Kelly Edwards has been hired as associate director at Room One, the nonprofit social services agency in Twisp. Edwards will support programming through Room One’s One-Stop Support Center in Twisp and its Okanogan Healthy Youth programs across the county, and will work closely with staff on program development, communications, advocacy and strategic direction, according to […]
Room One
Federal judge upholds grants for teen pregnancy prevention
A federal judge in Spokane has ruled that the Trump administration cannot cut off funding for an ongoing grant that supports teen pregnancy prevention programs, including a program conducted by Room One in Okanogan County.
If the ruling is not challenged, that means …
The hidden faces of homelessness
Social-service agencies across the country try to get a handle on the number of people without stable housing — more commonly characterized as homeless — in an annual count during the last week in January. But that count most likely underestimates the number of homeless people in Okanogan County.
Safe places: Assessment and training are part of life at MV schools
A walk-through and comprehensive safety assessment of all school facilities last week was “timely and relevant,” but it wasn’t a response to the February school shooting in Parkland, Florida, said Methow Valley School District Superintendent Tom Venable. The facility review had already been scheduled …
Housing crunch hurts locals
Rickey Christian cradled his dog, a small Chihuahua, in his arms and smiled as he stood outside his new home in the Cedarwood Apartments in Winthrop earlier this month. “I love it. I love it. One hundred percent. I’m fine right here,” Christian said…
Methow Valley’s housing crunch won’t be eased soon
The shortage of affordable housing in the Methow Valley is a problem that is described by local housing advocates as acute and chronic.
“We’re currently working with around 40 families or individuals who need ….
Questions remain as health insurance enrollment nears
Although the open-enrollment period for health insurance is just two weeks away, uncertainty — about costs, subsidies, and what the policies will actually cover — is still growing.
Just last week, President Donald Trump issued two declarations that could affect how health-insurance plans …
Teen pregnancy prevention programs in to be cut in county
Federal grants that fund teen pregnancy prevention programs and research were unexpectedly cut short by the Trump administration last month — distressing news for Room One, which is working to reduce teen pregnancy in Okanogan County.
Room One, a non-profit social …
Experience, education fueled Brown’s quest for Fulbright award
Over the past 10 years, Sarah Brown worked her way — one online class at a time — through her bachelor’s degree in sociology.
After graduating last year with top honors from Oregon State University (OSU), Brown has achieved another …
Methow Ready names Riach as new preparedness coordinator
Hayley Riach, who worked as a disaster case manager after the 2014 Carlton Complex Fire, has recently become coordinator of Methow Ready.
Having helped people recover from disaster, Riach said she welcomes the opportunity to help people become better prepared to …
