TONASKET THEATER
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“TAMING OF THE SHREW”
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Jack Black on board for pool, spray park fundraiser
GRADUATION DAY
Two water recreation projects combine forces to ramp up effort
ation sooner rather than later. But it was Karen Stangland, whose leadership of the community swimming pool community has given it focus and direction, that discovered the fundraising opportunity that both hope will bear BY BRENT BAKER fruit. “I was watching junk TV one night BBAKER@GAZETTE-TRIBUNE.COM and saw this Omaze thing,” Stangland TONASKET - The Tonasket Water said. “I saw how much George Clooney Ranch spray park should be completed made for a ‘date with George Clooney’ - I called Linda and thought this summer. it might be something to get Rebuilding the Tonasket City Jack if involved with if he was Swimming pool is likely to take willing.” several years at multiple times Jack Black will be starring the cost. in an upcoming movie based The committees working to on R.L. Stine’s “Goosebumps” make the two projects a realbook series. ity have combined forces in “Once he started looking at it an effort to facilitate the comand talked to the Goosebumps pletion of both, and that has Jack Black people, they took an interest,” helped to bring on board actor Jack Black, who is participating in a Linda Black said. “That’s when it moved fundraiser to bring in the money that is forward.” Purchasing entries at the website hoped to complete the spray park and http://www.omaze.com/jackblack in a jump start the pool effort. Black has strong family ties to the area, variety of dollar amounts sends funds and his stepmother Linda Black has been to the spray park and pool projects. The the driving force to get the Tonasket winner (and a friend) will be flown to Water Ranch built in order to give area Atlanta, Georgia, housed in four-star children some summertime water recre-
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NVH warrants drop below $150,000
Brent Baker and Gary DeVon/staff photos
Above, Savannah Clinedinst, one of Tonasket High School’s three valedictorians this year, accepts her diploma from Tonasket School Board representative Lloyd Caton at Saturday’s THS graduation ceremony. Right, family and friends pose with Oroville graduate Meagan Moralez, this year’s winner of the Glover Cup. In presenting the cup, Oroville Superintendent Steve Quick said it is awarded each year to the senior who best shows “the spirit of Americanism.”
BY BRENT BAKER BBAKER@GAZETTE-TRIBUNE.COM
TONASKET - With the North Valley Hospital District Board of Commissioners moved from its normal Thursday date to Monday, June 9, the agenda was a bit shorter than usual. However, of particular note was the fact that the hospital’s debt to Okanogan County has been reduced to $141,677 (as of Monday afternoon), down about $200,000 from the previous board meeting 10 days earlier. Administrator Linda Michel said that union negotiations had concluded, although the new contract had yet to be voted on. “We’re glad we’re done,” Michel said. “They went well. They were tiring days and tense at times, but we got through it. As soon as they vote on it, June 17-18, we’ll bring the details back here
(to report).” The commissioners also heard reports from Human Resources director Jan Gonzales, who discussed the costs of a high turnover rate and said that North Valley Hospital’s turnover rates have reduced significantly in the past five years and in most areas are below (better than) the national average. The board also heard a pharmacy quality report from NVH pharmacist Mike Harshberger, who discussed medication safety and procedures for monitoring, tracking and disposing of expired medications.
PREVIOUS MEETING Prior to the May 29 meeting, the board had to approve the emergency repair of the corrosion protection system in one of the fuel tanks. Chief Information Officer Kelly
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Planning to expand July 4th fireworks event Several projects in Oroville coming to completion BY GARY A. DEVON MANAGING EDITOR
OROVILLE – Clyde Andrews, Oroville Chamber of Commerce president, discussed the plans for an expanded Community Fireworks Display at the Oroville City Council meeting Tuesday, June 3. “First of all we are requesting the use of Deep Bay Park for this year’s July 4th fireworks display,” Andrews said. “While Dane Forester has been organizing for many years, he’s tired. He’s still willing to help organize the fireworks themselves and shoot them off... he’s tired.”
In addition to helping raise money to cover costs of the show, Andrews said the Chamber wants to expand the show to include other activities, like a patriotic song contest and decorated boat parade. “We are hoping to have a bigger display too... last year there was something like $5000 and $1500 of that went to insurance. We are trying to raise nearly $10,000, but we don’t want to go over $10,000 because that puts us into another license category,” the Chamber president said. Andrews said the Chamber has discussed other ways to raise money including charging for parking at the park and rental of the picnic shelters. “These and possibly having more vendors could provide a little extra cash for next year’s event,” said Andrews.
OKANOGAN VALLEY GAZETTE-TRIBUNE Volume 110 No. 24
Oroville Ambulance Coordinator Debra Donahue and EMT Jackie McDaniels demonstrate the ease with which patients can be loaded and unloaded from Oroville’s new ambulance using the power gurney. The demonstration took place following the Tuesday, June 3 meeting of the Oroville City Council.
After some discussion about whether the covered shelters could be rented or auctioned off by Mayor Chuck Spieth and the council, it was decided that since the Chamber was reserving the entire park on the Fourth of July they could also raise money using the park facilities. “I think it would be fine if the city waived the park use fees and allowed the park to be reserved and used for fund raising,” said Councilman Ed Naillon.
PROJECT REPORTS Oroville Public Works Superintendent Rod Noel reported that the tank for the North End Reservoir Project has been completed and that the water will just need to go through water purity certification. The reservoir was constructed to increase reliability in Oroville’s north end water
Gary DeVon/staff photo
system which serves businesses and residences north of the city limits on the west side of Osoyoos Lake. The water system is being upgraded because of the new U.S. Border Patrol Station and most of the funding for the reservoir is being paid for using federal funds.
“The tank looks well put together and it looks like the project will be completed midmonth. All that has to be done before it can be used is to cut into the main line,” said Noel. “That’s good news... it’s been a long time coming,” said Mayor
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Spieth. Noel added that the contractor, who is behind schedule on the project “is on liquidated damages” because of the time frame. He said that since May 9th there
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