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OKANOGAN VALLEY GAZETTE-TRIBUNE | JULY 30, 2015
NEWS GEAR UP FOR COLLEGE
NO GUNS | FROM A1
Dana McCoy/submitted photos
Above, left to right, Mikaela McCoy, Yessica Namecio, Katherine Egerton, Havannah Worrell, Ashaya ThomasAllen and Alexia Garcia are six students from Six students from Oroville High School had the opportunity to experience what university life is like first hand. As part of the GEAR-UP program the students spent four weeks attending Central Washington University and taking two university level classes per day. Upon completion of the four-week program the students each received seven college credits to use towards their postsecondary education. Each student completed University 101 where they learned to develop study skills, budgeting their time, studying in groups, and how to be a successful student. In addition the students completed and received credit for the following classes: Egerton, Biology 101; Garcia, Math 101; McCoy, Computer Science 112; Nemecio, Math 101; ThomasAllen, Computer Science 112; and Worrell, Biology 101. GEAR-UP’s vision is that all students are academically, socially, and financially prepared to enter and complete the postsecondary program or institution of their choice.
AMBULANCE | FROM A1 “We actually came to a tentative agreement last Thursday, it just needs to be fine tuned using the existing agreement and making a few tweaks,” said Spieth. “We are almost to the point where everyone can sign it.” Allen, who dropped off copies of the resignation letters at the Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune says the EMTs are forming their own non-profit ambulance group called North Star Medical, which he says has been registered with the Department of Health. He said the group has already received the donation of a 1999 Ford ambulance from Ballard Ambulance and they are ready to serve the EMS District should they be hired to do so. “Chuck blew up at me and I told him he will not disrespect me as long as I am a taxpayer in this city. At that meeting all the EMTs informed him that I speak for them and they said the same at the county commissioner’s meeting,” said Allen, who claims the county and city can’t work out their issues. “In the meantime we will be supplying service to the EMS district so no one has to suffer,” he said. “We will do it for the tax dollars
and on an on call basis like no other entity can do,” said Allen, referring to private services. He said the levy money the rural and city ambulance districts bring in would be enough to pay the EMTs a salary. “The nice thing is we are a non-profit, if you can’t afford to pay for your call we treat it as a
“We will not leave the City of Oroville without an ambulance service.” Chuck Spieth, Mayor, City of Oroville
write-off,” he said. Currently the two districts, which share the ambulances and ambulance building are divided about two-third ownership by the county and one-third by the city, according to Allen, something that JoAnn Denney, Oroville’s City Clerk/Treasuer agrees with. “The city has about a one-third interest in the property. It is based on revenues and levy amounts so it fluctuates from year to year,” said Denney. About Allen’s charge that the city took $70,000 from a donation
to the emergency services fund and used it to pay for their share of the last ambulance purchased, both Denney and Spieth disagree vehemently. Denney also points to the state audits and says that money is still in the account and the account’s purpose is for the purchase of things like ambulance sand equipment for the EMS District. While the mayor doesn’t know what will happen with the current EMTs after they resign, he wanted to let everyone know the people in the EMS District will receive emergency ambulance coverage. “We will not leave the City of Oroville without an ambulance service. It may not be as it is structured now... it probably won’t be,” said the mayor, adding that he wasn’t taking anything away from the quality of the current EMTs. “They do an excellent job, but we have the right in an emergency situation to do a temporary hire... The county has the same right,” Spieth said. “At our last meeting with County Planner Perry Huston and the commissioners, Commissioner Kennedy said, ‘I believe we have an emergency situation right now.’”
it again in six months. I’ve had a lot of people call me and they are against this. We are going from zero to 60 and not putting on the brakes,” said Board Member Michael Egerton. Hill said the board needed to identify whether there was even a need for arming certain school staff members. “I don’t think there’s the slightest need to do so. I think we are jumping the gun... no pun intended,” said Hill. Board member Travis Loudon said he thought getting more information to the public, and more input from the public in return, would be a good thing. An issue that was brought up was the confusion in the public’s mind over the difference between the Gap training and training some staff to carry concealed
weapons. Gap training, which has been approved for Oroville, refers to the “gap” in time between a shooting or other threat at the school and the time that police can respond. “If the district is thinking of arming the staff, as a parent I’d certainly want to know,” said Lisa Cone. “At this point we are not close to implementing the concealed part of this,” said DeVon. It was even suggested by some that parents would take there kids out of school if staff were armed. “I’d really like to separate these two out in the public’s mind,” said Egerton. “Every time you have a meeting on Gap training and you discuss firearms you cause confusion. I’m really for the Gap training, I have real questions about the idea of arming teachers.”
“I think the Gap training is going to be incredible,” said DeVon. Loudon agreed that the training would be great, but suggested the school take a more proactive look at things like bullying, before they become a problem. “I’ve heard lots of comments about bullying going on at the school,” said Loudon. It was suggested that the school hire a full time phycologist, even if the district had to fund it as part of the school levy. Quick said Okanogan Behavioral Health has suggested the agency would like to get more involved in the schools, to have more influence. The board tabled the issue of arming staff members, but may address it in the future after they have more information and more public input.
Motel in Oroville. On Friday night, it’s a festive night of “Beers, Brats and Films” at the Alpine Brewing Company, where the brewery offers a lively setting to watch films and mingle
of award winning short films. Three filmmakers will also be in attendance this evening, including the director of the short film “Obituaries,” directed by Ryan Moody, which includes the actor
FILMS | FROM A1 Hinze, previous Pastime owner. “Like Brant and me, the Naillons appreciate what the arts can do for tourism, and I know they will be enthusiastic supporters of Tumbleweed.” Following the reception, films will be shown at Vicki’s Backdoor Club at 7 p.m. “We are excited to be a Tumbleweed venue for a second year. Evening events on Main Street are good for Oroville and going to the movies is a rare treat. Everyone has a good time at this festival,” said Vicki Hart of Vicki’s Backdoor Club. One of the short films to be shown that night, “Merry Xmas,” features actors Dick Van Dyke and Mathew Modine is included in this evening’s program. Tickets for the opening night reception and films are $30 and may be purchased on the Tumbleweed Film Festival website or reserved via email at twffpastime@gmail.com, calling the Pastime or in person at the Pastime. Tickets to watch the films only at Vicki’s Backdoor Club are $10 and may be purchased online on Tumbleweed’s website or at the door. The Family Night event at the Oroville High School offers a great selection of fun family shorts for the entire family. The event takes place at the Oroville High School auditorium at 6 p.m.. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased online from Tumbleweed or directly at the door. For this year’s event, Reman and Reload got into the community spirit and purchased a block of tickets to give to kids in the community. There are a limited number of these tickets that may be picked up for this event at the Camaray
“Each venue offers its own unique atmosphere to the experience, so it’s also a fun, social happening, where film goers can talk about the movies and also meet some of the filmmakers.” Mo Fine, Co-Founder Tumbleweed Film Festival
on the patio. Doors open at 5 p.m. and films begin at 7 p.m. Tickets, for this age 21 and over event, are $10 and are available for purchase online or at the door. Beer and BBQ are available for purchase. Last, but not least, Esther Bricques hosts “Films in the Vineyard” for a special night
James Franco. Doors open at 5 p.m. with live music from “Mood Swings” and films begin at 7 p.m. Wine by the glass or bottle and appetizers are available for purchase. Visit www.tumbleweedfilmfest. com for more details or to purchase tickets.
EstherBric ues 42 Swanson Mill Road Oroville, WA 98844 509-476-2861
Winery
Saturday, August 1 featuring The Mood Swings - 5 pm with nibbles and wine Films - 7 pm Tickets $10 online or at the door
http://www.tumbleweedfilmfest.com/esther-bricques-winery/