Governor brings familiar themes to valley visit Gov. Jay Inslee toured the Methow Valley last week with stops in Winthrop, Twisp and Pateros, chatting informally with local officials about existing projects and future needs. The governor, dressed in jeans and an open-neck checked shirt, was accompanied by his wife, Trudi, and two grandchildren. His entourage […]
Governor Jay Inslee
Tourism promotion gets local thumbs-down
By Ann McCreary
A $150,000 marketing campaign aimed at luring visitors to areas impacted by wildfires and other natural disasters last summer has raised questions among some Methow Valley residents about its portrayal of the valley and Okanogan County.
FEMA says ‘no’ – again – to individual disaster assistance
By Marcy Stamper
Finding that “the impact to individuals and households from this event [the wildfire] was not of the severity or magnitude to warrant the designation,” the federal administrator for disaster …
FEMA appeal paints stark picture of fires’ physical and emotional toll
By Marcy Stamper
In stark numbers and emotional accounts, the governor toughened his case for a disaster declaration to help individuals and families affected by the summer’s wildfires. New numbers included …
State will add mudslide damage to FEMA appeal
By Marcy Stamper
Federal and state teams are gathering supplemental information about the extent and cost of fire-related damages for an appeal of the denial of a disaster declaration that would help individuals who lost homes and property in the fires. The teams are determining the scope of the damage, which has …
State to appeal FEMA’s denial of help for individuals with fire losses
By Marcy Stamper Just days after committing federal funds to help rebuild public infrastructure destroyed in the wildfire, President Obama denied a separate request for assistance to individuals who lost homes and property in the fires. Gov. Jay Inslee intends to appeal the president’s denial of a major disaster declaration for individual assistance under Federal […]
Inslee confident area will qualify for FEMA aid
By Don Nelson
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee dropped by Twisp Town Hall last Friday, during a Methow Valley visit that was disrupted by the outbreak of the Rising Eagle Road Fire, to assure Mayor Soo Ing-Moody and other local officials that he will assist the fire-ravaged area any way he can.
