The rule would have designated areas of “chronic conflict” and required state wildlife officials to verify […]
Register and vote in primary election
There’s still time to register to vote in the Aug. 2 primary election. The deadline has passed to register online or by mail, but people can register in person up to Election Day at the Okanogan County Auditor’s Office at the courthouse in Okanogan. All voting in Washington is by mail. Ballots must be postmarked […]
Twisp postpones move to new civic building
The Town of Twisp staff had hoped to begin moving into the new civic building on Glover Street last week, but a few last-minute issues have delayed the transition. Mayor Soo Ing-Moody said earlier that if the building passed an inspection on Wednesday (July 20), the move-in would start as early as Thursday and continue […]
Winthrop Council approves contract for water main replacement pre-planning
The Town of Winthrop has taken a small but necessary step in what Public Works Director Jeff Sarvis called a “lengthy and complicated process” to replace an aging water main. At its meeting last week, the Town Council approved a $9,630 contract with Varela Engineering and Management to begin pre-planning work for replacement of the […]
Community Briefs: Stargazer events, BLM fire restrictions, Clean up the river
Stargazer events On Aug. 2, three free skyward-looking events will be presented: At the Methow Valley Ciderhouse in Winthrop, starting at 5:30 p.m., the Methow Dark Sky Coalition hosts a gathering to talk about local dark sky efforts to reduce light pollution. At the Twisp River Tap House, starting at 7 p.m., the Methow Conservancy hosts an […]
Grant a ‘Game Changer’ for MV Community Center
Will pay for engineering study of HVAC upgrades With the goal of creating a “clean air refuge” for local residents when air quality is unhealthy, the Methow Valley Community Center in Twisp has begun working toward retrofitting the 110-year-old building’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. The community center received a $25,000 grant to […]
Three Rivers Hospital seeks renewal of property tax levy
Supports emergency department services Three Rivers Hospital in Brewster is asking voters to once again approve a one-year property tax levy at the same rate as last year. The levy proposition is on the Aug. 2 primary ballot that has been mailed to voters. The one-year excess tax levy, which has been approved in each […]
Room One’s Host Home program tackles youth housing needs
Organization seeks local volunteer hosts Ronda Smeltzer is no stranger to the phrase, “it takes a village to raise a child.” As she works to get Room One’s Host Home Program off the ground, the sentiment rings true. The Host Home Program, facilitated by the Twisp social services agency Room One, aims to place young […]