WINTER SPORTS HEAT UP
INTERNATIONAL CHORUS
First Games of Season, A10-11
Friday, Dec. 14, 7 p.m. Oroville Free Methodist Church
Special Section, B 1-6
SERVING WASHINGTON’S
OKANOGAN VALLEY
SINCE 1905
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City’s 2014 budget already on the rise
GEARING UP FOR CHRISTMAS
Oroville needs to set more aside for patrol car BY GARY A. DEVON MANAGING EDITOR
OROVILLE - Even before approved, Oroville’s 2014 budget will likely increase by at least $12,000 over the $8,267,700 discussed at the previous council meeting, according to Kathy Jones, city clerk/ treasurer. “One reason is we set aside $25,400 to purchase a police vehicle, but Chief (Clay) Warnstaff said it has to be a fourwheel drive if Stonegarden is going to give us $10,000 toward the purchase,” said Jones. “I don’t know where we will get the extra... we’ll have to wait until we close the books on this year,” she added. “It looks like we’ll have an $18,000 increase over the preliminary budget we looked at last time.” Chief Warnstaff added that buying a four-wheel drive vehicle, similar to the Ford Explorer purchased using federal Stonegarden grant monies a couple years back will add about $10,000 to the purchase over what has been budgeted and the grant money. According to the U.S. Homeland Security website, “The intent of the Operation Stonegarden (OPSG) Program is to enhance law enforcement preparedness and operational readiness along the land borders of the United States. OPSG
Above, Santa Claus usually leaves a more positive impression, but maybe the extreme cold at Tonasket’s Winterfest celebration had this young guy in a less than charitable mood. (More Winterfest photos on page A3). Right, The Okanagan International Chorus sings at Oroville’s Centennial Park during the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Below, seven tractors formed Oroville’s first ever Lighted Tractor Parade prior to the tree lighting. Below, right. Santa listens to the wishes of seven-year-old Bianca Escantelle from Tonasket at the event sponsored by the Oroville Chamber of Commerce.
BY GARY A. DEVON MANAGING EDITOR
OKANOGAN – With temperatures dropping well below freezing, there is a lot of local advise out there to help people stay safe throughout the winter season. Oroville City Superintendent Rod Noel is recommending that people keep at least a stream or dribble of water running to help prevent their water meter, or worse yet, their water pipes, from bursting. The cities of Oroville
MOSQUITO DISTRICT RESOLUTION Councilman Ed Naillon made a motion for Oroville’s inclusion in a mosquito district which is being formed by the Okanogan County Commissioners. Final approval for the district would be put before the voters and an assessment would be made to pay for mosquito abatement in those areas that have agreed to join the district. The motion was carried and an area of Oroville, similar to that which was sprayed in the passed, will be included in the new Okanogan County Mosquito Control District. CHARTER CABLE FRANCHISE There was also additional discussion of the request from Charter Communications to renew their franchise in Oroville. Mick Howe, the city’s attorney, reviewed the agreement
SEE BUDGET | PG A2
Stage 1 Burn Ban declared in county THE GAZETTE-TRIBUNE
YAKIMA – The state Department of Ecology has declared a Stage 1 burn ban in Okanogan, Douglas and Chelan County, meaning poor dispersion of smoke is expected to degrade air quality over the next few days. Th Stage 1 burn ban will continue until at least Friday, when it could be called off or extended. The ban applies to the use of uncertified wood-burning devices (including wood stoves, inserts and fireplaces). It also applies to all outdoor burning, including residential, agricultural and forest burning. Under the ban the use of uncertified wood-burning devices is prohibited unless they are a home’s only adequate source of heat. Certified devices and pellet stoves are allowed. Ecology rec-
Staying safe on the road and on the ice Emergency Agency provides winter safety tips
provides funding to designated localities to enhance cooperation and coordination between law enforcement agencies in a joint mission to secure the nation’s land borders.” Oroville and Tonasket have both been recipients of grant funding. In return, off-duty police officers are paid by the federal government to help with patrols along the border.
and Tonasket also remind property owners that it is their responsibility to keep sidewalks abutting their property free from ice and snow. Clearing snow should be done on a timely basis to allow the public to have a safe walk on sidewalks both in front of businesses and homes. Scott Miller, manager of the county’s Department of Emergency Management, said the county Sheriff’s Office has several tips on their website for staying safe on the road, as well as avoiding falling through ice, which may appear solid, but can be dangerous. ON THE ROAD If your travel needs call for driving in wintry weather the county recommends you prepare
your car for the trip by updating your vehicle emergency kit with: • Booster cables; • Blankets, hats, socks, and mittens; • Road salt or sand; and • A fluorescent distress flag. While on the road, follow these driving techniques to ensure you reach your destination safely: • Decrease your speed and leave plenty of room to stop; • Break gently to avoid skidding; • Do not use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads; and • Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to others. ON THE ICE According to the county’s website there is no such thing
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as 100 percent safe ice. Before venturing out on a frozen lake or pond keep in mind: Even if ice is a foot thick in one area on a lake, it can be one inch thick just a few yards away. It’s impossible to judge the strength of ice by its appearance, thickness, daily temperature, or snow cover alone. Ice strength is actually dependent on all four factors, plus water depth under the ice, the size of the water and water chemistry, currents, and distribution of the load on the ice. Here are a few general guidelines: Wait to walk out on the ice until there are at least four inches of clear, solid ice. Thinner ice will support one person, but since ice thickness can vary considerably, especially at the beginning and end of the season, four inches will provide a margin of safety. Some factors that can change ice thickness include flocks of waterfowl and schools of fish. By congregating in a small area, fish can cause warmer water from the bottom towards the surface, weakening or in some cases opening
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ommends burning hot fires using only clean, dry wood. No excessive smoke is allowed from any wood-burning device beyond a 20-minute start-up. By limiting burning and following restrictions residents can help improve air quality sooner, according to Ecology. Smoke from outdoor burning and wood-burning devices builds up where cold air is trapped near the ground. Fine particles in smoke are so small they can easily get into lungs. Once there, they can cause heart and breathing problems, and even death. Children, people with asthma and respiratory illnesses, and adults older than 65 are most at risk. Burn ban violators are subject to civil penalties. Violators can be reported by calling the smoke complaint hotline (1-866-211-6284). For burn ban updates, go online to www.waburnbans.net.
large holes in the ice. Go out with a buddy and keep a good distance apart as you walk out. If one of you goes in the other can call for help (it’s amazing how many people carry cellular phones these days). The companion can also attempt a rescue if one of you are carrying
rope or other survival gear. Snowmobiles and ATV’s need at least five inches, and cars and light trucks need at least 8-12 inches of good clear ice. Contact a local resort or bait shop for information about
SEE SAFETY | PG A2
Gary DeVon/staff photo
There is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice, according to the county’s Department of Emergency Management. Even if it is a foot thick in one area on a lake, it can be one inch thick just a few yards away.
INSIDE THIS EDITION Winterfest A3 Letters/Opinion A5 Community A6-7
Cops & Courts A7 Classifieds/Legals A8-9 Real Estate A9
Sports A10-11 Obituaries A12 Winter Sports B1-6