By Sam Lucy For a long, long time fire has been something folks have gathered around. The past few years in most parts of the West it’s no secret this notion has taken a different slant. We all have good reason to be on edge come late summer ’round here and I first want to apologize to […]
My Turn
Fish hatcheries: part of the solution to a complex problem
By Peter Aspholm Fish hatcheries have been under fire recently, with the airing of Patagonia-sponsored “Artifishal” as well as certain groups that disapprove of hatchery management or practices. To be honest, I never gave hatcheries a second thought before this year. I would look at fish or participate in fishing events there as a young […]
The facts about the new Fire District 6 station
By Paul Sisson The Okanogan County Fire District 6 commissioners are currently working with an architect to develop a design for a new district fire station in Winthrop that will meet the needs of the firefighters and district for the least cost. In Ross Darling’s June 19 My Turn piece, he discusses the most recent […]
Questions remain about proposed new District 6 fire station
By Ross Darling While the citizens of Twisp do not have an individual vote, they are paying for the same fire protection as Okanogan County Fire District 6 citizens. They will also pay their proportion of the proposed fire station in Winthrop when the levy is finally passed. Taxes will then go up at the […]
Methow Valley quiet shattered again by Navy jets
By Bill Hottell Once again last week the quiet and peacefulness of the Methow Valley was shattered by the shrieking noise of U.S. Navy fighter jets from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. On June 12, the “Growler” aircraft were more disturbing than usual. At midday I looked straight up to see two of the fighter […]
Tackling the ecological impact of plastic bags
By Sam Neitlich We all use disposable plastic in our daily lives. It’s cheap, strong, light and easy to mold and produce. It’s basically the perfect material, right? We often get so caught up in the low cost and high accessibility that plastic provides that we forget about the harms that it can pose to […]
Let’s use forest health, wildfire strategies to combat climate change
By Gina McCoy Bad news first: The Methow Valley is at ground-zero for wildfire risk. As recently reported in the Methow Valley News, Methow, Winthrop and Twisp are ranked first, sixth and seventh most at-risk communities in the entire state. The good news: We have the astonishing good fortune of having the means to reduce […]
Mountain pine beetle threatens eastern Washington forests
By Sarah Crumrine Characterized by their long lives and steady growth, trees are a stable force within our forests. However, their resistance grounds them in harm’s way as disturbances like drought, fire and insects strike. Climate change and the accompanying anomalous temperatures and periods of precipitation expected to hit the Pacific Northwest will increase these […]
Legislature, governor should support wildlife and rec funding
By Gary Schalla As we approach the holiday season, there is no better time than now to start thinking about the state budget. Don’t believe me? We have a fast-approaching opportunity to secure abundant gifts for our children and grandchildren if our elected officials commit robust funding for the outdoors. The counties of North Central […]
The view from Afghanistan, and beyond
By Dana Visalli
I’ve been teaching at a private school for girls in Kabul, Afghanistan, for the past month (March 2014) — my fourth trip to this country in the last five years — and one thing I’m learning is that
