The Year in News and Sports
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Sitzmark Open for Skiiers & Snowboarders
Sitzmark Ski Area opened up on Thursday, Dec. 27 to a big crowd with many families like Carl Bjeland’s (above) who were skiing last Saturday. Calvin Sutton, age 5, of Tonasket (left) gets fitted out with a helmet and other gear at the ski hut. It’s a quick ride to the top on Sitzmark’s modern chairlift (far left). Operating days and hours are Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Monday holidays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. You can find out more about Sitzmark on their website at http://gositzmark.org or by calling (509) 485-3323. Gary DeVon/staff photos
Looking back at 2012: This week we take a look at some of the stories that graced the front pages of the Gazette-Tribune in the first six months of 2012. We hope you enjoy this look back as much as we do. We will bring you the second half of the year next week.
January Canadian official denies border closing – Canadians were abuzz about reports that the daytime-only border crossings at Midway and Chopaka (Nighthawk) were scheduled to be closed. A Canadian official denies the closures released in a “leaked” report. Meanwhile, the U.S. was investing $6 million on a brand new Nighthawk crossing. Juveniles arrested for burglarizing Tonasket business – Three juveniles were arrested in connection with a burglary at the Blue Bird warehouse, as well as the theft of an ATV and pickup truck. Oroville students to receive musical instruments – Oroville Elementary and High School students are the recipients of a grant from the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation and will receive $72,000 to purchase new instruments and make repairs to others. County holds meetings on Recreation Plan – Representatives with the county planning office held a meeting in Oroville to discuss efforts to update the recreation plan and the results of an online survey. The largest number of survey takers came from the Methow, with Oroville returning the second highest. NVH, other Critical Access Hospitals face budget axe – Proposed cuts to state Medicare and Medicaid funding have
North Valley Hospital District officials concerned about the future of health care in the region and the impacts to the hospital. Parking issue stays on Tonasket Council Radar – Night time parking within the city limits continued to be an issue with the council as it heard feedback on recent efforts to enforce parking ordinances in some parts of town where off-street parking is limited. Oroville asked to annex Balmes Road properties -The council accepted a letter of intent to annex several properties just north of the city limits across the Okanogan River. The city also approved a moratorium on pot dispensaries and growing operations. Study casts doubts on profitability of Enloe Dam hydro project – Several conservation groups are calling Okanogan County PUD’s attempts at restarting hydroelectric power generation at Enloe Dam a money losing proposition. Commissioner Ernie Boltz says it’s too early to predict final costs. Bob and Jane Thompson are Citizens of the Year – The Tonasket Chamber of Commerce names the couple Citizens of the Year at their annual officer installation and awards banquet.
February Tonasket and funeral service in negotiations on crematory – The city council will begin negotiations with Bergh’s Funeral Service for a long term lease of property adjacent to the cemetery for a crematorium and columbarium. Suspect sought in connection with
OKANOGAN VALLEY GAZETTE-TRIBUNE Volume 109 No. 01
several burglaries arrested – An Oroville man sought in numerous burglaries and theft charges in Oroville and Tonasket, including a theft at the Okanogan Eagles, was arrested in East Wenatchee. According to Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers, the then 20-year-old had told several people prior to his arrest, “… it’s going to be a new year and he was going to burglarize and steal as much as he can until he is caught.” Title IX raises questions for Oroville School Board – The fact post season tournaments for boys and girls wrestling are held at two different locations raised questions of whether a volunteer coach could stand in the corner for the girls and still meet federal Title IX requirements. Superintendent Steve Quick said a review of the regulations had raised a “red flag.” Ballots for North County school levies due back by Tuesday – Voters in the Tonasket and Oroville School Districts are being asked to replace expiring twoyear Maintenance and Operations levies. Judge Burchard won’t seek return to the bench – After 19 years on the bench, Superior Court Judge Jack Burchard said he will not seek a sixth term. May Festival Queen Candidates – Ali Miller and Dayna Roley, both juniors at Oroville High School, have thrown their hats in the ring in the hopes of trading them for a queen’s crown in this year’s May Festival. School levies fare well with voters – Voters sent local school districts a Valentine Tuesday, Feb. 14 by approving Maintenance and Operations levies by well over the margins needed to pass.
With a simple majority of 51 percent of the vote needed to pass, Oroville District voters returned 63.5 percent in favor and Tonasket District voters, 59.4. Anglers get skunked, but Ice Fishing Fest awards over $2000 in prizes – The 8th Annual Northwest Ice Fishing Derby finished on Saturday, Feb. 18 with the awarding of cash and prizes. Unfortunately no fish were caught for the second year in a row.
March Ali Miller selected as May Festival Queen – Ali Miller, the daughter of Scott and Benie Miller, was chosen as this year’s Oroville May Festival Queen at the Selection Night ceremony held at OHS. Her princess, Dayna Roley, is the daughter of Ross and Neysa Roley. Kinross donates to help buy reader board – Kinross Gold Company and the Oroville Booster Club have donated $22,000 to the Oroville School District towards the purchase of a new programable electronic reader board to replace the current sign at Oroville’s Triangle Park. Councilman raises privacy concern – Tonasket Councilman Scott Olson has concerns about video surveillance being used in town without a policy in place and while his motion to curtail such surveillance until a policy is in place failed, he hopes his point was made. Tonasket Chamber looks at future of RV Park – Tonasket Chamber president Dale Crandall said that after examining options for the future of the Tonasket RV Park, attempting to make it legal for ten-
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ants to stay for longer than a month at a time would be inadvisable. Oroville Chamber learns about saving energy, money – Chamber members learned they may be eligible for grants and utility incentives to replace old equipment, reduce energy costs and even generate power on-site. Cravy, Braman resign – Resignations by Tonasket Elementary School Principal Jeff Cravy and high school varsity basketball coach Glenn Braman were accepted by the Tonasket School Board at its meeting on Monday, March 12. Tonasket Council updates on projects – The Tonasket City Council provided updates on a number of civic projects that are progressing through the planning stages, including the Mill Drive/ Bonaparte Creek Sewer project. Former Oroville Principal killed – Former Oroville High School Principal Frank Motta died from injuries sustained while trying to help a neighbor whose Spokane area home had been overrun by a teenage party. No pot grows, shops in Oroville – The state might say its legal, but as far as the feds are concerned marijuana, medical or otherwise is still verboten – a public hearing on a moratorium on these issues drew little comment at the city council’s March 20 meeting. STP grant for Oroville’s Cherry and Central streets -Oroville will receive over $400,000 from the Federal Highway Administration to improve Central and Cherry Streets through the Surface Transportation Program. STP funds are to be used to improve streets that serve
Obituaries 2012 In Pictures Letters/Opinion
A2 A4 A5
Valley Life A6 2012 Sports Pics A7 Classifieds/Legals A8
Real Estate Police Stats Sports
A9 A9 A12