April Tools Sale The Methow Valley Community Center in Twisp is hosting its fourth annual April Tools Sale on Saturday (April 1), from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., in the center’s parking lot. It’s not just for tools, but also furniture, equipment, collectibles and anything that is usable (but no junk). Sellers and vendors can book a […]
NEWS
Local students excel at Kennewick science fair
Students from Liberty Bell Junior High School participated recently at the Mid-Columbia Science Fair in Kennewick and came away with several awards. They were interviewed about their projects by judges, most of whom are scientists who work at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The students were in Genny Rice’s and Amy Fitkin’s science classes, and worked […]
Local offices will fill November ’23 election ballot
Positions open in Twisp, Winthrop, school district, fire district While it’s an off year for most federal and state elections, the 2023 general election ballot will be full of local races. In several cases, a majority of the elected body is up for re-election, setting up the potential for shifts in direction if challengers make […]
MVCC, USFS reach different Mission Project conclusions
Site monitoring looked at trees left after logging Monitoring of logging and forest-restoration work in the Mission Project by the Methow Valley Citizens Council (MVCC) and the Methow Valley Ranger District reached different conclusions about whether the number of trees left standing and the spacing of those trees comply with the project requirements. After receiving […]
Pateros School District will eliminate up to five teaching jobs next year
Staff cuts would help address reduced enrollment The Pateros School District will lay off up to five teachers in the next school year to address decreasing enrollment and anticipated cuts in state funding. The school board approved the reduction-in-force resolution for certificated staff at their March 27 meeting. The job cuts are one of several […]
WSDOT plowing ahead with annual North Cascades Scenic Highway snow clearing effort
Crews have started road work from east, west sides While the rest of us are watching the snowbanks recede and thinking about spring cleaning, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has embarked on what it is calling spring clearing — of the North Cascades Scenic Highway. WSDOT said it would begin the annual task […]
Proposed legislation requires statement of rights for students
By Alexandria OsborneWashington State Journal Public schools must adopt a “Statement of Student Rights,” that includes freedom of speech and religion, the right to assemble, the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness under legislation that has passed the Senate and is now in the House. Engrossed House Bill 1478, by Rep. Joe […]
Methow Valley Ranger district plans prescribed burns this spring
The Methow Valley Ranger District is planning prescribed burns this spring, both piles of slash and underburns to remove low vegetation. Most of these prescribed burns are in the wildland-urban interface and will help mitigate the risk of wildfire, Assistant Fire Management Officer/Fuels Brian Campbell said. The first burns will occur this week, weather permitting. […]
Drought planning forum explores risks, solutions for Methow Valley
Laws, geology, hydrology all affect local watershed Drought is the slowest-moving natural disaster. That arresting observation comes from Jon Culp, Water Resources program manager for the Washington State Conservation Commission. Culp was one of the presenters at Drought Planning: Water Resilience in the Methow. The forum brought together water experts from the valley, the state, […]
Federal wildlife grant may aid Sunny M purchase
Methow Conservancy hopes to apply unused funds to buy 379 acres The Methow Conservancy is hoping to use a wildlife-habitat grant for 379 acres within the 1,200-acre Sunny M Ranch property that the Conservancy aspires to purchase. If approved, the grant would go toward the entire $8.3 million the Conservancy must raise to purchase the […]
