By Gregory McNamee At any given moment during this smoky summer of 2023, hundreds of wildfires were blazing in the United States — more than 850 as of late July, according to the nonprofit Fire, Weather & Avalanche Center. Most of those wildfires ignited in the forests of the American West. Fires were also burning […]
Editorials
Now that it’s all counted …
There wasn’t a lot for local voters to do with their Primary Election ballots, but the results nonetheless are important going forward. Most notably, the proposed annexation of Twisp to Okanogan County Fire District 6 — a sensible action that finally unifies the entire fire district as one jurisdiction — was convincingly approved by voters. […]
Writers on the Range – Adaptation tips for a new Westerner
By Betsy Marston Hurray, you’ve moved to the rural West from a crowded subdivision or city where the traffic has become an out-of-patience game, and now you want to fit in. You want to learn how irrigation ditches work, build a hen house, and grow fruit trees, wine grapes and a garden. You also want […]
Writers on the Range – A dogged reporter covers our roiling world
By Dave Marston Usually seen with a camera slung around his neck, Allen Best edits a one-man online journalism shop he calls Big Pivots. Its beat is the changes made necessary by our rapidly warming climate, and he calls it the most important story he’s ever covered. Best is based in the Denver area, and […]
Writers on the range – Mental illness treatment: the societal problem that just won’t go away
By Stephen Trimble When I read the Salt Lake Tribune editorial on July 2, my heart sank. A Utah man with severe mental illness had died in a poorly regulated care home, with a mere $8,000 fine levied against the managers. The editorial was fierce: “It doesn’t seem to matter how horrible the care … […]
Together in grief, and love
At first, the only real sounds were a few muted murmurs and the crunch of footsteps. They came from running shoes, hiking boots, work boots, sandals — the varied footware of a congregation as diverse as the community, coming together this evening for a shared purpose with shared emotions. Word had spread that there would […]
Writers on the range – Alaska needs to value its live bears
By Wendy Keefover Grizzly bears in Alaska, called brown bears, that live around the town of Bethel, population 6,325, should have a good life as they don’t interact with many people. But their future is in peril. Alaska’s bears have powerful governmental enemies, starting with the state of Alaska. This spring, state wildlife agents in […]
My Turn – Methow Valley needs more late-life care solutions
By Salyna Gracie This adventure of being human takes us all to the same place eventually — we aim to live a good life as we grow older and someday, we leave our legacy and our earthly body behind when our spirit moves on. Methow At Home was formed by the vision and hard work […]
Vote like it matters
The Aug. 1 primary election offers a light ballot for Methow Valley residents, but voters should pay close attention to what they are being asked to decide. They are matters of interest to us all. Residents in Twisp and Okanogan County Fire District 6 are being asked to approve the town’s annexation to the district. […]
Writers on the range – Too many tourists are easily influenced
By Marjorie “Slim” Woodruff A spectacular picture recently appeared on social media of a young lady in Arizona. She was poised on the edge of a cliff emblazoned with sunset colors. Immediately her online followers clamored to know where the picture was taken, so “I can get one just like it.” Turns out that it […]
